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Eco Hero: Richard Leyland

Sally Hill | 11.08.10

Richard Leyland is a technology entrepreneur and expert commentator on workplace technology trends. He has particular expertise in the expectations and technology use of the next generation and how technology, design and architecture can be harnessed to provide workspaces conducive to work in the 21st Century.

He has written for publications such as The Guardian, Director Magazine, The Times Educational Supplement, FX Magazine, Mix and Silicon.com, and stood as a candidate for the Green Party.

In late 2009 Richard launched WorkSnug, a pioneering Augmented Reality tool for the iPhone, which connects mobile workers to the nearest and best places to work.

Richard advocates for change to our perception of work, work places and business travel, and this has the potential to make a huge environmental impact. Richard has been outspoken on these issues and recently sparked public discussion around the question ‘Can a startup think global without boarding a plane?’ and in WorkSnug’s founding principles, his company made a public commitment not to fly in the course of business.

How would you describe yourself?

I'm an entrepreneur, writer and bloke in search of interesting things to do.

What is your mission?

Right now it's to build WorkSnug into a global community of mobile workers, while providing tools which facilitate a reduction in business travel.

What do you care most passionately about?

I'm rather heavily into environmental politics and social (in)justice, a worthiness I temper with my passion for Newcastle United and coffee shop chains...

Why is where we work important?

I think the idea of working in a third place - not home, not the office - brings with it connotations of freedom, creativity & inspiration, but the romantic ideal is often let down by the mundane reality (noise, lack of power, bad coffee).

What do you think is the next big challenge?

It's a political one. In broad geopolitical terms, it's about ensuring that we manage a population explosion in the developing world without a concurrent increase in energy consumption. More immediately, developed world governments need to take the opportunity of a recession and broadly supportive public opinion to manage a great transition to a low carbon economy, without delay.

What would you like to achieve in your lifetime?

Lord knows! I don't think particularly far ahead - I suppose I'd settle for spending most of my time engaged in fun projects.

What top green principles do you live by?

I make personal changes to how I live - For example I've given up flying totally, both for personal travel and business. But I do recognise the limits of that, because it's more important to pressure governments to use the tools at their disposal to address the carbon that's embedded in our entire social and economic structure.

What one thing do you wish everyone did?

I'd like everyone to vote for election candidates based on their ability to mould society and the environment for the better. If self-interest, cynicism and paranoia were removed from voting decisions, I'm fairly sure we'd get much better governments.

How long have we got to save the planet?

Pass. The mood music from the IPCC and others is that things are pretty damn serious right now. That's enough for me.

Who is your Eco Hero?

Carolyn Lucas - The first Green MP.

 

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flying, richard leyland, green party, business travel, worksnug