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THE NEXT MAJOR CHANGE December, 2009
Without a doubt, the world always has been and always will be full of change. The world around us (and with us) is a far more dynamic place than we may perceive it to be. Some changes are small in nature and may have limited impact. Other changes are catastrophic and cause sudden and dramatic shifts. Yet others still are small, but increasing, and tend to sneak up on many of us so before we know it ... BAM!!! ... we're in trouble.
These are the changes that tend to affect business a lot. These are the changes that tend to affect whole nation and regional economies, therefore the global economy, with countless people feeling the consequences.
Without a doubt the world is undergoing a series of shifts that will fundamentally affect every society. There is a whole series of complex and interconnected changes rolling forward over the horizon that we at Alt3 have shed light upon in the past (documented), yet no great surprise, few people seem to have taken notice of. We hate to say we told you so, but in times of great need, that would just be too smug. And for sure, smug we are not. Alarmed, yes. Increasingly alarmed ... yes, getting that way.
Why? Because we are concerned with the consequences and not just the events.
From the series of next major changes to affect a major regional economy (and with an untold resultant impact on the global economy) will be the shortage of potable water in a wide geographical swathe through the agriculturally productive areas of China, through the essential productive areas of Asia, carrying on across the globe touching southern Europe and across central America and the southern United States. China will be among the first to be seriously impacted. This won't be just any drought. This won't just be some temporary shortage of water we have to live with for a few days. No. This will be a sustained shortage of fresh water that will devastate crops, will undermine communities and industry - and national cohesion.
This is going to be a problem.
It is going to be a problem for everyone. For everyone because of the economic impact it will have on the global economy. For everyone because of the population shift this unnatural disaster will trigger (will trigger into something far more substantial in the near future).
The agriculture this water shortage will affect will not recover in the near future. The societies and industries it affects will not recover in the near future. And this is why it is going to be a problem.
This change may be touted by some as the immediate edge of global warming. To some extent they will be correct, but by no means is global warming the only culprit. In fact, on this occasion, global warming is only a minor (but increasing) culprit.
Devastating - yes. Avoidable - yes. Will it be avoided - no. Governments tend not to avoid disasters unless there is enough pain to make them move, especially in the current economic climate when massive investment will be required. Here in is the core of the issue. When, rightly, the world is focused on global warming, those other fundamental changes about to take place are sneaking up on governments and countries - and will be upon them in the very near future.
Fasten your seat belts. It's going to be a bumpy ride.
Regards
JS
If you don't understand the risks, how can you prepare? Can you afford to let the issues be blurred?
The turbulent 21st century
life isn't black and white