What is the world coming to?

The future of the earth hangs in the balance. Despite ground-breaking progress in science and technology, millions of people are vulnerable to natural disasters, extreme poverty, infectious disease and much more besides.

With the world's population racing to 9 billion people and mass urbanisation by 2050, an estimated one in six people are subsisting on less than $1 a day. Meanwhile, more and more pressure is being placed on the earth's resources.

Small wonder that the way we now live our lives threatens the environment, accelerating the impact of climate change. Yet it has only been in the last few years that the world at large has woken up to the reality that urgent action is required.

Sir Nicholas Stern's recent report 'Key elements of a global deal on climate change' (2008) paints an alarming picture, calling on developed nations to cut their emissions by 80% by 2050 and on developing nations to agree to binding targets by 2020.

Clearly this is the stuff of controversy. Some experts believe that only modest reductions in emissions are needed in the short term with a 'ramping up' over time - especially in context of other global priorities such as deposing poverty and conquering AIDS and malnutrition. So, the economic case for action 'now' needs to be analysed and resolved away from the lofty heights of global politics.

The deployment of renewable energy is becoming more widespread with exponential growth in investment. Experts and academics in sustainable transport, development and resources are joining forces with technologists in all fields to deliver technology led solutions. This makes for exciting times in the relentless pursuit of sustainability, with new technologies and trailblazing architecture emerging on a daily basis.

That said, whilst energy may be renewable and sustainable we are learning that balance is needed. Bio-fuels for instance, may deliver energy but at what cost to food production? Equally, de-forestation continues apace with little regard for the value of trees in absorbing carbon, providing ecosystems that maintain the earth's biodiversity.

The threat of climate change is forcing us to better understand the impact of our lifestyles on the earth. This helps to drive behavioural change in our attitude to energy consumption, water conservation and waste management. In fact, we are now living in a world where 'carbon conscience' is becoming a fact of life. The time for voluntary action is past. Legislation will define our approach in the future via carbon trading, taxation or regulation, all of which are under consideration.

And while the world at large looks to ways of sustaining and protecting the earth, a select band of visionaries are looking to our future in space exploration and how we get there. Whether it's using solar sails, ion engines, nuclear power or flying saucers, a wide range of options are being explored including the emerging Space Tourism market. At FutureFest we will explore the feasibility and timescales of space exploration and ask what other purpose space can serve.

There is no doubt that 'The Earth' can deliver compelling content at FutureFest 2009!