Interviews
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| | WHAT'S ON | | | | |
| | GOING GREEN | | |
| | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR | | | | |
| | COMMENT AND ANALYSIS | | | | |
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Jon Hare, director, Green Van Hire
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| Jon Hare |
What is it you do?
We provide environmental
van hire which doesn't cost
the earth.
Why did you pick that?
Vans are everywhere. They do
lots of miles and so are the
perfect vehicle, so to speak, for
reducing pollution.
I'd hired plenty of vans myself
and realised someone could
provide a much better deal for
customers and the environment.
Without providing customers
with the right incentives, going
the environmental route is often
thought of as being more hassle
- I wanted to change that.
What makes you greener
than other organisations?
Our vans use recycled vegetable
oil sourced locally, often around
Brighton and Hove. All oil
donations welcome!
It would have been too easy to
say we are green because
we carbon offset. Reducing pollution at source is much more satisfying because it
takes real effort.
What is your latest green campaign/obsession?
Challenging both the Energy Trust and the Government's policy on congestion
charge exemption.
Currently only Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) vehicles and hybrids are recognised.
The policy states the vehicle must have a recognised conversion to qualify. The
nonsensical thing is, any diesel engine can run on biodiesel without conversion.
The policy is incorrect and out of date, and favouring LPG - a fossil fuel - over
renewable green fuels, which is bonkers. A change in the exemptions policy would
see courier firms getting on board and a huge amount of pollution reduction.
What do you think of carbon-offsetting?
Reducing pollution at source is, I believe, a much better way and we can all do it
sensibly - so what's the problem?
What's your guiltiest green secret?
There is a faulty timer switch in the communal hallway where I live which means
the landing light is left on. I have been too busy to get an electrician in to fix it.
I feel really guilty about it every day when I come into the flat.
Are you a climate worrier or are you more optimistic?
Worrier. I go fishing all year round and really notice the changes in the
weather each year - and the changes in the wildlife and scenery. I noticed some
changes about ten years ago. Every year there's a new monthly record of some
freakish weather. The changes in atmospheric conditions lag behind the human
activity causing them. Even if we stopped the bad things we are doing now,
we'll be seeing more dramatic weather patterns in the future.
What is your skill for when the oil runs out?
Giving everyone else a lift in my green vans.
In a nutshell, what's your philosophy on living a greener life?
Change the things you can and don't despair when all around things you cannot
control seem to be undoing all your good work.
10:15am Monday 17th March 2008
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