Description
Auguste Comte famously argued that ‘demography is destiny’. Yet this dictum is hardly explored in existential risk studies, especially as humans are now the main driver of planetary change, ushering in the so-called Anthropocene. As such, this article examines how rapid demographic change can amplify catastrophic or even existential risks. Drawing on the nexus of ethics and uncertainty in International Relations (IR) theory, I examine how extreme climate impacts are inducing societal collapse and threatening to extinguish some of the most vulnerable communities. I show that the undue focus on, and predominance of, strong versions of utilitarianism and long-termism has led to overlooking the more immediate impacts of catastrophic climate change. In conclusion, I suggest a research agenda in IR and global governance on the demographic dimension of catastrophic and existential climate impacts.
