Australians are feeling overwhelmed. The term “polycrisis” describes what many of us are experiencing. First coined in the 1970s, it describes the coming together of multiple crises, and the way in which these crises interact and worsen one another. The whole is worse than the sum of the parts. (polycrisis.org)
Permacrisis” was the Collins Dictionary’s 2022 Word of the Year – referring to an extended period of instability and insecurity. Not only are there many crises, but they seem to be the ‘new normal’.
We invited Australians to pick their top three most important global challenges facing the world today. In 2025, the top global concerns for Australians were: war and conflict, followed by economic insecurity, climate change and political instability.
Compared to 2024, more Australians are now concerned about political instability - which jumped 12 percentage points - as well as war, and economic insecurity. One respondent said, "I feel pretty bleak about the future of the planet and humanity. It's hard not to be looking at the daunting climate research and rising global political instability.”
This isn’t just about fear—it’s about fatigue. The constant barrage of bad news makes us feel powerless. But hope isn’t passive. It’s defiant. It’s the refusal to give in.
Psychologists remind us that a growing body of research suggests that if you want to cultivate positive change—in yourself, others, or society—restoring hope is a vital first step. Maybe this starts by naming the crisis—then deciding to respond.
