Climate change and its related impacts has been a fixture on the most likely global risks list since 2011. The World Economic Forum's new 2017 survey reveals that the most likely risks facing humanity are climate change, extreme weather and other environmental factors, rather than the rise of machines. In a report released today, the WEF said it was "increasingly likely" that humans will be affected by these risks. The impacts of climate change are becoming increasingly clear: last year was the hottest on record; Arctic sea ice is declining rapidly; and rising sea levels are threatening coastal cities. The knock-on effects range from a rising risk of drought and conflict, to changes to animal migration and wide scale human suffering.
The World Economic Forum's new 2017 survey reveals that the most likely risks facing humanity are climate change, extreme weather and other environmental factors, rather than the rise of machines. In a report released today, the WEF said it was "increasingly likely" that humans will be affected by these risks. The impacts of climate change are becoming increasingly clear: last year was the hottest on record; Arctic sea ice is declining rapidly; and rising sea levels are threatening coastal cities. The knock-on effects range from a rising risk of drought and conflict, to changes to animal migration and wide scale human suffering.