New installation unveiled at Killerton to highlight effects of climate change
From global climate strikes led by Greta Thunberg to forest fires, environmental issues have never been so topical. Although many of us know we need to make sustainable changes, it can be difficult to grasp what the effects of climate change will look like, if we don’t take action.
But now, a new installation at Killerton in Broadclyst, Devon is offering visitors the chance to travel into the future to 2050 and experience the impact of climate change for themselves.
The first-of-its-kind immersive experience, created through CGI and augmented reality technology, will provide a glimpse of what the UK can expect if it continues without the vital energy infrastructure that smart meters provide. In comparison, the installation will show the positive impact small changes like this could have on the environment if we all played our part.
In contrast to the usual stature and beauty that people are familiar with, the installation will show Killerton in the midst of a polluted environment, exemplifying the reality we could face if we continue to consume energy at our current rate. This will be followed by a rejuvenated look at the wildlife and nature that could thrive if we act now to cut carbon emissions and look after the environment.
Created by Smart Energy GB, the mirrored structure stands at over eight-feet-tall and six metres long, taking a team of experts over four weeks to develop.
The installation has been constructed using a range of sustainable and recycled materials and will be re-used again in the future.
The installation at Killerton, is one of three across the country, which highlights the importance of securing the future of the planet in order to protect the riches of the past.
Thanks to the support of Smart Energy GB, the National Trust will be able to invest in more projects that help them achieve their goals of reducing energy use by 15% and sourcing 50% of their energy from renewable sources by 2021.
Sacha Deshmukh, Chief Executive of Smart Energy GB, commented, “If our country is to meet the government's commitment to cut all carbon emissions by 2050, the outdated energy system needs to become much more responsive to fluctuating supply from sustainable sources like wind and sun. Smart meters are the first step towards upgrading our energy system and paving the way for a cleaner, greener future.
“We’re thrilled to be able to partner with a charity as eminent as the National Trust and offer their visitors a look at the, frankly, quite scary reality of what our future will look like if we don’t make immediate changes to upgrade our existing energy infrastructure.”
The data gathered from smart meters about household energy consumption, enables a new, smart energy system to better understand, plan for and balance out demand, making it easier to integrate sustainable energy sources.
Keith Jones, Climate Change Advisor, National Trust commented, “Climate change is not some time in the future. It's happening here and now, affecting the special places we care for. It's easy to feel helpless in the face of climate change, but by taking small steps, such as installing a smart meter, we can make a meaningful difference together. They can’t solve climate change on their own, but with the smarter, more efficient energy they create, they’re a start. It's much easier to be more energy efficient if you know how much energy you're using. This is why we're using hundreds of smart meters at the places we care for to measure how much energy is used at different times of day.”
The installations will be available at three National Trust places across the country; Killerton (Exeter), Trelissick (Truro) and Montacute House (Somerset).
