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Page added on May 10, 2016
The Five Horsemen of the Modern World
Global warming, food shortages, water shortages and quality, chronic illness and obesity – these worldwide crises share striking similarities: each is getting worse, despite extensive and concerted efforts to control them. Daniel Callahan calls them the five horsemen of the modern world.
“I have not been able to find any global crises of similar magnitude in terms of death, morbidity, or projected destruction that have proved so recalcitrant to change,” he writes in his new book, The Five Horsemen of the Modern World: Climate, Food, Water, Disease, and Obesity, published by Columbia University Press. Callahan, a pioneer in bioethics, has done a comparative examination of the five horsemen and found insights that could lead to a way forward.
He begins by mapping the history of each of the crises. Among the threads common to all of them is that they have gotten markedly worse since the 1970s and sparked ideological splits, infighting among specialists, and conflicting public opinion.
Next, Callahan examines features that contribute to each of the horsemen. They include a growing world population- and one that is rapidly aging- and an expectation for continued economic growth that is necessary but is itself often harmful to the good of the planet and, as Callahan puts it, “the good of our individual bodies.”
He ends with recommendations for addressing the crises. They involve reckoning with the most tenacious root of the problems: “the potent and enduring idea and value of progress, that human life ought always to get better, that it has no natural stopping point and should never cease to move ahead.” While the love of progress is unlikely to be abandoned, Callahan says it might be tempered by “a combination of intensified fear of environmental and biological harm, research and policy drive, and an agitated public, eager for solutions and prepared to accept some high economic and personal costs.” An era in which the public accepts such limits would amount to “a new Enlightenment to supplant the Enlightenment we now live in, which goes back to the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.”
The involvement of business, with its money and clout, is essential. Too often, Callahan notes, it is industry that has blocked reform and then been matched in obstinacy by angry researchers. “The first step is to persuade the research, academic, and policy communities to accept what I will call the diplomatic model of relationships, typically now seen between and among nations, and to open a serious dialogue with the business community,” he writes. He ends with hope, citing examples that such diplomacy has already begun with global warming but needs to spread to the other horsemen as well.
“Callahan, a pioneer in bioethics, has written a thoughtful meditation on our most recalcitrant worldly challenges, from the health of our bodies to the wellbeing of our planet. Well-written and accessible, The Five Horsemen of the Modern World demonstrates how the complex mix of technology, politics, and media have slowed progress and calls for a more productive partnership with sustainable businesses to chart a path forward.” — Paul Sabin, Yale University, author of The Bet: Paul Ehrlich, Julian Simon and Our Gamble Over Earth’s Future.
“It is hard enough to write a wise book on a single major social problem, but Daniel Callahan has written a wise book about five of them, ultimately proposing important suggestions for moving forward. The Five Horsemen should be mandatory reading for anyone interested in climate change, food distribution, the water supply, chronic illness or obesity–in other words, all of us. This book challenges us to look at the global and local ramifications of everything we know and do.” — Barron H. Lerner, New York University School of Medicine, author of The Good Doctor: A Father, A Son and the Evolution of Medical Ethics
33 Comments on "The Five Horsemen of the Modern World"
Davy on Tue, 10th May 2016 4:01 pm
I like my triad of doom. Economic decay and collapse, peak oil dynamics as we approach the dead state of oil, and abrupt climate change. Food, water, and fuel hang in the balance. It is the interplay of the doom triad that will determine food and fuel shortages. I consider water part of food and energy. There is no use separating those out. Grid power is dependent on transport fuels so no use separating that out. If food goes into shortage people’s work routine is disturbed destabilizing the whole system. Good luck we need it.
Apneaman on Tue, 10th May 2016 4:25 pm
Yeah, obesity is more pressing than the 6th mass extinction. Or maybe he considers the 6th mass the solution (I do). Final solution – Sieg Heil puny humans.
sidzepp on Tue, 10th May 2016 5:16 pm
http://www.choicesmagazine.org/2004-3/obesity/2004-3-02.htm
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-03-05/american-economy-has-a-weight-problem-as-costs-of-obesity-mount
At first it seemed humorous to associate obesity with the major problems that Homo Sapiens Sapiens face, but further reflection that in a world challenged by limited food resources that people who are overweight use too much of the resource. The costs all along the food chain to supply the obese in the world could be better utilized if obesity would be considered a major problem.
The second factor is that obesity puts great strain on the health care system.
At least this is one category that the U.S. leads the world in and it perhaps suggests the mentality of the typical American is that we live in a world of plenty and anything we want is there for our taking.
Truth Has A Liberal Bias on Tue, 10th May 2016 5:35 pm
War, famine and unregulated mass migration will be the primary symptoms of collapse brought about by climate change and peak oil. Perhaps an epidemic wil pop up too.
makati1 on Tue, 10th May 2016 5:40 pm
Gluttony* is how obesity should be titled, along with most of America’s habits. It is rampant in the Us. But, it is just another sign of the decline of America. The first four horsemen may be shared by the whole world, but in the last, the US is Number One! The Us seems to lead the world in all the WRONG things these days.
Another book of good intentions that will make zero difference in the world even if it made the best sellers list. The 5% are not going to change their indoctrination until they are forced to by circumstances, and then it will be too late.
*Gluttony (Latin: gula), derived from the Latin gluttire meaning to gulp down or swallow, means over-indulgence and over-consumption of food, drink, or wealth items to the point of extravagance or waste. WIKI
Pass the popcorn.
dave thompson on Tue, 10th May 2016 5:52 pm
No air? Three minuets No water? Three days, No food? Three weeks.
Boat on Tue, 10th May 2016 7:10 pm
China to relocate 2 million people this year in struggle to banish poverty
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-poverty-idUSKCN0Y10LF
China scrambles fighters as U.S. sails warship near Chinese-claimed reef
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-southchinasea-usa-china-idUSKCN0Y10DM
The Chinese will find it a little more difficult to move the US military.
makati1 on Tue, 10th May 2016 7:16 pm
Really Boat? The US military is a paper tiger. China holds a much more powerful weapon, the fate of the USD and the Us knows it. Why go to war when you can dump $2,000,000,000,000.00 plus in worthless US paper and kill your enemy without one person dying? Sure it would hurt the Chinese, but not physically.
makati1 on Tue, 10th May 2016 7:19 pm
BTW: The US tries to banish poverty by issuing about 47,000,000 plastic soup kitchen cards to keep pictures of the hungry millions off of the front page of the news. That soup line would stretch about 18,000 miles or 7 times across the US. Poverty is just hidden better in the 48. It is still there.
makati1 on Tue, 10th May 2016 7:32 pm
For your reading pleasure:
“How Much Liberty Do Americans Have Left?”
http://www.globalresearch.ca/how-much-liberty-do-americans-have-left/5524450
And the beat goes on…
Boat on Tue, 10th May 2016 7:37 pm
Kremlin Operates on Its Most Demoralized Patient – The Media
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/
Bob Owens on Tue, 10th May 2016 8:55 pm
Here is my list: Nuclear War, Biological War, Over-Population, Pollution, Peak Resources, Climate change (and the list can go on for quite a ways). All these problems MUST be solved. Not one of them can be allowed to continue. We have, so far, been unable to solve ANY of them. So much for our future.
Anonymous on Tue, 10th May 2016 9:09 pm
The moscow times, LOL! May as well quote the Jew York Post, be just as credible. A western backed agit-prop mill in the heart of ‘ebil empire’
makati1 on Tue, 10th May 2016 9:30 pm
So correct, Anon. Most do not realize that some foreign news outlets have western owners. You have to check who signs the paychecks.
Apneaman on Tue, 10th May 2016 10:23 pm
Good point sidzepp
8 Takeaways From Nestle’s Secret Report Warning the World Is Running Out of Water
“If the rest of the world ate like Americans, the planet would have run out of freshwater 15 years ago, according to the world’s largest food company.
In private, Nestle executives told U.S. officials that the world is on a collision course with doom because Americans eat too much meat and now, other countries are following suit, according to a secret U.S. report—Tour D’Horizon with Nestle: Forget the Global Financial Crisis, the World is Running Out of Fresh Water.”
https://ecowatch.com/2016/05/05/nestle-wikileaks-water-report/?utm_content=buffer7209a&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer
GregT on Tue, 10th May 2016 11:38 pm
“China scrambles fighters as U.S. sails warship near Chinese-claimed reef”
And WTF exactly would you expect China to do Boat? Your oligarchy is screwing around with the big boys now, nations that have the capability of actually fighting back. The next world war will not be fought with conventional weapons, and you can be assured that Houston Texas has a rather large bullseye drawn on it already.
Your country has a rather long history of losing wars overseas. The next war will be coming to a neighbourhood near you.
Apneaman on Tue, 10th May 2016 11:48 pm
Hybrid commies turn.
Massive Wildfires Erupt in Northeast China as Lake Baikal Blazes Ignite
“As human fossil fuel emissions force the world to warm, moisture and precipitation levels are changing. Wet areas become wetter. Dry areas become drier. Spring and Summer temperatures increase. And earlier spring snow-melt causes soils to remain drier for longer periods, increasing incidents of drought while lengthening the wildfire season. These hot, dry conditions also increase the likelihood that, once wildfires are started by lightning strikes or human error, they will become more intense, larger and long-burning (paraphrase of this Union of Concerned Scientists Report).
******
An extreme heatwave and drought in East Asia is now sparking extraordinarily large wildfires in mostly unsettled regions of Northeast China near the Russian border. The massive fires are plainly visible in the LANCE-MODIS satellite shot and include at least four contiguous fire zones. The fires each show very large burn scars with fire-fronts ranging from 10 to 40 miles across. In essence, what this satellite shot is showing are 3-4 Rhode Island size infernos.”
https://robertscribbler.com/2016/05/10/massive-wildfires-erupt-in-northeast-china-as-lake-baikal-blazes-ignite/
Apneaman on Tue, 10th May 2016 11:56 pm
The cancer strikes again.
The deadly ‘red tide’ threatening sea life in Chile
“Chile’s southern coast has been hit by the biggest ever “red tide” in history. It’s caused by toxic algae which is killing sea life and damaging the local fishing economy.”
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-36261073
makati1 on Wed, 11th May 2016 12:12 am
As America crumbles…
“America’s infrastructure $1.44 trillion short through 2025: report”
“The nation needs to spend $3.32 trillion to keep its ports, highways, bridges, trains, water and electric facilities up to date but has funded only $1.88 trillion of that, ASCE said. The shortfall rises to $5.18 trillion through 2040 without new funding commitments.”
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-infrastructure-idUSKCN0Y12K6
Pass the popcorn.
makati1 on Wed, 11th May 2016 12:16 am
GregT, I wonder what the US would do if Russia sailed it’s warships 12 miles off the coast of NYC or DC? Or moved 3 Russian divisions up to the Mexican border with the US? Or created a military coup in Canada and set up a Russian friendly government there? Just the thought of missiles in Cuba made them shit their pants. LOL
Anonymous on Wed, 11th May 2016 12:51 am
I wish we had a Russian friendly gov’t here. They are good people, would make great trade partners, I mean, look at who we have to ‘trade’ with currently. We could buy solidly built, advanced(and cheaper) MIGs, instead of crappy over-priced americant jets that cant fly or fight, to protect our southern border. AND as a side bonus, the number of wars we get dragged into and forced to participate in, would nose-dive.
We’d get to nationalize our energy resources(finally), and only sell or trade south for gold, Euros, or Yuan.
If there was a downside to a Russian-Friendly gov’t here, Im not seeing it Mak….
Apneaman on Wed, 11th May 2016 12:56 am
Mak, apparently there is just no money for those important infrastructure repairs and upgrades. Yep, the taxpayer just can’t bear the burden.
Texas high school to build $62.8MILLION, 12,000-seat football stadium – the most expensive in the country
Majority of voters favored McKinney Independent School District proposal
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3582862/Texas-high-school-build-62-8MILLION-football-stadium.html
Even the retards are bigger in Texas.
sidzepp on Wed, 11th May 2016 1:13 am
Apnea: I lived and taught in Texas for three years. Football is more important than religion.
Kenz300 on Wed, 11th May 2016 10:52 am
Too many people……….create too much pollution and demand too many resources….
China made great progress in moving its people out of poverty…….one reason was slowing population growth…..
If you can not provide for yourself you can not provide for a child.
CLIMATE CHANGE, declining fish stocks, droughts, floods, air water and land pollution, poverty, water and food shortages all stem from the worlds worst environmental problem……. OVER POPULATION.
Yet the world adds 80 million more mouths to feed, clothe, house and provide energy and water for every year… this is unsustainable… and is a big part of the Climate Change problem
Birth Control Permanent Methods: Learn About Effectiveness
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/birth_control_permanent_methods/article_em.htm
Apneaman on Wed, 11th May 2016 11:35 am
I AM THE GOD OF HELL FIRE AND I BRING YOU……
Global Warming Cited
as Wildfires Increase
in Fragile Boreal Forest
Scientists say the near-destruction of Fort McMurray
last week by a wildfire is the latest indication that
the vital boreal forest is at risk from climate change.
“Scientists have been warning for decades that climate change is a threat to the immense tracts of forest that ring the Northern Hemisphere, with rising temperatures, drying trees and earlier melting of snow contributing to a growing number of wildfires.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/11/science/global-warming-cited-as-wildfires-increase-in-fragile-boreal-forest.html?action=click&contentCollection=Opinion&module=Trending&version=Full®ion=Marginalia&pgtype=article&_r=1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOErZuzZpS8
Apneaman on Wed, 11th May 2016 2:55 pm
As I have been predicting, the consequences of AGW are breaking civilization like it’s made of Leggo. Just a matter of time until there is no more rebuilding efforts in the middle class zones just like the poorer parts of New Orleans after Katrina and NJ after Sandy. After that know one will show up after the next disaster. Enjoy your cancer while it’s still up and running.
Six U.S. Billion-Dollar Severe Weather Disasters in 2016; More Severe Weather Today
Six U.S. Billion-Dollar Severe Weather Disasters in 2016; More Severe Weather Today
Apneaman on Wed, 11th May 2016 2:56 pm
Six U.S. Billion-Dollar Severe Weather Disasters in 2016; More Severe Weather Today
https://www.wunderground.com/blog/JeffMasters/six-us-billiondollar-severe-weather-disasters-in-2016-more-severe-?utm_content=buffer2f7cc&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer
PracticalMaina on Wed, 11th May 2016 3:00 pm
Yup Apneaman, if I lived in any area that was high wind prone, (my state is not usually but in my lifetime micro-burst have started to become common) I would be looking into a round house made of something rugged. Up out of a flood plane as well.
Apneaman on Wed, 11th May 2016 3:19 pm
Cancer costs in Alberta. Just the insurance numbers. No mention of taxpayer’s tab and social costs.
Fort McMurray fire latest in Alberta’s string of expensive disasters
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/alberta-fire-fort-mcmmurray-costly-disasters-1.3568156
Apneaman on Wed, 11th May 2016 7:12 pm
Get ready for the consequences to shift into high gear.
Arctic Sea Ice Could Disappear This Summer
“Climate scientists tracking anthropogenic climate disruption (ACD) have long feared what is referred to as a blue ocean event.
A blue ocean event means a complete absence of Arctic sea ice, allowing the heat of the sun to fully penetrate the open waters of the Arctic, which would then dramatically accelerate the rate of warming in the Arctic.
This dramatic shift would then cause a profound disruption of both atmospheric and ocean-current circulation around the globe, contributing to an increasingly ice-free Arctic, rising sea levels and dramatic increases in ACD everywhere.”
“In both 2007 and 2012, Arctic sea ice saw dramatic declines in extent (how far it reached), area (how much total surface it covered) and most importantly, volume.
The precipitous drop-offs in each category were much faster than scientific modeling predicted; most predictions for the blue ocean event estimated that it would not occur until around 2100.”
“Since April 27th, according to a record of sea ice extent provided by JAXA, daily rates of sea ice loss have been in the range of 75,000 square kilometers for every 24 hour period,” Scribbler wrote. “That’s 300,000 square kilometers of sea ice, or an area the size of New Mexico, lost in just four days.”
http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/35975-arctic-sea-ice-could-disappear-this-summer
makati1 on Wed, 11th May 2016 9:57 pm
Ap, the more I see what is happening, the more I believe that we are at the hockey stick part of the temperature chart. I also believe that the Extinction Clock is a lot closer to midnight than we think.
At our farm, we decided to double our water storage methods to accommodate the longer dry spells we can expect as climates shift. Basically, we will capture all of the rain that falls on the farm in ponds, tanks, or permaculture swales. There is nothing downhill from us that is inhabited, or likely to be in the future, so it will not affect anyone else’ water supply.
Without water, and especially potable water, all else is a waste of money and time, but you know that. we are seeing the wild changes already. Drought and fires in Canada and floods in Texas. More to come, I am sure. Keep preppin’!
Boat on Wed, 11th May 2016 10:07 pm
Apneaman on Wed, 11th May 2016 7:12 pm
“Get ready for the consequences to shift into high gear”
Yes ape, this is what were watching for.
Kenz300 on Thu, 12th May 2016 7:12 am
Too many people demand too many resources……yet the worlds population grows by 80 million every year…..
How many charities are dealing with the same problems they were dealing with 10 or 20 years ago with no end in sight. Every problem is made worse by the worlds growing population.
If you can not provide for yourself you can not provide for a child.
Birth Control Permanent Methods: Learn About Effectiveness
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/birth_control_permanent_methods/article_em.htm
Poverty in the Philippines.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9M5PAS8Lr10