Taking A Critical Look At Climate Change With AI
Humanity is hurtling towards a major catastrophe. Climate change is set to accelerate rapidly in the coming decades, and the solution is not as simple as some would like you to believe.
I'm going to ask AI a few questions about climate change. The first prompt I'm giving it is:
"Is it possible for humans to beat climate change without reducing the amount of meat and dairy that we eat as a whole?"
ChatGPT said:
It would be extremely difficult—if not impossible—for humanity to effectively combat climate change without significantly reducing meat and dairy consumption. The global food system, especially livestock production, is a major contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and environmental degradation. Let’s break down why:
🌍 Why Meat and Dairy Are Major Climate Drivers:
1. High Greenhouse Gas Emissions:
Livestock accounts for about 14.5% of global GHG emissions—comparable to the entire transportation sector (FAO estimate).
Key emissions from livestock:
Methane (CH₄): Produced by ruminants (e.g., cows, sheep) through digestion. Methane is 80 times more potent than CO₂ over 20 years.
Nitrous Oxide (N₂O): From manure and fertilizers, with 300 times the warming potential of CO₂.
Carbon Dioxide (CO₂): From deforestation to create grazing land and grow animal feed.
2. Land Use and Deforestation:
77% of agricultural land is used for livestock (grazing + feed crops), yet it provides only 18% of global calories.
Deforestation in regions like the Amazon is largely driven by the expansion of cattle ranching and soy production (mostly for livestock feed).
3. Water Use and Pollution:
It takes 1,800 gallons of water to produce 1 pound of beef—far more than plant-based alternatives.
Livestock operations pollute rivers, lakes, and groundwater with manure runoff and chemicals.
In a nutshell it says it's next to impossible to stop climate change without drastically reducing the amount of meat and dairy that we eat as a species, and lists important statistics about emissions from livestock.
Let's take it a step further. In this prompt I'm asking it to take into account the environmental rollbacks of the Trump regime, jet air travel, and the fact that emissions keep increasing year over year, and give it's assessment...
Without bias and looking from a purely objective point of view: the vast majority eat meat and dairy and veganism is not part of the news cycle. We have no alternative to jet air travel, and worldwide carbon pollution is increasing even with growth in renewable energy infrastructure.
This is besides the fact of what the Trump administration is doing with dismantling the EPA and environmental regulation, which could affect attitudes in other countries.
So with all of this mentioned, please try to respond objectively not with the usual "there's more than one way to look at it/ there's two sides to everything" type of answer.
ChatGPT said:
Looking at the situation objectively and based on current global trends, it is highly unlikely that humanity will effectively combat climate change without major systemic shifts, which currently do not appear to be happening at the necessary scale or speed. Here’s why:
1️⃣ Meat & Dairy Consumption is Not Declining Significantly
The majority of the world’s population still consumes meat and dairy in large quantities.
While plant-based diets have grown in popularity in some regions, global meat consumption continues to rise, particularly in developing nations where incomes are increasing.
Industrial livestock remains a major source of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Without drastic reductions in this sector, meaningful emissions cuts will be difficult.
2️⃣ Renewable Energy Growth Isn't Offsetting Fossil Fuel Use
While renewables are expanding, global CO₂ emissions hit record highs in 2023 due to ongoing reliance on coal, oil, and gas.
Countries like China and India are still increasing coal production, while many Western nations are slow to transition away from oil and gas.
Carbon capture technology is not advancing fast enough to make a major impact.
3️⃣ Lack of Viable Alternatives for Key Emissions Sources
Jet travel remains heavily reliant on fossil fuels, with no scalable alternatives in sight.
Industrial shipping and heavy trucking still rely almost entirely on diesel fuel.
Cement and steel production—both major CO₂ emitters—do not have cost-effective, low-carbon alternatives at scale.
4️⃣ Political and Corporate Inertia
The Trump administration’s rollback of environmental protections, along with other countries deprioritizing climate goals, could set back international momentum.
Corporate interests in oil, gas, and agriculture remain deeply entrenched, and policy changes are often met with resistance.
Many climate policies are politically unpopular, meaning leaders are reluctant to take bold action.
Conclusion: Is Climate Change Being Solved?
No, not under current trends. While some progress is being made, emissions are still rising, and there is no strong global movement to reverse the key drivers:
Meat and dairy production
Fossil fuel dependency
Political resistance to strong climate policies
If the world continues on this path, climate change will not be “solved” but managed reactively—meaning increasing reliance on adaptation strategies like seawalls, disaster relief, and geoengineering, rather than actual prevention of worsening climate effects.
Now I'm going to give it one final prompt:.
Assuming current trends continue how long would it take before temperatures become so extreme that it starts to cause mass die-offs?
ChatGPT said:
If current global emissions trends continue unchecked, we are heading toward significant climate destabilization this century. The timing of mass die-offs depends on several factors, but based on scientific projections, severe impacts could begin within the next few decades—especially in vulnerable regions.
🔴 Key Temperature Thresholds & Consequences
1️⃣ +1.5°C to +2.0°C Warming (Likely by 2030s–2040s)
Extreme heatwaves will become common in regions like South Asia, the Middle East, and parts of Africa.
Food production declines due to droughts, heat stress on crops, and shifting growing seasons.
Coral reef die-offs accelerate, devastating marine ecosystems and fisheries.
More intense hurricanes, floods, and wildfires increase humanitarian crises.
Mass migration begins, as regions become too hot for human habitation.
🔹 Deaths will be widespread, but localized—mostly affecting the poor and those in extreme climate zones.
2️⃣ +2.5°C to +3.0°C Warming (Likely by 2050s–2070s at current rates)
Deadly heatwaves (50°C+ / 122°F+) become regular in major cities across the world.
Large-scale crop failures cause food shortages, leading to famines and conflict.
Tropical regions (India, Pakistan, parts of Africa, Brazil) experience "wet-bulb temperatures" that exceed human survivability for extended periods.
Rising sea levels displace hundreds of millions, submerging coastal megacities.
Global economic collapse due to supply chain disruptions, mass migrations, and resource wars.
🔹 Mass die-offs begin in vulnerable populations, especially in the tropics and poorer nations.
3️⃣ +4.0°C Warming and Beyond (2100 or earlier if emissions accelerate)
"Unlivable zones" spread across the equatorial belt.
Agriculture collapses in major food-producing regions.
Permafrost thaw releases methane, causing runaway warming.
Oxygen depletion in oceans leads to marine ecosystem collapses.
Infrastructure failure—power grids, water systems, and supply chains break down.
🔹 Mass die-offs in the billions, with only the wealthiest and most technologically advanced regions able to sustain populations.
⏳ Timeline for Mass Die-Offs
First major food & water crises: 2030s–2040s
Regular lethal heatwaves in many regions: 2050s–2060s
Global mass mortality events, system collapse: 2070s–2100
🚨 Critical Point: If emissions aren't drastically cut within the next 10-20 years, avoiding +2.5°C to +3.0°C warming will be nearly impossible, pushing us toward extreme climate-driven population declines by late-century.