British Wind Energy is with us today and we always pride ourselves on going that extra mile in Liverpool to welcome our visitors. So our delegates may feel very much at home with strong winds that are probably realising the top speed of 23 knots, coming down the Mersey.
Here’s an interesting fact. Did you know that some wind turbines actually, as a safety feature, stop turning if it gets too windy?
Now our wind turbines and our green credentials were a significant factor in securing this piece of business but is it really that simple? Are we tired of fighting the green corner in our industry? It’s a hard fight; we all operate huge, gas guzzling buildings for starters.
We can’t always get it right; it is a tough challenge even with a new building and all the latest environmental features. So let’s not beat ourselves up about it too much.
I can’t even get it right at home. I am my own little eco-warrior, always have been, but here’s a challenge: my cleaner.
I was quickly put in my place when Jen started. One look in the cupboard and out went the eco cleaners – “I want ‘proper ones,” she said.
I’m a little frightened of Jen. She’s a feisty Scouser and you don’t mess with these women at any level. So I capitulated. Lily-livered, yellow-bellied, I capitulated. So much for principles.
Jen is now affectionately known as ‘Chemical Ali’. Not only does she insist on ‘proper’ cleaners, she goes through them like the devil. How much cleaning fluid can one woman get through? An awful lot it would seem and that’s just my house, not even a large, multipurpose venue!
So, while we as an industry acknowledge environmental issues as important perhaps we have a sense of despair and ennui. Perhaps we tire of talking about it? Perhaps we wonder how can we ever get there?
Pile on the guilt further with our desperate need for lucrative international business and the carbon footprint that that involves; you could be nearly suicidal!
Well, I can’t even achieve it at home it would seem. All my recycling, growing my own veg, my worm farm etc can’t negate the effect of ‘Chemical Ali’. So, my friends, accept that you can’t do everything but celebrate what you can do.
And where am I writing this? 6am, on a lonely station in the middle of Cheshire, cancelling a day of appointments. I am freezing cold and all because I decided to do the right thing and leave my car at home and use public transport to catch the train to London, a train I have now missed as the village bus runs to its own, unique, timetable.
It’s great to be green!
