People must find hope, energy to save world 
The weight and echo of environment depletion is overwhelming.
Hope has often been a trusted companion but predictions about the state of the planet and environment keep getting revised as the situation worsens.
Earth’s constant degradation is occurring in full view.
There has been a titanic shift, the significance of which has not been properly acknowledged. Instead of discussing the changes that could still be made to regain control of climate change and environmental degradation, scientists now speak about how to adapt to a worsening situation and, at best, do some light damage control.
Despair is now more prevalent than hope. The world’s poorest people have already lost hope and the energy to get by. This is an important phenomenon.
Smart and rational people need to start considering what it means to lose hope.
It is clear that weather conditions have worsened and natural disasters such as floods, forest fires, and hurricanes are more commonplace.
Options today are indeed limited, but perhaps from within the dust cloud of confusion and despair there may emerge a realization of the need to work together.
Hassan bin Youssef Yassin
As arable land is lost, weather conditions intensify, and temperatures rise, harvests are failing more frequently, and fresh water supplies are becoming depleted in many parts of the world.
Just a few years ago it was difficult to imagine such a world and yet many people now do not have the energy to fully come to terms with what is unfolding before their eyes.
The dark predictions are intensifying, extinguishing that familiar companion of hope.
It is a new situation to overcome, but I believe the human race can find the energy to create a new force to recognize the damage and dangers present today and act quickly.
It has happened after wars — in the darkest of days before the tide started to turn and the light began to re-emerge.
Wars, incidentally, have lost almost any justification today. Even at best, they no longer provide any gains, only burdens.
A victor in war becomes saddled not only with its heavy costs, but also the responsibility to rebuild and to provide the necessary conditions for recovery.
Options today are indeed limited, but perhaps from within the dust cloud of confusion and despair there may emerge a realization of the need to work together.
This must begin by resolving outstanding disputes and giving countries the opportunity and support to resolve issues withing necessary timeframes.
At a time when hope is being lost, the world must put an end to conflict and dispute. Through comprise and change, I believe there is still a chance of regaining the hope that has been lost.
• Hassan bin Youssef Yassin worked closely with Saudi petroleum ministers Abdullah Tariki and Ahmed Zaki Yamani from 1959 to 1967. He headed the Saudi Information Office in Washington from 1972 to 1981 and served with the Arab League observer delegation to the UN from 1981 to 1983.
