'Every society that collapsed thought it couldn't happen to them,' says Joseph Tainter, an expert in anthropology and societal collapse. But historical precedent shows that it is, in fact, a very real possibility. It seems inconceivable that we could do so much damage to our planet that we actually cause society as we know it to collapse. Today, scientists say we are in the middle of a 'sixth extinction' - and for the first time, it's being caused by one species - us. Scientists believe the extinctions were brought on by natural disasters - massive volcanic eruptions, rapid climate changes and meteors hitting Earth. In the history of Earth, there have been five mass extinctions in which at least half the species on the planet disappeared. 'I can't imagine the horrors that will take place on the border as millions of refugees try to get into the United States,' says Klare. border seeking entry, and some could encounter violent resistance. Millions of Latin Americans could align on the U.S. But even as things stabilize on the home front, experts predict hundreds of thousands of environmental refugees may begin streaming through Europe, fleeing droughts and famines. 'Something that will catch people's attention is the first rich city that just runs out of water,' says Homer-Dixon.Īmericans may well meet these challenges with resourcefulness and work hard to keep the threats at bay. If and when a place like Tucson, Ariz., runs dry, people will panic. But in the middle of the country, people may be running out - and there may well not be funds to transport it from the coast. Starting in 2009, San Diego began building huge desalination plants to turn ocean water into an abundance of fresh water. Some cities will have the forethought to plan ahead. 'By 2030, two-thirds of the world's population will be under water stress,' says Janine Benyus, science writer and founder of the Biomimicry Institute. By 2030, gradually rising temperatures may have shifted rainfall patterns around the globe, and many experts warn much of the world may face serious shortages of our most basic need - water. As the world becomes more chaotic, the costs of mending it would grow more and more daunting. The human population is expected to explode and animal species may be dying off at a rapid rate. Scientists predict that by 2020, global catastrophes may well begin to accelerate. 'We will indeed drive the car over the cliff.' Holdren, science advisor to President Obama. 'If we continue on the business as usual trajectory, there will be a tipping point that we cannot avert,' says John P. What if climate change in our world is actually much closer than we think? Many experts say we have to start seriously reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2015, or we may pass a point of no return. The imagined crises in Lucy's futuristic world come in the forms of earthshaking hurricanes spawned by over-reliance on climate-damaging coal and other nonrenewable resources. 'Until we have a crisis of some kind, I don't think we're going to be motivated to make the really deep changes in the way we use energy, the technologies we use, the density of our cities, our travel patterns,' says Thomas Homer-Dixon, a political science professor and author of 'The Upside of Down.' But will that convince us to change our ways? There may be a mass exodus from the suburbs, as driving gas-fueled cars becomes nearly impossible economically. If the cost of gasoline skyrockets, few may be able to afford to maintain the lifestyles to which we've grown accustomed. 'We have no new source of energy on the horizon that's currently capable of being developed on a large enough scale to replace the supply of oil in any near- term framework,' says Michael Klare, professor of peace and world security studies at Hampshire College. will produce cleaner, more fuel efficient vehicles in accordance with newly unveiled emissions guidelines.īut will it be enough? In 2015, global demand for fossil fuels could be massive and growing, but experts say oil will be harder to find and far more expensive to consume. Vatican City will meet all of its energy needs with solar power.

Off the coast of Scotland, a sprawling wave farm will harvest renewable energy from the ocean. Experts predict alternative energy solutions that are currently in their infancy will gain momentum. It is through her eyes and experiences that we can truly imagine the experts' worst-case scenario - and be inspired to make changes for the better.įor more information on the climate change war game featured in Earth 2100, click HERE.īy 2015, there are expected to be hopeful signs.

But no one can predict the future, so how do we address the possibilities that lie ahead? Our solution is Lucy, a fictional character devised by the producers at ABC to guide us through the twists and turns of what the next 100 years could look like.

Imagine the world after 100 years