The "can do" logic, by its own nature, does not accept limits. And an empire does not have a graceful way to evolve out of this role. History demonstrates this time and again.

Changing an economic system that is bent on uncontrolled and poorly measured economic growth and depends on fossil energy for its main objectives, is much more difficult than changing how nuclear energy is used for military purposes. Some think it may be impossible.

The first reaction to trauma is denial, then comes anger and finally, acceptance. I think the US is still between denial and anger, and I hope we will reach acceptance because almost perversely, right now, only the US has the technology that is needed for global economic change.

Trying to conserve a privileged global position makes change traumatic for the US.

If nuclear warfare is believed to be somewhat controlled, then climate change is now the greatest threat.

The consensus is that climate change ranks along with nuclear warfare as the top two risks facing human civilization.

We are in the midst of the 6th largest extinction event in the history of the plant and the first caused by human action.