Between global conflicts, climate concerns, and economic uncertainty, it can feel like the world is heading in the wrong direction. But there are countless examples of progress, from groundbreaking medical advances to environmental wins that rarely make front-page headlines.
For example, gene editing has gone from sci-fi fantasy to a cure for sickle cell disease. It’s also allowing scientists to turn concrete jungles into thriving ecosystems. London now has a network of urban habitats that support 13,000 species, including foxes and peregrine falcons. In the coming decades, these and other projects will lead to a “rewilding” of planet Earth.
These changes will have regional impacts, too. For example, warmer temperatures will affect water, food, and air quality differently. They will also cause polar melt, sea level rise, and shifts in ocean life and ice.
But a major concern remains the power of nation-states to shape and influence international affairs. By 2030, it’s likely the US and China will continue their competition for spheres of influence in Europe, Asia, Africa, and beyond.
The future may also bring radical changes to entertainment and culture. Esports, or electronic sports, are growing faster than traditional athletics. They already earn more revenue than movies and TV. In addition, video games are attracting audiences of all ages and demographics.
Regardless of the challenges, a great deal is possible for humanity in the next 20 years. The human race is on the verge of a technological revolution that will change what it means to be human. It’s just a matter of finding the political will to pursue it.