World Futures Fall 2021

"This crosses a moral, legal and technical line, taking us to a dark and dangerous world," UNSW Sydney AI professor Toby Walsh told Futurism. "Such weapons will be used by terrorists and rogue states. They will be weapons of terror."

DRIVER-WATER-SCARCITY-INFRASTRUCTURE-MATERIALS The North American drinking water infrastructure network spans an estimated 1 million miles, more than four times longer than the National Highway System, and that doesn't even take wastewater pipes into account. Much of the water infrastructure in the United States will need to be replaced in the next three decades. A large portion of water pipes was installed during three periods, and they will all need to be replaced in the next 25 years. Consider the following The oldest cast iron pipes laid in the late 1800s usually last 120 years; Pipes laid in 1920s must be replaced after 100 years; Pipes from the post-World War II boom wear out after 75 years. According to a 2012 report done by the American Water Works Association, the cost estimate to replace the old pipes is approximately $1 trillion over the next 25 years. The longer our water infrastructure is out of sight and out of mind, the closer we are to a serious national situation that will require immediate and dramatic funding. The cost of water infrastructure replacement far exceeds the financial capabilities of local water utilities and requires a strong commitment from not only utilities but rate-payers and government as well.

Interesting perspective on climate change in regard to insurance companies and insurance premiums. People often rely on the insurance to compensate for their losses. Insurance companies approach now has to change, as severe weather events become more frequent. Many will be priced out of areas due to higher costs. All industries will be required to pay higher premiums, subsequently raising product costs to consumers

Article about the administration mobilizing some national guard troops to help with the supply chain issues. The idea is that truck drivers and others could be used to help free up some of the bottlenecks. The idea probably won't go far, but reflects the how important the current supply problems are to the current administratioin.

Mega companies are pledging zero carbon emissions. This puts pressure on the shippers to get the business of these mega companies. Failure to reach the 20240 goal could result in lost revenue. Interesting use of coporate pressure to make things happen. Once a few of the companies reach zero emissions, the others will face considerable pressure to do so as well.

A glimpse into the future based on current trends. The outlook is mostly gloomy. Estimates range from one extreme to the other--a renewed democracy or total chaos. The short article touches a lot of the factors that will likley influence the future, but it's hard to say exactly.

"The administration's multitrillion-dollar social spending package, widely considered the most comprehensive climate legislation ever put forward in the US, must survive razor-thin Democratic majorities in Congress...The bill includes a program of payments and penalties to ensure utilities phase out fossil fuels from America's electricity supply, a huge expansion in tax credits for clean energy and new restrictions on methane, a potent greenhouse gas that is emitted from oil and gas drilling."

"By analyzing #BlackLivesMatter tweets, we found three main strategies: empowerment, mobilization and reputational damage, all as part of an effort that social scientists call "social accountability...We were looking to see whether the people using the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter were using any of three key elements of social accountability as they worked to call out the harm done by public institutions and to bring attention to police misconduct..."