It is difficult to conceptualize the “Island Civilization” Nash envisions in the year 2992. One in which a mere 1.5 billion human beings will inhabit the earth, in small habitats scattered throughout the globe. Especially given the time he wrote that piece, in 1992, 5.3 billion people were on earth while now, in 2011, almost 7 billion people inhabit it. Though his scenario sounds idealistic, one cannot help but question what happens to the billions that cease to exist in this new world? Perhaps my imagination is too dull but I have trouble wrapping my head around his “future.” Which is why I stumble trying to envision the U.S. 100 years from now, as a country that has transitioned to sustainability. However, as I conjure such an image it appears as follows.
In 2111, the United States will be a country filled with happy, healthy, and innovative individuals. The population since 2011 will have steadily declined from roughly 308 million to 100 million, as the sustainable global population is around 2 billion. A majority of roofs will have solar panels that are so efficient they provide enough energy to meet everyone’s needs. Energy needs that are substantially reduced from 100 years before, as goods are altered to require little to no energy themselves, and homes are heated by the sun. On the roofs that do not have panels, rooftop gardens will be put in place, providing esthetic benefits as well as contributing to the natural environment. Goods such as plastic bags, bottle, to go containers and the like will be nonexistent and instead everything that is disposable will be compostable. The amount of trash American’s generate will be minimal, less than two pounds per person a month, down from the 4.6 pounds per person per day in 2011. The 5% of protected wilderness in the U.S. in 2011 will expand to 50% of the U.S. in 2111, resulting in the revival of many endangered species and at risk wildlife.
Agribusiness will no longer exist and instead people will obtain produce, occasional meat, and other food items from local farmers and natural grocery stores. There will still be restaurants and eateries but they too will focus on providing only local, organic, and sustainable goods. Fast food restaurants, as well as processed and artificial foods, that contributed to the obesity epidemic in the 21st century will be outlawed, as it created a health crisis that resulted in trillions of dollars being spent by the government and taxpayers. Oil, coal, and natural gas will be replaced with solar and wind energy. Trains, buses, cars, and airplanes will exist but not emit any fossil fuels into the atmosphere, running on sustainable forms of energy, perhaps even compost! Even though such forms of transport will be around, there will be an emphasis on walking and biking to nearby destinations as people live more relaxed lifestyles, not as absorbed in work to generate money because the consumerism that took over the lives of Americans in 2011 no longer exists.
The above has hundreds of gaps but I guess it is a glimpse at my idea of a Utopian society. One in which individuals find joy in the little things, like a walk in the woods or fresh vegetables! Obviously the most contentious issue is with regards to population, and as one of four children, I do not feel I have the right to limit other people to just one. But perhaps it will happen naturally as our world obviously cannot handle the amount of people we currently have or are projected to.
http://www.wilderness.net/index.cfm?fuse=nwps&sec=fastfacts
http://www.worldpopulationbalance.org/3_times_sustainable
http://www.learner.org/interactives/garbage/solidwaste.html
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