We live in an imperfect world. Poverty, disease, lack of education, environmental destruction – the problems are all too obvious. Many people don’t have clean water, let alone enough food, and the unsustainable lifestyle of the wealthy few is storing up catastrophic climate change.
Can we do anything about it? You bet we can. Technology is a double-edged sword, but science and reason have made our lives immeasurably better overall – and only through science and reason can we hope to make a real difference in the future. So here and over the next three weeks, New Scientist will explore diverse ideas for making the world a better place, and the evidence backing them.
In part 1 this week, we look at some radical ideas for transforming society and changing the way countries are run (pages 32 to 39). We also examine the state of the world as it is today, to see whether things are getting better or worse (see image).
Next week in part 2 we’ll report on what you as an individual can do to make a difference. In part 3 we’ll explore what many see as the fundamental problem: overpopulation. And finally, in part 4, we’ll ponder the profound and long-lasting changes we are making to our home planet.
Find out if we can cool the planet
Tax carbon and give the money to the people
Learn to love genetic engineering
End the pillaging of the high seas
