---
title: "UN Secretary-General: “A Wind of Madness Is Sweeping the Globe”"
description: "U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres shared a dire warning that the planet is descending into conflcit and instability, but a better future is possible."
date: "2020-02-06"
modified: "2020-02-06"
authors:
  - name: "Dan Robitzski"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/danrobitzski"
url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/un-secretary-general-madness-sweeping-globe"
categories:
  - "Energy"
  - "Future Society"
  - "Renewable Energy"
  - "Science & Energy"
  - "Wind"
tags:
  - "climate change"
  - "politics"
  - "the digest"
---

# UN Secretary-General: “A Wind of Madness Is Sweeping the Globe”

![U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres shared a dire warning that the planet is descending into conflcit and instability, but a better future is possible.](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/un-secretary-general-madness-sweeping-globe.jpg>)
*\<em\>Image: Victor Tangermann\</em\>*

## Ominous Message

Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, shared a grim outlook on the state of the world at a Tuesday conference.

The underlying message of [his speech](<https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/press-encounter/2020-02-04/secretary-generals-press-conference>) was that our global society should strive to bring about a more peaceful and prosperous future, *[NPR ](<https://www.npr.org/2020/02/04/802723312/-wind-of-madness-is-sweeping-earth-u-n-s-guterres-warns>)*[reports](<https://www.npr.org/2020/02/04/802723312/-wind-of-madness-is-sweeping-earth-u-n-s-guterres-warns>). But until a big shift happens, his prognosis is one of [worsening violence](<https://futurism.com/research-climate-change-migration-conflict>), conflict, [global instability](<https://futurism.com/climate-change-going-drive-thousands-refugees-cooler-countries>), and environmental decay.

"A wind of madness is sweeping the globe," Guterres told the press.

## Tipping Point

Guterres warned that world leaders often violate or entirely ignore U.N. resolutions meant to reduce global instability and promote peaceful resolutions between conflicting nations.

"As future prospects look bleak, populist and ethnic nationalist narratives gain appeal," Guterres said.

"As instability rises, investment dries up, and development cycles down," he continued. "When armed conflicts persist, societies reach perilous tipping points. And as governance grows weak, terrorists get stronger, seizing on the \[vacuum.\]"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uw-IPGarwI0

## An Upshot

During his speech, Guterres spoke at length about the [worsening climate emergency](<https://futurism.com/scientists-ocean-warming-rate-five-a-bombs-per-second>) facing the planet, *NPR* reports. But he also said he was encouraged by growing public awareness of environmental issues and the fact that some leaders are taking the problem seriously.

Guterres urged global leaders to "break the vicious circle of poverty and inequality," according to *NPR*.

Through improved healthcare, equality, and education, he said the world could create "the virtuous circle we know is possible and that can point the way toward growth and prosperity for all."

**READ MORE:** ['Wind Of Madness' Is Sweeping Earth, U.N. Secretary-General Says](<https://www.npr.org/2020/02/04/802723312/-wind-of-madness-is-sweeping-earth-u-n-s-guterres-warns>) \[*NPR*\]

**More on global instability:** *[New Research: Climate Change Causes Migration and Conflict](<https://futurism.com/research-climate-change-migration-conflict>)*

## Author
Dan Robitzki is a senior reporter for Futurism, where he likes to cover AI, tech ethics, and medicine. He spends his extra time fencing and streaming games from Los Angeles, California.

### Author social links  
[Twitter](<https://x.com/danrobitzski>)