Posted on 10/25/2005 8:19:48 AM PDT by vrwc0915
News from the Energy Saving Trust Households in 2020 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 carbon dioxide 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 carbon dioxide 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:
> Gadget purge - patio heaters, plasma TVs, electric toothbrushes and other modern innovations we've come to take for granted could become recognised as anti-social pieces of household equipment
> Empty driveways - the two-car family could become unheard of as fuel prices rocket and personal vehicle use is heavily rationed
> Out with the bath water - bath time could be an increasingly rare occurrence as taxes are levied on them and timed shower units designed to limit energy wastage
> Turn it down - average internal temperatures have risen by an average 6° since 1970, but turning the thermostat up at may no longer be an option. Home temperatures could be heavily regulated and families reliant on new insulation crafted from sustainable materials to provide warmth. Likewise, light switches might only be able to be activated when natural light is deemed insufficient
> Crowded house - rising sea levels causing coastal flooding will prompt mass migration inland, marking an end to the 'McMansion' (inefficient and sprawling) approach to housing. Homes may down-size to become tightly compact, merely functional spaces - with energy-consuming appliances such as fridge-freezers banished and replaced with cold rooms for food storage
And the worse case scenarios if no action is undertaken to address energy usage envisage:
> Strict rationing - similar to post-war rationing of food supplies, 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. Energy Police with the power to issue penalties and fines for excessive energy consumption could be born
However, The Energy Saving Trust 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.
If this happens, the report predicts that 2020 could see the emergence of the following trends
> Personal power stations - 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
> Prefabulous - 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
> Glass houses - 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
> Green roofs - 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
> Carbon trading - households will trade carbon credits and debits, working collectively to reduce our emissions (in the same way as businesses do now)
Philip Sellwood, Chief Executive of the Energy Saving Trust, said "The bleak picture of life in 2020 can be easily avoided just by taking small measures now to reduce excess levels of carbon emissions - one of the leading contributors to climate change.
"We are optimistic that a step-change in the way we view our energy consumption in the home will see an energy-efficient future emerging, where environmentally hazardous homes are replaced with ecologically friendly ones and consumers recognise their own responsibility to create a sustainable environment for future generations.
"Rather than having to rely on harsher measures to urge consumers to take the issue seriously, we are encouraging people to act now and start saving at least 20% of their carbon dioxide emissions. This target is easily achievable by adopting a mix of simple measures such as improving insulation, turning appliances off standby, installing energy saving lightbulbs and turning the thermostat down by just one degree."
Simple changes to your home and the way you use energy can make big savings, both for your pocket and the environment. For example, adopting a range of straightforward measures including filling cavity walls, sufficiently insulating lofts and upgrading to energy saving recommended appliances could reduce your household's emissions by two tonnes of CO2 annually and reduce your energy bills by up to £250.
To find out how you can save 20% during Energy Saving Week and throughout the year, click the link below or call the Energy Saving Helpline on 0800 9157722.
People need to read this to get a more accurate vision of the future:
http://www.kurzweilai.net/articles/art0134.html?printable=1
Cool stuff.
What freaking planet do these idiots inhabit?
When they come to get my toothbrush they'll need to get my Glock first ....
Just refer to the Thomas Sowell thread.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1508866/posts
Nutcases.
Repeat after me:
Man-made Global WarmingTM is a MYTH!
Man-made Global WarmingTM is a MYTH!
Man-made Global WarmingTM is a MYTH!
Oh really? I'd like to see them try.
To these folks, that is irrelevant.
They believe in their hearts that we should live diminished lives - "sustainable development" is their mantra, and if Global Warming doesn't alarm us into going there, they'll have another drum to beat five years hence. The end justifies the means...
Lucky for him they banned guns, eh?
Wishful thinking from lunatics...pffft!
I've always thought toothbrushes were considered somewhat of a luxury in the UK...
...anti-social pieces of household equipment...
O yea bring on the socialism. Bring on the "we know what's good for you better than you". Bring on the "energy police". Bring on the "socially responsible".
What a crock of... I really shouldn't read this kind of stuff this early in the morning. Makes the coffe turn sour as my loathing meter blows the top.
If crises do not exist, it is necessary to invent them.
Makes perfect sense. A room-sized refrigerator will obviously use a lot less energy.
if they really want to cut CO2,they can all stop breathing!!!, stupid UK enviro nuts
I don't know about carbon dioxide but I do know that the gas company just informed us that our monthly budget amount is going up 74 percent.
"When they come to get my toothbrush they'll need to get my Glock first ...."
They're working on that.
What a bunch of idiots. These are the ninnified children and grandchildren of the guys who were telling us in the 50's that we'd all have housecleaning robots, flying cars and personal jet packs. I like the older version better...they were just as wrong but at least they were optimists.
Yeah. It would be real interesting to see how they are going to dig 'food cellars' in the coastal areas.
ESPECIALLY New Orleans or Holland, which is BELOW sea level.
The UK is certainly high on my list of places where these sorts of measures would actually be tolerated. It amazes me the amount of crap the Brits are willing to take from their government as long as it's touted in the name of some higher social good like "safety" or "the environment.".
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