The Threshold of Collapse: An Urgent Call to Transform Our Future

Last week, I attended an international conference on carbon footprint and AI at Carlos III University in Madrid, an experience that left me reflecting deeply on the direction of our society. Additionally, I've just finished reading two books I highly recommend and believe everyone should read: "Economy in Climate Change," by Joan Vila, and "If You Change Your Economy, You Will Change the World," by my friend and colleague Luis Lehman. 

These texts have reinforced my conviction that we face the greatest challenge of our existence: humanity's “energy consumption spiral,” which threatens to bring us to the brink of the abyss. As a sustainability analyst with years of experience, I've examined how humanity has evolved, leaving behind significant lessons of both development and destruction, even mass extinctions. Allow me to present this with the urgency it deserves.

A Legacy Dragging Us Toward Chaos

I've thoroughly analyzed how humanity has progressed through milestones such as nascent agriculture, the Industrial Revolution, and the technological era, each driven by an exponential increase in resource consumption. But this progress comes at a cost we can no longer ignore. History shows us how the Roman Empire collapsed under the weight of famines, mass migrations, and pandemics, and I see echoes of that tragedy in our present day. The devastating fires in Australia and California, which have ravaged millions of hectares, and the constant increase in CO₂ in the atmosphere are irrefutable proof that our system is at its limit.

 This “consumption spiral,” which I illustrate in the attached graphic, isn't an abstract theory: it's a reality I've analyzed in depth. Since ancient times, we have multiplied our demand for energy and raw materials without a sustainable plan, and now we are facing the consequences. Financial speculation and accelerated biodiversity loss exacerbate the problem, turning this moment into a critical turning point.

The Crossroads That Define Us

The COVID-19 pandemic, which I've analyzed in detail, exposed the fragilities of an interdependent global economy. Its collateral effects — migration crises triggered by climate change in Syria, demographic pressure in Europe that could add 700 million people — have made me understand that collapse isn't a distant scenario, but an imminent possibility. Yet, I also see an opportunity: This chaos can be the catalyst for radical change.

I propose a transition toward a climate economy that prioritizes sustainability over infinite growth. This means reducing our consumption, strengthening local resilience, and redefining our way of life. History has taught me that revolutions, like the Industrial or Agricultural revolutions,  transformed the world. What if we are now on the verge of an “Efficiency Revolution” in the next two decades? It's a possibility we must embrace decisively.

A Call That Brooks No Delay: Less Is More

I know the challenge is immense, but not impossible. I propose that we adopt the "stop and change" programs that science and many experts have put forward, programs that seek to balance birth rates, mortality, investments, and depreciation. I urge us to dismantle dependence on a perpetual financial system by controlling money creation and penalizing excessive resource use. Technology, which I master as a key tool, must be redirected toward energy efficiency, recycling, and a cultural innovation that elevates frugal abundance above excessive consumerism.

Changing the economy isn't just a technical exercise, it's a revolution in mindset. I abandon the illusion of unlimited growth and advocate for a model where collaboration and solidarity replace individualism. From the domestication of fire 200,000 years ago to agricultural mechanization, we have doubled our life expectancy. Now, my challenge is to convince you to use that same innovative capacity to prevent a catastrophic collapse.

Act or Disappear

We are at a threshold. Let's make this moment in human history momentous, so that we build history from development and show how humanity embraced responsible change, not as another extinct generation. I urge you to reflect and to look favorably upon the disruptive ideas put forth by the circular economy, and to criticize and, above all, to eliminate the greenwashing from companies and hastily formed consultants. The energy transition and changes in habits are inevitable, and their success depends on our willingness to act now. Preparing for the survival of collapse means less meaning more: less consumption, more efficiency; less waste, more resilience. If we do not question our current direction and do not build a sustainable future, collapse will be the prelude to an era of scarcity and conflict.

I ask you directly: Are we ready to lead this transformation? The answer is not in this article, but in the actions we take today. Time is running out, and the planet watches us impatiently. Let this moment mark the beginning of a new chapter, not the end of our story.