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Climate change 101: Our world in 2050

Proud Raksriaksorn

Updated: Nov 19, 2023

Disclaimer: as this article is discussing the future, there is no guarantee as to what will actually happen. These are simply predictions made based on the data that we have today but the actual outcome can vary based on a number of different factors.



Our last article was pretty pessimistic, so now let’s take a look at a more realistic (and optimistic) outcome for 2050.


Firstly, there are very different predictions on how far we will advance technologically, particularly in terms of eco-friendly technology, but here are some possible outcomes:

  • Renewable energy will almost certainly be more efficient and affordable, and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) estimates that up to 90% of our electricity could come from renewable sources by 2050 - however, with our current pace of climate action, this percentage might be lower

  • It’s highly likely that electric vehicles will be more affordable and will have a much longer range and quicker charging time, making them more widespread

  • Drones and robots may take over the transportation of products which could reduce greenhouse gas emissions

  • Recycling will definitely be essential in the future, so it is quite safe to assume that our recycling technology will be more efficient as well, with most materials (such as building materials) being recycled

  • Biodegradable alternatives to single-use plastic could reduce plastic waste, such as seaweed-based packaging

  • Improved satellite mapping can help with urban planning to make buildings and cities more eco-friendly

  • Building designs will most likely change to be able to generate its own electricity and also help clean the air of pollutants - this will involve fitting buildings with solar panels and growing plants on and around structures; some buildings might even have algae-filled walls which not only act as a carbon capture unit but can also be harvested for other uses such as food and energy production


In terms of the environment, it’s likely that there will be an increase in the number as well as size of protected areas around the world, potentially accounting for around 13% of all land. Unfortunately, temperate grasslands, savannas, shrublands and marine ecosystems will still most likely be under threat and it’s estimated that only around 7% of territorial seas will be protected. On the bright side, advanced environmental monitoring could help us restore damaged ecosystems and increase biodiversity by reintroducing locally extinct species or encouraging the conservation of threatened species too. With modern agricultural techniques it might even be possible to source food locally in cities rather than from large commercial farms, reducing emissions from transportation, ensuring that products are fresh and potentially reducing the space needed for agriculture to make room for our growing population without having to deforest more land. Thanks to genetic engineering we can also develop climate-resistant crops that can survive more extreme temperatures, and improved purifying technology means that seawater could potentially make up some of the water in our domestic use as well.


However, there will inevitably still be the problems mentioned in our last article, so the future might not be terrible, but it’s far from perfect too. It’s important to understand that at this point, there will be lasting effects to our actions. We can’t fully restore the environment and the atmosphere to what it once was before the industrial revolution - the damage has been done. It’s easy to deny the reality that we have reached a point in the climate crisis from which there is no return. It would be a lie to say that there’s still time to fix things and that everything’s going to be alright. It’s time we faced the truth and admitted that everything is not alright, and that there is a very real crisis happening right now that is going to affect every single one of us. The truth is scary, and it’s easy to give up hope or look the other way. But we can’t ignore the problem any longer. We might not be able to fully reverse the effects of climate change, but we can still restore the environment enough to adapt and survive. There is still time to lessen the impacts of climate change and minimise the damage. But that window of opportunity is getting smaller every day, and if we don’t act now, the future could be a lot worse.


The future is in our hands - how good or bad the future looks depends on what we do today. We can’t simply be bystanders in this crisis anymore. Find out how you can get involved in the climate movement in our future articles.



Credits:

Information - OECD, UN, Imperial TechForesight

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