Risks of addressing vs. ignoring our biggest societal problems: When and how moon shots make sense

Recent press reports as well as casual observations suggest we have serious societal problems, with most of them being addressed insuciently, or even being ignored. From the almost apocalyptic problems of war and famine in the South Sudan, to the disruption of Rocky Mountain ecosystems in North America and the uncontrolled population growth in many parts of the world, large-scale problems and their associated risks are threatening human societies. In recognition of these problems, the United Nations recently has set new goals in several critical areas related to sustainability, including: •Global poverty, health, and safety; •Education, food, water, and energy; •Climate sustainability; •Equality across people and countries.

Duke Scholars

Author Sim B. Sitkin Fuqua School of Business