We won’t have to watch the livestream of a man in a wheelchair being executed by firing squad – small mercies huh? But the US hasn’t disappointed for utter mind-numbing ridiculousness this week. Katie Zacharia is out after five days, and one can only wonder when the incompetent men serving in this administration will get the same treatment as the ladies.
Trump’s Chief of Staff, Susie Wiles, who apparently organized the disastrous appearances of Katie Zacharia on Fox News, might be getting the sack herself (those female sackings keep mounting), but of course, all attention is on Trump, Putin and Zelensky, as numerous sanctions on Russia have now been blocked with an executive order. Keep fighting Ukraine. The world really is on your side.
Of course, we also saw speed limits on Starlink in Ukraine, limiting their ability to fight back, with US Senators investigating, and Musk claiming he’s not responsible. Rep. Ilhan Omar’s home was raided (I thought the Democrats were the ones that did this sort of stuff?), and of course, the whole Talarico conspiracy theory madness was in the mix too. These mid-terms are shaping up to be wild, huh?
Some good news, I’ve been listening to a lot of the mid-term conversations, and while polls have become an evil entity in the world, the talk of a blue wave is probably being underestimated, as the pollsters are being extra cautious. That means, the wave could be bigger than anyone is saying. We wait and see.
There is a lot happening in the world beyond the US, although it’s hard to believe…
Keep an eye on
- The Cockroach movement in India – How Gen Z are fighting to change India | BBC News
- The BBC taking on Trump – BBC asks judge to force Trump to sit for deposition in lawsuit | AP News
- And META interfering in the Brazilian elections. Honestly, if Bolsonaro gets in, goodbye liveable planet – Brazil’s Lula wins electoral court challenge against Meta for alleged pro-Bolsonaro algorithm bias
And here in Asia, we are choking! Obviously, this is absolutely deadly for those closest to the flames in Indonesia, but it’s not pleasant for anyone in its path. Cough, cough!
If you want some context, the great Robin Hicks discusses it here: The haze is coming from Indonesia but is Singapore part of the problem? – Apple Podcasts.
Here’s an example of a political statement that went down really well this week, not! ‘We send oxygen too’: Indonesian official responds to concerns of Singapore, Malaysia over haze, Asia News – AsiaOne.
What’s really important?
I know it’s hard to imagine anything more important than the shenanigans going on in geopolitics, but nature doesn’t care about humans. It will do as it pleases.
With that, it’s time for the 2026 State of the Climate Report and out of 16 climate indicators analyzed, seven showed record extremes. The report measures Earth’s “planetary vital signs” and reveals Earth systems are rapidly destabilizing, some at an accelerating rate.
- Here is the report: 2026 state of the climate report: challenges and opportunities | BioScience | Oxford Academic
- And here is a summary of its conclusions: 2026 State of the Climate Report Shows a Planet Reaching Its Limits – Eos
One of the areas I’ve been paying attention to for a long time (which is always why I say the timeframes predicted are far too generous) is what isn’t being studied. It looks like others are paying attention to this too: Some climate tipping points are being studied far more than others – new research.
I think this is an example of too conservative in its estimates, however, herewith an update on “The Doomsday Glacier” Scientists say Doomsday Glacier melting ‘aggressively’ | CNN.
An article summing up how our current political reality will fail in the greatest fight of our lives. We need to come together or we won’t make it: They War-Gamed Dimming the Sun. It Went Even Worse Than You Think | WIRED.
Wild fires are now unmanageable: Opinion | Wildfires Are Unfightable Now – The New York Times.
Great work humanity! Global multidimensional poverty rises for first time since 2010 | United Nations Development Programme.
Need something to inspire you?
Have a listen to Indy Johar, he always does the trick.
Want to understand the times we are living through?
My new workshop, Untangling the polycrisis, understanding interconnected global risks, systemic drivers, and how we respond is happening on November 2nd in Singapore. You can sign up here, and the cost will only cover the actual cost of the event, because this is still in pilot stage.
Untangling the Polycrisis is a full-day workshop for people who want to understand the real shape of the global crisis, not the edited version. It maps the interconnected forces driving ecological breakdown, political fragmentation, and social instability, and explores the communication failures that are making things worse. It also asks who we need to become in response. Serious in its content, grounded in evidence, and designed to move people from overwhelm into clarity and action.
Would love to have you there.
What can we do?
Check out The Overshoot Challenge. Set up an account and get going. The challenge provides more than 300 ideas on the actions you can take. So simply start where you are, because honestly, when you start cleaning your life up, it’s very addictive! The Overshoot Challenge: What Can I Do?
Also, understand the risks based on where you live, so you can get prepared. There is so much we can do, but pretending we aren’t in trouble is not a good strategy: Where You Live – Your Polycrisis Risk Profile.
Dig into the news
When you visit the daily news page, remember to save it to your home screen and you can check the news anytime, as it’s updated throughout the day, every day – by a real human, me.
This news curation tool covers news and thought leadership across all issues relevant to the polycrisis, as well as some light stuff, because we can’t be serious all the time. To get to the news, click through on the image below, and a reminder, it goes back weeks, so have a scan and read/watch/listen to whatever jumps out at you. The categories are right on top as well, so you can dig into whatever issue you care about.
Let me know what caught your attention? Or share with me what has your attention now? There’s a lot going on, which means none of us can cover everything. Besides, it’s always great to get feedback so I know I’m delivering something of value.
Cheers
Andrea T Edwards, CSP
Making sense of the forces reshaping our world and what we can do about them
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If you want to support my work, please share this blog, subscribe to my social channels, or at least buy me a coffee here.
About me
I help leaders make sense of the polycrisis, the interconnected ecological, social, technological, economic and geopolitical challenges shaping our future, and respond with clarity, courage and practical action.
Through strategic advisory, executive coaching, keynote speaking and workshops, I help organizations strengthen leadership, unlock the power of their people and navigate meaningful change.
I’m the author of Uncommon Courage, an invitation and 18 Steps to an All-Star LinkedIn Profile, co-host of The Sh*t Show, a livestream exploring the realities of the polycrisis and what we can do about it, as well as the podcast, Uncommon Courage.
Websites
Andrea T Edwards, CSP | Keynote Speaker, Author & Podcaster
Uncommon Courage – An Invitation
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