Fast Forecasts for 2022

France sets its carbon tax of €86,20 a ton, which was €44,60 ($51) a ton in December 2017. 60% 1
Russia’s Runet law comes into force, enabling the Russian government to cut off its domestic internet services from the world at will. (Likelihood 100%) 1
Between 2020 to 2023, a periodic solar event called a "grand minimum" overtakes the sun (lasting through 2070), resulting in diminished magnetism, infrequent sunspot production and less ultraviolet (UV) radiation reaching Earth — all bringing a cooler per Likelihood: 50% 1
NASA lands a rover to the moon between 2022 to 2023 to find water in advance of the US' return to the moon during the 2020s. (Likelihood 80%) 1
Between 2022 to 2026, the worldwide shift from smartphones to wearable augmented reality (AR) glasses will begin and will accelerate as the 5G rollout is completed. These next-generation AR devices will offer users context-rich information about their environment in real-time. (Likelihood 90%) 1
Between 2022 to 2024, India's state of Telangana completes the world's biggest lift irrigation project to address the state's agriculture drought challenges. (Likelihood 90%) 1
The aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), the most expensive warship in US history and the lead vessel of the US Navy’s latest class of carriers, enters into full operational service. Likelihood: 90% 1
Between 2022 to 2024, cellular vehicle-to-everything technology (C-V2X) will be included in all new vehicle models sold in the US, enabling better communication between cars and city infrastructure, and reducing accidents overall. Likelihood: 80% 1
The US ramps up its trade and infrastructure investments across Africa between 2021 to 2024 to better counter China’s fast-growing influence on the continent. Likelihood: 70% 1
The US signs a new trade deal with India ending years of trade disputes started during Trump’s first term. Likelihood: 70% 1
US wireless consumers in most urban centers will start gaining access to 5G devices and connectivity between 2020 to 2022. Likelihood: 90% 1
A US recession surfaces between 2020 and 2022, this time caused by excessively high levels of corporate debt. An interest rate rise is argued as the likely culprit since over-leveraged companies collapsed under the weight of their loan repayment terms. Likelihood: 60% 1
Updated government regulations allow for a 200% growth in storage for wind and solar energies, potentially reducing costs for consumers. Likelihood: 70% 1
With little to no growth in business investment, the UK economy risks dipping into a recession amid Brexit tensions and uncertainties between 2020 and 2022. Likelihood: 50% 1
The province of Alberta cuts its corporate tax rate to 8 percent, the lowest in Canada. Likelihood: 100% 1
The province of Nova Scotia opens Canada's first spaceport with backing from US-based aerospace firms. Likelihood: 80% 1
Canada's carbon tax maxes out at $50 per tonne charged to carbon emitters. The provinces of Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick, Yukon, and Nunavut remain the only provinces to participate in this program. Likelihood: 70% 1
The province of Alberta cuts its corporate tax rate to 8 percent, the lowest in Canada. Likelihood: 100% 1
The government expects to award a contract for a new fleet of 88 fighter jets between 2022-24, with deliveries by the mid-2020s and a fully modernized air force by the early 2030s. Likelihood: 80% 1
The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) adapt current securities regulations to specifically address crypto-assets. Likelihood: 80% 1
Between 2022 to 2025, Canada enacts a universal, single-payer public pharmacare system worth $15 billion that will draft a national list of prescription medicines that will be covered by the taxpayer. Likelihood: 60% 1
Canada commits 95% of foreign aid to gender-focused initiatives that support women and girls. Likelihood: 60% 1
The province of Nova Scotia opens Canada's first spaceport with backing from US-based aerospace firms. Likelihood: 80% 1
The controversial Trans Mountain pipeline expansion is completed enabling the transport of crude and refined oil from the province of Alberta to the coast of British Columbia for eventual sale in Asian markets. Likelihood: 80% 1
The Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion to be completed between 2022 to 2024, thereby enabling a more efficient shipment of crude oil from Alberta to Vancouver and then out to Asian markets. It will also add 590,000 barrels of daily shipping capacity, a 15% Likelihood: 60% 1
Canada to contribute AI and robotics technology (and possibly astronauts) to the US moon mission starting this year. Likelihood: 70% 1
Canada enacts a progressively increasing carbon tax in the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec between 2020 to 2022. Likelihood: 50% 1
Canadians with criminal records will have their cannabis-related convictions pardoned between 2020 and 2023. Likelihood: 80% 1
5G internet connectivity to be introduced into major Canadian cities between 2020 to 2022. Likelihood: 80% 1
Health Canada restricts the use of three neonicotinoid pesticides in the agricultural industry starting between 2021 to 2022, in an effort to reverse the decline of Canadian bee populations. Likelihood: 100% 1
U.S. automakers agree to adopt crash-avoidance braking by 2022. 1
10% of the world's population will be wearing clothes connected to the Internet. 1
The first 3D-printed car will be in production. 1
ESA and NASA will try to divert an asteroid out of its orbit. 1
Compliance period for the US Clean Power Plan begins. 1
Construction of the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) begins in Chile. 1
All new car models will now have automatic braking by default. 1
Mobile payments grow to $3 trillion, a 200 fold increase from 7 years prior. 1
The BICAR, a cross between a bicycle and electric car, becomes available for purchase 1
Denmark begins making shifts towards cash-free societies 1
Planes that use sunlight for fuel are used regularly. They use up to 17000 solar cells 1
Scientists capable of replicating faces solely through DNA analysis 1,