VIEW, Issue 57, 2020
www.viewdigital.org
Page 33
Geraldine Noe loves to sing songs from hit musicals as she cycles to work
‘Climate crisis is our biggest challenge’ Geraldine Noe, head of the environment for Business in the Community, tells VIEW editor Brian Pelan that there can be no return to the ‘old normal’ Brian: Can you tell me a little about yourself and present role at Business in the Community? Geraldine: I am the head of environment for Business in the Community (BITC) in Northern Ireland. I have a background in sustainability consultancy. I moved to Belfast last September and I started my present position in January. My role within BITC is to both support and challenge businesses to be more environmentally friendly and sustainable. What was the effect of the pandemic on you and Business in the Community? Everybody worked from home. We were impacted because we put people and organisations together. We organise things like employees going into schools or for students to visit companies; we also organise a lot of events and training courses. Most of our work is aimed at putting people in the same room, so, obviously, the pandemic has affected us. It has also accelerated all the digital things we were planning to do. On a personal level, I hate working from home, so I can’t wait to go back to the office. What are the challenges facing the environment in a post Covid-19 world? The biggest challenge that I see is that climate was very high on the agenda of organisations and governments in 2019, thanks to Extinction Rebellion and the school strikes. And then Covid-19
happened. We must not forget about the climate because it’s a potential crisis that could have far more serious implications than the pandemic. Should we return to the ‘old normal’ or should we adopt new economic strategies for a ‘new normal’? I completely agree with Professor John Barry from Queen’s University, who said: “Covid-19 has ruined the future, but that’s fine because it wasn’t a great future to start with.” This crisis has shown us that the planet can heal when we work collectively towards something. But it has also shown us that the greenhouse gas emissions have not dropped that much. Individual actions such as taking fewer flights using more public transport, or working from home is important, but we need collective action; we need governments and businesses to act. We shouldn’t go back to the ‘old normal’, we need a ‘new normal’. How will BITC deal with the many economic forecasts which predict huge job losses because of the pandemic? We will probally see a drop in our membership, but we must also continue to focus on how we bring value to our existing membership. Business want to build back responsibly – we’re here to help them. If the government focuses on a green recovery, there will be new jobs. Have you had much success in
getting businesses in Northern Ireland to back a green agenda? We want to challenge and support businesses in Northern Ireland to address the climate emergency. We want firms to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and to support our climate action pledge. We have witnessed a good reaction to our campaign so far. Do you think there is still a vibrant future for the high street given the huge rise in online shopping? It is a concern. I believe it’s imporant to have lively cities, towns and villages. Also, as witnessed during the lockdown. people need human interaction.You can’t get that online. Are you optimisic or pessimistic about the future? I’m an optimist. And finally, your profile, on the Business in the Community website, says: “In her spare time, you will find Geraldine singing musicals on her bicycle or on a perpetual search for the perfect cup of coffee.” Do you care to elaborate on this description? I cycle to work every day. I love to sing songs from musicals as I pedal, such as the hits from Grease. My favourite cup of coffee can be found at Output Espresso on the Lisburn Road in Belfast.