Atlas of the Future is an online resource mapping innovative, future-focused, socially impactful projects and people around the world. Our mission is to ‘democratise the future’. This means making sure developments are understandable and entertaining – not just in science and tech, politics or culture, urban planning or education, arts and design – but stories in every area of human activity.
We are not a large group, just concerned citizens who believe everyone should have a share in the way the world will be.
It is true that we face daunting problems and that our obsession with the short‐term has caused a global financial crisis and created environmental disasters. But it is because we believe in the future that we are optimistic. ‘Optimism is a strategy for making a better future,’ says the American intellectual and activist Noam Chomsky. ‘Because unless you believe that the future can be better, you are unlikely to step up and take responsibility for making it so.’
If you agree, then help us make it so by bringing together the most ambitious and inspiring projects for the future in one place. It can be your own project or someone else’s. It might be a technological innovation, an environmental advance, a medical breakthrough or an ambitious social programme. We don’t mind. As long as it is an innovation for the greater good, then please share it with the Atlas of the Future.
We are providing quality reporting that focuses on progress and possibility. Owned by our readers and journalists worldwide, Positive News is also the first global media cooperative financed through crowdfunding. As a magazine and a movement, we are changing the news for good.
Media has a powerful influence on our world. We believe excessive negativity in the press is destructive for society, so instead we are working to create a more constructive and compassionate media.
The news can only ever capture a tiny fragment of reality, and it tends to focus on humanity at its worse. Positive News helps you see the bigger picture, keeping you informed without leaving you feeling cynical and hopeless. Be informed, be inspired.
Drama, blame and conflict-focused news stories can often divide us, but positive news stories can foster a sense of community.
Research has shown that negative news can lead to mental health problems, while positive news can boost your wellbeing.
This information comes from the website of Positive News.
The world’s first tidal energy farm could power 175,000 homes
Off the northernmost tip of Scotland, in an area called the Pentland Firth, the world’s first large-scale underwater energy farm is being built.
Whereas wind turbines use the movement of air to turn the blades and generate power, the new set of submerged turbines will be turned by the ocean’s tides.
The project, called MeyGen, is expected to have a power generation capacity of 398 megawatts – enough to power 175,000 homes in Scotland, according to Atlantis Resources, the developer of the project. The first four turbines are expected to be installed by the end of 2016 (though that’s contingent on tidal and weather conditions), and projected to start delivering power by early 2017.
An iconic, world-first infrastructure project in South West Wales
Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon will be the world’s first tidal lagoon power plant.
A tidal lagoon is a ‘U’ shaped breakwater, built out from the coast which has a bank of hydro turbines in it. Water fills up and empties the man-made lagoon as the tides rise and fall. We generate electricity on both the incoming and outgoing tides, four times a day, every day.
Due to the incredible tides on the West Coast of Britain, by keeping the turbine gates shut for just three hours, there is already a 14 foot height difference in water between the inside and the outside of the lagoon. Power is then generated as the water rushes through 200ft long draft tubes, rotating the 23ft diameter hydro turbines.
Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon received planning consent in 2015 and will comprise 16 hydro turbines, a six mile breakwater wall, generating electricity for 155,000 homes for the next 120 years.
The 320MW pathfinder project provides a scalable blueprint for our programme, opening up the option of a fleet of larger UK tidal lagoons to generate renewable electricity at a scale and low cost not seen before.
Our aim is to start construction works on site in 2017, with the marine works (construction of the breakwaters/bund walls) commencing in early Spring 2018. Construction of the entire project will take a maximum of five years to complete.
Our Old Oak property in London is situated on the banks of the canal in Willesden Junction. Every room in the building is built with incredible attention to detail, fully furnished with double beds, desks, boutique interior design, en-suite bathrooms and private kitchenettes.
But it’s outside of the individual rooms that Old Oak comes alive, it features 10,000 sqft of luxury shared spaces and facilities including beautifully designed shared kitchens and lounges on every floor, communal entertainment spaces and luxury facilities including a gym, spa, cinema room, library, restaurant, bar, curated retail outlets, events spaces, roof terraces and more.
Beyond the physical space, the lifestyle at Old Oak is designed as the perfect solution to life in London. A full range of services takes all the hassle out of city living, so our members can focus on what really matters. All bills, council tax and broadband are prepaid and taken care of. Regular room cleaning and linen changes come as standard. Even a full time concierge service is included in the single monthly fee.
Best of all, our members aren’t just finding a place to live, they are joining a genuine community. Dedicated community managers provide a regular programme of entertainment, talks and community events. Sharing the place we live with a community of like-minded people, means everyone gets more of what they want.
What is Co-living?
Co-living is a new way of living inspired by the old, with community and collective experiences at its core. Starting with the basics, it offers shared spaces such as a bar, restaurant, gym, library, laundry, roof terraces, hot desks and more. Using this space to bring everyone together, we are creating collaborative and fun environments that expose members to new people, new ideas and new experiences.
Common spaces
We have 3 themed dining rooms, a library, a games room, a cinema, the secret garden, a sauna and spa, a roof terrace and the disco laundrette. Then, every floor has a big shared kitchen. Finally, on the ground floor, we have The Common, our restaurant and bar, a gym, as well as The Hub and the lobby – two great places to hang out or work.
Who is co-living for?
Some want to remove the hassle out of their life by paying one bill that covers everything. Others are tired of house shares that have gone wrong, fed up of bad landlords and tired of waiting months to get anything fixed. And many people move in because they want the community. A recent Wired magazine article about co-living pointed out that “among the young, the “loneliness epidemic” has gone viral: nearly 60 per cent of 18- to-34-year-olds told the Mental Health Foundation they felt lonely often or sometimes.”
This information comes from the website of The Collective.
The Ellen MacArthur Foundation was established in 2010 with the aim of accelerating the transition to the circular economy. Since its creation the charity has emerged as a global thought leader, establishing circular economy on the agenda of decision makers across business, government and academia.
Today’s linear ‘take, make, dispose’ economic model relies on large quantities of cheap, easily accessible materials and energy, and is a model that is reaching its physical limits. A circular economy is an attractive and viable alternative that businesses have already started exploring today.
The concept of a circular economy
A circular economy is restorative and regenerative by design, and aims to keep products, components, and materials at their highest utility and value at all times. The concept distinguishes between technical and biological cycles.
As envisioned by the originators, a circular economy is a continuous positive development cycle that preserves and enhances natural capital, optimises resource yields, and minimises system risks by managing finite stocks and renewable flows. It works effectively at every scale.
Re-thinking Progress: The Circular Economy
There’s a world of opportunity to re-think and re-design the way we make stuff. ‘Re-Thinking Progress’ explores how through a change in perspective we can re-design the way our economy works – designing products that can be ‘made to be made again’ and powering the system with renewable energy. It questions whether with creativity and innovation we can build a restorative economy.
This information comes from the website of The Ellen MacArthur Foundation.
It will remove all bacteria, viruses, cysts, parasites, fungi and all other microbiological waterborne pathogens from dirty water, including that contaminated with sewage. This makes it ideal for use in Third World Countries or any area where water quality is very questionable.
A robust and portable water filter capable of delivering up to 6,000 litres of clean water for individual use. The LIFESAVER bottle holds up to 750ml at any one time is designed to support individuals embarking on international travel, adventure challenges, and expeditions where the quality of the water supply is in question. Clean water supply is paramount for the mental and physical performance and success of outdoor endeavours. The LIFESAVER bottle was designed to store and carry dirty water, once water is cleaned there is risk of recontamination. With the bottle, just filter water when you want to drink it. No need for bad tasting chemicals such as chlorine or chlorine dioxide.
Used by expedition companies, explorers, adventurers and preppers for producing clean water in the most unforgiving of environments – where clean water just can’t be guaranteed.
LIFESAVER technology
LIFESAVER microbiological water filters use ultra filtration technology to filter out viruses, bacteria, cysts and parasites from contaminated water sources. LIFESAVER water filters meet an adaption of NSF Protocol 231 based on recommendations of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). LIFESAVER bottles filter bacteria to a minimum of Log 6 (99.9999%), Viruses to a minimum of Log 4 (99.99%) and Cysts to a minimum of Log 3 (99.9%).
This information comes from the website of Lifesaver.
By using a high efficiency Multijunction cell, the cell surface is reduced down to 1 % compared to the same power output as a conventional silicon cell in optimal conditions. In combination with dual axis tracking, the system generates twice the yield of a conventional panel.
