This commentary advocates for the creation of global social epidemiology (GSE)—a new and potentially more effective approach to address the challenges of the current polycrisis era.
The Need for Global Social Epidemiology in the Polycrisis era Read More »
This commentary presents key insights from the conference on “International Politics, Leadership and Diplomacy for Health” held in Stockholm, Sweden in November 2023. It highlights the need to seize opportunities and reshape global health leadership in an era marked by multifaceted and interrelated crises.
The authors argue that the Canadian government’s Scientific Council, which synthesizes the best scientific evidence available for parliamentarians and members of government, needs much better evidence at its disposal to grapple with the global polycrisis. They outline five ways in which governments can more effectively utilize good evidence in policymaking: ask scientific advisors to “show
Global crises are multiplying: Here’s how science can help our public decision-makers Read More »
Hugo Dixon proposes that the “future of Ukraine, world trade, climate change, and relations between superpowers the United States and China depends to a great extent on whether Trump wins November’s election.” He fears a re-elected Trump would hand Russia a victory in Ukraine, create havoc in world trade with radical protectionist measures, and actively
World Polycrisis Hangs on US Politics Read More »
Nick King argues that industrial civilization has created many persistent and severe hazards (such as nuclear waste, methane leaking hydrocarbon infrastructure, contaminated sites, landfills, and deforested land), polycrises in the near future may significantly constrict humanity’s ability to manage these hazards, and therefore societies should prioritize long-term remedial actions now, while they still have the
‘Pre-Polycrisis’ Hazard Mitigation Read More »
Kyle Chayka considers different possible labels for “our chaotic historical moment, a term that we can use when we want to evoke the panicky incoherence of our lives of late.” Contenders include artist and author James Biddle’s “New Dark Age,” which emphasizes the dangers and disappointments of the internet era; social strategist Liz Lenkinski’s “Age
The Terrible Twenties? The Assholocene? What to Call Our Chaotic Era Read More »
James Gustave Speth argues that the polycrisis has undermined earlier hopes for steady, gradual, progressive change, but is also stimulating new and unconventional visions for transformative change that should not be quickly dismissed.
You Say You Want a Revolution: Dreaming of New Futures in the Polycrisis Read More »
Addressing critiques of the polycrisis concept from the political right and left, Thomas Homer-Dixon argues that the world is in a polycrisis generated by novel and unprecedented conditions, as measured by total human energy consumption, Earth’s energy imbalance, the human population’s total biomass, and global connectivity. He then highlights the interconnected nature of contemporary problems
Why So Much is Going Wrong at the Same Time Read More »
Joseph Fiskel argues that the Maui wildfire reveals just how unprepared communities are to face polycrises. In response, he advocates systems thinking and greater resilience: “Rather than simply ‘bouncing back’ from crises, a resilient organization will ‘bounce forward’ by sensing threats, adapting to new conditions, and improving its responsiveness to surprise events. This requires long-term thinking,
Hawaii Wildfires Expose Need for Resilience in a Polycrisis World Read More »
The authors argue that a trigger event can’t start a crisis by itself; some underlying stress or stresses must also be operating. They contend that leaders should pay far more attention to these stresses, because they’re ultimately far more important. The original title of the article was “Let’s Avoid ‘Trigger Fixation.” The Globe and Mail
Let’s Avoid ‘Trigger Fixation’ Read More »
