Anthropocene Traps

This visualization is based on the research paper "Evolution of the polycrisis: Anthropocene traps that challenge global sustainability" by Søgaard Jørgensen et al. (2023), published in Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B.

14 evolutionary traps are organized into three groups: Global Traps (connected to the multi-level selection loop), Technology Traps (connected to the innovation loop), and Structural Traps (connected to shifting baselines and masked interactions).

The simulation: Particles represent human enterprise and aspirations flowing toward a safe and just future. Each spiral trap captures particles based on its current strength. Of the 87 non-neutral interactions between traps, 95% are amplifying and only 5% dampening, revealing the deeply systemic nature of the polycrisis.

Use the scenario slider to explore different futures: from transformative change (weakening traps) to polycrisis escalation (strengthening traps). Click any trap to see its details, phase evolution, and connections to other traps. Per-trap strength sliders let you explore "what if we addressed this trap?" scenarios.

Evolvability is the key concept for navigating out of traps: recognizing them, measuring and forecasting, reorganizing and innovating, being prepared for the unknown, and navigating conflict. Addressing even a few hub traps (Division, Short-termism, Overconsumption, Technological Autonomy) could help alleviate several others.

Reference: Søgaard Jørgensen P, Jansen REV, Avila Ortega DI, et al. 2023. Evolution of the polycrisis: Anthropocene traps that challenge global sustainability. Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B 379: 20220261. DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2022.0261

License: Creative Commons CC BY 4.0

Visualization: GLOBAIA, 2026. Particle simulation concept, design, and implementation.

The Anthropocene Strait

Fourteen evolutionary traps challenge humanity's path to a safe and just future. Watch as particles of human enterprise navigate the strait, drawn into spiraling traps or reaching safety on the other side.

This interactive visualization requires JavaScript to run.

It simulates 14 Anthropocene evolutionary traps identified by Søgaard Jørgensen et al. (2023): Simplification, Growth for Growth, Overshoot, Division, Contagion, Infrastructure Lock-in, Chemical Pollution, Existential Technology, Technological Autonomy, Disinformation, Short-termism, Overconsumption, Biosphere Disconnect, and Local Social Capital Loss.