top of page

By 2040, the air and water are clean, food is healthy, and weapons are banned.

Anonymous

April 26, 2023

By 2040, the air and water are clean, food is healthy, and weapons are banned.

This image was generated with Dream Studio AI.

In 2040, the air and water will be clean, no one will have to go hungry, no weapons will be manufactured, and all wars will be over. All people - from politicians, business representatives, researchers, and bankers to employees, children, and pensioners - are involved in a circular bioeconomy which prevents emissions that pollute the environment, harm health and cause climate deterioration.

Renewable Organic Materials derived from plants, animals, microorganisms, and their excrement are only handled in the following local systems connected to "smart grids":
• "Non-Sewage systems" with hygienic and easy-to-handle devices for collecting both food and toilet waste - that prevent emissions which are polluting air and water, and facilitating the return of plant nutrients and organic carbon compounds to cultivated land - contributes to a) carbon storage, b) increased biodiversity of soil organisms, c) increased soil water holding capacity - as well as several other factors that are positive for soil fertility, while gray water is purified locally with biological methods.
• Sustainable biological transformation methods for Renewable Organic Materials in residues and waste are used in order to utilize bioenergy and all the essential chemical elements in ecologically, economically, and socially sustainable ways.

Unsustainable thermal methods such as combustion, thermal gasification and pyrolysis of Renewable Organic Materials as well as unsustainable chemical methods are banned.

Instead of manufacturing equipment for military purposes, all resources are used for continuous improvement of equipment that reduces the over-utilization of natural resources and thus benefits the CIRCULAR BIOECONOMY.

Gray water from settlements, treated with biological methods, is reused for irrigation in urban farms and parks and farms around cities as well as for fountains and for water-games.
------------------

Background

In 2021, political decision-makers and company representatives have begun to seriously realize the transition to a knowledge-based sustainable society. It started with media pressure when journalists launched campaigns in collaboration with conscious and committed citizens.

Information was disseminated about an SBRS concept, which in short is about
• saving water
• saving the arable land
• increasing energy efficiency
• reducing costs when the environment, health and climate are positively affected.

The "SBRS concept” stands for "Sustainable Biological Recycling System" and consists of using the following innovative types of equipment to be able to use sustainable methods:
• hygienic and easy-to-use devices for collecting food and toilet waste without diluting with water
• digitized logistics for everything related to Renewable Organic Materials, that was previously handled unsustainably in waste and sewage systems
• local high-tech biogas plants to produce biogas and biofertilizers
• local biological water treatment of gray water from households
• trigeneration for the conversion of energy in biogas to electricity, heating/cooling, etc.
• upgrading of "digestate" to biofertilizers.

The basis of all life is photosynthesis. In plants, the sun's radiant energy is converted into BIOENERGY with the help of at least 16 chemical elements (S. Pettersson, 1984). Carbon (C), oxygen (O) and hydrogen (H), which make up about 96% of the plants' dry matter, come from carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O). The other 4% that must be present for photosynthesis to work are nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), sulfur (S), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), boron (B), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), chlorine (Cl), zinc (Zn) and molybdenum (Mo). In later literature, a few more elements are mentioned.

When facts about basic conditions for cultivation systems became widely known, it increased our understanding of food production without consuming or destroying the fertility of the soil, i.e., its production capacity. It was noted that soil degradation continued for decades, before 2020 became characterized by insufficient recycling of the essential chemical elements and organically bound carbon back to cultivated soils.

Particular attention was paid to information from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, which in May 2019 published that less than 2% of the plant nutrients are reused. It was an alarm clock that showed that 98% of plant nutrients becomes pollutants in our air and water, due to unsustainable handling of Renewable Organic Materials.

All air pollutants move around the earth, fall with the rain, and pollute water, soil, vegetation and create costs through health problems, destroyed buildings, etc. Growers were forced to buy imported mineral fertilizers, pesticides, and fossil fuels, which after the transition, that lasted until 2030, were produced in each country, and usually locally, to minimize long transports.

Both direct costs via tariffs for water and waste and indirect for environmental problems caused by using unsustainable methods and synthetic chemicals, as well as uncertain food quality and increased health problems in unhealthy working environments, were borne by the citizens, which created major protests in many countries. These resulted in the media disseminating information about ecologically, economically, and socially sustainable alternatives.

After COP26 in 2021, both politicians and business decision-makers, including legislators and banks, had to take the idea of a transition to a knowledge-based sustainable society seriously. Everyone under COP26 agreed that the most important thing is health and that it can only be achieved with measures where technological innovations, only in the absence of military purposes, prevent most emissions that pollute the environment and thus threaten health and the climate.

The main goal was to prevent costly losses of bioenergy and the essential elements of life.

In 2022, the entire arms industry began to be restructured to manufacture equipment used for conversion, instead of weapons, for the benefit of the environment and humanity.
-------------------------

In 2040, my oldest grandson will be 40 years old.

related stories

hallo
Itsekkyyden aika on jäänyt taakse, pidämme parempaa huolta toisistamme ja maapallostamme
Permanent world peace has been achieved. Political leaders have agreed that we respect each other's land and sovereignty, so we no longer need weapons against each other. The money saved has been used to tackle climate change and stop the rise in temperatures. Waste collection and recycling has also reached a level where it is beginning to look as if the earth's carrying capacity will last into the next century after all. Income inequalities have been levelled out, both in Finland and globally. We have found new ways of employing young people, for example through longer apprenticeships. Society continues to take care of the disadvantaged, but also by better integrating them. There is no ageism, neither for young people nor for seniors. This is how we can extend working careers. Work will be increasingly independent of time and place, so there will be no need to move in search of work, and we will keep Finland populated to the extent that it makes sense. People's mutual care, community spirit and altruism have increased and selfishness has disappeared. Finland is still the happiest nation in the world, but also the most knowledgeable. Learning and education have risen in value, and in return, culture and art are also valued.
hallo
Better tomorrow
A Day in 2050: Reflections on the Past and Future It's a crisp morning in April 2050. The world has transformed significantly since 2025, with technological advancements, environmental shifts, and societal changes reshaping our lives. Morning Reflections As I step out onto my balcony, I gaze at the sprawling cityscape. Solar panels and wind turbines dot the rooftops, a testament to the global shift towards renewable energy. The air is cleaner, thanks to the widespread adoption of electric vehicles and advanced air purification systems. I recall the pivotal years between 2025 and 2050. The early 2020s were marked by rising tensions between nations, particularly over AI and cybersecurity. However, by the late 2020s, international cooperation increased, driven by the urgent need to address climate change and ensure global food security. The History Between 2025 and 2050 Technological Leap: AI became integral to daily life, revolutionizing healthcare, education, and transportation. Virtual and augmented reality transformed entertainment and learning, making remote education accessible worldwide. Environmental Progress: The Paris Agreement's successor, the "Global Climate Pact," was signed in 2030, committing nations to net-zero emissions by 2050. This led to rapid advancements in clean tech, with solar energy becoming the primary source of power globally. Societal Shifts: Aging populations in developed countries were supported by advanced healthcare and automation, while younger nations like India and Africa experienced rapid economic growth. Gender equality and cultural diversity became central to global policies. A Day in 2050 As I head to work, I use my augmented reality glasses to navigate through the city. They provide real-time traffic updates and suggest the most efficient routes. My job as a sustainability consultant involves advising companies on how to integrate green technologies into their operations. During lunch, I meet with friends at a community garden. These gardens have become common in urban areas, providing fresh produce and serving as community hubs. We discuss the upcoming "Global Happiness Index" report, which measures not just economic growth but also social well-being and environmental health. Evening Reflections As the day ends, I reflect on what I'd like to change. Despite the progress, there's still a gap in access to quality education and healthcare in some regions. I hope that by 2060, these disparities will be significantly reduced through continued technological innovation and global cooperation. The future is promising, but it requires constant effort to ensure that progress benefits everyone. As I look out at the city, I feel a sense of hope and responsibility for the world we're building. Important Aspects to Change Education Accessibility: Ensure that quality education is accessible to all, using AI and virtual reality to bridge gaps in remote areas. Healthcare Equity: Implement universal healthcare systems that leverage AI for early disease detection and personalized treatments. Environmental Sustainability: Continue to innovate in clean tech and encourage global cooperation to protect natural resources for future generations. By focusing on these areas, we can create a future where technology enhances human life without exacerbating existing inequalities.
hallo
Równia pochyła
It's hard to write about a better future, because better it was, unfortunately. Now every year it is getting worse and more dangerous in the world. The powers are once again clashing for influence, and whoever shows weakness and lack of decisiveness loses. Such a fate, unfortunately, awaits a weak and divided Europe, which cannot agree internally whether to defend itself from Russian influence or to do a reset and cooperate with the East. The situation is exploited by Russia, which continues its westward expansion and occupies the Baltic states after Putin's death. The Americans, engaged in an economic confrontation (for the time being) with China in the Pacific, do not intervene and, in cooperation with Europe's richest countries, agree on a new division of influence with Russia. Everything east of Poland is already in the Russian sphere of influence, and Poland is under tremendous pressure from Russia, which supports certain political circles that eventually take over and bring Poland peacefully into the Russian sphere of influence. The only thing that has been avoided is a nuclear conflict.... for now.
hallo
Changeons le monde
En 2040, j'aimerai que l'Homme soit moins individualiste. Qu'il ne pense pas en priorité à ses propres intérêts mais plutôt à l'intérêt collectif, à l'environnement et à la planète qui souffre de tant d'indifférence. Si chacun y met du sien il est possible de freiner le réchauffement climatique et les catastrophes qui s'intensifient au fil des années.
Join #OurFutures now!

The future is shaped by our ideas and our actions today. Tell us about your visions of the future and help us create a futures narrative aimed at inspiring citizens, policy-makers and foresight experts alike!

Our-futures-banner-coloured_v3.jpg

The European Commission support does not constitute endorsement of the contents which reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained.

ERA_logo.jpg

We support the European Research Area aimed at creating a single, borderless market for research, innovation and technology in the EU.

©OurFutures 2025, All rights reserved.

  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
bottom of page