How advances in the past 20 years have changed our world, and laid the groundwork for the next 20.
Global Prosperity: Rising Up
Rapid worldwide growth in GDP per capita and declining poverty rates has been a major success story of the past 20 years. In 2000, 1.9 billion people lived on less than $1.90 a day; by 2015 this had dropped to 836 million – an impressive 56% reduction in extreme poverty.
Literacy rates have also improved significantly: from 83% globally in 1990 to 91% today. This rapid economic progress has seen the emergence of a new global middle class, estimated at 3 billion people in 2017 – up from just 500 million two decades ago. Despite numerous challenges, humanity is making great strides towards greater prosperity for all its citizens.
Medical Research Advances
Breakthroughs in medical research and treatments have been another area of progress in the past couple of decades. Advances in technology, such as gene editing, 3D printing and artificial intelligence, have enabled researchers to develop new treatments for previously incurable diseases.
For example, immunotherapy has revolutionized cancer treatment by harnessing the body’s own immune system to fight tumors. Similarly, gene therapy is being used to treat genetic disorders like cystic fibrosis and muscular dystrophy with unprecedented success rates. These breakthroughs are providing hope for millions of people around the world who were once resigned to living with their conditions or facing an early death.
Advancing Tech: Communication & Computing
Improvements in communication and computing technology constitute another area of progress since the early 1990s. The internet has revolutionized how we communicate, allowing us to connect with people around the world instantly.
Mobile phones have become ubiquitous, providing access to information and services that were previously unavailable or unaffordable for many people. Computing power has increased exponentially, enabling us to process data faster than ever before and develop new technologies such as autonomous vehicles and virtual reality.
These advances are transforming our lives in ways unimaginable just two decades ago, creating unprecedented opportunities for economic growth and social progress.
Rising Social Equality
The past 20 years have seen a marked improvement in equality and opportunity for marginalized groups. Women, ethnic minorities, people with disabilities and LGBTQ+ individuals are increasingly able to access education, employment and healthcare on an equal footing with their peers.
Governments around the world have implemented laws to protect these groups from
discrimination and ensure they can participate fully in society. In addition, civil society organizations have been instrumental in raising awareness of issues such as gender-based violence and advocating for greater inclusion of minority voices in decision-making processes.
These efforts are creating a more equitable world where everyone has the chance to reach their full potential regardless of background or identity.
Global Trade and Cooperation
Despite recent international tensions, the past several decades have seen dramatic expansions of global trade and international cooperation, with the number of free trade agreements increasing from around 300 in 2000 to over 3,000 today. This has enabled countries to access new markets and resources, leading to increased economic growth and improved standards of living for many people.
It has also facilitated the sharing of knowledge and technology between nations, allowing them to benefit from each other’s expertise. International organizations such as the United Nations are playing an increasingly important role in promoting peace and security through diplomatic dialogue rather than military intervention.
These developments are creating unprecedented opportunities for collaboration across borders that will help drive progress in the coming decades.
Green Tech Advancement
The development of green technologies over the past 20 years has been a major contributor to global progress. Renewable energy sources such as solar, wind and hydropower have become increasingly cost-effective and widely available, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and helping to reduce emissions. Electric vehicles are becoming more popular, with sales increasing by 40% in just one year (from 2018 to 2019).
Governments around the world are investing in research into new clean energy sources such as hydrogen fuel cells and geothermal power. In addition, advances in recycling technology have enabled us to reuse materials more efficiently, reducing waste production and its associated environmental impacts. There is still a long way to go, but clearly great potential for further progress over the next two decades as we strive towards a greener future.
Exploring the Cosmos
Advances in space exploration over the past 20 years, though not as publicly visible as early expeditions to the moon, have been remarkable. Spacecrafts such as Voyager 1 and 2, Cassini-Huygens and New Horizons have explored our solar system, providing us with unprecedented insight into its planets and moons.
The International Space Station has enabled astronauts to conduct experiments in microgravity for extended periods of time. Private companies such as SpaceX are now launching rockets into orbit on a regular basis, paving the way for commercial space travel.
In addition, robotic probes such as the Curiosity rover have landed on Mars to explore its surface and search for signs of life. These advances offer exciting opportunities for further exploration in the coming decades, including missions to asteroids or even other star systems.
