Coulson-Thomas, Colin (2024) Recognising and preparing for existential threats. Management Services, 68 (2). pp. 22-29. ISSN 0307-6768

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Abstract

In addition to activity, business and context related risks that people and organisations may monitor and seek to mitigate, there are background global risks and an unprecedented number of existential threats that could have catastrophic consequences for social and economic systems. Conditions on earth that support contemporary lifestyles, communities and societies are fragile and increasingly threatened by human activities. Certain risks and threats pose a significant danger to human life with the potential for large numbers of casualties, and which might significantly affect the livelihoods, lifestyles, contexts and prospects of those who survive their first or early impacts. While potentially devastating for many people, existential threats may be accompanied by opportunities for the agile, flexible and entrepreneurial to protect others from some of their impacts.

This article examines existential threats and their consequences, and especially nuclear weapons and threats, biosecurity risks, threats, vulnerability and preparedness, global warming and climate change, and artificial intelligence and its regulation, which require responsible governance, thoughtful handling and collective responses. Responsible leaders need to increase awareness, preparedness, and understanding of challenges and vulnerabilities, review and test roles and responsibilities, and confront the consequences of human behaviour. Human aspiration, ingenuity, inventiveness and activities are already resulting in a mass extinction of other life forms. Doing things differently is now a pressing imperative. Human creativity and innovation should be focused on less resource intensive and more responsible alternatives and ensuring our collective survival.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	Management Services is the quarterly journal of the Institute of Management Services.
Uncontrolled Keywords:	global risks; inter-related risks; existential threats' biosecurity; nuclear security; global warming; climate change; risk and vulnerability; risk management; risk governance; environmental sustainability; leadership; responsible consumption
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD61 Risk Management
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group:	Faculty of Business
Related URLs:	Organisation Publisher
Last Modified:	25 Jun 2024 15:51
URI:	http://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/47513

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