Humans collectively may not agree, but environmentalists and the scientific community in particular has been warning us for several decades that we are headed for rough times ahead. This essay outlines some of the major issues. Examples are: rapid human population growth, climate change, continuing discrimination among racial and cultural groups, increase in the frequency of pandemics, increase in immigration pressures, and a decline in so-called ecosystem services that collectively make it possible for humans to thrive. Two possible examples are pollination of useful plants and provision of clean drinking water. Also, governments at multiple levels will shift from democracies to various forms of authoritarianism. Especially important is the recognition that social species like humans have social behavior that supports the group’s survival. And this comes in two modes: within social group and interactions with the biological and physical environments outside of the particular social group. Most importantly both types are required for healthy groups. Lastly, the role of behavioral fairness is discussed as it relates to the success of social groups. One aspect of fairness is the presence of democratically determined penalties for transgressions. These must be sensitive to the severity and nature of the transgression. Successful groups will insure that all members achieve an education level that will allow them to meaningfully participate in the group’s democratic processes
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