Futurists have many far-ranging ideas for tomorrow's projects. In their wildest dreams, they may suppose a new world government has asked them to lay out a list of projects for a global agenda. Such a challenge would no doubt bring forth a spate of exciting ventures.
   If we were given such an invitation, what projects would we suggest? Here are a few thoughts:

Environment — We would build scores of large seawater desalting plants at strategic global sites selected on the basis of solving critical urban water problems, reclaiming deserts, and resolving political conflicts. This would produce new rivers of fresh water and open exciting new sites. At the same time we would replant deforested areas with millions of trees as part of a program for repairing our eroded planet.

Energy — We would fund a research program aimed at developing stand-alone, alternate-fuel wireless power units for every home, business, and farm. This would ease urban congestion as well as minimize large-scale power outages due to utility system malfunctions, ice storms, tornados, floods, and hurricanes. Many heretofore-uncompetitive sites would be brought into the main stream. Until this plan was implemented we would require every new auto to have a built-in 110v auxiliary generator — giving most homes some back-up power.
   We would expedite development of renewable non-fossil energy sources by offering new and expanded incentives for development of wind, wave and solar generators as well as the use of manure and other waste materials as fuels. We'd invest in creative projects such as fuel cell production from waste heat in Iceland and elsewhere.

Travel — We would expedite development of smart highways to automate long-distance highway travel. We would mandate that as of a certain date one lane of every interstate highway link be set aside and equipped for use by computer-controlled vehicles. Motorists would enter at designated ramps and click on their auto-drive switch. The system would then control their speed and spacing while drivers took a nap, worked on their laptop, ate lunch, or read a book. The result would be safer and less tiresome travel for millions.

Urban planning — We would seek to minimize cross-town traffic by reducing the need for trips to the doctor's office, supermarket or hardware store.
   We are frustrated today because the medical profession is not using available technology to provide more convenient service and reduce office visits. Thus we would require HMO-affiliates to offer routine diagnostic and treatment services to homes equipped with computer photo screens and basic diagnostic devices. Doctors sitting at their office screens could interview patients in front of their home screens.
   Also, HMO-linked doctors would be required to maintain computer email links for response to patients.
   Super markets and service centers would receive tax benefits for providing on-line catalog shopping and free delivery — daily to nearby addresses and weekly to peripheral sites.
   New towns would be planned with service centers accessible via computer-controlled golf carts traveling on sidewalks, bike paths, or other special lanes. Passengers such as senior citizens and the handicapped could punch in a pre-programmed destination and sit back as the vehicle steered itself using GPS coordinates. The DARPA Grand Challenge is stimulating rapid progress in development of technology for such robot vehicles.

Coastal development — We would propose a new national zoning plan for areas along the Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific coasts. New construction would be permitted only at prescribed distances from beaches behind natural dune areas. Local building codes in the zone would be required to meet standards necessary for buildings to survive Category 5 hurricanes.
   Those who chose to locate in storm-prone coastal areas would do so at their own risk and expense. Taxpayers in other parts of the country would not be required to pay for their storm damage, beach replenishment and other costs.
   We would invest in experimental projects seeking to find new ways for people to live at the shore — for example, floating towns. As resort areas become more crowded, why not occupy some of the vast ocean areas nearby? If global warming caused rises in sea level, such unique offshore communities would not be affected.

Public health — We would invest in advancing the technology of human-powered flight. Ultra-light, winged bicycle-like vehicles using new "nano" materials and powered by pedal-driven propellers would open new vistas for joggers. With further improvement they could be used by commuters to escape rush-hour jams. Crude early models have already been flown across the English Channel and among Mediterranean islands.
   Health benefits are obvious. Commuting office workers would get a good workout daily. Among youngsters there would be fewer obesity problems. At the same time we would ban gasoline-powered recreational vehicles, such as off-road ATVs and water-borne jet skis.

Space — We would eliminate any confusion as to which agency is responsible for protection against asteroid strikes. We would designate and fund a special unit to monitor space for potential intruders, sound warnings if intruders approach and seek to deflect them if they are on a collision course.
   We would also begin the construction of a space elevator of nano tubes, as proposed by Sir Arthur Clarke and others.

;Science — We would fund daring ventures to explore the secrets of the deep seas and inner earth. These are important regions about which we know little today.
   For all of our projects our approach would be to offer cash prizes for competitive developments from the private sector.
   Are some of these proposals impractical, uneconomic, technically unsound or just plain dumb? Of course! It's a dream program!