Policy Currents | The newsletter for policy people
Web version: [link removed]
** Oct. 31, 2024
------------------------------------------------------------
Assessing Global Catastrophic Risk
The world faces many risks that are consequential enough to significantly harm or set back human civilization. Some even raise the specter of human extinction. What exactly are these risks? And how can they be monitored, measured, and mitigated?
A new RAND report tackles these sobering questions. The authors examine six threats and hazards: risks posed by artificial intelligence; asteroid and comet impacts; sudden and severe changes to the climate; nuclear war; severe pandemics; and supervolcanoes. The researchers find that, overall, global catastrophic risk has been increasing in recent years. It also appears likely to increase in the coming decade.
Of course, these threats and hazards are not all the same. For supervolcanoes and asteroid and comet strikes, risk should remain constant or decrease in the next decade. But for the remaining threats and hazards, the risk appears to be increasing because of human activities. And for AI, the uncertainties are large enough that it's hard to determine the extent or magnitude of changes in risk with any confidence.
The authors also identify some key factors affecting risk levels. These include the rate and nature of technological change; the maturity of global governance and coordination; failure to advance human development (which, in turn, threatens societal stability); and interactions among the threats and hazards themselves.
So, how should humanity respond? Our researchers emphasize the need for an approach to risk management that matches the complex nature of these threats, the uncertainties that surround them, and the ways they interact. "Only continued attention, inquiry, and action will ensure that society is able to protect human civilization," the authors write, "and build a more resilient and prepared society should a global catastrophe occur."
Read more: [link removed]
Protecting Your Sleep During Election Season
With election season comes a barrage of news, heated social media debates, and uncertainty. As a result, many Americans are experiencing high levels of stress and anxiety--and their sleep is suffering. RAND researcher and sleep expert Wendy Troxel has some tips. Limiting TV and social media before bedtime is essential. Civic participation can also help. Engaging in meaningful activities provides a sense of purpose and control, which in turn supports mental health and better sleep. Such actions are key to improving sleep and maintaining well-being during any tumultuous time.
Read more: [link removed]
Putin's Drone Strategy: Realistic or More Propaganda?
Russian President Vladimir Putin recently announced plans for a tenfold increase in drone production. According to RAND Europe researchers, this bold target "doesn't sweep aside complex industrial realities." Russia's defense industry is hampered by systemic issues, including corruption, aging infrastructure, and a skills shortage. This makes it hard to scale up production and supply chains for drone technology. Such problems suggest that Moscow--which has already been relying on foreign-produced drones--will have to lean heavily on China to procure enough drones for its war in Ukraine.
Read more: [link removed]
** RAND Recommends
------------------------------------------------------------
- RAND's Ray Block explains how his classroom has become a laboratory for countering Truth Decay, the diminishing role of facts in American public life.
[link removed]
- South Korea is set to deploy a new, long-range anti-artillery defense system. This "seems to align with Seoul's efforts to enhance its defense capability against North Korea in all fronts," RAND's Miyeon Oh tells Newsweek.
[link removed]
- RAND's Ann Marie Dailey speaks to Business Insider about the implications of China's lack of response to North Korean troops being deployed to Russia.
[link removed]
** Events
------------------------------------------------------------
Racial and Socioeconomic Divides in Algebra Teaching and Learning
Tuesday, November 5, 2024 (Online)
[link removed]
Addressing Imploding Health Care Systems: Is Primary Care Reform Really the Answer?
Tuesday, November 12, 2024 (Online)
[link removed]
Expert Views on State-Level Policies for Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder
Thursday, November 14, 2024 (Online)
[link removed]
** Apply for RAND's Summer Associate Program
------------------------------------------------------------
Are you a graduate student? Do you want to help tackle the world's toughest policy problems? Applications for our Summer Associate Program are now open. Apply by December 2nd for an opportunity to spend summer 2025 at RAND.
Learn more: [link removed]
** Follow RAND
------------------------------------------------------------
RAND is a nonprofit institution that helps improve policy and decisionmaking through research and analysis.
[link removed]
Connect with us on:
Twitter: [link removed]
Facebook: [link removed]
LinkedIn: [link removed]
Instagram: [link removed]
Privacy Policy: [link removed]
Unsubscribe to stop receiving these emails: [link removed]
Manage your subscriptions
[link removed]
RAND
1776 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
