INTRODUCTION FROM THE EDITOR HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY ENVIRONMENT INDUSTRY MAGAZINE Welcome to the latest Environment Industry Magazine. This issue marks three years since Environment Industry Magazine first rolled off the printing press. We have taken this celebration as an opportunity to give the magazine a birthday makeover and, thanks to our graphic design team, who have really pulled out all the stops; I think this is one of best we have ever published. It is hard to believe that Environment Industry Magazine is three years old already and it’s exciting to think how far we have come in such a short period of time and that our passion and drive for the magazine is still as strong as it was on day one. We have been very lucky with the commitment from our readers and advertisers, and we wouldn’t have got off the starting blocks without the efforts of the people who have given their time to write for the magazine. We have had some of the most influential people in the environment sector contributing to the magazine, committing their thoughts and ideas to paper for us, making Environment Industry Magazine the voice of the industry and long may it continue. Just a quick reminder, we are always looking for editorial contributors so if you have something to say please email alex@environmentmagazine. co.uk. On a separate and less encouraging note we have just witnessed the damp squib that was Rio +20 We have been looking forward to the 20th anniversary of the Earth Summit in Rio and this should have been the call to arms that put the environment back on the map and brought the global leaders together to update and improve their commitments made at the original earth summit. In this time of global financial difficulty, a firm commitment to seriously reduce our impact on the environment would have gone a long way to kick starting the green economy. However, the general consensus is that, although an agreement was made, it has done little to affect the slow predicted trajectory for change. It seems that from all quarters there is disappointment regarding the outcome of the summit. Trying to get 180 heads of state to come to an understanding on anything is
going to be tough (we find it difficult to find common ground between two political parties) but we all have a vested interest in the ability of the environment to support the us and without significant global commitment to sustainable development and investment in green economies our time is running out. Global politics are preventing sustainable future. We cannot rely on politicians to solve the problems for us. It is we, the people, who will determine the future by our actions. One of the biggest obstacles facing us is education, there are too many mixed messages and too much rhetoric. The concept of climate change and carbon has muddied the environmental waters; these problems are so vast and have so many conflicting viewpoints that it is difficult for many people to understand them and it is easy to disagree with or ignore the issues because we have become accustomed to discussing climate change as an opinion rather that a certainty. We need a cohesive plan to ensure that everyone has access to straightforward simple information on their impact on the environment. Only then can we seriously make any inroads into solving the problems we face. The last list of 10 simple rules that we live our lives by have lasted for thousands of years; maybe a set of environmental commandments, which everyone adheres to could give the simple message we are looking for? Why reinvent the wheel? Send in your suggestions for environmental commandments and we will put the choices to a vote and publish the top 10. Tweet to @envindmagazine or email commandments@ environmentmagazine.co.uk I look forward to seeing your suggestions
Alex Stacey Managing Editor
Environment Magazine Limited, 254a Bury New Road, Whitefield, Manchester, M45 8QN
Alex Stacey Tel: 0161 3410158 Fax: 0161 7668997 Email: alex@environmentmagazine.co.uk
Every effort is made to verify all information published, but Environment Industry Magazine cannot accept responsibility for any errors or omissions or for any losses that may arise as a result. Opinions expressed in articles do not necessarily reflect those of Environment Magazine Limited. Environment Industry Magazine welcomes contributions for publication. Submissions are accepted on the basis of full assignment of copyright to Environment Magazine Limited unless otherwise agreed in advance and in writing. We reserve the right to edit items for reasons of space, clarity or legality.
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