The 20th edition of the Global Risks Report, released on January 16, highlights an increasingly fractured global landscape, as intense geopolitical, natural, societal and technological challenges threaten stability and progress.
Misinformation and disinformation occupy the top spot on the list of short-term risks for the second year in a series, underlining their persistent threat to humankind. Other leading risks in this category include climate change and societal polarization.
Natural risks dominate the longer-term risks category – referring to the 10-year period – as extreme natural disasters, ecosystem collapse and natural resources shortages bring humans across the globe into a lot of trouble.
The report highlighted that the impact of natural risks has only deepened in intensity and frequency since the launch of the Global Risks Report in 2006. Natural disasters are anticipated to become more of a concern than they already are.
