Published by the United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS), the Interconnected Disaster Risks 2025 report argues that our current systems—from economic models to cultural assumptions—are structurally incapable of confronting today's climate and environmental crises.
"For years, scientists have sounded the alarm. Yet meaningful action remains elusive," said Professor Shen Xiaomeng, director of UNU-EHS. "We keep walking toward the abyss, even when we know how to turn around."
Rather than shallow policy tweaks, the report calls for transformative action across five key areas that address the root causes of climate and ecological breakdown.
1. Rethink Waste: From Trash to Treasure
Each year, humanity generates over 2 billion tonnes of household waste—a volume that could circle the Earth 25 times in shipping containers. Tackling this, the report urges a shift toward circular economies that emphasise durability, reuse, and repair over disposability.
A standout example is Kamikatsu, Japan, which has quadrupled the national average recycling rate through community composting, upcycling, and zero-waste shops.
2. Realign with Nature: From Exploitation to Harmony
The dominant worldview sees nature as a resource to exploit—fueling deforestation, extinction, and the collapse of ecosystems. The report points to the Kissimmee River in Florida as both a cautionary tale and a success story. Channelized in the 1960s, the river lost its wetlands and biodiversity—only to be restored decades later with remarkable ecological and flood-control benefits.
3. Reconsider Responsibility: From ‘Me' to ‘We'
The poorest 50% of the world's population contribute just 12% of emissions, yet suffer three-quarters of climate-related income losses. The report criticises rich nations for hiding behind carbon offsetting schemes rather than embracing true emissions cuts.
It praises the 1987 Montreal Protocol—which phased out ozone-depleting chemicals—as an example of bold, collective global action that prioritized shared responsibility over national interest.
4. Reimagine the Future: From Seconds to Centuries
Short-term thinking continues to drive policies that jeopardize future generations. Nuclear energy, for instance, generates waste that remains dangerous for 10,000 years—far beyond our current waste management capabilities.
By contrast, the Svalbard Global Seed Vault in Norway safeguards biodiversity for the distant future, while Finland's Committee for the Future builds long-term thinking into national policy.
5. Redefine Value: From GDP to Planetary Health
Economic growth is still the dominant metric of success—even when it destroys the planet in the process. Forested land, for instance, is often valued far less than cleared land, despite its vital ecosystem services.
Alternative models are emerging: Bhutan's Gross National Happiness Index prioritises well-being over GDP, and "green prescriptions" in Canada, Japan, and New Zealand see doctors prescribing time in nature for mental and physical health.
The Path Forward: Deep Change, Not Quick Fixes
The report introduces a new framework: the Theory of Deep Change, which examines not just the visible symptoms of environmental crises, but the societal systems and beliefs that sustain them.
As lead author Caitlyn Eberle puts it, "Even our best-intentioned actions won't succeed if they're working against the current of dysfunctional systems."
While challenges remain immense, the report offers hope that rethinking our assumptions—from what we value to how we govern—can still change the trajectory of the planet.