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The impact on how
we live

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Where are we on climate?
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What will happen?

The short answer is that how we live – both individually and collectively – is going to have to change. We have to transition our societies away from their reliance on fossil fuels in an attempt to mitigate future changes in the climate that could have devastating effects on this planet and the people who live here.

The good news is that we now have much of the infrastructure and technological solutions to help us decarbonise our lifestyles and our homes. Over 40% of the UK’s energy now comes from renewable sources, compared with 2.8% in 2000 and many decarbonisation technologies such as electric vehicles, solar panels and heat pumps are becoming more affordable and available.

40%

Over 40% of the UK’s energy now comes from renewable sources

This chart shows annual emissions of kilograms of CO2 in 1990, 2017 and 2050. Since 1990, the UK has significantly reduced its carbon emissions, but they remain stubbornly high in some areas such as home heating.

This chart shows annual emissions of kilograms of CO2 in 1990, 2017 and 2050.

Since 1990, the UK has significantly reduced its carbon emissions, but they remain stubbornly high in some areas such as home heating.

Source: BBC using data from Climate Change Committee, BEIS (2019)

Inspiration

BlocPower was founded in 2014 to source and implement sustainable building upgrades in the United States. In 2022, the company partnered with the city of Ithaca, New York to retrofit its entire building stock by 2030, the first electrification initiative of its kind in the United States. It has since launched decarbonisation efforts in Menlo Park (California), Denver, Oakland, San Jose, and other cities. Most recently, through a new partnership with the New York City Mayor’s Office, BlocPower will train 3,000 workers for jobs in the green economy.

Watch this TED talk from Bloc Power’s Donnel Baird, who is leading the way on upgrading and electrifying American homes.

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Previous section
Where are we on climate?
Next section
How are things going to change?