It’s warming. It’s us. We’re sure. It’s bad. We can fix it.
+ Degrowth debunked, Creativity Test, (Un)natural Death (#357)
1. The era of 'rapid' climate change has begun
«These statements, taken together, are the clearest statement of how dire the climate emergency has become, and the clearest call to action we’ve ever received on the existential crisis of our time.» — You have probably noticed: The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has published its latest report this week. As with all important news that is all over the media, it’s difficult to cut through the noise. If you’d like the key points of the 4000-page report, along with some thoughtful explanation, I recommend this post by Eric Holthaus. Read it now.
Bonus 1: This more extensive summary of the report and a great visualisation from Quartz is worth your time.
Bonus 2: I compiled a list of books that have helped me better understand the climate crisis, and what can be done.
Hat tip: The subject line of this week’s issue is borrowed from Kimberly Nicholas.
2. A Natural Death
Natural death. Natural causes. Some terms have become so…natural…to our collective vocabulary that we hardly ever question them. That’s why I found this piece so refreshing. While eventual death is in our nature, once you look close enough, no death is «natural», the author argues. «Approximately once a month, my team and I bring back a patient who only decades ago would have been considered thoroughly dead […] Death is a moving target.» Read it now.
3. What Bobby McIlvaine Left Behind
This is one of the best magazine pieces I’ve seen in years. It begins with: A death, a diary, and a fight over who gets to read it. It explores the complexities of grief, in language that is raw and detailed and personal and empathetic, and just overall beautiful. A long read, worth every minute (if you prefer to listen, there’s an audio version available). Read or listen to it now.
4. Can we save the planet by shrinking the economy?
It’s abundantly clear that fossil-fuel-driven growth has brought about the climate crisis we’re now facing. So, is the logical conclusion that stopping growth, or even degrowth is the only way to fix it? That’s the argument of the degrowth movement. This detailed, thorough piece makes the case why degrowth is a misguided utopia, and bad policy in a world where billions still live in poverty. Read it now.
5. Edith! — The Untold True-ish Story Of America’s Secret First Female President
On a lighter note: This is the perfect podcast to listen to while you’re doing other things. Based on true events — with a bit of added spice, humour and imagination — it tells the story of Edith Wilson, «the first female President of the United States». When President Woodrow Wilson suffers a severe stroke, the first lady, Edith, starts running the country. Fun and bingeworthy. Start listening now.
What else?
A little test of creativity: Come up with 20 nouns that are as different from one another as possible, in 4 minutes.
Timelapse of a pencil-drawn snow leopard. Stunning.
Something worth pondering: Climate change scientists make a core, tragic, life threatening error: describing global warming in degree rise. «Like now, but 3 degrees warmer» sounds pretty nice. (Don’t think the alternative he offers is particularly helpful, but still…)
Have you ever wondered how much of Copenhagen could fit in your grocery store's parking lot? Well, someone has.
Brilliant magazine cover: The new country folks driving us locals mad.
«The best bridge between despair and hope is a good night’s sleep.» — Matthew Walker. A quote either inspired by or in complete ignorance of the existence of small kids.
Thanks for reading. I’ll be back in your inboxes next Friday. Enjoy the weekend.
— David 👋