Here’s a look at our likely future, based on ongoing trends over the last twenty years, and call it the “20-20 view” of our most likely future.
1. Languages
English should remain the most popular language, but Chinese should be second. As with English today, many people are able to study Chinese as a second language, while many local languages will continue to die out. The use of regional languages should continue to grow as some countries may be divided into regional entities.
two. Water becomes the new oil
Water will become a much-needed resource as rivers continue to dry up and new technologies are developed to create sustainable water resources. Regional conflicts may arise over scarce water supplies, while some desert areas will have to be depopulated. We will learn to ration and we will have to pay more for the water we use.
3. Climate change
The economic problems created in late 2008 will overshadow global efforts to combat the effects of warming on our planet. Some countries poor in resources but rich in technology will be forced to use alternative energies and will be less consuming. However, as many nations in the developing world have opted for Western-style development over the environmental effects of this growth- They should eventually face the need to clean up their own environment.
Four. poverty and wealth
The first, second and third world could exist to some degree in all countries. Europe and North America may mirror the rest of the world, with similar wealth gaps comparable today to India and South America. The world will look more equal, but it will be more unequal. depending on the world you live in.
5. Education
Most of the students could be educated online. This may be the result of the deterioration of public schools in the Western world, but also of newer technologies that are replacing some aspects of traditional education. Some exams are destined to become global benchmarks in educational assessment, accepted around the world.
6. Population growth and migration
Developed countries may have to encourage migration of younger emigrants from outside Europe and North America, due to negative population growth. First world communities in all countries should effectively become “citizens of the world” and migrate freely throughout the world. A reverse “brain drain” effect could see former immigrants return home, as their own economies improve and living conditions in the former “West” decline.
7. War and Conflict
A declining Europe and the United States may at some point be involved in a limited conflict with Russia and/or China. This conflict could end in a stalemate, while the reasons for this conflict are probably based mainly on economic and mining “rights”. the cost of such a conflict would lead to further environmental degradation and a restructuring of existing trade routes.
8. Sciences
We may be eating more genetically modified and synthetic foods, designer foods developed in new high-tech “farms.” Robots will become more common, while some nations will start space exploration programs, with a view to colonizing space. In some countries, surveillance of their own citizens could expand due to smart technology and the need to contain civil unrest as the wealth gap widens.
9. Trip
Regional travel should increase, while global travel should be reserved for first world citizens or second world citizens. Traveling long distances could become more expensive and time consuming. Sea and land transportation may become more popular- while flying long distances becomes more of a hobby of the global elite.
Our world in 2020 could be one of wonder or conflict, depending on the world we live in, but also of still-fragmented beliefs and scientific advances. We can continue to wait for science to solve the problems facing our planet and begin to look beyond our planet as a future home.
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