This study investigates disaster management practices for complex disasters, emphasizing systemic risk management within community resilience strategies.
In the Cascading Risks Study, author Trond Undheim seeks to create five scenarios (Climate cataclysm by 2075; World war by 2075; Growth and collapse by 2075; Runaway AI by 2075; and Synthetic biology released in the wild by 2075 ) with which to spur deeper conversation about the existential risks to humanity and how they
Scenarios 2075: The Cascading Risks Study Read More »
The authors explore the emergence of systemic risks in modern societies by examining how tightly coupled dynamic systems in the Anthropocene can lead to cascading failures. They argue that traditional risk governance approaches are insufficient in addressing the convergence of systemic and conventional risks. Drawing on case studies such as the COVID-19 pandemic and climate
Navigating Systemic Risks: Governance of and for Systemic Risks Read More »
This report examines the complexities of a global polycrisis, highlighting the interconnected nature of environmental, economic, and social risks. It emphasizes the urgent need for systemic risk assessment and response. Key recommendations focus on fostering public engagement, redirecting financial resources, and advancing education and research to build resilience.
This Roadmap, a collaboration between the Cascade Institute, the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, the Research Institute for Sustainability – Helmholtz Centre Potsdam, and the Centre for the Study of Existential Risk, presents a plan to advance polycrisis analysis as an inclusive, credible, and recognized field of knowledge and practice. It draws on the results of a broad consultation
Polycrisis Research and Analysis Roadmap Read More »
Ruth Richardson, the Executive Director of the Accelerator for Systemic Risk Assessment, argues that the “escalating global polycrisis demands an urgent and transformative shift in how we assess, anticipate, and mitigate systemic risks.” She then suggests a range of practical actions governments could take to better contend with polycrisis, such as creating a Minister for
Our Polycrisis Demands a Radically New Approach to Risk Management Read More »
In this episode of FuturePod, host Dr. Peter Hayward speaks with Drs. Megan Shipman and Michael Lawrence of the Cascade Institute about the current global polycrisis, and their recently published Positive Pathways report and accompanying workshop. Shipman, Lawrence, and Hayward discuss the four key factors proposed by Dr. Thomas Homer-Dixon that define today’s polycrisis, provide
FuturePod Interview with Drs. Megan Shipman and Michael Lawrence Read More »
This report presents a seven-step framework to help governments manage emerging critical risks in an increasingly interconnected global landscape, shaped by complex economic, social, and technological systems. It outlines processes for risk identification, assessment, information-sharing, maturity evaluation, and strategic planning to enhance flexibility and adaptability. By integrating emerging risks into traditional risk management approaches, the
Framework on Management of Emerging Critical Risks Read More »
Libraries in Response, produced by the Gigabit Libraries Network, is a webinar series focusing on how libraries are responding to health, social, economic, political, and climate crises. In this episode, Drs. Michael Lawrence and Megan Shipman of the Cascade Institute discuss the polycrisis, explaining the origins and development of the term, why they think it’s
Libraries in Response Session 103: “Polycrisis R Us!” Read More »
The Swiss Re Institute, the research arm of Swiss Re Reinsurance, harnesses their risk knowledge in re/insurance to produce data driven research with partner organizations, shared via publications such as SONAR. SONAR is an annual publication that focuses on outlining emerging risks based on early signals gathered throughout the year. The 2024 SONAR report features
SONAR 2024: New Emerging Risk Insights Read More »
