Please support our brothers and sisters in Bermuda and enjoy our interview with Andrew Vaucrosson, President of Greenrock.org by Willi Paul.

1. With so much economic uncertainty in your country and world, how is
Greenrock.org doing on the financial front? Any advice to other groups?

We recognize the current fundraising challenges resulting to the Global Economic crisis. Bermuda is one of the major offshore financial centers and so we have seen certain financial sectors tighten up on their philanthropic activities. Luckily, Greenrock is not starting out at this time and we've managed to keep tight controls on our operational expenses. In so doing, we have built a small surplus of funds that can be deployed when starting up a new project: i.e., developing creative, conducting research, establishing project partners, creating network of volunteers. And in most instances, as this new project gets closer to execution, and we begin our PR efforts, we are able to secure sponsors based on our ability to show a more developed project campaign with mockup illustrations. Thus, we are able to reimburse ourselves for that 'seed' capital.

The key in doing this is to make sure your timelines are set in advance with room to accommodate for late sponsorship agreements.

2. What are your top three concerns?

When it comes to our mandate of 'changing the mindset' in Bermuda towards sustainable lifestyle choices, I would say the three top concerns are: (1) Political willingness to do what is right in Government in order to achieve sustainable development goals; (2) A commitment by individuals to align their own personal needs with that of the community, and; (3) Creating a business and consumer philosophy that looks at decisions through the triple-bottomline perspective: how will this benefit the economy, society and the environment.

3. What does "localize" mean to Bermudians? Localize from what to what?

I would guess most Bermudians would consider the term "localize" to mean something that is uniquely tied to Bermuda from a cultural, economic, and environmental perspective. For example, there are certain foods that can be easily imported in Bermuda compared to foods that can be produced locally. Yet, due to the amount of arable land available in Bermuda and the size of our population and consumer behavior, we have a tendency to rely on importing items which could be produce in Bermuda – hence localize certain types of food. And as many studies have stated, locally produced food is better for the environment, for the local economy, and for one's health.

4. Are you suggesting a major paradigm shift in values for Bermuda? If so, please describe this shift.

Well, our slogan is 'changing the mindset' so Greenrock acts as a catalyst for creating paradigm shifts in Bermuda. I think in some sense the top 3 challenges are noted in question #2. If you needed a fourth, I would say that we need to reconstruct how we view race relations on the island from collecting statistics based on skin color and shift towards looking at race from a socio-economic perspective and look at how people are surviving economically and socially (i.e., education, spiritually, family, culturally).

5. Is the "pending collapse" of the fossil fuel economy the main driver at Greenrock.org?

Bermuda's dependence on fossil fuels for the creation of electrical power is one of the economic pillars that will dramatically affect the cost of living in Bermuda. In 2008, with the high crude oil prices in the summer, we had seen how the spike in oil dramatically impacted the unit kW cost of power.

More energy conservation and efficiency needs to be pushed in Bermuda when it comes to building and transportation. There is only one utility company in Bermuda generating electrical power. Due to our size and location, a unique solution in transportation, building and energy generation/delivery needs to be created and implemented in Bermuda. Greenrock is actively working on helping to broker this solution by continually dialoguing with all the stakeholders as well as seeking thought leadership from outside sources through academic institutions, NGOs, and national or regional governmental bodies.

6. Do you see a unity of (green) purpose and energy in your people?

When you say, your people, I'm assuming you mean in the population of Bermuda verses the people who are part of Greenrock. If my assumption is correct, then the formation of 'unity' has to first be built from education which I think is the current challenge in many countries. Some countries are more advanced since they had implemented change with the last oil crises in the 70's. However, in Bermuda, the impact at the gasoline pump is not as much of an issue due to our size. Primarily, people experience it with their electricity bill. Back in the 70's, the amount of energy consuming appliances did not exist as much as it does today.

Over the last two years, Greenrock has been working on educating the local consumer on ways they can reduce their demand through adopting energy conservation techniques that are suitable for Bermuda. We have been trying to encourage Government to promote the importation of energy efficient consumer goods as well as encourage the use of energy efficient building and design techniques. Yet, as noted in question #2, political willingness is one of our concerns. But if more people are educated, and this knowledge can be used during an election campaign, then politicians will be held accountable.

7. How do you personally live the green life?

I'm far from being perfect. I try to reduce the amount of trash I generate personally through using our café at work, to using reusable or washable cutlery and crockery. When purchasing things, I try to buy bulk or avoid heavily packaged goods. We try to compost and separate recyclables. I commute to work on e-scooter. I even cycle or walk to work when I have the time. We use CFLs in areas where the light is on for long periods of time. We only buy high-efficiency appliances. We have built our house using energy efficiency techniques and try to use as much natural light as possible.

Yet, I work all day and my wife is a stay-at-home mother. In my home, with young children below 5, I've tried to implement other things like reducing the use of air conditioning, limiting how low the temperature control is set relative to the outside temperature, or excessive use of water. However, my wife is the master of the home and, for the sake of harmony, sometimes I have to compromise what I would like to see with a soft reminder encouraging her at a later time that this is good to practice.

8. What are some of the commons values in your new management team?

At Greenrock.org we ask our Management Committee members to answer four questions which provides a brief outline of the reasons for joining Greenrock. In most instances, people share our value that something needs to be done and it takes a meaningful shift in thinking in order to get change happening. I truly believe that most of my team shares this belief and in many instances, through Greenrock's initiatives, have seen this happen in Bermuda.

9. What is the latest on the Draft Sustainable Development Strategy and Implementation Plan for Bermuda? What is the history of Greenrock.org's involvement?

Greenrock was involved at the outset of this document in 2005: attending town hall meetings, providing constructive feedback during the drafting stages, and keeping Government 'honest' in terms of the 2008 implementation of this policy.

However, since 2005, Greenrock has been taking the essence of this Plan and doing projects that support it in the community. If you visit our website, Greenrock.org, you can see what we've done. As a result, we have built our reputation in both the private and public sector around the issue of sustainable development, and have received the necessary support to truly make a difference.

10. Are the island's energy companies helping your cause?

There is only one energy company in Bermuda which is called Bermuda Electric Light Company (BELCo). Most recently, several micro-renewable energy installation companies have emerged in anticipation of Government's National Energy Plan which is in its draft stages. Like other Government Plans that affect Sustainable Development, Greenrock has been working with Government and the private sector in hopes to make these Plans truly comprehensive.

11. How would describe the "local realities" in the national environmental (and political) scene to a San Franciscan?

As a country, Bermuda is quite similar to San Fran when it comes to environmental activism (i.e., protecting our waters, marine creatures, beaches, birds, flora, and fauna). But when it comes to social activism, there is a gap and we are more conservative in nature but this is slowly changing due to organizations like Greenrock that have emerged in the last 5 years or so.

Many of the key influences on Bermuda's political realities stem from the fact that we are a very small island with a population of approximately 65,000 people. It is therefore hard for us to have the institutionalized checks and balances that one finds in larger jurisdictions. Often our elected politicians not only determine policy but are instrumental in implementing it and are the ultimate arbiters in any disputes. This lack of independence and impartiality and a complete lack of transparency from our Government make it hard to have confidence in many of the decision making processes.

12. How can we help you there?

Funding is key for Greenrock in trying to do its work. We have registered with the International Charity Fund of Bermuda which allows for US companies and citizens to donate money to Greenrock and in return they will receive the appropriate tax credit.
Aside from funding, we are always looking for good ideas, alternative ways of thinking, or anecdotes that could be applied in Bermuda when it comes to making sustainable lifestyle choices. From what I've seen, there is no country that has mastered the art of sustainable living. Yet, there are several individuals and communities that have and so it's a question of whether something can be expanded or adopted for a larger scale.

13. Do you understand sustainability as a new "religion?"

It depends to which aspects of religion you are referring. We would not wish people to think that belief in the value of sustainability is a matter of faith alone - the need to adopt a sustainable lifestyle is demonstrated all around us and supported by large amounts of scientific evidence. Equally, unlike some religious beliefs, sustainability is not an end in itself, it is a means to an end – improving living conditions both locally and globally in a way that can be afforded economically, socially and environmentally. However, if you mean that like many religious beliefs we feel it should underpin all aspects of daily life and should be evidenced in consideration for those around you and good stewardship of our planet, then yes.

14. What stories and myths are local to your vision?

If you visit our website: Greenrock.org, you can read what we are doing, what our opinions are of things that are happening, and what sorts of ideas we are trying to share that apply to Bermuda.

15. Are you creating new symbols for the cause?

If by 'symbols' you mean icons from which people can identify quite readily that this is a sustainable project, event, or issue then I would say, "yes'. Primarily, we use our logo as the brand for this and it is attached to all that we do. Overtime, we are hoping to create initiatives that will introduce 'Greenrock' standards. Many of the symbols that we have seen like Energy Star, Leaf, LEED, apply to programmes suitable to the places they were formed. We would like to create similar programmes with a Bermuda-centric perspective.