South SFV Today

The Last Judgment, Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel masterpiece, provides a powerful analogy for what Stanford climate scientist Rob Jackson calls “climate restoration.” Conservators who cleaned away centuries of dirty oils and resins left small blackened patches untouched as testimony to how badly discolored the famous fresco had become from air pollution, candle smoke, and carbon dioxide in people’s breath. Jackson describes the scene at the outset of his new book "Into the Clear Blue Sky: The Path to Restoring Our Atmosphere," a blend of scientific research, personal anecdotes, and policy recommendations pointing the way toward a cleaner atmosphere and healthier lives.

In the book, Jackson illustrates the challenges and successes of the clean energy transition around the world, ranging from how his own family replaced gas appliances with electric alternatives to how a profitable multinational energy company flipped its portfolio from 85% fossil fuels to predominantly renewables within a decade. Below, Jackson, the Michelle and Kevin Douglas Provostial Professor of Earth System Science in the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, discusses the book, which he describes as a “journey from climate despair to climate repair.”

What does climate restoration mean? What might it look like if it happened?

“It’s the idea that we can restore the atmosphere to preindustrial levels for gases like methane. Doing so would save half a degree Celsius of warming and could happen in our lifetimes. That’s my holy grail as an environmental scientist. Is that likely in my lifetime? Certainly not. But is it possible? It is. I use the Endangered Species Act as an analogy in the book. The ESA doesn’t simply keep species alive. Its mandate is to restore a species to health. When we see bald eagles and gray whales and peregrine falcons and grizzly bears, they’re here because people took the time to help those populations recover. We can apply that mentality to the atmosphere. It’s not just about stopping climate change. We want to repair the air and the planet and become healthier as we go.”

In writing this book, was there anything that surprised you or struck you in a powerful way?

“That we can’t just build our way out of climate change.I was struck by the need for people in wealthier countries (including me) to use less, to consume less. That’s not a popular message in a growth-first economy. It’s much easier to discuss new technologies that will let us keep doing exactly what we do.In the book, I use an analogy for cars. If everyone owned cars at the rate we do in the U.S., there would be 7 billion cars worldwide instead of 1.5 billion. Even with EVs or hydrogen vehicles or whatever, the world wouldn’t be a more sustainable place with 5 billion more vehicles.”

How can we bridge partisan divides to unite people to work on climate solutions described in your book?

“Almost all of the major pieces of environmental legislation in the U.S were bipartisan including Clean Air and Clean Water Acts Health safety link us all regardless politics background want leave better world kids Sometimes forget people disagree us want too hope motivate adopt solutions make healthier breathing less pollution drinking cleaner water”

How are climate issues discussed in your book intertwined with environmental justice?

“We live in a time when top 1% world population contributes more fossil carbon emissions than half Earth Yet poor people color breathe most fossil pollution Particulate pollution coal cars still kills more hundred thousand Americans year Globally one five deaths attributable burning fossil fuels – 10 million senseless deaths year – cleaner safer fuels already available clean-energy transition chance remedy past injustices pollution exposures improve water air soil quality all”

You write “I’ve watched years climate inaction roll by like floats parade” describe policymakers’ “sloth apathy” combatting climate change How maintain will continue work toward restoring climate?

“Optimism hope muscles exercise My first homework assignment every class students find things better today than were 50 or 100 years ago list long life expectancy childhood mortality water air quality decline global poverty despite injustices remain Targeted regulations caused lead levels blood young children U.S drop 96% since phaseout leaded gasoline Half century action through bipartisan U.S Clean Air Act continues save hundreds thousands lives year thirtyfold return investment Workers healthier productive Breathe easier pay lower medical expenses”

Jackson is also a senior fellow at Stanford Woods Institute for Environment Precourt Institute for Energy

News insights events delivered inbox each weekday morning

©CopyrightStanford University Stanford California 94305