The 21st Century

The number twenty-one represents many things, from 21st president Chester A. Arthur to the number of spots on a standard die. Of course, 21 is also the name of the best casino card game around, Blackjack. But one more thing represented by the number twenty-one is our current century. From the World Trade Center Attacks to Harry Potter movies on the big screen, in this century the world has been through a number of important events thus far. Let's take a look at some of the many changes that define our planet in the 21st century.

New Technology in the 21st Century

MP3 Players, iPhones, DVD's.....the twenty-first century is known for its cool gadgets and gizmos. Perhaps the most obvious technological advance of the twenty-first century is the surge in Internet use and social networking. From Facebook to Myspace, everyone is online, and hooking up with other likeminded individuals from all over the planet. Another important technological phenomenon is the widespread use of wireless technology, which will continue to bring the Internet into many new places. Instant and ubiquitous access to the vast resources on the Internet has changed almost every facet of our lives. Many hope that technology will help us to solve another big problem facing the world in the twenty-first century: depletion of natural resources in the environment.

21st Century Changes in the Environment

What's new in the environment for the twenty-first century? There's global warming, which has long been discussed, but is now entering public concern on a new level. There's also the search for new ways to address energy needs and loss of natural resources. For example, the twenty-first century brought the hybrid car to the world - a vehicle that capitalizes on a renewable resource, electricity, rather than relying solely on natural oil. Scientists are also attempting to discover new renewable energy sources, like fuel cells, solar and wind power, and bio-fuel.

The Rise in Terrorism in the 21st Century

It's on the tip of everyone's tongue. The rise in terrorism (or War on Terror as it's called in some places) has influenced the global environment since the start of the 21st century. In the Western World, the attacks began on September 11, 2001, with the destruction of the World Trade Center by hijacked airplanes. And while subsequent attacks in Bali, Madrid, and London weren't quite as catastrophic in terms of human deaths, they nevertheless had a dramatic impact on the Western world's general feeling of safety and security.

In 2003, the official War on Terror began, with the entry of U.S. armed forces into Iraq. While the war in Iraq was quickly hailed as a success, the forces soon realized that their main opponents would be the untraceable insurgents. In 2007, President Bush beefed up security forces in an operation known as "The Surge." Where does that leave us today? Security in Iraq has stabilized, and terrorism is on the decline. But while safety in the war zone has improved, the general atmosphere in the Middle East is increasingly worrisome.

Future Challenges in the 21st Century

There's lots of hope for more incredible discoveries that will solve the world's problems and make life easier for everyone on the face of the globe. But this century has also had its share of unique challenges, which we must continue to face. With so many incredible advances reaching the world, the twenty-first century will probably evolve far beyond our current expectations.