I saw this video from economics explained today: https://youtube.com/watch?v=kVOTPAxrrP4
Which talks about how an MIT computer model from 1972 ‘predicted’ a collapse of our growth based global economy. And how it appears we’re on track to meet that prediction.
So it has me thinking: Yes clearly political and social change are needed more than anything. But engineers like me don’t control governments.
So what is there that a person can work on which is most likely to have to greatest positive impact on helping the world get past the coming energy, climate and population crises?
At the moment I’m working on a robotics project which it is hoped will make fully autonomous mining and manufacturing closer to reality.
Carbon intensive manufacturing stays Carbon intensive if automated. You only allow humans to do another thing. Not trying to be offensive.
Having said that, I think you can make the greatest impact by trying to influence politics to step up the gears - a lot. Yes, you aren't a politician. But Greta Thunberg is neither. Still she mobilized masses of people which certainly had a lot of influence on politics.