Visions of a world where we’ve reversed the effects of human-induced climate change
Last edited on 14 Feb 2022
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Here’s the vision I see in 2040. I challenged myself to dream big and lead with my emotions, before letting my rational brain kick in. It’s a picture of what I want, not what I think we can get. Some of these ideas might be easy to imagine, others may seem impossible, but so did ending the apartheid in South Africa, passing the Civil Rights Act, or legalising same-sex marriage. They all started with a dream.
As with any vision, I don’t know exactly how we’ll get there at the beginning but as we articulate it more and share it with others, it gets more polished and the path starts to reveal itself.
This is version 1. So I ask you:
It’s 2040. I live in a home that’s in harmony with nature. The flow of air passes through keeping it cool in the summer, while its architecture stores heat for the winter with energy from the sun and geothermal material. There is a sense of peace and activity in this place - birds chirp, water flows in a nearby stream, and the sound of kids playing and people chatting carries on the fresh breeze.
Our space adapts to what we need - right now I sit at a desk connecting with other communities around the world - at other times it’s used as an area for meetings, eating, playing, and resting.
I live with my biological family - two children, my siblings and their kids - but the concept of family extends to the wider community, as we all share a vital and reciprocal role in each other's lives. We cook for each other, we play together, we’re caregivers to children and elders, and we share skills, knowledge and stories.
Education has changed since I went to school. Advances in free, remote learning have given greater access to knowledge. People of all ages can participate in a wide range of subjects like conflict resolution, ecological economics and regenerative design. New technology has made core subjects like history, science and creative pursuits more interactive and engaging, and learning has moved away from a standardised approach to one that adapts to the personal needs and styles of individuals. The core skill is learning how to learn, and our school systems are centred around collaboration instead of individual assessment and competition.