Our Top 12 Predictions for 2055 and Why They Might Happen
WORDS BY ANTONINA JOSON
It seems surreal that the year 2025 is here ! It feels just like yesterday that social media was still in its burgeoning beginnings , and we still watched our shows on a scheduled basis via cable . While it ’ s certainly nostalgic to look back on the good ol ’ days , one might wonder what could happen in the next couple of years . In the spirit of a new landmark year , we ’ re following the tradition of sharing our predictions for the future to come .
We ’ ve put together a few predictions ( just for fun !) on where we ’ ll see the world headed in the next thirty years . The awesome part is — you can vote which outcome you think will be the most probable ! Don ’ t be afraid to think outside of the box . After all , who knew we ’ d have self-driving cars and computers in our pockets ?
Note : These predictions are purely meant for entertainment purposes . But if they happen to come true at some point , you can say you saw it coming !
ENVIRONMENT
Lab-grown or synthetic meat will be more accessible .
Bugs were once touted as “ the food of the future ,” but they haven ’ t quite caught on as much as lab-grown or synthetic meat . Some restaurants and food chains around the world have adapted to vegan and vegetarian customers by providing meat-less alternatives provided by the likes of Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat .
According to the World Wide Fund for Nature ( WWF ), humankind can do a little better in our food consumption . At the rate we ’ re going , our consumption of animal products is harmful to our environment . Luckily , the WWF didn ’ t completely rule out meat-eating , but instead suggested society can practice more sustainable methods of meat consumption .
Companies like Japanese instant noodle giant , Nissin Group , have developed their own means of culturing meat . It won ’ t be long until more institutions catch up and we may significantly reduce carbon emissions from meat production in the next 30 years .
Nearly everyone will own an EV , but hydrogenpowered vehicles will be the new standard .
Some 20 years ago , the concept of a hybrid vehicle was not only new , but also odd . Now , hybrids are only one of few low- and zeroemission vehicle alternatives . While nations all over the world are pushing to switch national fleets to hybrids or EVs , a lesser-known option is hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles . Compared to combustion engine vehicles , hydrogen vehicles only emit water vapor while running , making them an ideal low-emission alternative .
While millions of EVs have already been sold worldwide , the success of hydrogen vehicles are not nearly the same . For now , EVs are the more affordable and accessible option through Chinabased brands such as BYD . Legacy brands are trying to keep up with Chinese EV makers , but it could take a while before they completely electrify their fleets . It could take another 30 years before internal combustion engine ( ICE ) vehicles become obsolete and the world makes a complete
12 ISSUE 51 FEBRUARY 2025 / WWW . AFMA . ORG . AU