The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast 208. The Progress of the Human Race, Part 1
Dec 9, 2021
Bjorn Lomborg, a statistician and author known for his focus on global issues, joins the discussion about humanity's progress. He highlights how poverty rates plummeted from 42% in 1981 to 8.1% in 2018, with projections of under 5% by 2030. Lomborg reveals that global food supply has significantly increased, aiding in hunger reduction. He challenges mainstream pessimism by emphasizing data on improved efficiency in resource use, rising tree coverage, and the necessity of optimistic narratives to foster future improvements.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Global Reforestation
- Reforestation is occurring globally, with increased tree cover in areas like the Northern Hemisphere and China.
- Tree coverage gains between 1982 and 2016 are equivalent to the combined size of Alaska and Montana.
Reduced Land for Meat
- Land used for meat production has drastically decreased since 2000, an area 80% the size of Brazil.
- This is achieved by concentrating animal production, benefiting animal welfare, land use, and human prosperity.
Urbanization Benefits
- Urbanization drives innovation, as seen in Silicon Valley, and cities consume less energy per capita due to public transport.
- Over half the world lives in cities, which occupy only 3% of the world's land, leaving more space untouched.
