Archive for Personal
The French National Railways want us to believe their service is so good you will ditch your car and take only trains. At first I thought so as the SNCF indeed enabled me to avoid a tonne of CO2 emissions in 2008.
But between their often prohibitive tariffs and their repetitive and long-lasting strikes I am tired. I am also fed up of waiting between two trains, sick of the time it takes to just to just get there…
I am not the only in thinking that the service proposed by the SNCF could improve dramatically and that a little competition would do wonders. Continue »
I really like swimming. So, twice to thrice a week I go swimming at the Lons-Le-Saunier Aqua’ReL center (pictured left). Opened in 2007 it was built with sustainable development in mind and comes with plenty green features.
Energy efficient, it is heated by the local waste-to-energy plant. Additionally, part of its electricity comes from 30 square meters of solar photovoltaic panels on the roof. Finally, rain water is collected to water plants during the dry season.
I am amazed at all these equipments and believe all new public buildings around the world should have such features.
Yesterday the French Minister for Ecology, Energy, Sustainable Development and Town and Country Planning, Mr. Jean-Louis Borloo visited a company in Vaudrey, less than 20 kilometers from my hometown.
Ravoyard SA manufactures since its origins metallic structures. Dynamic, it recently diversified its activity to add photovoltaïc films to its existing products. As the market is currently in full boom, this strategy proved successful.
This was the occasion for me to meet with great pleasure the President of Ravoyard SA and to have the honour to shake hands with the Sustainable Development Minister. Continue »
As I am still looking for a job in the cleantech sector I am attending today the Forum des Emplois Verts (French Green Jobs forum) in Paris where up to 2,000 jobs positions are proposed.
This is a fantastic opportunity since as I noted earlier the Boston Consulting Group believes the Grenelle de l’Environnement could create up to 600,000 jobs in France by 2020.
Among the companies present at this forum are Alstom, Areva, EDF, Peugeot Citroen (PSA) and GDF Suez, all major French companies.
I spent my first night of astronomy observation this weekend, as a part of the Nuit des Etoiles, which takes place every year in July in France. Organized by the French Astronomy Association, many evenings are organized.
One of the them was taking place not far from home, I had the pleasure to meet there fellow amateur astronomers and try out a wide array of telescopes, refractors and binoculars. This is a crucial step if I want to buy my own one day.
I have to admit that watching Jupiter, stars, galaxies and other stellar objects from these objects is a bit depressing compared to watching their photos. Continue »
Back to January 2007 I launched this blog to show to potential employers my large interest for the renewables and sustainability areas. Indeed, I already had written both my BA dissertation and Master’s degree thesis on these topics.
Since then, my readership has expanded significantly and I believe I can now ask you to help me. My mission for the family’s company being finished, I am looking for a job in the cleantech areas.
Polyglott, I am ready to relocate globally. So, don’t hesitate to pass the word to your friends and on your blogs, I look forward to reading your ideas and comments. Thanks in advance !
I was on Thursday and Saturday at the renewable energies fair in Lyon. This was an excellent occasion to meet professionals in solar energies, wood energy and insulating materials.
I was very pleased to note that many companies are currently hiring in France or in Europe. As a matter of fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if this was the sector that is hiring the most in our country.
Many thanks to each and every person I met there. I look forward to hearing and reading from you. I am currently sending the applications and resumes.
This year I avoided the emission of more than a tonne of carbon dioxide – more likely 1,500 kilograms – by simply taking the train on various occasions like business or leisure trips.
Fast trains in France - like the TGV on the left – are powered by electricity, which is 90% low carbon. Relatively reliable, it is a pleasure to use them and work while going at 360 km/h. (200mph)
Thus, using public transportation systems fights climate change. Decreasing CO2 emissions is easy, we will see it with my Towards Sustainability series. Continue »
Daryl Warner Laux at Verda Vivo tagged me. To the rule of the game, I have to publish the rules, tag seven people, and let you know seven things about me.
This is a first for me as I never indulged before in blogging games. But it is the occasion to give a little personal touch to this blog and to promote blogs I wouldn’t otherwise.
I hope you will enjoy this post and and find my selection interesting. I look forward to reading your comments. Continue »
Two weeks ago I took some vacations and visited my family near Nancy. Additionally, I went to the renewable energies fair in Paris. It was also the opportunity for me to have a most interesting meeting.
All this brought me to travel up to 1,600 kilometers (approx. 1,000 miles). By choosing the train instead of my Toyota Yaris, I avoided the emissions of up to 208 kilograms of carbon dioxide.
With this travel, I am reaching a total reduction of 800 kilograms of CO2 this year. I plan to reach a minimum of a thousand five hundred kilograms in 2008. Continue »
