April 22, 2024 • This briefing note presents the Cascade Institute’s framework for polycrisis analysis–a framework with which to understand the causal interactions between crises in multiple global systems.
Introduction to Polycrisis Analysis Guide Read More »
This peer-reviewed paper, published in Cambridge University Press’s Global Sustainability journal, defines the concept of global polycrisis and provides a theoretical framework to explain causal mechanisms currently entangling many of the world’s crises.
Global polycrisis: The causal mechanisms of crisis entanglement Read More »
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.
What is a global polycrisis? Read More »
This opportunity analysis makes the case that Canada can and should become the global leader in ultra-deep geothermal electricity production.
March 8, 2022 • This paper calls for a research program to investigate this moment’s seemingly sharp amplification, acceleration, and synchronization of systemic risks.
A call for an international research program on the risk of a global polycrisis Read More »
January 31, 2022 • This report presents findings from the Youth Climate Values Survey, which maps out shared and divergent beliefs, priorities, and values within the Canadian youth climate movement.
Levelling up: The next phase of youth climate action in Canada Read More »
April 15, 2021 • This paper shows how growing oil and gas production is impeding Canada from meeting its climate commitments, outlines how the federal government is now supporting oil and gas production growth, and recommends specific policies the federal government could adopt in the near-term to begin a phase out of oil and gas production.
Correcting Canada’s “one eye shut” climate policy Read More »
February 23, 2021 • This paper investigates the forces constraining pension funds from taking a bolder leadership role in the net-zero carbon energy transition. It presents strategies for organizations, activists, and researchers to accelerate pension fund leadership on a timescale that is commensurate with the urgency of the climate crisis.
Pension funds at a crossroads: Incremental greening or bold climate leadership? Read More »
October 29, 2020 • This paper explores how recent advances in AI have re-opened questions around the feasibility and desirability of central economic planning. It presents a thought experiment about how an AI-directed economy might work, based on a powerful AI agent (whimsically named “Max”).
Max – a thought experiment: Could AI run the economy better than markets? Read More »
April 27, 2020 • This paper analyzes the rapid and widespread changes in attitudes and behaviours toward social distancing practices during the first few months of the COVID-19 pandemic. It highlights how incentives and social network dynamics interact with belief systems to determine whether or not people act consistently with their underlying beliefs.
The social distancing norm cascade Read More »
