Global Risks Perceptions Report 2021– Key Messages
Scientists systematically ranked likelihood and impact of global risks higher than members of business and economic communities.
All surveyed communities rated environmental risks among the most urgent global risks humanity faces today and as highly interconnected with other global risks.
Technological risks are now seen as more likely to occur, compared to earlier findings.
Five risks emerge as most likely to form an interconnected cluster of risks and lead to a global systemic crisis: failure to take climate action - biodiversity loss - infectious disease - extreme weather events - human environmental damage.
Scientists highlighted the need to prioritize inequality as a standalone risk in assessments and perception analyses.
Business and science communities are only two groups of many more with perspectives relevant to dialogues about global risks. There is a continued need to learn from each other and build a global community around mitigating risks.
Methodology
The 2021 Global Risks Scientists’ Perceptions Report draws on the results from an invitation-only survey was sent to targeted groups with known membership including scientists from all fields and disciplines. This also included groups of peer- and self-nominated experts from Future Earth and International Science Council, recruited to build a community around this survey work. Over 200 scientists completed the survey. Respondents were asked to:
- Rank the likelihood and impact of the top global risks over the coming decade.
- Identify clusters of interconnected risks that could lead to a global systemic crisis.
- Highlight emerging risks to the global community.
- Identify future risks that we are or have already committed to.