The World in 2021

Ten trends to watch in the coming year

A letter from Tom Standage, editor of “The World in 2021”

6. After the tech-celeration.

In 2020 the pandemic accelerated the adoption of many technological behaviours, from video-conferencing and online shopping to remote working and distance learning. In 2021 the extent to which these changes will stick, or snap back, will become clearer.

Celeration：与加速相关，X-celerate是超激速；accelerate是加速的意思

snap back：迅速返回，很快恢复

7. A less footloose world.

Tourism will shrink and change shape, with more emphasis on domestic travel. Airlines, hotel chains and aircraft manufacturers will struggle, as will universities that rely heavily on foreign students. Cultural exchange will suffer, too.

8. An opportunity on climate change.

One silver lining amid the crisis is the chance to take action on climate change, as governments invest in green recovery plans to create jobs and cut emissions. How ambitious will countries’ reduction pledges be at the UN climate conference, delayed from 2020?

silver lining：（不幸或失望中的）一线希望；乌云周围的白光

pledge /pledʒ/  

名词：

1. ~ (to do sth)  保证；诺言；誓约 •a pledge of support 支援的许诺；2.抵押；质钱；抵押品3. sign/take the ˈpledge 发誓戒酒

动词：

1.~ sth (to sb/sth)  保证给予（或做）；正式承诺 •The government pledged their support for the plan. 政府保证支持这项计划。•The group has pledged to continue campaigning. 这个组织发誓继续投入运动。

2.~ sb/yourself (to sth) 使保证；使发誓 •The government has pledged itself to root out corruption. 政府已承诺铲除腐败。

3. to leave sth with sb as a pledge 抵押；典当

4.宣誓参加美国大学生联谊会 •Do you think you'll pledge this semester? 这学期你想加入大学生联谊会吗？

9. The year of déjà vu.

That is just one example of how the coming year may feel, in many respects, like a second take on 2020, as events including the Olympics, the Dubai Expo and many other political, sporting and commercial gatherings do their best to open a year later than planned. Not all will succeed.

déjà vu  n. /ˌdeɪʒɑː ˈvuː/ 似曾经历过的感觉 • I had a strong sense of déjà vu as I entered the room. 这进这屋子时我有一种似曾来过的幻觉。

10. A wake-up call for other risks.

Academics and analysts, many of whom have warned of the danger of a pandemic for years, will try to exploit a narrow window of opportunity to get policymakers to take other neglected risks, such as antibiotic resistance and nuclear terrorism, more seriously. Wish them luck.

The coming year promises to be particularly unpredictable, given the interactions between the pandemic, an uneven economic recovery and fractious geopolitics. This annual will, we hope, help you improve your odds as you navigate the risks and opportunities ahead.

Fractious  adj. /ˈfrækʃəs/ 1.暴躁的；易怒的；动辄烦躁的•Children often get fractious and tearful when tired. 孩子们疲倦时易烦躁好哭。2.捣乱的；表示不满的。•The six fractious republics are demanding autonomy. 这六个不安分的加盟共和国要求自治。

And it’s not all doom and gloom. Lessons and chances for positive change have emerged from the crisis. So let the dice fly high and, whatever cards 2021 may end up dealing you, may the odds be ever in your favour.

doom and gloom /duːm ənd ɡluːm/凄惨，前景不妙；无望

译文

6. After the tech-celeration.

In 2020 the pandemic accelerated the adoption of many technological behaviours, from video-conferencing and online shopping to remote working and distance learning. In 2021 the extent to which these changes will stick, or snap back, will become clearer.

趋势六：科技加速应用后期

2020年，疫情加速了很多科技的应用。从视频会议到网上购物，从远程工作到线上学习。2021年哪些改变将会延伸加固，或者打回原籍，我们将会一目了然。

7. A less footloose world.

Tourism will shrink and change shape, with more emphasis on domestic travel. Airlines, hotel chains and aircraft manufacturers will struggle, as will universities that rely heavily on foreign students. Cultural exchange will suffer, too.

趋势七：受地域限制的世界。

旅游业将会萎缩并改变格局，将会更关注国内旅游。对航空业、连锁饭店和航空制造业来说将是艰难的，对生源严重依靠国际学生的大学的打击也一样严重。文化交流也会受阻。

8. An opportunity on climate change.

One silver lining amid the crisis is the chance to take action on climate change, as governments invest in green recovery plans to create jobs and cut emissions. How ambitious will countries’ reduction pledges be at the UN climate conference, delayed from 2020?

趋势八：气候变化的机遇。

这场危机中唯一的阳光是我们有机会采取措施应对气候变化。因为政府投资环保复苏计划，创造工作，减少排放。各国在从2020年推迟的联合国气候大会上的减排承诺将有多大雄心?

9. The year of déjà vu.

That is just one example of how the coming year may feel, in many respects, like a second take on 2020, as events including the Olympics, the Dubai Expo and many other political, sporting and commercial gatherings do their best to open a year later than planned. Not all will succeed.

趋势九：似曾相识又一年。

这只是接下来一年感受的例子。在许多方面，将重复2020年的事情，因为包括奥运会、迪拜世博和其他许多政治、运动、商业集会都尽最大可能在2021年举办，但不是所有都将成功。

10. A wake-up call for other risks.

Academics and analysts, many of whom have warned of the danger of a pandemic for years, will try to exploit a narrow window of opportunity to get policymakers to take other neglected risks, such as antibiotic resistance and nuclear terrorism, more seriously. Wish them luck.

趋势十：其他风险的警钟。

许多学者和分析人士多年来一直警告大流行的危险，他们将试图利用这一狭窄的机会窗口，让决策者更认真地对待其他被忽视的风险，如抗生素耐药性和核恐怖主义。祝他们好运吧。

The coming year promises to be particularly unpredictable, given the interactions between the pandemic, an uneven economic recovery and fractious geopolitics. This annual will, we hope, help you improve your odds as you navigate the risks and opportunities ahead.

鉴于疫情、不均衡的经济复苏和地缘政治动荡之间的交互，2021年将是异乎寻常的难以预测。我们希望这份年度趋势预测帮助你们在应对未来的风险和机遇时提高胜率。

And it’s not all doom and gloom. Lessons and chances for positive change have emerged from the crisis. So let the dice fly high and, whatever cards 2021 may end up dealing you, may the odds be ever in your favour.

但世界并不都是前景惨淡。这场危机中也诞生了正向改变的经验和机遇。所以让骰子飞高一点，不管2021年最后会给你发什么牌，希望几率永远都在你这边。

经济学人2020年12月刊