Global+Trends+for+the+next+25+years(read+my+post+on+future+global+trends)

As I reflect on these five places in the world and the major global trends that will likely impact the lives of people during the next 25 years several events come to mind such as global warming, population growth, economic growth and stability, war on terror, and technological advancements. Climatic changes will have significant impacts on the environmental landscapes of not only these places but places throughout the world. Continued human activity such as the burning of emissions and the rise in greenhouse gas levels will increase air pollution. This in turns disrupts the climatic atmosphere leading to warmer temperatures, rise in sea levels, increase in participation, and shifts in the ecosystem where animals migrate or become extinct. This is truly a global problem. Beijing, China has experienced this first hand with concerned citizens locally and globally over its air quality. (Read this article for more information [|China to Release More Data on Air Pollution in Beijing]). Research and data is currently being collected in Beijing to discuss ways to increase its air quality production so as to limit its contribution to global warming.
 * Global Warming**

There are approximately 7 billion people living in the world today ([|www.census.gov]). The United Nations has predicted that within 25 years the world’s population will increase by 1 billion for a total of 8 billion people ([|UN Population Challenges]). With this increase comes many challenges. Will each country, nation, or state be able to provide for its population financially? Will there be enough housing, access to land or other resources with increase growth? How does the rise in population impact health and or disease control? Lastly, what impact does population growth have on the environment? Within our community of learners the nations we represent are some of the highest in the world in terms of population. According to the CIA world factbook China-rank#1: 1, 343, 239, 923 United States-rank 3#: 318, 847, 465 Russia-rank #9: 138, 082, 178 Turkey-rank #17: 79, 749, 461 Although over the next couple of years these numbers may fluctuate or decline, overall the world’s population will increase. How the world responds to this global trend will depend on its future impact on the world.
 * Population Growth**

For those living throughout the world this is an issue of growing concern for many. For example, the United States has and continues to recover from an economic recession as millions are without work or are struggling to make ends meet. These are sentiments shared by many in the world as global markets and trading are contingent on the financial strengths of developed countries like the US and China. However, global economic stability plays an intricate role in the development of policy whether it’s international or national. Twenty five years from now this will continue to be a global trend as nations will develop allies, construct trade agreements, and tackle world problems together based on the global market and financial system.
 * Economic stability and growth**

Currently, the war on terror has involved numerous nations worldwide fighting to protect their borders. This war however has set the stage for future international relationship building. Questions to consider are: Will this war on terror bring nations closer together? How will this war define the democratic process? Will this war ever end or will it incite other insurgents in other nations? How will nations such as the United States repair their relationships with nations in the Middle East? Twenty five years from now it may not be referred to as “the war on terror” however issues of power between developing and developed nations, wealthy vs. poor nations, and predominately Christian and Islamic nations will remain for future generations to come.
 * War on Terror**

Technology has increasingly brought the world closer together. People are able to communicate and interact with others globally in ways never before through the use of the internet, Web 2.0 tools, and gadgets such as smart phones and tablets. As the science and engineering fields continue to emerge technology will grow. However, how people choose to use the tools will determine its effectiveness 25 years from now. Will it be used for communication and connectivity purposes or will it be used as mechanism for power and control?
 * Technological Advancements**

To effectively manage these trends individuals must be willing to listen, discuss, collaborate, respect, and honor differences. They should also be problem solvers who think critically, analytically, and creatively. This can be done through deliberation. I appreciate the process of deliberation which includes the identification of a problem, discussing the problem as a collaborative group, and coming up with solutions to the problem. However, since these are global trends discussion and collaborations should include global voices and not voices of a chosen few or developed nations. Individuals should also be working towards or aiming for the collective good. Therefore, anyone who is selfish or looking out for their own personal gains would not be ideal in discussing these global trends. In conjunction with the deliberation process strategies and approaches that would enhance and support these characteristics are collaborative groupings, building of cultural competence and awareness, and opportunities for international travel. Schools are excellent places for these skill sets to be produced and cultivated. The introduction of these global trends in classrooms can prepare students for their future roles as global citizens. Teachers can thus provide students opportunities to research and develop projects focusing on these trends. Using technology students can collaborate locally, nationally, and globally. Engaging in this type of dialogue will also increase students cultural competence and awareness as they come to understand and value similarities and differences of people in the world.