2050. Sunrise over Rome's Old Town paints the sky a soft orange colour. The city wakes quietly, but already the whisper of electric vehicles and the light gust of wind carrying the salt of the Mediterranean can be heard.

Europe has changed dramatically in the last 25 years. The climate crisis has forced countries to focus on renewable energy, and cities have become greener, with polluting cars virtually disappearing from the streets, replaced by autonomous electric cars and bicycles. Food production has also changed: vertical farms have solved product shortages and lab-grown meat has become a common choice.

Today, my plans include a quick trip to Paris on the hyper-trains that now connect all Europe's major cities. The journey will take just an hour - time for a cup of coffee and a short chat with friends via hologram. Life has become more convenient, but have people become happier? That's what we're still looking for.