Biggest boom ever coming this decade, economists say

By Dick Pelletier

      

    Although most analysts focus on the recession and unemployment, others see incredible opportunities ahead, especially in politically-correct "green" technologies and healthcare.

    According to forecaster McKinley Conway in his recent Futurist Magazine post, "Coming: The Biggest Boom Ever," basic human instincts of need, desire, fear, and competition will power this economic boom.

1- Need. World population is expected to increase by 1 billion people during this decade, which will create urgent needs for more water, food, shelter, clothing, and healthcare.

2- Desire. Thanks to a faster, cheaper Internet and low-cost computers and cell phones, poor people in 3rd world countries are being exposed to life in the developed world. Many formerly impoverished citizens now operate mini-businesses to improve their lifestyle. This represents a huge increase in world commerce.

3- Fear. Terrorists can appear at random and kill innocent civilians. Need for defense products, ranging from predator drones to surveillance cameras are on the rise.

4- Competition. Political leaders are increasingly measured by their ability to attract scientists and technologies, including research facilities that strengthen their country's economical development.

    Water tops our needs list. The world will soon be forced to augment existing water supplies with seawater. Desalinated ocean water could soon become one of the world's most lucrative business opportunities.

    Schools that produce skilled students and science parks that attract entrepreneurs will be essential for all 21st century nations. Medical advances expected this decade include curing cancer and making other diseases manageable, brain-computer interfaces, low-cost personal genomes, and restoring sight to the blind.

    The world now focuses on clean energy with rising demand to replace fossil fuels with nuclear, wind and solar power. Technology breakthroughs in this opportunistic field appear almost daily.

    In the years ahead, "auto-drive" lanes for computer-controlled vehicles will be added to most Interstate highways. Much of humanity's manual driving will soon be eliminated as driverless vehicles that can ferry people automatically to doctor appointments, supermarkets, and other errands, become more trustworthy.

    Also, promoting sustainable living could become the world's most important agenda as humanity tries to preserve and restore its environment. Instead of an unavoidable detriment, most new developments will be viewed as an opportunity to improve our planet. Repairing tropical rain forest damages, renewing dried-out deserts, and developing creative ways to reuse nuclear waste materials will motivate competitive entrepreneurs everywhere.

    Increase in worldwide democracy will lend support to many of these emerging industries. Thanks to knowledge spread worldwide by an Internet that is becoming easier and cheaper to access, the political winds are constantly shifting. As this movement accelerates, more and more dictators will be replaced with citizen-powered governments.

    As this positive future continues to unfold, thousands of unique innovative businesses will appear providing millions of new jobs with promise of a better life for all people. Even in the midst of the current recession, Conway claims the clean energy economy is growing rapidly. Global investments are expected to reach more than $2 trillion as we as we get further into the decade.

    Will this economic boom become reality so quickly? Forward thinkers believe that exponentially-advancing technologies; along with human ingenuity, will fuel this "magical future" – and it can happen as predicted.

This article appeared in various print publications and on-line blogs. Comments always welcome.