Our Uncertain Future Archives

The Destiny of Civilization

We live in dangerous times. Everything seems to be out of normal: stagnating economies, inflation, wars and an unfolding ecological and climate disaster. This is clearly not how things ought to be… While many just wave a hand and say, we will get over it, an increasing number of people feel — almost instinctively — that there is something

#279: The fiascos of denied decline

THE BRITISH ECONOMIC TRAP – A SEEDS ANALYSIS As others have noted, there’s been something almost surreal about the opening phases of the British general election campaign. Premier Rishi Sunak, firing the starting-gun for the 4th July contest outside 10 Downing Street, had no umbrella to ward off a torrential downpour of rain. If the public

Government issues emergency preparation advice: what do you need in your kit?

The Government has given emergency preparation advice against pandemic-style panic buying after encouraging Britons on a new website to have three days’ worth of tinned food and water. The site Prepare went live on Wednesday (May 22) with Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden advising people how to prepare for flooding, power outages, another pandemic,

A Story of Mice (and Men)

Picture a natural prairie, boasting an explosive diversity of grasses and flowers. Every year, at different times of the year, the grasses and flowers produce seeds. Some of these seeds, naturally, propagate their respective species so that the grasses and flowers will survive into the next year and the next. But the plants are

Dodging The Gator – What Can Be Done?

Humanity is in overshoot, and a major correction is already underway, something, which will only accelerate even further. A runaway energy crisis, together with resource depletion, climate change and ecosystems collapse will upend centuries of growth and prosperity. But what does that mean on an individual level? Is there any way to course correct?

How climate change will transform London: a guide to the city in 10, 50 and 100 years

From flooding, drought and disease to total societal upheaval, Robbie Griffiths investigates the grim future that awaits our capital if climate change and global warming is allowed to continue. One summer day two years ago, a compost heap in Wennington, East London, spontaneously caught fire. It was July 19, 2022, the hottest day since British

#273: Systemic jeopardy

THE COMING FINANCIAL CRASH One question, above all others, has dominated our recent discussions here. This is the issue of whether the financial system will fracture as the underlying “real” or material economy inflects from growth into contraction. Has some kind of chaotic reset – either contractionary or hyperinflationary – become inevitable? Are we –

Barcelona Declares Drought Emergency, with big fines for breaking water rules

Citizens could be fined for washing cars or watering gardens. After months of warnings, authorities in Catalonia have declared a drought emergency. The region is in the midst of the worst drought since records began. From tomorrow (Friday), 80% of the Catalan population, including Barcelona, will be under strict water restrictions. “We are entering a

January energy bills almost double pre-crisis levels

On the 1 January 2024, the Default Tariff Price Cap was set at £1,928. This represents an increase of almost £900 compared to the Q1 price cap of 2021 (£1,042), leaving households paying almost double pre-energy crisis levels for their energy bills. Lasting until 31 March 2024, the current price cap is over £2,000 less than it was during

‘We never drop below 30 toilet rolls’: the Britons stockpiling for a crisis

Oliver Dowden this week advised people to stock up on certain supplies – but some people have been doing it for years Kathryn is a firm believer in the 19th-century adage that we are only ever nine meals from anarchy. Having learned the skill of stockpiling from her wartime parents and grandparents, her first mini-foray

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