Interventions for rapid global change
A Canadian research centre addressing urgent and entangled global problems. We anticipate future crises and identify high-leverage interventions to put humanity on a better course.
Interventions for Rapid Global Change
A Canadian research centre addressing urgent and entangled global problems. We anticipate future crises and identify high-leverage interventions to put humanity on a better course.
Research & Analysis
Introduction to Polycrisis Analysis
Michael Lawrence, Megan Shipman, and Thomas Homer-Dixon
This briefing note presents the Cascade Institute’s framework for polycrisis analysis--a framework with which to understand the causal interactions between crises in multiple global systems.
Deep Geothermal Superpower: Canada’s potential for a breakthrough in enhanced geothermal systems
Ian Graham, Ellen Quigley, Scott Janzwood, and Thomas Homer-Dixon
This opportunity analysis makes the case that Canada can and should become the global leader in ultra-deep geothermal electricity production.
Global polycrisis: The causal mechanisms of crisis entanglement
Michael Lawrence, Thomas Homer-Dixon, Scott Janzwood, Johan Rockström, Ortwin Renn, and Jonathan F. Donges
This peer-reviewed paper, published in Cambridge University Press's Global Sustainability journal, defines the concept of global polycrisis and provides a theoretical framework to explain causal mechanisms currently entangling many of the world’s crises.
What is a global polycrisis?
Michael Lawrence, Scott Janzwood, and Thomas Homer-Dixon
September 16, 2022 • This discussion paper argues that the concept of “global polycrisis” provides a useful framework with which to understand and address major problems afflicting humanity today.
Introduction to Polycrisis Analysis
Michael Lawrence, Megan Shipman, and Thomas Homer-Dixon
This briefing note presents the Cascade Institute’s framework for polycrisis analysis--a framework with which to understand the causal interactions between crises in multiple global systems.
Deep Geothermal Superpower: Canada’s potential for a breakthrough in enhanced geothermal systems
Ian Graham, Ellen Quigley, Scott Janzwood, and Thomas Homer-Dixon
This opportunity analysis makes the case that Canada can and should become the global leader in ultra-deep geothermal electricity production.News & Views
Major Cascade Institute funding to power up geothermal energy in Canada
Ultradeep Geothermal Program Team
The funding massively upscales Canada’s research and development efforts in geothermal power and supports its national commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 to address the climate crisis.
Why so much is going wrong at the same time
Thomas Homer-Dixon
This Vox article argues that the world is in a polycrisis generated by novel and unprecedented conditions, as measured by total human energy consumption, Earth’s energy imbalance, the human population’s total biomass, and global connectivity.
Getting to enough
Presentation by Thomas Homer-Dixon
A graphical illustration of the dilemma that's destroying our world—and how we're going to solve it.
Deep geothermal superpower: Positioning Canada for a breakthrough in next-generation geothermal systems
Cascade Institute Ultradeep Geothermal Team
This position paper outlines the case for ultradeep geothermal energy and offers a strategic plan for Canada to capture this technological opportunity.
We should listen to a renowned scientist’s warning on climate change
Thomas Homer-Dixon
A vital scientific paper argues that far more warming is “in the pipeline” than conventional models predict, requiring humanity's response to the climate crisis be much more radical than currently planned.
Major Cascade Institute funding to power up geothermal energy in Canada
Ultradeep Geothermal Program Team
The funding massively upscales Canada’s research and development efforts in geothermal power and supports its national commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 to address the climate crisis.
