1. Fractal poverty traps US: short-term income losses push poor below a poverty line for a relatively brief period of time. “New poor” are generated elsewhere. African nations: persistent poverty. Over time, little change.

2. Fractal poverty traps Persistent poverty at household, community, national and international scales. Individual: without good health, you can’t do work. Without work, you cant afford healthcare Household: without childcare, you miss work. Without work, you can’t afford child care. Community: without pooling resources, can’t create childcare center. Without childcare… National: without tax base, can’t engage in job-creation programs. Without jobs… International: economy based on natural resources creates over-harvesting.

3. Fractal poverty traps: harmful positive feedback is nested at multiple scales