Deforestation is driving 90% chance of collapse in decades - global coverage

Writing on VICE, I broke the story of a new scientific study by two top theoretical physicists modelling the implications of prevailing rates of deforestation. The model found an over 90% chance of societies collapsing in the next two to four decades if deforestation continues. My story generated major global coverage in Futurism, International Business Times, Daily Mail, The Sun, New York Post, EcoWatch, among others.

I picked up this paper because I keep track of major research on big societal and civilisational risks. It’s a frightening study that, however, inadvertantly suggests a way out. The study models the current rate of deforestation, but that rate has already begun slowing down over the last two decades. So the challenge really is to speed ahead, as fast as possible, in slowing and stopping deforestation.