Greenhouse

So far the global warming by an estimated 0,7 degrees Celsius has given effects to plant life on a global level. According to estimates the vegetation has increased with 6% between 1982 and 1999. This is expected as carbondioxide is one essential part of the photosyntesis process that is feeding plant growth.

As an effect it is expected that already dry areas will become drier in many cases, as well as the opposite many rainy countries will get wetter. And some countries will be even wetter due to rise in sea levels. Furthermore, the effects will have the largest negative impact tin development countries and the most positive effects in industrialised countries. Obviously third world countries will require help from richer and more developed countries. Not only in the form of money, but also in the form of a commitment to battling the cause of the problem, the emissions causing climate change.

[Climate Change] [Environment] [Sustainability] [Development] [Future]

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A brand new heart

A major biomedical break through has been done lately, scientist at University of Minnesota has succesfully created a mouse heart in a lab. It has been done from the extra cellular matrix of an old heart, meaning that the cells of the heart has been removed leaving only the parts holding the cells together. Thereafter new heart cells have been translated into this template, which has succesfully grown to create a new heart.

This creates new opportunities for heart transplants, although it is still a long way until it will be available to humans. By doing a transplant in this manner the patients on cells can be used, meaning that problems with rejection and immune system will be decreased. The immune system will attack a foreign object within the body, such as a transplanted heart, but with this method the new heart will not be foreign and thus avoid immune system attacks. The dream is to be able to use the extra cellular matrix an animal cadavre and the patients own cells to create a new functioning heart for persons with severe cardiac diseases.

[Heart] [Transplant] [Medicine] [Future]

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Brain control?

According to a American scientist, Ray Kurzweil, who has recently been invited to the American Engineering Academy to discuss the technology of the future, we will have nano-robots in our brains soon. According to Kurzweil this will happen in around 20 years.

These small nano-robots will be transported through our capillaries and interact with our own neurons. The purpose would be to make us smarter and improve our memory, but also to repair damages. This sounds like a far off future scenario, but mostly just scary.

The first objection must be, who will control these robots? If they are powerful enough to influence our mind, then this should be the ultimate tool of (government) control. Whether or not these bots would be programmable is unknown, but one would argue that they are only a few molecules and would not hold any software, but rather act on chemical principles. WHich would also make the one doing or controlling the design powerful.

If this scenario comes, I expect major scepticism and resistance to arise. It is probable that it is a long way from happening. But as always with the future it is largely unclear.

[Future] [Technology] [Nano] [Brain] [Control]

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Flying on rails

The general opinion is today agreeing on the fact that flying is the most environmental harmful way of travelling. For intercontinental travels flying may still be necessary in the future. For these travels a need for new energy systems and better fuel is of utmost importance.

However, for shorter travels, for example within Western Europe, train could be just as quick. What is needed is development of the train system. Higher capacity is needed and more high speed trains. If this is established the trains should be able to be a serious competitor to flying. And much more environmentally friendly, provided that the energy is produced in a good way.

A problem for this is however the different standards in different countries. For example when it comes to width of the rails it differs between countries in Europe, forcing time consuming transfers. But trains definitely has a future in a more environmentally concerned society, but action is needed for the trains to fulfill its potential.

[Trains] [Flying] [Future] [Environment] [Travel]

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Climate Wars

As earlier written here, the changes in climate may very well be the cause of the next great war. A recently published report by a european governmental agency states that almost 4 billion persons are risking to face armed conflicts or political instability as an effect of climate change. The largest risk is for inhabitants of instable countries or countadries with bad leadership. Furthermore, it states that there is a lack of willingness to respond to the coming climate change in many countries.

A recognition of this problem is needed on an international and intragovernmental level, otherwise this is bound to be a major factor shaping the coming century. Swift action and support is needed from the international community, first and foremost from the industrialized world. A willingness from USA and the European Union will be needed, and a new president in USA may be a prerequisite for this.

[Climate Change] [War] [Future]

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The tides are turning

USA has for some time been the world largest democracy, the world foremost industrial country and the foremost oil power. During the last years and in the near future this is all changing. Other countries are growing at a much mroe rapid pace. Economists has forecasted that China will surpass USA in terms of purchasing power between 2012 and 2015. By 2025 China is set to be the largest economic power in the world. How radical will this change be?

This economic power, the quest for water and raw materials and climate changes will have large consequences. Will this create an imperialistic policy? With China seeking expansion and increased influence?

India is today the world's largest democracy, China is the foremost industrial power and USA is an oil importer. A lot has changed, and it is not finished yet.

[USA] [China] [Economy] [Future]

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How red is the Red Dragon?

The Chinese dragon is moving, and the economy is growing on the brink of overheating. Is this the first economically succesful communist state?


This question needs two considerations. First is the economy succesful? I would say yes, with a but. Their is a backside of the economic growth, the environment is suffering, inequalities are growing and the considerations of human rights are far behind the west. However, I believe the growing middle class, the increased education levels and general increased prosperity will create a demand for democracy, sooner or later. And then comes another question will China resolve this peacefully and how will this change China?

So what about the communism? Well on the surface China is still a communist state, but it's moving towards what is could be described as a state-controlled market economy. There are private or publicly owned companies competing on the same market as large state-owned enterprises, such as PetroChina. The governing body of the Communist party has already removed some of the older traditionally communistic hardliners. This is a clear indication of a shift towards market economy. Furthermore, a recognition of the potential gains of foreign direct investment is spreading.

My describtion of China would be a market-driven authoritarian regime. Which in some senses might be a contradiction, but this is where China seems to be going. What the future hold for the Red Dragon is yet to be decided.

[China] [Communism] [Market Economy] [Democracy] [Future]