Five Headlines to Watch-Out for in 2021

In 2020, one story has consumed everything. In 2021, the world will start looking at life beyond the pandemic. So, behind the headlines, what are other moments you should be watching out for in your head? From the launch of an asteroid spaceship to the events that will help the world on climate change.

There are five stories set to shape the post COVID world.

1. Democracy under Threat

In 2021, democracy will be shaken, there will be several elections, many postponed upon the pandemic and then fragile democracy. Autocratic leaders will use it to torment elections. For example, Uganda who just held her presidential election in January. There were campaigns like that of 25-year-old Maria for the opposition candidate, Bobi Wine . The Uganda’s authorities banned rallies because of COVID 19. Maria said they are merely implementing the headlines for political interests. Recall that in an election rally, Bobi Wine was arrested on the excuse of flouting COVID 19 orders. His body guards were assaulted, pepper-sprayed and beaten up. Protests broke out, more than a thousand persons were arrested, 45 killed.

Since the pandemic started, democracy and human rights have deteriorated in many countries. According to facts, the largest number are in Africa. This is too much in Africa because there are other countries who have made transitions to democracy and respect for human rights and sometimes the institutions promoting democracy are not strong, there is always a case of backsliding. Uganda’s president has been in power for over 35 years. In 2017, he changed the constitution to allow him stay for six term and the recent pandemic has provided an avenue to allow him block oppositions. They could not also campaign online because of government regulations of contents in Uganda geographical area. About 91 countries have increased restrictions in the news media as a result of the pandemic.

2. The Electric Revolution Goes up

2021 will be a tip up for electric cars, more manufacturers will glide to electric range, there will be huge varieties of electric cars for people to choose from. Jeeps will come in oil electric forms. At the end of the year, OX69 ELC will arrive like a cyber-truck. America has pick-ups as most profitable market, hence, Tesla came up with this pick-up. Investment in the electrical revolution has surged. 250 firms are currently manufacturing electric vehicles and 47 batteries production around the construction. Tesla, the market leader has seen his share price surge. Tesla’s success convinced other car makers that there is great profit in electric cars.

Although car sales dropped in 2020, in 2021, they are expected to pick up again and sales of battery-powered vehicle will go up in the next decade as some countries like Spain, Japan ban sales of petrol to cars.

3 A Chance to Turn a Corner on Climate Change

In few months to come, all eyes will be on Scotland as world leaders meet over climate change. This meeting was originally scheduled for 2020 but postponed due to pandemic. Experts predict that the pledges government made in 2015 will not be enough to achieve the target of getting close to 1.5 to 2 degrees Celsius. The details of how China tries to balance its climate is still unclear. In America, Donald Trump had undermined global effect to tackle global warming but Biden has just given a mandate which is to get the planet, earth, under control. Some climate policies will be implemented. America is the world’s sun city, Joe Biden has promised to make the country carbon neutral in years. His challenge is getting his ambitious pledges to congress. It is easier to make those pledges than backing them up with feasible policies. America and China are all headed to mid-century target of 2050-2060. 2021 will really mark a point in international climate relationship.

4 China vs Hollywood Battle of Box Offices

In 2021, the eagle awaits the installment of franchise will be released but its release will be based on clips from a film that most people in the West have never even heard of. The slap-stick comedy, the detective film will help China make money from the box office than America to become the biggest in the world. For a century, Hollywood has ruled the movie world, now is China’s turn. With China becoming the biggest box office, it feels like a milestone. China film industry has been growing for years but in 2021, projection shows American’s box office stagnating as China’s continue to rise. China is building more theatres, screens and it is something that is going to happen, the question is what year. In America, phone usage favours videos but in China, online streaming and cinema attendance are on the mirage. Chinese rise to the top of the box office has been helped by the pandemic. Hollywood delayed production and movie theatres have been closed but in China large capacity cinemas are open and production of new films are still on-going. Despite this, big American films still do well in China.

5 Defending the Planet

2021 is focused on protecting the world from dangers on earth, some scientists will be focused on how to defend the world from threats from out of space. In July, NASA will launch the world’s first trial in planetary defence. This might sound like the plot of a Hollywood block-buster but the threat of asteroid hitting earth is real. Seven years ago, an undetected missile landed in Russia injuring at least 1000 people. This is something that happens to earth all the time and if frequent will cause devastation and might wipe out a large region. It is a rare event but the consequences are big that it makes sense to do something about it. NASA’s Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) will practice defending earth using what is known as connected impact technology. The machine is just part of a wider of worldwide effort in planetary defence. Finding out the menacing asteroids, tracking them and annihilating them. The probability of asteroid hitting earth is very small but 2020 has shown that it is time to prepare for what is unexpected.