Mike White's recent observation about the occurrence of natural cataclysms preceding rebellions or revolutions, highlights the possibility of hopelessness in planning any significant change to the status quo. The likelihood of uninhabitable conditions replacing the majority of the world due to global catastrophic risks like climate change, seems much more possible although in the near future the possibility of all humans dying is not high.
As hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of people are migrating from farms that have collapsed due to droughts caused by climate change, there is a significant impact on political and economic systems all over the world, leading to a rise of protectionist, isolationist, and hyper-nationalistic movements. The choices made in energy consumption, natural resource usage, and food consumption have a far-reaching impact on people in different parts of the globe.
The podcast discusses how utilitarian view of ethics can be applied to making decisions about existential risks such as those posed by artificial intelligence, nuclear war or biological weapons. It also highlights the challenge faced in decision making when the time scale and probability of the risk is uncertain.
This podcast episode talks about the concept of climate optimism and how it can provide hope, sustain efforts towards sustainability, and fuel the transition away from fossil fuels, with the idea that we can restore our planet back to health and protect all that inhabit it.
The key to managing a crisis is to not always focus on rationing resources or making tragic decisions but to think creatively about ways to expand resources that benefit everyone. In addition, there should be a focus on addressing the inequity in outcomes that affect certain groups more heavily and coming up with creative solutions tailored to their needs.