“Preventing Animal Suffering Lock-in: Why Economic Transitions Matter” by Karen Singleton

Abstract This post explores how emerging economic systems could lock in harmful defaults for animals and outlines a research agenda to identify opportunities and begin the groundwork for embedding animal welfare into future frameworks before it's too late. Acknowledgements: Thanks to Ian Andrews, Kevin Xia and Andrew McCallum for thoughtful feedback on an earlier draft of this post. All mistakes are my own. TL;DR Our economic system commodifies ~ 1.6 trillion animals annually. This system is being destabilised by many factors including AI, climate breakdown, inequality and institutional decay. These disruptions create rare openings to reshape foundational values. Industrial capitalism embedded speciesism at scale, new systems could do the same. This post outlines a neglected research agenda exploring how to integrate animal welfare into emerging economic frameworks before lock-in occurs. It suggests initial directions (such as integrating animal welfare into post-growth metrics and AI governance) and invites feedback [...] ---Outline:(00:12) Abstract(00:40) TL;DR(01:31) Introduction: why I'm writing this now(02:12) Why economic paradigms matter for animals(03:04) We need to hedge across plausible futures(03:44) The logic of lock in: lessons from AI policy(05:33) A new research space: animal welfare meets economic transition(06:30) Avoiding false choices: long-term strategy, not a substitute(07:40) Why now: a critical window for foundational change(09:38) How current systems entrench suffering(12:08) From reaction to prevention: what transition periods make possible(13:53) A  research agenda: preventing future harm(14:13) Research aims(15:37) Strategic actions(17:22) Mapping future systems: three paradigms, three risks(19:32) Case study: degrowth and animal invisibility(20:15) Conclusion: Steering the future before its set--- First published: July 28th, 2025 Source: https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/posts/yKx4JskGWc9noAtqW/preventing-animal-suffering-lock-in-why-economic-transitions --- Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO. ---Images from the article:Apple Podcasts and Spotify do not show images in the episode description. Try Pocket Casts, or another podcast app.