PIRSA:11060106

Civilization Far From Equilibrium - Energy, Complexity, and Human Survival

Homer-Dixon, T. (2011). Civilization Far From Equilibrium - Energy, Complexity, and Human Survival. Perimeter Institute. https://pirsa.org/11060106

Homer-Dixon, Thomas. Civilization Far From Equilibrium - Energy, Complexity, and Human Survival. Perimeter Institute, Jun. 07, 2011, https://pirsa.org/11060106 

          @misc{ pirsa_PIRSA:11060106,
            doi = {10.48660/11060106},
            url = {https://pirsa.org/11060106},
            author = {Homer-Dixon, Thomas},
            keywords = {},
            language = {en},
            title = {Civilization Far From Equilibrium - Energy, Complexity, and Human Survival},
            publisher = {Perimeter Institute},
            year = {2011},
            month = {jun},
            note = {PIRSA:11060106 see, \url{https://pirsa.org}}
          }

Thomas Homer-Dixon University of Waterloo

DOI 10.48660/11060106
Collection
Talk Type Conference

Abstract

Human societies use complexity – within their institutions and technologies – to address their various problems, and they need high-quality energy to create and sustain this complexity. But now greater complexity is producing diminishing returns in wellbeing, while the energetic cost of key sources of energy is rising fast. Simultaneously, humankind’s problems are becoming vastly harder, which requires societies to deliver yet more complexity and thus consume yet more energy. Resolving this paradox is the central challenge of the 21st century. Thomas Homer-Dixon holds the CIGI Chair of Global Systems at the Balsillie School of International Affairs in Waterloo, Canada, and is a Professor at the University of Waterloo.