Joi de vivre... Montpellier

Took a Carbon Neutral trip to my favourite French city earlier in February.

Montpellier has always struck me a future facing place, not scared to re-model and re-new itself based on the needs of its citizens.

From the graceful and considered re-work of the central "Place de la Comedie" for the tram system built in 2000, to the traffic free weekends (aided by it's public bike hire system), it's a city I admire for joined up thinking.

On a cold tourist free weekend it was a vibrant hub of commerce, culture and humanity of every sort.

Sadly we missed an exhibition of Eco Friendly Architecture at the town hall, but it did make me dream of one day living in one of Europe's oldest centre's of education.

Radical change can be graceful, ecological and commercially sustainable with brave and effective planning.

Good grief...

Started to reach out today.

No pomp - just a bit more circumstance from here on.

If anyone finds this useful or interesting - come and find me @ www.twitter.com/groundsearow

It's been a while...

Back front of mind.

Found my way to Low Carbon Community this evening and then onto 10:10.

Great organisations, great intentions.

Hadn't heard of either until this evening, doubtless been publicised in one of the many worthy tomes my unintended homage to "brand Britain" has kept me from these past months, but pleased I have found them anyway.

I'm fairly sure that me and my guys have been reducing the most offensive of our emissions (ahem) over successive years, but it's good to have targets to abide by.

I suppose the reality is we are one of many trying in our own insignificant (but no less worthy) way to make a difference and be responsible, but it brings me back to the consistent themes this blog.

How to accelerate a significant global change in environment and ethics, that doesn't rely on politicians, negative activism (love it though I do) or reward corporate "Green Wash".

Is it too simplistic to apply say we can buy the change we all need just by supporting the most environmentally and ethically "good" business for any purchase we make?

I fervently believe that IS the simple solution (along with actually buying less of everything)... it just has to be communicated effectively by educated stakeholders in the conversation.

Knowledge, advocacy and social media are the tools for communicating change.

Remind me how to use them again somone, please?

OK then, I'll DIY.