The future is not what it used to be. In this volatile era, with the world changing at a rapid rate, people are more anxious than ever about what lies ahead.

Will relentless consumerism end up destroying our planet? Or can science and technology allow us to innovate our way out of trouble? Perhaps a greater social consciousness and community-based living will take over - or, conversely, the competition for limited resources may result in everyone fighting for themselves.

Drawing onthese four possiblefutures, Richard Watson and Oliver Freeman invite us toexamine critically the risks and opportunities to come. They discuss the key factors, trends, critical uncertainties, and wildcards that willshape the future,guiding us to a greater awareness of long-term problems and possible solutions - andempowering us not only to adapt to what might happen but also to shape our future and generate change.

It's impossible to know for certain what the future holds, but we can remove some of its surprises by engaging in a meaningful debate about the choices we face now. This book shows us how.

'A rich, provocative, imaginative, and rigorous guide to thinking about the future.' Peter Schwarz, co-founder, Global Business Network