And the difference in wages between male and female cops
As we move further into the 21st century, the evidence of climate change is becoming increasingly clear. In the next 50 years, the world will likely be a dramatically different place, shaped by the consequences of global warming; sea-level rise, extreme weather events, and the loss of biodiversity. While many of these changes are already underway, their full impact will be felt in the decades to come.
Taking a conservative life expectancy probability of 80, any person born in 1995 or later is likely to witness these transformations firsthand, experiencing the profound effects of a rapidly changing planet. We take a look at the world 50 years from now, the impact of our actions, and the challenges that will define the future of life on this planet.
The planet is on track for catastrophic warming, so says the United Nation's 2023 climate change report. The world's leading climate scientists' predictions, reviewed by delegates from nearly 200 countries, warned that the world is likely to pass a dangerous temperature tipping point within the next 10 years, unless nations immediately transition away from fossil fuels.
One of the most alarming consequences of climate change is the rise in global temperatures. A study conducted by scientists from the US, China, and Europe (published in PNAS in 2020) predicted that by 2070, a third of the world's population could be living in areas as hot as the hottest parts of the Sahara Desert today. This finding underscores the severity of the situation.
More recent reports, including one from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), reveal just how extreme the situation is becoming. For instance, the summer of 2024 was California's hottest on record, with other states, such as Arizona and Florida, also experiencing unprecedented heat.
The NOAA report noted that the average global land and ocean surface temperature in August 2024 was 2.29°F (1.27°C) above the 20th-century average, marking the warmest August in recorded history.
California, particularly, has been the epicenter of this extreme heat. In October 2024, Palm Springs recorded a temperature of 117°F (47°C), matching the all-time highest October temperature for the entire US.
Extreme heat is no longer confined to the summer months. The warming of the planet due to fossil fuel pollution has extended heat waves into the fall and winter seasons, creating a more prolonged and intense "heat season."
NASA's Gavin Schmidt cautions, "We've warmed up the planet by about two degrees Fahrenheit in the last century or so. That is juicing the extremes, so the number of times places are exceeding 90 or 100 degrees Fahrenheit (32 or 37 degrees Celsius) is going up—and not just by a little bit. It's gone up four, five, seven times more than before."
Looking ahead, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) provides sobering projections for the future. As global temperatures rise, regions of the Earth will experience significant shifts in weather patterns.
An October 2024 heat wave, which saw temperatures in parts of the US reach unprecedented levels, serves as a clear example of how climate change is altering weather patterns. Kristina Dahl, a climate scientist with the Union of Concerned Scientists, explained, "If we continue to warm the planet by burning fossil fuels, late-season heat waves like this will become much more common."
The global ocean will continue to warm, with the most pronounced warming occurring in the subtropical and tropical regions. By 2075, cities like Boston will experience summers averaging 8°F (4°C) hotter, while London’s temperatures will feel more like Sovicille, Italy—6°F (3°C) warmer than current averages.
Meanwhile, rising sea levels, already at an average of 8–9 inches (21–24 cm) since 1880, will continue to threaten coastal cities. NASA’s Earth Observatory predicts that the US coastline could see up to a foot of sea level rise by 2050, displacing millions of people and requiring significant adaptations to infrastructure.
The IPCC also emphasizes the increasing contrast between wet and dry regions. While some areas may see more rainfall, others will experience more intense droughts.
This disparity will exacerbate water scarcity issues, with regions dependent on agriculture facing growing difficulties as extreme weather events disrupt crops and water supplies. Countries that are already vulnerable will bear the brunt of these changes, exacerbating migration patterns as people flee to more habitable regions.
The climate crisis is also accelerating the loss of biodiversity. Scientists warn that we are entering the midst of a sixth mass extinction, driven by human activities such as deforestation, overfishing, and habitat destruction.
As many as 273 species may be going extinct every day according to one analysis reported on Sentiment media, a startling figure that highlights the unprecedented rate of environmental degradation.
Climate change is compounding these threats, with rising temperatures and altered rainfall patterns causing habitats to disappear faster than many species can adapt.
Deforestation is one of the primary drivers of biodiversity loss. The agricultural expansion necessary to feed a growing global population is responsible for destroying vast swaths of forests that many species rely on for survival.
As forests are cleared, wildlife is pushed out, leading to the extinction of species that cannot adapt to changing conditions. With the Amazon Rainforest, often referred to as the "lungs of the Earth," facing deforestation at an alarming rate, the loss of biodiversity will continue to accelerate in the coming decades.
One of the most significant consequences of climate change will be increased migration, particularly from poorer countries most vulnerable to its effects. As Neva Goodwin, co-founder of the Global Development and Environment Institute, notes, "Climate change is hardest to cope with in the poorest countries, where the impact will be felt most severely, most quickly, and will be a cause of migration."
The poorest nations, many of which are located in regions prone to extreme weather and rising sea levels, will see mass migrations toward neighboring countries and, eventually, wealthier nations. This migration will put immense pressure on neighboring countries and could result in a refugee crisis of unprecedented scale.
Richer countries will be forced to grapple with difficult moral and political decisions about how to respond. Neva Goodwin questions, "Will they provide resources to help poorer nations adapt to the changing climate, or will they close their borders and build walls to prevent migrants from entering?"
These decisions will shape global politics for decades to come, with economic and social consequences that could reverberate across generations.
The energy we consume will also play a crucial role in determining the severity of future climate change. For over a century, cheap and abundant energy from fossil fuels has allowed us to insulate ourselves from the environmental damage caused by industrialization.
But as resources dwindle and the negative effects of fossil fuel use become more apparent, we may face a turning point where transitioning to cleaner, renewable sources of energy becomes imperative. If governments maintain their current policies, the remaining "carbon budget" will be wiped out by 2030.
The reliance on fossil fuels to power economies and maintain current lifestyles has allowed us to ignore the consequences of environmental destruction—whether it’s the depletion of fish stocks, the degradation of ecosystems, or the exhaustion of freshwater supplies.
Moving toward renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, and geothermal, is critical to reducing carbon emissions and mitigating the worst effects of climate change.
As Cindy Parker and Brian Schwartz, two doctors who studied the relationship between energy and health, explain, "We have used cheap and plentiful energy to insulate ourselves from the negative consequences of our environmental destruction."
As we move closer to the second quarter of the 21st century, the choices we make today will determine the world our children and grandchildren inherit. By embracing sustainable practices, investing in clean energy, and addressing the root causes of climate change, we can ensure a more resilient and equitable world for the future.
The world of 2075 will be one where the effects of climate change are undeniable, with rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and a growing humanitarian crisis affecting millions. If we do not take immediate and decisive action to curb emissions, preserve biodiversity, and transition to renewable energy sources, the planet will become a much harsher place for future generations.
However, without a concerted effort to shift to sustainable energy practices, the environmental damage will continue to escalate. The time to act is now.
Sources: (National Geographic) (PNAS) (Nature.com) (Climate.gov) (NASA)
See also: How climate change already impacts our daily lives
This is what the world could look like in 50 years
Your 2075 forecast
LIFESTYLE Environment
As we move further into the 21st century, the evidence of climate change is becoming increasingly clear. In the next 50 years, the world will likely be a dramatically different place, shaped by the consequences of global warming; sea-level rise, extreme weather events, and the loss of biodiversity. While many of these changes are already underway, their full impact will be felt in the decades to come.
Taking a conservative life expectancy probability of 80, any person born in 1995 or later is likely to witness these transformations firsthand, experiencing the profound effects of a rapidly changing planet. We take a look at the world 50 years from now, the impact of our actions, and the challenges that will define the future of life on this planet.