Interviews
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| | WHAT'S ON | | | | |
| | GOING GREEN | | |
| | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR | | | | |
| | COMMENT AND ANALYSIS | | | | |
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Laurent Robert, director, Villa Natura
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| Laurent Robert |
What is it
you do?
We import and
distribute Biofa
natural paints
and wood
finishes. We
work alongside
architects,
property
developers, and
painters and
decorators to
provide the
best quality
environmental
decorating
products.
Why did you pick that?
My business partner had been involved
with natural paints for years. As a child
he had been suffering from eczema and
asthma. His parents used to be
conventional paint suppliers until they
realised they were responsible for their
son's ill health - they then switched to
natural paints. My father was a builder
and the world of architecture has
always been an interest for me. As
a business we wanted to make a difference.
What makes you greener than
other organisations?
The products we deal with are made from
renewable raw materials. The water used
for the production is collected rain water
and the company uses electricity mainly
from solar and wind power.
What is your latest green obsession?
To make Brighton more bicycle friendly.
We should be tougher on bicycle thieves,
who are costing us a fortune and
are indirectly responsible for more
cars on the road.
How hard is it to be truly
green in Sussex?
It is as hard as you want it to be.
If you really want to adopt a green
lifestyle, I believe it is reasonably
possible. My biggest frustration comes
from the transport scheme. I cycle nearly
everywhere but if it rains, paying
a fortune for the bus is a no-no.
I would rather drive my car. The price
of bus tickets here is absolutely ridiculous
and unjustified. I say bring on the Big
Lemon buses and let them take over!
Carbon-offsetting, yes or no?
It is a great way to buy yourself out of
a guilt trip. It seems to me that wherever
some people do something wrong they throw
money at it and that is it - problem solved.
What's your guiltiest green secret?
I like cars.
What's the biggest thing you have
sacrificed to be green?
Holidays in the sun.
Are you a climate worrier or
an optimist?
I think it is never too late to do good. I
believe things are changing. I will do my
best to leave something good to my
kids and I will make sure they appreciate
even the most little things in life so
as to always be optimistic.
What's your skill for when
the oil runs out?
Powerful thighs on a cool bike.
In a nutshell, what's your philosophy
on green living?
It is a phrase from the writer Antoine de
St Exupery: "... the Earth is not
a present from our parents but a loan
from our children".
4:36pm Monday 18th February 2008
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