Minister's passion for environmental change

02/04/2008

PHIL Woolas MP, Minister for the Environment, met with North East Chamber of Commerce members recently. They were impressed by his openness and passion for climate change.

In his previous role he was involved in change at a different level – the local government review which will see Durham and Northumberland move from two tiers of councils to one single authority for each county.

We are now close to the election of the first county-wide shadow authorities. Two different areas for one guy but both crucial to our future.

Mr Woolas is taking his commitment to the environment seriously by supporting the “Drink tap – save lives!” campaign as the bottled versus tap water debate rages on.

He thinks it’s crazy to transport a bottle of water around the world given the high quality of water coming through the taps.

My view may be biased as I work for Northumbrian Water, but drinking tap water avoids the impact of bottles on the environment and should be cheaper too although I accept that it is a personal choice to drink either. Terry Layborne, as one of the country’s leading chefs and one of the North East’s most successful businessmen, has also backed the campaign which encourages people to drink tap water in restaurants.

The minister also launched a carbon calculator which totals the carbon you use according to your water consumption. Everyone in the region has a responsibility, now more than ever, to protect and enhance the environment by monitoring their carbon.

This needn’t come at a cost. Many actions to improve efficiency in a business such as reducing water and other utility consumption usually has an impact on reducing costs.

For example, using mains-fed water coolers rather than bottled water dispensers helps the environment and your pocket. The bottles costs around £7 but the same amount of tap water costs just two pence.

All parties are talking of carbon targets into the future but it has to be done by persuasion rather than by forcing things through.

John Mowbray is vice-president of the North East Chamber of Commerce and director of corporate affairs at Northumbrian Water.

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