On 6th September, we are running a pre conference event at “Existential risk to humanity" Conference at the GoCAS (Gothenburg Centre for Advanced Studies in Science and Technology), we are holding a one day catastrophe planning exercise, in Gothenburg, to explore the impact of a shock to the global food production system.
The UK Government estimates that there is an 80% chance of floods and droughts on multiple continents causing a 10% global shortfall of food production capability this century. A similar magnitude catastrophe occurred in 1816 with the “year without a summer” caused by a volcanic eruption. An event like this now is likely to kill more people and create more refugees than any other past catastrophe. Furthermore, there is a 10% chance this century of the sun being blocked by a comet/asteroid impact, supervolcanic eruption, or nuclear war causing the burning of cities (nuclear winter). Our research tells us that further research and planning can have a significant impact on the number of lives lost in a food shock scenario.
We would like to invite you to join a group of academics, representatives from corporations, government and other interested people to explore the potential impact of such an event and our potential responses. We hope that the outcome of the event would be to increase the awareness of the potential impact and for you to leave the day with ideas of how you and your organisation can act now to reduce the loss of life and reduce the impact on your organisations.
If you are interested in our work but are unable to attend the scenario planning exercise please let us know via our contact form or sign up to our mailing list and we can send you information about future events.
The UK Government estimates that there is an 80% chance of floods and droughts on multiple continents causing a 10% global shortfall of food production capability this century. A similar magnitude catastrophe occurred in 1816 with the “year without a summer” caused by a volcanic eruption. An event like this now is likely to kill more people and create more refugees than any other past catastrophe. Furthermore, there is a 10% chance this century of the sun being blocked by a comet/asteroid impact, supervolcanic eruption, or nuclear war causing the burning of cities (nuclear winter). Our research tells us that further research and planning can have a significant impact on the number of lives lost in a food shock scenario.
We would like to invite you to join a group of academics, representatives from corporations, government and other interested people to explore the potential impact of such an event and our potential responses. We hope that the outcome of the event would be to increase the awareness of the potential impact and for you to leave the day with ideas of how you and your organisation can act now to reduce the loss of life and reduce the impact on your organisations.
If you are interested in our work but are unable to attend the scenario planning exercise please let us know via our contact form or sign up to our mailing list and we can send you information about future events.
Event Details:
When: 9.30am-5pm 6th September 2017 (morning 10% shortfall, afternoon agricultural collapse) Where: Chalmers University of Technology, Campus Johanneberg, Gothenburg, Sweden |
This event is offered on a by donation basis, please