Understanding Polycrisis: Definitions, Applications, and Responses

Abstract

The term “polycrisis” has broken into the lexicon of a growing circle of academics, policymakers, and the public. Herein, we compare conceptualizations of the term, raising questions about the key aspects of different definitions while stressing a convergence in critical features. We envision a polycrisis as a state in which multiple, macroregional, ecologically embedded, and inexorably interconnected systems face high – and advancing – risk across socioeconomic, political, and other dimensions. We differentiate the term from others widely used, such as cascading disasters, compound disasters, and recurring acute disasters. Further, we locate historical events along a spectrum of such critical moments, concluding with several concrete recommendations for communities seeking to build democratic resilience in the face of these ongoing stressors.

Keywords: Polycrisis, Cascading Disaster, Compound Disaster, Recurring Acute Disaster