Looking forward to a low carbon future
A low carbon Britain doesn't have to mean cutbacks and sacrifice. Climate change is an enormous challenge. But if we respond in the right way, many of the changes we make could improve our quality of life.
We could be living healthier, more prosperous lives in stronger, better connected and cleaner communities. That’s according to our latest project - Low Carbon Living 2022.
Low Carbon Living 2022 looks forward 15 years and shows ways in which a low carbon future could deliver:
stronger communitiesa cleaner local environmentmore moneybetter transporta healthier lifestyle, anda thriving economy.
Financially supported by the Carbon Trust and RWE npower, the project sets out nine products and services which would be doing well in a low carbon future. Five of the products and services have high quality web based adverts to promote them including:
UGrow - UGrow provides all the equipment and training needed to grow food at home, whether in the garden, on the roof, in a window-box or even in a spare wardrobe. The company buys any surplus produced and sells it to local restaurants and markets.
Airstream - It’s time for the return of luxury airships. Airstream runs airships using the latest, safest technology on popular routes around the world. On holiday routes passengers are treated to 360 degree views, a gym, restaurant and bar. Business passengers can enjoy open-plan office space and state of the art ‘virtual windows’, allowing meetings with people anywhere in the world.
Shop&Drop – Shop&Drop is a password-protected area built into a house or garden, much like the coal-bunkers of yore, where groceries or other products bought online can be left securely, meaning you don’t have to be in when they arrive.
The adverts are accompanied by further information about the products and services as well as visions of different lives in a low carbon future.
Speaking about the project, James Goodman, head of futures, said:
“It's true that climate change is an enormous challenge, one that some people have compared to the second world war, and we need to do everything we can to combat it.
“But part of that means talking more about what victory looks like. If we act urgently and get things right, many of the changes we make will improve our quality of life, from better transport and healthier lifestyles to stronger local communities."
Visit our projects page for more information
Comments
Great idea. In fact airships do appear being used for cargo in one of the Retail Futures 2022 scenarios (the fourth scenario, 'I'm in your hands'). This doesn't just reflect our belief at Forum for the Future that airships will be reconsidered as a viable transport mode. In our research for Retail Futures we were told on a number of occasions by retailers that there was little reason why airships shouldn't see a revival in the near future. Tesco and Sainsbury's are already both beginning to use canal freight
I wonder if there is also an application for non-urgent cargo? Possibly regular bulk shipments like raw materials or non-perishable foods.
There could also be a use in extracting timber from remote sites; one of the problems is removing the timber you want without damaging the ground or other trees.
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