If anything, the "Cult of 2012" woke many of us up to the realization that global humanity, and our planetary civilization, is going through a period of transition -- and all may not be well at this point.
The institute comprises six divisions: biology; chemistry and chemical engineering; engineering and applied science; geologic and planetary sciences; humanities and social sciences; and physics, mathematics, and astronomy.
"If the internet is humanity's planetary nervous system, we are now building our planetary immune system," says Dr Wolfe.
A few years ago, a group of 28 scientists at the Stockholm Resilience Centre identified and quantified a set of nine planetary boundaries within which humanity can continue to develop and thrive.
Photograph by Benedicte Kurzen / NOOR for The New Yorker At the time, Burtynsky was launching his latest collaboration with Baichwal, a film and book about the Anthropocene — a term coined by scientists who believe that the present geological epoch is defined by humanity's planetary impact.
The stakes are so high (for ourselves, for humanity, for planetary survival) and yet most of us are struggling with when, what, how to make a difference.
We will do all that is needed not to transgress the planetary boundaries within which humanity and the rest of the biosphere can continue to prosper.
But given that we are unlikely anytime soon to see millions of people awaken to the dangers of climate change and demanding action from politicians, how are we to ensure humanity becomes planetary hero rather than villain.
The high and growing level of resource use poses a major threat to local and global sustainability and is likely to move humanity beyond the planetary boundaries within which it may safely operate (Rockström et al., 2009).
We're tackling making humanity multi-planetary.
