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We all use the earths resources whilst we are here. This consumption leads to an environmental "Footprint" for each and every one of us.
To help minimise that "footprint", whilst maintaining a relatively normal life (and without running to the woods to live in a cave!), I try to conduct my affairs in a relatively sustainable manner and have tried to set up my photographic business to reflect this. I am no purist and many are far better than I but some of the measures I adopt are noted below, together with links to organisations and companies that,, if interested, you may find to be of use.
I note that none of the measures I take in any way affect a modern lifestyle in any significant way. Some have a small premium cost (in total perhaps £100-150 per year) or take a few minutes of my time to set up or manage (maybe 3-4 hours in total a year), but that is it. I have not had to start eating raw barley or wearing ten woolly jumpers to achieve a significantly reduced Footprint for myself.
"And remember. Demand leads to supply. If we all do it, it will happen."
Electricity
I do not have my own supply of renewable energy which would be impractical and financially unviable where I live. But I do purchase my electricity from a company who supplies mains electricity from guaranteed renewable energy sources. This is extremely easy to do, has absolutely NO impact on the quality of my supply and costs are comparable to my old bill.
If you are interested in sourcing your own electricity from renewable energy sources it is easy to change. For more information try www.greenelectricity.org
I am currently seeking to install a woodburner to minimise my need to use my oil fired central heating system (though I still need it in some rooms). I do, however, offset the CO2 emissions from my central heating by investing via a recognised broker in a renewables project where the production of renewable energy offsets the CO2 emissions of my central heating system. This has been done as a favour by a friend in the industry (many thanks NS) but I am currently investigating ways in which this can be offered to the public at large. I will keep you posted via this website as soon as I know more.
On the Road
Most of us use our cars at some point or other. I run a diesel camper van and despite trying to be energy efficient in my choice of vehicle the exhaust pipe is still there and for my landscape photography and commercial contracts I'm afraid public transport is not a viable option most of the time!
To offset my consumption I have recently invested in a "carbon offset" scheme brokered by Nicola Steen - many thanks Nicola (contact NSteen@CO2e.com).
I use recycled batteries where ever possible and when in the camper I have an inverter to allow me to use and recharge my camera kit, notebook and phone via two auxiliary batteries.
If you are interested in offsetting your CO2 emissions for home, air travel, car or other purposes try Nicola or alternatively go to the very straightforward website at www.climatecare.org
Office & Printing
I try to minimise the level of paper I use and use recycled paper where possible. For fine art prints recycled paper is currently (in my opinion) not a viable option if I want to retain reasonable quality in the image. In operating a digital darkroom I use significantly less paper than I did when I used a wet one, however. as with my screen and printer profiled I can do most of my work on screen (for information on colour management and digital darkrooms I received invaluable help from www.robertwhite.co.uk photography shop). I also pour less chemicals down the drain. (Please note I do not take issue with those using wet darkrooms which in the right hands produce simply amazing results with little wasteage, just that the digital one works for me.)
I use a Mac cinema display as LCD screens use less electricity than conventional CRT monitors and though I forget regularly I do try and turn my equipment off when it is not in use (rather than leave it on standby).
I recycle my print cartridges. If you wish to order recycling bags for your cartridges (no charge for ordering them and FREEPOST for sending) you could email youngfuturesbags@inkagain.co.uk or call them on 0800 435 576.
For recycled paper and envelopes try www.greenstat.co.uk
I have recycling bins etc in the office for paper, cardboard, bottles and metals though unfortunately recycling of plastics is not possible at present in Dumfries and Galloway.
Thank-you for reading,
Ted Leeming