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2020-2035 World
oil crisis* There are conflicts in Africa, Asia and the Middle East where millions die from starvation, war and civil disruption. Many countries in the West experience a decline in living standards, with oil rationing and conservation measures introduced by governments. Sharp reductions in travel, tourism and aviation lead to increased localisation of goods and services. The crisis plays out for over a decade, gradually being resolved by a shift to clean energy,* electric vehicles* and alternative liquid fuels. This transition is by no means a smooth one, however. It requires nothing less than an all-out Manhattan Project on a global scale.
2020-2026 The Euclid Space Telescope reveals new insights into dark matter and dark energy Euclid – named after the ancient Greek mathematician – is part of the European Space Agency (ESA) Cosmic Vision programme, with NASA providing some assistance in the form of instrumentation and scientific analysis. Launched in 2020 and placed at Sun-Earth Lagrange point L2, its mission duration is six years, during which time it studies the nature of dark matter and dark energy.* Matter as we know it – the atoms in the human body, for example – is only a fraction of the total matter in the known universe. The rest, about 85 percent, is dark matter consisting of particles of an unknown type. This was first postulated in 1932, but has remained undetected directly. It is called dark matter because it does not interact with light. Dark matter interacts with ordinary matter through gravity, binding galaxies together like an invisible glue. While dark matter pulls matter together, dark energy is pushing the universe apart, at an ever-increasing speed. In terms of the complete mass-energy content of the universe, dark energy dominates. Even less is known about dark energy than dark matter, having only been discovered by astronomers in 1998 (the Nobel Prize for Physics was subsequently awarded for their work in 2011). Using a 1.2m (3' 11") wide-view telescope at visible and near-infrared wavelengths, Euclid maps the shape, brightness and 3D distribution of 2 billion galaxies covering over one-third of the sky. It measures the geometry and growth rate of the universe in higher resolution than was ever possible before, through a combination of weak gravitational lensing, redshift-space distortions and galaxy cluster observations. Taken together, these ultra-precise measurements offer the best explanation yet of how the acceleration of the universe has changed over time – revealing new clues about the origin, evolution and ultimate fate of the cosmos – and the role of dark matter and dark energy in each of these processes, revolutionising our understanding of these hitherto largely unknown phenomena.
2020-2025 Five-year survival rates for Hodgkin's lymphoma are approaching 100% Cancer has seen many breakthroughs in recent years and Hodgkin's lymphoma is now among the types on the verge of being defeated. In much of the developed world, five-year survival rates are approaching 100%.**
2020 America's power shift is destabilising the Asia-Pacific region As part of its "pivot to Asia", the USA has shifted much of its naval force to the Asia-Pacific in an effort to counter China's geopolitical influence during this decade.** Countries in East Asia have begun to polarise under the tension of the two global powers, despite efforts to maintain stability in the region.** Japan and the Philippines have moved closer to the re-emerging American power in the hope of stopping China's territorial claims of the Senkaku (Diaoyu), Spratly and other islands – while Cambodia, South Korea and other nations try to remain neutral for the sake of economic interests as the region divides. The US and China are not the only major players shifting their sights on this part of Asia: Russia has begun to move east as well.* In the coming years, geopolitical tensions in the region will shake the global economy, stretching US-China relations to near-breaking point, as the latter begins to displace the former as the leading superpower. China has recently developed its first stealth fighter* and has a growing fleet of aircraft carriers.
Generation X is reshaping global politics As the new decade begins, a fresh generation of leaders and decision-makers is now emerging on the world stage. With the last of the Silent Generation passing away, and the Baby Boomers waning in their influence, the so-called "Generation X" is coming into power. Born between the late 1960s and early 1980s, Gen-Xers are more heterogeneous than previous groups: diverse in race, class, culture and ethnicity. They are more liberal and progressive than their parents,* with less respect for rules, authority and established policies. They are less likely to be religious. For most or all of their lives, they have grown up surrounded by computers – making them savvy and comfortable with technology, flexible and more open to new ideas. They have more concern for the environment, are more likely to believe in climate change and are generally more accepting of science. Angry at the social, political and economic legacy bequeathed to them, the Gen-Xers are using their newfound power to build a different kind of world. They are no longer willing to bow to the demands of the Baby Boomers - who many feel have robbed them of their future. They are also not willing to let the Millennials (Generation Y) get a free ride when it comes to paying their fair share.* From 2020 onwards, there is a shift of money and resources away from senior citizens and towards those in their middle years. Property and inheritance laws, pensions, retirement plans and a number of elderly benefits undergo significant changes, as Gen-Xers work to stem the gap between themselves and their parents. Banks and financial institutions are finally reformed this decade - though not without a fight, and not to the extent that many voters would prefer. However, there is now at least some focus on long term accountability, rather than short term profits and risk-taking. Employees gain more rights, freedoms and flexibility in the workplace, with offices becoming more casual and informal. Social media and other technologies continue to drive the spread of democracy around the world. Thanks to the Gen-Xers, many countries begin to relax their laws on private recreational drug use, gay marriage, prostitution, euthanasia and so on. Legalisation and taxation of cannabis adds significantly to government revenues whilst helping to lower crime rates. Scientific research and environmental protection are given higher priorities. These trends were emerging in any case, but are now being accelerated by the Gen-Xers.
Internet use reaches 5 billion worldwide The number of Internet users has now reached almost 5 billion – equivalent to the entire world's population in 1987. This compares with 1.7 billion users in 2010 and only 360 million in 2000.* Vast numbers of people in developing countries now have access to the web, thanks to a combination of plummeting costs and exponential technology improvements. This includes laptops, smartphones and tablet devices that can be bought for only a few tens of dollars, together with explosive growth in mobile networks. Even some of the most remote populations on Earth can take advantage of the web, thanks to the infrastructure now in place.
Broadband speeds have continued to accelerate. In the USA, a project known as the National Broadband Plan is coming to fruition. This gives nearly 100 million Americans access to home broadband speeds of at least 100 Mbps.* Connections of 1 Gbps are also present in the vast majority of schools, universities, libraries, hospitals and government buildings. Broadband is now available to essentially the entire population. By 2020, the USA has become one of the leaders in mobile innovation, with among the most extensive wireless networks of any country. There is a massive increase in the broadcasting of wireless Internet and broadband multimedia. In Australia, one of the world's most ambitious upgrades – the National Broadband Network – is nearing completion. Vast extensions to the fibre-optic cable networks are being undertaken, with the result that 93% of the population has access to 1 Gbps transfer speeds by 2021.* Australia rises to be one of the leading digital economies, with many new jobs and opportunities created. The remaining 7% of households are able to utilise two new satellites for a minimum speed of 12 Mbps. South Korea - one of the most technologically advanced places in Asia - has already had gigabit transfer speeds around the country since late 2012.* It has since strengthened its broadband network, upgrading it even further. China has also laid down a national broadband network, another step in its path to becoming a developed nation. The majority of developed and developing nations around the world now have greatly improved web access compared to what existed previously. However, there is still the problem of a "digital divide", with rural areas particularly affected. In the UK, for example, while more than half of users now have access to 100 Mbps or faster, around 10% of the population is limited to substantially slower connections.*
The 5G standard is released
Texting
by thinking Some of the higher end models feature glasses or visors, with displays built into the lenses. This allows completely hands-free texting, effectively creating a form of virtual telepathy. The process is rather slow at this stage - requiring a high degree of mental concentration. It is more of a novelty for now. However, advances in coming years will enable smooth and fast interactions, revolutionising the world of communication.
Complex organ replacements grown from stem cells In the previous decade, it had already been possible to grow various tissues, bones and muscles using stem cells. The first complete synthetic organ transplant was achieved in 2011, when a replacement windpipe was given to a terminal cancer patient. This was followed by further breakthroughs as more complex body structures and systems began to be engineered. By 2020, a major landmark is reached, with scientists having fully characterised how every part of the heart works - enabling complete replacements for use in transplants.* The need for external donors is eliminated, and since the organ is genetically matched to the patient, there is no chance of rejection. This new treatment offers hope to millions of people affected by cardiovascular disease. Until now, 15 million had died each year from such conditions. The economic benefits are huge. A significant fraction of healthcare costs have been attributable to organ failure, the recurring treatments for chronic diseases and their subsequent complications. This new regenerative medicine effectively provides a cure, rather than ongoing treatment. Until now, direct healthcare costs of organ replacement and associated care had been $350 billion globally (about 8 percent of global healthcare spending). As well as the heart, various other organs are eventually developed: lungs, livers, kidneys, spleens, stomachs, the pancreas and sexual organs all enter clinical trials. Internal organ failure will gradually become a thing of the past; for those who can afford the treatments, at least. Furthermore, new vitrification techniques* allow organ banking without damage from ice crystal formation.
A cure for malaria A pill is now available offering a completely effective cure for malaria. With a single dose, it eliminates all strains and blocks transmission from person to person. In 2012, an extensive screening campaign looked at 6 million compounds and selected the most promising from the series to be optimised and retested. A molecule known as MMV390048 was identified as suitable for preclinical development. When tested on animals, it showed potent activity against multiple stages in the malaria parasite's life cycle. Animals given a single dose orally were completely cured, with no reported side effects. Human clinical trials, beginning in late 2013, achieved similar success.** This new treatment offers a major improvement to global health. In 2010, there were 216 million documented cases of malaria. Around 655,000 died from the disease - about 2.2% of all deaths worldwide - and it was responsible for a quarter of child deaths in sub-Saharan Africa. The actual number of deaths may have been significantly higher as precise statistics for all rural areas were unavailable, with many cases going undocumented. Malaria has long been associated with poverty, especially for countries in Africa. The eradication of this disease is giving a major boost to economic development. In addition to the pill, genetic modification of mosquitoes is also playing a role in finally consigning malaria to history.* Other methods have been developed too. In modern buildings and hospitals, for instance, automated laser systems can track and kill the insects.*
Progress with longevity extension By 2020, laboratory experiments are yielding major extensions in the lifespan of mice.* Since rodents and humans share similar DNA, there is now real hope of defeating the aging process. Though a permanent "cure" remains a distant prospect, a number of therapies are already in development which can help to reduce the cell damage, mitochondrial mutations and other adverse effects of growing older.** These can be used as bridges, to buy time for the more dramatic advances in the decades ahead. For those in middle age or younger, the dream of being able to live indefinitely is moving from the realm of science fiction to science fact. This period sees the beginning of major public interest and awareness of the subject. At the same time, however, there is much opposition from religious institutions and conservative groups.
Ultra High Definition Television (4320p) is going mainstream After years of development, Ultra High Definition TV (also known as 4320p) is becoming relatively common in the home consumer market. This format has 16 times the resolution of HDTV.** It faces competition from another emerging technology - holographic television.
Holographic TV is going mainstream Breakthroughs in rewritable and erasable systems have made it possible to mass-market the first truly holographic TV displays.* This form of technology has been in development for nearly three decades. One of the main problems encountered was that the displays required a lengthy delay between each "rewrite" - making it impractical for televisual displays. However, recent advances in power transfer have overcome this problem, with displays now capable of running at many frames per second. Typical holographic screens of this period are expensive, with most viewed as a luxury item for now. However, competition between the major vendors later succeeds in bringing down costs, making them affordable to the majority of people. Further refinement of this technology also leads to bigger and sharper displays. The screens can be fixed to a wall (with the image writing lasers behind the wall), or placed horizontally on a table (with all of the components underneath). Initially popular in Japan and the Far East, holographic TV soon finds its way to the rest of the world. Over the coming decades, perfection of this technology will see entire rooms turned into holographic environments.
Africa and the Middle East are linked by a transcontinental bridge This 15-year megaproject - costing over $200bn - involves the construction of two entire new cities, at either ends of a 29 km (18 mi) bridge. Dubbed the "Bridge of the Horns", it spans the southern mouth of the Red Sea, connecting Yemen (Middle East) to Djibouti (Africa). With support for cars, light rail and freight trains, it greatly facilitates the movement of people, trade and resources between the two continents.* Each of the hi-tech cities at either end of the bridge is powered almost entirely by renewable energy. Many other green technologies and sustainable development practices are utilised. As their populations grow, they become major commercial, education and tourist hubs of the region. A highway is also built, linking them to Dubai.
Hong Kong's Mass Transit Railway (MTR) has been significantly expanded From 2010 to 2020, the railway undergoes a series of major expansions in order to meet rising demand. Two of the first new links are the 3 km West Island Line, completed in 2014, and the 7 km South Island Line, finished in 2015. That same year, the 11 km Sha Tin to Central Link is completed, followed by a 6 km extension across the harbour completed in 2019. This extension makes up the new North-South Line of the MTR. Opening in 2016 is the Guangzhou-Shenzen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link. This cuts down travel time to Guangzhou and Beijing to 48 minutes and ten hours respectively. It also connects Hong Kong's MTR to the recently developed Pearl River Delta Megacity, now the largest metropolitan area in the world. This intercity line will greatly boost jobs and commerce in the south of China. Various other MTR extensions are opened later in the decade - including the Northern Link, which offers a major transportation corridor for the residents of western Hong Kong. By 2020, the MTR has a length of over 270 km.*
The first self-sufficient, car-free city in mainland China Great City is home to 30,000 families totaling 80,000 people, many of whom are given opportunities to work within the development. Echoing the designs of Jacque Fresco and the Venus Project, the distance from any location in the city to any other is walkable within 15 minutes, virtually eliminating the need for automobiles. The city is also connected to Chengdu and surrounding areas via mass transit, accessed at a regional transit hub in the city centre. Great City uses 48% less energy, 58% less water, produces 89% less landfill waste and generates 60% less carbon than a conventional development of similar population. Of its 800 acres, people only work and live on 40 percent of the land area, the rest being devoted to open space and agriculture. It is envisioned as a prototype or model city to be replicated in other locations throughout the country. In the decades ahead, its success leads to many others of its kind springing up around China. A car-free town had already been established on the tiny island of Gulangyu, in Xiamen, but Great City is much larger in size, and the first to appear on the mainland.
Click to enlarge
Completion of the Fehmarn Belt Fixed Link The Danish government approved the project by a large parliamentary majority in 2011. However, it required the passage of a Construction Act, along with further legislation in both countries that wasn't completed until 2013. With final approval, construction began in 2014, finishing in 2020. Precast concrete tunnel sections were utilised, with a rectangular cross-section about 40 metres wide and 10 metres high, containing four separate passageways (two for cars and two for trains), plus a small service passageway. The total cost of the project is €5.5 billion and it has a technical lifespan of 120 years.
Fehmarn Island was already connected by bridge with the German mainland, and Lolland was already connected by bridge with Zealand. Furthermore, Zealand was already connected with the Swedish coast, via the Øresund Bridge. However, there was no link between Fehmarn Island and Lolland until now. The Fehmarn Belt fixed link, therefore, provides a far more direct route from Germany to Sweden and Norway. Travel times between Scandinavia and continental Europe are in fact substantially reduced: the ferry transit that was required previously took 45 minutes (plus waiting time), but car drivers now require a mere 10 minutes, while train passengers can complete the journey in no more than 7 minutes. The duration of a train journey between Hamburg and Copenhagen is cut from around 4.5 to 3 hours.*
The UK has expanded its offshore grid connections As part of efforts both to decarbonise its economy and to satisfy future power needs, the UK explored the potential for links with neighbouring countries. Two interconnectors were already in operation, to France and the Netherlands. Several new connections were proposed, with most being completed by 2020.* These included a 560 mile (900 km) cable to Norway, a link between Ireland and Wales, plus additional links to France, Belgium, Spain, Iceland and the small Channel island of Alderney.* Together, these would supply gigawatts of clean energy to the UK. The Iceland connection was arguably the most ambitious. This 750 mile (1,200 km) line - the longest of its kind in the world - aimed to harvest the abundant geothermal power of the country's volcanoes. In 2012, an agreement was signed between Iceland and the UK, ensuring this project's success while strengthening political relations.* Although the upfront capital costs were high, the 90% load factor of geothermal generation made it an attractive option for the long term.
These interconnector projects are built with surprising speed. The undersea cables are laid at over 30 km a day, with each kilometre containing 800 tonnes of copper. As well as reducing CO2 emissions, they go some way towards mitigating the impact of peak oil - improving the energy security of Europe as a whole. By 2050, an international "super grid" will be established throughout the continent, combining the wind, wave and geothermal power of northern Europe with solar projects as far south as Africa. Despite these new projects - and Prime Minister David Cameron's intention to lead the "greenest government ever" - the UK fails to achieve its target of 15% clean energy by 2020.* Though impressive compared with earlier decades, even greater measures will be needed to reduce the country's reliance on fossil fuels.
Smart
meters in every UK home Average bills are being reduced as a result, since the meters encourage changes in behaviour. The meters can also "talk" to domestic appliances such as refrigerators. If necessary, these can be made to switch on and off depending on the level of demand on the grid. Smart grids are also being introduced to manage flows of electricity more efficiently. These are capable of handling more volatile sources of energy (such as windfarms) and coping with micro-generation - consumers are increasingly using solar panels or heat pumps to generate their own electricity and sell it back to the grid.*
Public
smoking is banned across every US state
Mercury pollution has been greatly reduced If inhaled or absorbed through the skin and mucous membranes, mercury and most of its compounds are extremely toxic. They have a range of devastating health impacts, including brain and neurological damage (especially among the young), birth deformities, kidney damage and digestive system problems. Victims can suffer memory loss and language impairment alongside many other well-documented effects. In the early 21st century, the largest emissions of mercury came from gold mining. Combustion of fossil fuels – mainly coal in utility, industrial and residential boilers – was the next biggest source. An estimated 1,960 tons were produced each year, with China by far the greatest contributor at nearly one-third of the global total. Improper disposal of certain products like batteries, automobile parts and fluorescent bulbs also led to mercury entering the environment. About 30% of the total amount of mercury entering Earth's atmosphere each year came from anthropogenic (man-made) sources.*
Though primarily an issue in developing countries, mercury was recognised as a global problem. In the space of just 100 years, man-made emissions doubled the concentration in the top 100 metres of the planet's oceans.* Food chains were disrupted, with fish and shellfish absorbing small amounts of mercury,* posing a health issue the world over. This was a particular concern for pregnant women and those with young children. In 2013, the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) established a global, legally binding treaty to prevent emissions and releases of mercury. Governments agreed on a wide range of mercury-containing products whose production, export and import would be banned by 2020. Detailed plans were enacted to cut levels of mercury used in mining operations, coal-fired power stations, industrial boilers, smelters, waste incineration and cement clinker facilities. Public awareness campaigns, medical programs and support for mercury-free alternatives were also developed. Though not yet completely eliminated, this has led to a drastic reduction in mercury pollution and its gradual phasing out by many countries.*
Glacier National Park and other regions are becoming ice-free By now, the Glacier National Park in Montana has become completely ice-free, the park's namesakes having disappeared as a result of global warming. An earlier model (shown below) had forecast this event for 2030, based on a study by the US Geological Survey, along with 1992 temperature predictions by the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). However, updated computer models and fresh data obtained in 2009 indicated a temperature rise more than twice as rapid as previously thought.*
As early as 2020, therefore, the glaciers were gone, leaving behind only barren rock. Many cold water dependent plants and animals subsequently died out due to loss of habitat, including a number of rare species. Reduced seasonal melting of ice also affected stream flow during the dry summer and fall seasons, reducing water table levels and increasing the number of forest fires. This had the added effect of putting more carbon into the atmosphere. The loss of glaciers also reduced the aesthetic visual appeal of the region for visiting tourists. This process is being mirrored all over the world, with non-polar ice beginning to vanish from many prominent regions including the Andes, Alps, Himalayas and Kilimanjaro. Later this century, glacier loss from the Himalayas will have a devastating impact - destabilising much of the Indian subcontinent, including the nuclear-armed Pakistan. Floods and mudslides will be triggered by the initial melting. Afterwards, fewer and smaller glaciers will mean less run-off to rivers such as the Ganges that would normally provide fresh water for drinking, agricultural production and hydroelectric power generation. Given that the Mekong, Yangtze and Yellow rivers are affected too, this could mean water shortages for potentially two billion people.
30,000 drones are patrolling the skies of America In 2012, the FAA Reauthorization Act passed into law in America. This legislation was the result of a huge push by lawmakers and defence companies to massively expand the use of drones – making it far easier for federal, state, local police and other agencies to fly them in U.S. airspace. Not only that, but commercial entities would also have drone authorisation from 2015 onwards. These unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have been used extensively in Afghanistan and other military operations. In domestic U.S. airspace, they are deployed mainly for border and counternarcotics surveillance, but also in a variety of other public safety missions, such as disaster relief efforts, locating missing climbers or hikers and combating forest fires. However, concerns are raised over issues of privacy and civil liberties. Many drones feature highly advanced monitoring equipment, infrared, heat sensors and radar. Some have cameras able to scan entire cities and read a milk carton from 60,000 feet away. Others can intercept mobile texts and phone calls. There are even models equipped with tasers and rubber bullets.* In some cities, they are being used to monitor protests and to spy on citizens with no warrant or legal process.* In 2012, there were already 7,000 operating drones in U.S. airspace. By 2020, this number has more than quadrupled to over 30,000.* Various other countries have been expanding their surveillance in recent years – Britain, for example, has seen a nearly 30-fold increase in high-definition CCTV cameras.*
BepiColombo arrives in orbit around Mercury
The European contribution, Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO), studies the surface and internal composition, while the Japanese portion, Mercury Magnetosphere Orbiter (MMO), analyses the magnetosphere and atmosphere. A new form of ion engine is used for the propulsion system.
Video
games with truly lifelike CGI
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References 1 When will the oil run out?, Guardian.co.uk: 2 Who Killed Economic Growth?, The Post Carbon Institute: 3 Solar power prices to continue falling through 2025, experts say, Future Timeline Blog: 4 Elon Musk Bets Half Of All Cars Built In 2032 Will Be Electric, Green Car Reports: 5 NASA Officially Joins ESA's 'Dark Universe' Mission, NASA: 6 Hodgkin lymphoma survival statistics, Cancer Research UK (latest available data): 7 Browse the SEER Cancer Statistics Review 1975-2009, The National Cancer Institute: 8 Obama unveils new strategy for 'leaner' US military, BBC: 9 Obama intensifies "pivot" to Asia, World Socialist Website: 10 The Response of China's Neighbors to the U.S. "Pivot" to Asia, Brookings: 11 Obama's Road to Myanmar Is Paved With New Asia Intentions, The New York Times: 12 Russia begins its slow pivot to Asia, FT: 13 See 2019. 14 10 page report: 15 The Looming Gen X Global Revolution of 2020, The Huffington Post: 16 10 fool-proof predictions for the Internet in 2020, Network World: 17 The National Broadband Plan, Broadband.gov: 18 Corporate Plan 2011–2013, NBN Co: 19 Home Internet May Get Even Faster in South Korea, The New York Times: 20 UK faces superfast digital divide say network providers, BBC: 21 5G, Wikipedia: 22 Japan eyes 'mind-reading' devices, robots 'by 2020', AFP: 23 The Brain Twitter Interface, YouTube: 24 British team grows human heart valve from stem cells, Guardian.co.uk: 25 21st
Century Medicine - Organ preservation for transplantation, 21st Century
Medicine: 26 African researchers identify strong candidate for possible single-dose malaria cure, FutureTimeline Blog: 27 "... it could be at least seven years before any pill derived from this new compound is distributed throughout malaria-afflicted regions." 28 GM mosquitoes offer malaria hope, BBC: 29 Intellectual Ventures: Mosquito Laser Shootdown Sequence, YouTube: 30 Aubrey de Grey's Prediction for 2020, YouTube: 31 Aubrey de Grey - In Pursuit of Longevity, Singularity University: 32 Transcend: Nine Steps to Living Well Forever, Ray Kurzweil: 33 Sharp
shows off the world's first Super Hi-Vision LCD with 16x more detail than
1080p, engadget: 34 Ultra
High Definition Television, Ultra High Definition Television: 35 Holographic
TV could be here by 2020, dvice.com: 36 Bridge of the Horns, Wikipedia: 37 MTR Projects: 38 "Great City ... is expected to be complete in the next eight years." 39 Femern A/S - Fehmarnbelt Fixed Link: 40 Climate Change Act 2008, The National Archives: 41 Offshore Grid Development for a Secure Renewable Future - a UK Perspective, The Department of Energy & Climate Change: 42 Iceland's volcanoes may power UK, The Guardian: 43 UK and Iceland Sign Energy Agreement, The Department of Energy & Climate Change: 44 Missed renewable energy targets will cost UK dear, warns study, The Guardian: 45 Smart
meters to be fitted in every home by 2020, BBC: 46 UK
energy smart meter roll-out is outlined, BBC: 47 US
health officials predict smoking bans in every state by 2020, if trend
continues, Chicago Tribune: 48 Global Mercury Assessment 2013, UNEP: 49 Mercury treaty adopted in Geneva by 140 countries, Dawn.com: 50 Mercury in fish, Wikipedia: 51 "Governments have agreed on a range of mercury containing products whose production, export and import will be banned by 2020. Certain kinds of non-electronic medical devices such as thermometers and blood pressure devices are also included for phase-out by 2020." 52 No
More Glaciers in Glacier National Park by 2020?, National Geographic: 53 Surveillance Drones, Electronic Frontier Foundation: 54 New York City police eye drones for surveillance purposes, Digital Journal: 55 Drones over U.S. get OK by Congress, The Washington Times: 56 See 2016. 57 BepiColombo - ESA: 58 Lifelike
animation heralds new era for computer games, The Times Online: 59 Google
Earth in 2020, GameTrailers.com:
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