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2020-2029 Contents 2020-2035 - World energy crisis 2020 - Internet use reaches 5 billion worldwide | Complete organ replacements from stem cells | Holographic TV is mainstream | Sweden becomes the first oil-free country | Glacier National Park and other regions are becoming ice-free | Completion of the Square Kilometre Array | Wholly lifelike CGI 2021 - Fully reusable single-stage-to-orbit spacecraft | Telecommuting is a standard flexible work option | Traditional microchips are reaching the limits of miniaturisation | Water crisis in southwest USA 2022 - Nanotech clothes becoming mainstream | Piezoelectric nanowires 2023 - Borneo’s rainforests have been wiped from the map | Turkey becomes self-sufficient in energy production 2024 - The biggest refugee crisis in world history | African elephants are on the brink of extinction 2025 - Human brain simulations are possible | Medical nanobots are becoming available | Booming China | Vertical farms appearing in many cities | High-speed rail networks are being expanded in many countries | Africa and the Middle East are linked by a transcontinental bridge | Progress with longevity extension | Stress and anxiety is reaching crisis levels | Contact with the Voyager probes is lost 2026 - Rising sea levels are wreaking havoc on the Maldives | The United States of Africa is established 2027 - Death of Queen Elizabeth II | BRICs overtake the G7 nations | Carbon sequestration is underway in many nations 2028 - Printed electronics are ubiquitous | UK population reaches 70m | Manned fighter planes are being phased out and replaced with UAVs 2029
- Automation of supermarkets
and retail environments
| Intelligent
advertising | Titan Saturn System
Mission (TSSM)
| Lake Chad disappears from the map
2000-2009 | 2010-2019 | 2020-2029 | 2030-2039 | 2040-2049 | 2050-2059 | 2060-2069 | 2070-2079 | 2080-2089 | 2090-2099 > World
energy crisis* There are major conflicts throughout the Middle East and Central Asia. The most significant of these resource wars actually involves the one-off use of a tactical nuclear weapon. The crisis plays out for nearly two decades, gradually being resolved by a switch to renewable energy and alternative fuel technologies - but the transition is by no means a smooth one. By the mid-2030's, the geopolitical map of the Middle East is almost unrecognisable compared with 20 years previously.
Internet use reaches 5 billion worldwide The number of Internet users has now reached almost 5 billion - equal to the entire world's population circa 1987. This compares with 1.7 billion users in 2010 and only 360 million in 2000.* Vast numbers of people in developing countries now have access to the web, thanks to a combination of plummeting costs and exponential improvements in technology. This includes laptops that can be sold for only a few tens of dollars, together with explosive growth in the use of mobile broadband. Even the most remote populations on Earth can take advantage of the Internet, thanks to the infrastructure now in place.*
Complete organ replacements from stem cells In the previous decade, it was already possible to grow individual tissues, tendons and cartilages from stem cells. By 2020, scientists have fully characterised how every part of the heart works - enabling them to grow complete replacements for use in transplants.* The need for external donors is eliminated, and since the organ is genetically matched to the patient, there is no chance of rejection. Natural, living tissue is also far more flexible, sophisticated and efficient than artificially built components - so this new treatment offers radical hope to millions of people affected by cardiovascular disease. Until now, around 15m people have died each year from heart-related conditions. Other organs are developed over the following years: lungs, livers, kidneys, spleens, stomachs and sexual organs are all made available by 2030. Internal organ failure is gradually becoming a thing of the past; for those who can afford the treatments, at least. Combined with new vitrification techniques* (which allow organ banking without damage from ice crystal formation), this is a major step towards longevity extension.
Holographic
TV is mainstream
Breakthroughs in rewritable and erasable systems have made it possible
to mass-market the first truly holographic TV displays.* This form of technology had been in development for nearly three decades.
One of the main problems encountered was that the displays required
a lengthy delay between each "rewrite" - making it impractical for televisual
displays. However, recent advances in power transfer have overcome this
problem, with displays now capable of running at 24 frames per second. Typical holographic screens of this period are relatively small. They
are also very expensive, and still viewed as a luxury item for now.
However, further refinement of this technology leads to bigger, more
powerful displays; while competition between the major vendors later
succeeds in bringing down costs, making them affordable to the majority
of people. The screens can either be fixed to a wall (with all the image writing lasers behind the wall), or placed horizontally on a table (with all the components underneath). Initially popular in Japan and the Far East, the displays rapidly find their way to the rest of the world and make traditional CRT and LCD screens obsolete. Over the next few decades perfection of this technology will see entire
rooms turned into holographic environments.
Sweden
becomes the first oil-free country
Glacier National Park and other regions are becoming ice-free By now, the Glacier National Park in Montana has become completely glacier-free, the park's namesakes having disappeared as a result of global warming.
As early as 2020, therefore, the glaciers were gone, leaving behind only barren rock. Many cold water dependent plants and animals subsequently died out due to loss of habitat - including a number of rare species. Reduced seasonal melting of ice also affected stream flow during the dry summer and fall seasons, reducing water table levels and increasing the number of forest fires. This had the added effect of putting more carbon into the atmosphere. The loss of glaciers also reduced the aesthetic visual appeal of the region for visiting tourists. This process is being mirrored all over the world, with non-polar ice beginning to vanish from many prominent regions including the Andes, Alps, Himalayas and Kilimanjaro. Later this century, glacier loss from the Himalayas will have a devastating impact - destabilising much of the Indian subcontinent, including the nuclear-armed Pakistan. Floods and mudslides will be the initial result of the melting; but afterwards, fewer and smaller glaciers will mean less run-off to rivers such as the Ganges that would normally provide fresh water for drinking, agricultural production and hydroelectric power generation. Given that the Mekong, Yangtze and Yellow rivers are affected too, this means water shortages for potentially 2.5 billion people.*
Completion
of the Square Kilometre Array
Wholly
lifelike CGI
Fully reusable, single-stage-to-orbit spacecraft Until now, all orbital spacecraft have used multiple stages. This has required jettisoning parts of a launch vehicle during the flight, in order to reduce weight. In the early 2020s, however, a new prototype "space plane" is developed with funding from the EU. This can operate without the need for booster rockets, fuel tanks, engines or other external components, instead utilising a hybrid jet/rocket system.* The vehicle takes off from a specially strengthened runway. It uses a precooled jet engine (rather than scramjet) to reach speeds of Mach 5.5 (1700 m/s), then closes the air inlet and operates as a highly efficient rocket to complete the journey to orbit. Although its payload is only 12 tons (about one-third the capacity of the space shuttle), the craft is substantially cheaper (about 1/10th) and far more efficient (about 400-fold) than earlier spacecraft.* After completing a mission, it reenters the atmosphere with its skin protected by a strong ceramic, landing back on the runway like a normal aeroplane. It then undergoes any necessary maintenance and is capable of flying again in just two days (compared to two months for the space shuttle). These planes are initially unmanned. However, later versions will be used for space tourism – capable of transporting up to 20 passengers in a purpose-built module and costing around $500,000 per person.*
Telecommuting is a standard flexible work option In an effort to cut real estate costs, become more eco-friendly and attract the growing number of people seeking work-life balance, most companies by now have adopted a "work wherever you want, whenever you want" policy. An increasingly global talent pool is emerging, with companies aggressively pursuing the best available workers, regardless of where they reside. Combined with superfast broadband in the home, telecommuting has grown tremendously as a result. In addition, soaring fuel costs have led to many office-based employees working a four-day week, usually consisting of four 10-hour days. In today's corporate workplaces, multi-touch surface computing is becoming ubiquitous - along with seamless integration of wireless devices and applications. Near-paperless offices are becoming a reality. This combination of advanced technologies and flexible work options is leading to greatly improved speed, productivity and efficiency in companies around the world.
Traditional microchips are reaching the limits of miniaturisation Semiconductor companies are reaching the limits of miniaturisation for computer chips. The smallest transistors are now being built with 11-nanometre manufacturing processes. This is close to the size of individual atoms. Silicon is impossible to scale below this size, due to the effects of quantum tunnelling. Moore's Law - the trend which has seen computer power doubling every two years - enters a new paradigm shift, with traditional microchips abandoned in favour of "stacked" 3-dimensional circuits made from carbon nanotubes.*
Water crisis in southwest USA Southwestern parts of the USA – including Nevada, Arizona and southern California – are faced with crippling water shortages, on a scale normally only seen in Third World countries. Lake Mead, a key source of water for more than 25 million people (or about 8% of the US population), has run dry as a result of climate change.* Increased population growth and associated demand for water resources have also played a part. Once the largest reservoir in the country, it has declined to almost nothing due to the Colorado River’s net deficit of nearly 1 million acre-feet of water per year. This crisis has occurred despite mitigation measures implemented early in the previous decade. As well as providing fresh water, Lake Mead has been a major source of hydroelectric power, via the Hoover Dam. Blackouts are now occurring across much of the area. Las Vegas and its famous lights are particularly hard hit. Authorities have been attempting to stabilise the situation by constructing solar power facilities both in and around the city, as well as laying groundwater pipelines from elsewhere in Nevada.* Improved methods of water conservation and new agricultural techniques are also being introduced. However, even these measures are proving to be insufficient, and major societal and economic disruption is unavoidable in the short term. A virtual exodus of people from the affected regions is underway during this time.
Nanotech clothes becoming mainstream A variety of nanotech-tailored clothing is becoming mainstream now. This includes truly "waterproof" garments - these are made from polyester fibres coated with millions of tiny silicone filaments, structured in such a way that water simply falls off.* Other textiles utilising nanotechnology include self-cleaning carpets. Millions of tiny fingers, embedded in the fabric, can be made to gently sway and lean towards the edge of the room, shifting dust and other garbage in a matter of minutes. Collectors fixed into the skirting board can then gather and dispose of any detritus as necessary. This has already been used in hotels, luxury apartments and high-grade office buildings - but is now entering the consumer market thanks to falling costs. Nanotech is also being used extensively by the military, as well as police forces. Ultra-lightweight but extraordinarily impact-resistant jackets and body armour are becoming available. Fireproof suits can also be made safer using these new materials.
Piezoelectric
nanowires Tiny vibrations - such as those created by wind, sound waves, friction, and even the turbulence of blood flow - can be captured and harnassed by a nanowire mesh. The bending of this mesh in response to these subtle forces can generate over 200 millivolts. This form of self-powering technology is so sensitive, it can even be embedded in clothing. For instance, the subtle movements of a belt, shirt or trouser pocket can produce enough power to charge the batteries of a cell phone. Implantable medical devices benefit particularly well from this. Hearing aids, for example, no longer require batteries since they can be powered by sound waves hitting them. Meanwhile, bone-loss monitors and other sensors can be activated by stresses to the body - then beam an alert signal to a computer. Piezoelectric nanowires have a range of other applications. They can be used in engineering, for example, to detect microscopic fractures in an aeroplane or spacecraft. They can also be used in identity verification: a grid of piezoelectric wires underneath a signature pad (or other touchscreen device) can be used to record the pattern of pressure applied, which is then checked against a database.
Borneo’s rainforests have been wiped from the map The world’s 3rd largest island, Borneo was once home to a staggering range of biodiversity, covering hundreds of thousands of square kilometres. Its lush rainforests have now almost completely disappeared as a result of deforestation.* Many rare species are declared extinct around this time including the Orangutan – one of the most intelligent of the great apes.*
Turkey becomes self-sufficient in energy production While many countries are struggling with the effects of peak oil, a lucky few have benefited from recent new discoveries. Turkey, for example, has become entirely self-sufficient in energy production - with 10 billion barrels of oil reserves and over 1.5 trillion cubic meters of natural gas uncovered in the Black Sea.* These huge reserves have enabled the country to completely end its dependence on foreign imports and meet its energy needs for at least the next 30 years. Turkey's standing in the world is significantly increased as a result, boosted further by its recent entry into the EU. Celebrations are also taking place this year to mark the 100th anniversary of the foundation of the republic. New oil discoveries have also been made in Iran, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and China. More controversially, the frozen polar wastes of the Arctic and Antarctic are now being plundered for their fossil fuel reserves.
The biggest refugee crisis in world history Torrential flooding in southeast Asia - brought on by a combination of rising sea levels, melting glaciers and extreme weather events - is creating the biggest refugee crisis in world history. Bangladesh and other parts of the region are seeing literally tens of millions of men, women and children displaced from their homes.* This unfolding horror is the first major crisis of the 21st century which can be attributed directly to global warming. Although a number of different countries are affected, the disaster is centred on Bangladesh with its high population (over 150 million) and high density, situated in the low-lying Ganges River delta. With most of the country just a few metres above sea level - and with a flat topography - storm surges are flooding vast areas of land with virtually no hope of recovery. As well as the physical damage to infrastructure, salt in the ground means that fields up to 40km from the new coastline are rendered useless for growing crops.* Millions are drowned, while many others die in the subsequent looting and chaos that sweeps the nation, and a whole series of conflicts begins to erupt along the border with India.* The sheer scale of this catastrophe makes it difficult to coordinate relief efforts. Relatively speaking, only token assistance can be offered by the UN. Ironically, Bangladesh has contributed very little in the way of pollution blamed for accelerating climate change.
African elephants are on the brink of extinction Despite efforts to curtail the ivory trade, huge numbers of elephants continued to be poached throughout Africa. Their population - which stood at 600,000 in 2009 - declined by nearly 40,000 each year.* Only a handful remain in Africa today. Zoos and safari parks around the globe are now working to maintain a viable population for future rewilding.
Human brain simulations are possible By now, the exponential growth in computing power - combined with the use of nanobots - has made it possible to form accurate models of every part of the human brain. Between 2005 and 2025, there is a millionfold increase in computational power, along with vastly improved scanning resolution and bandwidth. Until recently, only separate regions of the brain had been modelled - but scientists are now able to combine them into one giant, complete simulation. Much like the Human Genome Project of the 1990s, there were many in the scientific community who doubted the brain could be indexed and catalogued so quickly. However - like their predecessors - they failed to account for the Law of Accelerating Returns and its massive snowball effect on the gathering of knowledge.*
Medical
nanobots are becoming available
Microscopic robots - measuring just a few nanometres across - are
available for a variety of uses now. They are most commonly seen in
medical applications, where their size enables them to reach places
in the human body that were simply inaccessible before or too delicate
for conventional instruments to operate on. A number of the most important breakthroughs have been in the treatment
of cancer, which can be detected earlier than ever before and targeted
with far more precision. By the 2030s, more than 90% of cancers can
be cured as a result of this. Even patients who would previously have
been diagnosed as "terminally ill" can now be routinely saved.
Monitoring of heart conditions, neurological disorders and countless
other illnesses is also vastly improved. This, combined with enormous
strides in stem cell research, is creating a new generation of medical
treatments that is reaching a whole new level of sophistication and
efficiency. The nanobots themselves are built on a molecule-by-molecule basis,
via positionally-controlled diamond mechanosynthesis and diamondoid
nanofactories. Each robot is capable of propelling itself using tiny
"motors" and is equipped with microscopic sensing, guidance
and communication devices.
Booming
China
Some of the largest metropolitan areas - such as Hong Kong and Shenzhen - actually begin to overlap and form "hyper cities", rivalling Tokyo in terms of population and land area. Many of the world's tallest buildings can now be found in China, including a number of kilometre-high "supertalls". All of this has a considerable impact on the price of steel and other materials, which leads to cutbacks of many large-scale development projects in Europe, America and elsewhere. The rise of neighbouring India is adding to this. The West is now having a greatly reduced influence on setting the price of metals. Meanwhile, vast profits are being made by construction and mining firms, which leads to many high profile takeovers and acquisitions. At the same time, record numbers of accidents during this time - as a result of so much construction activity - lead to tighter regulations and improved safety in the industry. Better pay and working conditions for employees are subsequently introduced. As China booms, its power requirements are soaring. The country has been preparing for this, however, by strengthening relations with Central Asian countries and importing more oil and gas from them, especially Turkmenistan which has made significant new discoveries. China’s entry into Central Asia was also partly motivated by the need to reduce its dependency on (a) the Middle East, and (b) the Malacca Strait for shipping oil from the Persian Gulf and Africa; a stretch of water that was becoming increasingly vulnerable to pirate attacks, and was the subject of ongoing political tensions regarding its control. As well as strengthening its oil imports, substantial gains have been made from energy efficiency and conservation programmes, along with greatly increased use of nuclear power. By 2025 its nuclear power generating capacity is nearly 150 billion kilowatthours (khwh), passing that of Canada and Russia.* In the coming years, this will increase still further, as 4th generation nuclear power plants become available. Demands for environmental protection also lead to increased solar, wind and hydro-electric power.
Vertical
farms appearing in many cities
High-speed rail networks are being expanded in many countries Many countries have now conducted a radical overhaul of their rail transport infrastructure. In Spain, more than 10,000km of high-speed track has been laid, making it the most extensive network in the world. 90 percent of the country's population now live within 50km of a bullet train station.* In the UK, a major high-speed rail line is nearing completion. This will travel up the central spine of the country - connecting London with Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Preston, Glasgow and Edinburgh. Trains will be capable of reaching 200mph, slashing previous journey times by almost half.* In Japan, Tokyo is now connected with Nagoya and Osaka - along with several smaller cities - via superfast magnetic levitation trains. Tests conducted in previous decades showed that it was possible to build a railway tunnel in a straight route through the Southern Japanese Alps. The first generation of these trains already held the world speed record, at 581 km/h (or 361mph); but recent advances in carriage design have pushed this still further, to over 600 km/hour (or 373mph). This is fast enough to compete with some commercial airliners.* Many other countries are investing in high-speed rail during this time, due to its sheer speed and convenience, together with soaring fuel costs and environmental factors which have made car and air travel less attractive. Even the US - which for decades had neglected its rail network - is making huge progress in this area.*
Africa and the Middle East are linked by a transcontinental bridge A 15-year megaproject - costing over $200 billion - has seen the construction of two entire new cities, located at either ends of a 29 kilometre (18 mile) bridge. Dubbed the "Bridge of Horns", this spans the southern mouth of the Red Sea and connects Yemen (Middle East) to Djibouti (Africa). With support for freight trains, light rail and cars, this greatly facilitates the movement of people, trade and resources between the two continents.* Each of the hi-tech cities at either end of the bridge is powered almost entirely by renewable energy. They feature many other green technologies and sustainable development practices. As their population swells, they become major commercial, educational and tourist hubs of the region.* A highway is also built which links them to Dubai.
Progress with longevity extension The potential for radical life extension has begun seeping its way into the public consciousness. Genetic experiments at a university have yielded the first 10 year old mice. This so-called "robust rejuvenation" is a major stepping stone towards the eventual goal of halting the ageing process in humans.* For those under the age of 50, there is now real and genuine hope of being able to live indefinitely. Though a permanent cure for humans is still decades away, a number of therapies are now in development which can substantially reduce the cell damage, mitochondrial mutations and other adverse effects of ageing. Combined with dietary and lifestyle changes, these temporary measures can be used to buy time for the more dramatic advances in the years ahead - in effect creating a "bridge" to the next era of scientific discovery. This period marks the beginning of a major increase in public interest and awareness of the subject. At the same time, however, there is a great deal of opposition from religious institutions and conservative groups.
Stress and anxiety is reaching crisis levels By now, a multitude of external factors - intruding into almost every aspect of peoples' day-to-day lives - has led to soaring levels of stress, anxiety and depression. In the early 2000s, around one in four citizens could expect to develop a form of mental illness. By the late 2020s, this has risen to almost one in three. This is especially true of those living in high density urban centres. Rapid advances in technology and the Internet, rampant consumerism and advertising; the ever increasing work-related stresses, debts, living costs, bad diets, overcrowding and pollution - coupled with loneliness, alienation, and loss of national identity - not to mention the constant scaremongering by media and government; the intensifying problems of climate change, peak oil, and terrorism (plus a host of related security and surveillance measures), along with various health scares originating from overseas... the list goes on and on. Due to the ongoing energy crisis, frequent blackouts are occurring in many countries during this time, while fuel shortages are commonplace at petrol stations. Meanwhile, record heatwaves and dangerous levels of air pollution are making summers unbearable in some urban areas. In Europe, right-wing nationalist governments are on the rise due to the massive amount of immigration occurring from Africa, the Middle East and elsewhere. The combined impact of these many factors is having a serious impact on the mental health of citizens.*
Contact with the Voyager probes is lost Voyager I is now almost 23 billion kilometers from our Sun - or 150 times the distance between the Sun and Earth. Both probes have remained operational for nearly half a century, continuing to transmit science data back to NASA. They have left the heliosphere entirely and are now headed towards the bow shock - the boundary between the stellar wind and the interstellar medium. However, by this date, onboard power finally starts to wane. Various instruments begin shutting down, one by one, until eventually all contact is lost. Each probe carries a gold-plated audio-visual disc, in the event that either spacecraft is ever found by intelligent alien life. The discs carry images of Earth and its lifeforms, a range of scientific information, along with a medley, "Sounds of Earth", that includes the sounds of whales, a baby crying, waves breaking on a shore, a variety of music from different cultures and eras, plus greetings in 60 different languages.*
Rising sea levels are wreaking havoc on the Maldives At an average of just 1.5m above sea level, the Maldives is the lowest lying country on the planet. Rising sea levels are now beginning to devastate its economy, one-third of which relies on tourism. The mere talk of a possible submersion, in previous years, had been damaging investor confidence. By this date, however, the tangible reality of global warming is leading to the wholesale abandonment of many islands.*
The
United States of Africa is established The union is faced with major challenges - including health issues such as the AIDS epidemic and malaria; political issues such as corruption and civil wars; economic issues such as improving the standard of living of millions of impoverished, uneducated Africans; and environmental issues such as famine and desertification. However, this continental unity marks a turning point for Africa. As trade links improve, wealth and stability increases, and its constituent nations find themselves better able to market their labour, products and resources. Access to education and healthcare is being boosted by a number of technological innovations. This transformation is a slow, gradual process - but finally there is hope for a peaceful, prosperous Africa. This situation is being mirrored in a number of other Third World countries which are beginning to extend their spheres of influence. With many First World nations facing their own economic and political crises, a more even spread of power is emerging across the globe.
Death
of Queen Elizabeth II Increasingly frail in her later years, questions were raised over whether she would abdicate and allow Charles to become Regent; but she continued in her duties to the end. Prince Charles becomes King Charles III and the new Head of the Commonwealth representing nearly 2 billion people in 54 sovereign states.
BRICs
overtake the G7
Carbon
sequestration is underway in many nations The most significant technology is "clean coal", being fitted to power plants. This is seeing widespread adoption, since it now costs less than unsequestered coal-based power generation.* The carbon dioxide is stored in geological formations deep underground (including some empty oil wells). Great care and precision must be taken in choosing these sites, however, as dumping the gas in an unstable location may cause it to leak back up to the surface or contaminate aquifers used for drinking supplies. Another method of carbon sequestration which is showing great potential is the deployment of "artificial trees". These are shaped like giant fly swatters around 10m high, and are becoming an increasingly common sight along roads, freeways and other polluted areas.* The trees capture CO2 through a filter - thousands of times more efficiently than real trees - which is then removed and stored.
Another geoengineering project involves strips of algae, fitted to the sides of buildings, which naturally absorb CO2 through photosynthesis. They are most common in high-density urban centres, where tall buildings offer a much greater surface area. These "photobioreactors" (as they are called) not only sequest carbon, but can also produce biofuel and biochar as beneficial side effects. The biofuel can be used to generate energy whilst keeping net carbon emissions to zero, while the biochar can be used as a very good fertiliser.* Yet another project is the addition of highly reflective panels on rooftops. These reflect sunlight back into space, reducing the amount of solar radiation being absorbed by the Earth. Although efficient, the geoengineering techniques described above (along with various others) do not represent the ultimate solution to global warming. They are only a temporary measure. The only effective, long-term process for stabilising the earth's climate remains the large-scale adoption of solar, wind, hydro, nuclear and other renewable energy sources.
Printed
electronics are ubiquitous This technology began with a small number of niche, high-end products. It expanded rapidly in the 2010s, thanks to plummeting costs and improved production methods. By the 2020s it had exploded into the mainstream – creating a whole new generation of ultra-thin electronics. Today, these have such low fabrication costs that they are ubiquitous, being present in countless everyday business and consumer applications. Many previously bulky and heavy devices can now be folded, stored or carried as easily as sheets of paper. This includes flexible TV displays that can be rolled or hung like posters, wearable mobile phones, electronic newspapers with moving pictures, disposable netbooks, "smart" packaging and labels with animated text, signage in retail outlets that can be updated shop-wide at the touch of a button.* Multimedia players with expandable, fold-out touchscreens are especially popular. Even low-end models are now the size and weight of credit cards and can easily fit inside a wallet. With petabytes of storage, gigapixels of screen resolution and superfast transfer speeds, they are millions of times more powerful than iPods of previous decades. They are also completely wireless - no cables or physical connections of any kind are required, and music can be enjoyed using wireless earphones.
UK
population reaches 70 million The East End has been transformed in recent years, becoming almost a whole new city within London, and beginning to rival the West End. Vast areas of land have been redeveloped with hundreds of new residential developments, office towers, retail masterplans, green spaces and public areas - all built to the highest environmental standards.
Manned fighter planes are being phased out and replaced with UAVs By this date, the A-10 Thunderbolt II has been replaced completely by the F-35 Lightning II - which itself becomes one of the last remaining manned fighter planes in the US military. The F-35 will remain in operation until the 2040s, eventually being replaced by a new generation of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) controlled by advanced AI.
Automation of supermarkets and retail environments By the end of this decade, many supermarkets and retail environments are beginning to go cashless. Nanotechnology and automated systems have made it possible for customers to do their shopping with little or no physical interaction with a checkout. Items are simply "scanned" as they pass through the door. The customer is identified either by the chip in their card, or with a prepayment transponder which can be obtained from a vending machine outside the store. Transactions are then generated instantly and wirelessly over the Internet. This system greatly saves time, improves security, and reduces costs for the retailer by eliminating the need for checkout staff.
Intelligent advertising Personalised adverts, similar in style to those seen in the film Minority Report, are becoming widespread by the end of this decade.* Microsensors embedded in posters and other outdoor media are capable of identifying people by the chips in their mobile phone, credit card and other personal effects. These adverts are then customised depending on the personal habits, interests and lifestyle of the person in question. Pairs of ultrasonic beams - targeted to intersect at specific points - deliver a localised sound message that only a single person can hear. This means that even in crowded situations, the adverts can be made personal and unique. Civil liberties campaigners decry the use of such technology, given the rise in anxiety, paranoia and other mental illness resulting from such marketing tactics; but the demands of business win through.
Titan Saturn System Mission (TSSM) This is a joint NASA/ESA mission involving the exploration of Saturn and its moons. The craft is launched in 2020, and goes through a total of four gravity assists (Earth-Venus-Earth-Earth), before finally reaching Saturn in 2029.* Detailed, close-range imaging is conducted of both Titan and Enceladus - including a flyby into Titan's lower atmosphere with a hot air balloon, just a few miles above the surface. This takes place over the equator and lasts for six months, returning a vast amount of data. Equipped with ultra-high resolution cameras, the probe reveals in stunning detail the landscapes of this strange alien world.
The battery-operated craft's principal function is to sample and analyze organics on the surface for a period of nine hours, including six hours of atmospheric descent and three or more hours on the surface. Both probes' data are relayed to the Titan orbiter.
Lake Chad disappears from the map In the 19th century, Lake Chad was among the largest lakes in the world. It supported a vast ecosystem of fish, waterfowl, crocodiles, shore birds and other animals. Due to the combined effects of drought, irrigation and human activity, it has disappeared entirely by now.* This is having a devastating impact on Niger, Nigeria, Chad and Cameroon - with over 30 million people depending on the lake for agriculture, drinking water, livestock, fishing and other purposes. Vast numbers of refugees are now moving to elsewhere on the continent.
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UK society 'increasingly fearful', BBC.co.uk: 36
Voyager
Golden Record, goldenrecord.org: 37
Maldives
rises to climate challenge, BBC: 38
United
States of Africa, Wikipedia: 39
What's
called a 'global' recession is in fact shrinking economies mainly in the
West, not the East, Newsweek: 40
Coal
Utilization Research Council - EPRI Roadmap, Coal.org: 41
'Artificial
trees' to cut carbon, BBC: 42
Geo-engineering,
Institution of Mechanical Engineers: 43
Can
the 'silver bullet' of printing revolutionize electronics?, CNN: 44
Microsoft's
future vision on retailing, YouTube: 45
Wired
(UK launch issue - May 2009): 46
Outer Planet Flagship Mission: TSSM Study Overview, Nasa.gov: 47
Study: Niger to suffer from the shrinking Lake Chad, PRLog: |
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