Myhrvold on Overlooked Options

Myhrvold, who holds four university degrees including a Masters in geophysics and PhD in applied mathematics from Princeton University, was chief technology officer for thirteen years at Microsoft before founding Intellectual Ventures in 2000. He notes that CO2 emissions have continued to rise even after the 2008 recession and recent pandemic. Since we are not capable of reducing emissions, based on political realities, Myhrvold offers the technical options of geoengineering, nuclear power and direct air capture.

However, he cites opposition from activists who “‘…don’t want a technical solution to climate change” preferring lifestyle changes and restructuring of capitalism. He also asserts that “Opponents worry that once you have geoengineering, people won’t make sacrifices to cut emissions. They want a sword of Damocles hanging over humanity as a means to force us to follow their ideology.”

Myhrvold does recognize that more research is needed in geoengineering and direct air capture but believes the current environment discourages academicians from pursuing the needed research.

Of course, just because a wealthy venture capitalist asserts something doesn’t make it true. But Myhrvold’s academic credentials are not trivial, and his well-constructed analysis should be discussed and considered. Check the interview out yourself.