Why Does Everyone Believe The World Is Doomed? - Hannah Ritchie - #743

**Chris Williamson** (0:00)
Hello, friends, welcome back to the show. My guest today is Hannah Ritchie. She's a data scientist, senior researcher at the University of Oxford, and deputy editor at Our World In Data. Climate alarmism dominates headlines, painting a grim picture of impending global catastrophe. But what if the actual data reveals a less worrying situation, one where we don't all end up in a fiery inferno? Expect to learn why everyone thinks the world is doomed due to climate change, and what we can do about it, why people are more pessimistic about the world than the data suggests, what the actual research shows about climate change, whether concerns about ocean plastics are being over-exaggerated, if we're actually in a mass extinction event, Hannah's thoughts on population degrowth, and much more. If you're a long-time listener, you will know that I've been drinking AG1 for over three years now. It is something I always suggest when people ask me how to elevate their health. It is a foundational nutrition supplement that supports your body's universal needs, including gut optimisation, stress management, and immune support. You don't need a handful of pills or potions, just one comprehensive, convenient and tasty drink every single day. It's the same reason that Dr. Andrew Huberman and Joe Rogan and Lex Friedman and Tim Ferriss all use it because it is the best. Best of all, there is a 90-day money-back guarantee, so you can buy it and try it for 89 days. And if you do not like it for any reason, they will give you your money back. So, if you want to take ownership of your health, it starts with AG1. You can get a year's free supply, vitamin D3 and five free AG1 travel packs with your first purchase, plus that 90-day money-back guarantee by going to drinkag1.com/modernwisdom. That's drinkag1.com/modernwisdom. This episode is brought to you by Surfshark VPN. Protect your browsing online and get access to the entire World's Netflix Library for less than the price of a cup of coffee per month. If you are using the internet without a VPN, you are basically dancing in a muddy field without any shoes on. It is not good for you. If you use a public Wi-Fi network like a library or a cafeteria, the internet admin can see all of the data going back and forth between your computer and the internet. Plus your internet service provider is tracking everything that you look at and then selling your information to companies who will target you with ads on what you browse. Also it means that you can't access the entire World's Netflix Library and you can't use services like HBO Max or Amazon Prime when you're abroad. All of this is fixed by Surfshark VPN. It is available across unlimited devices so it protects and gives you access on your laptop, your iPad, your phone and even your smart TV. Plus there is a 30-day money back guarantee and an 83% discount with 3 months free. All of that is available if you go to surfshark.deals.com Modern Wisdom, that's Surfshark.deals slash Modern Wisdom. This episode is brought to you by Element. Stop having coffee first thing in the morning. Your adenosine system that caffeine acts on isn't even active for the first 90 minutes of the day but your adrenal system is and salt acts on your adrenal system. Element contains a science-backed electrolyte ratio of sodium, potassium and magnesium with no junk, no sugar, no coloring, artificial ingredients, gluten fillers or any other BS. It plays a critical role in reducing muscle cramps and fatigue whilst optimizing brain health, regulating appetite and curbing cravings. It's how I've started my morning every single day for over three years now and I absolutely love it. That orange flavor in a cold glass of water first thing in the morning is fantastic. It is the best way to start the day. Also, they have a no BS, no questions, ask refund policy. So if you do not like it for any reason, they will give you your money back and you don't even need to return the box. That's how confident they are that you love it. Head to www.drinklmnt.com/modernwisdom to get a free sample pack of all eight flavors with your first box. That's www.drinklmnt.com/modernwisdom.
But now, ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Hannah Ritchie.
Why do you think that there's so many people who believe the world's doomed?

**Hannah Ritchie** (4:24)
I think because we're facing a pretty broad range of what are potentially existential, we're very catastrophic problems. So from my domain, the big one is climate change, and that's what I write about most of all. But there's also other ones, there's nuclear war, there's the rise of AI. I think there's now a host of problems that in the past might not have seemed existential, but to many people today seem very existential.