WOULD THE WORLD EVER BE STABLE AND INCLUSIVE?

According to a report prepared by the United Nations World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) 2023, world output growth would decelerate significantly. It is now projected to be 1.9 percent from previously estimated 3.0 percent. The whole world has suffered from some interconnected events with negative implications on the lives of nations and individuals. Almost all these severe and mutually reinforcing shocks were totally or partially preventable. A grave pandemic Covid 19 was treated more as administrative rather than medical emergency. Despite tall claims and except for Sweden, all governments across the world acted either under panic or arrogance and many of their leaders even suggested laughable measures to fight the virus.

As though this pandemic was not enough, Western world started playing regional politics the moment the wounds of the viral attack started healing a bit. Europe suggested that Ukraine be part of the European union and then become a member of Nato - the strategic military alliance mainly targeted at the Union of Soviet Socialist Republic of yester years now represented by Russia. President Putin of Russia responded by attacking Ukraine with full force. The war which was expected to be over in less than a week is still going on even after one year of its beginning. This war and viral pandemic caused food price inflation because of logistic issues created by war. Superimposed on food shortage was the energy crisis due to restrictions on Russian gas and crude. As though all this was not enough, debt tightening, early global recession, joblessness and climatic issues all contributed to making life very difficult for many people.

We are living in the midst of a unique crisis - Cost-of-living crisis. We are watching people traveling to misery - from autocratic, repressive and corrupt regimes of Islamic countries to Europe. Religion has always been used as a tool to power by the unscrupulous but this phenomenon is more blatant now. Viewed closely, there is nothing spiritual in any religion. It is all about politics and big money. The claims of enlightenment through religion are bogus and deceptive. Religious hatred, infighting and persecution is the main cause of penury and migration amongst the majority of nations. Migration is not easy, so many people die in the perilous journey and majority of them live a life of partial slavery for the rest of their life.

Biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse are two other fast emerging crises upon whom least attention is being paid. Floods and famine would keep inflation high. As the public is living under significant debt and supply chain related high food prices, stagnation and socio-economic turmoil may put life to extreme stress for most of the population. Whenever geopolitics takes precedence over economics, danger of multi-domain conflicts starts appearing on horizon. So much happens so rapidly that human lives become least precious.

Amid all this negativity, great thing are happening in the field of technology. Quantum computing, artificial intelligence, 3D printing on 4D printer and blockchain technology would create an entirely new world in practical life. But these are costly technologies that not all countries can afford. For those who can buy them, these newer technologies would solve, party or fully, health care, food supply chain logistics, climatic and security issues. But they also have some major side effects also. Misinformation might spread very widely and even more faster than the present social media. Technology has brought ugly side of society to the fore. Many blue- and whitecollor jobs may also disappear.

As societies grow, multiple domains start affecting life. Because of this multiplicity, polycrises start accelerating . To combat these crises geopolitical cooperation is essential otherwise multiple disasters would become inevitable. The world is entering into four types of shortages, that of water, food, minerals and metals. These shortages would create great difficulties for human life. To create a resilient, stable and inclusive world, global consensus should emerge on all these four almost possible shortages because that requires a major shift in the way people live. For a long period of time we have forgotten that we reap what we sow. Rapid, uncontrolled and unnecessary consumerism has greatly destroyed so many natural resources for non-productive uses like war and luxury

To develop human capital, greater global investment would be required in the near future before climatic changes cause irreversible damage to the planet. The requirement of money can be huge and would not be possible to mobilize without international contribution and cooperation. Could it be possible to bring warring and competing forces together for a cause to save life on earth? People commit murder and suicide to satisfy their ego. There is a great dearth of visionary leadership across the globe. Most of the prominent leaders of dominant countries seem to be completely indulged in saving their own position in their respective country. They appear to be oblivious of looming water and food shortages and even if they are, their actions do not reflect their genuine concern. A one year widespread rain deficit is all that can bring unmanageable disaster.

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL

DR RAMAVTAR SHARMA The writer is a Physician and Columnist