Rotterdam

I was joined by Huib Poortman from the Greens for the last few kilometres of the ride into Rotterdam. We were met by a delegation from Groen Links (Green Left)including one of their city councillors, and I was presented with an award for those who have made a special effort in cutting carbon, a green ribbon. (One of the previous recipients was the mayor of Rotterdam, who received it for committing the city to 50% carbon cuts).

I also had an interview with a regional radio station, and an internet TV station specialising in environment.

The next day Huib and I made a trip around the docks of Rotterdam, where we got an interesting contrast in energy generation - a coal fired power station, but a lot of wind turbines.

I was struck by the almost complete absence of people. This is the heart of the European chemical industry, but production is so automated it needs very few workers