The Government published its annual report last week lauding the growth of the UK’s green economy – apparently the green goods and services market is now worth £122bn and the low carbon economy now employs almost one million people. Continue Reading

This passed me by last year but is back this coming weekend for its second incarnation. I’m talking about the UK Green Film Festival, which will be screening films from around the world that explore some of the big environmental issues of the day. Continue Reading

Have you heard of Ray Anderson? Up until recently, I hadn’t. However since his death in August 2011 I have not only learnt a lot about him, but come to admire him greatly. Why?

Ray Anderson was an extremely active and successful environmentalist, which, given his commercial background, is unusual to say the least. In his late thirties, he founded InterfaceFLOR, a commercial carpet-tile manufacturing business. By the time of his death, it was turning over $1 billion a year and employing 5,000 people around the world. Continue Reading

So-called “green guilt” appears to be contagious – and I am one of the afflicted.

My research for The Human Race ten years ago prompted my interest in the green movement. Ever since, I have struggled with the green guilt of my CO²-laden life and its impact on our planet. A lot of my friends and family seem to have battled with that same feeling. One or two have even become eco warriors.  For many, however, their green guilt appears to have waned over the years. Many friends have, one by one, given up the ghost and returned to their old ways.

As for me: I waiver constantly. Yesterday I realised why.

For the human race, living a green life is, was and always will be about poverty. When I was poor my life was infinitely, albeit unintentionally, greener. Take transport. I caught the bus or cycled everywhere. I didn’t own a car until I was 25. I shared a house with three of my friends and we holidayed in Wales or the Dales. I bought second-hand clothes and taped my music. I shopped at Asda.

However as I became richer, I became more wasteful. Continue Reading