News In Brief

Decay in third-world ecology seen as threat to world peace

An environmental group said Wednesday that ecological decay - land erosion, deforestation, and dwindling natural resources - is a major cause of conflict in the third world and a potential threat to world peace.

A report by the London-based Earthscan organization said the environment was deteriorating ''alarmingly fast'' in many areas of the third world. Earthscan director Jon Tinker said the superpowers will have to make fundamental changes in foreign policy, emphasizing development instead of military aid.