What does the everyday work of a futurologist look like? How optimistic can we be about the future? In an interview with Greiner Talks host Alexander Berth, Christina von Messling gives us an insight into her job and reveals why she is “realistically optimistic” about the future despite an often grim outlook.
Christina von Messling is Head of Europe and a senior strategic foresight consultant at the Future Today Institute in New York City. She specializes in climate, entertainment and Europe, and starts each workday with thorough research. In doing so, she keeps an eye out for developments that haven’t yet hit the mainstream.
Does her job leave room for optimism? “Absolutely. We are very optimistic. We’re optimistic realists.” Most people want to see positive change, so as a futurologist, she points to plausible futures that inspire. Even though catastrophic scenarios have their place as well.
One grim scenario concerns climate change: According to the latest IPCC report, we will probably reach 1.5 degrees of warming by the early 2030s. Personally, this definitely scares her, as many measures are not taking effect fast enough. She emphasizes that we still have to find solutions to many problems. But our future is in our own hands. Listen in now and learn more!
"We decide what our future is going to be and it depends on our actions today what will happen in 2030."
Greiner Talks is our podcast focusing on sustainability and transformation. Alexander Berth regularly talks to experts from across the world about the prospects and opportunities offered by a sustainable economy and society.
