Image Credit: David Salik A morning in Washington D.C. January 2020
The annual gathering of thought leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland has generated debates on development-related issues from capitalism to climate change.
President Donald Trump, as leader of the largest world economy, and renowned Swedish teenage activist Greta Thunberg appeared to be poles apart on the effects of climate change as the world wondered at Australian fires, cold weather in South Asian and a warm January in Eastern U.S. with mercury crossing 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
While Trump appreciated the new initiative to plant a trillion trees 1t.0rg, he was categorical in rejecting what he called the prophets of doom on development.
But several world leaders and activists issued red hot warnings on implications of natural disasters which scientists say are a direct result of environmental degradation and global warming.
A divided world procrastinates but climate change waits for none
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres came up with a stark assessment.
“We will be destroyed by climate change, not the planet. This will be for us a clear indication that we absolutely need to change course.”
“Humankind has declared a war on nature and nature is striking back in a very violent way,” Guterres added.
Britain’s Prince Charles also addressed the issue:
“Global warming, climate change and the devastating loss of biodiversity are the greatest threats humanity has ever faced.”
New report warns climate change is harder and faster than predicted
The debate comes as the World Economic Forum pitches a new initiative 1t.org, which supports the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration 2021-2030, led by UNEP and FAO.
1t.org offers a platform for leading governments, businesses, civil society and ecopreneurs committed to serving the global trillion trees community, the WEF says on the initiative website.
The global warming warnings have gotten louder in the wake of reports that the planet has experienced its hottest years on record in the last decade and 2019 was the second hottest year.
Ali Imran is a Washington-based journalist, who has worked for leading world news organizations as a correspondent, expert and in editorial positions. He is a published author and poet.
