1972 Study Warned of Global Collapse by 2040, and New Research Agrees

However, there is another kind of collapse which may be just around the corner. In 1972, researchers at MIT noted that if humans continued with “business as usual,” the global economy could fall to pieces by 2040. Now, just over 40 years later, that research is proving true. 

Using computer simulations and complex mathematical equations, they found that if the system continued to function in the same way as it did in 1972, the entire industrial civilization of our planet could implode by 2040. The study entitled “The Limits to Growth” has become quite famous. 

Dr. Graham M. Turner headed the study, and he and his team reported that their predecessors in 1972 had guessed almost exactly what the world was going to look like that year. Therefore, Dr. Turner agreed that if things continued as they were, Earth was looking at an economic collapse by 2040 as originally estimated. 

As Herrington explained, her research confirms that if the world continues down the same path it’s been on for the past several decades, economic growth and the standard of living could substantially decline over the next two decades. 

They say that these studies can and should be used as a wake-up call for governments around the world to implement new policies which ensure the global economy does not fall to pieces in just 17 years. 

Herrington compares graphs that follow the BAU2 (business as usual) projections, CT (comprehensive technology) predictions, and the SW (stabilized world) path. She noted that the most optimistic path is the SW option, “in which civilization follows a sustainable path and experiences the smallest declines in economic growth.”

Such changes would include decreasing resource use, implementing new innovative technologies, investing in public services and education, and creating a new, more practical world. 

If the world’s economies decline as experts all agree they will if things don’t change, the value of currency will plummet, stock markets will crash, and unemployment rates will be through the roof. 

In the USA, the middle class is disintegrating, people cannot afford to buy a home, let alone pay their bills, and the dollar buys less at the grocery store than ever before. But in less than 20 years, if things don’t change, it will get far worse. 

However, there is tangible action that can be taken. First and foremost, voting in political leaders who understand the economy cannot continue as it is now is imperative. As is cutting back on spending, saving, and investing in the future. 

As Herrington explained, “The necessary changes will not be easy and pose transition challenges but a sustainable and inclusive future is still possible.”

Right now, Generation Alpha kids are taking their first steps, but by the time they are adults, the entire world may be extremely different than it was for their Millennial and Gen Z parents.

Understanding these patterns helps contextualize the current global situation, highlighting the importance of heeding past lessons to avoid similar fates.

Emphasizing these technologies illustrates their potential to stabilize economic and environmental systems by 2040.

Needless to say, today’s media landscape amplifies the urgency of these issues, influencing public perception and action. This growing awareness is crucial as it fuels the societal push for governments to adopt more sustainable policies.

These nations exemplify how proactive governance can significantly attempt to mitigate the risks of economic and environmental collapse, offering models for others to follow.

Successful strategies to overcome these barriers include international agreements (such as the Paris Agreement) and grassroots advocacy, which can align divergent interests towards common goals and demonstrate the global consensus on the need for change.

Incorporating environmental and resource management topics into curricula could help shape future leaders to be more conscious of global challenges, thereby fostering a generation equipped to handle the complexities of a predicted collapse.

These movements highlight the power of collective action and the role of the younger generation in steering the global community towards sustainable solutions.

By adopting sustainable practices like reducing waste, conserving energy, and supporting eco-friendly businesses, individuals contribute to a larger, collective impact on global sustainability.

In this vision, communities thrive in harmony with the environment, and technology supports sustainable living practices without depleting resources. This scenario isn’t just wishful thinking; it’s a feasible future if we commit to the necessary changes today.

They not only conserve resources but also strengthen local economies and social bonds, showcasing a powerful model for global environmental and economic resilience.

However, this transition also opens up new avenues for growth in green technologies, renewable energy, and sustainable infrastructure. Embracing these opportunities can lead to job creation, economic resilience, and a more environmentally sustainable future.

This collective effort is essential to divert the current path towards a more sustainable and secure global future.