About The breakthrough institute
The Breakthrough Institute: Revolutionizing Environmentalism with Technology
Wait, Environmentalists Are Anti-Technology? For some reason, an increasing number of writers seem surprised to discover that environmentalists are not always the biggest fans of technology. But why is this the case? After all, technology has the potential to solve many of our most pressing environmental problems. The answer lies in a complex web of cultural and political factors that have shaped environmentalism over the past few decades.
Enter The Breakthrough Institute. Founded in 2003 by Ted Nordhaus and Michael Shellenberger, The Breakthrough Institute is a think tank dedicated to advancing technological solutions to environmental problems. Their mission is simple: "to accelerate the transition to a future where all people can enjoy secure, free, prosperous lives on an ecologically vibrant planet."
So how does The Breakthrough Institute plan on achieving this ambitious goal? By challenging some of the core assumptions that underpin traditional environmentalism. For example:
- They argue that we need more energy, not less. While many environmentalists advocate for reducing our energy consumption as a way to combat climate change and other issues, The Breakthrough Institute believes that we should be focusing on developing cleaner sources of energy instead.
- They believe in "ecomodernism." This term refers to the idea that we can use technology to decouple economic growth from resource consumption and pollution. In other words, we don't have to choose between economic development and protecting the environment – we can do both.
- They reject "doom-and-gloom" narratives about the environment. Instead of painting a picture of impending ecological collapse, they emphasize human ingenuity and our ability to solve problems through innovation.
Of course, these ideas are not without controversy – especially within traditional environmental circles. But what sets The Breakthrough Institute apart from other think tanks is their commitment to rigorous research and analysis.
For example:
- They publish peer-reviewed research papers on topics ranging from nuclear power safety standards to sustainable agriculture practices.
- They host an annual conference called "Breakthrough Dialogue," which brings together experts from diverse fields (including science, policy-making, business) for frank discussions about how best to tackle global challenges.
- They offer fellowships for emerging leaders who want to work at the intersection of technology and sustainability.
All these efforts are aimed at one overarching goal: changing how people think about environmentalism so that it becomes more inclusive and forward-thinking.
But perhaps what's most impressive about The Breakthrough Institute is their track record when it comes actually making an impact in policy-making circles.
For example:
- In 2007 they published a report called "The Death Of Environmentalism," which argued that traditional green groups were failing because they were too focused on narrow issues like wilderness preservation instead of broader concerns like climate change.
- This report sparked widespread debate within both liberal and conservative circles – ultimately leading many mainstream organizations (like Sierra Club) re-think their approach.
- More recently (in 2015), President Obama cited research by two senior fellows at The Breakthrough Institute when he announced new regulations aimed at reducing carbon emissions from power plants.
In short: if you're looking for an organization doing cutting-edge work at intersection between technology innovation & sustainability advocacy - look no further than 'The breakthrough institute'.
thebreakthrough.org
