Professor Bill McGuire the volcanologist, climate scientist, and activist recently recorded a video in which he described  catastrophic climate breakdown as now being  inevitable.

According to a number of recent analyses this will have major impacts on society and the economy within decades. One study predicts society breakdown beginning as soon as 2040, another study raises the spectre of worldwide deaths (not just in the parts of the world we often ignore, but here in our own country too) numbered in the billions by mid century.

He says that while this is horrific, there is a silver lining of sorts. Early societal and economic breakdown would result in a precipitous fall in emissions that could halt the worsening of the climate catastrophe. He went on to offer four observations, the forth of which chimes with the aims of SU:

Firstly,  Even ton of carbon we stop being emitted, even if it’s a result of a collapse in in human society, is a win of sorts.

Secondly, We are no longer working to prevent catastrophic climate breakdown, which is already baked in. We’re fighting for survival.

Thirdly, While we still desperately need to slash emissions, we also need to learn fast how to prevail on a hotter planet with higher seas and supercharged weather, at a time when society and economy is crumbling.

Fourthly, in anticipation of the splintering of central control, we need to begin to organize now at a local level which means town, village, street or even individual block of flats. Start planning for what measures we can take to keep our homes cool, how we can manage water supplies, how we can grow as much of our own food as possible, how we can generate our own energy, and how we can keep ourselves and loved ones safe in an increasingly ‘wild west’ world.

As James Garfield once quipped “the truth will set you free, but first it makes you miserable”.