4 ms·

Why do we only have 30-50 years of civilization left on Earth? I haven't heard of anything that would make the planet uninhabitable on such a short timescale.

pmiller2 6y ago
This isn't crazy talk: https://www.resilience.org/stories/2020-06-08/collapse-of-civilisation-is-the-most-likely-outcome-top-climate-scientists/ https://www.resilience.org/stories/2020-06-08/collapse-of-ci... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_Steffen https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_Steffen From https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0959378008000435 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S09593... : > This paper focuses on a comparison of recently collated historical data for 1970–2000 with scenarios presented in the Limits to Growth. The analysis shows that 30 years of historical data compare favorably with key features of a business-as-usual scenario called the “standard run” scenario, which results in collapse of the global system midway through the 21st century. The data do not compare well with other scenarios involving comprehensive use of technology or stabilizing behaviour and policies. The results indicate the particular importance of understanding and controlling global pollution. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/dec/30/environment-2050-flooded-cities-forced-migration-amazon-turning-savannah https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/dec/30/environm...
- hobs 6y ago
  And even if you agree with that Venus and Mars are like literal hellscapes in comparison to what the earth would be like in that situation.
- sjtindell 6y ago
  It’s not crazy talk, but it’s understandably hard to believe or follow. You being downvoted so hard is disheartening. Still, as we speak, civilization is undergoing a massive shift towards renewable energy and sustainable policies. Our capitalist world order is so stable some people (who were admittedly wrong) called it “the end of history”. Topics like cutting working hours are more common I think. And the birth rate is halving itself. Just some thoughts. The strong, dire language of these articles makes it sound like a done deal anyway.

pmiller2 6y ago

This isn't crazy talk: https://www.resilience.org/stories/2020-06-08/collapse-of-civilisation-is-the-most-likely-outcome-top-climate-scientists/ https://www.resilience.org/stories/2020-06-08/collapse-of-ci... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_Steffen https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_Steffen From https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0959378008000435 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S09593... : > This paper focuses on a comparison of recently collated historical data for 1970–2000 with scenarios presented in the Limits to Growth. The analysis shows that 30 years of historical data compare favorably with key features of a business-as-usual scenario called the “standard run” scenario, which results in collapse of the global system midway through the 21st century. The data do not compare well with other scenarios involving comprehensive use of technology or stabilizing behaviour and policies. The results indicate the particular importance of understanding and controlling global pollution. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/dec/30/environment-2050-flooded-cities-forced-migration-amazon-turning-savannah https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/dec/30/environm...

hobs 6y ago
And even if you agree with that Venus and Mars are like literal hellscapes in comparison to what the earth would be like in that situation.
sjtindell 6y ago
It’s not crazy talk, but it’s understandably hard to believe or follow. You being downvoted so hard is disheartening. Still, as we speak, civilization is undergoing a massive shift towards renewable energy and sustainable policies. Our capitalist world order is so stable some people (who were admittedly wrong) called it “the end of history”. Topics like cutting working hours are more common I think. And the birth rate is halving itself. Just some thoughts. The strong, dire language of these articles makes it sound like a done deal anyway.