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In this interview from Rotman Magazine, the Wharton risk expert states that the hallmarks of the 21st century will likely be more and more unthinkable events, previously-unseen contexts, and pressure to react extremely quickly - even when we cannot predict the cascading impact of our actions. He explains the important role of 'creeping risks' and describes the three top risks for 2010, as outlined in his report for the World Economic Forum: underinvestment in infrastructure; fiscal crises; and chronic disease. In the end, he explains one of the key ironies of living in an interconnected world: that being selfish today means taking care of others.

In this interview, the director of Wharton's Center for Risk and Decision Sciences explains why the private sector must take a leadership role in assuring a safer environment, and how our increasing interconnectedness breeds risk. The interview touches on 'extreme-event preparedness' and how security will soon become a marketing argument. The time has come to get creative, says Kerjan, and a first step is to acknowledge that the challenges of large-scale risks have become vital strategy and policy issues for major stakeholders - firms, governments, non-governmental organizations and the media. The key, he says, might lie in the ability to imagine and act more collaboratively, as the 9/11 Commission report made very clear.