Downstream: We Are in the Post-Climate Change World w/ Gaia Vince
Jan 15, 2024
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Author and broadcaster Gaia Vince argues that we need to focus on how we'll deal with the already happening and about to get much worse effects of climate change, such as huge swaths of the planet becoming uninhabitable and 2 billion people needing to find somewhere new to live. She proposes a radical reframing of how we think about migration. Topics discussed include wet bulb temperatures, demographic aging, the Japanese nappy market, rising sea levels, tipping points, electric vehicle infrastructure, the warping of time, lessons from COVID-19, declining birth rates, special economic zones, anti-migrant rhetoric, and the multicultural nature of Britain.
Climate change is not a crisis of the future, but a present reality that needs urgent attention.
Considering immigration towards the global north as a strategic response to climate change can have advantages for all parties involved.
The impact of climate change goes beyond temperature rise and necessitates pragmatic solutions, adaptation, and planning for the long-term implications of climate migration and an aging population.
Deep dives
Climate change is not just a future crisis, it is already happening
Climate change is not a crisis of the future, but a present reality. It is not something that will only affect future generations, but is already impacting us today. The guest in the podcast emphasizes that we are already decades into the climate crisis, and it is essential to acknowledge and address it now.
Immigration to the global north can be advantageous in the face of climate change
The guest proposes a thought-provoking hypothesis in her recently published book. She suggests that immigration towards the global north, such as Greenland, Canada, and Russia, could be seen as not only an inevitability but also potentially advantageous for all parties involved. By embracing the reality of climate change and strategically considering immigration patterns, we may be able to mitigate the negative consequences and create a more sustainable and prosperous future.
The need for long-term thinking and honest conversations about climate change
Amidst the challenges posed by climate change, the podcast highlights the importance of adopting a long-term perspective and having open, honest conversations about the realities we face. The guest emphasizes the need for pragmatic solutions and adaptation to address the changes already unfolding. It is crucial to have a realistic understanding of the impact of rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and the urgency to decarbonize while preparing for the long-term implications of climate migration and an aging population.
Rising Wet Bulb Temperatures and Survivability
Wet bulb temperatures are crucial when it comes to survival in extreme heat. The survivability limit was previously thought to be around 35 degrees Celsius of wet bulb temperature. However, recent papers have pushed this limit down to between 25 and 28 degrees Celsius. Even deadly heat waves in the past, like the ones in Europe in 2003 and Russia in 2010, did not exceed this lower threshold. This poses a worrying concern as many places already frequently experience wet bulb temperatures above this limit, leading to dangers for physical laborers and climate migrants.
Climate Change, Drought, and Migration
Climate change, together with prolonged droughts, poses significant challenges and threats. Chronic droughts lead to agricultural collapse, skyrocketing food prices, and subsequent migrations of people from rural areas to cities. This strain on resources and living conditions can contribute to civil unrest and conflict. The patterns of heat and drought also correlate with migration patterns. For instance, areas experiencing drought during the growing season in Mesoamerica have seen a spike in migrants heading to the United States. These climate-induced challenges require effective policies and planning to ensure fair and safe transitions, and to address the rise of far-right rhetoric against migrants.
Discussion of climate change mainly focuses on mitigating rising temperatures, de-carbonising and getting to ‘net zero’. Author and broadcaster Gaia Vince argues that we also need to focus on how we’ll deal with with’s already happening and about to get much much worse: huge swathes of the planet becoming uninhabitable and 2 billion people needing […]
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