Polycrisis ObservatoryPRESSURE, EXPOSURE & RECOVERY
Explore the polycrisisEvidence edition loading

When the next shock arrives before recovery.

Disruptions draw down the reserves that sustain daily life. Trace the pressure across connected systems and test how timing and investment change recovery.

Explore the recovery problem

Pressure travels through connections.
Recovery depends on what remains in reserve.

Six connected domainsSelect a domain to follow its evidence

Conceptual transmission map. Select a domain to explore its observed data.

THE CENTRAL QUESTION

How much room
is left to recover?

Overlapping disruptions compete for the same reserves. Recovery depends on the pressure that accumulates and the capacity available for repair.

Start with the observed record. Adjust the scenario controls to isolate the effects of shock timing and transmission. Use the household calculator to examine monthly exposure, then track forecasts against their deadlines.

ShockA new demand on the systemReserve usedCash, capacity or time absorbs itRepair unfinishedThe next shock arrives
01 / OBSERVED DATACoverage loading

Read the signals.
Follow the change.

Compare dated observations in their original units, with source records and historical context.

Observed data

Historical rank locates each value within its reference series. Higher percentiles indicate a more adverse position in that series.

Data definitions and methods
02 / RECOVERY SCENARIOSSCENARIO MODEL

Give recovery
room to work.

Run the same shocks through connected and isolated systems. Then add reserves and investment to see what changes.

Scenario model

Compare stress, reserves and recovery under the assumptions you set. Stress uses relative model units; reserves use a percentage of capacity.

START WITH

Three shocks, then recovery over five or ten years.

SET THIS DOMAIN'S CONDITIONS

Energy

THE SAME SHOCKS. DIFFERENT CAPACITY.

Stress over time

Stress transmission onStress transmission offAdded reserves & investment

Connections are the only difference between the connected and isolated runs. The restored run adds reserves and recovery investment.

Drag to inspect the domain states below
AT MONTH 36

The reserve beneath the stress

Select a domain to inspect its modeled stress, remaining reserve and repair load.

FOLLOW THE MONTHLY CHAIN

How pressure travels

ONE SMALL CHANGE. THE SAME SHOCKS.

Compare a small change

Energy

Current settingsWith the small change

Mean pressure across six domains. Higher numbers mean more pressure; use the scale to compare scenarios.

Where the difference remains

Try the same change with different reserves

Each pair keeps its own starting conditions and shock schedule fixed while applying the selected change.

Scenario assumptions and metric definitions
03 / HOUSEHOLD EXPOSURESCENARIO MODEL

Protect the margin.
Measure the impact.

The same price shock reaches households with different margins.

Set a starting budget and apply price changes. Calculate the monthly balance and how long cash reserves cover a recurring deficit.

Apply current U.S. CPI annual changes for energy, food at home and shelter to your budget.

The starting budget

The three component shares must fit inside total essential spending. Any remainder is held constant.

The change to absorb

THE MONTHLY BALANCE

Your budget stays in this browser.

Budget assumptions and calculations

Starting values are editable assumptions. Income and expenses use the currency units you enter. Energy, food and housing shares sit within total essential spending; the remaining share stays constant.

Monthly balance equals adjusted take-home income less adjusted essential expenses. Cash reserve equals the chosen months of starting essential expenses. For a negative monthly balance, reserve cover equals that reserve divided by the monthly deficit. A positive balance leaves the reserve intact under the selected inputs.

The calculation holds tax treatment, interest, spending behavior and expense timing constant. The observed-price option applies matching annual changes from aggregate U.S. CPI series; shelter CPI measures aggregate housing costs. Your own income and budget remain the household inputs.

04 / DATED FORECASTSJUDGMENT FORECAST

Make the call.
Track the result.

See what we expect, why it matters and what to watch. Every call has a deadline and a clear test.

Judgment forecast
Forecast confidence reflects judgment.

How we check forecasts

Each call records an estimate at a specific date. The original statement and check rule stay attached to that record. At the deadline, the result is checked against the rule set when the call was made.