315. The World is Not Ending | Bjørn Lomborg

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Dec 19, 2022

Bjørn Lomborg, Danish author and president of the Copenhagen Consensus Center, discusses the pervasive sense of doom among today's youth. He emphasizes the importance of informed perspectives on climate change, highlighting that societal challenges can be managed calmly rather than catastrophically. Lomborg critiques sensationalist narratives surrounding environmental issues and argues for a balanced view of humanity's role, advocating for innovative solutions over extreme measures. He encourages optimism by showcasing significant progress in poverty reduction and environmental awareness.

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INSIGHT

Environmentalism as Religion

Modern environmentalism frames nature as positive, culture as negative, and the individual as predatory/parasitic.
Jordan Peterson argues this is a compelling but incomplete religious metaphor, neglecting culture's and humanity's positive aspects.

ANECDOTE

Shifting Views of Nature

Historically, humans were terrified of nature's dangers, like wolves and smallpox.
Bjorn Lomborg argues that increased wealth allows societies to appreciate and preserve nature, as seen in reforestation trends.

INSIGHT

Focus on Progress

Climate-related deaths have decreased drastically over the last century, not due to climate improvement, but due to increased resilience.
Lomborg emphasizes focusing on this progress and using it as motivation for continued improvement.

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How to Spend $75 Billion to Make the World a Better Place

Bjørn Lomborg

This book, featuring insights from Bjørn Lomborg and numerous economists, evaluates the costs and benefits of addressing twelve global problems with a hypothetical budget of $75 billion. It emphasizes prioritizing solutions based on their potential impact, highlighting interventions such as micronutrient supplementation and malaria treatment as highly effective investments. The book aims to guide decision-makers in allocating resources efficiently to improve global welfare.

Maps of Meaning

The Architecture of Belief

Jordan B Peterson

In 'Maps of Meaning: The Architecture of Belief', Jordan Peterson synthesizes insights from neuropsychology, cognitive science, and Jungian approaches to mythology and narrative. The book examines why people from different cultures and eras have formulated myths and stories with similar structures, and how these myths reflect fundamental aspects of human cognition and morality. Peterson argues that the human mind categorizes the world into known and unknown territories, and that myths and religious stories represent the eternal struggle between order and chaos. He also discusses the role of heroic figures in bridging these two realms and the importance of confronting the unknown to achieve personal and societal growth. The book is a comprehensive and interdisciplinary work that aims to make the wisdom of myth accessible to the modern mind[3][4][5].

Fossil Futures

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Alex Epstein

Alex Epstein's "Fossil Fuels" delves into the crucial role of fossil fuels in human civilization. Epstein challenges the prevailing narrative surrounding climate change, arguing that fossil fuels have been instrumental in improving living standards and reducing poverty globally. He emphasizes the importance of energy abundance and its impact on various aspects of society, from economic growth to technological advancements. The book provides a comprehensive analysis of energy production and consumption, advocating for a balanced approach that considers both environmental concerns and the benefits of fossil fuels. Epstein's work has sparked significant debate and discussion within the energy sector and beyond.

The skeptical environmentalist

Measuring the Real State of the World

Bjørn Lomborg

In this book, Bjørn Lomborg challenges the conventional wisdom on environmental issues by arguing that many of the claims made by environmentalists are exaggerated or misleading. Using extensive statistical data from recognized research institutes, Lomborg examines various environmental topics such as deforestation, pollution, water scarcity, and global warming. He contends that economic growth and technological advancements can address many of these issues more effectively than the policies advocated by environmental groups. The book has been both praised for its detailed analysis and criticized for its methodology and interpretation of data[1][2][3].