The World Economic Forum 's new 2017 survey found that the most likely risks facing humanity are climate change , extreme weather and other environmental disasters , rather than the rise of machines . Extreme weather , particularly rogue waves , was also ranked second - most impactful risk after the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction . 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 . Click image to enlarge. 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 found that the most likely risks facing humanity are climate change , extreme weather and other environmental disasters , rather than the rise of machines . Extreme weather , particularly rogue waves , was also ranked second - most impactful risk after the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction . 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 .