Change Quote by Sheila Jasanoff
“Climate change is there as a reminder that we can get richer and safer societies that are also consuming more and more to the point where the stability of Earth's systems is being challenged at potentially catastrophic levels. I don't think we can stop that. Just the very same worries I have about prediction on the positive progressive side - I mean, predictions that say we'll be great, we'll be fine - also apply to predictions that are too catastrophic. I'm not sure we get those predictions right either.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Ethics of Invention, 2015
Economic growth and safety often come at the cost of increased resource consumption, threatening planetary stability; predictions about future outcomes are uncertain on both optimistic and catastrophic fronts.
In simple terms: Growth can harm Earth, and forecasts are uncertain.
Key Takeaway
Balance development with sustainability.
Themes
environment
economics
uncertainty
Mood
analytical
concerned
Type
academic
policy-oriented
When to use this quote
- policy making
- urban planning
- energy projects
- public communication
Key Concepts
systems thinking
risk assessment
Questions to Reflect On
- What policies can reduce ecological risk?
- How can we improve predictive accuracy?
A Different Perspective
Predictive models may miss key variables.
![“Your guess [about the future of technology] is as good as mine. The only thing I'm sure of is (a) most of the predictions I hear are almost certainly wrong, and (b) the things that will turn out to be important will come as a surprise, even though in hindsight they'll seem perfectly obvious.” quote by Steve Krug](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5e4/steve-krug-24838_technology_your-guess-about-the-future-of-technolog_1236191.jpg)
