The Human Survival Podcast

Global poverty isn't just a result of history - it's an active system designed to extract resources from developing countries while keeping them in debt. Former economic hitman John Perkins reveals how corporations and wealthy nations impoverish the places with the most resources, and why this threatens humanity's survival. We explore the connections between inequality, environmental destruction,...

The current ways we grow food for 8 billion humans are damaging the planet - and it’s harder to grow food on a damaged planet.  Industrial farming methods produce plentiful food, but also contribute to climate change, deforestation, pollution, soil degradation and water depletion.  Ironically, the systems that have brought affordable food to so many people around the world could lead to high food...

As we face the polycrisis of existential threats like climate change, nuclear weapons, pandemics and more, it’s common to feel difficult emotions like fear, anxiety, depression, guilt and anger. These feelings can make day-to-day life difficult, and can also keep our society from mobilizing public policies to solve these problems. Psychotherapists have seen a dramatic increase in clients strugglin...

In public conversations about artificial intelligence, we hear how AI will solve all of our problems and make us all happy and prosperous, or how it will destroy society or make humans extinct.  How do we balance these extremes, and figure out how to manage AI properly? Here on The Human Survival Podcast we have usually expressed alarm about the potential dangers of AI and other technology, and ur...

Immigration seems to be the biggest issue discussed in this year’s U.S. presidential campaign between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.  The United States (and the world) is struggling to handle the large migrations of people due to poverty, war, political turmoil and environmental catastrophe.  Trump and other Republicans are calling immigrants murderers, rapists, drug dealers and pet eaters.  Demo...

People in wealthier countries often see helping poorer countries as an act of charity, of “doing the right thing”.  Of course it’s good.  But overcoming poverty around the world should be seen as an act of self-preservation for all of us.  It’s a smart move to keep our global civilization from crumbling, since poverty keeps us from solving climate change, the destruction of nature, pandemics, war,...

For years, politicians have told us we cannot afford important investments in solving climate change, poverty, pandemics and many other problems - even on issues that are critical to the survival of human civilization.  But it’s not true.  Wealthy people have Trillions of dollars (not billions, Trillions) that could be redirected toward solving our existential threats.  They even have Trillions of...

In today’s world, there is so much technology at our fingertips that we don’t know how to manage it all. Technologies like artificial intelligence, synthetic biology, nanotech and chemicals have important benefits, but they could also destabilize society, destroy democracy, crash the economy, create the next pandemic or ruin the environment. And competition between companies and countries is drivi...

After the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s easy to think we won’t face another global outbreak in the next century. But viruses don’t have a schedule — the next pandemic could be tomorrow. And it could be much more fatal than COVID-19. So, how do we prepare ourselves? With us to explain the best ways to both prevent and face these outbreaks is David Quammen, an award-winning author, and journalist on scien...

How to END War: John Reuwer - World BEYOND War   Historically, war has seemed natural for humans. It is everywhere. However, at its core, conflict always comes down to a choice. When making these decisions, we need to understand the right tools to respond to all conflict levels, from neighborly disputes to global warfare.   With the help of expert John Reuwer, we learn the value of settling wars w...

Recently, the development of artificial intelligence has become exponential. As more programs like ChatGPT have been released to the public, many people see benefits of continuing investment in this growth. Some believe it might even help solve our existential threats. But with its unregulated advancements, AI itself could be an existential threat to our world. From cybersecurity risks to autonomo...

We are all horrified by the wars in Israel-Palestine, and Ukraine.  And those are just the conflicts we hear about.  There are 21 wars in the world right now - most of them barely make the news.  We tend to feel hopeless as we watch the death and suffering.  But what if we didn’t have to feel helpless?  What if the world had ways to actually DO something, and SOLVE wars? The Human Survival Project...

With the growing conversation on climate change, many people are now helping the planet and trying to get rid of the damaging policies and products that are worsening climate change - which is great. But we need to widen our focus from not only getting rid of the bad, but to also pushing for the good. Our response to saving our world from this existential threat needs to pick up the pace, and in o...

The United States spends an astronomical amount of money on its military - more than any other nation.  In fact, more than the next 8 nations combined.  It helps fund 750 military bases in 80 countries.  It has quite an impact on the world. Last week, the U.S. Congress and President Biden enacted the National Defense Authorization Act of 2023, which increased military spending to the largest level...

There’s a ton of conversation lately about inflation, and its effects on the economy and on people’s personal finances.  Lots of people are concerned.  BUT, could inflation actually be helpful? We are in a climate and environmental crisis that could ruin just about everything if we don’t get it under control - including the entire economy.  The planet is being ruined by people buying stuff, and wh...

Being positive is a good part of happiness and mental health.  And being supportive is nice and friendly.  But amid catastrophic threats to humanity, being positive and supportive is not just about being happy and friendly – it’s how we rally support for the ambitious policies that are bold enough to reduce death and suffering of billions of people.  Productive criticism is fine, but we can’t affo...

After decades of hard work, climate change activists have finally put the issue in the mainstream of public discourse and policy discussions.  But, the world’s response to this critical threat to humanity is far too slow.  We all need to be even better activists.  What can we improve? Dave Johnson has good ideas for us, brought from the field of design.  He is a teacher, lawyer, author and activis...

As nations of the world meet at COP27 in Egypt to negotiate next steps to address climate change, we desperately need to improve this international process.  Instead of vague promises that might be broken, we need enforcement systems to build trust between countries, so we can be sure everyone will follow through on their commitments.  Economic sanctions used against Russia after their invasion of...

It can be difficult watching climate change and the destruction of nature.  It’s easy to fall into despair and worry about the future of humanity, and all the other species.  The Human Survival Podcast fell into hibernation, as I’ve struggled the past few months with anger, fear and hopelessness.  After wrestling with these feelings, I’ve emerged stronger and more motivated to keep doing the work...

Meet Shelby and learn what the show is all about.   The Human Survival Podcast, hosted by Shelby Mertes ** Connect and learn more at https://www.thehumansurvivalproject.org **

The name of the show is changing from "The Joy of Saving the Human Race" to "The Human Survival Podcast."  Here's why...   The Human Survival Podcast, hosted by Shelby Mertes ** Connect and learn more at https://www.thehumansurvivalproject.org **

NOTE:  The Joy of Saving the Human Race is now “The Human Survival Podcast.”  For a brief explanation listen to the episode on July 1, 2022, “The Name Of This Show Is Changing…” This show is part of The Human Survival Project, a grassroots movement that encourages citizens around the world to push for transformation of the United Nations system.  We want humanity to have the tools to protect itsel...

Where is the best place to focus one’s efforts to help humanity?  Addressing global policy, or doing hands-on work in one’s community?  Today’s guest, Orion Kriegman, has done both.  He is living a fascinating life, while helping the world and his local community.  He used to work for several years at the Tellus Institute ( www.tellus.org ) analyzing the political, economic and social forces shapi...

NOTE:  The Joy of Saving the Human Race is now “The Human Survival Podcast.”  For a brief explanation listen to the episode on July 1, 2022, “The Name Of This Show Is Changing…” This show is part of The Human Survival Project, a grassroots movement that encourages citizens around the world to push for transformation of the United Nations system.  We want humanity to have the tools to protect itsel...

NOTE:  The Joy of Saving the Human Race is now “The Human Survival Podcast.”  For a brief explanation listen to the episode on July 1, 2022, “The Name Of This Show Is Changing…” This show is part of The Human Survival Project, a grassroots movement that encourages citizens around the world to push for transformation of the United Nations system.  We want humanity to have the tools to protect itsel...