Felicity Price at Cadrona Skifield
Felicity Price is also one of our PR experts from Carter Price Rennie. As well as being a leading PR expert in Christchurch she has twenty years experience as a journalist, columnist and writer, with her latest book Sandwich Short of a Picnic out now. Here are her answers to our Green Collar Jobs questions:
1. What do you do to live more sustainably (with a low impact) in your life?
I’m not particularly exceptional – I try to minimise as much of my waste as possible and favour the green or yellow recycling bins, and I’ve certainly planted a lot of trees in my time. I’m a passionate gardener. And I drive a car that runs on a teaspoon of fuel, a little Smart Car.
Every summer, we go to Totaranui – with the kids and, until this year, with my 94 year old mother. This will be our first summer without her. Totaranui has no electricity, no hot water, and is a wonderful natural environment. When I want to write my novels on holiday, I plug my laptop into electricity powered by a small solar panel that catches the Totaranui sun. (This means if it’s cloudy for more than a day I can’t get any writing done, but Totaranui weather is rarely bad for more than a day).
2. How do you live more sustainably at work?
I do a lot of running round to see clients and suppliers, and so the Smart Car is a great fuel saver. Plus we always try to find recycled paper, and sometimes solvent-free inks when appropriate, to print brochures and annual reports on.
3. What do you think is the biggest environmental issue we need to deal with in Christchurch/New Zealand?
Water. We need to find a way of sustainably harvesting the water out of Canterbury’s big rivers to make our land more productive. And our diary farmers have to follow the clean dairying models.
4. What makes you smile?
My kids. My crazy spaniel. Books. Movies. Plays. Girlfriends.
5. What is your biggest pet peeve?
Not enough time to enjoy the things that make me smile.
6. What is your favourite colour and why?
Blue. Not sure really, but probably because it’s the same colour as my eyes.
7. Do you have a favourite place in the world? Describe why?
Totaranui, in the DOC camping ground by the golden sands and blue sea. I love it there.
8. What’s your connection to SIFT?
I help Linda and Olivia with getting their message across – communication strategies, media releases, media liaison.
9. Do you remember your favourite teacher and why they were your favourite?
My English teacher at Girls’ High., Miss Jones, was an inspiration. I’ve been writing stuff ever since!
10. What do you want to leave behind?
Two children who will be healthy and happy, and some good books that people will want to go on reading after I’ve gone.
11. What do you think the future will bring?
I’ll get out my crystal ball and let you know if it tells me anything.
12. Who is someone you really admire and why?
Hilary Clinton and Barack Obama. Both of them for their stickability and persistence, against the odds. I’ve been there!
13. What is happening outside your window right now?
Sadly, grey skies and a howling easterly. I’ve always lived in Christchurch and I love the place, but that beastly easterly does get your down sometimes.
14. What is your favourite breakfast?
Porridge! With sultanas and banana slices.
15. What is the best piece of advice you can give us?
Set your goals and follow them with determination and passion and you will achieve what you want. This applies to anything, from communication strategies to life in general!
