Global Experts Express Deepening Pessimism About Future, Citing Misinformation and Environmental Risks
A new report by the World Economic Forum (WEF), in partnership with Marsh McLennan and Zurich Insurance Group, paints a stark picture of the global outlook, with over half of surveyed experts expressing pessimism about the next two years. The Global Risks Report 2025, based on insights from over 900 experts, identifies misinformation/disinformation and extreme weather events as the most pressing concerns in the short term, while environmental degradation dominates the long-term risk landscape. This pervasive negativity highlights growing doubts about the capacity of existing institutions to effectively address these interconnected challenges.
The report’s findings reveal a significant increase in negative sentiment compared to the previous year. Approximately a third of the respondents anticipate turbulent conditions in the coming years, while a smaller, yet notable, 5% predict outright stormy conditions. This represents a four-percentage-point increase in pessimistic outlooks, signaling a deepening sense of unease about the future. Looking further ahead, the picture becomes even bleaker. A substantial 62% of experts foresee turbulent or stormy conditions by 2035, indicating a pervasive lack of confidence in the ability of current systems to navigate the complex challenges ahead.
In the near term, misinformation and disinformation top the list of concerns, reflecting the growing impact of manipulated narratives and false information on societal stability and decision-making. This is followed closely by extreme weather events, highlighting the increasing frequency and intensity of climate-related disasters. State-based armed conflict, societal polarization, and cyber espionage and warfare also rank among the top five short-term risks, underscoring the volatile geopolitical landscape and the growing threat of digital disruption.
Looking ahead to the next decade, environmental risks emerge as the dominant concern. Extreme weather events, already a significant short-term risk, are projected to intensify, posing severe threats to infrastructure, agriculture, and human lives. The report also flags biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse as a critical long-term risk, emphasizing the interconnectedness of environmental systems and the cascading effects of ecological degradation. Natural resource shortages and critical changes to Earth systems, such as disruptions to the global carbon cycle and ocean currents, further compound the long-term environmental challenges, painting a concerning picture of the planet’s future.
This pessimism is not merely a reflection of current events but also stems from a deeper concern about the capacity of societal mechanisms and governing institutions to effectively address these complex and interconnected risks. The report highlights the fragility of existing systems in the face of mounting challenges, raising questions about the adequacy of current approaches to governance, risk management, and international cooperation.
The Global Risks Report 2025 provides a valuable framework for understanding the evolving risk landscape, analyzing risks across three timeframes: immediate (2025), short- to medium-term (to 2027), and long-term (to 2035). The report’s in-depth studies on six key risk themes – misinformation, extreme weather, geopolitical instability, societal fragmentation, economic vulnerabilities, and technological disruption – offer further insights into the multifaceted nature of these challenges and the potential for cascading effects. This comprehensive analysis serves as a call to action for governments, businesses, and civil society organizations to collaborate on innovative solutions and strengthen resilience in the face of a rapidly changing and increasingly uncertain world. The report emphasizes the urgent need for proactive measures to mitigate these risks and build a more sustainable and secure future for all. The continued pessimism among experts underscores the gravity of the situation and the need for transformative change to navigate the turbulent waters ahead.