Climate Change, new technology and the future of the world: A turning point for humanity

Climate change is no longer a distant scientific concern; it is now the most urgent global crisis shaping economies, politics, and the daily lives of billions. Around the world, rising temperatures, unpredictable weather patterns, and environmental degradation continue to intensify. At the same time, rapid technological innovation from artificial intelligence to renewable energy systems is transforming how societies respond to this crisis. Nations stand at a historic crossroads, and the choices made in this decade will determine the fate of future generations.

- BY MILINDA MAYADUNNA

Recent global climate summits, including the United Nations Climate Change Conferences (commonly known as COP meetings), have repeatedly stressed that the world must limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. Leaders have emphasised rapid decarbonisation, accelerated renewable energy adoption, climate finance for vulnerable nations, and stronger commitments to phase down fossil fuels.

While progress has been uneven, these summits have highlighted the dual necessity of environmental responsibility and technological innovation. The message is simple: the world cannot avoid catastrophic heating unless governments, industries and citizens work together guided by science and strengthened by emerging technologies.

Sri Lanka, like many developing nations, stands at the frontline of climate vulnerability. Rising temperatures, severe droughts, floods, landslides, coastal erosion and saltwater intrusion are already affecting agriculture, urban infrastructure, fishing communities, and rural livelihoods. The country’s climatic shifts from prolonged dry spells in the North and East to intensified monsoons in the South and Central highlands reflect broader global patterns. For Sri Lanka, climate change is not an abstract scientific debate; it is a lived reality. The nation’s current experience underscores why strong climate policies and technological investment are essential.