The World in 2050 Challenges and Opportunities for Modelling and Simulation (Invited Paper)

We are faced with a variety of global scenarios and challenges, which, using modelling and simulation, may be studied and give rise to solutions which enable the planet and its population to survive and continue to prosper. Such problems include overpopulation, fresh water supply, energy and power supply, effects of climate change. The latter concerns warmer, drier more violent weather with consequent rising sea-levels, reduced habitable areas, loss of land, capital cities and food production. The resulting over population and mass migration of peoples will cause enormous political, financial and security problems. This paper considers the possibilities of programs to ameliorate these major worldwide problems using the knowledge and skills of simulationists applied in these areas, particularly those concerning energy, power generation and supply, and fresh water supply.