Thinking again about the future and prospects for humanity

In his 2018 book, On the Future, Martin Rees (Lord Rees of Ludlow, OM FRS), an astrophysicist and cosmologist and the UK's Astronomer Royal, argued that humanity has reached a critical moment.

Our world is unsettled and rapidly changing, and we face existential risks over the next century. Various outcomes - good and bad - are possible. Yet our approach to the future is characterised by short-term thinking, polarising debates, alarmist rhetoric, and pessimism. Achieving the best prospects for humanity will depend on our taking a very different approach to planning for tomorrow than we do at present.

In conversation with Professor Sir Charles Godfray, Martin Rees will explore how the global experience of the COVID-19 pandemic might change the way societies and policymakers grapple with the major challenges of the 21st century.

To register and watch this talk live visit.

The talk will also be streamed via YouTube here but please note you will not be able to take part in the interactive Q&A session unless you join the talk on CrowdCast.

Building back better - lessons and opportunities from the COVID-19 pandemic - event series.