Even if we planted a tree on every square yard available in the planet by the end of the century we would only capture at most 10 percent of the CO2 we need to reduce. This does not mean that we should not plant trees; we should, for biodiversity's sake, and for our long-term future together with the other species.

Graciela Chichilnisky

Categorized in : Mean Long Squares

We are in the midst of the 6th largest extinction event in the history of the plant and the first caused by human action.

Graciela Chichilnisky

extinction events firsts

The new markets that arise from ecological constraints will dominate the 21st century economy, and so will markets for knowledge.

Graciela Chichilnisky

economy century growth

The transformation of capitalism is unstoppable because we need limits on resources for humans to survive.

Graciela Chichilnisky

growth limits needs

We need to support our future instead of undermining human survival. Let's do it.

Graciela Chichilnisky

support survival needs

Political parties often take advantage of denial and fear in a moment of change. This is a well understood phenomenon that often leads to scapegoat-ism: blaming outsiders, such as immigrants, or racial and religious minorities. The phenomenon is behind Brexit and the violence in the political cycles in the US and EU.

Graciela Chichilnisky

political party religious

Climate change is new and complex. We don't have all the answers.

Graciela Chichilnisky

climate-change climate answers

Technology is a many-headed monster and perhaps it would be better to regress to a safer past and avoid technological change; it is tempting to think like that.

Graciela Chichilnisky

technology past thinking

We have used the majority of our carbon budget and we are already at dangerous levels of CO2 concentrations, about 400 parts per million. The levels were 250 before industrialization. So the problem is what we have done already and, therefore, what must be undone.

Graciela Chichilnisky

industrialization levels done

Trees and clean energy [are] the long-run solution but we have no time to wait for the long run. We need a short-run solution now, and one that encourages and facilitates the transition to the long-run solution.

Graciela Chichilnisky

running tree long

Trying to conserve a privileged global position makes change traumatic for the US.

Graciela Chichilnisky

privileged position trying

The "can do" logic, by its own nature, does not accept limits. And an empire does not have a graceful way to evolve out of this role. History demonstrates this time and again.

Graciela Chichilnisky

roles limits doe

After denial comes anger and finally, acceptance.

Graciela Chichilnisky

denial acceptance

The first reaction to trauma is denial, then comes anger and finally, acceptance. I think the US is still between denial and anger, and I hope we will reach acceptance because almost perversely, right now, only the US has the technology that is needed for global economic change.

Graciela Chichilnisky

technology acceptance thinking

While denial leads to certainty, it is only the certainty of death. This is true for individuals and also for civilizations.

Graciela Chichilnisky

certainty-of-death denial civilization

Signs of a poorly understood but treatable house fire requires action, not inaction.

Graciela Chichilnisky

fire house action

To survive, humans need food, water, and air. Yet biodiversity, the Earth's bodies of water, and the planet's atmosphere are all under threat.

Graciela Chichilnisky

atmosphere air water

We need a transformation of the world economy and of how we use and share the Earth's resources. We are running out of time. We are truly at the point of no return.

Graciela Chichilnisky

use running needs

The consensus is that climate change ranks along with nuclear warfare as the top two risks facing human civilization.

Graciela Chichilnisky

risk civilization two

If nuclear warfare is believed to be somewhat controlled, then climate change is now the greatest threat.

Graciela Chichilnisky

warfare nuclear climate

As difficult as it is to eliminate the risk of nuclear warfare, it requires fewer changes to the global economy than does averting or reversing climate change.

Graciela Chichilnisky

climate risk doe