The intense ‘heat dome’ and rainfall events in North America, Central Europe and China have been overwhelming. German Chancellor Angela Merkel called the scale of flood damage “surreal”. President Xi Jinping labelled “extremely severe” the implications of one year’s rain falling in Henan province over three days. But no one should consider these as a shock. The events are in line with scientific warnings. Leaders must expect and plan for even greater extremes.

Why do decision-makers consistently make such poor judgements? Why don’t they realise the huge costs, both financial and human? And what can they do to make better decisions? Those are the questions behind a new book called Noise, A Flaw in Human Judgement.

It is time to unleash human potential to new levels so that we can address the dual looming challenges of the pandemic and the climate emergency. Mikael Trolle says the only way to do that is to totally transform the prevailing leadership model.

The past year brought and accelerated great challenges. It also taught us a great deal on what a new way of leading needs to look like. The B Team CEO Halla Tomasdottir lists new positives after a year from hell.

All countries are facing the long ascent. We are joined by a single rope. We are only as strong as the weakest climbers. They will need help on the way up. The path ahead is clouded with extraordinary uncertainty. Faster progress on health measures, such as vaccines and therapies could speed up the ascent. But it could also get worse.