Slow Risks Are Moving Faster

The article ”Why seas are surging” from The Washington Post reveals an urgent phenomena. 

Recent data shows that slow risks like sea level rise are not slow anymore. In fact, they are accelerating rapidly, with devastating consequences already unfolding worldwide.

Ocean waves encroach on a house in North Carolina. Global sea levels are increasing faster than they were 30 years ago. Credit: Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post/Getty.

The concept of “slow risks” refers to dangers that unfold gradually over time, like climate change, biodiversity loss, rising sea levels, and the erosion of public health systems. These risks, once considered distant threats, are accelerating due to compounding factors such as global warming, environmental degradation, and societal apathy.

At Arithmetics of Compassion, we explore the barriers that hinder timely responses to slow-moving crises. The prominence effect, for instance, explains why immediate threats, like economic instability or pandemics, often overshadow slower yet equally catastrophic risks. 

Climate change exemplifies this phenomenon. We now know rising sea levels threaten Pacific Island nations, and once-in-a-century weather events are becoming alarmingly frequent. These changes no longer fit the “slow risk” category—they demand urgent attention and collective action.  But how can we shift our mindset to see these "slow risks" as urgent threats demanding immediate action? 

Here are some tangible actions you can take

Talk about it: Share articles, discuss the urgency with friends and family. This comprehensive tool kit can help you approach this difficult topic.

Contact representatives: Demand sustainable policies from local and national leaders. Your vote counts and can make a difference.

Join a group: Volunteer with environmental or community resilience organizations that work on causes you consider meaningful.

Support research: Donate to or promote organizations studying solutions to problems you are concerned about.

By recognizing the increasing speed of these risks, we can reframe them as urgent and actionable issues. This reframing not only combats apathy but also fosters a sense of collective efficacy—key to addressing complex global challenges before they spiral out of control.

The time to act is now. It's crucial to demand solutions, support sustainable policies, and engage in meaningful collective action that accelerates our response. 

Slow risks are moving faster—let’s ensure our actions do too.