The world is changing, and its relationship with science has never been as important as it is now. Megatrends like climate change, rapid urbanisation, and economic, social, and technological developments are already fundamentally impacting the sector, and all have the potential to change the role of environmental science further.
As part of the Future of ES23 horizon scanning and foresight project, the IES is examining how megatrends will shape the future of the environmental sciences.
Ahead of our first major horizon scanning discussion event later this week, the IES has published a short briefing paper to encourage awareness of the nature and effects of megatrends such as climate change and rapid urbanisation to support horizon scanning for environmental professionals and to identify opportunities to inform pathways towards a positive future for environmental science.
Read the briefing for an introductory view, in the context of the breadth of wider literature on the topic of megatrends.
How are megatrends shaping the future of environmental science?
Climate change and environmental challenges
Several environmental challenges have reached the point of becoming megatrends, most notably climate change. Similarly, biodiversity loss, ecological degradation, pollution, natural resource depletion, and the spread of zoonotic diseases have all been included on lists of megatrends.
Systems of consumption and production that have been in place since the industrial revolution have now caused outcomes which are extreme enough to influence widespread trends on a global scale.
Rapid urbanisation
Urbanisation as a process has been taking place to different degrees for hundreds of years.
In many developing countries, the process of rapid urbanisation is significantly shaping what communities and economic conditions will look like in the future, whereas many developed countries already have high degrees of urbanisation, which may be linked to environmental challenges and complex social, environmental, and economic systems.
Global economic, social, and political trends
The global economy is changing, not only in response to the changing political and social landscape, but also as part of the transition to a greener and net zero economy. Awareness of the need for global economic transition has heightened, with the private sector now recognising the substantial economic costs associated with not transitioning, and the financial and reputational risks linked to inaction.
As certainty of the investment opportunity of the green transition increases, a net zero economic future becomes more likely, as long as climate science and sustainability continue to guide global action.
Technological development
Other trends
There are many other megatrends which are likely to influence the future of the environmental sciences, which are inherently interlinked with many of the other trends shaping the future. As demographics shift and some populations grow older, the future of the global workforce is likely to change, influencing the need for skills development and the means by which environmental scientists gain those skills.
Read the briefing to find out more about other trends, such as trust in science, and how they may influence the future of the environmental sciences.
What next?
On Thursday 2nd February, the IES will be holding a discussion event to facilitate conversations about how these megatrends may influence the future of the environmental sciences.
The scene will be set by a panel of experts presenting on climate change, urbanisation, and the wider context of megatrends. After the event is finished, it will help to inform the ongoing process of horizon scanning, as well as the project’s final vision for the future of environmental science.
How can you get involved?
