Wicked Problems - Climate Tech Conversations cover image

Wicked Problems - Climate Tech Conversations

Can Democracy survive the collapse of the Gulf Stream?

Sep 30, 2024
Dr. Anatol Lieven, Director of the Eurasian Program at the Quincy Institute, shares his insights on the catastrophic implications of climate change, specifically the looming shutdown of the Gulf Stream. He discusses how this could lead to radical weather shifts, economic turmoil, and political instability. The conversation also highlights pressing migration crises and critiques the politicization of climate science. Furthermore, the episode explores the complex relationship between climate policy and future geopolitical tensions.
40:48

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The potential shutdown of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) poses imminent risks of severe weather changes and agricultural disruption in Europe.
  • Migration pressures resulting from climate change may destabilize political landscapes in Western democracies, highlighting contrasting national approaches to humanitarian responses.

Deep dives

The Urgency of Climate Change and Its Realities

Climate change is presenting alarming realities, with significant events such as flooding in the Sahara and unprecedented rainfall across regions, raising urgent concerns about environmental stability. Recent discussions highlight how Britain risks altering its climate to resemble that of Newfoundland and Labrador, suggesting drastic impacts on agriculture and daily life. Experts argue that a tipping point caused by the slowdown of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) could lead to severe consequences within a generation, including food insecurity in Northwestern Europe. The chilling notion that the trajectory of climate history may lead towards oppression is underscored by the observation that periods of cultural growth could be replaced by authoritarian responses amid crisis.

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