WEF warns: These crises could be our way in coming years “Putin adopts military strategy from Stalin”

Corona pandemic, wars and inflation – in recent years, several crises have come to a head worldwide, causing problems for the world’s population. In order to respond quickly to such problems, good preparatory work is important – so it helps to look into the future and try to recognize which crises may threaten humanity in the coming years.

Exactly this vision is one of the tasks of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos. Each year, about a thousand experts are surveyed on this subject and the “Global Risk Report” is drawn up on the basis of the results. In this way, possible crises in the short and long term must be identified at an early stage. The report will be published shortly before the annual meeting (this year from 16 to 20 January). The aim is to stimulate discussion and proposed solutions during the summit meeting.

On Wednesday, the WEF published this year’s “Global Risk Report.” In the short term, trends in many areas are cause for concern, but in the long term the focus is on one problem in particular: the climate crisis. An overview.

environment

The WEF expects climate change to become an even bigger problem in the next two years. Natural disasters and extreme weather conditions in particular are assessed as realistic and threatening in the report.

The long-term outlook is even more critical: the four problems considered particularly threatening are all related to climate. According to the WEF, the starting position is clear: “It is the risks for which we are least prepared.” The difference between what needs to be done to reach net zero and what actually seems achievable at a political level is too great.

The WEF thus paints a pessimistic picture: one in which no progress, but even setbacks are to be expected. “The growing demand for resources will reduce the speed and scope of efforts over the next two years,” the report’s authors expect. In addition, there is a lack of support for countries that are increasingly confronted with the consequences of climate change.

Company

In the short term, the WEF sees one social problem in particular as a major risk: the crisis in the cost of living. The world’s population would already be in it, but the peak is yet to come. In addition, many experts see the increasingly crumbling social cohesion as a danger. These are mainly countries with a strong polarization of the political culture.

The experts are also concerned about involuntary mass migration – in the short term, but especially in the long term. This is expected to be exacerbated by other issues such as climate change or wars.

geopolitics

Geopolitically, the WEF sees one problem in particular: geo-economic confrontations such as trade wars. The experts assume that economic interests in both the short and long term will be the main reason for international confrontations.

The problems are expected to worsen over time: “However, the recent increase in military spending and the proliferation of new technologies to a wider range of actors could trigger a global arms race in new technologies,” he said. the report. This can result in new weapons that may be even more destructive. It is all the more important that transnational arms control mechanisms adapt to avoid escalations.

technology

The experts surveyed see some opportunities for improvement in the technological field. Technological advancements are expected to be made in areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and biotechnology. Countries that can afford such technologies will be better able to deal with some crises, the report said. For example, dealing with new health threats, food security and climate protection can benefit from this.

But technological development also entails dangers, especially in countries where the latest developments cannot be afforded. The WEF warns, among other things, of an increase in disinformation. However, cyber crime and cyber insecurity are considered a particularly high risk. The experts expect increasing attacks on key resources and services such as water, transportation and public safety.

(dab)