The consensus is that climate change ranks along with nuclear warfare as the top two risks facing human civilization. Graciela Chichilnisky More Quotes by Graciela Chichilnisky More Quotes From Graciela Chichilnisky 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 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 squares long mean 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 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
