The Transition Vision is of a resilient, more localised society in which we faced the consequences of our former cultural stories honestly, heard the lessons they brought us and moved into a thriving, satisfying future.
* Acceptance of scientific evidence leads to fundamental changes in cultural assumptions
* Dominant sense that ‘there must be another way to live', given the unacceptable consequences of business as usual
* New social and economic models developed to fit new paradigm
* Recognition of the need to drastically and sustainably reduce energy consumption
* Widespread sense of hope, determination and common purpose
2010
- EU introduces Common Sustainable Food Policy
- The 2010 Accord commits all world governments to preventing atmospheric CO2 concentrations topping 400ppm
- UK government mandates a faster expansion of forests and woodland in the UK
- UK airport expansion programme ‘shelved'
- Tradable Energy Quotas introduced in UK
- World oil production reaches peak
2011
- UK road expansion programme halted
- Recycled building materials stores opening across the country
2012
- Lower energy holiday choices becoming increasingly popular, including airship cruises, travelling by canal boat, sailing on ‘pirate galleons' and simply exploring the local area (‘staycationing')
- The target of 2,012 food gardens being in place in London in time for the London Olympics is exceeded
- UK road speed limit reduced to 60mph
2013
- The year's top rating TV show is ‘Hot Composting with Amy Winehouse'
- UK Government's ‘Fruit Forest UK' programme gives away free fruit trees across the UK
- Global agreement reached to phase out coal production
2014
- UK population begins gentle reduction (around 0.3 per cent per year)
2015
- The most popular money lenders in the country are now credit unions, rather than banks and building societies
- Programme introduced to reopen many of the UK railways closed in the 1960s
- UK building regulations revised to ensure new buildings use 60% local materials, leading to a boom in local businesses providing materials for construction
- Time Magazine declares 2015 ‘the Year of the Raised Bed'
2016
- ‘Peak cars' on UK roads passed
2017
- UK now imports only 10 per cent of its food and 35 per cent of its fruit
- British car industry in tatters, many car plants converted to wind and tidal turbine manufacture
2018
- Provision of car parking space by Local Authorities falls by 40 per cent
2020
- Green Party wins 40 seats in election
- Obesity has fallen 40 per cent from 2010 levels; average UK life expectancy officially reaches 81
- 31 per cent of UK electricity demand met by renewable sources, partly thanks to substantial reductions in demand
2024
- Pension age for both men and women raised to 66
2026
- Mental health problems have reduced to directly affect just over 1 in 6 people's lives, compared with around 1 in 4 in 2007
2027
- UK oil and gas production down to one-sixth of 2007 levels
- 70 per cent of UK electricity is renewable
- Britain 96 per cent self-sufficient in food
- Average UK life expectancy officially reaches 82, thanks to major reductions in heart disease, obesity, cancer and traffic accidents
Extracted from The Transition Timeline by Shaun Chamberlin (Green Books, £12.95). To order your copy at the special offer of £10.95 with free p&p (UK only), phone 0845 4589910 quoting the Ecologist reader offer. All major credit cards accepted
