Dave Bengston, an environmental futurist, highlights the importance of recognizing the cascading consequences of climate change. He emphasizes that climate change is not limited to direct impacts such as storms and wildfires but also has indirect effects that can be devastating. Examples of these consequences include civil war and refugee crises, increased human trafficking, higher global inflation, gentrification and housing inequality, adaptation of dangerous fungi to humans, and reduced student learning due to hotter classrooms. Bengston suggests using methods like the futures wheel to anticipate and prepare for these impacts. Additionally, he stresses the need to build resilience into all aspects of society and to acknowledge the broad threat that greenhouse gas emissions pose to humanity.
| Signal | Change | 10y horizon | Driving force |
|---|---|---|---|
| Countless cascading consequences of climate change emerging | Climate change affecting nearly every aspect of life | Increased understanding and preparedness for impacts | The rapidly changing climate |
| Using the futures wheel to anticipate consequences | Anticipating and preparing for the impacts of change | Improved preparedness and decision-making | Uncovering possible consequences through structured process |
| Building resilience in all aspects of life | Incorporating resilience to handle unforeseen impacts | Increased ability to absorb and recover from disturbances | Understanding the need for adaptability and flexibility |
| Recognizing the reality of climate change’s consequences | Shift in the perception of climate change’s effects | Greater awareness and acceptance of the need for action | Promoting a broader understanding of the impacts |