new job

On Friday I went for an interview.
They wanted me, which surprised me.
I pondered the offer and went back on Sunday for a chat and a walk around their woodland.
I then started feeling this was something I should be doing.
More and more I was thinking of ways that I could be involved even if I wasn't working there.
And then I realised that it was all a sign that I should be saying 'yes'.
So I did.
Another surprise is that it feels right.
Or as Christians would say 'I have a peace about it'.
What is this job you ask?
Well here are the details:
I shall be working full time for the Green Light Trust based at Lawshall, Bury St Edmunds.
I can work flexibly so be in the office twice a week, on the road once a week, at home for 2 days.
My job title will be Education Development Manager.
I will probably be starting 4th May and for those of you who know about these things, I will be managing the Forest Schools work that the GLT do.

I wonder whether they'll keep reading this blog now they know me and have offered me the job? :)

7th December- A White Christmas

The UN summit on climate change is opening today in Copenhagen with 15,000 delegates representing 192 countries. We will all be watching and waiting to see if they can come up with anything revolutionary to stem the increasing global temperatures. In the meantime, it becomes less and less likely that we will have a Christmas that looks anything like the picture above. And though it's great to point the finger at industry and heavy energy consumers, the best way to make an impact is through small, individual changes. Just a thought but the number one way to make an impact on global warming as an individual is by not having children. The second biggest impact is by not eating meat. For those that would find that impossible you could always try Meat Free Mondays as a step in the right direction.

Spending will save us all

Interesting quotes from this BBC article on the pros and cons of spending include:

"A splurge at M&S's one-day sale is the socially responsible thing to do, like buying bonds in the war."
"And it's worth remembering that we used to enjoy a buy nothing day every week of the year. It was called Sundays."

Neil Boorman, author of Bonfire of the Brands

"I am fundamentally libertarian. I will never be able to afford a yacht but I like to live in a world where some people have yachts."

Lucia van der Post, founder of the Financial Times' glossy magazine How To Spend It

"Every time you shop, ask yourself, 'Does this purchase support or negate the type of change I want to see in the world? Is this purchase life-affirming or soul-draining.'"

Amanda Ford, author of Retail Therapy: Life Lessons Learned While Shopping

"You see families at shopping centres - it's like an outing."

Michael Gutteridge, a business and social psychologist

"It's a bit like a drug. If you suddenly come off a drug you have cold turkey. You have to wean people off after many years."

Prof John Sloman, director of the Economics Network based at the University of Bristol.

E-Day

Apparently 27-28th February was E-Day- a day for people and businesses to go out of their way to cut consumption of electricity. I knew nothing about this.
It would appear that not very many people knew about it either as consumption went up by 0.1% that day instead of down. What a shame!
Let's hope that Earth Hour 2008 has more publicity and a bigger impact.

Carrier bag amnesty

Apparently the average person in the UK uses 290 plastic carrier bags a year. If you click on this link and then on the top video story you will see a group of people giving out home made fabric bags free to people to encourage them to give up using plastic carriers. I thought that was a good idea. I fancy doing that myself...

Mr Beane- legend!

During the week, I think I was slightly controversial at our church's prayer meeting. During the pre-prayer conversation, the others in my group were talking about how Christians are unfairly treated in favour of other religions and how university CU's are being victimised. One person said we should be a people who stand and make a fuss about these things. I disagreed. I think Christians are good at whining in this way and I think this contributes to the bad press we get. I said we should stand up and make a fuss about the things that are really important like slavery and world poverty and be known for our positive stand on issues rather than moaning about things (look at the Jerry Springer case in particular).

What a refreshing change to read about Mr Beane (no, not Rowan Atkinson!) well actually I guess he's actually the Reverend Beane, the Spixworth vicar who is quoted in the Evening News article:

“This whole idea about environmental concern is a really Christian belief.

“We believe we had a God who created the Universe and then gave to humanity this creation to care for.

“We are the stewards of creation and have to care for it, but sometimes we don't make a very good job. In our own small ways we can make a difference and together we can make a big difference.”

Case in point. What a positive way to deal with such a serious issue and what a witness. Mr Beane- legend!