Drum roll!
1. The mobility system is about to change more profoundly than it has for a century.
2. A regenerative approach to farming, with benefits for both production and producers, is strengthening quickly.
3. Action to address the plastics crisis is booming, both in civil society and in business.
4. There are signs of a system-wide shift for a retail model pushing its limits.
5. New ways of organising are growing in power.
6. Alternative livelihoods are emerging in low and middle-income countries.
7. Applications of blockchain are moving beyond the hype, particularly in supply chains.
These shifts are playing out against a dramatic backdrop. The global population is growing and may not peak this century. In 2017, the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere increased by the largest amount since measurements began. Political and social gaps are widening. Insect populations are declining, while antibiotic resistance is rising. And investors have just hailed a ‘new era of volatility’ in global markets.
Leadership means being more mindful than ever of our changing landscape. If you thought spotting signals was just a bit of future-gazing fun, think again. We thank you for being the eyes and ears of a more sustainable future!
Anna Simpson, Curator
Futures Centre