Responding to the challenges caused by changes to our climate, people are increasingly turning to technology and innovation for solutions.
Ericsson’s recent report, 10 Hot Consumer Trends: Life in a Climate-Impacted Future, released on January 16, 2023, shows how consumers are impacted and how they’re responding.
The report covers ten emerging trends along with statistics, revealing how technology use is shifting because of climate change.
The Overall Picture
Despite societal changes expected to take place in the next decade, people will continue to go to school, earn incomes, take care of loved ones, and find time to fit in some fun. Increasingly, they will rely on connected digital devices to adapt to coming changes while trying to maintain normalcy in their daily lives.
Key Statistics
Consulting with 15,145 early adopters of digital assistants, VR (virtual reality), and AR (augmented reality) technology across 30 cities worldwide, Ericsson uncovered these statistics.
- 59% believe technological innovation is necessary to solve coming challenges
- 63% worry about higher costs of living
- 54% feel global warming will directly impact their day-to-day lives
- 68% would plan their days based on reducing energy costs
- 45% would use personalized weather warning systems
- 72% believe AI will help plan commutes and work tasks to reduce carbon footprints
- 46% plan to capture clean rainwater with smart water catchers
- 65% see energy becoming a form of currency
- 73% envision using AR glasses to go on virtual trips
Ten Trends
One: Cutting Costs
As prices for daily necessities rise, consumers will use digital services to cut costs. Personal electricity consumption monitors will help reduce household energy consumption. Digital recipe assistants will monitor food prices and suggest balanced, economical meals.
Two: Relying on the Internet
Demand for Internet reliance will grow to stay connected with family, friends, school, and work. Consumers will expect secure communications services. The Internet will become vital for accessing information during weather events.
Three: Optimizing Schedules
Energy availability – not time – will be considered to optimize activity schedules. Energy costs will be prioritized over time efficiency.
Four: Depending on AI
Using AI for increased safety will become commonplace, with people turning to AI for real-time advice in extreme weather. AI services will be used for green technology investing for financial security.
Five: Changing Work Routines
Working from home at least part-time will continue, with digital services used to schedule workdays. Flex schedules can distribute energy use across regions to avoid sharp peaks of electricity consumption.
Six: Using Smart Water Services
To prevent water scarcity and reduce costs, intelligent water catchers on roofs and balconies will capture clean rainwater. Built-in sensors at home will monitor water consumption.
Seven: Turning Energy into Currency
Consumers will switch to renewable energy sources, and power-saving technologies will grow in demand. Early adopters see opportunities to make money by generating their own electricity.
Eight: Shopping Digitally
Buying digital products will increase while buying physical goods will decrease. Hobbies, toys, games, and pastimes will go online. AI that questions unnecessary purchases will be used.
Nine: Travelling Virtually
VR will be used to travel without leaving home. Realistic nature experiences of hiking in a forest or rowing on a lake can be recreated in living rooms.
Ten: Protecting Against Cheaters
Some consumers will try to bypass environmental restrictions by hacking the system and tapping into neighbors’ reserves. People will need to secure their water and electricity supplies to protect themselves from being hacked.
