Confessions of a Radical Industrialist (Jan 11)
I’ve just finished reading Ray Anderson’s Confessions of a Radical Industrialist. It’s the inspirational story of how Ray turned his billion dollar company around to become one of the leading green corporations in the world. In 1994, when he had what he describes as an ‘epiphany’, he says that Interface was a company ‘so oil intensive you […]
Is the Green Deal a Good Deal? No! (Nov10)
This week I went to a Green Monday event, held in the offices of Merrill Lynch, the theme of this well attended evening was ‘The Energy Bill – The Green Deal’. This Bill is due to go before parliament by the end of this year, but is still in its formative stages. We heard from Patrick […]
Bristol Council are wheelchair crazy (Sept10)
I told the taxi driver at Bristol station that I didn’t want to go with him because his taxi was too big. But I had no option because he was first in line. The driver was actually quite sympathetic to my concerns – based on the fact that bigger cars are less fuel efficient. […]
Poem – The Poor Old Humble Plastic Bag (May10)
I gave a speech this week at the Plastics and Films Association (PAFA) annual lunch. ‘Films’, as in ‘plastic films’, I should point out because a number of people have been confused. The 200 strong audience at the Dorchester Hotel were particularly appreciative when I said that plastic bags were better for the environment than […]
My goldfish died along with Labour – Here’s my coalition manifesto (May10)
Zac Goldsmith, formerly editor of the Ecologist, gets elected in Richmond Chris Huhne – New Minster for Energy and Environment Caroline Lucas – the first Green MP in the UK My goldfish died in the night. I’ve posthumously named him ‘Gordon’. It seems rather propitious that their floundering exit coincided. And […]
I’m not supporting fuel price campaign (Mar10)
I received a round robin email this week. It was launching a protest campaign about the price of fuel. The allegation was that although the current price of oil is low, the price at the pump is high – hitting 114.9 per litre in some areas. And the worry is that this will soon mount […]
Green death – Will water replace fire in crematoria? (Feb10)
I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about green death – and what I’d like done with my remains when I die. The idea of being eaten by vultures or other wild animals has always held some appeal. But I’ve recently come across a more practical alternative – that’s pretty environmentally friendly too. My main […]
Hong Kong was dirty (Dec09)
Photo I took of the smog in Hong Kong – it should have been a sunny day! Air conditioning in Hong Kong is having a huge impact on climate change Kowloon Christmas tat in street market We flew through a brownish smog as we descended into Hong Kong airport. During my four days in […]
Amsterdam declaration – Club of Rome conference (Nov09)
Club of Rome conference delegates Gorbachev looking a bit grim, arriving at Club of Rome conference Gorbachev was the most high profile speaker but others on the platform included the former Dutch Prime Minister Ruud Lubbers, a former Chilean President, as well as leading lights from the environmental world, such as Jim Hansen, Gunter […]
Briefing paper on carbon footprinting and carbon labeling (Oct09)
Proctor & Gamble asked me to write a briefing paper on carbon footprinting, which I think is a good thing and carbon labeling which I don’t. There’s also a video of me talking about this issue. “Thanks for the excellent factsheet on carbon footprinting and labeling – it’s great work!” Ioannis Hatzopoulos, P&G – Dec08
Bottled water – Eau de Vie or ‘Eau de tap’ (Jul09)
I was invited to eat a ‘Water-Rich Menu’ at Quo Vadis in Soho. The host was Nicholas Stanley, Managing Director of Eau de Vie. Although his new enterprise is all about water, he seemed quite surprised when I – and a number of the other guests – declined the champagne in favour of water. But […]
Pig heaven (Jun09)
A friend of mine called Sarah has bought three not so little piglets. They’re only 9 weeks old but already quite porky. They’re also rather endearing and very friendly – snuffling and snorting around their wooded enclosure. One of the piglets has been nick-named ‘rotavator’ because he seems to be particularly good at turning over […]