Stefan Raubenheimer is a recognised international leader that has worked on long-term assessments, scenario planning and climate mitigation work. He has been involved in several climate change projects across the world with unique expertise of working in Southern Africa.
For our 'Big Picture Seminar', Stefan discussed the arise of climate change in the current time and what we ought to do as a society in order to combat the upcoming tipping points of a self-fulfilling disaster.
Conceptualising the environmental challenges in a timed framework, he argued that the longer society waits to solve climate change issues, the harder it will become, making it a 'super wicked problem'.
Although time is ticking, Stefan discussed how the youth have been educating themselves on the effects and dangers of climate change and 'standing in protests' highlighted 'within the media'. Stefan then drew attention to the challenges in developing a strategic plan to stop climate change, stressing lack of political coordination as well as failing economic tools. Implementing sustainable initiatives, litigation, and changing consumer behaviour are now essential.
Calling the UNFCCC, aka the Paris Agreement, a complete failure was a bold move, but one nonetheless sustained by comparing it to the performance of a university that has only 50% of their students graduate. Governments denying responsibility over climate change led to agreement over baby steps that can only aspire to actual feasible change.
With a glimmer of hope, Stefan closed with a remark on how the people's mindset and attitudes are the strongest drivers in the fight against climate change.
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