Catastrophe

...In his speech, Obama said time was running out to address the problem. "Our generation's response to this challenge will be judged by history, for if we fail to meet it — boldly, swiftly, and together — we risk consigning future generations to an irreversible catastrophe," he said. "The time we have to reverse this tide is running out." source by USAtoday

OMG my English also risked to an irreversible catastrophe too.