For a moment put aside the impracticality of trying to forecast anything for 20 years, and listen to BPโ€™s chief economist Spencer Dale explain some trends in energy and economics. Keeping an eye on big trends in industry and the fuels itโ€™s powered by is important for anyone considering where to invest going forward. Even though itโ€™s impossible to get it all right over a 20 year period, BP does an admirable job trying. You too should focus on the long-term. Executing an investment plan based on big, long-term trends will beat the short-term, earnings-focused, Wall St.-alarmist strategy of speculation .