Will Technology Save Us?

Managed Retreat

In our first newly-recorded episode, Brynn, Aaron and Ali catch up on recent climate-related news, before doing a deep dive on the subject of “Managed Retreat”. This concept refers to the wrenching and complex decision that an entire community, town, or even major city may be forced to confront due to increasingly unmanageable climate risks: should we relocate? If so, how would they go about actually doing that? And who would have to pay for it? Sources: 1. https://www.noaa.gov/news-release/climate-change-impacts-are-increasing-for-americans [https://www.noaa.gov/news-release/climate-change-impacts-are-increasing-for-americans] 2. https://nca2023.globalchange.gov/ [https://nca2023.globalchange.gov/]  https://tinyurl.com/2yrmk3yb [https://www.nature.com/articles/nclimate3252.epdf?sharing_token=sffkktBrIS0qAeVNGgfKndRgN0jAjWel9jnR3ZoTv0Mq8zWQzr-Tsu30mpKKADMSE43MYEEDWjlITDzxTblQGHPZzedy1_TI2flLTA5wt57XBRGK2gujBGUV9bh8hun8ygo4Qre5GKudH9QBtOmlrx0ZTmuPGYEHD1vhZDv9hpKXFOv_SVN0P2GDQWkziOPx_vF62xzpWtCYqUc1Em4WGm0743yXqnKIKfyAo8I_Zzs%3D&tracking_referrer=www.carbonbrief.org]

Why Don't We Know About This?

In this episode, Aaron, Ali and Brynn explore why it seems most people are still unaware of the severity, speed and direness of the climate and biosphere crises. Specifically, they look at how entrenched interests have been waging a multi-decade campaign to misinform people, while concentrated media ownership plays into their hands. Lastly, they consider how people may respond to this information and the magnitude of the situation.

Will Technology Save Us?

A belief held by many—often called “techno-utopians”—is that technology and innovation will save us from the climate crisis. Sure things are bad, but just given a bit more time (and money), humanity will figure out a way. Haven't we always done so in the past? We talk about how technology can change us, and conclude that while technology is likely part of the solution, it isn't the solution. The solution is more cultural, ideological and political in nature. In fact, an overreliance on technological solutions will distract us from root causes.

Faster Than Expected, Sooner Than Expected

In their inaugural episode, Aaron, Ali and Brynn discuss the ongoing climate and biosphere crises. They unpack a phrase that has been gaining in our zeitgeist – that everything is happening Faster Than Expected and Sooner Than Expected. They discuss what the term means and highlight many global events that seem to support that phrase.