"What will a zero carbon future look like?" is a question I'm often asked, in my work at the Centre for Alternative Technology. Without a reliable crystal ball it's hard to know.

One thing is certain though: to stop devastating global climate change it will be necessary to power down the fossil fuels we have become so reliant on. As a species we have a choice - we can wait until the Earth reaches crises point and react to it or we can proactively create a new and positive, albeit very different world.

Global scientific consensus estimates that we have a possible to 20-30 years to avert irreversible climate change- so we best get cracking!

When I was asked to write a story for a "Women's Guide to Saving the World," it was with a vision of an egalitarian zero carbon society in mind.

One where creativity replaces consumerism and clean, clean renewable technology replaces fossil and nuclear fuels. Before discovering the Centre for Alternative Technology, the closest I'd ever come to living that society was in Cuba.

Although by no means boasting a perfect political system, there was an atmosphere of positivity and human ingenuity that permeated Cuban communities. There is no advertising anywhere.

When people are no longer compelled to consume creativity appears to flourish. In the absence of cheap consumer items music, art and education seem to thrive. It was startling to meet women my own age who thought nothing of building radios, fixing cars and easily taking part in the social and political systems.

The absence of the main fossil fuel -oil- had allowed people to invent a different way of living. There were no pesticides, very few cars; every available wasteland was used to grow food. There was no waste - everything was precious. From bicycle parts to food scraps that are fed to pigs.

Large vehicles were legally obliged to pick up hitch hikers. People queued for lifts the way people here queue for the tube, except with more smiles and eye contact!

Trespassing in Paradise is one story among many in "A Women's Guide to Saving the World." It is my story of a Cuban experience; one where I arrived feeling sorry for my hosts' poverty and left feeling envious of their fun, carefree and inventive lifestyle.

Among the more famous authors: Rosie Boycott, Jilly Cooper and Margaret Drabble, and the political gurus and entrepreneurs: Caroline Lucas, Clare Short, Mo Moslem and the late Anita Roddick, are many other voices, just as passionate and knowledgeable about what it make take to really save the world!

A Women's Guide to Saving the World is available at the Centre for Alternative Technology's on-line shop. Check out our website listed to the right of this page."

Article by Tanya Hawkes