Chapter 1: Understanding the Type I Civilization

Humanity is at a critical juncture. The recent COP26 conference generated significant media attention, yet as time passes, it risks becoming just another instance of missed opportunities and failure by those in power who claim to represent our civilization.

I find myself echoing Greta Thunberg's harsh criticism of the event, especially given the absence of key players like Russia and China. This lack of unity undermines any potential outcomes. Our hopes now rest on the sincerity of those who have made pledges; however, as history teaches us, good intentions often lead to dire consequences. Unless we drastically reduce carbon emissions to zero, we face catastrophic climate change, a necessity for our survival that must be addressed with urgency. My outlook is grim, particularly when the climate crisis is entrusted to the elite and powerful.

Global capital interests hinder the essential transformation in the power dynamics between the Global North and South, between developed nations and those at risk of being submerged. History shows that power is rarely relinquished willingly. Genuine climate action will require profound shifts in this relationship. Perhaps the recent ecological movements we see in Glasgow will mark a pivotal change; only time will reveal the answer. However, the Doomsday Clock has already struck midnight.

My pessimism comes from a unique perspective. While I recognize the formidable interests supporting fossil fuel extraction, my concern extends beyond Earth, focusing on humanity's future in space exploration and the potential colonization of our galaxy. I doubt we will reach such ambitions.

In 1964, Soviet astronomer Nikolai Kardashev introduced a framework for assessing a civilization's technological advancement based on its energy consumption, known as the Kardashev scale. It comprises three main types:

• A Type I civilization, or planetary civilization, harnesses and stores all available energy on its planet.
• A Type II civilization, or stellar civilization, controls energy on the scale of its planetary system.
• A Type III civilization, or galactic civilization, governs energy at the level of its entire galaxy.

Carl Sagan proposed a refinement of these categories, offering intermediate values for each. According to his calculations, as of 2019, humanity was not yet a Type I civilization, measuring only 0.73 on Sagan's scale. Physicist Michio Kaku suggested that if human energy consumption grows by 3% annually, we could achieve Type I status in 100 to 200 years, Type II status in a few thousand years, and Type III status within 100,000 to a million years.

However, we may not have that long. No Type I, II, or III civilizations have yet been detected in the universe. Kardashev posited that a Type IV civilization is unfeasible, which raises the question: Are we unable to identify such civilizations because they self-destruct before achieving the necessary technological advancements? The technology itself isn't inherently magical; it's the scale that poses the challenge, much like the construction of the Pyramids.

Perhaps we are not the first species to confront a climate emergency spurred by fossil fuel consumption during an industrial revolution. If we fail, what will become of the universe? It will persist, but humanity may not. Should we spread our disunity and dysfunction into the cosmos? Having nearly ravaged our own planet, do we want to replicate this legacy in the universe? Our history of colonization serves as a warning.

If we are to survive and thrive, we must learn to coexist with our environment. This may be the true test of civilization—a genuine Type I civilization defined not by technological prowess but by our commitment to the planet and her needs. It is not enough to sign agreements; we must cultivate empathy towards Mother Nature.

Indigenous cultures globally have already passed this test. They learn to live symbiotically with their environments, understanding that survival depends on mutual respect and cooperation. Unfortunately, modern society, both in the West and developing nations, is losing this vital connection. As technology replaces traditional practices, we exacerbate climate change, disrupting essential natural cycles like monsoons.

To ultimately explore the universe, we must first prove ourselves worthy. Currently, we are not; we resemble a plague, spreading across the galaxy without a deep awareness of life or humility. This arrogance could lead to disaster, especially if we encounter other sentient or non-sentient beings.

The lessons of our past are stark warnings. Historical encounters between technologically advanced societies and primitive ones often resulted in catastrophic outcomes. If we ever become a Kardashev Type II civilization, we could wield immense power, yet this mirrors the beliefs of the Aztecs regarding the conquistadors. They saw only the grand ships, failing to recognize the greed that lay beneath.

In the first video, "The Kardashev Scale With Michio Kaku: Can We Become a Type 1 Civilization?", Michio Kaku discusses humanity's potential evolution into a Type I civilization and the challenges that lie ahead.

The second video, "The Kardashev Scale: Type I to Type VII Civilizations," explores the various levels of civilization on the Kardashev scale and the implications for humanity's future in the cosmos.