The Future We Face

In a world suffering increasing disasters and humanitarian crises, corporate leaders must stay informed and proactive, anticipating the seismic shifts reverberating across industries, economies, and societies. However, the private sector is notably poorly qualified to confront these challenges. Probably, the most important reason is the lack of knowledge on how disasters and global challenges disrupt societies, including consumer behavior and the nature of the many systems and subsystems that exist to enhance societal resilience, reduce disaster risk, and protect the lives of people, their well-being, and the world we live in. These challenges are often familiar to us, yet their full magnitude may elude our awareness due to their dispersed nature. My intention was to weave together personal anecdotes, stories of individuals I know, and well-known facts to present a friendly, easily digestible, and concise overview of the dire landscape ahead of us. This chapter underscores the urgency for corporate leaders to understand the impending uncertainty and serves as a comprehensive exploration of the current state of our world, offering insights into the characteristics of the near and distant future. It is designed as an indispensable resource for corporate leaders, guiding them in formulating effective strategies and navigating the profound uncertainties and chaos that lie ahead.