A handbook explaining how to read and draw a causal loop diagram, a systems-mapping technique for thinking through our mental model of a system and communicating our knowledge to others.
Causal Loop Diagrams Handbook Read More »
An introduction to Cascade Institute’s framework for polycrisis analysis, intended to help governments, firms, and communities assess global risks and respond to emerging threats more effectively.
Introduction to Polycrisis Analysis Read More »
A discussion paper that 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 »
An opportunity analysis that makes the case that Canada can and should become the global leader in ultra-deep geothermal electricity production.
A paper calling 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 »
A report presenting 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 »
A paper that 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 »
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 »
