View From the Bridge: Our vulnerabilities and local risks

The author spoke at a Shelter Island forum and described "existential vulnerabilities" as human-made, systemic risks; the piece highlights local water contamination and broader institutional strains.

I was invited to a Shelter Island community forum and used that occasion to outline what I call "existential vulnerabilities." These are not ordinary natural hazards but human-made, systemic weaknesses that can be irreversible and affect large systems. The essay contrasts routine threats like storms with risks that arise from failures in training, institutions, or ethical judgment. It also notes local examples of water quality problems on nearby North Fork communities. Key points: - The essay defines existential vulnerabilities as systemic, potentially irreversible risks embedded in social, technological, and institutional networks. - Three shared features are noted: irreversibility, broad scale, and deep entanglement across systems. - Local examples mentioned include PFAS and nitrate contamination, saltwater intrusion concerns, and a lack of consensus on solutions. Summary: The piece argues these vulnerabilities differ from routine disasters because they originate in human systems and decisions and can erode social trust and institutional capacity. It emphasizes that some threats allow little time for prolonged debate. Undetermined at this time.