EV AND CLEANTECH PULSE - Robotaxi project and deep dive into the Sea Level Rise problem

Elon Musk's Focus on Robotaxi Over Model 2 Spurs Tesla Challenges and Talent Exodus China Bans Deceptive Autonomous Driving Claims Sea Level Rise #EV, #cleantech, #robotaxi, #Tesla, #autonomousdriving, #sealevelrise, #ElonMusk

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
Welcome to Innovation Pulse, your quick, no-nonsense update on the latest in CleanTech and EVs.

(00:10):
First, we will cover the latest news.
Elon Musk shifts Tesla's focus from Robotaxi to CyberCab and affordable Model Y and Model 3,
while China tightens regulations on autonomous driving after a tragic accident.
After this, we'll dive deep into global sea-level rise, exploring its impacts

(00:32):
and innovative solutions. Stay tuned.
Elon Musk reportedly dismissed Tesla executive's analysis, showing the company's Robotaxi plans
as financially unviable, favouring a focus on the CyberCab over the affordable Model 2.
In early 2024, Musk cancelled plans for the $25,000 Tesla, opting to build cheaper versions

(00:59):
of the Model Y and Model 3. This strategic pivot reflects Tesla's shift from an EV
automaker to AI, emphasising self-driving technology. Executives, including Daniel Ho and Drew Baglino,
argued for the Model 2, citing concerns over the Robotaxi's profitability.

(01:20):
The internal analysis suggested financial losses, challenging Musk's public claims about Robotaxi's
value. The report describes this decision-making process and highlights the economic difficulties
of the Robotaxi model, raising concerns about Tesla's future direction.
Critics argue Musk's decisions, influenced by loyalists, could harm Tesla's growth and profitability.

(01:49):
China has banned deceptive marketing of autonomous driving technologies following a fatal crash
involving a Xiaomi Su7 in semi-autonomous mode. The vehicle collided with a concrete barrier,
sadly claiming three lives. In response, the Chinese government now forbids car manufacturers
from using terms like autonomous driving in ads. They must specify the exact level of driving

(02:15):
assistance from one to five. Public beta tests are also banned unless approved by authorities.
The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, MIIT, mandates rigorous testing before any
software updates and prohibits features that allow unsupervised driving. Driver monitoring

(02:37):
systems will be mandatory to ensure safety. The new regulations aim to prevent consumer
misconceptions and promote awareness of driver assistance limitations. The move is seen as a
shift towards stricter regulation, setting a potential precedent for other countries.
And now, pivot our discussion towards the main clean tech topic.

(02:59):
All right, everybody. Welcome to another episode of Innovation Pulse, where we break down the latest
global challenges and the innovations addressing them. I'm Donna, joined as always by my brilliant
co-host, Jakov Lasker here, ready to dive into today's topic, which is something literally

(03:22):
rising all around us, sea levels. And this isn't just a future problem anymore. It's
affecting about one billion people worldwide right now. One billion? That's staggering,
Jakov. And I've been seeing headlines about sea levels rising faster than expected.
What's actually happening here? You're right about those headlines, Donna.

(03:44):
2024 saw an unexpectedly fast rise in global sea levels. Scientists were anticipating a rise of
0.43 centimeters, but instead recorded Boink Eifklein Ninde. That's about 37% faster than predicted.
Wait, let me make sure I understand. We're talking about less than a centimeter difference.

(04:04):
Why is that such a big deal? Great question. These seemingly small measurements actually
have enormous implications. Think of it this way. When we're talking about the entire ocean surface
of our planet rising even a few millimeters, that translates to trillions of gallons of
additional water pushing against coastlines worldwide. And I'm guessing those small increases

(04:27):
compound over time? Exactly. Since 1993, global sea levels have risen by over 10 centimeters.
That's about four inches. While that might not sound dramatic, it's happening at rates
unprecedented in the past 2,500 years, according to NASA. And here's where it gets really concerning.
The World Economic Forum's Global Risks Report 2025 lists critical change to Earth systems,

(04:54):
which includes sea level rise from collapsing ice sheets as the third biggest threat to the world
in the coming decade. Lay it on me. What exactly causes sea levels to rise? I know it has something
to do with climate change, but what's the actual mechanism? There are two main factors. First,
as global temperatures increase, glaciers and ice sheets in places like Greenland and Antarctica

(05:19):
melt, releasing enormous volumes of water into the oceans. The Greenland ice sheet alone is now
losing around 9 billion liters of ice every hour. Every hour? That's mind-boggling. Right?
And the second factor is something called thermal expansion. As ocean water warms,
it physically expands, taking up more space. Between 1971 and now, oceans have absorbed

(05:47):
over 90 percent of excess heat in the Earth system, caused by greenhouse gas emissions.
Heat stored in the ocean is responsible for between a third and half of global sea level rise.
I've heard about something called the Doomsday Glacier. Is that related to all this?
Good memory. That's the Thwaites Glacier in Antarctica, which is disintegrating more quickly

(06:08):
than scientists anticipated. It earned that ominous nickname because without it and its supporting
ice shelves, sea levels could rise more than three meters, about 10 feet. So how do scientists even
measure sea levels across the entire planet? That seems like an enormous task. Traditionally,
they use tide gauges. Those devices you might spot in harbors and ports worldwide. But now,

(06:34):
satellites do most of the heavy lifting by bouncing radar signals off the sea surface
to measure changes with incredible precision. That makes sense. And I imagine they need to
take measurements globally since sea level isn't uniform everywhere? Exactly right.
Local weather conditions and other regional factors mean sea levels can vary quite a bit
from place to place. Scientists take measurements globally and average them out to track the

(06:59):
overall trend. They've even discovered what they call sea level fingerprints, detectable patterns
that result from changes in water storage on Earth's continents and ice sheets.
Let's talk about who's most affected. I'm guessing coastal communities are on the front lines.
Absolutely. The UN singled out Bangladesh, China, India and the Netherlands as being

(07:22):
at particularly high risk, with nearly 900 million people living in low-lying coastal areas
facing acute danger. Pacific island nations like Tuvalu, Kiribati and Fiji have been battling
rising sea levels for years. That's sad, but not surprising. I think I remember reading that some
of those island nations might become uninhabitable, right? Unfortunately, yes. NASA predicts they'll

(07:48):
experience a further 15-set rise in just the next three decades, even if we manage to bring
greenhouse gas emissions under control. For some communities, this could make their homes
unlivable within only 30 years. And it's not just about the water gradually creeping higher,
is it? There are other effects. That's a crucial point, Donna. Storm surges get amplified by sea

(08:12):
level rise, hitting higher water levels and reaching further inland. Then there's coastal
erosion, saltwater intrusion into freshwater sources that compromises drinking water and
agriculture and damage to critical ecosystems like mangroves and coral reefs. Plus all the
infrastructure impacts, roads, bridges, buildings. I can see why the economic costs would be enormous.

(08:37):
The economic impacts are staggering. Communities that rely on tourism,
fishing and agriculture face significant losses. Then there's the cost of building protective
measures like sea walls and surge barriers, not to mention repairing damage after flooding events.
So what are people doing about it? Are there any success stories or innovations helping communities

(08:58):
adapt? There are some fascinating approaches emerging. In New Zealand, they're designing
climate adaptation policies to ensure public housing isn't built near areas prone to climate hazards.
Several countries, including Denmark, Germany and the UK, are building or strengthening sea walls
and surge barriers. Smart planning always helps. What about more novel approaches? South Korea and

(09:24):
the Maldives are experimenting with floating homes, literally designing structures that can rise with
the water. China and India are developing ways to absorb and store stormwater for reuse. And in
places where adaptation isn't enough. Like Fiji, officials are actually relocating entire villages.

(09:45):
Six have already been moved to higher ground, with 42 more recommended for relocation. That's both
innovative and heartbreaking. These communities have deep cultural connections to their land.
Moving means leaving behind not just physical places, but histories and traditions.
Absolutely, and this highlights the social dimension of this crisis. It's not just about

(10:08):
physical and economic impacts, but profound social and cultural disruption. The loss of homeland,
community cohesion, traditional livelihoods, these are immeasurable costs that numbers can't capture.
What about international cooperation? I noticed you mentioned the UN was involved.
Yes, this issue is gaining more attention internationally. The UN General Assembly's

(10:32):
High Level Week in 2024 featured for the first time a dedicated meeting on sea level rise.
They discussed creating a declaration on sea level rise by 2026, embracing AI and other
innovations to monitor risks, increasing scientific cooperation, and even a treaty
between Australia and Tuvalu to protect statehood in case of eroded coastlines.

(10:56):
That's promising. And what about the funding needed for all these adaptation efforts?
That's where things get challenging. According to the Glasgow Climate Pact,
developed nations need to double climate adaptation finance to at least $40 billion annually.
But even if that target were met, it would only reduce the total adaptation finance gap by about

(11:17):
5%. The United Nations Environment Program estimates that gap at $187,359 billion per year.
So we're talking about a massive funding shortfall for necessary adaptation measures.
What does that mean for communities that can't afford to adapt?
Unfortunately, it often means those already most vulnerable bear the worst impacts.

(11:40):
It's a profound environmental justice issue. The communities least responsible for climate
change frequently face the most severe consequences with the fewest resources to address them.
This all sounds quite dire. Is there any cause for optimism?
I think there is. The increased global attention and cooperation we're seeing is significant.

(12:01):
Technological innovations in monitoring, prediction, and adaptation are advancing rapidly.
And the integration of traditional knowledge with modern science is creating more holistic
approaches to the challenge. And I imagine that raising awareness, like we're doing right now,
helps build the public and political will needed to address the issue more aggressively.

(12:23):
Exactly. The more people understand the stakes, the more pressure builds for meaningful action.
And while we're facing a guaranteed sea level rise of one not two meters based on current
projections, how much worse it gets beyond that is still within our control.
That's a good place to wrap up our discussion today. Sea level rise is a complex global challenge

(12:45):
with profound impacts. But it's one we can better understand, prepare for, and ultimately
influence through collective action. Well put, Donna. And to our listeners,
while these global issues can feel overwhelming, remember that both individual and community
level actions matter. From supporting climate friendly policies to getting involved in local

(13:07):
resilience planning, there are meaningful ways to contribute to solutions.
Thanks for diving into Deep Waters with us today on Innovation Pulse. Until next time, I'm Donna.
And I'm Jakob Lasker. Stay curious, stay engaged, and we'll see you next episode.

(13:28):
That's all for today's podcast, where we explored Elon Musk's focus on new Tesla projects
amidst regulatory changes in China and discussed the alarming rise in global sea levels,
its consequences, and adaptation strategies. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode
with your friends and colleagues, so they can also stay updated on the latest news and gain

(13:51):
powerful insights. Stay tuned for more updates.