We tend to think of climate change as a problem in and of itself. But what if the climate crisis is a symptom of a bigger issue? What if we can’t solve climate change without social justice?

Meteorologist Eric Holthaus is the climate correspondent for The Correspondent and author of The Future Earth: A Radical Vision for What’s Possible in the Age of Warming. Today, Eric joins Ross to explain how climate change is a symptom of broader societal inequalities and discuss the role ownership has played in causing the climate crisis. He shares his vision for a cooperative political and economic system based on distributed production that supports the ideals of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all.

Eric goes on to explore the complexity of our connections with the each other and advocate for a system of ethics that promotes care work and prevents overconsumption by a privileged few. Listen in for Eric’s insight around what the pandemic has taught us about the potential for a radically different life and learn how actively reducing inequality is the first step in solving climate change—once and for all.

Key Takeaways

[1:16] The themes Eric presents in The Future Earth

[5:20] How quickly ‘radical solutions’ have become mainstream

[7:26] The relationship between climate and justice

[8:08] The role ownership has played in causing climate change

[17:41] Eric’s vision for our future economic and political systems

[21:35] The concept of distributed production

[27:58] Eric’s take on toxic masculinity and care work

[32:08] How Eric thinks about energy efficiency and overconsumption

[37:18] The potential for us to lead radically different lives

[40:47] Eric’s insight on travel and the auto industry in the US