I've been trying to make personal use of all the research & new information that I've been collecting for the book. So far I have;
- stopped drinking bottled mineral water
- bought Co-op bank eco-insurance for my (hybrid) car
- instituted an anti-foreign conference policy (if I cant get the train there and its not world-changing I wont go)
It's the last one which will both significantly dent my carbon footprint and my income. But if I didnt do so many conference appearances then I'd have time to more regular work, or indeed have more time to play with my son & eat icecream.
This week I think it's time to switch to a green energy supplier. the trouble is according to the FT we may have run out of available green energy so I may have to go for one which includes home generation or future capacity building.
The other appalling shortfall is on local, seasonal food; it's almost impossible to get in any local shop I've found large or small, so I think it's going to be a box delivery service thing, probably the one to do next week.
It's not about being perfect or even being 'green' in the hippy lifestyle sense, it's just that once you know more you want to do more. I suspect my major contribution to climate change will be if I can influence the business and marketing and creative communities a bit and have a few ideas of my own which make a difference. But you cant neglect the personal thing. It's also actually its brilliant research for my book because it gives me insights into the decision process, triggers & etc.
:J
11 comments:
welcome to blogger! and this is a great project too - best of luck with it all, looking forward to the final product
doug
cheers Doug, the actual book is nearly written in draft, I have a month to edit & shape it so chapters will apear quite thick and fast sometime soon
hi John, good to see the new blog and all (green) power to you!
About local, seasonal produce - yes - and loads of others agree. I live with a book publisher who says 'grow your own veg' has been the surprise bestseller these past months - even before BBC 2's programme of the same name aired.
I've just signed up to this pledge
"I will go to the hassle of switching to a renewable electricity supplier but only if 1,000 other people will do the same."
here
http://www.pledgebank.com/Electric
If anyone reading isnt already a pledgebanker do check it out
:J
John-
The book sounds interesting. Have you looked into/ thought about the economic benefits of going green not just the environmental? Green seems to be more of a marketing tactic/ polish up my brand type of initiative right now- instead of a true business proposition. How do companies turn the corner from making green a cause to driving true business innovation? It seems like low impact, recycled products are still phase 1- what's next?
Adam
yes adam, I agree, it's all about doing both (there are loads of other great books about green issues, this is a business book)
on 'polish up my image' the book is very anti that
(on business grounds as well as backlash ones)
:J
John-
Sounds like really good stuff. Are you going to cover how companies think core capability out instead of green in- i.e. how does a financial company use its aptitudes to make a green impact? This would also be helpful in addition to all of the new green business innovation stuff going on.
Best of luck-
Adam
Thx adam, one thing I'm going to do with your comment is add it to the 50 things (see my last post). Companies should audit their capabilities - current and potential (ie new ways of using existing assets) - and match them to green opportunities.
John
I tried the delivery box, but kept getting stuck with thinking up new receipes for turnips...
We used to trundle from south London to Marylebone Farmers Market every Sunday (by tube!), but now we have one locally, so that works for us instead of the box or the long trip. The market also gives my son to focus in on what he likes. Spartan Apples above all other varieties for him. More or the markets are popping up over London. The food is all local and all seasonal.
Another thought is that sometimes doing one green thing a week involves repeating what you have done the previous week. Sustaining the momentum of change is often harder than trying out something different for the first time.
Great. Love that the next post is about new turnip receipes....probably an insight in there somewhere.
Adam
Hey Paul, welcome aboard. I want to hook you up with someone I met doing similar things with talent & brands (I'll email you separately).
Just to note the 'one green thing a week' is intended to be irreversible change. I've not drunk bottled mineral water (except in one desperate moment at 6am, with hangover in foreign hotel) for five weeks.
I'm right up against the deadline for one thing this week; I'm hoping online electricity supplier change forms work 24/7.
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