Govts slammed for spending on arms rather than research

Govts slammed for spending on arms rather than research

A'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Nusa Dua, Bali

International scientists lashed out on Tuesday at governments around the world for their lack of commitment to supporting science and technology programs for sustainable development.

Instead of spending on scientific or technological research, which could significantly contribute to sustainable development, the governments preferred to pour their budgets into armaments spending.

It was ironic, as the preference clearly threatened sustainable development, said the international scientists.

"The total cost of four annual global programs on science and technology by the International Council for Science is the same as the cost of the 10 cruise missiles used by the warring parties in the Gulf War, which they used for merely one hour," said Director of the Center for Resource and Environment Studies at the Australian National University Robert Wasson.

The discussion, which was held at Putri Bali hotel here, was a parallel meeting to the ongoing preparatory committee meeting for the World Summit on Sustainable Development.

Wasson said it was ridiculous for developed countries to spend huge amounts to finance their weaponry.

Military expenditure by the world's governments is running at more than US$2 billion a day.

Outside the U.S., India and Pakistan were among countries that spent huge funds on armaments instead of using them to finance research and technology, Wasson told The Jakarta Post on the sidelines of a science discussion here.

Senior adviser for science for sustainable development with the International Council for Science Gisbert Glaser said spending on research and development was very small in most countries.

"Developed countries merely allocate 4 percent to 5 percent of their annual budget for research in science and technology. The figure is worse in developing countries, as the government only allocates zero point something of their annual budgets for science and technology development," he said.

According to Glaser, the lack of commitment by governments might be caused by their narrow interests or short-term development goals, which science and technology did not reflect, as the activities of the latter in those fields needed time and often produced unexpected or unwelcome results.

"Governments must change their frame of thinking, for by pouring money into research and technology, they are investing in future development, including sustainable development," said Glaser.

The lack of commitment from governments in science and technology could impede sustainable development, given the important role of science and technology in sustaining development.

Another scientist, Matthew Wheeler, from the Bureau of Meteorology Research Center in Melbourne said in discussion that science and technology could prevent the worst consequences of flooding in big cities, such as in Jakarta.

Wheeler said that the catastrophic flooding in Jakarta a few months ago could have been prevented if the authorities had employed advanced technology to predict weather changes.

Science and technology could also be used to tackle the deforestation problems plaguing the country.

Daniel Murdiyarso, from the Bogor Institute of Agriculture, said that science could help sustainable forest management by quantifying the positive environmental contribution that tropical forests could offer.

Having done so, science could help reduce the rate of deforestation, which has reached an alarming level in Southeast Asia, including Indonesia. In the 1980s, the rate of deforestation in Indonesia reached 600,000 hectares (ha) per year, but currently it had hit 1.6 ha per year, he said.