A mix of Signals of change submitted by users around the world and longer-form Insights - explorations of the emerging systemic change we are seeing, from futurists, academics, business leaders, sustainability experts, that help with sensemaking - literally: making sense of the world.
A signal of change is like a seed of a possible future. It can be any development, idea or innovation that points to a future possibility different to today’s norm. We are especially interested in signals that point to the possibility of significant systemic change, or those that illuminate an unexpected aspect of an ongoing change. Not all signals do end up coming to fruition, because the future is inherently uncertain. Signals help us to think in terms of multiple possible futures, to think more widely and creatively about the future and to anticipate unintended consequences.
For all of you who believe in better. President Elect Biden has been very clear that he will support a ‘green transition’ and leverage the power and influence of the…
UK energy company SSE has published a “Just Transition” strategy, which aims to protect workers and communities as the UK moves towards a net zero economy. The company recognizes that…
Environmental offenders could be handed a fine of up to €4.5 million, or 10 years in prison. The law is meant to punish those who commit a “general crime of…
In follow up to a four-year long grassroots campaign, MSPs passed legislation called The Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Act. The campaign, spearheaded by Monica Lennon, had worked to open…
COVID-19 has triggered mass reverse migrations from cities to rural areas in India. It is estimated every sixth migrant worker, largely employed in unorganised sectors like construction and handlooms, has…
Since the beginning of the pandemic, we’re seeing a transformative change in how society sees fatherhood. According to researchers, men have spent a hugely increased number of hours with their…
QR codes – bar codes that can be read by mobile phones – have been used in China during the pandemic in the battle against the virus in the mainland….
In lieu of this Novembers’ postponed COP 26 in Glasgow, activists from around the world staged a virtual mock COP to call for greater climate action. On Thursday 1 December…
In an extraordinary cooperative endeavour, scientists from all corners of the globe have mapped the distributions of all 22,000 known species of bees. Created to aid in the conservation of…
In 2020, more organisations have recognised the need for transformative action, egged on by workforces looking to their employers for leadership on social and environmental challenges. Where to begin? Forum…
Microsoft Ireland anticipates that 50% of the country’s professionals will never return to the office full-time, following a study conducted by Boston Consulting Group and KRC Research. Microsoft is one…
After acquiring online pharmacy Pillpack in 2018, Amazon has officially entered the digital pharmacy market in 2020. Offering Prime members significant discounts and purportedly offering generic prescribed brand-name drugs, the…
The Mar Menor, Europe’s largest saltwater lagoon set in Murcia, Spain, has been a victim of what many refer to as “ecocide”: deliberate human activity that violates the main rules…
Samuel Smith on Twitter Another novel protein source? New tech consortium exploring the conversion of woody biomass into protein meal for animal feed. @FuturesCentre. via @FeedNavigator https://t.co/l9CfL0Rzlh
The Asia Internet Coalition (AIC), established in 2010 and comprising major regional and global players, including Amazon, Airbnb, Apple, Facebook, Grab, Google and Linkedin, has condemned the lack of transparency…
We’re entrusting ever more aspects of our lives, identities and relationships to the digital realm, but what level of trust do we feel? And are we making conscious choices about…
This year on ‘Black Friday’, when many companies discount products, the American shoe company Allbirds will increase product prices by 1 US dollar. The company will donate the extra dollar…
The UK government is expected to announce next week that it will bring forward the ban on petrol and diesel cars to 2030. So what? This contributes to an increasing…
