Science Alert February 5, 2020
Climate change, extreme weather events from hurricanes to heatwaves, the decline of life-sustaining ecosystems, food security and dwindling stores of fresh water – each poses a monumental challenge to humanity in the 21st century. Out of 30 global-scale risks, these five topped the list both in terms of likelihood and impact, according to scientists surveyed by Future Earth https://futureearth.org/ , an international research organisation. Recent research has shown that some parts of the world may soon be coping with up to six extreme weather events at once, ranging from heat waves and wildfires to diluvian rains and deadly storm surges. Many scientists and policymakers are embedded in institutions that are used to thinking and acting on isolated risks, one at a time. The report calls on the world’s academics, business leaders and policy makers to pay attention to these five global risks and ensure they are treated as interacting systems…read more.
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