For some reason round numbers seem to be more attractive to governments and organisations when setting their various future targets. It makes you wonder whether they really think about the date they are setting or if they just choose a date that sounds far enough away for them to feel comfortable. I keep hearing these targets on the news and it makes me wonder just how many things will be achieved by the year 2010? Will the world suddenly become a better place? Here’s a list of the more interesting things that will supposedly take place by the year 2010:
- The EU will increase use of renewable energy to 12% of total energy consumption in the EU.
- The UK will increase use of renewable energy to 10% of total energy consumption in the UK.
- The UK will increase use of renewable transport fuel (e.g. ethanol, biofuel) to 5%.
- The UK government will cut carbon dioxide emissions by 20% of 1990 levels.
- India will provide free, compulsory, high quality education for all children aged between 6-14.
- The Swedish government will phase out nuclear power entirely.
- The 8 member states of the G8 summit held in 2005 will pledge US$50 billion in aid to developing countries.
- The G8 members will ensure universal access to anti-HIV drugs in Africa.
- The International Space Station will be completed.
- The Space Shuttle Program will be discontinued.
- Canada will become the world’s top sporting nation.
- The United States football team will become a legitimate threat to win the 2010 world cup.
- Members of the Convention on Biological Diversity will have made a significant reduction of the current rate of biodiversity loss at the global, regional and national level.
- The United Nations Population Fund will have reduced global levels of infection of HIV by 25% from 1999 levels.
- The world population will reach 7 billion.
- General Motors will release the Hy-wire: an electronically controlled hydrogen fuel cell powered car.
- Japanese robots will be available to commercial households.
- Governor Schwarzenegger of California will make hydrogen fuel available along all Californian highways.
- The Galileo Positioning System will become operational.
- Russia’s GLONASS positioning system will be back to working order.
- In England, 13 million or 30% of the population will be obese.