“According to the Oxford English Dictionary, one of the definitions of Environment is 'The conditions under which any person or thing lives or is developed'.  As Chartered Surveyors, we are all heavily involved either in the built environment, or in the natural environment.

We can all have an influence on shaping the conditions under which any person or thing lives, or is developed. Considering only those surveyors who class themselves as ‘designers’, they can choose to specify materials that are environmentally friendly, be manufactured with minimal impact to the environment and design buildings that use only small amounts of energy.

Those who came to look at the timber frame buildings at Bicker, or the earth sheltered, ecologically self-sufficient houses at The Hockerton House Project, will appreciate how good an environmental building can look.  

Each of us can do our bit to help the environment in our homes by reducing our energy use and cutting down on waste. On the subject of waste, although the reuse of building materials is not new, old materials often seem to be used for aesthetic purposes rather than to save money.

During 2007 and 2008, the Lincolnshire Association has tried to include more LLL/CPD topics addressing the environment and sustainability and still to come is a trip to a Lincolnshire wind farm. 

As a parting thought, with the recent escalating cost in fuel, when you are planning to attend CPD/LLL events, why not consider car sharing and do your bit for the environment.

For full details of the Lincolnshire programme visit the events section on the East Midlands web pages, or contact Henrietta Bettison on 01636 677184."
 
John Templeman
RICS Lincolnshire chairman