This article features an interview by Antoine Le Bec with researcher Louis Delannoy from the Stockholm Resilience Centre about the concept of polycrisis and its growing relevance for understanding an increasingly unstable world. Delannoy defines polycrisis as the convergence and amplification of multiple crises that increasingly reinforce one another rather than diminish. He emphasizes that […]
Understanding and Measuring Polycrisis Read More »
In this article, Thomas L. Friedman draws on the concept of the “Polycene”, a new epoch characterized by the convergence of multiple accelerating forces, including artificial intelligence, climate change, geopolitical realignment, and social transformation. Friedman argues that humanity has moved beyond the binary frameworks that structured the Cold War and post–Cold War eras into a
We’re In a New Everything-Is-Connected Epoch. But What to Call It? Read More »
The author examines how the polycrisis is reshaping consumer behaviour and the food industry. Amid inflation, climate-driven crop failures, and global supply chain disruptions, a new type of consumer has emerged: the Polycrisis Shopper. These shoppers are hyperaware, price-sensitive, and pragmatic, abandoning brand loyalty in favour of value, transparency, and sustainability. They balance stockpiling with
Savvy, Skeptical ‘Polycrisis Shoppers’ Are Browsing Your Aisles – Here’s What to Do Read More »
This article discusses how the global race for artificial intelligence supremacy could spark a polycrisis by 2027, as geopolitical, technological, and economic tensions converge. It argues that control over Taiwan’s semiconductor industry is a central point of dispute between the United States and China, warning that efforts to secure dominance in AI and chip production
A global ‘polycrisis’ is looming, sparked by China, Taiwan and AI, say these researchers Read More »
The article examines how cascading crises during 2024 and 2025, including climate extremes, geopolitical conflicts, and economic pressures, have disrupted global agricultural supply chains. These disruptions have led to rising food prices, supply shortages, and increased food insecurity. The analysis identifies winners and losers among public companies, noting that those investing in sustainability, technology, and
In this article, Adam Tooze revisits the concept of “polycrisis,” noting that while the term remains relevant in certain regional and institutional contexts, it appears less applicable as a descriptor of 2025 landscape. He contrasts the intense disruptions of 2020–2022 with the current relative calm in financial markets, despite ongoing geopolitical tensions. Tooze suggests that
Polycrisis — is this the sequel? Read More »
In this article, the author explores how disasters such as pandemics, wars, and climate-related events are becoming increasingly interconnected, marking a shift toward what researchers describe as a polycrisis. Drawing on insights from the study “Understanding Polycrisis: Definitions, Applications, and Responses,” the piece highlights how overlapping and cascading crises reveal the fragility of global systems
Understanding Polycrisis: Why Interconnected Disasters are the New Normal Read More »
This publication introduces the EU Policy Lab’s new Polycrisis Exploration Tool, an adaptable tool for foresight and holistic risk management. Grounded in Wendy Schultz’s Manoa methodology, it uses a participatory and structured approach to explore multiple future wheels, examining how interconnected risks might materialize simultaneously. Drawing on 40 risks identified in the Risks on the
Unraveling the Polycrisis with Foresight and Innovation Read More »
This article introduces the Polycrisis Exploration Tool developed by the European Commission’s EU Policy Lab to help policymakers better understand and respond to interconnected global risks. The tool uses participatory foresight methods to map interconnections, explore how risks evolve into crises, and identify potential policy interventions. Through structured workshops, it enables decision-makers to enhance risk
Unraveling the polycrisis with foresight and innovation Read More »
This article examines the concept of polycrisis, explaining how interconnected crises heighten global instability. It highlights the Cascade Institute’s efforts to identify high-leverage intervention points — strategic areas where targeted actions can drive meaningful change. Emphasizing cross-disciplinary collaboration, the article explores how understanding these overlapping crises not only clarifies the complexity of our current moment
What is this era of calamity we’re in? Some say ‘polycrisis’ captures it Read More »
