While climate change is going to have some profound and devastating effects, it's not on that timescale. If anything, when hard times hit, you'll regret having less of a financial cushion.
I think you are probably right about that. But I am making assumptions about GPs financial situation.
It is really an individual choice whether you want that financial cushion in the future, or you'd rather enjoy your life now.
I think there's a good chance, especially if you're in a lower financial bracket, that whatever you'd put in to a 401(k) might end up having no real benefit for you (due to inflation, financial collapse, or just that the value returned is too small or too late to make a difference in meaningful life outcomes for you).
It doesn't necessarily mean GP is imagining a sudden crashing collapse or nuclear war in 2030 or something.
