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INSILICO Timeline

Timeline: [ History | Technology ] :: Filter (clear): [ Science and Technology | Politics and Corporations | Environment | Space Exploration | People | Law, Order and Defence | Mars | Culture ]

 21stcentury
3rd 2040 May

Intensification of global climate crisis

The global climate crisis worsens, with more frequent extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and natural disasters becoming increasingly common. Despite the growing evidence of climate change’s impacts, many nation-states remain slow to implement effective measures, with widespread ignorance and a lack of political will hindering substantial action. The global community faces mounting environmental challenges, yet significant coordinated efforts to mitigate the crisis are still largely absent.

//old_earth/environment/11/2219616000

18th 2051 Sep

Helium reserve depletion

By the early 2050s, Earth's helium reserves are effectively depleted, marking a critical juncture in scientific and industrial progress. The scarcity of this irreplaceable element, crucial for technologies like MRI machines, cryogenics, and semiconductor manufacturing, triggers a global crisis. Despite efforts to improve recycling and discover alternative sources, the depletion highlights the consequences of unsustainable resource management, forcing industries and governments to confront the urgent need for more sustainable practices.

//old_earth/environment/27/2578608000

17th 2070 Nov

Widescale famine

Widescale famine strikes in the more drought-stricken parts of the world, causing catastrophic hunger and widespread suffering. As crops fail and resources dwindle, millions of people are forced to flee their homes, triggering massive refugee crises in neighbouring countries. The influx of displaced populations strains already fragile economies, overwhelms aid systems, and intensifies political tensions. The global community faces mounting challenges in providing emergency relief, while the long-term consequences of climate change and unsustainable agricultural practices become increasingly apparent, exacerbating the crisis.

//old_earth/environment/21/3183408000

19th 2072 May

Intensive soy farming begins

Intensive soy farming pivots from animal feed and biofuels, to human consumption, as worldwide food producers turn to soy as a solution to stave off famine and stabilise regions facing food insecurity. The crop's high yield and versatility make it a key player in global efforts to ensure food availability amidst the ongoing crisis. However, the rapid expansion of soy farming comes with deepening environmental issues, including deforestation, soil depletion, and water scarcity. As demand for soy grows, these environmental consequences escalate, sparking debates over the balance between immediate food security and long-term ecological sustainability.

//old_earth/environment/22/3230841600

19th 2081 Oct

Ocean acidification reaches critical levels

Ocean acidification reaches critical levels, severely impacting marine ecosystems and causing widespread coral bleaching. The increasing concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere dissolves into the oceans, lowering the pH and disrupting the delicate balance of marine life. Coral reefs, vital to biodiversity and coastal protection, suffer the most, with many ecosystems facing collapse. Fish populations decline, and food sources for millions of people become threatened. The growing crisis accelerates global efforts to reduce carbon emissions and develop strategies for ocean conservation, but the damage to marine life and ecosystems is already profound, signalling a critical turning point for Earth's oceans.

//old_earth/environment/35/3528057600

22nd 2088 Jun

Helium recovery via atmospheric processing

Old natural gas reprocessing plants are retrofitted with rudimentary helium extractors and process atmospheric gases. Helium becomes available but the market price is three orders of magnitude higher than it was in the early 21st century. Limited commercial interest in sequestration of carbon dioxide via the same technology

//old_earth/environment/40/3738700800

 22ndcentury
18th 2101 Jun

Mass Migration Due to Rising Sea Levels

Mass migration occurs due to rising sea levels, displacing millions of people as coastlines are submerged and low-lying areas become uninhabitable. Climate refugee crises emerge as entire communities are forced to flee their homes in search of safer, more stable land. Countries bordering the affected regions struggle to accommodate the influx of displaced populations, straining resources and escalating political tensions. The growing crisis highlights the urgent need for global cooperation on climate action, as well as the challenges of adapting to the rapidly changing environment. The migration also sparks debates over borders, sovereignty, and the responsibility of wealthier nations to assist those most affected.

//old_earth/environment/36/4148496000

5th 2122 Dec

Soy demand outstrips possible supply

Soy demand outstrips supply as the global need for the crop surges, driven by its role in food production, livestock feed, and biofuel. The ongoing destruction and loss of fertile land, exacerbated by intensive farming practices and deforestation, make it increasingly difficult to meet this rising demand. In response, broader research programmes are launched to develop more sustainable farming methods, including soil regeneration techniques and alternative crops. Despite these efforts, the pressure on remaining arable land continues to escalate, further straining ecosystems and fueling debates over land use and agricultural priorities.

//old_earth/environment/23/4825872000

9th 2123 Mar

Algae food source research

Ongoing destruction and loss of fertile land soon made the research of alternatives to the traditional protein sources a major goal for the researchers of the food industry. Sustainable algae shows promise owing to higher nutrient density, rapid growth and high yield.

//old_earth/environment/24/4833993600

3rd 2129 Nov

The Algae Revolution

Massive efforts lead to the current state of the food economy, where almost all available food is based on proteins, produced by genetically engineered algae and yeast.

//old_earth/environment/25/5044032000

24th 2145 Apr

Widespread Biodiversity Collapse

Global biodiversity declines significantly as ecosystems worldwide face severe disruptions. The extinction of numerous species accelerates, affecting ecological balance and causing widespread environmental consequences. Despite some conservation efforts, the loss of biodiversity highlights the long-term impacts of human activity and climate change, underscoring the fragility of Earth's natural habitats.

//old_earth/environment/37/5532278400

19th 2177 Oct

Geoengineering projects commence

Humanity deploys large-scale geoengineering projects to attempt to reverse existential climate crisis. Ambitious atmospheric aerosol dispersion and carbon capture projects are initiated to stabilise the environment.

//old_earth/environment/38/6557500800

 23rdcentury
20th 2282 Jun

Transient temperature stabilisation

Despite radioactive contamination and long-term environmental damage, some cooling and temperature stabilisation begins in some regions - owing to 75% of the Earth's sky being covered by the solar collectors,

//old_earth/environment/58/9860486400

 24thcentury
4th 2357 Jun

Earth becomes Ruins

When the majority of the population had left the surface, the unofficial designation became "the ruins", which some view as a testament to humanity's consumptive and destructive tendencies.

//earth_ruins/environment/34/12225859200

 25thcentury
17th 2484 Feb

Legal recognition for fabricants

Over time, fabricants gain legal recognition as entities with rights, though they remain a highly regulated class of being. Despite their synthetic nature, fabricants are granted access to most societal privileges, though the distinction between humans and fabricants remains a contentious issue.

//neoshoda/environment/13/16224364800

15th 2489 Jan

Tower collapse

A large apartment building in the north-west district of Insilico collapses in mysterious circumstances. Significant loss of life and injury sustained.

//insilico_city/environment/19/16379366400

20th2495Jun

Today

Earth is more or less a forgotten relic, an echo of what it once was, a permanent reminder of what humanity collectively did to it. The majority of power now rests firmly in the hands of the corporations, with most people relegated to a life worse than that of mere pawns in their sprawling operations. The chasm between the elite and the rest of the world has never been so wide. Crime is rampant, an inevitable by-product of inequality and corporate neglect. The privileged few continue to thrive in isolated havens beyond the planet's decaying surface - new worlds, new stations - but even these exist only at a steep price. For those left behind, the stakes couldn’t be lower. But for those with the means to rise, the game is far from over. The rules may have changed, but the struggle for power persists in the shadows of humanity's former home.

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