Global Trends 2030

Abstract

Although Global Trends 2030 (GT-2030) involved a global process of consultation, the report retains a U.S.-centric character. The report, otherwise comprehensive and well written, misses or underemphasizes some critical aspects. Climate change is the most important issue that the GT-2030 downplays. It deserved a much greater focus in this report because, as it acknowledges, “by 2030 the emissions trajectory will be cast, determining this century’s climate outcome.” The other trend that the GT-2030 does not emphasize enough is the conflicts based on religious or cultural identity and ideology on one hand, and the search for meaning and spirituality in a globalized and constantly changing world on the other. Finally, this article discusses the plausibility of the four scenarios suggested by GT-2030.