Via Financial Times, we learn that Swiss Re, one of the leading reinsurance companies in the world, says:
“There is a danger that human intervention will accelerate and intensify natural climate changes to such a point that it will become impossible to adapt our socio-economic systems in time.” (emphasis added)
The FT article elaborates:
The report comes as a growing number of policy experts warn that the environment is emerging as the security threat of the 21st century, eclipsing terrorism.
But you figure, what does Swiss Re know, right? Like, where does a reinsurance company get off, you know, predicting the future and, um, whatever? What do they know about these so-called environmental ‘issues’? About the risk of climate change? Natural disasters?
Oh, right.
Our core business segments are: risk transfer, risk finance and asset management.
…
Swiss Re is a recognised expert in the field of risk and capital management.
And…
For Swiss Re, history is more than simply the number of years the company has been in existence. It is the 140-year old bedrock upon which we build and shape our future every day. We see history as an important competitive advantage both in the present and in the future. On the one hand, our history is indicative of our long-standing partnerships with our clients, many of whom have been doing business with us for decades, and, in some cases, for over a century. On the other hand, it represents the experience in which our expertise in risk management is rooted. Large risks, such as earthquakes, are characterised by long return periods of between thirty, fifty and a hundred years, or more. When it comes to this kind of hazard, it pays to have expertise that is based on real experience.
Maybe this is just my heart talking—after all, I’m not exactly up on my risk assessment and all—but I’d say that the human race leading itself into a climatic catastrophe is a pretty damn serious risk.