Open AccessToo Big to Ignore: Global Risk Perception Gaps Between Scientists and Business Leaders
Author(s) -
Garschagen Matthias,
Wood Sylvia L. R.,
Garard Jennifer,
Ivanova Maria,
Luers Amy
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
earth's future
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.641
H-Index - 39
ISSN - 2328-4277
DOI - 10.1029/2020ef001498
Subject(s) - futures contract , geopolitics , action (physics) , ranking (information retrieval) , perception , political science , public relations , scale (ratio) , business , sociology , psychology , politics , geography , computer science , physics , cartography , finance , quantum mechanics , machine learning , neuroscience , law
Abstract Two major reports assessing global systemic risks have been published recently, presenting large‐scale panel data on the risk perceptions of different key communities, most notably business leaders and global change scientists. While both of these global communities agree on ranking environmental risks the highest, followed by societal, geopolitical, technological, and economic risks, business leaders perceive the likelihood of most risks as lower than scientists. This gap implies vexing questions in relation to building a shared sense of urgency and facilitating collective action. These questions need to be addressed through new ways of co‐creating risk assessments and strategic futures analysis.