Measures taken to help the environment

Zero Carbon Policy

My targets are to make Portraits in stone a zero carbon business. This means that I will first reduce the amount of carbon produced by my studio and business needs. There is carbon used to heat and power my studio, when driving my car, train or plane travel. There is also the carbon used when packages are delivered by courier.

Early this year I had an extension bulit to enlarge my studio. I made sure that this was insulated to a very high degree. This involved using 125mm of rigid phenolic insulation in the walls to bring the U values in line with the tough Canadian and Swedish standards.

This has kept my studio warmer and allowed me not have the heating on as much. This means that I am now using less energy and therefore creating less carbon dioxide than previously.

Carbon Footprint

I am in the process of calaculating the carbon footprint of portraits in stone. There is a website here that helps to work this out. Go to Carbon footprint.com if you want to work out your own carbon footprint.

Carbon offsets

I will purchase carbon credits or plant trees on my land to offset the carbon used in the business activities. This will ensure that Portraits in Stone is a true zero carbon business and is not contributing to the problem of Global warming.

Recycling

Portraits in Stone has been recycling as much as possible for the last few years. I use recycled paper for printing, letterheads and envelopes. Printing of high quality pictures does need special coated photo paper, which at the moment is not available as recycled paper.

Renewable energy

At present our studio is heated by central heating powered by an oil boiler with electrical power from the national grid.

I will be installing a solar panel for hot water as soon as I can. This will take care of a significant percentage of our heating needs and is a zero carbon solution.

The next step will be to replace our oil boiler with a wood powered boiler. I am able to plant trees and manage a coppiced area in our wood. This will supply me with a regular supply of wood for our heating needs and is also a zero carbon solution as this will be a renewable, managed source of energy.

My chosen Charity

I have been looking for some time to find and support a charity that I feel can make a difference. After many months of research I have now chosen Kickstart.org as the official charity for Portraits in stone.

Kickstart manufacture and supply small, low cost water pumps that draw water out from under the ground to irrigate farmers fields. This is targetted aid that makes a real difference to people in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

I pledge to donate to buy one water pump for every portrait cameo jewel that is delivered. I also ask my clients to consider making a voluntary matching donation.

Kickstart makes a range of water pumps, ranging from the Hip Pump a small foot operated one that costs only $ 33 for the farmer. To larger units that can irrigate 1 to 2 acres, enough for a whole families water needs.

Many thousands of entrepreneurial farmers are now irrigating with KickStart's manual MoneyMaker irrigation pumps and changing their small subsistence farms into vibrant new commercial enterprises.

With irrigation they can grow and sell as many as three to four high value vegetable crops every year, and ensure that the crop is ready for market when the price is high.

These "farmerpreneurs" are increasing their incomes by as much as ten-fold and making as much as 400,000 shillings ($5400) profit per year. Low cost micro-irrigation pumps are transforming subsistence farms into highly profitable enterprises and are available for distribution throughout Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

Please take the time to visit Kickstart.org to find out more about this wonderful organisation.