Sustainability and Transition

The Price of Power: Navigating the Great Simplification

In this Cascade Institute Speaker Series episode, Dr. Nate Hagens, presents a compelling framework for understanding our world as a complex, energy-dependent “Superorganism” operating far from equilibrium. He analyzes potential future scenarios that humanity may be heading toward and introduces the idea that small, focused efforts can elevate entire systems to a higher order. This […]

The Price of Power: Navigating the Great Simplification Read More »

Understanding Polycrisis: Definitions, Applications, and Responses

This paper compares conceptualizations of the term “polycrisis,” raising questions about the key aspects of different definitions while stressing a convergence in critical features. It conceives a polycrisis as a state in which multiple, macroregional, ecologically embedded, and inexorably interconnected systems face high – and advancing – risk across socioeconomic, political, and other dimensions. After

Understanding Polycrisis: Definitions, Applications, and Responses Read More »

The Pact for the Future

On September 22, 2024 world leaders adopted a Pact for the Future. The Pact covers a broad range of issues, including peace and security, sustainable development, climate change, digital cooperation, human rights, gender, youth and future generations, and the transformation of global governance.

The Pact for the Future Read More »

Poverty, Prosperity, and Planet Report: Pathways Out of the Polycrisis

“This report offers the first post-pandemic assessment of global progress toward” the “interlinked goals” of “ending extreme poverty and boosting shared prosperity on a livable planet.” It “explores potential pathways out of today’s polycrisis – an environment where multiple and interconnected challenges are impacting the world simultaneously.” It finds that global “poverty reduction and improvements

Poverty, Prosperity, and Planet Report: Pathways Out of the Polycrisis Read More »

FuturePod Interview with Drs. Megan Shipman and Michael Lawrence

In this episode of FuturePod, host Dr. Peter Hayward speaks with Drs. Megan Shipman and Michael Lawrence of the Cascade Institute about the current global polycrisis, and their recently published Positive Pathways report and accompanying workshop. Shipman, Lawrence, and Hayward discuss the four key factors proposed by Dr. Thomas Homer-Dixon that define today’s polycrisis, provide

FuturePod Interview with Drs. Megan Shipman and Michael Lawrence Read More »

Positive Pathways report

This Cascade Institute report explores how to translate an understanding of polycrises into actionable strategies to alleviate them. It suggests ways in which polycrisis analysis can build on existing approaches to systemic change to help chart positive pathways to better futures, by examining multiple factors — the sorts of systems changes required to avoid, mitigate

Positive Pathways report Read More »

Transformative Resilience: The Key to Governing Europe’s Sustainability Transitions in the Polycrisis

This report explores transformative resilience in the EU’s sustainability transitions within the polycrisis context. Using a conceptual framework of transformative resilience, it addresses the following questions: How can the EU enhance the capacity of its policies to anticipate, adapt to, or absorb shocks while maintaining their transformative intent? How can European policymakers prevent the polycrisis

Transformative Resilience: The Key to Governing Europe’s Sustainability Transitions in the Polycrisis Read More »

Scroll to Top