The next century is viewed from two different standpoints: the global level and the local level. Globally, we human beings will experience the following changes. (1) the acceleration of population growth, especially in cities. As a result, cities will increasingly be the center of culture (2) a large increase in energy consumption (3) atmospheric warming from the greenhouse effect These matters are expected to occur globally. However, when we view them locally, differences can be seen among different areas: These differences are reflected in three issues noted above. The 20th century is characterized by the word ``artificial''. We have created artificial energy and materials which do not exist in Nature. We have made and effort to surpass nature and today we can do so partly. But problems have also arisen: the vanishing of the forests has become a major concern. Recently three is the increasing opinion that development should be allowed only as long as nature has the power to recover. In the high-tech society of the 21th century, two types of differences will occur. The first one is an international difference: the difference between advanced countries and developing countries. The second one is a domestic difference: the difference between cities and villages. We should make plans for development with allowance for these matters. Academically, we can explore the future with the aid of supercomputer, and we should consider plans to ensure that the welfare of the whole world attains better stage.
