THE FUTURE OF PLANET EARTH
Planet Earth has witnessed several changes in its ecosystem and environment,
from 4.5 billion years ago when it was but a flying rock formed by the Big Bang
to today, the 21st century. From unicellular organisms to plants and birds, lands
and seas, animals, and humans, change has been a known phenomenon in its
evolution. Change has shaped our planet for billions of years and will continue
to do so, because change is inevitable. Today is different from yesterday, and
tomorrow is different from both. It takes little time for things to change. Hence
when I envision the future of planet Earth, a future hundred years down the
lane, I believe that planet Earth will be something totally different from what
we see today. When I see the future Earth, I don’t see any oceans, rivers, seas,
lakes, or water bodies. I don’t see huge forests and vegetation. The Earth has
already lost its 'blue’ and ‘green’. Half the water from huge oceans has been
evaporated and lost due to global warming, and the other half is now being
stored in huge closed-water tanks to prevent further evaporation. Wait, what’s
the use of storing salty ocean water? Its invention of this new type of water
filter at everyone’s home which can convert seawater into fresh, drinkable
water! So, the availability of water is not a concern anymore, because people
now have half of the ocean’s water to drink. The great coral reef sadly died, but
fortunately enough many aquatic plants and animals have survived and have
been shifted to indoor rivers. I look around and see tall buildings and
skyscrapers everywhere. Global temperatures have seen a 20-degree Celsius
rise in temperature ever since 2024. This, along with the destruction of the
ozone layer, allowing the UV rays of the sun to enter the planet, has made it
impossible for humans and animals to wander in the open. Now, everything
has become enclosed, even gardens and parks. As for trees and vegetation
which living beings cannot survive without, they are grown in enclosed
environments and are provided with artificial sunlight and robotic irrigation.
They grow well. Thanks to plant engineering, small seeds are becoming tall
trees within a year, and are providing oxygen throughout the day. This has
eradicated the problem of deforestation and oxygen depletion. Animals are
allowed to roam freely in enclosed jungles. Wait, all the concrete roads have
disappeared! There are no roads anywhere now because no one uses the roads
anymore. One can see cars flying in the sky, trains and buses all in the sky! But
where do they land? On helipad-like structures on top of each building!
Outside your building, you see no roads, no cars, no people walking (because
of UV sunlight), no gardens and parks, no trees (all are in enclosed structures)!
Planet Earth is far cleaner now, thanks to robotic cleaners and rocket cleaners
which eject all garbage into space. As to space, we have analyzed every nearby
planet and have concluded that only the Earth is habitable, unfortunately no
other planet, emphasizing the further need to protect our planet. Space travel
has become cheaper and more affordable. The flying lift from Charlie and the
Chocolate Factory has become a reality! Now, any person can go right up to the
moon from a society lift! All the vehicles are electric, hence there’s no
combustion of fossil fuels and pollution around. Solar panels are there
everywhere. It has become a basic commodity in everyone’s homes. But the
advancements in technology don't stop there. Artificial intelligence and
robotics have become integral in daily lives. Robots perform almost every task,
from cooking and cleaning to teaching and medical care. Virtual reality has
replaced traditional classrooms, allowing students to attend school from
anywhere in the world, experiencing historical events and scientific
phenomena in a fully immersive environment. Genetic engineering has finally
eradicated all the diseases of the world, right from polio to cancer. Now,
diabetes and high blood pressure are like our days’ fever and headache which
are cured in two-three days. Genetic modifications have made it possible for
people to live longer, healthier lives. There are even reports of people living up
to 150 years old with the same energy and youth as someone in their 30s.
Bioprinters have enabled us to create animals, just like 3D printers create
things! Clothes brands have finally cracked the code for invisible clothes. It’s
been a new trend! As soon as you wear these clothes, you become invisible!
Like the magical cloak in Harry Potter. Laptops do not exist anymore, thanks to
Apple Vision Pro and other VR headsets. Neither do phones exist! People carry
E-pens, which when you tap, a digital screen pops up. The future of planet
Earth a hundred years from now does seem fascinating. In the fight for Global
warming, all the countries and their governments have united. There’s no
disparity based on caste, colour, and creed anymore. Advanced neural
interfaces allow for seamless brain-to-brain communication, eliminating
language barriers and enabling deeper connections between people. The gap
between rich and poor has drastically reduced, as government projects
continue to educate the poor and give them opportunities for white-collar jobs.
As we navigate through unprecedented technological advancements and
environmental changes, our adaptability and resilience has been put to the
test. While the Earth of tomorrow may be devoid of its lush green forests and
vast blue oceans, it will be a world redefined by innovation.
