Unfortunately, climate change is a predicament, not a problem. So it does not have a solution, it has an outcome. Climate change is a SYMPTOM of a much larger predicament; ecological overshoot. Guess what causes ecological overshoot? Technology use. So, electrification can not and will not solve climate change OR ecological overshoot: https://problemspredicamentsandtechnology.blogspot.com/2021/09/the-fantasy-of-electrification.html
Thanks for this comment Erik. I finally had time to review the links. We agree on some things and not on others. I think we see the causes similarly, thought I am not sure about what you call "root causes," which if I read right seems to imply that the fact that we have civilization is the root cause. Does that imply that humans shouldn't exist? I'm not sure where you are going with this.
If we have a predicament without a solution, as you say, are we then just to sit by and let the catastrophe unfold? Are we to let capitalism be disrupted with the result of even bigger shortages, higher prices, intense scarcity, and the obvious outcome of fascism result? Are you seeing that the only outcome can be the extinction of civilization and a return to hunter-gatherer societies? Where are you going with this?
Whether humans should exist or not is irrelevant; I don't think our existence is the issue so much as our use of technology. With regard to "just to sit by and let the catastrophe unfold," in some respects this would actually be superior to the way we are currently handling the situation. Because technology use is precisely the CAUSE, using more of it will not solve anything or help the matter - it can only make the situation worse. Obviously, this means that attempting to increase complexity at a time when energy and resource decline dictate a return to LESS complexity equals a disaster looking for a place to happen.
Because climate change is irreversible on human timescales, and because we lack agency [one of the most difficult predicaments to accept: https://problemspredicamentsandtechnology.blogspot.com/2021/03/agency-do-we-have-free-will.html], what we do at this point is almost irrelevant. This is why I promote the "LIve Now" ethos. There are definitely things which should be done (such as decommissioning of nuclear power facilities), but these are all things which go against human nature - so attempting to gain acceptance politically for such efforts have an extremely low chance of obtaining support. This isn't to say that they shouldn't be attempted, just that most people do not want to change their behavior and do without conveniences most of us take for granted.
Unfortunately, climate change is a predicament, not a problem. So it does not have a solution, it has an outcome. Climate change is a SYMPTOM of a much larger predicament; ecological overshoot. Guess what causes ecological overshoot? Technology use. So, electrification can not and will not solve climate change OR ecological overshoot: https://problemspredicamentsandtechnology.blogspot.com/2021/09/the-fantasy-of-electrification.html
Many people forget (or maybe they never realized it in the first place) the actual root causes of our unsustainability, and this information is also vitally important to recognize and understand: https://problemspredicamentsandtechnology.blogspot.com/2021/12/false-beliefs-and-denial.html
I saw your article originally on Medium where I also publish.
Thanks for this comment Erik. I finally had time to review the links. We agree on some things and not on others. I think we see the causes similarly, thought I am not sure about what you call "root causes," which if I read right seems to imply that the fact that we have civilization is the root cause. Does that imply that humans shouldn't exist? I'm not sure where you are going with this.
If we have a predicament without a solution, as you say, are we then just to sit by and let the catastrophe unfold? Are we to let capitalism be disrupted with the result of even bigger shortages, higher prices, intense scarcity, and the obvious outcome of fascism result? Are you seeing that the only outcome can be the extinction of civilization and a return to hunter-gatherer societies? Where are you going with this?
Whether humans should exist or not is irrelevant; I don't think our existence is the issue so much as our use of technology. With regard to "just to sit by and let the catastrophe unfold," in some respects this would actually be superior to the way we are currently handling the situation. Because technology use is precisely the CAUSE, using more of it will not solve anything or help the matter - it can only make the situation worse. Obviously, this means that attempting to increase complexity at a time when energy and resource decline dictate a return to LESS complexity equals a disaster looking for a place to happen.
Because climate change is irreversible on human timescales, and because we lack agency [one of the most difficult predicaments to accept: https://problemspredicamentsandtechnology.blogspot.com/2021/03/agency-do-we-have-free-will.html], what we do at this point is almost irrelevant. This is why I promote the "LIve Now" ethos. There are definitely things which should be done (such as decommissioning of nuclear power facilities), but these are all things which go against human nature - so attempting to gain acceptance politically for such efforts have an extremely low chance of obtaining support. This isn't to say that they shouldn't be attempted, just that most people do not want to change their behavior and do without conveniences most of us take for granted.
As for capitalism, it will disappear due to degrowth. Degrowth is now the only real possibility [https://problemspredicamentsandtechnology.blogspot.com/2021/01/newly-updated-articles.html], so capitalism will simply die out. There literally is no way to prevent shortages, higher prices, scarcity, and all the other outcomes of constantly decreasing levels of surplus energy as we descend the Seneca Cliff. Billions of people will die. This is unfortunately the reality: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOMWzjrRiBg
Thanks for this well written, clear guideline that sets out an understandable way we can move forward.
You are welcome! I appreciate the comment.