A positive start 2010 – 10:10

If we assume that there is something real about global warming (and the University of East Anglia have just muddied the water?) then we should do something.

I readily accept that my car and trips to New York are my failings, but I do use my bike (when it’s not snowing). I also try to ensure that the new buildings I am involved in try to reduce their carbon footprint. We have some technology now that was not around a few years ago. My colleague blogged about the poor performance of my local hospital here.

But there can also be a more dramatic reason (other than saving the planet) to cut down – money!

One of my clients has talked about how he can negotiate ‘cheap’ fuel – through bulk buying. But what he can’t do is change peoples behaviour. People leave lights, copiers, printers & computers on. We need to change our behaviours.

A great campaign has been launched – called 10:10. Hopefully the campaign will be successful – we get to find out in a year! What is great about it is the simplistic message:

It’s simple: We all cut our carbon by 10% this year. You, me, that bloke walking his dog outside, your work, your kids’ school, the council, the church, the chip shop. Everyone.

It is a wide ranging campaign too – aimed at business, people, organisations and education. It is really easy to join and there are some really good materials on the site.

In case you wondered what I have done – I have switched off the two photocopiers in the office and air-conditioning in my office this morning. Small things – but a start. I also put some posters up in the office (they are next to the new “Goats in Trees” 2010 Calendar.

I have blogged before about some work I am doing with a Nottingham start-up – Outerarc. They have developed a brilliant interface to interrogate energy use data and display it , in real time. But, more importantly, with messages to building users. Two of the buildings I manage are being used for the system – see them here.

So – a positive start to 201 – lets all sign up to 10:10 … and save the planet / money! Sign up here. You will be in good company…

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