It's extreme weather — not AI or disinformation — over the coming decade that's worrying business leaders and politicians the most

• Extreme weather is a prime concern for business leaders and politicians.
• Those risks are the greatest long-term concern, according to the World Economic Forum.
• About two-thirds of 1,400 respondents are worried about extreme weather, per its Global Risks Report.

Environmental concerns are keeping the world's most powerful and influential people up at night.

Extreme weather and critical changes to Earth's systems are the greatest long-term concern for politicians and business leaders, according to the World Economic Forum's Global Risks Report 2024.

It gathered the views of some 1,400 global risks experts, policy-makers, and industry leaders surveyed in September 2023. The researchers found that misinformation and disinformation were the biggest short-term risks, while extreme weather was the greatest long-term concern.

Around two-thirds of experts were worried about extreme weather in the coming 12 months. The respondents, however, did disagree on the timeframe of the risks. Those in the private sector thought consequences would emerge over a longer period than those in civil society or government.

The experts surveyed weren't optimistic about the near future, with 30% expecting an elevated chance of global catastrophes in the next two years. Almost two-thirds expected this over the next decade.

The report also warned that global cooperation on urgent issues could be hard to find and urged new approaches to international collaboration.

"An unstable global order characterized by polarizing narratives and insecurity, the worsening impacts of extreme weather and economic uncertainty are causing accelerating risks – including misinformation and disinformation – to propagate," said Saadia Zahidi, World Economic Forum managing director.

"World leaders must come together to address short-term crises as well as lay the groundwork for a more resilient, sustainable, inclusive future." 

The World Economic Forum's annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland begins on Tuesday. This year's theme is "Rebuilding Trust" and will focus on principles including transparency, consistency, and accountability.