Christmas Future: What Will Christmas be Like in 2073

Members of our reader panel envision how chemical engineering will shape the festive period in 50 years’ time

Inspired by Andy Barker’s article on what 2023 would look like and his son Duncan’s follow-up, we asked our reader panel to imagine Christmas 2073 and chemical engineering’s influence on the world.

The response was quite overwhelming and certainly varied.

Replies ranged from “I will be 105 and mostly bionic” to “humanity won’t be around in 2073”.

We didn’t want to dampen the festive spirit by talking “environmental degradation, biodiversity loss, drought, famine, mass migration and war”, not when the future could see chemical engineers as “the footballers of 2073”.

So, here are the four best (upbeat) replies, with one lucky winner picking up a Christmas gift from our selection featured on pages 28 & 29.

And, while we very much like the idea of chemical engineers being worshipped like Cristiano Ronaldo in 50 years’ time, “every child wanting an IChemE-emblazoned T-shirt” was deemed too far-fetched even for us, and that one sadly missed the cut.

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Presents come direct from the 3D printer

Christmas 2073 is a warm sunny day. Much of mankind’s efforts are finally being directed to return the atmospheric conditions back towards pre-industrial times and cleaning up the wastes on land and in the ocean. It is hoped recovery will come in a generation (2100).

The house is insulated with the latest technology, so it is warm enough to have only a 3D hologram of a log fire in the corner, a reminder of old times, along with the seasonal pictures of snow and ice which haven’t been seen in many years.

Films and coatings help with the greater problems of managing the heat of summer and protection from the storms. Industry has responded rapidly with these new materials, from mostly bio feedstocks and recovered waste (oil, coal, and gas are prohibited substances).

Presents come direct from the 3D printer. New games for the children, recycled back into the unit the next day. All they really want, though, is the printer’s cardboard packaging to play with – some things don’t change!

Food and drink are mostly local and, fortunately, this year’s wines are very good. Meat is rationed as are many foods. There is enough. This year the family has goose, just as they had in pre-industrial times. Nobody wants turkey or any of that old-fashioned industrial factory stuff as it’s associated with all the problems of the world. Although in practice, the local production uses the most advanced agricultural technologies and bio-chem engineering for good crops and livestock.

John Newbury, Ijmuiden, Netherlands

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Nothing is wasted here

It took a lot to get here, so let us celebrate as a village.

The village waste processing plant has been set to cope with the increased influx of sewage and solid wastes, where the byproducts of our (inevitable) seasonal indulgence are converted into biogas used to provide energy for the village using local multi-fuel combined heat and power.

Carbon from combustion is captured and used to process base chemicals such as ethylene and methanol not too far away. These base chemicals go on to serve the larger national fine chemical, polymer, and pharmaceutical industries who each do their part to regulate demand, keeping the whole cycle competitive and economic. The combined heat and power (CHP) reduce the village’s burden on the national grid, which is totally decarbonised. Even the nitrogen we emit is balanced and used for selective non-catalytic reduction (SNCR) and biogenic fertiliser to produce a cycle in harmony with its surroundings.

The replacement of intensive agriculture with local, organic co-op farming was a tough nut to crack, and given our rural setting, there are still a few sour grapes among some of the village families who can remember such practices. But overwhelmingly we have shown what can be achieved as a community and with each passing year, together we lead better, more fulfilling lives.

So yes friends, eat, drink and be merry this season, for nothing is wasted here and your indulgence is feeding a strong and balanced economy which is in complete harmony with its surroundings.

Kurtis Beba, Middlesbrough, UK

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Transport vehicles use hydrogen to power them

I wake up on Christmas morning to the sounds of soothing seasonal music. On other days, my morning wake-up is to inspiring music and motivational talks. My watch monitors my health, including blood pressure, blood glucose, cholesterol levels, and sleep levels, and updates the information which is stored in my room’s storage server and relayed to the nearest medical centre.

Children’s education is conducted while they are asleep, with great emphasis on moral values, teamwork, and creativity.

Sensing I am awake, the water is heated up to be ready for my morning cup of tea. The room lights come on and dim to the required levels.

Food comprises of tablets with the required fat, protein, fibre, and carbohydrate as well as vitamins and minerals, organically produced and meeting daily intake requirements. There is no more obesity and major diseases have been wiped out. There are air processing plants with CO2 capture for synthesis of biodegradable containers and wraps.

Window panels and roofs of buildings are solar cells with 50% conversion efficiency and 40-year lifespans, with the possibility to renew them. Nighttime lights are also able to generate low amounts of power for use and storage.

Electricity storage has been made more economical with gas compression as well as adsorption and storage facility for release at night. Public utility companies use methane anaerobic digestion to yield biomass and hydrogen, which is used to generate electricity, while transport vehicles use hydrogen fuel cells to power them.

Shyam Lakshmanan, Sandakan, Malaysia

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Christmas feasts will feature delicious lab-grown meats

In Christmas 2073, chemical engineering will have played a pivotal role in transforming the holiday into a greener and more sustainable celebration. As families gather around the Christmas tree, the twinkling lights will be powered by advanced, highly efficient, and eco-friendly organic solar cells, integrated into the ornaments. These solar cells have been developed through sustainable materials and processes, minimising their environmental impact.

Gift-giving will take on a new meaning, with personalised, 3D-printed presents becoming the norm. Chemical engineers have perfected the art of using biodegradable and recycled materials for gift creation, reducing waste and the need for excessive packaging. The wrapping paper will be embedded with seeds, so after unwrapping, it can be planted to grow festive holiday plants, contributing to reforestation efforts.

Christmas feasts will feature delicious, lab-grown, sustainable meats and plant-based alternatives, thanks to advancements in food engineering. These alternatives will taste so authentic that they are indistinguishable from traditional dishes, while also being eco-friendly and cruelty free.

Finally, chemical engineering’s impact will be seen in the reduction of energy consumption, thanks to smart and energy-efficient lighting systems and the development of low-emission transportation methods.

Christmas 2073 will be a time of joy, togetherness, and sustainability, where the holiday spirit is intertwined with a commitment to preserving the planet for future generations.

Wai Onn Hong, Seputeh, Malaysia

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