Interventions for
rapid global change
Interventions for Rapid Global Change
The Cascade Institute is a Canadian research centre addressing converging global crises. We analyze complex global systems to anticipate future crises and identify high-leverage interventions to rapidly shift humanity’s course.
RESEARCH, NEWS, AND ViEWS
We should listen to a renowned scientist’s warning on climate change
Thomas Homer-Dixon
A vital scientific paper argues that far more warming is “in the pipeline” than conventional models predict, requiring humanity’s response to the climate crisis be much more radical than currently planned.
Canada needs to dig deep to become a world leader in geothermal technology
Rebecca Pearce and Ian Graham
A worldwide race for next-generation geothermal technology has begun – and Canada needs to get serious about joining, lest it fall to the back of the alternative-energy pack.
A hub for the growing polycrisis community
Megan Shipman and Scott Janzwood
The Cascade Institute has launched a new website, Polycrisis.org, to serve as a hub for a more inclusive polycrisis community to converge around a rough consensus on priorities for research and action.
Global polycrisis: The causal mechanisms of crisis entanglement
Michael Lawrence, Thomas Homer-Dixon, Scott Janzwood, Johan Rockström, Ortwin Renn, and Jonathan F. Donges
This paper defines the concept of global polycrisis, highlights its value-added in comparison to related concepts, and provides a theoretical framework to explain causal mechanisms currently entangling many of the world’s crises.
Navigating the Polycrisis: From Understanding to Action
Featuring ASRA's Ruth Richardson and IGAD's Ayan Mahamoud
Part one of a two-part online event series aimed at helping individuals from across the globe and a variety of sectors – civil society, governance, academia, grassroots movements, business, journalism, etc. – better understand and respond to the polycrisis.
Navigating the Polycrisis: From Research to Practice
Featuring Michael Lawrence and Megan Shipman
A 90-minute webinar exploring key research areas in the emerging field of polycrisis studies, including the causal mechanisms of crisis interactions and the political struggles that will steer different world futures through the polycrisis.
Why so much is going wrong at the same time
Thomas Homer-Dixon
Thomas Homer-Dixon argues that the world is in a polycrisis generated by novel and unprecedented conditions, as measured by total human energy consumption, Earth’s energy imbalance, the human population’s total biomass, and global connectivity.
Deep Geothermal Superpower: Canada’s potential for a breakthrough in enhanced geothermal systems
Ian Graham, Ellen Quigley, Scott Janzwood, and Thomas Homer-Dixon
This opportunity analysis makes the case that Canada can and should become the global leader in ultra-deep geothermal electricity production.
Getting to enough
Presentation by Thomas Homer-Dixon
A graphical illustration of the dilemma that’s destroying our world—and how we’re going to solve it.
