By 2050, more than 70% of the world population will live in cities. With megacities up to 50-60 million people, in China for example, the strain on the world’s energy and raw materials will be crippling. Construction, housing and demolition of buildings together account for about 40% of global energy consumption and 30% of greenhouse gas emissions.
Every man, woman and child should have access to healthy and nutritious food now and into the future. This is essential for all our quality of life. But in many countries, poverty, lack of fertile land, adverse weather conditions, inefficient farming practices, poor infrastructure and supply chains mean that many people are malnourished. Elsewhere, oversupply coupled with excessive diets and unhealthy lifestyle habits have led to obesity and health challenges.
Even the most energetic people need to recharge their batteries some time. Something will always drain our last energy reserves. We might prefer to be in perpetual motion, but this is simply not possible – not for people, not for machines and not for processes. People around the world are increasingly thinking about smart ways to deal with energy and its lack. They call it smart energy.