Op-Ed Commentary

We’re in a polycrisis. Philanthropy should adopt a systems-focused approach.

The author discusses the interconnected nature of current global challenges, emphasizing the substantial impact of locally-led, systems-focused approaches in addressing multidimensional issues. He highlights the importance of early-stage local organizations’ firsthand knowledge of their communities, systems mindset, agility, adaptability, and collaborative strategies.

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We live in times of multiple entwined crises – but our policy responses aren’t keeping up

The authors discuss the inadequacy of current policies in addressing interconnected crises like biodiversity loss, climate change, and pollution. Drawing on two IPBES assessment reports, they argue that while these reports offer effective policy options for transformative change, progress in implementing these solutions remains insufficient.

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Why Biden failed

Nate Silver reflects on Joe Biden’s presidency, attributing its challenges to strategic missteps and the difficulty of managing a polycrisis—interconnected issues like the COVID pandemic, inflation, and climate change. He argues that overpromising solutions without clear prioritization shaped Biden’s presidency and paved the way for Donald Trump’s return to power.

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From polycrisis to metacrisis: harnessing windows of opportunity for renewed political leadership in global health diplomacy

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.

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Global crises are multiplying: Here’s how science can help our public decision-makers

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

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Understanding the Climate Crisis in an Era of Polycrisis

The author examines the climate crisis through the lens of polycrisis, highlighting how climate change exacerbates environmental degradation and intensifies interconnected crises such as infrastructure failures, biodiversity loss, pandemics, supply chain disruptions, and civil unrest. He underscores the need for comprehensive, systemic responses to effectively manage these challenges.

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World Polycrisis Hangs on US Politics

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

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‘Pre-Polycrisis’ Hazard Mitigation

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

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The Terrible Twenties? The Assholocene? What to Call Our Chaotic Era

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

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