Interview by Laura Daly of Societás

In the midst of an economic downturn, it's no surprise that global warming has been put on the back burner. Despite this, there have been some great developments in sustainable design.

Meet Mike Hillard, a 64-year old pioneering environmental architect who has recently built his very own sustainable dream house. Aptly named Tranquillity, Hillard designed the whole building by himself and even helped build it. Located in Stroud, Gloucestershire, Tranquillity is surrounded by two acres of countryside; Hillard claims that it's the most sustainable house in the world. “"It's hugely important to live in a sustainable house",” he states. “"In order to minimize the climate impact we need to get to zero carbon.”"

Hillard has high hopes that his groundbreaking design will create a domino effect in sustainable living and believes by 2012 the UK will accept this way of living as mandatory. "“I honestly expect it will happen within 3 years and if the climate reality hasn't sunk into the public consciousness by then, the world is likely to face an irrecoverable crisis.”"

Hillard believes the government should be partially blamed for the public's lack of action towards global warming. “It is all pseudo action - note the airport expansions and the intended approval of nuclear. "I have a signed a Government petition advising they do not know the relative costs of generating electricity from the alternative energy sources.” If I get it, why don't they?"

It's fair to say the government must take responsibility for their actions (or lack there of), especially following their lies surrounding a supposed 21.7% cut in carbon emissions. So without the right leadership or a good example to follow, what will it take for the public to really start to care? Understanding the truth - the reality, which some of us are working to give them.” Hillard believes there are too many lies and contradictions floating around in the media to know what's right and what's wrong. We should be focusing on educating those who don't understand the damaging effects of global warming and trying to persuade the non-believers. Schools should be teaching children about how they can help their future.

Hillard suggests sustainability should be as important a subject as Maths. “He adds, "I will push for it being a sustained subject right across all curriculums. Furthermore, as kids are more computer literate, they will be able to push us older folk in the household”."

So is education and leading by example the answer that will turn the UK into a sustainable living frenzy? Hillard certainly aims to find out and he's opened his house to the public in an attempt to try and show viewers what the house of the future will look like. "One weekend, I had over 300 visitors. I am commissioned to write a book on what can be done to the existing housing stock.”"

Solar room at Tranquility HouseWhat Hillard really wants you to know is how easy it is to change your house, save energy and money. Hillard says "It can be shown that by improving performance, many other systems can be reduced in price and by careful structural design, many costs can be minimized." Arguing the financial justification is also not difficult, but does include 'subsequent' savings, as in reduced detergents and cleaners by using soft water. Adding the saving of buying bottled water (rainwater is about as pure as you can get) further improves the financial performance.”

A major set back in terms of the public's resistance to global warming is a misleading belief that being eco-friendly is expensive. “Hillard tells me "All my solutions are totally cost effective, or they are not solutions I offer and argue for. The media maintain this 'expensive' view especially with such fundamentally bad programmes as 'It Isn't Easy Being Green'." I'll admit that buying organic products is obviously going to cost more than non-organic, but essentially sustainability shouldn't cost anything. I think the media have spun this whole story about how expensive and time-consuming caring for environment is as an excuse for themselves and anyone else who doesn't care.

On the flip side two governments are now suggesting we kill two birds with one stone. “Interestingly both the US and UK are now proposing to environmentally spend our way out of the economic depression! "For more than a decade I have tried to push for us to develop a zero carbon Britain, and had we done it, by now we would have a massive export market and be leading the world.”"

To end, what I've learned from Mike Hillard is that nothing's too difficult if you put your mind (and green fingers) to it. He's an inspiring individual who's made me personally realise it IS easy being green, and I look forward to reading his tell-all book about Tranquillity. So what's the future got in store for the eco-warrior? “My time will be spent singularly trying to help the world.” Not much then!