As we approach the new year, prominent figures from diverse backgrounds share their predictions and hopes for 2025, reflecting on the potential for change and the challenges we might face.
Bertrand Piccard, Swiss Explorer and Founder of Solar Impulse
Bertrand Piccard emphasises the impact of our current decisions on the future. “My predictions for 2025 completely depend on the decisions and the behaviours we have today. If we phase out fossil fuels, we’ll have a better environment. If we have more kindness, wisdom, and compassion, the world will be a better place. If we have less poverty, there will be fewer wars. So it’s up to us to act.”
Luisa Neubauer, German Climate Protection Activist
Luisa Neubauer expresses concern over potential disasters and the battle for truth. “For the year 2025, I fear that we will experience a new wave of disasters. The second is a mad battle for the truth. Truth will be the most valuable commodity in the coming years, and it will be fought against from many sides. And the third thing I also see for next year is a whole lot of unlikely heroic stories.”
Doowy, Belgian Musician
Doowy envisions a shift towards genuine social connections. “For 2025, I would like to predict a digital health in much better shape than what we currently know. I wish we would really focusing on our friends. I predict a year where we focus on our real social connections and not those that aren’t real.”
Nieves Herrero, Spanish Journalist and Writer
Nieves Herrero shares her hopeful predictions: “The first: an end to wars, the war in Ukraine, the war in Gaza… too many victims, too much pain, too much violence. Secondly, I hope that we will all succeed with our writing in promoting harmony. And thirdly, I hope that women stop being the victims of violence in our homes, achieving a 2025 with equality and with respect.”
Paul Watson, Canadian Animal Rights Activist and Founder of Sea Shepherd Conservation Society
Paul Watson is optimistic about ending whaling and raising environmental awareness. “My predictions for 2025 are that first of all, I believe that we can shut down Icelandic whaling. Secondly, I think that we’ll bring more awareness to the Danish Faroe Islands to end the horrific slaughter of dolphins and pilot whales there. And also, we’re going to put pressure on Japan to end whaling.”
Wim Wenders, German Filmmaker
Wim Wenders expresses concern about the direction of global politics and the climate. “This planet is suffering tremendously. All of it going the wrong direction. In terms of politics, old ideas that didn’t work before are coming back. Nationalism is on the rise again. The idea of Europe is a much more beautiful idea.”
As we enter 2025, these voices remind us that the future is shaped by our actions today, highlighting the importance of compassion, truth, and genuine connections in addressing the world’s challenges.
