2052: A Global Forecast for the Next Forty Years

Randers has made it his life's work to caution the world about the dangers of unfettered expansion, and to seek out solutions to current and prospective problems. Beginning with The Limits to Growth in 1972, he has explored possible scenarios for our social, economic, and environmental future. In this global study, Randers presents a forecast for the next 40 years, supported by "statistical data, anecdotal stories, impressions from traveling the world%E2%80%A6formal analyses of particular developments," and short essays by a variety of experts. While he discusses his own opinions%E2%80%94such as his belief that the world economy must shift its focus from "fossil-fuelled economic growth" to "sustainable well-being%E2%80%94" the enormous amount of information and speculation here function additionally as an excellent springboard for a timely discourse. And open and informed conversation seems crucial to Randers's project%E2%80%94indeed, he posits that unchecked climate change is not a technological problem, but a political one. Randers and his colleagues present a portrait of the future that is radically different from today, but not entirely bleak: while he believes that the worst of his predictions are possible, he humbly asks his readers to "help make my forecast wrong." (June)