What is the connection between photocopier paper and tsunamis?
The UN mission here in Timor-Leste has been making great strides to be environmentally friendly, apparently. Atul Khare, special representative of the UN secretary-general for Timor-Leste and head of UNMIT says that
"UNMIT has been making continuous efforts to reduce energy consumption and protect the environment. These efforts have resulted in a reduction of 7.8 percent in generator fuel, a savings of approximately 285,000 U.S. dollars, and a 15 percent reduction in photocopier paper usage (3854 reams) over the one-year period ending in August 2009 compared to the previous one-year period."
The reduction of paper use implies that the total consumption was 25,693 in 2008, amounting to nearly thirteen million sheets of paper. One assumes that half this amount was for printing apologies to the families of local people struck by badly-driven UN vehicles, but what about the other 6.5 million sheets?
The reduction in fuel usage is also welcome, but surely a more intelligent and effective environmental strategy may be to reduce the number of SUVs and ask UN staff to drive small town cars for local transport in Dili. One of the EU projects is an example of good practice - they use a scruffy third-hand Toyota Camray in the city rather than a huge Landcruiser. This costs $3000 to buy (compared to $140,000 for a Prado), and uses a fraction of the fuel. And it makes the foreigners inside looks less like an occupying force recently arrived from a US shopping Mall.
By coincidence we received a Tsunami Safety Briefing today, courtesy of the UN. As we live less than 30 metres from the sea, these kind of briefings tend to ensure that I do not get a good night's sleep ever again (where do we run? shall I take my laptop? How will the cat cope?). The guide suggests:
'As it is altogether possible that the UN may be the first to receive a Tsunami warning, it is possible that the streets will not be filled with people. In this scenario, use your vehicle/motorcycle/bicycle/running shoes to make your way to high ground.'
Of course, if the UN get the news first then within minutes the streets will be full of thousands of UN Landcruisers, all being driven more erratically than usual, if that is possible. Trying to make one's escape on running shoes, carrying a laptop and a cat while avoiding demented UN drivers, is likely to be somewhat more hazardous than standing up to the tsunami.
I think that we and the pussycat will take our chances by building a giant raft out of discarded UN photocopier paper, painting it pea-green and stocking up with honey and a sturdy runcible spoon.
Hi Dom and Beth
I hope you are not upsetting all the Aussies in Dilli. It was great to read about your new adventures. I often wondered what happened to you both after you left Maumere. Cheers Derek (the crazy old guy on the bike from 2006)
Posted by: Derek Nicholson | 18 June 2010 at 19:05