As we enter a critical decade that will define our planetary security, two major surveys on the global risks humanity faces have been published just recently. Together these surveys highlight the magnitude and interconnectedness of risks unfolding over the coming years. But what is most striking between these surveys is the wide divergence in the way the two different expert communities surveyed for the respective reports perceive the urgency of key risks (i.e. their likelihood and potential impact). As risk perceptions shape decisions, it’s critical to understand why they diverge and how this diversity can foster collective action.