Zero: The Climate Race Abundance or adequacy? The search for better climate futures
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Jan 2, 2026 
Kim Stanley Robinson, a renowned science-fiction author known for his climate-centric works like Ministry for the Future, shares his vision for a sustainable future. He argues against the notion of abundance, instead advocating for adequacy, equality, and communal projects to combat nihilism. Robinson discusses the role of economic insecurity in stalling climate action and emphasizes the importance of making low-carbon choices accessible. He also highlights the potential of science fiction to inspire change and imagines democratic energy systems for a fairer society.
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Meaning Comes From Projects
- Meaning is not given by the universe; we must create it through projects.
- Projects that serve others and future generations produce stronger, lasting meaning.
Avoid Burnout By Sharing The Work
- Pace yourself and avoid burnout by passing the project torch to new waves of activists.
- Accept that climate work is multi-decade and don't expect final success in your lifetime.
The 'Kill The Future' Mentality
- Some political actors act destructively from a death-drive or nihilistic urge to take everything down.
- That malevolence exists but cannot ultimately 'kill the future'; history will move on.
