World Economic Forum report: Environmental problems are the biggest global threat

The World Economic Forum released its annual report on the eve of the Davos meeting in Switzerland. In the report on "Global Threats," which was compiled based on the opinions of 750 experts, environmental issues were identified as the greatest threat to the world.

The World Economic Forum survey, released for the 15th time on Wednesday, January 15, asked about the biggest threats facing the world. According to the survey participants, who numbered 750 people, the environment is considered “the most important and biggest global threat” in the long term.

Participants are concerned that environmental problems are jeopardizing the growth and development of the planet.

The main concern of respondents about the threats in the next 10 years is climate change and environmental problems. In part, the report emphasizes: "Climate change will happen more severely and faster than expected. The world has experienced the hottest days on record in the past five years. The world has also experienced the most natural disasters in the past five years."

Another concern among participants in the World Economic Forum’s “Extinction of Various Animal and Plant Species” survey is that the rate of extinction of some animal and plant species is thousands of times higher than the average over the past 10 million years. The report warns that the extinction of animal and plant species will have significant consequences for the world and humanity.

The report also identifies economic and political risks as part of the global threats that reduce the ability of governments and the international community to respond appropriately to widespread environmental damage.

The World Economic Forum report also mentions short-term threats for 2020. In this year's report, economic warfare is ranked at the top of global threats. Domestic conflicts are next in line.

The report highlighted the volatile geopolitical situation this year, criticizing the increasingly one-sided way in which countries view opportunities and threats. It also warned of nationalistic approaches that pay little attention to geopolitical consequences.