Climate change
China Daily  Updated: 2005-02-28 06:46

What is the greatest threat to the world? Terror networks or climate change and poverty?

The Worldwatch Institute thinks the answer is clear. Climate change, in part man-made, could threaten all our lives, or at least result in major changes in population patterns and economies. Poverty and disease undermines society and development.

It is not hard to agree with Worldwatch's analysis.

But at the same time, the analysis seems somewhat oversimplified, placing an artificial division between fighting terrorism and fighting climate change and poverty.

The al-Qaida terror network did not emerge because of poverty, even though lack of development and oppression provide fertile ground for fanaticism and terrorism. Good government based on democratic values is a precondition for solving big problems. It is also a precondition for reducing the terror threat, which could lead to reduced military spending.

International co-operation is the only way forward.

Excerpts from Aftenposten, Norway.

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