World is facing rising risks of climate change, pandemics, oil shocks and terrorism
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-01/11/content_5590309.htm
GENEVA, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- The world is facing rising risks of climate change, pandemics, oil shocks and terrorism, according to a new study released in Geneva on Wednesday.
The "Global Risks 2007" report, published by the World Economic Forum in cooperation with Citigroup, Marsh & McLennan Companies, Swiss Re and the Wharton School Risk Center, said that many core global risks had worsened over the last year, despite growing awareness of their potential impacts.
It warned of "a growing disconnect" between the power of global risks to cause major systemic disruption and the world's ability to mitigate them.
According to the report, climate change is now "one of the defining challenges of the 21st century."
It said climate change could cause severe storms, water shortages or rising sea levels, which would have an impact "far beyond the environment."
"Ineffective mitigation of climate change will almost certainly be a factor in major interstate and civil wars within the next 50 years," the report concluded.
The report also warned of other major threats facing the world, including the possibility of a flu pandemic caused by the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus or other mutated viruses.
The flu pandemic risk has not diminished because an outbreak could occur at any time, it said.
The risk of future terrorist attacks has risen, too, according to the report, which highlighted worsening security situations in Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, etc.
The study also expressed fears of a major terrorist attack on oil tankers, which could severely shock the world's oil market and cause a global recession.
The report said that in addition to specific risk mitigation measures, institutional innovations may be needed to create effective responses to a complex risk landscape.
It suggested two such innovations - the appointment of Country Risk Officers and the creation of flexible "coalitions of the willing" around specific global risk issues, providing crucial momentum to mitigation efforts.
Editor: Mu Xuequan
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-01/11/content_5590309.htm
GENEVA, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- The world is facing rising risks of climate change, pandemics, oil shocks and terrorism, according to a new study released in Geneva on Wednesday.
The "Global Risks 2007" report, published by the World Economic Forum in cooperation with Citigroup, Marsh & McLennan Companies, Swiss Re and the Wharton School Risk Center, said that many core global risks had worsened over the last year, despite growing awareness of their potential impacts.
It warned of "a growing disconnect" between the power of global risks to cause major systemic disruption and the world's ability to mitigate them.
According to the report, climate change is now "one of the defining challenges of the 21st century."
It said climate change could cause severe storms, water shortages or rising sea levels, which would have an impact "far beyond the environment."
"Ineffective mitigation of climate change will almost certainly be a factor in major interstate and civil wars within the next 50 years," the report concluded.
The report also warned of other major threats facing the world, including the possibility of a flu pandemic caused by the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus or other mutated viruses.
The flu pandemic risk has not diminished because an outbreak could occur at any time, it said.
The risk of future terrorist attacks has risen, too, according to the report, which highlighted worsening security situations in Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, etc.
The study also expressed fears of a major terrorist attack on oil tankers, which could severely shock the world's oil market and cause a global recession.
The report said that in addition to specific risk mitigation measures, institutional innovations may be needed to create effective responses to a complex risk landscape.
It suggested two such innovations - the appointment of Country Risk Officers and the creation of flexible "coalitions of the willing" around specific global risk issues, providing crucial momentum to mitigation efforts.
Editor: Mu Xuequan
