num_pages: 554
description: A global catastrophic risk is one with the potential to wreak death and destruction on a global scale. In human history wars and plagues have done so on more than one occasion and misguided ideologies and totalitarian regimes have darkened an entire era or a region. Advances in technologyare adding dangers of a new kind. It could happen again.In Global Catastrophic Risks 25 leading experts look at the gravest risks facing humanity in the 21st century including asteroid impacts gamma-ray bursts Earth-based natural catastrophes nuclear war terrorism global warming biological weapons totalitarianism advanced nanotechnology generalartificial intelligence and social collapse. The book also addresses over-arching issues - policy responses and methods for predicting and managing catastrophes.This is invaluable reading for anyone interested in the big issues of our time; for students focusing on science society technology and public policy; and for academics policy-makers and professionals working in these acutely important fields.
language: English
title: Global Catastrophic Risks
publisher: Oxford University Press