The World: 50 Years Down the Line

I'm sure that even people with the most positive of dispositions find it hard to look beyond the near future with any real optimism. Maybe humans by nature tend not to think that far ahead anyway, preferring to focus on the here and now instead, which is understandable. Western governments and multinationals are certainly very limited in their long term planning, with the latter prioritising short term profit above everything else. Attitudes in the East, particularly China, seem to be much more adept at long term planning, sometimes thinking many generations ahead. But, it is this general lack of consideration for the future that further exacerbates the problems that the planet faces and will continue to face with increasing urgency.

It is problems that we are already confronted with which in my reckoning will, without urgent attention, cause untold suffering to the world, barely leaving any corners untouched. In fact, these particular problems are already having a devastating affect on some peoples lives. Over-population, diminishing natural resources, and climate change. These three issues are not unrelated to each other, they work in combination, one fuelling the other. Neither are these issues foreign or obscure, they are well known to everyone, certainly throughout the developed world, maybe to a lesser extent in the developing world where poverty reduction seems more relevant.

To many the world is already over-populated, with many of people's basic needs such as food and water not being met. Whether you think that this is a population problem or just bad management of the earth's resources, it's hard to deny that if the current population growth trends continue, we will certainly be unable to provide for massive parts of the world's population, with increased famine being just one of the awful consequences we will be confronted with. We have limited natural resources, whether that be oil, gas, minerals or fish stocks, we all know this. Yet we continue to largely ignore this fact, choosing to up our consumption of such resources, while limiting our investment in greener renewable alternatives. Through increased Co2 levels, animal agriculture, deforestation, as well as many other factors, we are affecting climate change which is upsetting the natural balance of the planet.

It is the combination of these three ever-growing problems, over-population, dwindling natural resources, and climate change, together with what seems to be mankind's short-sightedness and thirst for confrontation and conflict, that will bring about such terrifying consequences: major natural disasters and large scale war.

Extreme weather patterns due to a warming in the earth's temperature and a rise in sea levels, are something we are already familiar with, but these are likely to increase in volume and severity in the future. With droughts, hurricanes, and monsoons killing more and more people, as well as wildlife. There is also likely to be a rise in volcano eruptions and earthquakes. The world, simply put, will become much less hospitable, making survival an uphill battle.

Probably more worrying, at least in terms of the immediate destruction it can cause, is a world that turns to war in pursuit of the world's dwindling resources. This is not simply paranoia or an over-the-top prediction of an apocalyptic end to the world. The history of humankind is littered with war and violence, even our more recent history is no exception, with advanced modern countries showing the same disregard for human life and lust for destruction. The most striking of differences the technologically driven modern world has compared with the past is the array and destructiveness of its weapons, not least nuclear weapons which have now become prolific.

Some argue that nuclear weapons, which now several countries possess, have brought about a certain amount of stability. I believe there is some truth in this, after all, one country tends not to attack another country if they are able to respond with a nuclear threat. But given that the worlds growing population, who have a propensity for war, is running out of resources, it's doesn't take much of a leap to argue that nations may engage in war over these resources. I would like to be optimistic about our future here on earth, but the logical part of my brain tells me there will be wars, continuous, brutal and probably nuclear world wars. Unless we get are shit together, the world in 50 years time will be no picnic!  

Austerity

When accessing the media these days there is one theme above any other that seems to haunt us. Austerity! We're bombarded with it. We all have to cut back, we're all in this together. Some have to take a pay cut or a cut in their pension, while others have lost their jobs. Services are being cut: healthcare, benefits, policing; every area of society is to be examined and cuts made where possible. We all have to take it on the chin and pull together as a society, the country's broke and so is Europe. Politicians love to talk about the need to come together and tackle the debt as a society, claiming that nearly everyone is negatively effected by the austerity measures. The problem is, most people see it for what it really is; an attack on the poor and most vulnerable in society.

People who had absolutely no hand in causing this mess are the ones who are truly suffering. But of course, this is nothing new. In times of recession it's usually the case that the poorer and more disadvantaged suffer, while the wealthier and elite segments of society have very little to worry themselves about, except the constant complaining and whining of the majority. It amazes me that instead of raising tax on the wealthy, we're cutting the safety nets from under the poor. I know all the economic arguments that are used to justify lower tax rates on big business. Governments often believe that by implementing high tax rates, they run the risk of discouraging businesses from setting up in their respective countries, especially when other countries can offer a lower rate of tax. I believe this to be a somewhat genuine concern, but it just reflects the general attitude of the worlds wealthy – money and short term gains over people. It does appear that governments are often at the mercy of big business, but they also seem unwilling to challenge the status quo. And why would they, many politicians benefit hugely from their relationships within the business world. Some make massive financial gains whilst still in government, while others are a little more cautious and cash in once their political career is over. That's not to say all politicians are selfish and corrupt. There are many that are trying to change the system from within but find it almost impossible to make any headway, accomplishing only small victories for fairness and equality.

There are signs that people are fighting back, with Francois Hollande and The Socialist Party winning the recent French presidential elections, and the anti-austerity politics of the Syriza party gaining popularity in Greece. Within the Euro-zone it is Greece who is suffering more than most. With massive unemployment and cuts to services such as healthcare, many Greeks have fallen below the poverty line, relying on handouts from NGOs and other charitable organisations. Is it at all surprising that the level of anger among large sections of Greek society is so high? To be told that the cuts will need to go deeper before a bailout can be agreed does not sound like something that would placate your average Greek citizen right now. There's much speculation surrounding the implications of a Greek government that wouldn't accept the bailout conditions that are being proposed, but whatever happens I sincerely hope the people are put first, and not the multinational corporations who are just foaming at the mouth at the thought of buying up state-owned assets on the cheap.

One positive to be taken out of the current climate of austerity – people are uniting and fighting for a fairer and more just system. People have become more aware of social issues and social justice; the more that the inequalities between the rich and poor become apparent, the angrier and more determined the people become. Lets just hope that this wave of discontent can be turned into an ocean of change for the better.