WE ARE ENCOURAGED TO ACT AND TO BE GREEN . . that is wrapped in the global warming message that is a continual persuasion towards us having and taking a more caring approach in the way we all operate. You could also argue that we are not being allowed total freedom to think for ourselves, or perhaps even allowed to express a different point of view. Should there be a crop of windfarms, will global warming bring new ice-caps?

Truth is, I do try to think green personally and hope that how I act contributes to the planet giving us all a real quality of life, in even just a small way. For instance there's an oak tree growing in my garden that I planted in a pot after picking up an acorn in the Airborne Forces Cemetary near Arnhem, in Holland, when my youngest boy was a baby. They're both doing well!

I guess Trade & Industry is doing well, too. It began life as a publication acorn we planted, and I can now use pages as they grow to demonstrate what I hope is seen as a green and responsible attitude to the markets we service with the three sector titles. Just like any hedgerow, garden, park or wood it is the variety of the species that live and thrive there which brings the most pleasure.

I trust it all offers inspiration that will realise good and worthwhile reward. That's the intention.

We set out to influence people that green issues do matter. Similarly, we aim to persuade each of you in the Trade sectors to actively share with your customers the ambition of being happy in the fresh air and travel activity. That all helps to contribute to a healthy awareness of the benefits we can all gain when seeking a better quality of life and lifestyle.

In the world I frequent, people live a varied life - some love jazz, some listen to rock, to popular music, to the Classics and some to opera. Thing is, they all will often switch from one rhythm or sound to another - and do it naturally. That's what people who go outdoors, go biking, hiking and travelling do - they switch about.

Bikers are sometimes hikers, not everyone pedals or walks and we can all often need engine power for travel - you could say the lucky ones indulge with a ptw. There are times when I'll choose to live in a small tent on a fellside or in the mountains. Our roaming office is a touring caravan - it suits the job admirably.

We are all pleased there is such a lot of opportunity in the world, and that's why I use Trade & Industry to show places to visit, introduce you to people, highlight innovations, offer ideas you can develop from the alternatives tag put to the product. I reckon they all easily range with the obvious things your business sells.

When you sell that product I guess the bottom line is a good incentive - and why not, that's what businesses do. Having the green token attached, then that's good for all concerned and for the environment too. But it is encouraging the real and meaningful intent that gives the retailer, myself too, a trickier job.

Yours is a commercial operation that ultimately depends on leisure, on tourism and travel. Keeping to the green way isn't always easy, but I hope that, together, we can underline the green credentials that will expand our trade with more sustainability.

Only you can maximise the opportunity to profit from that effort. Trade & Industry offers the helping hand.

Peter Lumley - editor & publisher

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