Trend Trend K: Ecological and environmental crisis

Summary

Microplastics, air pollution and water pollution are threatening human health, while a steep loss of biodiversity is weakening the resilience of ecosystems. In response, efforts are under way to spread the circular economy, develop carbon-neutral resource recycling technologies and conserve biodiversity. The trend belongs to the megatrend of climate crisis and sustainability. Its issues cover environmental pollution and health threats, environmental and resource security through a circular economy, and biodiversity loss. The public judged it hard to predict yet highly consequential, and after averaging with expert results it remained one of six driver candidates, though it was not selected as a final dominant driver.