If you are a scientist or scholar you can still sign the letter before the end of 2020, and a final list will be published in January.
A public letter signed by over 250 scientists and scholars from 30 countries, calls on policy makers to engage more with the growing risk of societal disruption and collapse due to damage to the climate and environment. The letter invites focus on how to slow, prepare for, and help those already suffering from, such disruptions. The signatories are specialists in a range of subject areas that relate to this challenge, who commonly believe it is time to listen to all the scholarship on humanity’s predicament.
The referenced letter and a full list of signatories, at the moment of publication on Dec 6th 2020, follows below. In English, an edited version of the letter appears in The Guardian (Monday 7th 2020). The letter will also be published in French.
If you could bring more attention to this letter, please use #scholarswarning #breakdownwarning hashtags in your social media posts. You can follow this Scholars Warning on twitter and direct people to this page via www.scholarswarning.net
Subject: Only if we discuss collapse might we prepare
As scientists and scholars from around the world, we call on policymakers to engage openly with the risk of disruption and even collapse of our societies. After five years of failing to reduce carbon emissions in line with the Paris Climate Accord (1), we must now face the consequences.
While bold and fair efforts to cut emissions and naturally drawdown carbon are essential, researchers in many areas now consider societal collapse to be a credible scenario this century (2a & 2b). A range of views exist on the location, extent, timing, permanence and cause of such disruptions; but the way modern societies exploit people and nature is a common concern (3a & 3b).
Only if policymakers begin to discuss this threat of societal collapse might communities and nations begin to prepare and so reduce its likelihood, speed, severity, harm to the most vulnerable, and to nature.
Some armed services already see collapse as an important scenario, requiring planning (4a and 4b). Surveys show many people now anticipate societal collapse (5). Sadly that is already the experience or memory of many communities in the Global South (6). However, the topic is not well reported in the media, and mostly absent from civil society and politics.
When potential collapse is covered by the media, it typically cites people who condemn discussion of the topic. Ill-informed speculations, such as on foreign misinformation campaigns, or impacts on mental health and motivation, will not support serious discussion (7). Rather, such claims risk betraying the thousands of activists and community leaders whose anticipation of collapse is part of their motivation to push for change on climate, ecology, and social justice.
People who care about environmental and humanitarian issues should not be discouraged from discussing the risks of societal disruption or collapse. That could risk agendas being driven by people with less commitment to such values.
Some of us believe that a transition to a new form of society may be possible. That will involve bold action to reduce damage to the climate, nature and other people, including preparations for major disruptions to everyday life. We are united in regarding efforts to suppress discussion of collapse as hindering the possibility of that transition.
We have experienced how emotionally challenging it is
to recognise the damage being done, along with the growing threat to our own
way of life. We also know the great sense of fellowship that can arise (8). It
is time to invite each other into difficult conversations, so we can reduce our
complicity in the harm, and be creative to make the best of a turbulent future
(9).
Signed, in
a personal capacity, by: Professor Gesa Weyhenmeyer, Uppsala University; Professor
Will Steffen, Australian National University; Professor Kai Chan, Lead Author, Intergovernmental
Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services; Professor
Marjolein Visser, Université Libre de Bruxelles; Professor Olivier De Schutter, UN Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights; Professor Yin
Paradies, Deakin University; Professor Saskia Sassen, Columbia University; Dr Ye Tao, Harvard University; Professor Aled Jones, Anglia Ruskin University; Professor
Joy Carter, Winchester University; Professor Bobby Banerjee, University of
London; Professor Lummina Horlings, University of Groningen; Professor Pritam Singh, University of Oxford; Professor Rupert
Read, University of East Anglia; Dr. Peter Kalmus, Climate Scientist; Dr.
Malika Virah-Sawmy, Humboldt Universitat zu Berlin; Dr. Yves Cochet, Former
Minister of the Environment (France); Dr. Marie-Claire Pierret, University of
Strasbourg; Dr. Wolfgang Knorr, Lund University; The Very Reverend Dr. Frances
Ward, St Michael's Church; Dr. Alessia Lo Porto-Lefebure, School of Public
Health (France); Dr. Emmanuel Prados, INRIA; Dr. Pablo Servigne, Author; Dr.
Gail Bradbrook, Extinction Rebellion.
References follow below the full list of signatories. If you have a PhD or professional doctorate, then to sign the letter before the end of 2020 visit here (and thus receive updates on the reaction and implications).
For emotional support on this extremely troubling matter, use some of the links to resources from here.
If you are
a journalist seeking to interview a signatory, then please email press@scholarswarning.net
If you can produce an additional translation, or want to locate one, then visit this emerging list.
If you are a scientist wanting to engage further, we recommend Scientists Warning Europe, the Union of Concerned Scientists and Scientists for XR.
If you want to engage with others on what this situation means to your life and work, we recommend the Deep Adaptation Forum. If you want to stay informed of related initiatives, subscribe to this quarterly newsletter.
If you are researching collapse risk, consider using this database on collapse scholarship, or contributing to it. If you want to read more about collapse risk, we recommend the book How Everything Can Collapse
All Signatories (reverse alphabetical order, with organisation shown for information only, as each signs in a personal capacity):
Professor Stephen
Zavestoski, Professor of Environmental Studies, University of San Francisco US
Dr Caroline
Zaoui, Biotech entrepreneur, Novobiom BE
Dr Sandra Wooltorton,
Senior Research Fellow, Nulungu Research Institute CA
Professor Jason
Wirth, Professor of Philosophy, Seattle University US
Dr David Windt,
Physicist, Reflective X-ray Optics LLC US
Dr Sarah Williams,
University Lecturer, University of Cumbria UK
Dr Alison Whybrow,
Chartered Psychologist, Co-Founder Climate Coaching Alliance, The Vedere
Partnership Ltd UK
Professor Gesa
Weyhenmeyer, Professor, Uppsala University SW
Dr Dietmar
Weinmann, Physicist, CNRS DE
Dr Martin Weinel,
Research Associate, Cardiff University FR
Dr Arthur Weaver,
Independent scientist, Independent US
Dr Frances
Ward, Anglican Priest in Workington, Church of England UK
Professor Mark
Wallace, Professor of Religion and Environmental Studies, Swarthmore College US
Professor Stephane
Vuilleumier, Professor of Environmental Biology and Microbiology, CNRS team
leader, Universite de Strasbourg FR
Dr Charlotte
von Bulow, Senior Lecturer in Leadership, University of the West of England DK
Dr Linda Vogelsong,
Founder, WovenStory Productions US
Professor Marjolein
Visser, Professor, Universite Libre de Bruxelles BE
Dr Malika Virah-Sawmy,
Researcher, Humboldt universidad zu Berlin DE
Professor Bruno
Villalba, Professeur science politique, AgroParisTech FR
Dr Florence
Vieban, Organization of a territorial food resilience, La Ceinture Verte (Green
Belt) FR
Professor Caroline
Verzat, professor, ESCP FR
Dr Nicolas
Vereecken, Associate Professor, Chair of Agroecology, Universite libre de
Bruxelles (ULB, Belgium) BE
Dr Elizabeth
Vander Meer, Research and Policy Manager (climate change and biodiversity), University
of Edinburgh UK
Dr Arnold van
Vliet, Biologist, Wageningen University NL
Dr Marieke
Van Lichtervelde, Research fellow, University of Toulouse FR
Dr Lenny Van
Bussel, Assistant Professor, Wageningen University AT
Dr Robert Turner,
Teaching Professor, University of Washington Bothell us
Dr Renaud Toussaint,
Researcher in Geophysics, CNRS FR
Dr Balint Toth,
Researcher in environmental archaeology, Paris-Sorbonne University SE
Dr Amber Tomas,
Statistical consultant, Amber Tomas Statistical Consultancy AU
Dr Wanchat
Theeranaew, Researcher in Medical Signal Processing, Case Western Reserve
University US
Dr Laure Teulieres,
Lecturer in history, Toulouse Jean Jaures University (France) FR
Dr Ye
Tao, Rowland Fellow, Rowland Institute at Harvard US
Dr Mark Swoiskin,
MD, UCSF us
Dr Kate Swindells,
Community Activist, HEART Community Group UK
Professor Cedric
Sueur, Professor, Universite de Strasbourg FR
Dr Ian Sturrock,
Senior Lecturer, Teesside University UK
Dr Peter Sturm,
Senior Researcher, Inria, France FR
Dr Giovanni
Strona, Associate Professor in Ecological Data Science, University of Helsinki FI
Professor Donald
Strauss, Founding Chair, Urban Sustainability Department, Antioch University
Los Angeles US
Dr Iain Stewart,
Director, Sustainable Earth Institute, University of Plymouth UK
Dr Victoria
Stevens, Retired protected areas ecologist, BC Parks CA
Dr Melissa
Sterry, Design Scientist, Complex Systems Theorist, Bioratorium FR
Professor Stephen
Sterling, Emeritus Professor of Sustainability Education, University of
Plymouth UK
Professor Will
Steffen, Earth System scientist, Australian National University (Emeritus
Professor) AU
Dr Milena Stefanovic,
Programme Manager, European Fund for the Balkans RS
Dr Ashley South,
Author, researcher and consultant., Chiang Mai University TH
Dr Isabelle
Soraru, Researcher, Universite de Strasbourg FR
Professor Michael
Smith, Professor of History and Environmental Humanities, Ithaca College US
Professor Pritam Singh, University of Oxford, UK & IN
Dr Amanda Shuman,
Researcher and lecturer, University of Freiburg DE
Dr Candida
Shinn, Ecotoxicologist, Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre (Portugal) PT
Professor Orrin
Shindell, Professor, Trinity University US
Dr David Sheeren,
Associate Professor, Toulouse INP-ENSAT FR
Dr Pablo Servigne,
Author and speaker, Independent FR
Dr Isabelle
Schurch, Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Bern CH
Professor Pierre
Yves Schobbens, Professor, University of Namur BE
Professor Saskia
Sassen, Professor, Columbia University US
Dr Thibault
Sana, Researcher, INRAE FR
Professor Geoffrey
Samuel, Emeritus Professor, Cardiff University UK
Dr Joyce Salvage,
Retired, National-Louis University (retired) US
Dr Daniel Ruiz,
Affiliate Researcher, SSSUP IT
Professor Shawn
Rosenheim, Professor of English, Williams College US
Dr Peter Roopnarine,
Curator, California Academy of Sciences US
Dr Laura Roop,
Assistant Professor of Practice, Education, University of Pittsburgh US
Dr Estienne
Rodary, Directeur de recherche, Institut de recherche pour le developpement
(IRD) FR
Dr Xavier Ricard
Lanata, Senior Advisor, Directorate of Treasury, Ministry of Economy and
Finance, France FR
Professor William
Rees, Professor Emeritus (human ecology, ecological economics), University of
British Columbia CA
Professor Rupert
Read, Professor, University of East Anglia UK
Dr Terry Rankin,
Activist, Retired US
Dr Francis
Putz, Researcher/teacher, University of Florida US
Dr Marion Princaud,
Founder of Waste Hunter, Waste Hunter FR
Dr Sally Prebble,
PhD Clinical Psychology, University of Auckland NZ
Dr Emmanuel
Prados, Head of the INRIA research team STEEP, INRIA FR
Dr Igor Polskiy,
Board member, GEN-Russia RU
Dr Max Pinsard,
Manager, Low-tech Lab Montreal CA
Dr Marie-Claire
Pierret, Researcher in geosciences, University of Strasbourg FR
Dr Clifford
Pickett, Jr., Molecular Biologist, Swarthmore US
Professor Claire
Petitmengin, Professor, Mines Telecom Institute, Paris FR
Professor Christopher
Peet, Professor of Psychology, The King's University, Edmonton, AB, Canada CA
Professor Sylvain
Payraudeau, Professor, ENGEES, Strasbourg, France FR
Professor Yin
Paradies, Professor of Race Relations, Deakin University au
Dr Lilli Papaloizos,
Lecturer, University of Basel Switzerland FR
Dr Geremy Panthou,
Lecturer/Researcher. Fields: Climatology/hydrology, Universite Grenoble Alpes FR
Dr Michael
Ortega, Research Engineer, CNRS FR
Dr Sarah Ollier,
Researcher, Loughborough university UK
Dr Magali Ollagnier-Beldame,
Researcher, CNRS FR
Dr Timothee
Nicolas, Researcher, CNRS FR
Professor Vinh-Kim
Nguyen, Professor, Graduate Institute for International and Development Studies
Geneva CH
Professor Marie
Wilson Nelson, Professor Emerita, Integrated Studies in Teaching, Technology
& Inquiry, National Louis University US
Dr Chris Murray,
Emeritus Staff Scientist, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA,
USA US
Dr David F
Murphy, Academic Lead, Initiative for Leadership & Sustainability (IFLAS),
University of Cumbria UK
Dr Anne Munro-Kua,
Cheras, AMK Transformations MY
Dr Tadzio Mueller,
Climate Justice Analyst, Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung DE
Dr Susanne
Moser, Director, Susanne Moser Research & Consulting US
Professor Andy
Morse, Professor of Climate Impacts, University of Liverpool UK
Professor Bronwen
Morgan, Professor of Law, UNSW Sydney AU
Professor Paul
Morgan, Professor, West Chester University of Pennsylvania US
Dr Patricia
Morgan, Research Associate, UNSW AU
Dr Claude Monteil,
Teacher-researcher, University of Toulouse, France FR
Dr Lauren Mohn,
Visiting Assistant Professor, Swarthmore College US
Dr Michelle
Merrill, Founder and community organizer, Novasutras US
Professor Dominique
Meda, Full Professor, University Paris Dauphine-PSL FR
Dr Josie McLean,
Principal and Founder, The Partnership Pty Ltd AU
Professor Ben
McCall, Professor of Sustainability, University of Dayton US
Dr Aimee Maxwell,
Psychologist, Deep Adaptation AU
Dr Emilie Mathieu,
Postdoctoral researcher, CNRS FR
Dr Andrew Mathewson,
Biologist, University of Washington US
Dr Stephen
Martin, Visiting Professor in Learning for Sustainability, University of the
West of England Bristol UK
Dr Fran Martin,
Honorary Research Fellow, University of Exeter uk
Professoer
Laurie Marrauld, Professor Assistant in digital and resilient health management,
EHESP FR
Dr Elise Marquis,
Marine Environmental Consultant, Freelance FR
Dr Philippe
Marquet, Associate professor, University de Lille FR
Dr Clemence
Marque, Pharmacist (PharmD), Adrastia FR
Dr David Mark
Welch, Senior Scientist, Marine Biological Laboratory US
Dr Lara Mani,
Research Associate, Centre for the Study of Existential Risk, University of
Cambridge FR
Dr Stefano
Mammola, Researcher, Finnish Museum of Natural History FI
Dr Irene Malvestio,
Postdoc, Universitat de Barcelona IT
Dr Christian
Mahieu, Researcher, ANIS-Catalyst FR
Professor Thomas
Love, Professor Emeritus of Anthropology, Linfield University US
Dr Pascal Lorance,
Scientist, Ifremer FR
Dr Jonathan
Logan, Climate Strategist, Futurist, Attorney, National Mobilizer, Extinction
Rebellion America (USA) US
Dr Sabahat
Lodhi, Teacher, Head of Science, BBIS DE
Dr Alessia
Lo Porto - Lefebure, Dean for Academic Affairs, EHESP -French School of Public
Health FR
Dr Vicki Little,
Scholar, educator, Monash University Malaysia MY
Dr Evelin Lindner,
Founding President, Human Dignity and Humiliation Studies NO
Dr Joel Levey,
Founder, Wisdom at Work US
Researcher
Nolwenn Lesparre, Researcher, CNRS FR
Dr Cathy Lemer,
Coach et Chef d'entreprise, Elevatio FR
Dr Jorge Leandro
Rosa, Researcher and writer, Institute of Philosophy, University of Porto PT
Professor Eva
Lantsoght, Professor, Universidad San Francisco de Quito NL
Dr Auriane
Lamine, Associate Professor of Labour Law, Universite catholique de Louvain AT
Dr Daniel Lacour,
Physicist, CNRS FR
Dr marc lachieze-rey,
Research director (retired), CNRS FR
Dr Wolfgang
Knorr, Research Scientist in Climate Change, Lund University GR
Dr Peter Kindfield,
Founder and Lead Teacher, Hilltop Education Connections US
Dr Adrian Kendry,
Visiting Professor of Economics, Security and Peacebuilding, University of
Winchester UK
Professor Sean
Kelly, Professor and author, California Institute of Integral Studies US
Dr Tom Kelly,
Executive Director, UNH Sustainability Institute US
Dr Minna Kanerva,
Senior researcher in sustainability science, University of Bremen DE
Dr Peter Kalmus,
Climate scientist, Various US
Dr Mike Joy,
Senior researcher/ecologist, Victoria University HK
Professor Aled
Jones, Professor, Anglia Ruskin University UK
Dr Clara Jodry,
Associate professor, UNISTRA AZ
Professor Robert
Jensen, Emeritus Professor, University of Texas at Austin, USA US
Dr Nico Jenkins,
Asst Professor of Philosophy and Critical theory, Maine College of Art US
Dr Jamilia
Jeenbaeva, Founder, senior expert, Dialecticon Climate, ELEK Dilgir (Ecological
Lectoria) KG
Professor Sophie
Javerzat, Professor of Genetics, University of Bordeaux FR
Dr Francois
Jarrige, Historian, Universite de Bourgogne FR
Dr Wes Jackson,
President Emeritus, The Land Institute US
Professor Ruth
Irwin, Professor of Education, RMIT University AU
Dr Gwenael
Imfeld, Citizen and researcher in biogeochemistry, research director at CNRS, CNRS
FR
Dr Justine
A Huxley, London, St Ethelburga's Centre for Reconciliation and Peace UK
Dr Jean-Michel
Hupe, Researcher in political ecology, CNRS IT
Dr Jean-Michel
Huctin, Associate Professor of Anthropology, Unversity of Versailles
Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines FR
Professor Laurent
Houssiau, Professor in physics, University of Namur BE
Professor Lummina
Horlings, Professor Socio-Spatial Planning, University of Groningen, The
Netherlands NL
Professor Mark
Hixon, Hsiao Endowed Professor of Marine Biology, University of Hawaii US
Professor Krista
Hiser, Professor, University of Hawaii System US
Professor Stuart
Hill, Personal, Western Sydney University AU
Professor Bertrand
Hespel, Professor, University of Namur BE
Professor Ruben
Heleno, Professor, University of Coimbra, Portugal PT
Dr Stepanie
Heil, Engineer, Linkoping University, Sweden SE
Dr Juan
Jesus Haro Mora, Review Analyst in Genetics, None US
Dr Yves Handrich,
Researcher, The National Centre for Scientific Research (France), FR
Dr Caspar Hallmann,
Research, Radboud University NL
Professor Laurie
Guimond, Geography Professor, Universite du Quebec - Montreal CA
Dr Nicolas
Gratiot, Senior scientist, Institut de Recherche pour le Developpement, France FR
Dr Elena Granda,
Researcher, University of Alcala ES
Professor Pierre-Henri
Gouyon, Full Professor, Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle FR
Dr Alain Girault,
Researcher, INRIA FR
Professor Gael
Giraud, Professor, Georgetown university FR
Professor Richard
Gill, Emeritus professor of mathematical statistics, Mathematical Institute,
Leiden University NL
Dr Marie Gevers,
Researcher, Universite de Namur BE
Professor Tim
Garrett, Professor, University of Utah US
Dr Tomasz Ganicz,
Assistant Professor, Technical Univeristy of Lodz PL
Dr Katy Fox,
Ecosocial Designer, Mycelium Design BE
Professor John
Foran, Professor of Sociology and Environmental Studies, UCSB US
Dr Gwen Fischer,
Volunteer, Deep Adaptation Forum US
Professor Tina
Fields, Professor of Ecopsychology, Naropa University US
Professor Isabelle
Ferreras, Professor, University of Louvain AT
Dr Serge Fenet,
Maitre de conferences, Universite Claude Bernard Lyon 1 FR
Dr Stephane
Faure, Post-doc, CNRS - LPCNO FR
Dr Louise Farquharson,
Assistant Research Professor, University of Alaska Fairbanks US
Dr Sherry Falsetti,
Clinical Psychologist, Enlighten Mind Body Wellness LLC US
Professor Carr
Everbach, Chair of Environmental Studies; Engineering Professor, Swarthmore
College US
Professor Susan
Empson, Professor, University of Missouri US
Dr Scott Elrod,
Associate Director of Licensing, Stanford University US
Professor Jane
Elliott, Professor of Sociology, University of Exeter UK
Dr Hans Eickhoff,
Investigator, Degrowth Network Portugal PT
Dr Natalia
Eernstman, Senior lecturer, Plymouth College of Art UK
Dr Edina Eberhardt-Toth,
Enseignante-chercheure en finance et gouvernance socialement responsables, ICN
Business School NL
Dr Sophie Eberhardt,
Researcher, Lepac FR
Professor Denis
Dupre, Professor of ethics and finance, Grenoble Alpes University FR
Professor Marc
Dufumier, Emeritus Professor, AgroParisTech FR
Dr Fae Dremock,
Assistant Professor, Environmental Studies, Ithaca College US
Dr Elizabeth
Downing, Climate educator, Awakening Wisdom Yoga and Meditation US
Dr Gregory
Derville, Maitre de conference, Science politique, Universite de Lille FR
Professor Nicolas
Dendoncker, Professor of Geography, University of Namur BE
Dr Laurence
Delattre, Assistant Professor, University of Lille FR
Professor Olivier
De Schutter, Former UN Special Rapporteur on Right to Food, UCLouvain IE
Dr Gabriel
Davies, Research Associate, Durham University NI
Professor Hamish
Cunningham, Professor, University of Sheffield UK
Dr Elspeth
Crawford, Retired lecturer, University of Edinburgh UK
Dr Bruno Corbara,
Maitre de Conferences Ecologie/Ethologie, Universite Clermont Auvergne FR
Dr Claire Collot,
Neurobiologiste, Industrie pharmaceutique FR
Dr Yves Cochet,
Former Minister of the Environment (France), Institut Momentum FR
Dr Floriane
Clement, Research Fellow, INRAE FR
Dr Humphrey
Chris, Senior Scientist, ETH Zurich Center for Development and Cooperation CH
Dr Francis
Chopin, Lecturer in Structural Geology and Igneous Petrology, University of
Strasbourg Fr
Professor Mariana
Chilton, Professor & Director, Center for Hunger-Free Communities, Drexel
University US
Dr Mark Chater,
Independent writer and researcher on education, Independent UK
Dr Mark Charlesworth,
Programme Leader - Geography, Bishop Grosseteste University UK
Dr Ian Chapman,
Senior Lecturer in Business and Sustainability, University of Cumbria UK
Dr Gauthier
Chapelle, Independent researcher, GIRAF BE
Dr Kai Chan,
Vancouver, UBC CA
Dr Tobit Caudwell,
Teacher, Universite de Bourgogne FR
Professor Alexis
Catanzaro, Professor in Management and Entrepreneurship, University Jean Monnet
FR
Professor Joy
Carter, Vice Chancellor and Professor, Winchester University UK
Professor Julian
Carrey, Professor in Physics, INSA Toulouse FR
Dr Hedy Bryant,
Facilitator and educator for living systems informed practice., HARK
Facilitation Services AU
Professor Jason
Brownlee, Professor of Government, University of Texas at Austin US
Dr Lajos Brons,
Adjunct Professor of Philosophy, Lakeland University Japan JP
Dr Clare Breteau,
Post-doctoral researcher, Universite de Caen FR
Dr Ann Braun,
Independent consultant, Development Evaluation | Monitoring & Evaluation
Support NZ
Dr Elizabeth
Bragg, Ecopsychologist, Sustainable Futures Australia AU
Dr Martin Bowen,
Physics Research Director, CNRS FR
Dr Dalila Bovet,
Ethologist, Universite Paris Nanterre FR
Professor Dominique
Bourg, Honorary Professor, University of Lausanne CH
Dr Charles-Andre
Bost, Director of Research-Senior Scientist in environmental sciences, CNRS FR
Dr Frederic
Boone, Researcher in astrophysics, Institut de recherche en astrophysique et
planetologie (IRAP) FR
Professor Betsy
Bolton, Professor, English Literature and Environmental Studies, Swarthmore
College US
Professor Blaise
Boles, Professor, Kirkwood College US
Dr Sebastien
Bohler, Editor in chief, Pour la Science FR
Dr Jennifer
Bissonnette, Interim Director, Nature Lab, Rhode Island School of Design US
Dr Adrien Biassin,
Researcher, LUMIA FR
Professor Martine
Benoit, Professor, Universite de Lille FR
Professor Jem
Bendell, Professor, University of Cumbria UK
Dr Benjamin
Belfort, Assistant professor, Strasbourg University FR
Professor Aurelien
Barrau, Professor of astrophysics, Universite Grenoble-Alpes FR
Dr Phoebe Barnard,
Affiliate Professor, University of Washington US
Professor Ugo
Bardi, Professor, University of Florence IT
Professor Bobby
Banerjee, Professor, City University of London UK
Dr Carolyn
Baker, Author, Life and Leadership Coach, Carolyn Baker Education Services US
Dr Genevieve
Azam, Economist, Jean Jaures University, Toulouse, France FR
Dr Adele Aubrey,
Partnerships and Programmes Manager, University of Manchester UK
Dr Grete Arro,
researcher, Tallinn University EE
Dr Alexandra-Ellen
Appel, Activist, Greenpeace US
Dr Kelly Anthony,
Teaching Professor in Public Health, University of Waterloo CA
Professor Ira
Allen, Associate Professor of Rhetoric, Northern Arizona University US
Dr Elena Albrecht,
Plant researcher, Private FR
Dr Michael
Albert, Lecturer, SOAS University of London UK
Professor John
Adams, Emeritus Professor of Organizational Systems, Saybrook University US
References in the letter
Mostly these links are to news stories about research,
and the academic papers are referenced within these stories.
1) Jackson, R B, P Friedlingstein, R M Andrew, J G
Canadell, C Le Quéré and G P Peters (2019), Persistent fossil fuel growth threatens the Paris
Agreement and planetary health,
Environmental Research Letters, Volume 14, Number 12
2a) Science Alert (2020) Scientists Warn Multiple Overlapping Crises Could Trigger
'Global Systemic Collapse' (sciencealert.com)
2b) Kalmus, P. (2020) With global heating, expect
inferno seasons in the American West, https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2020-09-12/climate-change-wildfires-california-oregon-heat
3a) Servigne, P. and R. Stevens (2020) “How Everything
can collapse. A Manual for our Times, Polity Books, London.
3b) Andreotti V. et al (2020) Preparing for the end of the world as we know it |
openDemocracy
4a) Vice (2020) British Military Prepares for Climate-Fueled Resource
Shortages (vice.com)
4b) Vox (2020) How the Pentagon plans for climate change - Vox
5) Cassely, J.-L. and Fourquet, J. (2020). La France :
Patrie de la collapsologie ?. [online] Fondation Jean Jaures. Available at: https://bit.ly/37jzvOv .For a press dispatch in English, see https://bit.ly/2XKNWaU
6) The Guardian (2020) Climate crisis leaving 2 million people a week needing
aid – Red Cross | Environment | The Guardian
7) The Guardian (2020), Meet the doomers: why some young US voters have given up
hope on climate | Environment | The Guardian
8) Bendell, J. and D. Cave (2020) Does anticipating societal collapse motivate pro-social
behaviours? (iflas.blogspot.com)
9) Carr, K. and J. Bendell (2020) Facilitation
for Deep Adaptation: enabling loving conversations about our predicament -
Insight (cumbria.ac.uk)
Professor
Jem Bendell of the University of Cumbria is one of the signatories. He
explains:
“Over 250
scientists and scholars have issued a warning to humanity that we need to make
the increasing disruption from climate change a focus of research and policy.
We come from dozens of countries and subject disciplines and perceive a
resistance by the establishment to serious engagement in adapting to the
increasing disruptions to food, water, health, and the economy. It is time to
listen to the scholarship and try to reduce harm from societal disruption and
even collapse. I believe the growing movement for Deep
Adaptation to societal breakdown can be part of that agenda.”
Total number of caveats upon signing:
Dr Wanchat Theeranaew: Our civilization is much more fragile than we believe. We are now entering the change of Earth System toward a new equilibrium. This alone will be extremely harmful to our civilization since all of our infrastructures were constructed based on stability.
Dr Wolfgang Knorr: This is not a statement of preference for any particular viewpoint within the broad debate of the Climate and Ecological Emergency, but rather an expression of a wish to broaden the debate as far as possible.
Dr Gwen Fischer: Climate disruption is happening and people's lives are unraveling.
Dr Mark Charlesworth: Having made clear that societal collapse cannot be dismissed in Charlesworth M and Okereke, C (2010) Policy responses to rapid climate change: An epistemological critique of dominant approaches, Global Environmental Change, 20(1), 121-129
Dr Phoebe Barnard: We can be prepared, or caught unawares. Discussion and preparedness for a full range of possibilities is essential, especially where partial (or even temporary) societal collapse will widen existing inequalities.
Professor Ira Allen: Failure to consciously negotiate what is, in effect, already a staggered collapse of the various systems that support humans' current forms of life will allow those most concerned with profiting off of this ruination to succeed, further immiserating the many.
Professor John Adams: We can no longer afford to govern through cognitive dissonance.