A technologically advanced society is choosing to destroy itself. It’s both fascinating and horrifying to watch

Sun, 20 Nov 2022 11:32:40 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<https://theconversation.com/a-technologically-advanced-society-is-choosing-to-destroy-itself-its-both-fascinating-and-horrifying-to-watch-192939>

"As world leaders assemble for the United Nations climate change conference
(COP27) in Egypt, it’s hard to be optimistic the talks will generate any
radical departure from the inexorable rise in global carbon emissions over the
past two centuries.

After all, before last year’s Glasgow talks, experts warned the summit was the
world’s last chance to limit global warming to 1.5℃ this century. And yet, a UN
report last week found even if all nations meet their climate goals this
decade, the planet would still heat by a catastrophic 2.5℃.

There were hopes the global pandemic might have shifted the world’s economies
from their fossil fuel dependence as lockdowns reduced energy consumption, and
progressive politicians proposed alternative policy agendas.

But after borders reopened, our fossil fuel addiction returned with a
vengeance. In fact, the International Energy Agency projects net income for oil
and gas producers will double in 2022 to an alarming US$4 trillion.

As social scientists, this is both horrifying and fascinating to observe. How
is it that a technologically advanced society could choose to destroy itself by
failing to act to avert a climate catastrophe?"

Cheers,
       *** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net               Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/                 Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/            Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/               Manager, Serious Cybernetics

Comment via email

Home E-Mail Sponsors Index Search About Us