East of Eden
I have just spent two days at the Eden Project, one of those rare places where simply to spend time is to feel energised and inspired. Created by the remarkable Tim Smit (whose humorous, laid-back demeanor belies his formidable drive) Eden has become symbolic of an optimistic, can-do approach to sustainability. Which made it all the more exciting to be there at Smit’s invitation, to discuss – along with an extraordinarily eclectic group of the great and good – how one might harness that can-do optimism to better effect. This latest Smit initiative – which he is calling the ‘Eden Forum’ – hopes to offer a positive narrative for the future, both by supporting local projects in the South West, and addressing the wider barriers to change – ‘to join the know-how’s to the know-who’s’, as one of the forum members, Bunker Roy, put it. Quite how the Forum is going to achieve this is unclear – but to be part of it is both exciting and an honour.
