Green future demands a radical shift in lifestyles for British

Meat-free menus, battery- operated cars and an end to affordable flights.

These are among the radical visions outlined in a report which says Britain could be carbon neutral within 20 years – but only if major steps are taken to change our lifestyles.
Tumble-dryers would disappear and an “armada” of wind turbines would need to be built around the coast to achieve the goal, says the research by scientists from the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT).

But there is scepticism as to whether any of the scenarios suggested in the report are achievable.

CAT says achieving such a drastic cut in emissions is possible and may be the only way to tackle climate change.

Paul Allen, CAT’s development director, said: “What we are saying is that we need a huge programme, a bit like the US space project in the Sixties.

“When that was launched it was known to be a huge target, but the driving force to make it work was there. We think that zerocarbonbritain can do that again – it can give us a positive future.

“It is a political challenge but we had the political willpower to abolish slavery even though lots of people said that would cost the economy too much.”

Scotsman