Top 10 Predictions for the Future

What’s in store for humankind? Planet Earth? Get the predictions according to the World Future Society. Each year, the WFS releases a report forecasting major global developments for the coming year and beyond.

Since 1985, editors of THE FUTURIST have selected the most thought-provoking ideas and forecasts featured in the magazine for their annual Outlook report. Over the years, Outlook has spotlighted the emergence of such epochal developments as the Internet, virtual reality, and the end of the Cold War. Visit The World Future Society’s Web site, publishers of THE FUTURIST magazine.

Here are their top 10 2009 forecasts:

By the late 2010s, ubiquitous, unseen nanodevices will provide seamless communication and surveillance among all people everywhere. Humans will have nanoimplants, facilitating interaction in an omnipresent network. Everyone will have a unique Internet Protocol (IP) address. Since nano storage capacity is almost limitless, all conversation and activity will be recorded and recoverable.

- Gene Stephens, “Cybercrime in the Year 2025,” July-Aug 2008, p. 34

Emerging scientific disciplines (notably genomics, nanotechnology and other microsciences) could pave the way for a bioattack. Bacteria and viruses could be altered to increase their lethality or to evade antibiotic treatment. Another long-term risk comes from nanopollution fallout from warfare. Nanoparticles could potentially cause new diseases with unusual and difficult-to-treat symptoms, and they could inflict damage far beyond the traditional battlefield, even affecting future generations.

- Barry Kellman, “Bioviolence: A Growing Threat,” May-June 2008, p. 25 et seq.; Antonietta M. Gatti and Stefano Montanari, “Nanopollution: The Invisible Fog of Future Wars,” May-June 2008, p. 32

More powerful wireless communication that reduces demand for travel, flying delivery drones that replace trucks, and restrictions on vehicle ownership are among the developments that could thwart the automobile’s historic cultural dominance and environmental impact. If current trends were to continue, the world would have to make way for a total of 3 billion vehicles on the road by 2025.

- Thomas J. Frey, “Disrupting the Automobile’s Future,” Sep-Oct 2008, p. 39 et seq.

An increase in unusual degrees may foretell the growth of unique new career specialties. Instead of simply studying for a business degree, more students are beginning to explore niche subjects such as sustainable business, strategic intelligence and entrepreneurship. Unusual majors in the US that are capturing students’ imaginations include neuroscience and nanotechnology, computer and digital forensics, and comic book art. Scoff not: The market for comic books and graphic novels in the US has grown 12 per cent since 2006.

- World Trends & Forecasts, Sep-Oct 2008, p. 8

The Global Legal Information Network, a database of local and national laws for more than 50 participating countries, will grow to include more than 100 countries by 2010. The database will lay the groundwork for a more universal understanding of the diversity of laws between nations and will create new opportunities for peace and international partnership.

- Joseph N. Pelton, “Toward a Global Rule of Law: A Practical Step Toward World Peace,” Nov-Dec 2007, p. 25

An individual’s professional knowledge is becoming outdated at a much faster rate than ever before. Most professions will require continuous instruction and retraining. Rapid changes in the job market and work-related technologies will necessitate job education for almost every worker. At any given moment, a substantial portion of the labour force will be in job retraining programmes.

- Marvin J. Cetron and Owen Davies, “Trends Shaping Tomorrow’s World, Part Two,” May-June 2008, p. 41

Humanity is ready to pursue biomedical and genetic enhancement, says UCLA professor Gregory Stock. The money is already being invested, but, he says, “We’ll also fret about these things—because we’re human, and it’s what we do.”

- Gregory Stock quoted in “Thinking Globally, Acting Locally, Living Personally,” Nov-Dec 2007, p. 57

As more of the world’s population lives in cities, rapid development to accommodate them will make existing environmental and socioeconomic problems worse. Epidemics will be more common due to crowded dwelling units and poor sanitation. Global warming may accelerate due to higher carbon dioxide output and loss of carbon-absorbing plants.

- Marvin J. Cetron and Owen Davies, “Trends Shaping Tomorrow’s World, Part One,” Mar-Apr 2008, p. 52

Popular support for religious government is declining in places like Iraq, according to a University of Michigan study. The researchers report that in 2004 only a quarter of respondents polled believed that Iraq would be a better place if religion and politics were separated. By 2007, that proportion was one-third. Separate reports indicate that religion in China will likely increase as an indirect result of economic activity and globalization.

- World Trends & Forecasts, Nov-Dec 2007, p. 10

Electrification has expanded around the world, from 40 per cent connected in 1970 to 73 per cent in 2000, and may reach 83 per cent of the world’s people by 2030. Electricity is fundamental to raising living standards and access to the world’s products and services. Impoverished areas such as sub-Saharan Africa still have low rates of electrification; for instance, Uganda is just 3.7 per cent electrified.

- Andy Hines, “Global Trends in Culture, Infrastructure, and Values,” Sep-Oct 2008, p. 20