Trends for two future scenarios

Scenario one - business as usual:

1. A failure of rich nations to cut carbon emissions because they follow business as usual pathways, dependent on centralised fossil fuel energy systems.
   
2. Ecological tipping points reached and a global increase in unpredictable and extreme weather events, including prolonged droughts and floods
   
3. Dwindling water supplies and disruption of nature's cycles, threatening life support systems
   
4. Critical loss of biodiversity due to increasing population pressure and climate change - precipitating the unstoppable human-induced sixth great extinction.
   
5. Greater famine as crops fail and fish stocks decline
   
6. Increasing conflict over scarce resources
   
7. Growing number of environmental refugees moving from vulnerable ecosystems to overcrowded cities and temperate climates in search of food and employment
   
8. Increasing reliance on armaments of rich countries to keep out the hungry
   
9. Increasing dictatorship in the face of the breakdown of society.
   
10. Greater conflict and anarchy over increasing shortage of resources
    

Scenario two - sustainability and planetary wellbeing:

1. Countries unite and agree on carbon emission reductions, with rapid growth of decentralised renewable energy generation and increasing employment in a low carbon economy
   
2. Nations work together to confront global ecological problems to safeguard life support systems and to improve the health of the planet.
   
3. Destructive and harmful consumption patterns discouraged and more equitable sharing of resources, nationally and internationally
   
4. New economic principles and a more just economic system which values ecological restoration over the accrual of wealth and material possessions
   
5. Producers are accountable for the total life cycle of their products as people strive to bring about a zero waste society
   
6. Development of safe and dependable public services, such as education, health care, transport and public amenities
   
7. Greater democracy
   
8. Abolition of weapons of mass destruction
   
9. As a result of greater security, population growth stabilises and begins to decline.
   
10. Relationships and community well-being brings about a happier and more peaceful society