Fifty years ago in 1973, the world was vastly different with a population of about 4 billion compared to the estimated 8 billion today. The United Nations projects the global population to continue to grow, reaching 8.5 billion in 2030, 9.7 billion in 2050, and 10.4 billion in 2100. The impact of this growth, particularly from the developed world, on the environment has resulted in climate change and loss of biodiversity, which poses a significant threat to human civilization.
Technology plays a crucial role in finding solutions to build a better global economy, and tech companies are rapidly becoming responsible citizens and agents of change. In 1973, Earth Overshoot Day – the date when humanity’s demand for ecological resources and services exceeds what the earth can regenerate – was on December 1st. In 2022, it was on July 28th, demonstrating the increasing pressure on the planet’s resources.
In terms of technological advancements, over the past 50 years, technology has evolved significantly. In 1973, mainframes and minicomputers dominated the market, while personal computers were in their infancy.
The Internet, then known as ARPANET, was limited to a few connections and wouldn’t see the creation of the World Wide Web until 1989. The first handheld mobile phone call was made in New York in April of that year, weighing a significant 2 kg. The progress in technology over the past half-century has been significant in multiple sectors.
