William White contributed to a “Math for complex climate challenges workshop” held at the University of Waterloo from May 1 to May 4. He pointed out that there were many deficiencies in our global efforts to mitigate climate  change. Not only were there shortcomings in identifying what we should do, but the adequacy of our capacity and willingness to act were also in doubt. White concluded by referring to a still broader problem identified in a a recent paper from the Cascade Institute at Royal Roads University.  It calls for more research on the steps needed to avoid a polycrisis; namely, the likelihood that a number of the systems required to support human life and civilization might all fail in a cascade of “tipping points”.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeZh1Qew9Lc

William White participated in a webinar panel organized by the American Enterprise Institute on 18 January 2023. White began his remarks with a long list of reasons to be concerned about financial instability. He then went on to note that, absent an “immaculate disinflation”, there might well be the need for more restrictive macroeconomic policy than is currently envisaged. With further monetary tightening likely to be constrained by fears of  private financial instability, as well as fears of government debt service becoming unsustainable, fiscal restraint had to be considered more seriously. Absent the political will to do so, “financial repression” might be turned to as an easier alternative.

https://www.aei.org/events/soft-economic-landing-or-financial-market-crisis/

William White presented a webinar to the Global Risk Institute in Toronto on 24 January, 2023. He contended that the global economy will face a number of negative supply shocks in the years ahead, while at the same time facing the need for a significant increase in investment. This will create pressure for higher inflation and for higher real interest rates. However, as a legacy of past debt accumulation, higher rates could create financial instability and also fears about the sustainability of government finance in many countries. To avoid this dilemma, the best solution would comprise orderly debt restructurings, fiscal restraint and measures to temper consumption. Given the political difficulties of doing this, the more likely solution might be an attempt to reimpose the “financial repression” used successfully to reduce debt overhang after World War ll.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mU2f74il59c