In this article, Yuen Yuen Ang argues that 2025 marks not just the end of the postwar global order but the emergence of a new one. She examines the collapse of a system built on US-led geopolitical stability, industrial progress, and globalization, highlighting internal contradictions such as concentrated authority, widening inequality, environmental degradation, and political […]
The World Order After 2025 Read More »
The authors underscore the urgent need to address the interconnected threats of climate change, conflict, and health. They highlight how these threats not only cause direct harm, such as heat-related deaths and conflict-driven mortality, but also compound vulnerabilities by damaging health systems, disrupting essential services, and fueling cycles of instability. Fragile and conflict-affected states are
Tackling the Complex Links Between Climate Change, Conflict, and Health Read More »
In this UNDP expert commentary, Yuen Yuen Ang argues that the convergence of global disruptions should be viewed not only as a period of crisis but also as an opportunity for systemic transformation. She introduces the concept of “polytunity” and proposes an Adaptive, Inclusive, and Moral (AIM) political economy as an alternative framework for addressing
Turning Polycrisis into Polytunity Read More »
This paper presents a systematic mapping of integrative responses to the metacrisis, understood as a complex web of interconnected global crises spanning ecological, epistemic, ethical, and existential domains. Using a metatheoretical methodology, the authors identify and compare a broad range of emerging integrative approaches. They argue that frameworks such as metamodernism, integral theory, Game B,
Mapping an Ecology of Integrative Approaches to Addressing the Metacrisis Read More »
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.
We’re in a polycrisis. Philanthropy should adopt a systems-focused approach. Read More »
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.
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.
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 »
