Nine months later - it's finally out!

When I started working with BRANZ in September 2006 I got thrown right into project managing an assessment of the need to to adapt buildings in New Zealand to climate change. Granted, I had no idea that buildings needed adapting to climate change, even less so how one would assess it. And New Zealand,,, well I could find it on a map and I knew they are fiercely good at rugby. Of course I had seen all three Lord of the Rings movies. And kiwi fruit is not only tasty but also healthy. However impressive, it was doubtful how far this knowledge would get me in the capacity of sustainability scientist?

But all was considered and planned for. I was reassured that first there would be training and a gradual honeymoon into this new world. A workshop had been planned for me to meet and greet with the project team.  All under the supervision and capable lead of the woman who currently was managing the project. Eventually she would go on maternity leave and I would take over, but before that she was going to hold my hand for a few weeks and make the transition very smooth.

On arrival my first day she was already in labour. Absolutely not according to the agreed schedule! The project was handed over in less than an hour before she rushed off to give birth. One of the executives dryly observed, how rude of her... Of course I ended up in charge of my own - smooth start - workshop. Will never have any illusions what so ever that the flown in and gathered experts around the table were too impressed at all with the new adopting father's experience and authority in the field.

Nine months later in this brand new world of buildings scientists, climatologists, social scientists, economists and government people - we've finally given birth to a 160+ pages baby. The next step is to get over to Wellington to show off and baptise this little beast in front of government and insurance people. Then, with some luck, we might even get to graduate the bastard at the Sustainable Buildings conference in Auckland in November. Who would had imagined? And it's even available at UNFCCC's web library (but then again if you know what that acronym means you're likely a fellow carbon counting tree-hugger nerd).