HACKING THE EARTH
JAMAIS CASCIO
FUTURESONIC 2009

HACKING THE EARTH

We know what
we need to do.
HACKING THE EARTH

We know what
we need to do.
But we may not
have the time.
HACKING THE EARTH

HACKING THE EARTH

HACKING THE EARTH

HACKING THE EARTH

HACKING THE EARTH

HOW MANY PEOPLE
ARE WE WILLING TO
LET DIE?
HACKING THE EARTH

HACKING THE EARTH

HACKING THE EARTH

HACKING THE EARTH

HACKING THE EARTH

HACKING THE EARTH

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That is our future.
HACKING THE EARTH

ANTHROPOCENE:
The present geologic epoch, the time in which human activity
has begun to change the geophysical environment.
HACKING THE EARTH

ANTHROPOCENE:
The present geologic epoch, the time in which human activity
has begun to change the geophysical environment.
Nature is no longer natural.
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The ANTHROPOCENE
can’t be reversed...
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...but it can be hacked.
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POSSIBLE GEOENGINEERING TECHNIQUES
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THIS IS NOT ABOUT CONTROL.
IT’S ABOUT RESPONSIBILITY.
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Geoengineering would
be the most simulation
and model-heavy project
in human history.
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The technical and scientific
challenges are enormous.
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The ethical and political
challenges are even bigger.
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Liability for Disrupted Weather Patterns
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Conflicts Over Control
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Strategic Misuse
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HUBRIS
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It’s not a choice between
It’s not a choice between
HUBRISTIC and HUMBLE.
HUBRISTIC and HUMBLE.
HACKING THE EARTH

It’s a choice between
UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES and
UNPRECEDENTED CATASTROPHE
It’s a choice between
UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES and
UNPRECEDENTED CATASTROPHE
HACKING THE EARTH

HACKING THE EARTH

“We are as gods, so we
may as well get good at it.”
— Stewart Brand
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Here’s where we start.
HACKING THE EARTH

HACKING THE EARTH
JAMAIS CASCIO
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