Ecological Age…
Undeniable environmental changes in the early 00’s shifted values away from materialism, towards personal responsibility for the environment and the welfare of future generations; some communities punish the misuse of resources.
“Eco-preneurs” developed ecologically friendly technologies and extremely sophisticated resource use and recycling systems -- with crossover innovations among genetic engineering, the biosciences, and materials science, plastic now grows on trees [shrubs, actually].
Lifestyles downsize: from nations to bioregions; from cities to towns; from 3 SUV’s per family to one shared among three families.
Environmental restoration and bio-recreation of extinct species.
Less materialism; more emphasis on learning and the arts.