GRSP2019 – Global Risks Science Perception survey

Global Risks Scientists' Perception Survey

Future Earth is conducting the Global Risks Scientists’ Perception survey to facilitate greater dialogue among science, business, and policy around building solutions to global risks. We know that global risks are increasingly complex, uncertain, systemic, and dynamic. To tackle them effectively we will need strong, transdisciplinary understanding and action on global risks. This survey will complement the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) annual Global Risks Report, which reports on the global risk perceptions of leaders from business, economics, and government. The Future Earth survey will contribute to the discourse on global risks that has been shaped through WEF’s important work in this space with an international analysis of scientists’ perceptions of global risks, of the current knowledge base on these risks, and on clusters of risks with the potential to act synergistically.

Open until October 11, 2019

Man-made environmental damage and disasters: Failure to prevent major man-made damage and disasters, including environmental crime, oil spills, radioactive contamination, etc., causing harm to human lives and health, infrastructure, property, economic activity, and the environment.

Adverse consequences of technological advances: Intended or unintended adverse consequences of technological advances such as artificial intelligence, geo-engineering and synthetic biology causing human, environmental, and economic damage.

Rapid and massive spread of infectious diseases: Bacteria, viruses, parasites, or fungi that cause uncontrolled spread of infectious diseases (for instance as a result of resistance to antibiotics, antivirals and other treatments) leading to widespread fatalities and economic disruption.

Profound social instability: Major social movements or protests (e.g. street riots, social unrest, etc.) that disrupt political or social stability, negatively impacting populations, and economic activity.

Large-scale involuntary migration: Large-scale involuntary migration induced by conflict, disasters, environmental or economic reasons.

Massive incident of data fraud/theft: Wrongful exploitation of private or official data that takes place on an unprecedented scale.

Unmanageable inflation: Unmanageable increases in the general price levels of goods and services in key economies.

Failure of climate-change mitigation and adaptation: The failure of governments and businesses to enforce or enact effective measures to mitigate climate change, protect populations, and help businesses impacted by climate change to adapt.

Major natural disasters: Major property, infrastructure, and/or environmental damage as well as loss of human life caused by geophysical disasters such as earthquakes, volcanic activity, landslides, tsunamis, or geomagnetic storms.

Weapons of mass destruction: The deployment of nuclear, chemical, biological, and radiological technologies and materials, creating international crises and potential for significant destruction.

Extreme weather events: Major property, infrastructure, and/or environmental damage as well as loss of human life caused by extreme weather events (e.g. floods, storms, etc.).

Major biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse (terrestrial or marine): Irreversible consequences for the environment, resulting in severely depleted resources for humankind as well as industries.

The goal of this survey is to spark and inform dialogue among different communities around global risks.

Through future iterations of the survey, we aim to not only enrich these discussions, but to move the narrative towards solutions and risk mitigation. We seek informed thinkers across scientific disciplines and institutional types to participate in this survey. The survey takes approximately 30 minutes to complete and will remain open until October 11, 2019.