World challenges in the next fifty years and computer technology

In this century many nations throughout the world are facing many challenges. Most of these challenges are caused by population and technologies. Population has been increasing thereby straining the available resources as a result of inadequate measures being put in place. The steps taken to solve the problems experienced in the world are inefficient and are not concentrated on the main issues. In addition to that they do not address the root cause of the problems. Technology is also affecting the world adversely as some of the innovations are not protecting or preserving the environment. Consequently, there are economic problems as the economy of most nations is declining. The world is experiencing an economic recession. Inflation rates are also going up in most nations thereby leading to increased prices for commodities. In the next fifty years the world will face many challenges and some of these challenges include; energy, water, environment, education, poverty and many others. a) Energy At present, nations are investing many funds in research and exploiting natural resources in their territories. The use of non-renewable energy has grown tremendously as almost every invention is using this type of energy. Most modes of transportation are using this type of energy. Most vehicles, public or private are using petroleum products. Similarly, all airplanes are using non-renewable energy for engine combustion. Consequently, the first ships which were invented utilized renewable energy sources but currently for high speed purposes are using non-renewable energy sources. As result of the high demand for non-renewable energy, the reserves are getting depleted. Because of increased demand, oil companies are forced to increase their supply thereby leading to investment of more funds in exploration of more fuel reserves. In the next coming years this trend will continue thereby leading to excessive energy demand and this will affect the world negatively (Organization for Economic Cooperation and development 8). As a result of increased energy demand, the entire world will experience fuel shortages thereby leading to excessive increase in the cost of energy. At the present times, problems related energy has started to emerge and people are feeling its effects as energy prices are going up. This is reflective of what the next fifty years will be. The energy problem is expected to worsen in the next fifty years if alternatives are not sought. In solving the energy problems in the next fifty years computer technology will be very useful and especially if utilized effectively. Innovations in this technology will provide alternative energy sources. As result of more innovations and developments in the computer technology better chips which can power large buildings, automobiles, airplanes among others will be developed. Such technology will reduce the strains experienced by the energy reserves as a result of high energy demand. Currently, such chips have begun to be built (Borealis) and this can be viewed to be a step in the right direction as it leads to better energy sources. Some companies have begun investing financial resources in such innovations; therefore in the next fifty years energy problems will be eliminated. In addition to that computer technology will be helpful in exploration of more energy sources. Currently, the use of computer technology is increasing in energy exploration, but in the next fifty years its use will become more extensive. ) Environment and Water As result of the concentration of large populations in the large towns different forms of transportation have come up and are utilized. Most commonly used mode of transportation include; automobiles, trains, subways, and airplanes. These modes have made people more flexible as they can choose where to work, live and even invest their resources. However, in spite of the benefits provided by these modes of transportation, they have le d to problems related to safety and health of the people as they cause environmental pollution. This can mainly be attributed to fossil fuel combustion as most of them use non-renewable energy thereby leading to high carbon emissions (Benn). Consequently, as a result of industrialization the number of industries has increased and will continue to increase in the next fifty years. These industries are causing much pollution through machineries or technologies used in the production of goods and services. Most of these industries and especially the construction industries are causing noise pollution and in addition to that are degrading agricultural land as most of their raw materials come from land. As a result of land degradation in the next fifty years there will be increased cases of food shortages since they will not be enough land for cultivation. In the next fifty years the world will face more and tougher challenges related to environmental pollution due to increased number of industries and in addition to that the demand for transportation will increased greatly. More vehicles, airplanes, trains among others will be used greatly thereby causing much pollution in the environment. Consequently, as a result of increased environmental pollution a hot debate has emerged concerning global warming. Environmental pollution is leading to changes in the climate as temperatures are increasing. In the next coming years, as result of increased pollution, the world will be affected adversely and the safety and health of individuals will be reduced greatly as a result increased chances of disease infection. Furthermore, as a result of increased pollution caused primarily by industries, water shortages might be experienced as many sources of water and especially rivers will be polluted thereby making water unsafe for human consumption (Molden). Water pollution will occur as a result of industries not disposing their wastes properly thereby allowing industrial wastes to get into rivers and lakes. Additionally, water shortages might also occur as a result of changes in climate thereby leading inadequate rainfall. With increased climate changes temperatures will increase thereby leading to drying of rivers and other water reserves. This will in turn have a negative effect on food as crops in the field will dry-up thereby leading to food scarcity. However, in the next fifty years as a result of improvements in the computer technology problems related to environment and water will be solved. If utilized effectively and efficiently in the next fifty years computer technology will contribute much in relieving the world environmental and water problems. Through the computer technology modes of transportation which are environmental friendly will be invented. This can be attributed to the efficiency and effectiveness provided by the computer technology in doing research. Therefore, in the next fifty years vehicles which are cleaner, greener, safer and more energy efficient will be developed and used (Yang & Parent 17). Currently, the effects of computer technology have begun to be felt as scientists are concentrating on developing such vehicles. Furthermore, computer technology will also be useful in wastage management through development of software that control and manage wastes in industries. It will also be use for development of better technologies or systems for waste disposal thereby leading to reductions in wastes getting in the water sources. Consequently, computer technology will contribute greatly in water treatment thereby relieving water shortage problems. As a result of computer technology contribution in improving research better ways of treating water will be discovered thereby leading to increased quantity and quality of water. c) Education and poverty The world population has been increasing at a very fast pace thereby straining the resources available. For instance, in 1990 the population was more than 5. 2 billion while in 2000 it grew to more than 6 billion (Infoplease). At that rate the world population will reach more than ten billion in the next fifty years. People are moving from rural or smaller cities towards larger cities thereby increasing population size in these cities. In the next fifty years, more than a hundred cities are expected to contain over ten million people (Parent 1). As a result of population increase, learning institutions will be strained. Materials for learning will not be adequate due to excessive number of students. This to some extent will lower the quality of education as the number of students per teacher will become greater that the required number. As a result of high population increase and increased demand for education, teachers and lectures will be overloaded and this will affect their performance adversely. Consequently, poverty will increase as a result of increased rate of illiteracy. With high education demand, the cost of acquiring education will be increased greatly thereby locking out individuals from the lower social class. Education will therefore belong to individuals of high and middle social class. Since lower class individuals constitute majority of the world population, there will be increased illiteracy rate and in turn increased poverty level. Education is essential in improving the lives of people as it equips them with knowledge and skills which are helpful in building a great future. It also opens up their minds thereby enabling them to solve issues or problems in their lives with much ease. Furthermore, the level of poverty will also increase in the next fifty years as a result of increased demand for basic commodities. Because of increased population, prices of basic commodities will go up thereby becoming expensive to a large number of individuals. Many people will not affordable to meet their basic needs as a result of increased prices thereby increasing the level of poverty. Additionally, as a result of the current economic downturn and high inflation rate, in the next fifty years many people will become poor. Many businesses will be closed as a result of incurring many losses thereby leading to increased unemployment level. People will lose their jobs as a result of deterioration economy and volatile global markets (Monks). Currently, technology has boosted education greatly. Through the internet individuals can acquire knowledge and skills wherever they are regardless of their distance from the learning institution. As a result of technology learning materials are sufficient for the students and they can use them regardless of their location. In the next fifty years because of increased population size demand for education will increase thereby raising the need for more innovative and efficient technology. Technology will therefore contribute greatly in reducing congestion in the learning institutions and in ensuring maintenance of high quality education. Conclusion. In the next fifty years computer technology will play a vital role in relieving the problems facing the world. In spite of the finances which will be required in developing computer technology, investing in this technology will not be a financial wastage. In ensuring that computer technology is adequate developed and thus helpful in the future, financial support is essential. Companies and other organizations need to invest more funds in innovations that are geared towards improving this technology. In the coming years the need for computer technology will increase and will become a necessity in improving the people's lives.