The World Economic Forum has identified the three following global risks as the most severe. Do you concur with their assessment?

Answer Explanations

• Yes

  user-914093
  I'm on board with their top three global risks – misinformation and disinformation are like the sneakiest troublemakers, messing things up; extreme weather events, well, Mother Nature's been throwing some wild parties lately; and societal polarization, it's like we're all at a massive family dinner but can't agree on anything. WEF's got their finger on the pulse, and dealing with these issues will help in
  fixing up the world
• Yes

  user-435741
  The proliferation of social media channels has accelerated communication at lightning speed, but this has brought with it many problems. Most importantly, false information about social events spreads at an incredible speed and is treated as fact by most social media users without investigating its source, which can create outrage in societies. Moreover, it does not seem possible to correct this misinformation.
• Yes

  user-344244
  Misinformation and disinformation: are impacting the political, economic, and social insurance across the globe.
• Yes

  user-7255
  With social media, anyone has the ability to broadcast their views, and if they can gather like-minded people, then this will be amplified. I think this links to societal polarization as it amplifies thoughts for those who have become unhappy with the broadly held beliefs. For me, extreme events are increasingly a manifestation of climate change and they are becoming more evident as they affect the wealthier nations.
• No

  user-390626
  Of the 3 listed, I consider only misinformation and disinformation (M&D) to be a severe global short term threat as it impacts mass decision making. Societal polarization - to the extent that there are really two defined "poles" anymore - is largely a product of M&D. M&D is not new, but its reach and extent is unprecedented in human history. It occurs at several levels and in several media environments, and it is often justified with good intentions (e.g., see how COVID was covered by various news outlets and policy decisions by health officials). Regardless of intention (good, bad, ignorant), M&D has eroded public trust in institutions that historically brought stability to communities (local and national). Disillusioned populations - both geographically delineated and globally dispersed via the World Wide Web - have become tribal as a result, the price of which has included the jettisoning once common, long held belief and value systems (e.g., religious or constitutional systems). Modern tribes are not constrained by geographical borders and in our current times can coalesce in relatively short periods of time. 
  
  Extreme weather events have always been a part of the global experience, and will continue to be. We just have the technology to report on the details of their destruction in real time wherever they are happening, which feeds the perception that the current extreme weather events are unprecedented. As the climate changes, populations will adapt, as we always have.
• Yes

  user-625125
  Totally agree
• Yes

  user-968829
  Because the three identified risks are completely true.
• No

  user-161126
  1. Multinational corporate misconduct 
  2. Climate change which causes extreme weather events
  3. Misinformation, disinformation, adverse technological uses
  
  Multinational corporate misconduct which fuels natural resource degradation and loss of biodiversity, human rights violations and pollution of natural resources (water, land and air).
• Yes

  user-320370
  Disinformation about vaccines and Covid-19 is rife. Hate speach is on the increase. 
  Armed conflicts are, threat world peace. 
• Yes

  sab2x
  Misinformation and disinformation have already been shown to have an impact on social policy, politics, and public health.  Future development of AI tools raises some concern that misinformation in the database will potentially corrupt the AI tools in ways that might be hard to detect.   Climate change and the accompanying extreme weather events are going to be serious concerns, especially to those living in high risk geographies.   The number of people impacted will be quite large.   Social polarization is really a fall out of the first risk, but one feeds the other.
• Yes

  user-741891
  The pressure of exponentially defined markets and climate changes are creating great economic variations among the worldwide population, with less and less economic power. It increases de polarization and extremist views, opening the door for new military conflicts.
• No

  user-234128
  Definitely not in that order.
  Polarization is a serious threat, yes but it is meaningless to say this without an understanding of what feeds or promotes it.
  Disinformation and misinformation are a by-product of the explosion of sources of information available to people, as well as the politicization of traditional mainstream media. Human laziness is also a part of it and is itself promoted by a vast amount of information being immediately available.
• No

  user-863919
  Demographic collapse in many northern hemisphere countries is more threatening than societal polarization IMO.
• Yes

  user-53122
  All have massive disruptive effects on society and humanity
• No

  user-627640
  Except for extreme weather, the other two can be alleviated, even if they are concerning problems.
• No

  user-62140
  Politicians are becoming self-proclaimed scientists and promoting scientific misinformation where they simply make up scientific information. There is no real climate crisis and climate change does not cause extreme weather events.
• Yes

  user-706951
  1.AI, Wechat, Titter, Facebook..... vs new paper, TV, Radio..........too much Misinformation and disinformation!!
  2. Developed countries  vs developing countries have their own priories in their economic developments, particularly in terms of levels of their existing basic infrastructures
  3. Capitalism  vs  scoliosis, is there a balance point in between
• Yes

  user-291731
  Highly agree. These factors (1 and 3) although appear unpopular, but, may have a big impact on socioeconomic development. Factor 2, is well known and the effect starts appearing. 
• Yes

  user-289248
  I totally agree. These are now the most crucial risks that is in front of us.
• Yes

  user-816754
  • Due to misinformation of data scientific reports are a problem
  • Weather is drying due to the massive climate change effect
  • Income inequality and economic displacements due to segregation 
• Yes

  user-97558
  These conclusions captures the realities dur to information overload as promoted by ICT.
• Yes

  user-359133
  Misinformation and disinformation erode trust in institutions which can create confusion and skepticism among the public. It can amplify existing social divisions,  contribute to polarization, economic instability and impede collective efforts to mitigate environmental risks.
• Yes

  user-598503
  Along with extreme weather events, critical changes to Earth systems, biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and natural resource shortages feature among the other global risks in the long term. 
• Yes

  user-27170
  The affect of climate change and gender polarizations in Human Genome on infectious disease such as HIV or hazardous bioweapon or dangerous chemicals to the oxidation and deoxidation of C5 ring position and their roles in methylation and demethylation mutant in epigenetic on offspring reproduction taken by chiasma during Homologous recombination in sex intercourse
  * oxidation and deoxidation stress on holiday junction of homologous recombination  on methy group in C5 epigenetic during meiosis mitosis
  * Homologous recombination of chiasma in methy group
  * Mutant in offspring in chromosome and mtDNA on gene box cassettes
  * DNA and mRNA stem cell therapeutic discovery in epigenetic mutant reversal to healthy offspring Human Genome
  * the role of sex chiasma gene cassettes during Intercourse on Uracil mutation on Epigenetic
  * Vaccinology
• No

  user-499245
  My three are...
  Crimes and the persons committing those crimes considered as inconsequential.
  Mind control of an illiterate society.
  Overbearing institutions like WEF, WHO, CDC, NIH, etc. claiming to work towards the best interests of their citizenry 
• No

  user-883814
  These have minor or local impact. The more important risks are that we are distracted from dealing with real economic issues (maintaining wealth-generating manufacture and trade) and potential armed conflicts.
• Yes

  user-803111
  According to the World Economic Forum's global risk report of 2024, Misinformation and disinformation, Extreme Weather Events, and Societal Polarization would pose the highest global risk over the next 2 years while extreme weather events poses the highest risk over the next ten years. 
• Yes

  user-882784
  Misinformation and disinformation pose significant global risks due to their pervasive nature and potential consequences, As I have listed the following points that can help to understand. 
  
  

  ·       False or misleading information erodes trust in institutions, media, and public figures, leading to a breakdown in societal cohesion and undermining democratic processes.

  
  

  ·       In the context of public health, misinformation can spread fear, confusion, and misinformation about vaccines, treatments, and preventive measures, hindering efforts to control disease outbreaks and pandemics.

  ·       Misinformation can exacerbate social divisions by perpetuating stereotypes, stigmatizing marginalized groups, and fostering polarization within communities, leading to social unrest and conflict.

  ·       False information can disrupt markets, influence investment decisions, and damage the reputation of businesses and industries, resulting in economic instability and loss of consumer confidence.

  ·       In democratic societies, misinformation and disinformation campaigns can manipulate public opinion, sway elections, and undermine the integrity of the electoral process, posing a fundamental threat to democratic principles and governance.
  
  

  Addressing the challenges posed by misinformation and disinformation requires a concerted effort from governments, media organizations, tech companies, and civil society to promote media literacy, fact-checking, transparency, and accountability in information dissemination.
  
  
• Yes

  user-846420
  1. With the advance of artificial intelligence, misrepresentation has become an increasingly serious problem, as well as the lack of interest of the population in verifying their own information.
  2. Around the world we are experiencing extreme weather events that are already modifying our way of life, having to face droughts that threaten the continuity of life in certain areas of the planet.
  3. The current social polarization is bringing us back to a class system typical of past times and not of the modern age and high levels of education and the possibility of access to the infinite amount of information available to us.
• No

  user-990457
  Risks 1 and 3 are related, since societal polarisation is primarily driven by mis/disinformation. Thus, I don't feel they require listings as separate risks. Meanwhile, the inability to combat the global mental health crisis is not part of the list, but is a major issue facing our species and the risks of not addressing it adequately spell disaster across multiple fronts.
• Yes

  user-465656
  I am especially on board with #1. Misinformation is spreading like wildfire in an era where it seems more of the population turns to social media rather than more credible sources for their information. This has led to significant mistrust and manipulation.
• Yes

  user-248213
  The misinformation/disinformation can conduct to bring to the reality any global risk. 
• No

  user-330596
  Wondering why poverty is omitted
• No

  user-923999
  I would put the top risks as Climate Change, Armed Conflict between Superpowers, and Cyberwarfare
• Yes

  user-234017
  However, I would change the ranking, move 3 to 1, 1 to 2 and 2 to 3
• No

  user-400910
  I believe some of the options listed below in question 2 are more representative of the most important risks facing humanity over the next few years.
• No

  user-243706
  The short answer is that the most severe global risk has been and will continue to be poverty.  Poverty limits options for education and social advancement, which in-turn creates a more fertile environment for anti-democratic leadership.
• Yes

  user-836452
  Well considered
• Yes

  user-445218
  Political polarization grows out of misinformation and disinformation.  That puts democracy at risk.  Anyone who denies that we are into extreme weather events caused by man is delusional.    These events are extremely costly and disruptive to our society.
• Yes

  user-402415
  1 and 3 are closely linked ... and may be considered as one. And 2 should perhaps be "global warming related events" to be much larger than just "weather"
• Yes

  user-493107
  Extreme weather conditions are responsible for most disaster in the world. 
• No

  user-699025
  The major global risks are certainly NONE of these 3. Rather, it is war mongering by governments, increasing control/surveillance of populations, and censorship.
• Yes

  user-149708
  My own ranking is 1. Extreme Weather Events, 2. Misinformation and disinformation and on a much lower scale, 3. Societal Polarization.
  Indeed societal polarization is for a larger part the consequence of  Misinformation and disinformation, whatever their origins.
• No

  user-52776
  I don't agree that 1 (Misinformation and Disimformation) and 3 (Societal Polarization) are the most severe global risks. Number 2 Extreme Weather Events, yes. I think Global Hacking of Government and Power/Water Grid Systems (Disruptions To Critical Infrastructure) and Novel Infectious Diseases are more severe risks than the other two they chose.
• Yes

  user-125695
  All of these are enormous threats. Sadly the COVID-19 pandemic (which is still not over) contributed enormously to 1. and 3.
• Yes

  user-870604
  I concur with the above key global risks.