The role of a futurist is to ask the question of "What would the world be like in the future if we continued to behave as we do right now?".
Today I'll be putting on my futurist shoes, as means to explore what the future of the meat industry will look like in the next 5, 10 and 50 years. Basing my assumptions on research that I have already completed, I thought that it would be useful to paint a picture of a potential future if society does not dramatically reduce their meat consumption. I already have a blog titled "Our Future Goals", which discusses that tactics society need to implement to ensure the survival of the planet. It also focuses on the accessibility and affordability of vegan food across the short, medium and long term.
However, by reading that, individuals may not feel determination to apply these tactics or actively seek out vegan food due to blissful ignorance. Therefore, by creating a blog that provides insight into one of the possible futures that society may face, it may motivate people to make a change.
By forecasting, we are able to make an educated guess on what the future will look like based on already collected data, Prediction provides us with knowledge of the future but they do suggest certain, limited possibilities. This is a possible insight to what the future may look like based on the knowledge I have gained from research and my assumptions.
(**Disclaimer** This is only a PREDICTION**)
2020
8% of the world is vegan. A large portion of society has also tried vegan and vegetarian food. The idea of "veganism" is not a foreign concept. However, it is also not an accepted and welcomed idea. Studies show that vegans do feel discriminated against based on their lifestyle choice. This is mostly due to majority of society being under the assumption that meat is a vital part of the diet, and there are certain nutrients that one can not attain from plant based products. Even though this is false, this is still the majority belief of society in 2020.
2025
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there is now more awareness regarding the origin of the meat society consumes. Meat is still widely consumed, however more laws are beginning to be enforced regarding the production of meat. Wet Markets are now banned, and there is more of a progression towards a more "free range" production style. However, due to this movement, the world's water crisis has started too worsen. Gen y and Gen Z are motivated to start progressing towards a meat free life style, whereas Gen X is still set in its belief that meat is best.
2030
Water scientists are starting to suggest that the human population would have to switch to an almost entirely vegetarian diet by 2050 to avoid catastrophic global food and water shortages. Vegan and Vegetarian food is now widely available, However people still choose to ignore the idea that meat is not sustainable. Crops begin to die due to lack of water, the world faces a serious drought as scientist scramble for a way to create fresh and drinkable water. Society is just forced to eat less meat due to there being no resources to farm and produce. The population begins to downfall.
2050
The air quality due to greenhouse air emissions is horrible. There is an extremely limited supply of water. Crops aren't growing due to lack of water and poor air quality. The oceans are polluted. Population sees an. extreme negative downfall.
This is what ONE possible future looks like if society doesn't progress towards a diet that involves less meat. Research also suggests that the likelihood of the future looking like this is actually EXTREMELY high. Studies also show that they aren't even suggesting to completely cut meat from your diet, but just to decrease your intake.
Hopefully after learning one possible reality of the future it will motivate you to change your current one.
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