Impact Trust • Working glossary
Cascading impacts / orders of impact
The chain of effects that ripple outward from an initial change – first-order (direct), second-order (indirect consequences), third-order (systemic shifts) – often across different domains.
Details
Our Take
Closely related to, but broader than cascading risk -it includes intentional design, not just hazard. Useful when designing interventions that aim to trigger positive cascades. Unlike 'cascading risk,' this framing includes positive cascades and deliberate intervention design.
Examples of Use
Horizon 2045, systems analysis
Typical everyday wording
The chain reaction - what happens next and then after that ...
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