MANUFACTURING'S TOP CHALLENGES
Capturing the power of
nanotech, integrating information technology throughout manufacturing
processes, and developing hydrogen energy technologies are the three top
priorities for research and development in manufacturing, according to a
report from a U.S. government interagency working group.
Selection of these
interrelated priorities will help industry focus resources on meeting future
needs, such as job creation, transforming research into competitive
products, and ensuring a cleaner environment.
Nanotechnologies are
expected to be a "critical driver of future economic growth, affecting
potentially every industry from aerospace and energy to health care and
agriculture," according to the report. The emphasis on hydrogen energy R&D,
such as developing affordable and reliable fuel cells, is intended to help
ensure a more secure energy future.
SOURCES:
Interagency Working Group on Manufacturing R&D report, MANUFACTURING THE
FUTURE,
NIST.
HURRICANES HITTING HARDER FINANCIALLY
If the hurricane that
hit Miami in 1926 were to hit the city now, it would cause up to $157
billion in damages. (By comparison, Hurricane Katrina caused $81 billion in
damage in 2005.)
According to a new
report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the
economic costs of hurricanes have been doubling every 10 to 15 years in the
United States, not because the storms are stronger but because
hurricane-prone coastlines have seen increased development of more valuable
properties.
Researcher
Chris Landsea claims that while global warming and climate change may be
blamed for many environmental problems, there is no evidence that it has
caused increased destruction along U.S. coasts. Rather, he says, the problem
with hurricane destruction is the higher costs of homes and businesses built
in hurricanes' paths.
This view is not shared
by the majority of climate scientists. In September of 2005,
Peter
Webster of Georgia Tech and Greg Holland of the National Center for
Atmospheric Research published a paper in the journal Science showing
that while the total number of hurricanes had remained the same over the
past 30 years, the number of more intense category 4 and 5 hurricanes had
increased by as much as 80%. Other climate researchers such as Kerry
Emmanuel of MIT agree that the upward trend in more category 4 and 5
hurricanes is clear but put the increase at closer to 50%.
The NOAA report makes a
somewhat obvious and uncontroversial recommendation: People shouldn't live
where hurricanes are likely to strike. "Unless action is taken to address
the growing concentration of people and property in coastal hurricane areas,
the damage will increase by a great deal as more people and infrastructure
inhabit these coastal locations," says Landsea.
Source:
NOAA,
MIT
|
MESSAGE FROM CONFERENCE
CHAIRMAN NAT IRVIN II
What is it like to be
immersed in an environment of free-flowing ideas? WorldFuture 2008
Conference Chair Nat Irvin II shares his first WFS conference experience and
previews what attendees at this year's event can look forward to.
Watch:
The goal for WorldFuture
2008: Seeing the Future Through New Eyes, to be held July 26-28 in
Washington, D.C., is to bring as many different perspectives together as
possible, from all disciplines and all continents and cultures. You'll
explore a vast array of sessions on topics ranging from artificial
intelligence to law enforcement, from microlending to whole-systems
thinking.
In addition, a series of
insightful keynote addresses on clean energy, combating terrorism, emerging
technologies, understanding cycles, becoming a "changemaker," and much more
will inspire you to see—and create—the future through new eyes.
LEARN MORE:
REGISTER BY APRIL 30 and save $100 off the on-site registration fee:
|
RESURGENCE OF ANTI-SEMITISM
A U.S. State Department
report to Congress warns of an upsurge in anti-Semitism, a trend that has
been observed by governments and NGOs worldwide. The report documents
incidents of violence, desecration of property, and intimidation toward
Jews.
In 2006, countries
reporting significant increases in anti-Semitic incidents and expressions
included Argentina (35% more than in 2005), Australia (32.5%), and the
United Kingdom (31%). Countries where anti-Semitism appears to have become
official state policy include Iran, Syria, Belarus, Venezuela, Saudi Arabia,
and Egypt, the report charges.
Newer forms of
anti-Semitic expression are also emerging, such as criticism of Zionism and
Israeli policy that, intentionally or unintentionally, results in promoting
prejudice against all Jews and demonizing Israel. "Anti-Semitism couched as
criticism of Zionism or Israel often escapes condemnation since it can be
more subtle than traditional forms of anti-Semitism," the report notes.
The report calls on
world governments to publicly condemn all forms of anti-Semitism and to
promote tolerance in schools and in society at large. Civic and religious
organizations are encouraged to support awareness, education, and dialogue
to promote tolerance and oppose discrimination.
SOURCE: U.S. Department
of State,
"Contemporary
Global Anti-Semitism"
(PDF)
SALT FOUND ON MARS, METHANE BEYOND
Astronomers have
detected methane in the atmosphere of a planet orbiting the Jupiter-sized
star HD 189733b in the constellation Vulpecula (Little Fox). This first
discovery of an organic molecule outside our solar system strengthens hope
for finding extraterrestrial life.
The discovery was made
by a team led by Mark Swain of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory using
observations made with the Hubble Space Telescope's Near Infrared Camera and
Multi-Object Spectrometer.
The ability to detect
organic molecules outside our solar system is "a crucial stepping stone to
eventually characterizing prebiotic molecules on planets where life could
exist," says Swain.
Closer to home, salt on
Mars has been detected by a University of Hawaii-led team using data from
NASA's Mars Odyssey orbiter. The salt deposits indicate where water may have
been abundant and therefore where ancient life may have existed. Salt helps
preserve organic material; bacteria have been revived from salt deposits on
Earth after millions of years.
SOURCES:
NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope,
University of Hawaii-Manoa.
|
FUTURE SURVEY SPECIAL REPORT ON DEMOCRACY
DEMOCRACY IN THE 21st
CENTURY: FORWARD OR BACKWARD? is the latest "Mini-Guide" from FUTURE SURVEY,
the monthly WFS review of important books, reports, and articles. FS editor
Michael Marien has assembled 85 recent abstracts on general trends related
to democracy worldwide, the struggling "new democracies," arguments for
strengthening U.S. democracy, elections and voting in the U.S., problems
with American media and education, promises of e-democracy, global
governance issues, and democratic idealisms.
Also available are
Mini-Guide #1 on Global Warming and the Energy Transition and Mini-Guide #2
on Security and Peace in the 21st Century: Nuclear Weapons, Terrorism and
Other Threats. Similar to Mini-Guide #3 on democracy, these two guides will
expand your thinking about two of the great Global Challenges of our time.
The Mini-Guides are
available from WFS for $15 each ($13.50 for Society members).
ORDER FS MINI-GUIDES or SUBSCRIBE TO FUTURE SURVEY:
|
CLICK OF THE
MONTH: INSTITUTE FOR EMERGING ISSUES
(http://www.ncsu.edu/iei)
Describing itself as not
just a think tank, but a "think-and-do" tank, North Carolina State
University's interactive Institute for Emerging Issues explores significant
areas impacting global, local, and personal futures, such as realizing
opportunities in energy challenges and transforming higher education.
At the site, visitors
may listen to audio presentations from previous forums, download full
reports, participate in surveys on the issues at hand, and subscribe to the
Institute's monthly newsletter.
Though the emphasis is
on North Carolina's future, the Institute's use of participatory tools such
as the ongoing surveys offers a model for global thinkers and doers.
NEWS FROM THE
FUTURIST COMMUNITY
* SEOUL DIGITAL FORUM:
Korean broadcasting network SBS presents
the Seoul
Digital Forum 2008, to be held May 6-8
at the Sheraton Grande Walkerhill Hotel in Seoul, Korea.
This
international conference
will
explore the
progress of the digital revolution and collaborate in shaping our future.
Under
the main theme IMAGINATION: Explore T.I.M.E., Space, and Beyond,
Seoul Digital Forum 2008 will scrutinize the power of imagination that
inspires change and evolution in areas such as technology, information,
media, entertainment,
and space to push the human race beyond.
DETAILS:
* DESIGNING GLOBAL
ENERGY SOLUTIONS: The annual Design Science Lab, a collaboration of
BigPictureSmallWorld and the Buckminster Fuller Institute, is being held
June 16-23 in New York at the UN and UN International School. This year's
program will focus on the global energy situation. The program will also
feature an online Extension to the Lab that will run June 24 through August
29. Medard Gabel will facilitate both the New York and online Labs. DETAILS:
mailto:info@bigpicturesmallworld.com
* FINLAND FUTURES CALL
FOR PAPERS: Finland Futures Research Centre announces a First Call for
Papers and Posters for two upcoming conferences: October 1-3, 2008: Grasping
the Future - A Challenge for Learning and Innovation (Helsinki, Finland) and
May 28-29, 2009: Future of the Consumer Society (Tampere, Finland).
DETAILS:
* GOT BLOG? If you have
a future-oriented blog or newsletter and would like to sponsor a link to it
in the World Future Society's proposed Futurist Community Newsletter, please
contact business manager Jeff Cornish,
mailto:jcornish@wfs.org, for details.
In the meantime, you are
encouraged to link to THE FUTURIST magazine's MySpace and Facebook pages,
maintained by communications director Patrick Tucker,
mailto:ptucker@wfs.org.
And you are also invited to visit the not-very-future-oriented personal blog
of your humble editor at
http://hosaasblog.blogspot.com
FUTURIST UPDATE: News &
Previews from the World Future Society is an e-mail newsletter published
monthly as a supplement to THE FUTURIST magazine. Copyright © 2008,
World Future Society, 7910 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 450, Bethesda, MD
20814, USA. Telephone 1-301-656-8274; e-mail
mailto: info@wfs.org ; Web
site http://www.wfs.org .
Editor: Cindy Wagner,
mailto:cwagner@wfs.org
Senior Editor: Patrick
Tucker, mailto:ptucker@wfs.org
Network Administrator: Jeff
Cornish, mailto:jcornish@wfs.org
Vice President,
Membership/Conference Operations: Susan Echard,
mailto: sechard@wfs.org
To subscribe, enter your
e-mail at
http://www.wfs.org/futuristupdate.htm
To unsubscribe or change
your e-mail address, send an e-mail to
jcornish@wfs.org with "unsubscribe" or "change
address" in the subject line.
Submit feedback: to
cwagner@wfs.org
The WORLD FUTURE SOCIETY is
a nonprofit, nonpartisan scientific and educational association with a
global membership. Regular membership in the Society, including a
subscription to THE FUTURIST, is $49 per year, or $20 for full-time students
under age 25. Professional and Institutional membership programs are also
offered; contact Society headquarters for details:
http://www.wfs.org.
