A bit off topic, but given the greenhouse effect you never know how this will impact certain climates either. As the air currents across the globe change will that transform desert into tropical rain forests? Will North America become an artic climate no longer supported by the gulf stream? It is possible. Maybe not in our lifetime, but some day. They are having a particularly cold and wet summer in NY these days.

Economies are definately going global and Asia as well as South America will grow and lessen the gap between markets. Hopefully everyone will be free from starvation, will be educated and no longer suffer, but support each other.