International Scholars Warning on Societal Disruption and Collapse
A public letter signed by over 250 scientists and scholars from 30 countries, calls on policy makers to engage more with the growing risk of societal disruption and collapse due to damage to the climate and environment. The letter invites focus on how to slow, prepare for, and help those already suffering from, such disruptions. The signatories are specialists in a range of subject areas that relate to this challenge, who commonly believe it is time to listen to all the scholarship on humanity’s predicament.
The referenced letter and a full list of signatories, at the moment of publication on Dec 6th 2020, follows below. In English, an edited version of the letter appears in The Guardian (Monday 7th 2020). The letter will also be published in French and the translation is here.
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Subject: Only if we discuss collapse might we prepare
As scientists and scholars from around the world, we call on policymakers to engage openly with the risk of disruption and even collapse of our societies. After five years of failing to reduce carbon emissions in line with the Paris Climate Accord (1), we must now face the consequences.
While bold and fair efforts to cut emissions and naturally drawdown carbon are essential, researchers in many areas now consider societal collapse to be a credible scenario this century (2a & 2c). A range of views exist on the location, extent, timing, permanence and cause of such disruptions; but the way modern societies exploit people and nature is a common concern (3a & 3b).
Only if policymakers begin to discuss this threat of societal collapse might communities and nations begin to prepare and so reduce its likelihood, speed, severity, harm to the most vulnerable, and to nature.
Some armed services already see collapse as an important scenario, requiring planning (4a and 4b). Surveys show many people now anticipate societal collapse (5). Sadly that is already the experience or memory of many communities in the Global South (6). However, the topic is not well reported in the media, and mostly absent from civil society and politics.
When potential collapse is covered by the media, it typically cites people who condemn discussion of the topic. Ill-informed speculations, such as on foreign misinformation campaigns, or impacts on mental health and motivation, will not support serious discussion (7). Rather, such claims risk betraying the thousands of activists and community leaders whose anticipation of collapse is part of their motivation to push for change on climate, ecology, and social justice.
People who care about environmental and humanitarian issues should not be discouraged from discussing the risks of societal disruption or collapse. That could risk agendas being driven by people with less commitment to such values.
Some of us believe that a transition to a new form of society may be possible. That will involve bold action to reduce damage to the climate, nature and other people, including preparations for major disruptions to everyday life. We are united in regarding efforts to suppress discussion of collapse as hindering the possibility of that transition.
We have experienced how emotionally challenging it is to recognise the damage being done, along with the growing threat to our own way of life. We also know the great sense of fellowship that can arise (8). It is time to invite each other into difficult conversations, so we can reduce our complicity in the harm, and be creative to make the best of a turbulent future (9).
Signed, in a personal capacity, by: Professor Gesa Weyhenmeyer, Uppsala University; Professor Will Steffen, Australian National University; Professor Kai Chan, Lead Author, Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services; Professor Marjolein Visser, Université Libre de Bruxelles; Professor Olivier De Schutter, UN Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights; Professor Yin Paradies, Deakin University; Professor Saskia Sassen, Columbia University; Dr Ye Tao, Harvard University; Professor Aled Jones, Anglia Ruskin University; Professor Joy Carter, Winchester University; Professor Bobby Banerjee, University of London; Professor Lummina Horlings, University of Groningen; Professor Pritam Singh, University of Oxford; Professor Rupert Read, University of East Anglia; Dr. Peter Kalmus, Climate Scientist; Dr. Malika Virah-Sawmy, Humboldt Universitat zu Berlin; Dr. Yves Cochet, Former Minister of the Environment (France); Dr. Marie-Claire Pierret, University of Strasbourg; Dr. Wolfgang Knorr, Lund University; The Very Reverend Dr. Frances Ward, St Michael’s Church; Dr. Alessia Lo Porto-Lefebure, School of Public Health (France); Dr. Emmanuel Prados, INRIA; Dr. Pablo Servigne, Author; Dr. Gail Bradbrook, Extinction Rebellion.
References follow below the full list of signatories. If you have a PhD or professional doctorate, then to sign the letter before the end of 2020 visit here (and thus receive updates on the reaction and implications).
For emotional support on this extremely troubling matter, use some of the links to resources from here.
If you are a journalist seeking to interview a signatory, then please email press@scholarswarning.net
If you can produce an additional translation, or want to locate one, then visit this emerging list.
If you are a scientist wanting to engage further, we recommend Scientists Warning Europe, the Union of Concerned Scientists and Scientists for XR.
If you want to engage with others on what this situation means to your life and work, we recommend the Deep Adaptation Forum. If you want to stay informed of related initiatives, subscribe to this quarterly newsletter.
If you are researching collapse risk, consider using this database on collapse scholarship, or contributing to it. If you want to read more about collapse risk, we recommend the book How Everything Can Collapse
All Signatories (reverse alphabetical order, with organisation shown for information only, as each signs in a personal capacity):
Professor Stephen Zavestoski, Professor of Environmental Studies, University of San Francisco US
Dr Caroline Zaoui, Biotech entrepreneur, Novobiom BE
Dr Sandra Wooltorton, Senior Research Fellow, Nulungu Research Institute CA
Professor Jason Wirth, Professor of Philosophy, Seattle University US
Dr David Windt, Physicist, Reflective X-ray Optics LLC US
Dr Sarah Williams, University Lecturer, University of Cumbria UK
Dr Alison Whybrow, Chartered Psychologist, Co-Founder Climate Coaching Alliance, The Vedere Partnership Ltd UK
Professor Gesa Weyhenmeyer, Professor, Uppsala University SW
Dr Dietmar Weinmann, Physicist, CNRS DE
Dr Martin Weinel, Research Associate, Cardiff University FR
Dr Arthur Weaver, Independent scientist, Independent US
Dr Frances Ward, Anglican Priest in Workington, Church of England UK
Professor Mark Wallace, Professor of Religion and Environmental Studies, Swarthmore College US
Professor Stephane Vuilleumier, Professor of Environmental Biology and Microbiology, CNRS team leader, Universite de Strasbourg FR
Dr Charlotte von Bulow, Senior Lecturer in Leadership, University of the West of England DK
Dr Linda Vogelsong, Founder, WovenStory Productions US
Professor Marjolein Visser, Professor, Universite Libre de Bruxelles BE
Dr Malika Virah-Sawmy, Researcher, Humboldt universidad zu Berlin DE
Professor Bruno Villalba, Professeur science politique, AgroParisTech FR
Dr Florence Vieban, Organization of a territorial food resilience, La Ceinture Verte (Green Belt) FR
Professor Caroline Verzat, professor, ESCP FR
Dr Nicolas Vereecken, Associate Professor, Chair of Agroecology, Universite libre de Bruxelles (ULB, Belgium) BE
Dr Elizabeth Vander Meer, Research and Policy Manager (climate change and biodiversity), University of Edinburgh UK
Dr Arnold van Vliet, Biologist, Wageningen University NL
Dr Marieke Van Lichtervelde, Research fellow, University of Toulouse FR
Dr Lenny Van Bussel, Assistant Professor, Wageningen University AT
Dr Robert Turner, Teaching Professor, University of Washington Bothell us
Dr Renaud Toussaint, Researcher in Geophysics, CNRS FR
Dr Balint Toth, Researcher in environmental archaeology, Paris-Sorbonne University SE
Dr Amber Tomas, Statistical consultant, Amber Tomas Statistical Consultancy AU
Dr Wanchat Theeranaew, Researcher in Medical Signal Processing, Case Western Reserve University US
Dr Laure Teulieres, Lecturer in history, Toulouse Jean Jaures University (France) FR
Dr Ye Tao, Rowland Fellow, Rowland Institute at Harvard US
Dr Mark Swoiskin, MD, UCSF us
Dr Kate Swindells, Community Activist, HEART Community Group UK
Professor Cedric Sueur, Professor, Universite de Strasbourg FR
Dr Ian Sturrock, Senior Lecturer, Teesside University UK
Dr Peter Sturm, Senior Researcher, Inria, France FR
Dr Giovanni Strona, Associate Professor in Ecological Data Science, University of Helsinki FI
Professor Donald Strauss, Founding Chair, Urban Sustainability Department, Antioch University Los Angeles US
Dr Iain Stewart, Director, Sustainable Earth Institute, University of Plymouth UK
Dr Victoria Stevens, Retired protected areas ecologist, BC Parks CA
Dr Melissa Sterry, Design Scientist, Complex Systems Theorist, Bioratorium FR
Professor Stephen Sterling, Emeritus Professor of Sustainability Education, University of Plymouth UK
Professor Will Steffen, Earth System scientist, Australian National University (Emeritus Professor) AU
Dr Milena Stefanovic, Programme Manager, European Fund for the Balkans RS
Dr Ashley South, Author, researcher and consultant., Chiang Mai University TH
Dr Isabelle Soraru, Researcher, Universite de Strasbourg FR
Professor Michael Smith, Professor of History and Environmental Humanities, Ithaca College US
Professor Pritam Singh, University of Oxford, UK & IN
Dr Amanda Shuman, Researcher and lecturer, University of Freiburg DE
Dr Candida Shinn, Ecotoxicologist, Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre (Portugal) PT
Professor Orrin Shindell, Professor, Trinity University US
Dr David Sheeren, Associate Professor, Toulouse INP-ENSAT FR
Dr Pablo Servigne, Author and speaker, Independent FR
Dr Isabelle Schurch, Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Bern CH
Professor Pierre Yves Schobbens, Professor, University of Namur BE
Professor Saskia Sassen, Professor, Columbia University US
Dr Thibault Sana, Researcher, INRAE FR
Professor Geoffrey Samuel, Emeritus Professor, Cardiff University UK
Dr Joyce Salvage, Retired, National-Louis University (retired) US
Dr Daniel Ruiz, Affiliate Researcher, SSSUP IT
Professor Shawn Rosenheim, Professor of English, Williams College US
Dr Peter Roopnarine, Curator, California Academy of Sciences US
Dr Laura Roop, Assistant Professor of Practice, Education, University of Pittsburgh US
Dr Estienne Rodary, Directeur de recherche, Institut de recherche pour le developpement (IRD) FR
Dr Xavier Ricard Lanata, Senior Advisor, Directorate of Treasury, Ministry of Economy and Finance, France FR
Professor William Rees, Professor Emeritus (human ecology, ecological economics), University of British Columbia CA
Professor Rupert Read, Professor, University of East Anglia UK
Dr Terry Rankin, Activist, Retired US
Dr Francis Putz, Researcher/teacher, University of Florida US
Dr Marion Princaud, Founder of Waste Hunter, Waste Hunter FR
Dr Sally Prebble, PhD Clinical Psychology, University of Auckland NZ
Dr Emmanuel Prados, Head of the INRIA research team STEEP, INRIA FR
Dr Igor Polskiy, Board member, GEN-Russia RU
Dr Max Pinsard, Manager, Low-tech Lab Montreal CA
Dr Marie-Claire Pierret, Researcher in geosciences, University of Strasbourg FR
Dr Clifford Pickett, Jr., Molecular Biologist, Swarthmore US
Professor Claire Petitmengin, Professor, Mines Telecom Institute, Paris FR
Professor Christopher Peet, Professor of Psychology, The King’s University, Edmonton, AB, Canada CA
Professor Sylvain Payraudeau, Professor, ENGEES, Strasbourg, France FR
Professor Yin Paradies, Professor of Race Relations, Deakin University au
Dr Lilli Papaloizos, Lecturer, University of Basel Switzerland FR
Dr Geremy Panthou, Lecturer/Researcher. Fields: Climatology/hydrology, Universite Grenoble Alpes FR
Dr Michael Ortega, Research Engineer, CNRS FR
Dr Sarah Ollier, Researcher, Loughborough university UK
Dr Magali Ollagnier-Beldame, Researcher, CNRS FR
Dr Timothee Nicolas, Researcher, CNRS FR
Professor Vinh-Kim Nguyen, Professor, Graduate Institute for International and Development Studies Geneva CH
Professor Marie Wilson Nelson, Professor Emerita, Integrated Studies in Teaching, Technology & Inquiry, National Louis University US
Dr Chris Murray, Emeritus Staff Scientist, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, USA US
Dr David F Murphy, Academic Lead, Initiative for Leadership & Sustainability (IFLAS), University of Cumbria UK
Dr Anne Munro-Kua, Cheras, AMK Transformations MY
Dr Tadzio Mueller, Climate Justice Analyst, Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung DE
Dr Susanne Moser, Director, Susanne Moser Research & Consulting US
Professor Andy Morse, Professor of Climate Impacts, University of Liverpool UK
Professor Bronwen Morgan, Professor of Law, UNSW Sydney AU
Professor Paul Morgan, Professor, West Chester University of Pennsylvania US
Dr Patricia Morgan, Research Associate, UNSW AU
Dr Claude Monteil, Teacher-researcher, University of Toulouse, France FR
Dr Lauren Mohn, Visiting Assistant Professor, Swarthmore College US
Dr Michelle Merrill, Founder and community organizer, Novasutras US
Professor Dominique Meda, Full Professor, University Paris Dauphine-PSL FR
Dr Josie McLean, Principal and Founder, The Partnership Pty Ltd AU
Professor Ben McCall, Professor of Sustainability, University of Dayton US
Dr Aimee Maxwell, Psychologist, Deep Adaptation AU
Dr Emilie Mathieu, Postdoctoral researcher, CNRS FR
Dr Andrew Mathewson, Biologist, University of Washington US
Dr Stephen Martin, Visiting Professor in Learning for Sustainability, University of the West of England Bristol UK
Dr Fran Martin, Honorary Research Fellow, University of Exeter uk
Professoer Laurie Marrauld, Professor Assistant in digital and resilient health management, EHESP FR
Dr Elise Marquis, Marine Environmental Consultant, Freelance FR
Dr Philippe Marquet, Associate professor, University de Lille FR
Dr Clemence Marque, Pharmacist (PharmD), Adrastia FR
Dr David Mark Welch, Senior Scientist, Marine Biological Laboratory US
Dr Lara Mani, Research Associate, Centre for the Study of Existential Risk, University of Cambridge FR
Dr Stefano Mammola, Researcher, Finnish Museum of Natural History FI
Dr Irene Malvestio, Postdoc, Universitat de Barcelona IT
Dr Christian Mahieu, Researcher, ANIS-Catalyst FR
Professor Thomas Love, Professor Emeritus of Anthropology, Linfield University US
Dr Pascal Lorance, Scientist, Ifremer FR
Dr Jonathan Logan, Climate Strategist, Futurist, Attorney, National Mobilizer, Extinction Rebellion America (USA) US
Dr Sabahat Lodhi, Teacher, Head of Science, BBIS DE
Dr Alessia Lo Porto – Lefebure, Dean for Academic Affairs, EHESP -French School of Public Health FR
Dr Vicki Little, Scholar, educator, Monash University Malaysia MY
Dr Evelin Lindner, Founding President, Human Dignity and Humiliation Studies NO
Dr Joel Levey, Founder, Wisdom at Work US
Researcher Nolwenn Lesparre, Researcher, CNRS FR
Dr Cathy Lemer, Coach et Chef d’entreprise, Elevatio FR
Dr Jorge Leandro Rosa, Researcher and writer, Institute of Philosophy, University of Porto PT
Professor Eva Lantsoght, Professor, Universidad San Francisco de Quito NL
Dr Auriane Lamine, Associate Professor of Labour Law, Universite catholique de Louvain AT
Dr Daniel Lacour, Physicist, CNRS FR
Dr marc lachieze-rey, Research director (retired), CNRS FR
Dr Wolfgang Knorr, Research Scientist in Climate Change, Lund University GR
Dr Peter Kindfield, Founder and Lead Teacher, Hilltop Education Connections US
Dr Adrian Kendry, Visiting Professor of Economics, Security and Peacebuilding, University of Winchester UK
Professor Sean Kelly, Professor and author, California Institute of Integral Studies US
Dr Tom Kelly, Executive Director, UNH Sustainability Institute US
Dr Minna Kanerva, Senior researcher in sustainability science, University of Bremen DE
Dr Peter Kalmus, Climate scientist, Various US
Dr Mike Joy, Senior researcher/ecologist, Victoria University HK
Professor Aled Jones, Professor, Anglia Ruskin University UK
Dr Clara Jodry, Associate professor, UNISTRA AZ
Professor Robert Jensen, Emeritus Professor, University of Texas at Austin, USA US
Dr Nico Jenkins, Asst Professor of Philosophy and Critical theory, Maine College of Art US
Dr Jamilia Jeenbaeva, Founder, senior expert, Dialecticon Climate, ELEK Dilgir (Ecological Lectoria) KG
Professor Sophie Javerzat, Professor of Genetics, University of Bordeaux FR
Dr Francois Jarrige, Historian, Universite de Bourgogne FR
Dr Wes Jackson, President Emeritus, The Land Institute US
Professor Ruth Irwin, Professor of Education, RMIT University AU
Dr Gwenael Imfeld, Citizen and researcher in biogeochemistry, research director at CNRS, CNRS FR
Dr Justine A Huxley, London, St Ethelburga’s Centre for Reconciliation and Peace UK
Dr Jean-Michel Hupe, Researcher in political ecology, CNRS IT
Dr Jean-Michel Huctin, Associate Professor of Anthropology, Unversity of Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines FR
Professor Laurent Houssiau, Professor in physics, University of Namur BE
Professor Lummina Horlings, Professor Socio-Spatial Planning, University of Groningen, The Netherlands NL
Professor Mark Hixon, Hsiao Endowed Professor of Marine Biology, University of Hawaii US
Professor Krista Hiser, Professor, University of Hawaii System US
Professor Stuart Hill, Personal, Western Sydney University AU
Professor Bertrand Hespel, Professor, University of Namur BE
Professor Ruben Heleno, Professor, University of Coimbra, Portugal PT
Dr Stepanie Heil, Engineer, Linkoping University, Sweden SE
Dr Juan Jesus Haro Mora, Review Analyst in Genetics, None US
Dr Yves Handrich, Researcher, The National Centre for Scientific Research (France), FR
Dr Caspar Hallmann, Research, Radboud University NL
Professor Laurie Guimond, Geography Professor, Universite du Quebec – Montreal CA
Dr Nicolas Gratiot, Senior scientist, Institut de Recherche pour le Developpement, France FR
Dr Elena Granda, Researcher, University of Alcala ES
Professor Pierre-Henri Gouyon, Full Professor, Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle FR
Dr Alain Girault, Researcher, INRIA FR
Professor Gael Giraud, Professor, Georgetown university FR
Professor Richard Gill, Emeritus professor of mathematical statistics, Mathematical Institute, Leiden University NL
Dr Marie Gevers, Researcher, Universite de Namur BE
Professor Tim Garrett, Professor, University of Utah US
Dr Tomasz Ganicz, Assistant Professor, Technical Univeristy of Lodz PL
Dr Katy Fox, Ecosocial Designer, Mycelium Design BE
Professor John Foran, Professor of Sociology and Environmental Studies, UCSB US
Dr Gwen Fischer, Volunteer, Deep Adaptation Forum US
Professor Tina Fields, Professor of Ecopsychology, Naropa University US
Professor Isabelle Ferreras, Professor, University of Louvain AT
Dr Serge Fenet, Maitre de conferences, Universite Claude Bernard Lyon 1 FR
Dr Stephane Faure, Post-doc, CNRS – LPCNO FR
Dr Louise Farquharson, Assistant Research Professor, University of Alaska Fairbanks US
Dr Sherry Falsetti, Clinical Psychologist, Enlighten Mind Body Wellness LLC US
Professor Carr Everbach, Chair of Environmental Studies; Engineering Professor, Swarthmore College US
Professor Susan Empson, Professor, University of Missouri US
Dr Scott Elrod, Associate Director of Licensing, Stanford University US
Professor Jane Elliott, Professor of Sociology, University of Exeter UK
Dr Hans Eickhoff, Investigator, Degrowth Network Portugal PT
Dr Natalia Eernstman, Senior lecturer, Plymouth College of Art UK
Dr Edina Eberhardt-Toth, Enseignante-chercheure en finance et gouvernance socialement responsables, ICN Business School NL
Dr Sophie Eberhardt, Researcher, Lepac FR
Professor Denis Dupre, Professor of ethics and finance, Grenoble Alpes University FR
Professor Marc Dufumier, Emeritus Professor, AgroParisTech FR
Dr Fae Dremock, Assistant Professor, Environmental Studies, Ithaca College US
Dr Elizabeth Downing, Climate educator, Awakening Wisdom Yoga and Meditation US
Dr Gregory Derville, Maitre de conference, Science politique, Universite de Lille FR
Professor Nicolas Dendoncker, Professor of Geography, University of Namur BE
Dr Laurence Delattre, Assistant Professor, University of Lille FR
Professor Olivier De Schutter, Former UN Special Rapporteur on Right to Food, UCLouvain IE
Dr Gabriel Davies, Research Associate, Durham University NI
Professor Hamish Cunningham, Professor, University of Sheffield UK
Dr Elspeth Crawford, Retired lecturer, University of Edinburgh UK
Dr Bruno Corbara, Maitre de Conferences Ecologie/Ethologie, Universite Clermont Auvergne FR
Dr Claire Collot, Neurobiologiste, Industrie pharmaceutique FR
Dr Yves Cochet, Former Minister of the Environment (France), Institut Momentum FR
Dr Floriane Clement, Research Fellow, INRAE FR
Dr Humphrey Chris, Senior Scientist, ETH Zurich Center for Development and Cooperation CH
Dr Francis Chopin, Lecturer in Structural Geology and Igneous Petrology, University of Strasbourg Fr
Professor Mariana Chilton, Professor & Director, Center for Hunger-Free Communities, Drexel University US
Dr Mark Chater, Independent writer and researcher on education, Independent UK
Dr Mark Charlesworth, Programme Leader – Geography, Bishop Grosseteste University UK
Dr Ian Chapman, Senior Lecturer in Business and Sustainability, University of Cumbria UK
Dr Gauthier Chapelle, Independent researcher, GIRAF BE
Dr Kai Chan, Vancouver, UBC CA
Dr Tobit Caudwell, Teacher, Universite de Bourgogne FR
Professor Alexis Catanzaro, Professor in Management and Entrepreneurship, University Jean Monnet FR
Professor Joy Carter, Vice Chancellor and Professor, Winchester University UK
Professor Julian Carrey, Professor in Physics, INSA Toulouse FR
Dr Hedy Bryant, Facilitator and educator for living systems informed practice., HARK Facilitation Services AU
Professor Jason Brownlee, Professor of Government, University of Texas at Austin US
Dr Lajos Brons, Adjunct Professor of Philosophy, Lakeland University Japan JP
Dr Clare Breteau, Post-doctoral researcher, Universite de Caen FR
Dr Ann Braun, Independent consultant, Development Evaluation | Monitoring & Evaluation Support NZ
Dr Elizabeth Bragg, Ecopsychologist, Sustainable Futures Australia AU
Dr Martin Bowen, Physics Research Director, CNRS FR
Dr Dalila Bovet, Ethologist, Universite Paris Nanterre FR
Professor Dominique Bourg, Honorary Professor, University of Lausanne CH
Dr Charles-Andre Bost, Director of Research-Senior Scientist in environmental sciences, CNRS FR
Dr Frederic Boone, Researcher in astrophysics, Institut de recherche en astrophysique et planetologie (IRAP) FR
Professor Betsy Bolton, Professor, English Literature and Environmental Studies, Swarthmore College US
Professor Blaise Boles, Professor, Kirkwood College US
Dr Sebastien Bohler, Editor in chief, Pour la Science FR
Dr Jennifer Bissonnette, Interim Director, Nature Lab, Rhode Island School of Design US
Dr Adrien Biassin, Researcher, LUMIA FR
Professor Martine Benoit, Professor, Universite de Lille FR
Professor Jem Bendell, Professor, University of Cumbria UK
Dr Benjamin Belfort, Assistant professor, Strasbourg University FR
Professor Aurelien Barrau, Professor of astrophysics, Universite Grenoble-Alpes FR
Dr Phoebe Barnard, Affiliate Professor, University of Washington US
Professor Ugo Bardi, Professor, University of Florence IT
Professor Bobby Banerjee, Professor, City University of London UK
Dr Carolyn Baker, Author, Life and Leadership Coach, Carolyn Baker Education Services US
Dr Genevieve Azam, Economist, Jean Jaures University, Toulouse, France FR
Dr Adele Aubrey, Partnerships and Programmes Manager, University of Manchester UK
Dr Grete Arro, researcher, Tallinn University EE
Dr Alexandra-Ellen Appel, Activist, Greenpeace US
Dr Kelly Anthony, Teaching Professor in Public Health, University of Waterloo CA
Professor Ira Allen, Associate Professor of Rhetoric, Northern Arizona University US
Dr Elena Albrecht, Plant researcher, Private FR
Dr Michael Albert, Lecturer, SOAS University of London UK
Professor John Adams, Emeritus Professor of Organizational Systems, Saybrook University US
References in the letter
Mostly these links are to news stories about research, and the academic papers are referenced within these stories.
1) Jackson, R B, P Friedlingstein, R M Andrew, J G Canadell, C Le Quéré and G P Peters (2019), Persistent fossil fuel growth threatens the Paris Agreement and planetary health, Environmental Research Letters, Volume 14, Number 12
2a) Science Alert (2020) Scientists Warn Multiple Overlapping Crises Could Trigger ‘Global Systemic Collapse’ (sciencealert.com)
2b) Kalmus, P. (2020) With global heating, expect inferno seasons in the American West, https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2020-09-12/climate-change-wildfires-california-oregon-heat
3a) Servigne, P. and R. Stevens (2020) “How Everything can collapse. A Manual for our Times, Polity Books, London.
3b) Andreotti V. et al (2020) Preparing for the end of the world as we know it | openDemocracy
4a) Vice (2020) British Military Prepares for Climate-Fueled Resource Shortages (vice.com)
4b) Vox (2020) How the Pentagon plans for climate change – Vox
5) Cassely, J.-L. and Fourquet, J. (2020). La France : Patrie de la collapsologie ?. [online] Fondation Jean Jaures. Available at: https://bit.ly/37jzvOv .For a press dispatch in English, see https://bit.ly/2XKNWaU
6) The Guardian (2020) Climate crisis leaving 2 million people a week needing aid – Red Cross | Environment | The Guardian
7) The Guardian (2020), Meet the doomers: why some young US voters have given up hope on climate | Environment | The Guardian
8) Bendell, J. and D. Cave (2020) Does anticipating societal collapse motivate pro-social behaviours? (iflas.blogspot.com)
9) Carr, K. and J. Bendell (2020) Facilitation for Deep Adaptation: enabling loving conversations about our predicament – Insight (cumbria.ac.uk)
Professor Jem Bendell of the University of Cumbria is one of the signatories. He explains:
“Over 250 scientists and scholars have issued a warning to humanity that we need to make the increasing disruption from climate change a focus of research and policy. We come from dozens of countries and subject disciplines and perceive a resistance by the establishment to serious engagement in adapting to the increasing disruptions to food, water, health, and the economy. It is time to listen to the scholarship and try to reduce harm from societal disruption and even collapse. I believe the growing movement for Deep Adaptation to societal breakdown can be part of that agenda.”
Total number of caveats upon signing:
Dr Wanchat Theeranaew: Our civilization is much more fragile than we believe. We are now entering the change of Earth System toward a new equilibrium. This alone will be extremely harmful to our civilization since all of our infrastructures were constructed based on stability.
Dr Wolfgang Knorr: This is not a statement of preference for any particular viewpoint within the broad debate of the Climate and Ecological Emergency, but rather an expression of a wish to broaden the debate as far as possible.
Dr Gwen Fischer: Climate disruption is happening and people’s lives are unraveling.
Dr Mark Charlesworth: Having made clear that societal collapse cannot be dismissed in Charlesworth M and Okereke, C (2010) Policy responses to rapid climate change: An epistemological critique of dominant approaches, Global Environmental Change, 20(1), 121-129
Dr Phoebe Barnard: We can be prepared, or caught unawares. Discussion and preparedness for a full range of possibilities is essential, especially where partial (or even temporary) societal collapse will widen existing inequalities.
Professor Ira Allen: Failure to consciously negotiate what is, in effect, already a staggered collapse of the various systems that support humans’ current forms of life will allow those most concerned with profiting off of this ruination to succeed, further immiserating the many.
Professor John Adams: We can no longer afford to govern through cognitive dissonance.