There was a time when saying you were concerned about the environment conjured up images of tree-hugging, open-toed sandals, chickens in the garden and the Good Life. Not now! These days we appreciate the need for reusing and recycling. One person who was so interested in the Green lifestyle that he has made it his career is Ray Harrington-Vail. Ray works for Island charity the Footprint Trust which aims to show us how little acorns can grow into big oak trees in terms of what we can do for the environment. In other words, Ray realises that one islander alone is not going to change the world but he believes that by making small changes to our day to day living we can live a healthier lifestyle, save money and influence our children in a positive way.
Ray was born in Mitcham, close to London and lived a green lifestyle long before it became fashionable to do so. From an early age, he took an interest in wildlife and in his surroundings. He fished in the Thames and was the class wildlife expert at school. He was brought up not to drop litter and to respect his neighbourhood. Ray had his first child in 1982, his wife was a college student and Ray took on the role of house-husband. Lack of money forced the family to live sensibly and to think about their spending.
In 1985, Ray set up one of the first companies on the mainland to sell recycled paper. He stresses the need for us to use the finished product and to buy recycled goods as well as recycling our own waste. Ray and his family moved to the Island and Ray worked for Island Volunteers, establishing the Wight Green Centre in Newport. When the centre closed, Ray wanted to set up a specialist organisation, he is now General Manager of the Footprint Trust.
The Footprint Trust believes in 'acting locally and thinking globally'. Ray says that islanders often approach him for guidance. They may have a four wheel drive vehicle and wonder whether to sell it. The charity does not expect us to sell our cars, buy a horse and set off at 6am to hike across the downs to work! The sensible option it suggests is to use your car less often or to set up a car-share scheme at work. The Trust has pointed out that changing your diet rather than changing your car will probably help the planet more, food-miles being a real issue to get your teeth into!
The charity often works in partnership with the IW Council. But their relationship is certainly not a Blair-Bush one. The Trust is happy to praise the Council when it gets things right but is equally able to criticise when it believes it gets it wrong, the recent wind turbine debate being an example. Ray points out that, although the Wellow turbines were rejected, no alternative energy renewable were sourced.
Whilst talking to Ray, I begin to think that helping the environment is a bottomless pit, (as opposed to a landfill site!) in terms of what we can do on the Island to help reduce our ecological footprint. I'm even starting to learn the jargon! I cannot think of many arguments against the way of living that the Footprint Trust suggests although I draw the line at using dock leaves instead of toilet roll, as one leading environmentalist suggests. If more of us used Public Transport, I am sure Southern Vectis would provide more buses. Walking and cycling can only mean benefits in terms of health and weight loss.
Lynbottom tip is always busy! Yet many of the things we throw away could be of use to other people. You only need to look at the popularity of the Island?s car boot sales to realise that one person?s junk is another person?s collectable item. The Footprint Trust website has links to Island organisations that reuse everything from business waste and furniture to computers. Many of the Island?s charity shops will collect clothes and small household items free of charge.
IW Radio's Alex Dyke described our current, fashionable concern for the environment as a 'sexy' issue. There is also something simplistic and sensible about what the Footprint Trust has to say. Its Winter Tips on the website include: erecting a bird or bat box, closing curtains at dusk to retain heat and wearing warmer clothing rather than turning the heating up. Isn?t that what our grandparents used to do? In a time when people were more careful about their spending and credit cards were as rare as disposable nappies!
The Footprint Trust gives away energy-saving light bulbs and water-saving devices, known as 'boghogs'. It offers free environmental audits of community buildings and churches which should reduce bills. The charity works in schools and pupils are involved in carrying out an Eco Audit of their school. Schools are encouraged to get involved in the international Eco Schools Initiative, it has a website www.eco-schools.org.uk. Ray Harrington-Vail can be contacted on 822282 and you can learn more about the charity from its website, www.footprint-trust.co.uk.
This article was published in the Isle of Wight County Press and written by Caroline Diamond.