If you look at history humanity it is only in the last 150 years that we have really improved our lives and society beyond the ancient Roman or Chinese Empires.
One of the key changes was the industrial revolution, which basically involved tapping into coal, and then oil as an energy source. And what a difference fossil fuels have made to everything. No longer bound by the amount of energy we and our animals could produce we as a species have taken off.
Earlier than that, agriculture taught us to build irrigation systems and dams in order to allow for climate changes.
Now that there are so many of us we have realised that we are making an impact on the global ecosystem in which we live in and we need to do something about it. This is what is so exciting.
Given that there will be 9 billion of us by 2050 we need to radically improve how we harvest and use energy.
We aren’t going to take a step backwards in terms of living standards and expectations, but we can do the same things with a lower impact.
- Look at all the work being done on hydrogen as a substitute for fossil fuels.
- Look at all the improvements in renewable energy.
- Look at all the efforts going into high efficiency cars and other transport.
- Look at all the amazing news coming out of genetics. Maybe in a decade or so we will be able to tailor living organisms like they do in Sci Fi novels. Think about being able to plant a seed and watch your house grow.
- Manufacture on demand technology can not only make 3D objects on the spot, but is now being extended to ideas such as concrete printers that can actually build a house. Unbelievable.
- Modular or kit homes are a similar innovation that has major implications for cost, quality and timeliness of housing supply.
- Advances in medicine are incredible, and there seems to be a growing response to basic needs for the developing world at an affordable price too.
- China is poised to take over as the leading economy.
- India is industrialising – in fits and starts, but it is getting there.
- Africa is going through growing pains as it tries to introduce industrial thinking, but it will get there and will be a much bigger part of all our lives in the future.
- Technology in general is changing so rapidly it is always tempting to keep putting off new purchases as you know the next leap in technology is just 6 months away.
- Biotechnology, nanotechnology, material sciences, compound materials, communication technology, etc. They are all revolutionising our lives.
All in all, there has never been a more interesting time in human history and seeing the ingenuity of humanity keeps astounding. I can’t wait.
Note: I work as a project and energy economist with companies and governments on geosequestration,wind, geothermal, hydro, wave, transmission networks, coal seam gas, coal,and more. The views expressed in this blog are solely my own and do not represent the views of any organisation that I do work for.
