Globally networked risks and how to respond - The University.pdfVIP

PERSPECTIVE doi:10.1038/nature12047 Globally networked risks and how to respond Dirk Helbing1,2 Today’s strongly connected, global networks have produced highly interdependent systems that we do not understand and cannot control well. These systems are vulnerable to failure at all scales, posing serious threats to society, even when external shocks are absent. As the complexity and interaction strengths in our networked world increase, man-made systems can become unstable, creating uncontrollable situations even when decision-makers are well-skilled, have all data and technology at their disposal, and do their best. To make these systems manageable, a fundamental redesign is needed. A ‘Global Systems Science’ might create the required knowledge and paradigm shift in thinking. lobalization and technological revolutions are changing our pla- ‘Global Systems Science’, in order to understand better our information Gnet. Today we have a worldwide exchange of people, goods, society with its close co-evolution of information and communication money, information, and ideas, which has produced many new technology (ICT) and society. This effort is allied with the ‘‘Earth system opportunities, services and benefits for humanity. At the same time, science’’10 that now provides the prevailing approach to studying the however, the underlying networks have created pathways along which physics, chemistry and biology of our planet. Global Systems Science dangerous and damaging events can spread rapidly and globally. This has wants to make the theory of complex systems applicable to the solution increased systemic risks1 (see Box 1). The related societal costs are huge. of g