This Ordinary Life

In today's society people are becoming much more aware of the impacts that they are having on the environment. We have been whipped up into such a frenzy that often practicality flies out the window.

I have noticed a problem arising from paperless billing. As a result of this drive to the internet, there is less and less real world evidence to prove your identity. When all our bills and bank statements go online, how are we ever going to "provide originals of two bills or bank statements"? Also, what do you do when you have to provide evidence from the last couple of
years and your online billing only goes back 12 months? If the answer is to print your online statements every month, then we're simply being hoodwinked into taking on a cost that actually belong to the companies billing us (unless they give you a discount, then I guess it's OK) and the amount of paper being used won't change.

However, still conscious that using less paper is a good thing, I came up with this solution, PDFing... This way you can take advantage of online facilities and still having an ongoing record of your life. Otherwise, if you still want to bleed the companies and get
paper bills, scan and PDF them after they arrive (don't forget to do both side, at at least 300dpi and in colour). If you don't have software already, download a free conversion programme like CutePDF, which works like a PDF printer.

To be safe, store your files in protected folder with encryption such as Winzip to make a backup and also use an online service like XDrive. If you also make PDFs of your passport, important cards and other documents, this can also serve as an emergency source of information when travelling, after a theft or if your house burned down. Just make sure you use good quality passwords like a combination of letters and numbers.

You'll be surprised how much shelf space and unnecessary paper this will save, while making sure that you don't become an Avitar.

Posted by this ordinary life at 9:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Following my recent run in with Lady Fingerbottom, I decided to see if we couldn't better organise our waste and recycling. My upstairs neighbour recently ordered a very handy recycling box with lid and I was hoping to do the same.

Westminster Council proudly declares on their website that they have a 24 hour Environment Action Line, who deal with all environmental and waste related queries. I'll let you decide how successfully the dealt with mine...

"Westminster Environment Action Line, how may I help you?"

"I'd like to order one of the recycling boxes with lids that you provide and find out if I can order a flip top was bin through the Council."

"Oh, sorry, we used to provide those recycling boxes but don't provide them any longer. We only do open topped baskets now"

"That's strange, my upstairs neighbour was delivered a box with lid not two weeks ago."

"Let me take your name and details and I will pass them on to the Recycling Team."

"Ok, why?"

"Because it appears they may still be available..."

"Oh, so you didn't really know whether they were available or not when I asked you?"

Silence....

"Ok, well, can I order a flip top waste bin through the Council then."

"Oh, no, you can't order a bin through the Council. We wouldn't do that."

"Why? Isn't the Council forward thinking and trying to standardise the bins people have to help introduce more efficient means of waste disposal like paying by weight or automated pickups"

"No, that would be too hard and besides people have all different sizes of bins."

"Ah, that's why then. The British seems to use 'too hard' as an excuse for many things. Is that like why other Public Goods like the Tube and Water Mains weren't maintained properly for the last century and now all need to be repair at great expense. Expense that could have been avoided with a bit of forward thinking?"

"It's nothing like that. The Recycling Team won't get back to you today, but will before the end of the next working week."

"Sure, thanks for your assistance and have a good weekend."

Click.

Wonder if I'll get my recycling box with lid...

Posted by this ordinary life at 6:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It has become very trendy to trade on you or your company's "sustainability mojo". Companies across the board are trumpeting how they recycle the odd plastic cup and are undertaking programes to encourage staff to print double sided when actually these are token efforts used to divert attention from the fact that they are dodging initiatives which would make a real difference but require some up front investment.

Personally, I think this is an alarming trend with more an more companies exploiting sustanability without actually contributing to it and still getting brand benefit. When I was at one of the Big 4, it was a real challenge to get environmentally-friendly operational efficiencies introduced. For example, default double-sided printing was vehemently resisted as it was decided that this might infringe on people’s inalienable right to print single-sided and removing people's bins to encourage recycling was seen as being too nazi’esk (this particularly stung as I am German). Whatever happened to the day that people simply did what their companies told them to do or get fired? Is all that we have to show for years of labour reform, a lazy and uncooperative workforce that can’t be fired?

My opinion is that society (let's start with the UK) shouldn’t have the right to choose to be environmentally friendly in the workplace, but be forced to. This is not because I favour dictatorial workplaces, but rather that, in line with previous comments on the inherent laziness of the human race, and the fact that being environmentally friendly is considered by many to be inconvenient, people won’t choose an environmentally course of action by their own free will. Unless, of course, they are already drowning and choking in pollution and trash, at which point it is too late anyway.

It baffles me that anyone, particularly those with children, would consciously behave in a way that has been proven to not only jeopardises their own future, but certainly the future of their children.

So the message is... Get a life, recycle, save energy and don't waste stuff. It doesn't only protect the environment, but will save you and your company (which will hopefully manifest itself in your bonus) a packet.

Posted by this ordinary life at 11:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Someone offered to pay for carbon offsets for me to fly to the New York Marathon in November. I thought this was such a good idea that I will be offsetting all of the quantifiable carbon emissions assocaited with my trip to New York. This will include the flights, taxis, accommodation, etc. and will enable me to do my little part for helping raise awareness of Climate Change and to demonstrate that every individual can do their part.

There are a number of ways that individuals can offset their carbon emissions. A great website that enables you to calculate your impacts and then purchase offsets is Climate Care.

So I'll be running the marathon with some advertising on my outfit announcing that I am running a "Carbon Neutral Marathon".

Of course, if you don't want to run a carbon neutral marathon, there is still plenty that you can do to help reduce your carbon emissions. Some example of what you can do include:

- buy energy efficient light bulbs - they last longer and use up to 80% less electricity than conventional bulbs

- turn your heating and airconditioning down 1 to 2 degrees - this can save 10 - 15% on your heating and cooling bills

- boil water in pots with lids on - no idea exactly how much energy you save, but the water boils faster and with less heat

- ride your bicycle to work rather than driving - you are saving energy and money with every kilometer/mile you ride

- fully turn off your electrical goods - standby uses up to 80% as much as the device actually being on

The list of things you can do is almost endless. If you want some more advice, why not check out some of the following websites:

- The Energy Saving Trust

- The National Energy Foundation

- BBC Climate Change Action Network

Posted by this ordinary life at 8:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Living in a big city can be stressful. London lives up to these expectations and in many cases exceeds them. Probably the worst aspect of living in London s travelling around it particularly when on one's way to work. I have a number of ways to get to work, each with their own quirks... Let me share them with you.

- Take the tube: This theoretically should be the easiest way to get to work. Zooming beneath the city going straight under buildings all sounds good in principle, but isn't in practice. The practicality of travelling by tube involve temperature of up to 50 degrees C, dripping sweat, festering body odour and carriages packs fuller than stock cars. Plus the tube actually doesn't zoom, rather it meanders meaning you are prone to delays. I find this way excruciating and it takes about 45 minutes to get to work.

- Take the bus: I won't waste much time on this mode. Essentially it's like the tube with a view of London. The Number 11 bus goes from the Kings Road all the way through to Liverpool Street and straight past most of the major sights of London. It would be great as a tourist, but a waste of time as a commuter as it takes about 90 minutes to get to work.

- Cycle: I have discussed this one in a previous blog, but in a nutshell it is quite an exhilerating mode of transport in London, which mixes sights, sounds and taking your life in your hands. I quire like this mode and it only takes 25 minutes.

- Run: This is one mode that I am becoming increasingly fond of and with the New York Marathon looming it will hopefully get me in shape. I aim to do this about 3 times a week and with a distance of 9km to cover it is quite challenging. I don't imagine that the exhaust fumes are doing me too much good, but anything to lose the gut. I will have to vary my route on a regular basis, but at 50 minutes is almost matches the tube and by far beats the bus.

If you have any interesting ways of getting to work yourself, why not share them?

Posted by this ordinary life at 9:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

London is a hectic town. Eleven million people eating, sleeping, working and consuming. Part of the hassle of living in London is geting to work. This usually involves cramming yourself into either a bus, train or tube and spending at least a miserable 30 minutes commuting. I did this for four years and then had enough.

In 21st Centry London, where people are concerned with keeping fit, doing their part for Climate Change and avoiding public transport following the London terrorist attacks in July 2005, people are looking at alternative means of getting to work. As a result, you see more and more people walking, running or cycling.

Personally, I live about 9km from work and try to run or cycle whenever possible. Not only is it a great way to get fit without taking extra time to go to the gym (I am preparing for a number of Olympic distance triathlons and the New York Marathon), but particularly in London it will save you up to a bundle. I think in the last 12 months I have saved well over £500($800). Money that in my case will help finance my next bicycle purchase, but perhaps you'd rather spend your savings on a nice trip to the beach?

If you live in any moderately large city, a run or cycle will either be an enjoyable experience (mine takes me past Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square and St. Pauls Cathedral) or a nightmare (I regularly have to take defensive manouvers to avoid being knocked off my bike by a taxi/bus or to avoid a pedestrial with their head in the air). It's a bit like being in a game of Frogger, though the stakes are a bit higher

I find the most employers are very receptive to staff cycling. My last employer had secure lock-up facilities, showers and even a tax-free incentive scheme to help people finance their own bicycle. My new employer has the same, bar the tax-free scheme. Ask your employer how they support cyclists, you may be surprised.

So my advice is, if you want to get fit, spend less time on public transport, do your part for the environment, save money, improve your reflexes... (the list goes on and on), put on your running shoes or hop on your bicycle and you won't regret it (but just make sure you watch out for traffic and pedestrians!)

Posted by this ordinary life at 6:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

London is a hectic town. Eleven million people eating, sleeping, working and consuming. Part of the hassle of living in London is geting to work. This usually involves cramming yourself into either a bus, train or tube and spending at least a miserable 30 minutes commuting. I did this for four years and then had enough.

In 21st Centry London, where people are concerned with keeping fit, doing their part for Climate Change and avoiding public transport following the London terrorist attacks in July 2005, people are looking at alternative means of getting to work. As a result, you see more and more people walking, running or cycling.

Personally, I live about 9km from work and try to run or cycle whenever possible. Not only is it a great way to get fit without taking extra time to go to the gym (I am preparing for a number of Olympic distance triathlons and the New York Marathon), but particularly in London it will save you up to a bundle. I think in the last 12 months I have saved well over £500($800). Money that in my case will help finance my next bicycle purchase, but perhaps you'd rather spend your savings on a nice trip to the beach?

If you live in any moderately large city, a run or cycle will either be an enjoyable experience (mine takes me past Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square and St. Pauls Cathedral) or a nightmare (I regularly have to take defensive manouvers to avoid being knocked off my bike by a taxi/bus or to avoid a pedestrial with their head in the air). It's a bit like being in a game of Frogger, though the stakes are a bit higher

I find the most employers are very receptive to staff cycling. My last employer had secure lock-up facilities, showers and even a tax-free incentive scheme to help people finance their own bicycle. My new employer has the same, bar the tax-free scheme. Ask your employer how they support cyclists, you may be surprised.

So my advice is, if you want to get fit, spend less time on public transport, do your part for the environment, save money, improve your reflexes... (the list goes on and on), put on your running shoes or hop on your bicycle and you won't regret it (but just make sure you watch out for traffic and pedestrians!)

Posted by this ordinary life at 6:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)