Jan 7 • 1HR 12M

The Thermodynamics of Collapse | Tim Garrett

What snowflakes and physics can teach us about the economy, civilisation and crisis.

Rachel Donald
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It's a critical time for our planet. We face severe ecological, economic and energy crises. Journalist Rachel Donald interviews experts confronting those crises head on, revealing the big picture of what's really going on.
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According to the laws of physics, the economy can only sustain itself by growing. So how bound are we by the laws of thermodynamics?

Professor Tim Garrett, atmosphere scientist at the University of Utah, argues we’re completely bound by those laws. He has modelled how the behaviour of snowflakes and clouds can be used to predict energy consumption and GDP, bridging the gap between economic theory and the natural world.

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Tim’s research is nothing short of fascinating; this is a mind-bending hour you won’t regret. Listen to the episode here or catch it on Apple or Spotify.

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Read more of Tim’s work here.

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© 2022 Rachel Donald
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