Global reliance on oil has been a defining factor of modern history. Wars have been fought over it, economies built upon it, and political alliances shaped by it. Yet as the urgency of climate change grows, the world is facing a critical question: Can we truly move beyond oil?

The answer is complicated. Renewable energy is advancing at record speed. Solar and wind power costs have plummeted in the last decade, and governments from Europe to Asia are investing billions into green infrastructure. Electric vehicles are becoming mainstream, with some countries setting deadlines to ban new gasoline-powered cars.

Still, oil remains deeply entrenched. It powers global transportation, fuels industries, and underpins the economies of nations like Saudi Arabia, Russia, and Venezuela. Cutting off oil too quickly could cause global instability, yet maintaining dependence accelerates climate disaster.

The transition will not be smooth. Developing nations argue they need affordable energy to grow, while developed countries push for faster climate commitments. The geopolitical stakes are high: as countries reduce reliance on oil, traditional energy superpowers may lose influence while nations leading in clean technology rise in power.

The question isn’t whether the world will transition—it’s how fast. Experts warn that current policies are not enough to meet the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting warming to 1.5°C. The window for action is closing, and every year of delay makes the transition more costly.

The world’s energy future hangs in the balance. Success will require not just innovation, but global cooperation at a level rarely seen in history.

Artificial Intelligence is no longer a futuristic concept—it’s here, and it’s reshaping the global workforce faster than governments, schools, and companies can adapt. From factories in China to law firms in New York, industries are grappling with a new reality: jobs once thought to be “safe” from automation are increasingly being done by machines.

The World Economic Forum estimates that by 2030, over 800 million jobs could be displaced globally due to AI and automation. While some argue these fears are overblown, early signs are clear. Customer service chatbots are replacing call centers, generative AI tools are challenging marketing and design industries, and even sectors like healthcare and law are beginning to lean heavily on machine learning.

This shift isn’t all negative. For every role that disappears, new ones are being created—AI ethicists, prompt engineers, and data auditors, to name a few. The challenge is speed. Retraining the workforce on a global scale is a monumental task. Developing nations may feel the brunt as low-skill jobs evaporate, while advanced economies will need to rethink education systems that were built for the industrial era, not the digital one.

Businesses that survive this disruption will be those that act proactively. Investing in upskilling employees, adopting “human + AI” hybrid work models, and fostering a culture of innovation will be critical.

The bigger question is societal: What does it mean when machines can outperform humans in core areas of work? Will we redefine the value of human creativity, or will inequality rise as some adapt and others fall behind?

The AI revolution is global, and its impact will be felt in every boardroom, classroom, and household. The winners of the next decade won’t just be those who embrace AI, but those who prepare their people for it.

On April 14, 2025, a new page in space history was written—not by NASA, but by six women from vastly different industries who hitched a ride to the edge of space aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket. Dubbed as a celebration of female empowerment and modern exploration, the trip was anything but universally praised.

Let’s break it down: The all-female crew included pop superstar Katy Perry, broadcast legend Gayle King, aerospace engineer Aisha Bowe, activist Amanda Nguyen, film producer Kerianne Flynn, and pilot Lauren Sánchez—also known as Jeff Bezos’ partner. It was the first time a full crew of women entered suborbital space aboard a commercial flight, and yes, it made headlines. But alongside the applause came serious questions about the cost, the purpose, and the message it sends to a world still battling inequality and climate crises.

How Much Did It Cost?

While Blue Origin hasn’t released exact numbers for this particular flight, previous seats on New Shepard have ranged between $250,000 and $1 million per person. So, if we do some quick math, the collective cost of sending these six women to the edge of space likely ran up to $6 million—or more.

But who footed the bill? That part’s murky. Some of the crew may have been sponsored, while others, like Lauren Sánchez and Katy Perry, could likely afford the ticket out of pocket. Still, when millions are spent on a 10-minute joyride that offers weightlessness, Earth views, and instant headlines, people are bound to talk.

Inspiration or Extravagance?

Supporters argue this flight was historic, inspiring, and exactly what young girls around the world need to see. Representation matters, and seeing six accomplished women—especially women of color like Aisha Bowe and Amanda Nguyen—suit up and fly above the planet was undeniably powerful. Gayle King herself said the moment was “bigger than space—it’s about possibility.”

But not everyone bought the “empowerment” narrative. Social media lit up with criticism, with some calling it a “millionaire flex disguised as feminism.” Celebrities like Olivia Munn and Emily Ratajkowski publicly questioned the impact of the flight, with Munn tweeting, “Women breaking boundaries is powerful. Billionaires playing astronaut for fun? Not so much.”

Critics raised valid points. What exactly did the mission accomplish, besides another notch in Blue Origin’s PR belt? Did it serve science, or just egos?

The Environmental Cost

Beyond the price tag and public optics, environmentalists jumped into the fray. Space launches are resource-heavy, and every suborbital flight like New Shepard’s emits tons of carbon dioxide and other pollutants into the upper atmosphere.

In a time when climate change is no longer a future threat but a current reality, burning through that much fuel for what many see as a “selfie in space” moment feels irresponsible. For every inspirational Instagram post shared from the flight, there’s an environmental impact report saying, “Maybe not the best idea.”

The Bigger Picture: Who Gets to Go?

Another layer to this controversy is access. Space tourism is being positioned as the next luxury experience, but it’s only available to the ultra-wealthy or the ultra-connected. This latest trip, though historic in its makeup, reminded many that most people—especially women in underserved communities—are still fighting for basic resources, not zero-gravity snapshots.

And let’s be real: Is representation still empowering if it only comes in designer space suits? Lauren Sánchez may have piloted the helicopter that took her to training, but most women can’t even get a loan for a small business. The contrast is jarring.

Not All Bad

Still, to be fair, there were aspects of the mission that went beyond fluff. Amanda Nguyen, a Nobel Peace Prize nominee, used her platform to speak on global justice. Aisha Bowe, a real rocket scientist, talked about bridging the STEM gap for minority youth. There were also scientific payloads on board and ongoing partnerships with educational outreach programs that bring space science to classrooms.

So, while the optics may be bougie, there was at least an effort to turn the flight into something meaningful.

Final Thoughts

This mission was layered. It was empowering and elitist. Groundbreaking and tone-deaf. Inspirational and indulgent. That’s what makes it so fascinating—and so frustrating.

On one hand, we witnessed a cultural milestone: women, once completely excluded from space exploration, now boldly leading their own missions. On the other hand, it highlighted just how far we have to go when it comes to equity—not just in space, but right here on Earth.

Whether this flight will spark lasting change or be remembered as a well-marketed stunt remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: the conversation around who gets to go to space, why they go, and what they do with that opportunity is only just beginning.

And maybe that’s the real launch we should be paying attention to.