Paul Slovic discusses human perception towards mass tragedies and losses at scale.

We as a global society value individual lives greatly and respond strongly to protect a single

Paul Slovic discusses human perception towards mass tragedies and losses at scale.

We as a global society value individual lives greatly and respond strongly to protect a single person in need, but often ignore mass tragedies and fail to take appropriate measures to reduce their losses. As the numbers grow larger, we become insensitive; the data fail to trigger the emotion or feeling necessary to motivate action. In some cases, large numbers convey a false sense of inefficacy, discouraging us from taking valuable actions. Understanding how our minds deceive us in the face of large losses of life is essential to motivating actions needed to reduce the harm from catastrophic consequences such as those associated with poverty, disease, climate disasters, and violence.

Paul Slovic received his B.A. degree from Stanford University, and his M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in psychology from the University of Michigan. In 1976, Dr. Slovic founded the research institute Decision Research with Sarah Lichtenstein and Baruch Fischhoff, where he currently serves as President. He has also been a professor of psychology at the University of Oregon since 1986. He and his colleagues worldwide have developed methods to describe risk perceptions and measure their impacts on individuals, industry, and society. His most recent work examines “psychic numbing” and the failure to respond to global threats from genocide and nuclear war. He publishes extensively and serves as a consultant to industry and government.

Dr. Slovic is a past President of the Society for Risk Analysis and in 1991 received its Distinguished Contribution Award. In 1993 he received the Distinguished Scientific Contribution Award from the American Psychological Association. In 1995 he received the Outstanding Contribution to Science Award from the Oregon Academy of Science. He has received honorary doctorates from the Stockholm School of Economics (1996) and the University of East Anglia (2005). Dr. Slovic was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2015 and the National Academy of Sciences in 2016.

Moderated by Ozgen Dundar.

The Trump administration has advanced the process of opening up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to lease sales. The Department of Interior released its "Record of Decision" on August 17, 2020

The Trump administration has advanced the process of opening up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to lease sales. The Department of Interior released its "Record of Decision" on August 17, 2020 taking the most aggressive and destructive drilling alternative possible. It paves the way for lease sales as early as December. During an oil glut, increasing threats from climate change, and a world-wide pandemic, the administration will attempt to lease the entire Coastal Plain of the Arctic Refuge-- more than 1.5 million acres-- to the oil industry. Representing the last 5% of America’s Arctic Coastal Plain where the law has barred oil and gas activity, this would forever transform these wild lands into a toxic industrial drilling complex. The Gwich’in people who depend on these lands call it “the sacred place where life begins.”

This move threatens the food security, and spiritual and cultural foundation of the Indiginous Gwich'in Nation, in addition to threats to endangered polar bears, the Porcupine Caribou herd, and birds that migrate to these lands from six continents and all 50 states. This is one of the most high-profile battles in America today at the intersection of the environment and social justice. 

This video includes five members of the Gwich’in community-- raising their voices at the 2016 Gwich’in Gathering in Arctic Village, Alaska-- Neets’aii Gwich’in Tribal Land. Thanks to Arctic Village Council, Venetie Tribal Council and Native Village of Venetie Tribal Government for permission for National Geographic photographer Florian Schulz to record these testimonies.

#ProtectTheArctic #StandwiththeGwichin

Voices include:

Dr. Rev. Trimble Gilbert
Sarah James
Nani’eeth Peter
Gideon James
Anthony Garnett
Narrator: Princess Daazhraii Johnson

System transformation begins with the critical task of mapping key leverage points for change. Discover how two organisations have approached this complex task in an effort to improve

System transformation begins with the critical task of mapping key leverage points for change. Discover how two organisations have approached this complex task in an effort to improve environmental and health care outcomes -- and their bottom lines. Explore how Nike is differentiating itself from its competitors by moving steadily toward the goal of eliminating hazardous chemical discharge from its supply chain by 2020. And learn how Health Care Without Harm has developed tools and strategies to transform the health care industry by mapping and building a collaborative network of 450 organisations in 52 countries.

Speaker SARAH SEVERN Senior Director, Stakeholder Mobilization Nike, Inc. Speaker MARSHALL CLEMENS Principal Idiagram Moderator JOHN ELKINGTON Founder and Executive Chairman Volans Ventures Ltd Author and Speaker GARY COHEN Co-Founder and President Health Care Without Harm.

The Skoll World Forum on Social Entrepreneurship accelerates the impact of the world's leading social entrepreneurs by uniting them with essential partners in a collaborative pursuit of learning, leverage, and large scale social change.

Posted June 14th, 2014

Former White House climate advisor Molly Kawahata reflects on her time in the Obama Administration, her personal struggle with mental health, and her love of alpine climbing. Her story offers a

Former White House climate advisor Molly Kawahata reflects on her time in the Obama Administration, her personal struggle with mental health, and her love of alpine climbing. Her story offers a positive vision for responding to the climate crisis.

Beyond individual votes, learn about voter registration and poll working at pat.ag/F22MidtermElectionsyt. This content is brought to you by Patagonia, a company committed to using its resources—business, investments, and voice—to combat the threat of extinction. Discover more from Patagonia, including stories and social media, or subscribe: pat.ag/Patagonia | Subscribe.

Timber framer Jenna Pollard is actively changing the narrative for women in trades. With women making up less than five percent of US carpenters, Pollard shares her expertise with apprentices,

Timber framer Jenna Pollard is actively changing the narrative for women in trades. With women making up less than five percent of US carpenters, Pollard shares her expertise with apprentices, believing, "We need women who are the professionals...passing on that knowledge to other women." She's building a future where women are empowered in skilled trades, one dovetail joint at a time.

Learn more about Jenna's work in the film "Reframed," directed by Luisa Conlon. You can also support the Women’s Natural Building Scholarship Fund by donating here. Explore Luisa Conlon's other projects here.