Plastic Bags, lazy journalism, and Turn Lyme Green

Had an email this morning asking if i had any 'follow up' on my blog entry on the subject of TurnLymeGreen. In some ways I kind of regret writing it in the first place, though I stand by almost everything I said in it. I've had quite a few comments, some via email, and several verbal comments from townsfolk, mostly in agreement with my comments. There were also some comments on a TurnLymeGreen circular, but they were in the main so negative that I didn't want to add fuel to a non existent fire by reporting them here. I didn't regard the accusation of 'lazy journalism' or 'if LymeRegisRadio is to have any credibility I would suggest keeping objectivity to the forefront and personal soapboxes to the rear' from one TurnLymeGreen member as fair comment or worth repeating. Firstly, I'm not a journalist, I'm a citizen of Lyme Regis presenting my own personal view. My comments were not specifially about TurnLymeGreen, they were about Plastic Bag campaigns, which I really do think muddy the water. I'm not the only one who thinks so, not even in Lyme Regis. Aside from putting my own view about Carbon Emissions and Global Warming, the peice was pretty much tongue in cheek, at worst sardonic.

Though I do have a small apology to make in regard to three comments on the aforesaid TLG circular. 'Plastic bags are a start and thats all we have ever said', added to, 'in fact, carbon emissions are very serious, Although TLG is not currently doing anything about this', and 'would be great if some people took on a campaign to reduce carbon emissions'. I apologise for suggesting that TLG had anything in its brief concerning Carbon Emissions or Global Warming, and I note the admission that it isn't doing anything in this direction. It wasn't my intention to 'slam or ridicule' public initiative, and I deny that I'm guilty of that. Simply putting a point of view which deserves to be heard is all. I also believe that 'all involved are doing what we can and are genuine'. I accept that TLG is doing a good job within its chosen framework, its aim of making Lyme a greener place to live or visit, and if Carbon Emissions are not part of its brief I'll make no further comment.

The other communications I've had ask if LymeRegisRadio is still recording TLG events. Answer is we would if we could! We seem to have been dropped from their Mailing List and we don't even receive Press Releases. I think this is a shame and I can't understand why. In personal terms I'm a practicing environmentalist. I don't own a motor car, encourage others to lessen their addiction to the beasts, and I've been reusing and recycling like a madman for more than 30 years. That part is personal, I don't need to be a member of TLG or any other organisation to hold that view. In terms of LymeRegisRadio, I don't know what to say. We reported faithfully, with very few edits, on three TLG events, and interviewed the key people on our Friday Night Live programme. Those sessions are still being listened to by many people in Lyme and around the world. The most popular is the talk by Mukti Mitchell about living a Low Carbon Lifestyle. I loved Mukti's positive view, and was personally inspired by his talk. A man after my own heart who understands the bliss of living a Low Carbon life.

So if any apology is necessary, I'll offer it in this way: We now have a Canon XL Broadcast/DVD quality Digital Camcorder, and if TLG would like to make use of it to make a beautiful positive film about how Lyme could benefit from lessening its dependence on fossil fuels, please call me.