These days we get to read many articles and reports about food security and how if the situation is not controlled now, our future generations are most likely to fight over food and water. This is the result of rapid (and I am afraid unplanned) industrialization and the consequent damage done to the climate of the planet. Ironically, the industrialized nations, which happen to be the most developed ones as well, are now lecturing us on this issue, as if it was our fault that the balance of the planetary ecosystem has been damaged almost beyond repair. The developing and underdeveloped countries do understand the problem but they have little or no means to switch to the so-called “environment friendly” methods to keep the wheels of their economy running. As a matter of fact, the greed of the powerful nations has pushed the entire world on the brink of destruction.
The developed countries should first take effective steps to clean the mess that they have created all over the world. The powerful multinational corporations should be barred from colonizing poor countries in the name of investment and fake development that wipe out dense forests and wildlife. The second step that should be taken to save the planet is to place efficient checks and balances on the military-industrial complex and the elements supporting it in the corridors of power. This advice may sound irrelevant but we cannot ignore the fact that wars also contribute to the destruction of resources. In today’s world, most of the wars and conflicts are fueled by vested interests to boost sales of arms and weapons. That is why, conflicts start with no end in sight. The global powers may be shifting their focus from the Middle East when it comes to investment in peace and infrastructure development because they know how to mint money in this region. Sales of arms to the Middle East are far lucrative than making investments in economy. Without ending wars in the world, no efforts to reverse the damage done to the climate and to ensure food security will bear fruit. Peace is necessary for human growth. Without peace in the world, we cannot achieve the goal of sustainable development, as our interests are interlinked. — Tariq Jamal, Jeddah
Wars and food security
