I’ve had the immense pleasure of conversing with Anders Lorenzen, a UK environmentalist and Founder and Editor of a greener life, a greener world, a successful, progressive blog that posts articles on environmental impact and climate change. Evergreen Promotions tries to improve the world around them, and he gave us worthwhile words to follow.
Here was our interview:
Q: What are you currently doing to combat climate change and what practices do you follow?
A: I have cut out meat and most animal products from my diet, I walk wherever I can or take public transport. I only buy products I really need that are being produced in a sustainable way. I talk about climate change and try to make it part of the conservation whenever possible, including through a greener life, a greener world.
Q: What suggestions do you have for a company trying to become more sustainable regarding its internal practices?
A: If you can employ a CSR team; if there’s no budget for it put together a volunteer CSR team that can research and look into what can be done in your business who can also lobby the management for a budget for sustainability activities.
Q: What do you feel are the best material options to provide to consumers (cotton, recycled plastic, recycled paper, etc)?
A: It really depends on what for.
Q: Is plastic ever a “green” option?
A: Again it really depends on what for. Single-use plastic is bad but plastics are found in almost every component of our daily life, including in green technology. We should focus on creating long-lasting durable plastic products; when the end of their lifespan arrives we need to make sure that they can and will be recycled.
Q: What organizations should we look to for validating and certifying that our products are truly “green” (that they help promote a sustainable future)?
A: Depends on the product, Greenpeace produces a good guide on the environmental footprint of tech products for instance.
Q: Global Warming – a political trigger word or a real thing? How do we combat the nonbelievers?
A: Engage but don’t waste your time going round in circles with them, they are a small and declining group. Instead, focus your attention on people who do accept climate change is real but might not think it is that big of an issue. Use reasoned and fact-based science and eg. avoid sharing highly emotive memes you find on social media which are unlikely to be fact-based.
Q: Can one person make a difference?
A: Absolutely. Companies have to change how things are being done, policies will need to change but individuals also have a huge role to play. Some argue that we need to end capitalism before we can address this issue, but this is in my view a false argument and only delays action. Look at the’ no flying’ movement that is already having a huge impact on the aviation industry. Moving your pension and savings out of bank and funds that invest in fossil fuels and investing them in climate positive projects will have a huge impact. Cutting meat back from your diet will help too.
Source: A Greener Life A Greener World
Q: Promotional product companies are going green, much like us. Do we really help, considering we still transport products via trucks and vans, further putting carbon in the air? What about biodegradable plastic?
A: Yes, you can’t do all at once but every little bit helps. It might not be enough to change the world but you’re creating a case for sustainable businesses that will encourage other companies to do more.
Q: Just because people aren’t buying plastic and going eco-friendly, doesn’t mean companies won’t stop manufacturing these plastic products. Are boycotts and shifts in purchases helping or are companies harming even if people don’t buy them?
A: I’m a strong believer in market demand; if enough people change their buying behaviour these companies will have to change or go out of business, look at how all the big food giants are developing plant-based products, fossil fuel giants are investing in renewables and electric car infrastructure, etc.
Q: There hasn’t been legislation in America within the Trump Administration that helps combat climate change. Has the UK? How could we follow their example?
A: Obama actually introduced some good climate policies but the Trump Administration are doing everything in their power to dismantle them. In the UK and Europe, decent climate policies have meant that coal is rapidly disappearing and many believe the industry is about to collapse. While Trump doesn’t want to do anything on this issue it is encouraging to see how individual States are stepping up. A really good thing to do would be to enact a national carbon tax.
Source: A Greener Life A Greener World
Q: For Fun: Apparently cows farting contributed to harmful carbon emissions in the air. Is this true?
A: I believe it is actually methane which is a greenhouse gas which is more short-lived than CO2 but 25 times as powerful.
Source: A Greener Life A Greener World
Final Thoughts
For more insight on what we discussed, you can follow Anders Lorenzon on Twitter @Alorenzen and read his blog at agreenerworldagreenerlife.com.