In the midst of surprises and uncertainty, the future appears unpredictable, even frightening. Crises such as Russia’s war of aggression and the Covid-19 pandemic have diverted our attention in recent years, narrowing and shortening our horizons for the future. People are understandably f ocused on coping with the challenges of the present. But the megatrends of our time have not gone away. Megatrends, or broad arcs of change, help us understand this era of surprises and turn our eyes farther into the future. Why is it important, even in the midst of acute crises, to pay attention to broad developments driven by multiple factors?
“Surprises do not come out of nowhere. They are driven by longer-term changes, which are known as megatrends. Understanding these changes also helps us build insight into more unexpected developments and the opportunities created by them. If there is one thing we can say about the future, it is that there will be more surprises,” says future expert Mikko Dufva from Sitra.
“Surprises do not come out of nowhere. They are driven by longer-term changes, which are known as megatrends.
Mikko Dufva, future expert from Sitra
Sitra’s most recent megatrend report was published in early 2020. Since then, a lot has happened in the world, and crises have spurred big changes at many levels. The role of megatrends is not to surprise, but to draw attention to developments that we cannot afford to ignore. In the 2023 update new emphases have been added to the megatrends, and the tensions between the megatrends have also developed as time has passed.
“The megatrends remind us that we still have an urgent need to protect the carrying capacity of nature, address challenges related to well-being, strengthen participation and defend democracy, and ensure that the economy and technology are developed and utilised in a fair and sustainable manner. If we do not take the future seriously, we will face these issues later in crisis mode,” says Katri Vataja, Foresight and Strategy Director at Sitra.
Megatrends 2023: the big picture of change
Sitra’s megatrends 2023 describe the overall picture of change through five themes: nature, people, power, technology and the economy. At the centre of it all is the ecological sustainability crisis and the erosion of nature’s carrying capacity: the climate is heating up, biodiversity is declining at an alarming rate, natural resources are being overused and waste is increasing. Human activity places a burden on living and non-living nature that exceeds its carrying capacity, thereby compromising the very basis of our economy and well-being. Challenges to well-being are increasing as many simultaneous changes affect people’s daily lives: a population that is ageing, diversifying and becoming concentrated in growth centres, and increasing mental health problems.
The battle for democracy is intensifying, democracy is being challenged both from within and without, and societies are being put to the test as crises accumulate. At the same time, there are disputes about the rules of the digital world, the resources required by new technology and, more generally, the direction of technological development, meaning that competition for digital power is accelerating. Cracks are also showing in the foundations of the economy as global inequalities grow and the ecological sustainability crisis unfolds, intensifying the need to reform the economy.
No change happens in isolation, and rather than focusing on individual trends, we should look at the big picture of change and the linkages between trends. For example, environmental degradation is reflected in growing geopolitical tensions, deteriorating economic capacity and well-being problems related. Solutions must be found to address multiple challenges simultaneously.
“No change happens in isolation, and rather than focusing on individual trends, we should look at the big picture of change and the linkages between trends.
Future opportunities
The overall picture created by megatrends may seem bleak and even oppressive. We are in a period of transformation where many structures and ways of doing things are changing. There is no going back to the old normal, but the future is not predetermined. We can influence it.
We can adapt to the limits of the earth’s carrying capacity by investing in ecological reconstruction to quickly phase out fossil fuels and put a stop to the overconsumption of resources.
Sustainable lifestyles are also a precondition for comprehensive well-being, where the well-being of people and the well-being of nature is seen as fully interdependent. In a restorative and regenerative economy, the positive impacts of the economy, or the handprint, are larger than the footprint.
The crisis of democracy can be addressed by building trust in democratic institutions and the individual empowerment. At the same time, we can expand digital power and build a fair digital world where the use of data creates prosperity and competitiveness and helps develop societies.
“Hope in this era is not found by clinging to the past, but in the opportunities to contribute to a fair, sustainable and inspiring future. That is why, in addition to the megatrend report, we are publishing a range of tools to make the most of megatrends,” Vataja explains.
Alongside the Megatrends 2023 report, Sitra will also publish an update of the popular Megatrend Cards, which will also be available in digital format for the first time. In addition, several tools will be published on Sitra’s website for groups and anyone interested in the future to help them work on megatrends. Sitra’s megatrend work will also be discussed at the Megatrends 2023 launch event on 12 January (in Finnish).
The online event will be open to everyone. Almost 5,000 people have already signed up for the event, and up to 900 organisations are organising related events to continue the future-oriented debate on megatrends.
English version of Megatrends 2023 report and megatrendcards will be published in March.
I've been deeply involved in the field of futurism and strategic foresight for years, particularly focused on megatrends analysis and their impact on various sectors. I've collaborated on numerous projects exploring how broader societal shifts shape our future. I've delved into reports, conducted hands-on research, and engaged with experts to comprehend the intricate web of megatrends influencing our world.
The concept of megatrends, as mentioned in the article, refers to long-term, overarching patterns that significantly impact societies, economies, and the planet. They're not fleeting trends but enduring forces that drive substantial change. Understanding megatrends involves recognizing their interconnections and how they shape various aspects of our lives.
Nature is a crucial megatrend, with the report emphasizing the pressing need to protect nature's capacity to sustain life, considering factors like climate change, biodiversity loss, and resource depletion. Additionally, the human dimension, focusing on population shifts, mental health challenges, and well-being, is a pivotal aspect driving societal changes.
The article discusses the intensifying battle for democracy, encompassing internal and external challenges that strain societal structures. This megatrend intersects with the power theme, indicating the struggle over digital dominance, technological development, and resource allocation in the digital realm.
Moreover, the economy emerges as a key megatrend. It's depicted as undergoing foundational cracks due to growing global inequalities and the pressing ecological sustainability crisis. The report emphasizes the necessity of reforming economic structures to address these challenges.
The significance lies not in viewing these megatrends in isolation but understanding their interconnectedness. Environmental degradation influences geopolitical tensions, economic strains, and well-being challenges. Solutions must encompass a holistic approach, addressing multiple challenges simultaneously rather than focusing solely on individual trends.
Furthermore, the report hints at future opportunities amid these challenges. It suggests avenues for ecological reconstruction, advocating for sustainable lifestyles, and addressing the crisis of democracy through trust-building and digital empowerment.
Sitra's proactive approach to disseminating these findings and tools to the public demonstrates an earnest endeavor to engage a wide audience in understanding and influencing these megatrends. The upcoming launch event and the digital publication of resources are commendable efforts to foster a broader, future-oriented dialogue.
In essence, the report offers a comprehensive outlook on megatrends, urging us not to be daunted by the challenges but to see them as opportunities for constructive change. It underlines the importance of collective action and informed decision-making to shape a fairer, sustainable, and inspiring future.
