Trends Identified
Growing pressures on ecosystems
Driven by global population growth and associated demands for food and energy, as well as evolving consumption patterns, the pressure on the Earth's ecosystems is continuously increasing. Despite some positive developments, such as a recent reduction in the rates of tropical deforestation, global biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation are projected to increase.
2015
Assessment of global megatrends - an update
European Environment Agency (EEA)
Increasingly severe consequences of climate change
In the past 150 years, the atmosphere and the oceans have warmed, snow and ice cover has decreased, sea levels have risen and many extreme weather and climate events have become more frequent. This warming of the global climate is unprecedented over millennia.
2015
Assessment of global megatrends - an update
European Environment Agency (EEA)
Increasing environmental pollution
Across the world, ecosystems are today exposed to critical levels of pollution in increasingly complex mixtures. Human activities (such as energy generation and agriculture), global population growth and changing consumption patterns are the key drivers behind this growing environmental burden.
2015
Assessment of global megatrends - an update
European Environment Agency (EEA)
Diversifying approaches to governance
In the context of rapid globalisation, governments are facing a mismatch between the increasingly long-term, global, systemic challenges facing society and their more national and short-term focus and powers.
2015
Assessment of global megatrends - an update
European Environment Agency (EEA)
Additive Manufacturing
Additive manufacturing (AM) or 3D printing refers to a production method whereby three-dimensional products are created by successively layering material using a computerized or digital process.
2017
Beyond the Noise- The Megatrends of Tomorrow’s World
Deloitte
Artificial Intelligence
New technologies are focused on augmenting the processing capabilities of machines for human-like intelligence (e.g., robotics, natural-language processing, speech recognition).
2017
Beyond the Noise- The Megatrends of Tomorrow’s World
Deloitte
Augmented Reality
Augmented reality (AR) is a form of technology used to provide a digitally enhanced view of the real world. This technology layers digital information (e.g., graphics, sound, or feedback) on top of the physical environment for the user to manipulate.
2017
Beyond the Noise- The Megatrends of Tomorrow’s World
Deloitte
Automation
Physical objects are becoming more and more frequently interconnected with digital technology (e.g., advanced robotics and sensing) and able to communicate without human intervention.
2017
Beyond the Noise- The Megatrends of Tomorrow’s World
Deloitte
Blockchain Systems
Blockchain systems use a distributed ledger technology to promote transparency, trust, and decentralized validation among members of the digital network.
2017
Beyond the Noise- The Megatrends of Tomorrow’s World
Deloitte
Climate Change
As climate change continues, natural disasters and abnormal weather patterns will increasingly have effects on our socioeconomics, demographics, crop production, food security, migration, and political landscape in unprecedented ways.
2017
Beyond the Noise- The Megatrends of Tomorrow’s World
Deloitte