The future of Earth: our planet 1000 years later
No crazy predictions in this article. Just realistic projections.
By Aaron Zhao
The future of Earth? Most people will answer this question with absurd concepts borrowed from science fiction, like transferring consciousness or time travel. But looking at the entirety of human history, it took us a couple thousand years to finally invent the computer, so what makes us think that we will achieve something of equal magnitude in only one? Sure, innovation is occurring at faster rates than a few centuries ago, but realistically, it’s still not fast enough to realize the ideas found in Star-Trek. Think about it: Dyson spheres or hyperspace by 3020 sounds absolutely illogical.
Under the assumption that the rate of innovation remains relatively constant from now, here are three realistic predictions of what societies on Earth will look like after 1000 years.
Prediction 1: Technology will be everywhere
We can all agree that the influence of technology is incrementally rising. Every year, technological innovations further push the limits of what robots can achieve. It all began in the early 18th century, when automatons (self-operating systems) were developed in Europe and the Middle East. Two of the most well-known examples were invented by Jacuqes de Vanvauson, and they looked like this:
Early-mid 20th century marked the beginning of modern-day robots, including the so-called “humanoids” that resemble the anatomy of a human being. A recognized example is Televox’s Elektro. He was a 7 feet tall robot that could move his head, limbs, fingers, distinguish colors, and even smoke. And from then on, robots began popping up from all over the world, of all shapes and sizes. 100 years later, robots give way to the new king: artificial intelligence, with which robots are given the gift of conscience and individual thinking.
Just looking around now, every little action that you can make can and will be technologized, if not already. For instance, Nike’s 2019 Adapt BB shoes replaces the need to tie your shoes every morning because it is auto-lacing. You can even adjust the tightness level and colors with your phone, which is connected by Bluetooth. Roomba robots replaced vacuum cleaners, which replaced brooms. Google Home, Amazon Echo, Siri… We all know what they do. The reality is:
If you can do it, a robot can do it too (and probably better).
Is that a good thing? You decide.
Prediction 2: Earth will look grey
There are two ways of reaching this same conclusion: climate change or nuclear warfare.
Firstly, climate change is universally recognized as one of the destroyers of Earth. Here’s a list of how climate change impacts on our planet:
- Rising sea levels: erosion, soil contamination, destruction of coastal habitats
- Ocean acidification: the downfall of coral reefs
- Extreme weather: heat waves, droughts, hurricanes
- Global warming: insect outbreak, increased transmission of disease
- Reduction in yields in agriculture
- Melting glaciers: destruction of habitats
These problems are all aggravating at frightening speeds. Secondly, the question to ask is: who is actually destroying the world, climate change or man? While there are environmentalist groups that actively fight against climate change, there are also political groups with lobbying power and politicians who seek to disprove its very existence, like former president Donald Trump and his administration. While we are in contention with ourselves, the world is dying and it won’t wait for us.
Then, there’s nuclear warfare. Nuclear fission was discovered in 1938, and 82 years later, numerous countries have nuclear bombs that are capable of wiping out entire cities and hundreds of millions of lives within minutes. It’s safe to say: the capabilities of nuclear weapons are growing. Fast. It won’t be long until nuclear weapons will be able to wipe out entire continents. Rising political tension could be an instigator of the usage of these weapons, and the 21st century is already fairly chaotic. Who knows where this tension could climb to in the next 1000 years? Hopefully, treaties like United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) that ban nuclear weapons will be effective in preventing doomsday from arriving.
Let’s hope the future of Earth will not be grey.
Prediction 3: Earth will be more empty, because many will have already moved to Mars or other planets
Lastly, this prediction is based off of the idea of human exodus. In other words, the future of Earth is on another planetary body. There may come a time when the environment on Earth is no longer suitable for humans anymore, and the mass immigration to another planet is necessary. Notice how the title is “Earth will be MORE empty”, and not “Earth will be empty.” Terraforming another planet will not happen over 1000 years. 10,000 years sounds more like it. It is possible that many people will move to bases on the Moon or on Mars to live a new life, one that is free of politics back on Earth.
Expect the unexpected, especially for the future of Earth
Ancient Romans didn’t expect their future generations to be riding steam-powered trains. These new generations didn’t expect generations after them to be sitting in self-driving vehicles. Likewise, we will not expect what our future generations will do. These are merely three possibilities, and the future has an infinite amount of those. In fact, the best prediction might be no prediction at all. Guess we’ll just have to wait and see.