There is An Inconvenient Truth and a great deal of discussion about climate change and what it means for us as inhabitants of the planet. Television documentaries and articles about how much temperatures are rising and how fast the polar ice caps are melting are becoming more common. Science has a way of confusing the issues but whilst we debate the how and when there can be no doubt that the climate is changing and that we need to adapt to meet the challenge.

As a first stage in this adaptation to climate change enterprises are able to review their operations and reduce their impacts. Governments are signing up to global agreements such as Montreal and Kyoto to encourage industry to control and reduce atmospheric emissions.

" To me, proving that earth's climate is changing ... is like statistically "proving" the pavement exists after you have jumped out of a 30-storey building. After each floor your analysis would say 'so far - so good' and then, at the pavement, all uncertainty is removed."
Richard Jones, Vice President Engineering, Hartford Steam Boiler Insurance and Inspection Company, 2001.

The drive to reduce the amounts of Waste being sent to landfill also has increased regulation and cost implications to both households and businesses alike.

Environmental Management Systems such as EMAS or ISO14001 are designed to support companies and professionals in this process. In addition supply chain management using BS8555 provides a phased approach to developing these systems and there are several agencies to provide practical assistance.

"I believe it to be perfectly possible for an individual to adopt the way of life of the future. . . without having to wait for others to do so" - Mohandas K. Gandhi

Individuals generally mistakenly believe that they are powerless to make a difference but the old slogan 'think globally, act locally' is as true today as when it was first coined in the 70's.

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has" -Margaret Mead