"Scouring the Globe For Emerging Risks" from Bloomberg Businessweek

"Vinay Mistry, a member of the Lloyd's of London Exposure Management team, talks about anticipating risks in some very unusual places

Among emerging natural risks, what are you focusing on?

There's space risks. There is a solar cycle, which is a period of about 11 years. It's the sun having a cycle in terms of how much electromagnetic radiation is emitted. We're entering a period of slightly elevated activity. The peak activity will be seen between 2011 and 2013. Electromagnetic radiation in space could impact satellites, but there are also "on earth" risks to ground stations, in terms of providing electricity for networks or grids that supply power to cities. A widespread, prolonged failure of electricity transmission grids would feel like going back in time to the 17th century."