Prediction and Resolution for the Disasters of Humanity

The twin disasters of war and natural disasters have long inflicted immense grief and sorrow upon humanity. As we step into 2025, the question arises: what will these disasters look like, and how can we resolve them? Experts from diverse fields— science, religion, and Eastern mystical science—offer valuable insights and perspectives on these pressing issues.

VNT writers

January 31, 2025 | 07:12

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Causes

According to the theory of realism, the causes of wars in the modern era include utilitarianism, where countries seek to maximize their power and security, and concerns about security and fear, driven by the lack of a higher authority to ensure national security, causing countries to fear external attacks and act preemptively. Additionally, the ambition for a balance of power plays a significant role.

Prediction and Resolution for the Disasters of Humanity

Ukrainian troops in Bakhmut. (Photo: USA Today)

Malaysian scholar Seda Gözde Tokatlı analyzed the causes of the Russia-Ukraine conflict at three levels: at the personal level, President Putin's strong and tough personality led Russia into the war; at the national level, the historical conflict between Russia and Ukraine, influenced by the ideology and culture of ethnic groups, played a part; and at the system level, the United States' support for NATO expansion to the East threatened Russia's security and lowered its position, prompting Russia to respond.

I Ching scholars, discussing the Russia-Ukraine war, cast the Thuy Loi Truan hexagram, symbolizing stalemate and challenge, while the situation in the Middle East corresponds to the Hoa Loi Phe Hap hexagram, suggesting that prolonged negative energy leads to an uncontrolled explosion.

Buddhist monks believe that the causes of wars are "ignorance," "desire," and "hatred." Ignorance manifests as the misconception that violence can solve problems, leading to clinging to national, religious, or political interests without realizing that violence only increases suffering and loss. This ignorance is also evident in the failure of opposing sides to negotiate peace, as seen in the Israel-Hamas conflict, where attachment to religious and historical values contradicts the very purposes of religion and culture.

Desire, the urge to possess, control, or protect what is considered "one's own," often replaces the true causes of war with flowery concepts in the name of justice and morality, inciting people to protect their "ego" by asserting exclusive ownership and refusing to acknowledge the other side's right to exist. Anger, characterized by hatred, hostility, and the desire to destroy the opponent, obscures wisdom and leads to blind actions and an inability to listen and understand.

Regarding natural disasters, in 2024, Southeast Asia and Southern China experienced Typhoon Yagi, while the United States suffered from forest fires and tropical storm Helene, causing catastrophic damage. Severe drought in South America dried up Brazil's Madeira River, and forest fires ravaged Bolivia, Ecuador, and Portugal. Additionally, Hurricane Boris caused floods in Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia.

Bai Chay tourist area (Quang Ninh province) after storm Yagi passed through on September 9, 2024.

Scientists have identified the main causes of natural disasters as rising ocean temperatures causing ice to melt and sea levels to rise, changing weather patterns, urbanization, deforestation, and insufficiently resilient infrastructure.

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the severity of natural disasters is worsening due to climate change. Factors like changes in rainfall, storms, and temperatures, along with social factors such as land use changes, all contribute to increased flood risks. Wildfires are becoming more frequent, larger, and more intense due to rising temperatures, longer dry seasons, early snowmelt, and strong winds that weaken nature's resistance to fires. Nutrients accumulate after wet periods, leading to rapid vegetation growth, which then dries out during prolonged heat, providing fuel for fires. More frequent lightning strikes also create more opportunities for fires to start earlier and end later.

The I Ching interprets the 2024 floods using the Earth Water Master hexagram, symbolizing chaos when the water element overwhelms the control of the earth. The Fire Thunder Devouring Hexagram explains the massive forest fires and super typhoons as a reaction to excessive human intervention, unleashing pent-up natural energy.

Forecast

According to Uliana Bezpalko and Kateryna Danishevska of RBC-Ukraine, several scenarios could unfold for the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

One possibility is that Moscow does not negotiate, leading the United States to gradually lose interest in the peace process, shift its focus to domestic issues, and reduce aid to Ukraine, resulting in Ukraine losing more territory and the war continues. Another scenario involves Russia pretending to negotiate while prolonging the conflict, gaining more territory, and waiting for Ukraine to exhaust itself. A third scenario envisions the United States greatly increasing aid and arms supplies to Ukraine, enabling Ukraine to shift from defense to offense and improve its negotiating position, potentially leading to the end of hostilities by the end of 2025.

In the Middle East, Jamil Mazen Shaqura and Saif Alislam Eid of Mondoweiss outline three main visions in Israeli society regarding the situation in Gaza.

Rescuers search for victims of flash floods in Nu village, Phuc Khanh commune, Bao Yen district, Lao Cai province.

The far-right envisions resettling in Gaza and completely retaking the area. Another perspective relies on international forces, potentially led by the US and a moderate Arab country like Jordan or Morocco, to monitor Gaza's security. The third vision, proposed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, suggests forming a buffer zone in Gaza, maintaining an Israeli military presence in the Philadelphia corridor along Gaza's border with Egypt, permanently closing the Rafah border crossing, and allowing Israeli forces to move freely in Gaza without a specific deadline. At the same time, this plan involves permanently closing the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees.

These scenarios do not inspire confidence in a trend toward peace or reconciliation at hotspots in 2024.

Theologians predict that in 2025, wars may become even more catastrophic. Natural disasters, which are always latent and accumulating, can only be mitigated if people change, repent, abandon desires, hatred, darkness, and return to nature and the great path of creation and inner life.

According to the I Ching Hexagram yí, the year 2025 carries the fate of a bright lamp shining in the dark night. The opposing elements in the five elements and the forces of yin and yang will move strongly, intertwined between danger and opportunity. The yí Hexagram, combining mountain symbolizing stability, and thunder symbolizing change and fluctuation, suggests that conflicts will increase in 2025.

Natural disasters, caused by an imbalance in the five elements, will see natural energies continue to move strongly. Super typhoons, wildfires, and earthquakes are likely to increase in both frequency and intensity, along with severe droughts and landslides.

Resolutions

According to Jian Junbo, Associate Professor and Deputy Director of the Center for China-EU Relations at Fudan University, ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict requires the international community to uphold two principles: prohibiting the use of nuclear weapons and ensuring security equity. Necessary steps include re-establishing territorial sovereignty according to international law and broad international consensus, avoiding strict adherence to the laws of Russia and Ukraine, and designing comprehensive European security solutions that encompass all of Europe, including Russia. Countries should abandon the concept of "absolute security" and instead strive for common and sustainable security. Additionally, restoring the international economic order involves lifting unilateral sanctions and creating conditions for countries to restore economic and trade relations with Russia.

Regarding natural disasters, US researcher Leila Mead emphasizes the need for the world to develop response scenarios, early warning systems, and protect and restore wetlands, which help absorb floodwaters, cool them, and improve water quality. Countries must invest in infrastructure capable of withstanding extreme weather, enhance public education on disaster preparedness, and vigorously implement measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including the use of renewable energy, improved energy efficiency, and adopting sustainable lifestyle changes.

Based on the yí hexagram, the I Ching advises that to resolve major disasters, we must harmonize the five elements and build natural and social balance. In 2025, the Fire element is strong, necessitating the adjustment of other elements to regulate or restrain Fire. Promoting Wood to control Fire helps it burn evenly without flaring up violently, which can be achieved by planting forests, protecting natural resources, and building sustainable development policies. Using Earth to control Fire suggests increasing investment in disaster prevention systems, building solid infrastructure, and establishing stable social mechanisms to minimize conflicts. Strengthening Metal to support Water, as Metal generates Water and Water extinguishes Fire, indicates the need to develop modern technologies, particularly renewable energy and climate monitoring systems, to mitigate the negative impacts of natural disasters.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees provides medical services to people in Deir al-Balah, Palestine.

In addition, establishing yin-yang harmony in international relations is crucial. Countries need to engage in peace talks and strengthen international cooperation. Stability within communities is also vital for overcoming crises. Families and communities should build social support networks, unite and share resources, and prepare for unexpected situations. Maintaining a spirit of harmony, practicing compassion, avoiding anger (a characteristic of Fire), and fostering cooperation is essential.

Finally, promoting the nature of blessing fire—a bright lamp in the dark, providing a guiding light—is necessary in 2025. We should honor the leadership of individuals and organizations with vision and take specific actions to guide us through challenging times.

The year 2025 is filled with turmoil but also presents a significant opportunity for humanity to restore balance in their relationship with nature and society.

Christian researchers offer a more optimistic assessment of current disasters. In the face of catastrophic war, where many are driven to despair, it is a time for souls to return to the values given by God, who always wants people to preserve these values. When people live according to God's words, peace will come. Natural disasters serve as a reminder from God for people to awaken to coexistence with nature. Both types of disasters present opportunities for charity, love, solidarity, and humility to be awakened within each person and humanity as a whole.

Many priests propose specific solutions derived from the Bible, such as practicing simple and frugal living to reduce environmental pressure and align with God's will. Wars and natural disasters harm the poor and vulnerable the most, so mechanisms and policies should focus on them before the disaster passes. God said that with human repentance, wars and natural disasters will cease, bringing eternal harmony and happiness.

Zen masters, quoting the Buddha, emphasize the benefits of planting trees, which provide shade, purify the air, and preserve the earth, benefiting everyone. They interpret the Noble Eightfold Path as guiding people to consume material things properly, practice green living, avoid killing, and promote environmental protection.

Although these predictions and recommendations are for reference, they echo timeless wisdom. From ancient times to the present, sages, gods, and creation have always shown the path to peace and happiness. Humanity need not seek external power or guidance; the true path lies within, where humanity can overcome its desires and sins.