A world in which we harvest energy generated by our own bodies, grow our own food on rooftops and balconies, and use virtual windows to cut down on long-distance travel sounds like science fiction. Yet, according to a project designed to visualise life in a low-carbon future, these are just some of the products we could be using within 15 years.

Low Carbon Living 2022 is an attempt to bring to life some of the issues surrounding climate change, according to James Goodman, head of futures at sustainability charity Forum for the Future, which is behind the initiative and has come up with a dozen ideas for low-carbon products and services.

“With much of the current debate on climate change verging on the apocalyptic, we wanted to encourage people to think positively about how our daily lives will have to change in the future,” he explains. “While the science is deadly serious, emphasising only the negatives about climate change can leave people feeling disempowered.”

Some of the low-carbon products may seem outlandish, yet all are informed by emerging research and evolving technology developments. “I suppose you could call them potentially viable,” Goodman says. “The point is, changes we will have to make do not need to be negative. The impetus climate change creates could benefit our daily lives.”