Interventions for
rapid global change
Interventions for Rapid Global Change
The Cascade Institute is a Canadian research center that addresses the full range of humanity’s converging environmental, economic, political, technological, and health crises. Using advanced methods to map and model complex global systems, we identify and help implement high-leverage interventions that could rapidly shift humanity’s course towards fair and sustainable prosperity.
Earth’s polycrisis is no mere illusion
Globe and Mail article by Thomas Homer-Dixon, Michael Lawrence, and Scott Janzwood — The backlash against the "polycrisis" neologism is well under way. But the polycrisis idea can motivate urgent scientific investigation into the architecture of global crisis interaction.
Mapping the global systemic consequences of the Ukraine-Russia War
Systems map by Michael Lawrence — A systems diagram charting the knock-on effects of the Ukraine-Russia War — and the vicious cycles that are emerging from them.
Polycrisis: Why we must turn this meme into a big idea
The Conversation article by Michael Lawrence — The debate around polycrisis is largely a question of whether we really understand the mess we’re in.
RECENT RESEARCH
14 lessons for social movement success
Amy Janzwood
January 21, 2022 • This Brief summarizes lessons from the academic literature for building successful social movements. It outlines several core insights with an eye on their practical application for social movements, advocacy campaigns, and their supporters.
Pension funds and the post-pandemic economy: A shift to bold climate leadership
Scott Janzwood
February 23, 2021 • This Brief analyzes the impact of the pandemic on pension funds and presents strategies for organizations, activists, and researchers to accelerate pension fund leadership on climate change.
Network dynamics of the pandemic shock: Three network shifts and why they matter
Jinelle Piereder
January 11, 2021 • This Brief analyzes three major shifts in humanity’s networks that the COVID-19 pandemic has triggered or accelerated: (1) network centralization, (2) network fragmentation and reconfiguration, and (3) network formation. It then examines the impact of these shifts across economic, food, information, and governance systems.
What is a global polycrisis?
Michael Lawrence, Scott Janzwood, and Thomas Homer-Dixon
September 16, 2022 • This discussion paper argues that the concept of “global polycrisis” provides a useful framework with which to understand and address major problems afflicting humanity today.
Deep Geothermal Superpower: Canada’s potential for a breakthrough in enhanced geothermal systems
Ian Graham, Ellen Quigley, Scott Janzwood, and Thomas Homer-Dixon
May 27, 2022 • This opportunity analysis makes the case that Canada can and should become the global leader in ultra-deep geothermal electricity production.
