I believe it was former US Presidents Kennedy then Richard Nixon that pointed out what the Chinese of have known for a long time :  "CRISIS" which is made up of two other characters (as the self-help gurus would say) ; "DANGER" AND "OPPORTUNITY". 
Alas.... its not exactly what the self-help gurus would have you think.  This is akin to saying there is actually hot DOG meat in a hotDOG.... (although I wouldn't be too sure in some establishments)
So if someone were to say so & so was in a "crisis" they might be misguided to deduce that there was danger AS WELL AS OPPORTUNITY in that situation... it could just as well mean a double emphasis of "you are so dead..."
The choice of components/radicals that make up "Crisis" remain Interesting; Remember that the Chinese written language is pictorial at its core.  (I don't know about phonetics as I'm one of those "banana" Chinaman (yellow outside, white inside) ) BUT! This much I DO know.
A written pictorial language would mean that at some point in history particular symbols or pictures were common knowledge; recognised by all, understood by all and accepted by all. (think of the walk/don't walk symbols at a traffic light)
Abstract thought, pictorially depicted, would have most likely recorded something or someone in particular circumstances, IN ACTION. ( As opposed to INACTION ) In light of the gloomy economic crisis it is time for us to WEIGH THE DANGER but also to PURSUE APPROPRIATE ACTION in the coming days.
Perhaps the way to go & the actions to take come in shades of orange & green (sunny sustainability!)   They are for me, I hope they will be for you too.   Have a great day!