Expert Q & A | Elizabeth Ferris | February 6, 2013

The Black Swan: The Big Thaw

By: Elizabeth Ferris

Brookings Foreign Policy experts have come together to create a series of policy memos addressing the “big bets”—opportunities to strengthen President Obama’s second term—and “black swans,” the low probability, high-impact events that could derail the administration’s priorities. These were released at a public event on Thursday, January 17. Senior Fellow Elizabeth Ferris says a “Black Swan” is dramatic climate change and how the Obama administration will respond and take leadership in reducing carbon emissions causing global warming.

Download Media

The Black Swan: The Big Thaw

Author

Big Bets & Black Swans

Map to all Big Bets and Black Swans »

Foreign Policy at Brookings Highlights

A protestor raises flags of Portugal, Italy, Greece and Spain in front of the parliament in Syntagma square during a 48-hour strike by the two major Greek workers unions in central Athens November 7, 2012. (Reuters/John Kolesidis)

A monthly newsletter highlighting the events, publications, analysis and commentary from Foreign Policy at Brookings.

Sign up »

More from Brookings

More from Foreign Policy

Foreign Policy ›

Related Research

Related Initiatives