last updated 27th October 05
by 4ecotips.com

EST research gives stark warning

As early as 2020 UK households could be purged of their modern luxuries and forced to revert to simpler standards of living unless action is taken now to reduce escalating levels of CO2 emissions, according to independent research commissioned by the Energy Saving Trust.

A panel of experts have predicted two alternative scenarios for life in 2020 within the report - '2020 Futures: Energy and Waste in an Age of Excess'. The bleaker outlook predicts that without a concerted effort to curb our individual CO2 emissions and create a more sustainable future, the home comforts, timesaving luxuries and freedoms we currently take for granted could become things of the past.

In stark contrast, experts reveal that if we take positive action now to "green-proof" our homes and create sustainable living spaces that cause minimal damage to the environment, an altogether more optimistic view of the future is within our grasp by 2020.

Two-car families, time-saving appliances, trendy gadgets and restful baths are just some of the modern luxuries that some experts predict could be banished by 2020 if we fail to take action now to reduce our energy consumption:

Back to basics would mean that things like plasma TVs, electric toothbrushes and other modern innovations could become "anti-social" pieces of household equipment. The two-car family could become unheard of as fuel prices rocket and personal vehicle use is heavily rationed. Bath time could be an increasingly rare occurrence as taxes are levied on them and timed shower units are installed.

Home temperatures could be heavily regulated and families reliant on new insulation crafted from sustainable materials to provide warmth. Likewise, it might only be possible to activate light switches when natural light is deemed insufficient.

And the worse case scenarios if no action is undertaken to address energy usage. Our energy use could be heavily rationed, with dedicated time-slots allocated to households to carry out tasks requiring energy use to avoid any wastage Harsh punitive measures - areas in cities and suburbs where energy usage reach critical levels could see stringently forced energy laws and waste directives imposed. There could be "Energy Police"with the power to issue penalties and fines for excessive energy consumption could be born

However the EST claim that this regressive, punitive scenario could be easily avoided and replaced with a brighter, more optimistic future if UK consumers start to recognise their social responsibility to reduce levels of energy waste and its impact on the environment.

For instance our homes could become mini power stations as we turn to renewable energy sources. By 2020, experts predict that it could be common place to source energy in our own homes with excess energy sold back to the national grid, providing an additional income source for green households

Prefabricated homes built offsite using recycled bricks and wood and insulated with sheep's wool and reconstituted paper will become the norm. We will be able to design our homes online and have them delivered and assembled in a week

The humble conservatory could help save us from the worst effects of climate change. "Green" homes will be built so that they are south facing with an attached solar powered conservatory, providing up to 50% of a household's hot water needs

Roofs will be made of peat, bricks and sedum instead of conventional materials. Roof gardens and living roofs will be subsidised, as they will help to improve insulation and air quality.

And finally, households will trade carbon credits and debits, working collectively to reduce our emissions (in the same way as businesses do now).

According to Philip Sellwood: "The bleak picture of life in 2020 can be easily avoided just by taking small measures now to reduce excess levels of CO2 emissions - one of the leading contributors to climate change.