Over 40 years ago I launched ‘Vegeburgers’ to an unsuspecting bunch of consumers and although the product didn’t suit everyone it was crucial in the fact that today over 40% of the population actively avoid eating meat 2 to 3 times per week and the popularity of vegetarian food has increased dramatically.

Some 20 years later I also spearheaded the first Supermarket launches of authentic chilled Indian meals and whoosh the market took off and today represents upwards of one billion poundsworth of sales per year.

My new passion is renewable energy and I consider that today’s consumers are just as keen to get involved as earlier generations getting Vegetarian or Indian foods rolling. How you sell food is pretty much the same as renewables. You put great quality out there and through packaging, marketing and lots of hard work you get people to buy their first pack. If they like it they buy another pack a week later, tell their friends about it and whoosh the market will flourish.

So it should be with renewables…

There are some great stories out there how ordinary people are saving a heck of a lot of money off their energy bills and at the same time contributing greatly to reducing our carbon emmissions. Lets stop all the senseless in-fighting that creates nothing but negativity. If someone has a hang-up about Wind Turbines then get them focussed on Solar. If they don’t like fields of solar then think anerobic digestion or Biomass – whatever it is join the need to get involved in some way. Spread good news not bad.

Don’t be put off by costs or salesman promising the earth. Research using www.letsgetenergized.co.uk and link to people who know what they are talking about and can help you to become part of the revolution.

Small Change = Big Difference

Start small and change to a green energy supplier – its so easy!!! Talk to Companies like Good Energy with their simple tariffs, longer term pricing and the fact that you get to talk to people who really care. All the energy that they sell is generated by renewable projects many of which are here in the South West.

Think about your community, where could they create energy projects and with organisations like Energize Stur Valley’s Industrial Provident Society they can create their own funding and share the profits equally between the local people.

I was encouraged yesterday in meeting our local MP Bob Walter. Starting at 8.30am we had an hour with the ESV team to discuss and see where its possible for Bob to support the drive for renewable energy. I think its fair to say that he is fully aware and supportive of the potential of renewable energy. The opportunities for increased local employment and investment is crucial to any MP. His key concern is to protect the countryside whilst finding solutions to getting Dorset on the renewable roadmap. We all stressed the need for good honest discussion and finding ways to breakdown the objections and barriers.

Currently we are frankly not pulling our weight, so wake up now Dorset its time to stand up and be counted! To many people this is life or death. To others its just keeping ourselves warm and dry during this coming Winter.

Whatever it is, let us debate, explore and find ways of coming together for future generations of people both in Dorset, the UK and Worldwide.

Thank you Bob for listening- we look forward to the next stage!