The threat we face from high-stakes risk has never been higher. These challenges include environmental pollution, fragile financial systems and the threat of widespread geopolitical violence. This book suggests that a return to natural risk levels -- those in accordance with naturally occurring background levels -- is both desirable and achievable.

This book identifies the pitfalls of applying precautionary strategies to high-stakes risks that have already become entrenched. Precaution must be applied on a precautionary basis, considering alternative paths to progress that maintain natural risk levels. This requires a radical rethinking of the way we define and achieve progress.

Dealing with high-stakes risk potentials is dependent on getting to grips with easy to understand, yet difficult to apply, criteria for decision. With a fresh, honest approach, this book shows why scientific assessments of catastrophic risk based on averages don't work, and sets the stage for making the tough choice between precaution and fatalism.