Our contemporary time and this year of 2021 may feel like 1945. Soon after the second world war ended in 1945, reconstruction started across the world in various phases and styles. 2021 looks quite similar in terms of reconstruction and getting back on track albeit the war on covid-19 still rages. We know that the war against this hostile virus is not a conventional war as it is not fought with guns and is against an adversary which is invisible. As COVID 19 engulfed the whole world, it decimated the world population downsizing it by more than 3 million people and still counting. When this many people die without any violence as such, only by a virus, future may seem scary. Being cautious of what lies ahead, we need to prepare today itself to be ready for the challenges of tomorrow. We need to highlight the biggest issues plaguing humanity and planet earth in 2021 to be better prepared and possibly avoid the future catastrophes.
5 biggest issues in 2021
- Equity and inclusivity: In the light of economic impact of lockdowns due to COVID, we need to hurry up to get the world economy back on track.
The littles signs which emerge are encouraging. US economy grew by 6.4% in first quarter of 2021. Same is being experienced for many major economies.
2. Tackling COVID-19 and threat of new and re-emerging diseases: The second wave of COVID-19 in some countries like India has been more disastrous. Nations have been caught unaware. The variants of COVID-19 are escaping not just the tests but also vaccine. The basics to control the spread of virus, face masks & sanitisers, are going to be relevant for a long time now.
3. Climate change: Some 10 million acres were lost to wildfires in the West, creating a toxic cloud that hung over several areas for many weeks. Record number of hurricanes have been witnessed world across. US president Joe Biden’s decision to join back the Paris Climate deal comes as a big boost. Due to climate change, poorest nations and people are going to be hardest hit. We also need to help the small scale farmers to adapt to climate change. If not tackled, climate migration would soon be a reality which many would be forced to embrace.
4. Restarting and reimagining supply chains: Everyone would now agree that heavily depending upon one source can be disastrous. Same applies for supply chains also. China has been like the factory for the world. But when the Corona virus forced China to shut, it resulted in global supply chains being impacted badly. Many companies are now looking for diversifying their supply chains by moving to alternate markets like India, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Philippines etc. Many are also trying to revive local businesses with young talent of their own region.
5. Misinformation: The globalisation has led to massive movement of not just resources & people but also of information from one place to another just with a click of button. When the information is shared in real time it can prove profitable but at the same time can be disastrous as well. This is because it is hard to verify its authenticity. With artificial intelligence making inroads in our societies catching the mis information may get even harder as artificial intelligence uses such systems to create fake information that it resembles very closely with the true information thereby misleading many. This misinformation may even lead to complete Chaos in society. We need to have proper systems that debunk misinformation & rumours and help build trust.
What is getting better:
° Increasing access to drinking water
° Increasing literacy rates
° Reducing nuclear proliferation
° Improving Energy efficiency
° Reducing infant mortality
What is worsening:
° Increasing unemployment
° Increasing greenhouse gas emissions
° Increasing corruption
° Increasing terrorism
° Reducing voter turnout
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