Andrews [sic] blog on his heating regime has prompted me to write my own perspective on keeping warm (http://drandrewthomas.tumblr.com/post/66213665700/having-a-bit-of-a-cold-tonight-ive-had-the)

When I read his piece it generated an emotional reaction from me along the lines of ‘how sanctimonious; good for him but I am not going to be following suit’. Now I freely admit that this is quite a shocking admission from somebody who purports to champion ‘sustainable development’ and I decided to explore why I feel this way. Continue reading →

The Welsh Government is in the process of introducing legislation which will “develop and strengthen our approach to sustainable development in Wales”. It has recently published responses to its consultation document (http://wales.gov.uk/consultations/sustainabledevelopment/sdbill/?lang=en#). As I reflected on its content I was challenged by a friend to have a look at what the Swiss are up to.

In this blog I invite you to view extracts from the 72 page Swiss Federal Council’s Sustainable Development Strategy 2012-2015, the fourth in a series (the first was published in 1997). The full document which includes an Action Plan – or even its shortened 16 page summary – is well worth a read. Especially for anyone who believe that we might be creating a rod for our own backs by legislating for sustainable development ‘in these tough economic times’ and who might be looking in the wrong places for their inspiration. http://www.are.admin.ch/themen/nachhaltig/00262/00528/index.html?lang=en Continue reading →