Alan’s blog
August 08
Some pretty big topics to talk about this month but they are on my mind at the moment because of work I am doing with some global clients...
The road to Copenhagen
It might seem a bit early to be getting worked up for Copenhagen 2009 but already there's a momentum building towards this final round of negotiations which will shape and finalise Kyoto 2.
Business support is seen as critical to giving national leaders the confidence to be bold and so far the pro-active businesses are supportive, but there’s a concern that the impact of the economic downturn could have a detrimental effect. There are loads of organisations which want to be seen as hosting a leadership coalition of businesses to lobby for bold targets but it would be better if some initiatives get together with a common narrative and joint statements to scale up their power and their profile.
The perfect storm of food security, fuel security and land use
The growing demands for new forms of fuel (whether driven by low carbon, fuel independence or geology) with a growing, sometimes more affluent, population has led to an unprecedented demand on rural land. Prices are shooting up. This is more a factor of economic success rather than climate change as more people want more things. If left unchecked, climate change will continue to accelerate.
The debate around peak oil is hotting up with the pessimists beginning to win the intellectual tug of war. This means new forms of fuels so this is another reason to prepare for sustainable bio-fuels despite the thirst for rejection of this alternative.
Keep in touch with the continuing debate on who decides what is grown, how it is grown, how much and how we maintain the underlying biological processes that maintain land and keep soil healthy and productive.
Soil as a climate saviour
I was lucky enough to have a sneak preview of an essay fantastically written by internationally acclaimed scientist, explorer and conservationist, Tim Flannery. His essay is cram packed with fascinating theories but one that caught my eye was all about the importance of soil in storing and sequestrating carbon. He talks about increasing the yield of agricultural and pastoral land while at the same time sequestering carbon – creating an ecological 'magic pudding'. Specifically he describes the process of pyrolysis which results in energy generation, soil improvement and the permanent withdrawal of carbon from the atmosphere, all at the same time.
I predict that there's going to be a much more prominent focus on soil in the future with the knowledge and science around soil needing to increase exponentially.
Blogs are not the places to get into these topics in huge detail because of lack of space but I hope they raise a few debates in your corner of the world.
June 2008
It's been a head spinning two weeks, the media full of stories about food and fuel prices. Signs that the current system is beginning to feel the strain. Feeding and fuelling the economy for six billion people is highly complex and our desire to grow our own fuel means food is competing for the same soil. I find this new level of complexity challenging for my work with companies - just what can they do? I sat through a six hour long meeting agreeing 12 basic principles that would make bio-fuels more sustainable - food security was one principle but it is a public policy matter.
All is not gloom and doom - I visited an organic farm, the farmer enthusiastically explained the benefits to his farm and wildlife of the organic system. "System" was they key word, as a customer I buy organic potatoes but a farmer manages a system of rotation between different crops and lifestock. It was all to do with clover and nitrogen! I have always been a convert of organics but I left understanding more and even more loyal to this way of eating. At its most simple, it is about working with nature and not against it.
Following the ban of patio heaters from Chelsea Flower Show, today I saw a one page ad in the Mail reminding people about the energy rating label for homes. That label was a recommendation made by a think tank I chaired back in 2002. Six years on it’s gaining traction.
My point is this, from the quagmire of complexity comes some simple solutions, not enough but solutions are possible, so overall, it's good news!
May 2008
The cliché - glass half full and half empty - rings true this month. Patio heaters banned from Chelsea flower show… FSC labels on virtually all loos rolls at Tesco… environment being on the news all the time. But also many frustrations… some people celebrate the demise of almost compulsory carrier bags from supermarkets, others say that the carrier bag issue is a side show, and not materially important. I smile at the irony that the noise created by the people saying that carrier bags have dominated the news too much, ended up creating a story that dominated the news!
I have also seen some tectonic shifts. I spoke at the British Retail Consortium’s Environment conference. I saw a real shift in thinking – three years ago all the talk was eco-labels and back of store cardboard recycling. The BRC is now embracing deeper thinking. Choice editing, they agree, is the way forward – wow, not giving the customers the choice. These are big shifts and should give us hope. This new form of thinking is world wide. I was speaking at a conference for the grocery trade in Australia – they are not far behind us.
Wyevale’s focus on the environment was also a highlight – they launched a small trial of flower pot recycling banks in a few stores. TV coverage gave it a real boost. Encouraging them to roll this out should be straight forward. I sense things are changing. In my work I no longer argue about the business case, more it’s the complexity and lack of top level political will that’s the issue. But they are all connected – so let’s go into summer with the summer glass of Pimms half full.
Alan
July 2007
What a month, the world gathered to listen to rock stars telling us how serious climate change is and it rained and it rained. Live Earth did not impress me. I think those who get it, did not need a rock concert and those who are not convinced, just enjoyed a rock concert. People have heard enough. What we need are the big bold commitments to drive change. We have had the worst floods known to the UK. Thousands without electricity or clean water, homes ruined and soaring insurance claims. The media debated whether this was a natural freak weather event or a sign of the future. Scientists and politicians see it as a sign of the future and I think they are really beginning to worry! Climate change is not just longer and hotter summers but the occasional wet, and we mean wet, summers too. My favourite “patio heaters” hit the front pages – the Energy Saving Trust launched a report saying what most already know, they are inefficient and pointless. I am so proud of the decision of Wyevale (one of my clients). Wyevale was the first retailer to commit to not ordering anymore. They have some still in stock, but they will sell through. The Telegraph has gone very green, on the 25th the front page was “Floods”, “Patio heaters” and “Food prices due to soar...because of floods”.
Whilst the UK was under water David Cameron was in Africa – poverty is the other great challenge facing the planet. The Tory leader is right to make this part of his agenda – the timing of his trip however was unlucky. Organising a tour of Africa would have taken months and loads of logistics, cancelling at the last moment would have been devastating for his hosts, but going had the inevitable backlash!
Am I green? Almost, I seldom use my car, I do all the other stuff, even tried Asda carbon neutral eggs this week. My challenge is to get fitter, it is becoming clear to me that just keeping fit and eating the right foods is vital for me but also for a healthier planet (see my article), but I need to practise what I preach.
15 stone 5lbs – need to lose 1 stone!