Human Extinction: Inevitable or Avoidable?
Aug 16, 2019 5:30 PM
Jorg Imberger
Human Extinction: Inevitable or Avoidable?

The scientific literature in the social science area is generally very pessimistic about the prospect for human survival. This pessimism seems to be based on the fact that modern technology is cutting the parallel, direct connections between people and between people and nature, that are based on our five senses of sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch. Technology is rapidly replacing these senses in a way, that most of us now see and experience the world through the internet which is a simple series data stream, a change that evolution has not prepared us for. Psychologist have shown that this is leading to a huge increase of mental illness, flat decision making and excessive drug use, all factors that contribute to a life style that is unstable. This instability is thought to form the basis for the prediction that humanity will become extinct in the next 30 to 50 years.

The rate of human impact on our planetary resources is simply too rapid and extensive to be healed. We humans need to learn and implement, a new way of living! Banning access to the internet is equivalent to prohibition and this is known to lead to only anger and violence. Containing violence is much more expensive than education and as the pessimists predict can get totally out of hand.

To find a solution, as with all problems, the first step is to acknowledge that there is a problem. 

Jorg will endeavour to show us a possible solution to the predicament we face.

Jörg received his PhD from UCB at 28 years of age and became Australia’s youngest full professor at 35. His research interest are in environmental engineering as applied to rivers, lakes, estuaries and coastal seas.  Recent foci also include strategies for sustaining functionality of aquatic systems in a changing world. He is a Fellow of 10 International Academies and the recipient of 30 major honours including the Onassis International Prize, the Stockholm Water Prize and Member of the Order of Australia. He has published 5 books, with two in preparation, contributed to 19 books and has published 275 journals papers. Google Scholar credits him with 21,333 citations and an h-Index of 67.

https://jorgimberger.me/ZZ_Presentations/ZZ_NatureResponse/index_NR.html

PERTH ROTARY - Networking - Cocktail Evening Event 

When: On Friday 16th August 2019

Location: Parmelia Hilton Hotel 14 Mill Street, Perth, WA

Time: 5:15pm for 5:30pm  - 7:00pm - Share Platter Selection & 1 Drink Voucher Plus Cash Bar

Cost: $25.00 per person Bookings essential to: info@rotaryperth.org.au