Having “bumped into” him a couple of times recently and made vague promises of a visit, I eventually got time to visit Nick Riley, Peter Neill and the other Groundwork Pennine Lancashire staff at the Bob Watts Building down there on the canal near the Infirmary locks and basin.

See http://penninelancs.groundworknw.org.uk/ for more details.

I think we give sustainability, climate change, recycling whatever we call it, a rough ride and this very week there is the Copenhagen Conference!

I think doing something...anything is kind of on a scale between the Good Life and some obsessive eco-warriors.

But take a look at things like http://flood.firetree.net/ if your unconvinced about warming and sea levels.

I "ain’t no saint" about this, but I guess few of us are.

But aren’t there little things we all can do?

We’re lucky here with 3 bin recycling/rubbish disposal from our homes. Many places like France and Spain leave it up to you to separate and dispose of packaging, bottles, cans, paper, card.

But with Christmas upon us: cards, wrapping, food waste, shouldn’t we try and consume less and recycle more?

Insulate, thermostats lowered, efficient light bulbs and boilers, switch things off, fill the kettle thoughtfully. Shower not bath, fill the washing machine, check tyre pressure, share cars, walk or bike a bit, compost.

I could go on. I could do more. Do we need to?