WFSW Appeal for Peace and Cooperation
WFSW APPEAL FOR PEACE, DISARMAMENT AND COOPERATION TO MAKE
POSSIBLE A VIABLE FUTURE FOR HUMANITY ON PLANET EARTH
The risk of a possible outbreak of an all-out nuclear war cannot be excluded, with dire consequences for the sustainability of life on Earth, with the possible exception of the most primitive life forms. Assuming the current real eventuality of such a disaster, we appeal to all Scientific Workers to, freely and seriously, engage in a debate on the roots of the threat, and on the measures that should be taken to avoid it.
At present, active armed conflicts exist in different parts of the world, with about fifty states involved. These conflicts are causing extreme suffering in millions of civilians, the refugees among them, and hundreds of thousands of civilian deaths. Severe destruction of infrastructures is, in all cases, a major source of concern. In particular, fighting in the vicinity of nuclear power plants that put its integrity at risk may lead to long-term and wide-ranging consequences for human life and the environment as a whole. A particularly grievous consequence of such conflicts, raging in some cases for decades, is the forced displacement of people. Wars in Sudan and in the Democratic Republic of the Congo forced displacements of about 14 million people, and several millions in Gaza and Ukraine, among others. In this context it is necessary to point out that serious violations of international humanitarian and human rights law are common in most current armed conflicts.
When dealing with imminent threats it is obligatory to point out that in our days, climate change, at play in different scenarios —global warming, ocean acidification, melting of glaciers, etc.— is also a main cause of more socio-political instability. It becomes a new source of conflicts, and a cause, as war-fighting, of forced displacements, deprivation and premature death. The contribution of the military to greenhouse gas emissions is estimated as being about 5.5 % of the total, including direct use of military equipment in war theatres, routine maintenance and operation of bases, arms industry, and extraction of the raw materials used by that industry. And, last but not least, emissions resulting from the reconstruction work of many civilian facilities destroyed.
Weapon production and wars are incompatible with the success of climate change mitigation efforts. Success will depend on substituting fierce competition for cooperation. It cannot be the result of isolated measures taken by individual powers. The same is true of peace-building efforts.
On the other hand, the survival of human beings also depends on a radical social transformation. It becomes urgent the transition from the today’s economic system, based on profit race, towards another model which introduces ecological and social justice abolishing war and injustice.
One thing is certain: following the path defined by pursuing “business as usual” —which includes war— is in itself an existential threat to humanity. Survival will depend on radical societal changes towards a more equitable wealth distribution, abolishing war, and establishing peace.
The WFSW appeals to scientific workers as concerned responsible citizens to participate in bringing about the utmost necessary social changes.
WFSW – Huzhou, August 16th, 2024
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Graphic Composition: OTC, Portugal
Portuguese version: https://otc.pt/wp/2024/10/16/apelo-a-paz-e-cooperacao-fmtc/
Pdf document, EN: 96CE-22ENWG1-Declaration_IS240909-241016
