Climate disaster no less a threat than terrorism

The Paris Climate Change Conference (COP21) is a major step in the fight against climate change, and hopes are high across the world that it will lead to a solution T he UAE’s Al Khaleej said world leaders have convened to discuss swift procedures that can be taken to stop global warming, which threatens planet Earth with unprecedented crises. “Alarm bells are going off due to the destructive consequences of global warming, resulting from human activity, particularly in industrialised countries where the combustion of fossil fuels is increasing. The alarm bells are also sounding on the spread of terrorism at a time when attacks are taking place everywhere.

“Terrorism also threatens human civilisation, progress, knowledge and urbanism. COP21 is facing many challenges that threaten the future of mankind. After all, delays are no longer an option when it comes to global warming, as the planet is warming up rapidly and disasters seem to be imminent. Now, it is necessary to put the interests of the people before those of large corporations, to curb the greed of capitalism that spares no thought for the future of the human race and is only concerned with profit and competition. Exposing mankind to such a destructive trend can be likened to a form of terrorism being exercised by industrialised nations and large corporations.”

The relationship is clear between climate change and worsening global conflicts, said London-based Pan-Arab newspaper, Al Quds Al Arabi. “Climate change affects food, health and water security. These are factors that in turn lead to protests, revolutions and refugees. According to experts such as Francois Gemenne from France and Francesca de Chatel from Holland, drought was an influential factor in the Syrian revolution, leading to the migration of more than 800,000 poor farmers. This contributed to the mismanagement of resources, liberalisation of the economy and sudden cancellation of government subsidies. The country failed to address the humanitarian and environmental crisis, which resulted in repressive governmental procedures on protests leading to an unprecedented deterioration in Syria’s security. Rallies against climate change coincided with protests in the United Kingdom and Spain against their participation in air strikes against Syria. Similar events had occurred prior to the United States-UK attack on Iraq, a crisis that was the prologue to security and climate disasters, which is reflected now in the ill-fated correlation between terrorism and climate crises that are now occurring around the world.

Qatar’s Al Sharq said global warming is an important and worrisome issue, which requires reaching an agreement that includes commitments to help curb global temperature rises. “Qatari Emir Shaikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani and other world leaders participating in COP21 are looking to come to an international agreement on combatting climate change. It is a matter of vital importance that can only be achieved through the determination of all countries. COP21 is like a diplomatic demonstration, presenting a massive opportunity to contemplate ways for combating climate change ... Many people around the world are counting on the participating countries, civil institutions and relevant international environmental organisations partaking in this historic conference to turn pledges into a new agreement. It is also important to address the issue of climate finance policies in developing countries, as industrialised nations pledged to provide $100 billion per year ... by 2020,” the newspaper said.