# Observations about the state of affairs
- URL: https://www.petrikajander.com/observations-about-the-state-of-affairs/
- Author: Petri Kajander
- Date: 2004-02-04
- Language: en

I have decided to try to see the world a bit differently than before. Actually I cannot switch back anymore. Some time ago I started to watch movies by thinking how they are made up. After a while it really started to irritate that one could not enjoy the plot since almost all the scenes started to look like fakes (or set-ups...). The same has happened to me with  our 'real' life.

Here're some statistics that indicated something I haven't realised before. Our developed world do not lack resources—only the will and commitment.

| Social / Economical Goal | Additional annual investment |
| --- | --- |
| Elimination of hunger and malnutrition | $19 billion |
| Reproductive health care for all women | $12 billion |
| Clean drinking water for all | $10 billion |
| Universal literacy | $5 billion |
| Immunizing every child | $1.3 billion |
| **Total** | **$49bn** |

Source: [State of World 2004](http://www.worldwatch.org/press/news/2004/01/07/)

Just to give some reference points for the order of magnitude of the issue: Microsoft has some $50bn in its free cash reserves. Bush's Mars programme is estimated to top $400bn. US annual defence budget is $400bn without Iraq costs. EU's annual budget has a ceiling of 1,24% reaching last year around €100bn (some $120bn). [UN's](http://www.un.org/) target for Overseas Development Aid is 0.7% of GNP annually for developed nations. So, EU alone would cover with its current member's *current* Overseas Development Aid programmes easily the whole annual requirement of $50bn....Money is not the issue. More on this topic later but here's one way to see the reasoning for the status que - [EU's CAP](http://www.guardian.co.uk/theissues/article/0,6512,975350,00.html).