The World in 2050

“The World in 2050” was a global futurist writing contest co-sponsored by The Economist magazine and Royal Dutch Shell. It carried a first prize of $20,000, which included publication of the winning piece in The Economist’s annual flagship publication, “The World In”.^[1] Entries were accepted from around the world via a website set up for the purpose, worldin2050.com, and at various Royal Dutch Shell offices worldwide.^[1] The judging panel was chaired by Richard O’Brien, co-founder of Outsights, a scenario planning consultancy,^[1] and included:

• Bill Emmott, author and then-editor of The Economist^[1]
• Esther Dyson, an angel investor and philanthropist^[2]
• Sir Mark Moody-Stuart, then-chairman of Royal Dutch Shell^[1]
• Matt Ridley, a British scientist and member of the House of Lords^[3]
• Peter Warshall, an ecologist, activist and former editor of the Whole Earth Catalog and Whole Earth magazine^[4]

Over 3,000 entries were submitted from 75 countries, and the $20,000 first prize was awarded to Bill Douglass, an American student.^[5] Two second prizes of $10,000 each and five $5,000 third prizes were also awarded.^[5]

References

1. "What is your vision of the future?". New Straits Times. April 22, 2000.
2. "Angel Investor Esther Dyson Increases Dosage in Health Startups". Bloomberg News. December 26, 2012.
3. "Getting better all the time". The Economist. May 13, 2010.
4. "Dear Nestor: A Letter from 2050". Whole Earth. Winter 2000.
5. "UH student wins essay competition". The Daily Cougar. October 27, 2000.