Warren Karlenzig is the Founder and President of Common Current and has worked with the federal government; the nation of South Korea (“New Cities Green Metrics”); The European Union (“Green and Connected Cities Initiative”); the State of California (“Comprehensive Recycling Communities” and “Sustainable Community Plans”); major cities; and the world’s largest corporations developing policy, strategy, financing and critical operational capacities for 20 years. He recently wrote an article on ideas that will create a better, greener and more sustainable world.

The article was also published by Worldchanging.com which is a non-profit which talks about innovative solutions to world’s problems and raises awareness on various issues for improving building, transportation, communication and quality of life.

The article talks about ten trends which will lead Sustainable Development in this decade. Here they are:

  • Bikes Culture 2.0 (and to eliminate confusion, I am talking about two-wheelers, which run on mechanical energy)
  • Mexico City, Climate Change and the Future of Cities: COP16 is coming! Let’s aim for Climate Justice this time.
  • The Rise of Cellulosic Biofuels: Creating a viable energy source  from waste products, such as wood waste, grasses, corn stalks, and other non-food products, rather than conventional biofuels which have a number of consequences detrimental to the environment, is the need of the hour.
  • ICT and Green Cities: This is where Design Thinking and modern technology use will play a crucial role is solving problems of water, infrastructure development, electricity etc.
  • Implementation of Carbon Taxes: Emission producers have to be penalized for not shifting to clean technologies!
  • Need for Effective Adaptation Strategies: Let’s get ready to face the consequences of climate change including droughts, floods etc., particularly as they begin to hit large populated cities!
  • Fossil Fuel Shortage: Which will lead to rise in oil prices, will indeed push the shift towards renewable sources.
  • Focus on Urban Agriculture and Foodsheds: Regions will need to become dependent on local growth as food shortages will begin, with the rise in fuel prices.
  • Resiliency Planning Cities, Towns and Homes:  Countries will need to prepare for adversities of all kinds and there needs to be plan for that.
  • Arts and Sustainability: Art has also always acted as the mirror of the society and will continue to do so as we will begin to see more movies, paintings and music talk about these issues.

It’s high time that we get ready for all the challenges!

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