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Futurists will be "running with the wind," "solving the impending jobs crisis," "searching for intelligence," pursuing "anticipatory education," and "creating global strategies for humanity's future" at the World Future Society's 2006 annual meeting July 28-30 in Toronto. Technology, health, resources, business, security, values, education, and policy making are just a few of the areas that a thousand of your fellow futurists will be exploring as we convene for WorldFuture 2006. To join in this dynamic program--and save $150 on the on-site registration fee--register by February 28. REGISTER NOW (SAVE $150): https://www.wfs.org/2006regform.htm LEARN MORE: http://www.wfs.org/2006main.htm ************************************ HEALTHIER NEIGHBORHOODS Poor urban and suburban planning can lead not only to unsightly neighborhoods, but also to obesity and respiratory problems, warns the American Planning Association. Recent studies of King County in Washington state examined a wide variety of impacts that different built environments had on people’s health. The researchers found that people who lived in high "walkability" neighborhoods were generally healthier. Conversely, people who lived in neighborhoods where the layout or location promoted car use over walking or biking were more likely to suffer from obesity and respiratory ailments. According to the report, a 5% increase in walkability resulted in 32.2% more minutes per week of physically active travel, as well as lower amounts of air pollution. SOURCE: The American Planning Association, http://www.planning.org/newsreleases/2006/ftp020706.htm CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENERGY CHOICES Nuclear power is favored by just over half the British population polled recently about the energy choices to alleviate climate change. But far more people (78%) support use of renewable energy sources and making lifestyle changes to reduce energy consumption (76%). The nuclear option has shown a gradual lessening of opposition among the British public over the past four years, especially if they believe this choice will contribute to easing climate change, according to surveys conducted by the University of East Anglia and Ipsos MORI. However, few of those polled said they would actively prefer nuclear as an energy source rather than renewables or more-efficient lifestyles and technologies. SOURCE: University of East Anglia, http://www.comm.uea.ac.uk/press/release.asp?id=591 ********************************************* The latest edition of FUTURE TIMES, the Society's online networking newsletter, focuses on a new initiative to revitalize the Education Section. The goals of the initiative are to provide more resources and opportunities for educators to incorporate futures into curricula and to engage educators more in the futures community through partnerships. According to Society President Tim Mack, volunteers are sought to work on such projects as Futures Clubs for high schools, collegiate chapters, a Young Futurists Program for members in their 20s and 30s, a newsletter, Web site, and other interactive educational services. DETAILS: FUTURE TIMES, Spring 2006, http://www.wfs.org/futuretimes.htm ********************************************* CLICK OF THE MONTH:
CHILD TRENDS DATABANK Child Trends, a nonprofit research organization, has developed a databank for research on more than 100 key indicators of childhood well-being in the United States. The statistical information comes from a variety of U.S. government reports and Web sites. It includes information on a broad array of child-related topics, such as life expectancy, health, learning problems, access to computers in the home, religiosity, and reading and writing proficiency. The site offers state, local, and international estimates, original source documents, and plain-language reporting for journalists, policy makers, parents, or curious youth. NEWS FROM THE FUTURIST COMMUNITY
FUTURIST UPDATE: News & Previews from the World Future Society is an e-mail newsletter published monthly as a supplement to THE FUTURIST magazine. Copyright © 2006, 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 To subscribe, send an e-mail message to mailto:majordomo@wfs.org
with "subscribe futurist-update" in the BODY of the message. 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 |
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