Global Challenges: Sustainability and Future Narratives

This lecture focuses on the concept of sustainability through the lens of the Three Horizons framework, which helps to envision future societal models. The instructor introduces the current unsustainable economic, social, and cultural systems, represented as Horizon 1, and contrasts them with a desirable future, Horizon 3, characterized by profound transformations. Horizon 2 serves as the transitional phase, emphasizing innovation and experimentation necessary to bridge the gap between the current and future states. The discussion highlights the importance of community-level actions, particularly at the scale of 10,000 people, where 80% of climate solutions can be implemented. The instructor also addresses systemic challenges and the need for a radical shift in societal narratives to achieve sustainability. The lecture concludes with reflections on the ideological crisis surrounding climate change and the necessity for a new narrative that integrates ecological considerations into our understanding of progress and development.