Megatrend

A Megatrend is a long-term driving force that is observable now and will continue to have a global impact in years to come

The climate would continue to change even if all of the emissions from human activities suddenly stopped. However without strong and immediate abatement (mitigation), greenhouse gas emissions will greatly further increase global warming and changing climate patterns, including extreme events such as heatwaves, storms, floods and fires. Pollution, consumption, resource exploitation and environmental degradation will lead to severe, pervasive and possibly irreversible changes for ecosystems, people, assets and economies around the world. That is why urgent environmental action is necessary - to reduce the harm, and to avoid the worst effects of climate change and environmental degradation. 

Climate change adaptation is also necessary to reduce vulnerability to unavoidable negative impacts. Living inside ‘planetary boundaries’ (i.e. the environmental limits within which humanity can live safely) will require fundamental changes in the way we live, particularly in rich countries. A side effect of environmental action and increasing awareness is that established belief systems and behaviours (among citizens and businesses), are increasingly being challenging and reshaped. 

This Megatrend is part of the Megatrends Hub