Check out this video of Matt Ridley, popular keynote speaker and best-selling author of The Rational Optimist, who gave an interview on the improving state of humanity at the Cato Institute –  a think tank dedicated to the principles of individual liberty, limited government, free markets and peace.

In his recent work on the greening of our planet, Matt discovered something interesting: likely scenarios in which humans contribute more to climate change (according to the IPCC) are the same ones in which incomes grow more slowly.

Matt argues that humanity’s impact on the environment need not be catastrophic. This is partly because there is a strong relationship between economic growth and a greener planet: “the richer we become, the lesser our impact on the environment will be.”

Since economic freedom and growth are correlated (i.e.: more economic freedom means higher growth), economic freedom encourages a higher quality of life and a healthier environment. As such, Matt contends that gloomy predictions about the future of the planet are based on unrealistic assumptions that are unlikely to happen. Watch the video to find out more!

To find out more about Matt Ridley, or to book him as a speaker, please contact Alex Hickman at [email protected] or call +44 (0) 20 7792 8004.