Global Shield's Newsletter

Global Shield's Newsletter focuses on providing insights into global catastrophic risks, discussing policy, news, and research aimed at understanding, preventing, and managing existential threats to humanity. It covers a range of topics from AI, nuclear risks, climate change, and pandemics to governance and international cooperation for risk mitigation.

Global Catastrophic Risks Policy and Governance Artificial Intelligence Nuclear Risks Climate Change Pandemics and Biosecurity Global Cooperation Risk Assessment and Management Emerging Technologies Environmental Risks

The hottest Substack posts of Global Shield's Newsletter

And their main takeaways

Global Shield Briefing (23 October 2024)

59 implied HN points • 23 Oct 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change Environmental Policy Global Risks Sustainability
  1. Many countries are focusing on improving civil defense. This means everyone from the government to local communities needs to work together to be prepared for emergencies.
  2. Climate change is making existing global threats worse. Problems like pandemics and geopolitical tensions are now linked to changes in the climate.
  3. People need to listen actively to warnings about risks. If the audience isn't ready or willing to hear these messages, the warnings may not help at all.

Global Shield Newsletter (20 December 2023)

79 implied HN points • 20 Dec 23
  1. Global risk reports provide insight on potential threats like climate change, cyber threats, and pandemics.
  2. Risk assessment must consider vulnerabilities and the spectrum of consequences across different scenarios.
  3. Governments should turn global risk assessments into actionable plans to reduce risks and protect against catastrophic events.

Global Shield Newsletter (22 November 2023)

79 implied HN points • 22 Nov 23
  1. Volcanic risk requires improved assessment and all-hazards policy solutions.
  2. US-China relations impact global catastrophic risk and cooperation is necessary.
  3. Global Shield is recruiting for a Senior Officer role to support future growth.

Global Shield Newsletter (9 November 2023)

79 implied HN points • 09 Nov 23
  1. Convergent risks are when two threats interact, potentially leading to catastrophic outcomes.
  2. It's important to explore convergent risks as they shape prioritization and encourage multidisciplinary engagement.
  3. Tackling convergent risks requires a holistic approach and balanced policy strategies.

Taking an all-hazards approach to global catastrophic risk

99 implied HN points • 30 Aug 23
  1. Global catastrophic risk encompasses threats that can harm human wellbeing worldwide.
  2. An all-hazards approach to GCR involves addressing all potential risks holistically.
  3. Policies for all-hazards GCR need to focus on risk understanding, prevention, preparedness, response, communication, collaboration, and governance.
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Global Shield Briefing (24 January 2024)

39 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
  1. The importance of conducting thorough risk assessments for global catastrophic risks
  2. The impact of regional conflicts on global catastrophic risks
  3. The role of intelligence agencies in assessing and addressing global catastrophic risks

Global Shield Newsletter (11 October 2023)

59 implied HN points • 11 Oct 23
  1. Great power cooperation is crucial to reduce global catastrophic risk
  2. Building democratic resilience is key for handling global catastrophic risk
  3. Learning from global pandemic responses can inform preparedness for all-hazard scenarios

GCR Policy Newsletter (24 July 2023)

79 implied HN points • 24 Jul 23
  1. UNSC discussed AI's impact on global peace & security, stressing need for governance
  2. Netflix and FLI highlight risks of military AI use and call for human control
  3. Congress debates bills to address pandemic threats from engineered pathogens

Global Shield Newsletter (27 September 2023)

59 implied HN points • 27 Sep 23
  1. Climate change is just one part of a broader environmental risk that could lead to global catastrophic outcomes.
  2. National security must focus on the risks and benefits of emerging technologies like AI and biotechnology to prevent catastrophic threats.
  3. Science plays a crucial role in shaping policy and addressing risks from emerging technologies like biotechnology.

GCR Policy Newsletter (5 September 2022)

158 implied HN points • 05 Sep 22
  1. Limited nuclear war can have catastrophic impacts, leading to massive casualties.
  2. Australia and New Zealand may be more vulnerable to sun-reducing catastrophes like nuclear winter due to reliance on trade and energy supply.
  3. Understanding worst-case climate change scenarios and building psychological infrastructure to manage existential threats are crucial policy considerations.

GCR Policy Newsletter (20 March 2023)

79 implied HN points • 20 Mar 23
  1. The governance of existential risk needs reform at both international and national levels.
  2. National risk assessments should be upgraded to include global catastrophic risks.
  3. UN system and national governments need to dedicate more resources to addressing existential risks.

GCR Policy Newsletter (22 January 2023)

79 implied HN points • 23 Jan 23
  1. The Three Lines of Defense model could help manage AI risks better in companies.
  2. Integration of AI into nuclear systems could impact nuclear stability and require international norms.
  3. Government Chief Risk Officers and clearer accountabilities across government may help reduce global catastrophic risks.

GCR Policy Newsletter (10 July 2023)

39 implied HN points • 10 Jul 23
  1. Reducing global catastrophic risk requires viewing the risk as an integrated set of complex threats and vulnerabilities
  2. Any potential comprehensive research program on geoengineering must encompass societal and scientific dimensions
  3. Policymakers must grapple with the complexity and uncertainty around geoengineering, as having no policy on it is itself a policy choice

Global Shield Newsletter (7 December 2023)

19 implied HN points • 07 Dec 23
  1. Global catastrophic risk (GCR) policies can benefit from expanding existing successful efforts like planetary defense.
  2. Research and multilateral efforts are ongoing to address GCR, but challenges remain in addressing these risks holistically.
  3. Engaging member states and institutions in multilateral discussions can help shape global policies to manage catastrophic risks effectively.

GCR Policy Newsletter (26 June 2023)

39 implied HN points • 26 Jun 23
  1. Policy efforts focus on addressing global catastrophic risks like nuclear launch control and biological threats.
  2. Media highlights the importance of addressing nuclear weapons risks and the potential for terrorist activities to cause human extinction.
  3. Research emphasizes framing catastrophic AI risks for policymakers and securing funding for nuclear winter research and governing AI safety in space.

GCR Policy Newsletter (13 June 2023)

39 implied HN points • 13 Jun 23
  1. Slowing down AI is a topic of concern and debate among experts.
  2. An integrated approach is essential when assessing and reducing global catastrophic risks.
  3. Developing policy based on various risk scenarios is crucial to address potential AI risks.

GCR Policy Newsletter (29 May 2023)

39 implied HN points • 29 May 23
  1. The newsletter focuses on global catastrophic risks and policy efforts to reduce these risks.
  2. Recent research highlights the importance of establishing institutions to guard future generations, though these mechanisms face challenges in achieving their goals.
  3. Experts are discussing the risks posed by various factors like artificial intelligence, climate change, and pandemics, emphasizing the need for proactive policies and solutions.

GCR Policy Newsletter (1 May 2023)

39 implied HN points • 01 May 23
  1. Policy makers need to understand risks of AI development and collaborate globally to avoid catastrophic consequences
  2. A paradigm shift is needed in nuclear weapons policy to address emerging threats and prevent system failures
  3. The current global biosecurity architecture must be strengthened to deter the development and use of bioweapons by states

Global Shield Newsletter (25 October 2023)

19 implied HN points • 25 Oct 23
  1. Global catastrophic risk is closely linked to sustainable development goals and major global priorities.
  2. The risk from catastrophic weapons is increasing due to new technologies, and reducing uncertainty is key to mitigating this risk.
  3. Regional conflicts can escalate to a global catastrophic level, testing new capabilities and diverting attention from other threats.

GCR Policy Newsletter (3 April 2023)

39 implied HN points • 03 Apr 23
  1. Global catastrophic risks like AI, nuclear war, and pandemics require preemptive action
  2. AI ethics focus is more on liberal democracies than developing countries, posing significant risk
  3. Governments need to assess food system vulnerabilities for scenarios like nuclear winter to ensure preparedness

GCR Policy Newsletter (17 October 2022)

59 implied HN points • 17 Oct 22
  1. AI policy should focus on reducing the ability of malevolent actors to develop or access advanced AI systems.
  2. Integrating AI with nuclear systems could mitigate human error, but comes with unique limitations.
  3. Policy-makers need to understand and analyze global catastrophic risks holistically, prioritizing resilience measures.

GCR Policy Newsletter (3 October 2022)

59 implied HN points • 03 Oct 22
  1. Differential technology development can help mitigate catastrophic risks from emerging technologies.
  2. Slowing down AI development could reduce existential risks, but policymakers need to consider the holistic impact on other risks.
  3. Reforming space governance is crucial to address risks associated with space exploration and ensure effective regulation.

GCR Policy Newsletter (6 March 2023)

39 implied HN points • 06 Mar 23
  1. National risk assessments may underestimate or miss global catastrophic risks due to methodological issues.
  2. There is a need to strengthen the connection between science research and policy-making for better decision-making.
  3. Governments should develop advanced hazard models to predict and plan for the impact of asteroid events and other natural disasters.

GCR Policy Newsletter (19 September 2022)

59 implied HN points • 19 Sep 22
  1. Newsletter focuses on global catastrophic risks and policy efforts to reduce them.
  2. Articles highlight the need for regulation and preparation for AI, space risks, and supervolcanoes.
  3. Urges the representation of future generations in climate change decisions.

GCR Policy Newsletter (6 February 2023)

39 implied HN points • 06 Feb 23
  1. Governments need to enhance their understanding of global catastrophic risks by focusing on risk assessment, futures analysis, intelligence and warning, and science and research.
  2. Regulating AI effectively is challenging and requires considering a range of regulatory tactics beyond risk regulation, such as norms, standards, and research and development practices.
  3. To prevent AI from creating biochemical threats, governments should work with scientists to establish guidelines, knowledge-sharing, and controls over AI technologies.
  4. Policy-makers should carefully consider the terms they use to define existential risk in legislation to ensure clear interpretation and avoid politicization.

GCR Policy Newsletter (8 August 2023)

19 implied HN points • 07 Aug 23
  1. Global catastrophic risk from nuclear instability in US-Russia relations is increasing.
  2. Managing nuclear stability requires urgent actions by major nuclear powers.
  3. Mapping and preventing climate tipping points is crucial to reduce catastrophic climate risk.

GCR Policy Newsletter (31 October 2022)

39 implied HN points • 31 Oct 22
  1. President Biden's National Biodefense Strategy focuses on preventing global biological catastrophes
  2. Researchers must consider the policy implications of their work in broader societal and political contexts
  3. Policy efforts should prioritize studying catastrophic scenarios and provide practical recommendations to inform decision-making

GCR Policy Newsletter (15 May 2023)

19 implied HN points • 15 May 23
  1. Developing alternative food sources and climate-resilient crops is crucial for global food system resilience.
  2. Intelligence communities should collaborate to analyze and understand risks of artificial intelligence to mitigate existential threats.
  3. AGI labs need to implement safety and governance practices to ensure responsible development of artificial general intelligence.

GCR Policy Newsletter (17 April 2023)

19 implied HN points • 17 Apr 23
  1. Policy efforts focus on global catastrophic risks like near-Earth objects and AI regulation.
  2. Media highlights include concerns about AI, biosecurity risks, and the need for planetary defense.
  3. Latest research emphasizes the urgency of appropriately regulating high-risk AI to prevent catastrophic effects.

GCR Policy Newsletter (19 December 2022)

19 implied HN points • 19 Dec 22
  1. Global governance is important to address catastrophic risks like climate change and ecological collapse
  2. AI safety research needs more resources and credibility to address short-term risks and potential catastrophic risks posed by superintelligent AI
  3. Joint leadership between great powers is crucial to prioritize existential security and reduce global catastrophic risks

GCR Policy Newsletter (29 November 2022)

19 implied HN points • 29 Nov 22
  1. Global catastrophic risks need a focus on transformative technologies and how they are governed.
  2. Artificial Intelligence poses unprecedented risks, with experts warning of catastrophic outcomes.
  3. Effective policy responses are essential to delay the risk of engineered pandemics and address global catastrophic threats.

GCR Policy Newsletter (14 November 2022)

19 implied HN points • 14 Nov 22
  1. Policy efforts are underway to assess climate interventions and address low probability/high impact scenarios.
  2. National security must anticipate and plan for the risks posed by AI integration with other capabilities.
  3. It is important to build resilience to natural global catastrophic risks and consider messaging around extreme climate change scenarios.

Special announcement: Launching Global Shield

1 HN point • 17 Aug 23
  1. Global Shield is the world's first international advocacy organization focused on reducing global catastrophic risks.
  2. Global Shield collaborates with governments to enact policies that govern and respond to global catastrophes.
  3. The organization is co-founded by Jared Brown, Ariel Conn, and Rumtin Sepasspour, with a focus on an all-hazards approach to global catastrophic risk.

GCR Policy Newsletter (20 February 2023)

0 implied HN points • 20 Feb 23
  1. The US State Department released a Political Declaration on Responsible Military Use of AI and Autonomy
  2. Research indicates seaweed could be a resilient food source in catastrophic scenarios like a nuclear winter
  3. A report suggests aligning AI safety at individual, organizational, national, and global levels for compatibility and conflict prevention

Coming soon

0 implied HN points • 05 Sep 22
  1. Twice-monthly newsletter on global catastrophic risk
  2. Focus on policy efforts to reduce risk worldwide
  3. Includes policy-relevant research from the field

Global Shield Newsletter (13 September 2023)

0 implied HN points • 13 Sep 23
  1. Low-and-middle-income countries are more vulnerable to global catastrophic risk.
  2. High-income countries must support vulnerable countries' resilience to global catastrophic risk.
  3. Governance systems need to focus on shared characteristics of global catastrophic risk to be more effective.