Hard to envision I guess
Produced with DiffussionBee and the prompt: “In summary, the twelve-year-old student wrote in their school essay, the horrors and anxieties which so paralyzed the politics and culture of the 2020s (or “poopy 2020s” as they came to be remembered in popular history) were largely resolved by improved mental health treatments, political and economic reorganizations favouring resource redistribution and quality universal public services, and the realization by new generations around the world that nationalism and militarism are irrelevant and only a shared commitment to planetary stewardship can be the basis for a thriving and enduring human civilization. This essay was largely dictated by her grandfather as the student sat, interested, writing with a ballpoint pen on lined paper.”
Alberta’s 2023 election
Al Jazeera reports:
Canada climate battle looms as Alberta takes aim at PM Trudeau
…
In her victory speech in front of cheering supporters in Canada’s oil capital Calgary, Smith called on Albertans to stand up against policies including the federal government’s proposed oil and gas emissions cap and clean electricity regulations, expected to be unveiled within weeks.
“We need to come together no matter how we have voted to stand shoulder to shoulder against soon to be announced Ottawa policies that would significantly harm our provincial economy,” said Smith.
“Hopefully the prime minister and his caucus are watching tonight. As premier I cannot under any circumstances allow these contemplated federal policies to be inflicted upon Albertans.”
How do we fight for a future without fossil fuel arson when our fellow citizens are keen to sustain and enlarge the fires, even when the secondary effects bring hell-like conditions home?
Safest to blame the dead
Produced with DiffussionBee and the prompt: “After the CEOs of advertising companies were posthumously put on trial in the 2060s, austere living became a new chic among aspirational corporate types who now competed over whose ultralight tent in the park was the most minimalistic and whose boots had been worn for more miles.”
Getting along could mean big big roofs for all
Produced with DiffussionBee and the prompt: “Suddenly, people around the world collectively realized that if, instead of fearing one another and arming yourself against your neighbour, you work to cooperate and build trust, then we can all have much nicer stuff.”
Getting over-optimistic
Produced with DiffussionBee and the prompt: “Nobody could have expected or predicted it, but the solution proved to be painless and brilliantly effective, with hardly any meaningful drawbacks.”
Update on emissions trends and climate sensitivity
Zeke Hausfather has a useful update on how real-world GHG emissions compare with estimates in IPCC models, and the implications for future warming:
So what should our takeaway from all of this be? First, there is some good news here. The world is no longer heading toward the worst-case outcome of 4C to 6C warming by 2100. Current policies put us on a best-estimate of around 2.6C warming.
At the same time, a world of 2.6C by 2100 is still a giant mess to leave to the future, including today’s young people, who will live through that, and warming continues after 2100 in these current policy scenarios. Climate system uncertainties mean that we could still end up with close to 4C warming if we get unlucky with climate sensitivity and carbon cycle feedbacks.
A lot of this optimism depends on governments keeping their promises when all the costs come due. We are all still fighting to keep a world stable enough to sustain something like our current global civilization.
The day the damage stops
Produced with DiffussionBee and the prompt: “A large park-like area is decorated and filled with happy, friendly, and excited crowds to celebrate the decommissioning of the world’s last commercial oil well. Along with bands and balloons to celebrate the happy occasion, a portion of the area and the ceremony are devoted to solemn recognition and grieving for everything humanity and the Earth lost to climate change.”
With empathy and civic spirit renewed
Produced with DiffussionBee and the prompt: “Artistic professional photo taken in the year 2075, showing young students on a school tour of a museum exhibit explaining the harms done by automobiles and their association with the now-discredited political ideologies of the early century”
Visions
Produced with DiffussionBee and the prompt: “High quality architectural 3D rendering of dense and affordable housing in Toronto, Canada in 2050 – include elements that show a car-free urban environment relying on walking, bicycles, and public transit. Show Copenhagen-style bicycle infrastructure and long parks where highways have been taken out”