2052: A Global Forecast for the Next Forty Years

Global forecast

;The underlying logic of the prognosis Randers's reflections are based on two central questions: "What will happen to the consumer over the next 40 years?" and "Under what conditions – in which social and natural environment – will this future consumption take place?" (p. 78). He uses computer models to make sure feedback effects are not overlooked.

;Forecast on population and consumption World population will decline from about 2040. The working population will peak around 2030. Productivity will grow, but encounter obstacles. The gross domestic product will grow, but more and more slowly. Investments – forced and voluntary – will increase. New costs will be incurred. Adaptation and disaster costs will rise rapidly. The state will become more involved. Consumption will stagnate and decline in some places.

;Forecast on energy and CO2 Energy efficiency will continue to increase. Energy demand is expected to rise, but not indefinitely. CO2 emissions from energy consumption will peak in 2030. The average global temperature will rise by more than two degrees, causing serious problems.

;Forecast on nutrition and ecological footprint The race for natural resources will be hard, the biocapacity of the world will be exploited more and more. The cities will become richer sources of raw materials for metal than the mineral deposits in nature (urban mining). In the same way that zoos have already become the last refuge for many endangered species, parks will assume this role for nature in general.

;The non-physical future Randers argues that the global gross domestic product will fail to increase as it has in the past because of population decline, general aging and declining productivity growth.

The Internet will give rise to a completely new understanding of what is private and public. Knowledge will not be a scarce resource any more, but this will not lead to more rational decisions in most cases because knowledge on its own is not sufficient to change behavior when strong interests are involved. Therefore, it is likely that a "greenkeeping force" will be set up to enforce environmentally positive behavior, similar to the peacekeeping forces (blue berets) of today.

What can be done?

Randers references UN recommendations and gives 20 pieces of advice concerning individual behavior.

In short words he states:

References

References

1. [http://www.2052.info/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/p121031-2052-5000-word-summary-Randers-memo-3.pdf 2052 – A GLOBAL FORECAST FOR THE NEXT FORTY YEARS A 5.000 WORD SUMMARY]
2. [https://www.un.org/gsp/report Report of the advisory group of the UN Secretary General]
3. [http://www.2052.info/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/p120827-Plus-2-degrees-in-2052-Randers-op-ed-1.pdf Plus 2°C in 2052. What to do?] {{Webarchive. link. (2015-05-17 (Version August 8th 2012))