The World in 2050 - Jadyn Cleary

Bill McKibben’s article written as if it were from the year 2050 provides a well thought out glance at what the future of this planet might hold. McKibben very clearly illustrates an, although somewhat dark, relatively optimistic future. I strongly agree with the assumption that social activism will move companies and governments to address climate change head-on. Discounting the power that the wants of the general population have is a mistake I feel is often made in political and economic prediction pieces. Peter Zeihan often makes this mistake in his book "The Accidental Superpower". When he states that shale will be the main source of America's energy in the coming years, he is not properly accounting for the green movement that has been sweeping the nation. McKibben fully realizes the impact social advocation has on policy and economics as they relate to the environment. Just as plastic straws are disappearing from restaurants due to public outcry, so will the widespread use of fossil fuels. 
An interesting topic McKibben's article touches on is the oncoming mass migration crisis. This is a side-effect of global warming that often goes unacknowledged but is possibly the biggest threat that climate change poses. It will be very interesting to see how the countries that the migrants will be pushing into will accept them. Hopefully, they will be welcoming of them and find a way to integrate them comfortably. Perhaps, as McKibben suggests, large cities will have better public transit systems to accommodate them and the sustainable agriculture industry will create an influx of new jobs.
Overall, this article is a very well constructed prediction piece that raises interesting points and encourages critical thought about the matter of climate change. Only time will tell how accurate it is, but I am fairly confident and hopeful that it will stand the test of time. 
Works Cited
McKibben, Bill. “How the World Would Look in 2050 If We Solved Climate Change.” Time, Time, 12 Sept. 2019, time.com/5669022/climate-change-2050/.

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