As seen with Brexit and Donald Trump’s election win, forecasting even the near future is a challenge. Looking further ahead – considering how cities will function, where energy will come from, what people will eat, or what being a refugee will mean – becomes even more uncertain. However, envisioning the future can help us better understand today’s obstacles and possibilities.
Experts from the Global Future Councils shared their insights on what life may look like in 2030. Their predictions range from the disappearance of traditional shopping to the revival of the nation-state.
All Products Will Become Services
Danish MP Ida Auken describes a future where personal ownership is a thing of the past. Cars, houses, appliances, and even clothing are no longer individually owned. Shopping is a concept of the past in this envisioned 2030 city, where clean energy is widely available, and people simply borrow what they need when they need it. While this lifestyle may sound ideal, there’s a downside – constant surveillance of daily activities. Beyond the city limits, those who reject this system live in stark contrast, highlighting a world divided in two.
There Is a Global Price for Carbon
China led the way in 2017 by launching a market for trading CO2 emission rights, allowing companies to buy and sell permits for releasing a ton of carbon dioxide. This move set the stage for a unified global carbon price and created a strong push to move away from fossil fuels, according to Jane Burston, Head of Climate and Environment at the UK’s National Physical Laboratory. At the same time, Europe became a key player in the affordable and efficient solar panel trade as the cost of renewable energy dropped significantly.
US Dominance Has Ended. Multiple Global Powers Emerge
The era of US dominance has passed, giving way to a world where several nations hold significant influence. Robert Muggah, Research Director at the Igarapé Institute, explains that nation-states have regained power. Instead of a single leading force, multiple countries – such as the United States, Russia, China, Germany, India, and Japan – display semi-imperial ambitions. At the same time, traditional state control faces challenges from rising city influence and the expansion of digital identities.
Goodbye Hospitals, Welcome Home Healthcare
Advancements in technology will continue transforming how diseases are treated, according to Melanie Walker, a medical doctor and advisor to the World Bank. Traditional hospitals will become less common as medical care shifts toward personalized and preventive treatments. Fewer accidents will occur due to self-driving vehicles, reducing emergency visits. Surgery will evolve, replacing scalpels and organ transplants with tiny robotic devices and bio-printed organs, making procedures safer and more efficient.
Meat Consumption Has Declined
Tim Benton, Professor of Population Ecology at the University of Leeds, UK, predicts that people will eat far less meat, much like previous generations, who considered it an occasional luxury rather than a daily necessity. The shift won’t favor large-scale farming or small artisan producers alone. Instead, both will play a role in reshaping convenience foods to be more nutritious and environmentally friendly.
Syrian Refugees of Today, Business Leaders of 2030
By 2030, many highly educated Syrian refugees will have established successful careers, demonstrating the value of integrating displaced individuals into the economy. Lorna Solis, Founder and CEO of the NGO Blue Rose Compass, emphasizes the need for better global preparedness as mass displacement continues. With climate change expected to force one billion people to migrate, the world must adapt to support these shifting populations.
Western Values Will Face Their Greatest Test
The principles that shaped Western democracies will be pushed to their limits. Kenneth Roth, Executive Director of Human Rights Watch, warns that the stability of democratic systems depends on maintaining essential checks and balances. Ignoring these safeguards could lead to serious consequences.
Humans Will Be on Their Way to Mars
By the 2030s, the journey to Mars will be within reach. Ellen Stofan, Chief Scientist at NASA, predicts that once humans arrive, they may even find signs of extraterrestrial life. Scientific advancements will not only expand our understanding of existence beyond Earth but also lead to new technological breakthroughs with practical applications.
Mary Watson
