Nicholas Stern: 'I got it wrong on climate change – it's far, far worse'

[NickB79]

33. Radically different how?

Yes, we've learned to exploit a previously untapped energy source to fuel our species' population boom (farming).

However, I don't see this as fundamentally different from the rise of the first photosynthetic plant cells from their chemosynthetic ancestors, or the rise of the first aerobic bacteria from their anaerobic ancestors. Both found new energy sources, exploited them, and their populations soared.

I also don't see any difference in how we manage the consequences of our newfound fuel in our populations. Despite our intellect, we still pump our waste products into the environment with no thought for how they'll impact future generations. We may individually realize what we're doing must stop, but as a species we still behave like a plate of E. coli bacteria in a lab, crapping in our beds until we choke on our own shit.