In This Issue:
Manufacturing's Top Challenges
Hurricanes Hitting Harder Financially
Resurgence of Anti-Semitism
Salt Found on Mars, Methane Beyond
Click of the Month: Institute for Emerging Issues
News from the Futurist Community

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.

SOURCE: Interagency Working Group on Manufacturing R&D report, MANUFACTURING THE FUTURE

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,

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.

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