Element Magazine Jan 2015

Monday, January 26, 2015

BUSINESS

PLANET

WELLBEING

Low-carbon

travel

Emissions-free options

E-vehicles Can NZ go all-electric?

Climate showdown Activism on the rise

PLUS: Te Radar on sunscreen / Social enterprise your new digital marketplace.

NEED CUSTOM SOLAR POWER FOR YOUR BUSINESS? Be assured of Power Security with reliable, high quality equipment and very careful design.Call Power Technology, the custom Solar Power specialists for Professional Grade Commercial Solar PV Systems.

• OEM and Custom made

• Remote Area

• Off-Grid, Micro-Grid and Grid-Tied

• Large Systems

• Hybrid Battery/Generator/PV Systems

• Commercial and Industrial, Rural and Urban

• Ground or Roof Mount

• Design, Install and After Sales Service

Power Technology

Call us today

Excellence in Electronic for over 30 years

0800 76 93 76

sales@powertech.co.nz

www.powertech.co.nz

contents

Carbon-free transport

James Russell Element editor

E

ver heard of an investor state dispute settlement procedure (ISDS)?

Are your eyelids drooping already?

An ISDS is the process by which a foreign company sues a government, usually when that government makes a decision which that company deems as detrimental to its earnings.

When you sign up to something like the pending Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), you’ve got to agree to the ISDS dispute procedure too.

It essentially consists of three people sitting in a room.

One works for the company. One works for the state.

The other is supposed to be neutral, and judges on the outcome. It’s conducted behind closed doors, with no input from any other stakeholders, and there’s no requirement for the findings to be made public.

An ISDS, historically, was used when a nation’s judicial system was in disarray. Ours is not.

Like the Aussie government being sued by Philip Morris for its brave decision on plain packaging for smokes, or the El Salvadorian government being sued for refusing permission for a gold mine which would contaminate its drinking water, we too are signing up to have three lawyers decide on whether or not we can make or uphold laws in our own country to protect our citizens or our natural world without repercussion.

No wonder no one wants to tell us about it.

Business

14

Taking the emissions out of travel Page 16 Social enterprise ...................................................10 Electric vehicles ....................................................12

Oil under fire

Green activism’s focal point Page 6 China’s clean tech investment .............................7 Tar sands profit under threat .................................7

Buy a better world

Introducing Element’s new marketplace Page 21

Planet

6

Preparing your home for solar .............................14 Te Radar ................................................................26 Editor: James Russell editor@elementmagazine.co.nz Co-founder and brand publisher: Gavin Healy, Viridian Media Product manager: Alex Greig Design: Tamara Nyholt/Nick Kean | Online: Amelia Reynolds Cover photograph: Ted Baghurst Contributors: Ted Baghurst (photography), Rosie Bosworth, Ryan Mearns, Nigel Parry, Rebecca Reider, Quijing Wong. Cover photo: Ted Baghurst Advertising enquiries: gavin.healy@apn.co.nz | 09 373 6096

The next issue of Element is out on February 23, 2015.

ShopGreen

21

Follow us:

twitter.com/elementmagnz

facebook.com/elementmagazine

The content of Element magazine is organised around the triple bottom line philosophy – that of people, planet and prosperity.

Element is a monthly supplement published by The New Zealand Herald in association with Viridian Media.

FOOD & WINE

CLEAN TECHNOLOGY ORGANICS

HEALTH & BEAUTY

Buy a better world Element is proud to introduce a new marketplace for our readers. See page 21

www.shopgreen.co.nz

$6 .96 p/ w

upfront Food Matters Aotearoa conference next month The Food Matters Aotearoa speaking tour (February 9 – 20) and conference (February 14 – 15), will promote sustainable food production showcasing speakers from five continents as well our own.

Speakers include Dr Vandana Shiva, who works with thousands of small Indian farmers and has set up over a hundred heritage seed banks, something which resonates here.

“Heritage varieties that perform without chemical fertilisers and pesticides have improved the lives of thousands of subsistence farmers; heritage seeds and organic methods are now being used in community gardens around New Zealand,” says Susie Lees from Food Matters Aotearoa team. “A resurgence of communities growing their own food is resulting in healthier lifestyles for New Zealanders.”

Find out more at foodconference.co.nz

The numbers

250,000

The number of native plants grown for habitat restoration in Northland by the Shade House Volunteers

$

0

The amount by which Shade House Volunteers is funded

by DoC

$ Fit for the Future conference The Fit for the Future business conference is back on March 18, with a stellar line-up of international and local speakers.

International speakers include Canadian Bob Willard talking about the exciting Future Fit Business Benchmark, Amanda Sturgeon – executive director of the International Living Future Institute (USA) which runs the Living Building Challenge, and Cyriel Kortleven – creative and innovative thinking expert from Belgium.

Local speakers include Alexa Forbes, Queenstown councillor, Pete Russell – founder of Ooooby, Clare Feeney – sustainability strategist, and Marjo Lips-Wiersma – AUT professor of Ethics and Sustainability.

Find out more at Fitforthefuture2015.com

NZ launches global first in green business education online The NZ Marketing Association, the Sustainable Business Network and GoodSense Learning are launching Sustainable Marketing, thought to be the world’s first online professional course in ‘green marketing’, tomorrow.

It will train marketers how to adapt to the growing consumer and commercial concerns about sustainability, how to avoid ‘greenwash’ and lead their brands to success.

“According to a Colmar Brunton report, 90% of NZ consumers make buying decisions influenced by social or environmental factors, but two-thirds can’t name a brand leading in sustainability. There are major opportunities to gain competitive advantage,” says Kath Dewar, pictured.

Read more at elementmagazine.co.nz or, marketing.org.nz/Sustainable_Marketing

0.50 – $2

The cost of native plants from the nursery, allowing for large, low-cost restoration projects

35

The number of community restoration project supported last year

18

The number of people on the team

1000 Free fruit trees for Auckland – register now!

The Mt. Eden Village People community group are providing 1000 free fruit trees for Auckland in 2015.

Schools, early childhood centres and community gardens who would like a free fruit tree on their land are encouraged to register on the Fruit Trees for Auckland website (fruittrees.org.nz/signup/ (fruittrees.org.nz/signup/) by 15 June. Individuals who would like to plant a fruit tree on the grass verge in front of their house are also encouraged to register for a free fruit tree on the website. “[We] are delighted with funding from the New Zealand Lottery Board so we can continue our work and support the vision of free fruit for Aucklanders,” says Judith Holtebrinck, Fruit Trees for Auckland coordinator.

Shunning sugar Aucklander Jenny Bates wanted to bake without sugar. Trouble was, she couldn’t find a recipe book dedicated to just that.

The seed for the Low to No Sugar Baking cookbook was planted. Seven years later, her book is complete. It’s packed with recipes that aren’t loaded with sugar, are quick and economical and taste delicious.

WIN

All the recipes use no more than half a cup of sugar, or natural sweeteners.

Find out more at lowtonosugar.co.nz

has five copies of the Low to No Sugar Cookbook to give away to readers.

To enter the draw, visit elementmagazine.co.nz

Going green in Tauranga

This stunning new green wall (pictured below) by Natural Habitats adorns the recently opened Kathleen Kilgour Centre – a radiation treatment centre at the Tauranga Hospital grounds (left).

Mark Fraundorfer, the Centre’s managing director, said it is seen as an integral part of the treatment by making the patient experience as comfortable as possible. Plants are known to help calm patients facing stressful situations. “[The centre] is state of the art and functional, but also creates a positive environment for patients, and there is a real focus on sustainability with climate control, solar power, rainwater harvesting and the green wall,” he says.

The green wall has 3780 plants, is 14m high and 70m² in size, and throughout the year it changes appearance, and the plants contribute to the quality of the air within the centre.

element

5

GLOBAL MINDSHIFT

planet Time for change The climate activist movement has been galvanised by a belligerent fossil fuel industry.

The divestment movement is galvanising young activists, many of whom fear for their own futures on a changing planet.

institutions, from churches to pension funds.

In November 2014, Victoria University became the first New Zealand university to divest from fossil fuels. New Zealand’s Anglican Church and Presbyterian Church both voted to divest last year.

Native resistance

A climate protest held late last year in Auckland. Photo: Brett Phibbs

By Rebecca Reider ast September, 400,000 people marched through the streets of New York City in a People’s Climate March, in time with sister marches around the world.

“Climate change is the civil rights issue of our time,” indigenous Canadian activist Clayton Thomas-Muller proclaimed a month later to thousands of cheering supporters. The scene was at the Bioneers conference in California, where I went to meet some of the activists whose calls for “climate justice” are unifying environmentalist and social justice movements in new and potent ways.

L

Divestment

Perhaps one thing the climate movement lacked for years was a common enemy. Is it all of our fault, if we drive too much? Is it America’s fault? Is it China’s?

A shared target for activism has emerged with the growing realisation that fossil fuel companies have enough oil, gas and coal in their reserves to cook the planet several times over – and that the industry is doing all it can, including buying off politicians, to stymie action on climate.

Bioneers Conference attendee and Harvard University student Chloe Maxmin, at age 22, is already a veteran activist. “I’ve been doing climate work since I was 12, and

6

element

never really felt that I could say there was a really vibrant climate movement,” she says. “Yes, there was a movement – but there’s been nothing like divestment in the climate movement, ever.”

Adopting a successful tactic from the global antiapartheid movement, in 2012 activists in the world’s wealthier countries began pressuring major institutions to divest from fossil fuel companies. The movement aims to unite societies against the fossil fuel industry, and in Maxmin’s words, “bring a human face to climate change.”

The divestment movement is galvanising young activists, many of whom fear for their own futures on a changing planet.

Three years ago, Maxmin and classmates started campaigning Harvard’s administration to dump all fossil fuel investments from the university’s staggering US$36 billion endowment fund. Professors, students and alumni soon pledged overwhelming support for divestment.

Now they’re part of one of the biggest student activist movements in history. In three years, fossil fuel divestment campaigns have sprung up at over 400 American universities. Student campaigners network with each other cross-country, sharing information and tactics.

Hundreds more divestment campaigns have arisen at other

Indigenous peoples are another key rising force in the movement to keep fossil fuels underground. They often find themselves in the way of mining and drilling projects – but they sometimes find themselves well-positioned to fight back.

Canada is a prime example. Canada’s tar sands, in remote northern Alberta, are a huge source of the world’s dirtiest crude oil. Salivating over petro-dollars, Canadian lawmakers have gutted environmental legislation in order to get tar sands oil flowing to global markets.

However, though it can rewrite laws, the Canadian government cannot rewrite its treaties with indigenous peoples. “First Nations find themselves at the forefront, with the strongest legal strategy,” says indigenous Cree activist Clayton Thomas-Muller. “We have dozens of land defender struggles that are communicating with each other and now moving in solidarity with each other.”

One of these is the Beaver Lake Cree Nation. Oil companies mine 560,000 barrels of tar sands oil daily from the traditional territory of these 900 First Nations people, and the industry wants to triple that. The Cree are taking the Canadian government to court, arguing that their 1876 treaty with Canada and their constitutional rights as First Nations are being violated. A legal victory could halt a huge portion of tar sands developments, and set a major precedent.

“The reality of it is we’re ten years away from a price on carbon and any legal mechanisms to enforce compliance in the fossil fuel sector,” Thomas-Muller says. “But what we do have right now is a proven track record of indigenous people stopping bad people from doing bad things to the environment, and to communities.”

Canadian activists celebrated this past September, when Norwegian oil giant Statoil decided to cancel a massive tar sands project due to a shortage of pipelines to get the oil out of Canada. That shortage is thanks to fierce human resistance. Protests and legal challenges are currently stalling construction of multiple proposed pipelines.

Canadian indigenous leaders are now in discussions with Maori facing the same oil company. Statoil is currently boring for oil in deep waters west off Northland.

Local opposition is mounting. Two of five local iwi have voted to oppose oil exploration, and the other iwi are considering it. Maori activists expect the issue to go to the Waitangi Tribunal.

“There’s currently a growing resistance,” says Northland climate campaigner Mike Smith (Nga¯puhi, Nga¯ti Kahu).

“We’re at a tipping point in the world’s history in regard to global warming. The people who are conscious and responsible are standing up to meet the challenge.”

The Keystone XL oil pipeline is one of the biggest pieces of fossil fuel infrastructure ever proposed – and one of the most hotly contested. The pipeline would unlock access to the heavily polluting oil of Canada’s tar sands. Climate scientists agree that if the world’s climate is to remain stable, most of that oil must be left underground. Resistance to the pipeline has set fire to the US climate movement, prompting thousands of civil disobedience arrests and bringing together climate activists, Native American tribes, and farmers living on the pipeline route.

In 1996, Ecuador’s government auctioned off the oil under the Amazonian Kichwa community of Sarayaku. The Kichwa have been fighting to keep international oil companies out of the rainforest ever since. In 2012, they won a historic victory in the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. The court ruled that indigenous peoples must be consulted about oil activities on their traditional lands, and ordered Ecuador to pay reparations to Sarayaku.

It was a precedent-setting win for indigenous movements against fossil fuel exploitation.

Climate advocates worldwide are preparing for the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference, scheduled for December in Paris. The conference’s goal is to get all of the world’s nations to sign onto a new binding, universal agreement on climate change.

It’s being hailed as a make-or-break moment for the planet’s climate.

Though China still reigns as the world’s largest coal user, internal resistance to the country’s coal habit is building at last, driven by public concern over disastrous air pollution. In 2011, thousands of people poured into the streets to protest the expansion of a coal plant in Guangdong Province. According to the government, protests increased 31% in 2013 – an impressive feat in a country where social media is censored, making protests difficult to organise. Coal is thought to be driving the unrest.

Last year, thousands of people spent several weeks in an encampment in Bentley, a small town in northern New South Wales. They were there to prevent a fracking company from drilling an unconventional gas well – and by force of people power, they won.

Communities from across the region and beyond, linked by social media, banded together to support Bentley and overwhelm police and gas company resources. The state government finally suspended the fracking license, citing lack of community consultation.

A flotilla of traditional hand-carved canoes, paddled by people from 12 Pacific island nations, blockaded the world’s largest coal port, in Newcastle, Australia, last October. Entire Pacific nations will become uninhabitable if sea levels rise. But the network of self-proclaimed Pacific Climate Warriors have made their motto “We are not drowning, we are fighting.”

Because their own countries are not the ones responsible for climate change, the peaceful Warriors aim to reach the people of other nations with spirited pleas for climate justice.

element

7

SOCIAL CHANGE

Za Sung runs a local recycling business picking up 100kg of plastic and glass rubbish each day to deliver to the local recycling depot. She is pictured with Borderless crew Dave Henderson and Dean Easterbrook and the local recycling depot manager.

Capturing the Power of Positive Microfinance is changing the lives of women and their families worldwide.

Opinion: Qiujing Wong

I

n last month’s Element article, I explored the key attributes of outstanding social change movements and what is needed to turn a Great Idea into a successful campaign. I identified four key ingredients: public and political will, a mobilising lens to activate greater collective action, capability of leadership and team, and a compelling vision and story.

Sometimes the mobilising lens requires us to reframe the issue. Rather than focussing on the problem, it is more productive to seek out opportunities that focus our energies on supporting the actions that can achieve positive outcomes.

Positive psychology theories are beginning to take hold in the world of business and are challenging some of the more traditional thinking on social and business leadership.

Taking an appreciative inquiry approach by asking “What is working around here?” can lead to solutions that are achievable and affirming and to some breakthrough results.

A classic example of this was the development of microfinance for poor women entrepreneurs. Muhammed Yunus, economics professor, initiated a pilot project in Bangladesh in 1976 to provide small loans to women living in extreme poverty. The success of this project has led to the development of similar projects across many countries.

The genius of Yunus’ idea was to avoid the maledominated world of finance with its regimented rules and documentation and to focus on the positive energy of women who were driven to provide not only for themselves but also for their children and wider families. Allowing these women access to finance previously denied to them gave them the means to achieve their goals.

Extreme poverty continues to be a global problem that deprives millions of people around the world from being able to enjoy fulfilled lives. Women and children are particularly affected. However, even in such adverse

8

element

This woman runs a traditional medical clinic with a help of a microfinance loan.

For the past 10 years, entrepreneurial women in Myanmar have begun to access credit thanks to the work of microfinance organisations.

conditions, the spark of positive energy glows. Nurturing that spark can set a whole flame alight that can make real change achievable.

Positive psychologist Martin Seligman identified five key elements for human wellbeing and satisfaction: positive emotions, engagement in life or work, good relationships with those around us, commitment to a ‘meaning’ or something greater than ourselves, and a sense of achievement in what we set out to do. These five elements are what we now see women experiencing through the achievement of their enterprises thanks to microfinance.

The key to microfinance projects has been focusing on women entrepreneurs, providing small loans rather than grants and setting clear guidelines for performance and expectations for repayment rather than rules, regulations and paperwork (most of these women are illiterate and have no security to offer other than their desire to succeed).

A country where microfinance has recently taken hold is Myanmar (formerly known as Burma). Many of its 50 million people live in conditions of extreme poverty. However, for the past 10 years, entrepreneurial women in Myanmar have begun to access credit thanks to the work of microfinance organisations. This has led to a number of positive social outcomes such as improved health, education and social harmony.

Aotearoa Development Co-Operative’s (ADC) microfinance project in Myanmar has been running for over six years.

During this time, it has issued nearly 900 loans totaling $200,000. ADC was one of the first legally registered microfinance banks in Myanmar and has developed expertise specific to that country.

ADC was set up by two enterprising Kiwis – Andrew Colgan and Geoff Cooper – who decided to put their positive energies into helping alleviate poverty in Myanmar and Malawi.

A few years ago, my company Borderless discovered the work of ADC and the opportunities of microfinance for poor entrepreneurial women in Myanmar. This recently led to the creation of a social change film and campaign, entitled On the Backs of Women. This month Borderless director Dean Easterbrook and Camera man Dave Henderson travelled to Myanmar to capture on film some of the remarkable stories of women in Myanmar who are making a real difference for themselves and their families.

These women belong to “solidarity groups” (usually a group of five women) and include people like Cing Ho Nam who, together with her extended family, operates a business washing cars and motorcycles outside her home in Kalaymyo.

With a loan of 165,000 kyat (NZ$210) she purchased a better compressor and new hoses, improving the quality and efficiency of her cleaning service. She has used a subsequent loan to buy a grinder, which runs off the same process and mills maize flour. These enterprises enable her to feed and educate her children and assist her extended family.

On the Backs of Women will be a documentary film capturing the positive stories of poor women entrepreneurs in Myanmar who are making a real difference with the help of microfinance loans. The film, which will be released later in 2015, aims to be a catalyst for change that mobilises connections between lenders in countries like New Zealand and entrepreneurial women of Myanmar. These sparks of positive energy can transform the world of poverty.

To find out about the film and campaign On the Backs of Women visit borderless.co.nz and onthebacksofwomen.com Qiujing Wong is the CEO and co-Founder of Borderless, a social change company activating change through storytelling and social movements. In 2012 Qiujing was awarded a Blake Leadership Medal by the Sir Peter Blake Trust and in 2014 she was a finalist in the Women of Influence Awards for her contribution Qiujing Wong to leadership, entrepreneurship and social change.

Visit borderless.co.nz to learn more.

ADVERTORIAL

SPECIAL OFFER

36 Month Interest Free Finance Install your Trina/Enphase 2 kW system today at the special introductory offer. Only $7,995 fully installed incl GST, $2000 deposit and the balance interest free for 36 Months.

Free yourself from your power bill today

Bob and Carole Leenstra have a solar installation from SolarKing solar energy specialists.

The ultimate PV solar system SolarKing has brought two of the world’s leading brands together creating a marriage of superior efficiency.

As New Zealand’s glorious summer has kicked into full swing clocking up some serious sunshine hours, installing solar PVs for your home or bach is becoming an increasingly hot idea. But if you’re going to invest in solar choosing a quality, top performing system with the most advanced technology on the market is a must.

According to Roy Maddox, director, SolarKing, in terms of hardware efficiency and performance Trina Honey Solar Panels are the way to go if you’re wanting the most bang for your buck. Trina Honey panels are German engineered and use advanced solar cell technology. More sunlight absorbed into the panels means higher rates of electricity production for every unit area of cell. Trina Honey panels produce 5-10% more power, compared to panels of similar size.

But the efficiency of your solar panels is only as good as the inverter technology employed to convert the sun’s light (DC current) into usable power (AC) for your home energy needs. Micro inverters have some distinct advantages over conventional string inverter systems and in some situations can produce up to or over 20% more energy than similar string-connected arrays.

The Enphase System sold by SolarKing is currently the world’s most efficient micro inverter system that connects each solar panel to a microinverter and monitors them through intelligent, web-based software called Enlighten. Unique to the Enphase inverter system is that it allows each panel to operate independently, maximizing system production.

This contrasts regular systems where the sunlight production level is typically dropped to the lowest producing panel while it is shaded. It has also been designed with maximum flexibility so that it can fit any roof. In addition, it comes with an engaging,

easy to use and customisable remote monitoring and troubleshooting software called MyEnlighten to keep track of your solar system and performance.

Accessible via your PC, tablet or smartphone, MyEnlighten enables you to verify system health and performance at-a-glance, and ensures the system is always running at peak performance. It also allows users to view energy production by month, day or hour, analyse performance against historical weather data and pretty much boast to your neighbours and friends about your system performance!

One couple who have been enjoying the benefits the Trina Honey solar panels coupled with the Enphase system are Forest Hill retirees Carol and Bob Leenstra. Reaching their golden years, the couple’s electricity consumption has soared in recent times as they’ve spent more time at home. So installing the system couldn’t have come at a better time. “Being on a fixed income it’s been important for us to reduce as many outgoings as possible. Having SolarKing install the system has been an absolute Godsend.

We can sit inside during these hot months with the AC running full bore and not have to worry that it’s costing us a cent!”

What’s more, the Enphase software system has proven to be extremely user friendly – even for eighties plus. “It’s quite fascinating and engrossing and so easy to use. You can see exactly how much power you’re generating and what panels are producing what. If a panel is under performing you can figure out why.”

The installation of their system also couldn’t have gone more smoothly. “SolarKing have been fantastic. There were no disruptions and we couldn’t praise them enough. It’s so nice to work with people who know exactly what they’re doing”.

Help Power Up the Cancer Society SolarKing is assisting the Cancer Society Auckland to install a 30 kW plus array on Domain Lodge in Grafton. As well as coordinating the fundraising, supplying and installing the system, SolarKing is donating $100 from every system sold this month to the cause. It’s hoped the system will be fully funded and installed by March.

To make a donation go to: tinyurl.com/okqy5qw

The Solar Energy Specialists SolarKing, based on Auckland’s North Shore, are national leaders in the installation of residential solar systems, and supply only the highest standard tier 1 solar solutions and technologies. From the latest technologies in panels and inverters right through to smart software solutions enabling you to manage and monitor your solar PVs – on site or remotely – SolarKing’s suite of comprehensive, integrated solutions ensures your transition to solar is as seamless, efficient and cost-effective as possible.

For more information visit www.solarking.co.nz or call 0508 SOLARNZ (09 486 7443) for a free solar consultation.

LAUNCHPAD – MEET THE TEAMS

Model business Launchpad is the social enterprise incubator where eleven fledgling businesses are prepared for market.

This month Rosie Bosworth talks to Rhys Millar from Food, Farms and Fresh Water, Rate My Flat’s Lindsey Horne and Janette Searle from Take My Hands.

Sharon and Mike Barton from FFFW.

Food, Farms and Fresh Water RB: Describe Food, Farms and Fresh Water (FFFW)?

Rhys Millar: Intensive farming can significantly harm the quality of our streams and rivers. FFFW is establishing a framework and an accreditation system for sheep and beef farmers to improve the quality of waterways while supplying the public with high quality meat. Our accredited certification system is attached to a value chain that delivers a price premium to farmers whose practices repair and protect waterways. This enables farmers to reinvest in the farming practices that deliver world-leading environmental outcomes.

RB: Tell us about the brains behind FFFW. RM: FFFW started with myself (Rhys Millar) and Natasha Garvan. We’ve expanded to four – including Taupo-based Mike and Sharon Barton. Natasha is a resource management lawyer and brings project management skills to the team.

I’m an environmental planner with experience in achieving solutions enhancing the sustainable use of our land. Mike and Sharon are farmers in the Taupo catchment. They run a farm that operates under New Zealand’s toughest environmental standards for water quality. They’re leading the way in demonstrating that environmental guardianship and good business are not mutually exclusive.

RB: Tell us about the “aha” moment?

RM: Natasha – through her work in the Land and Water Forum process – was becoming aware of the decline of freshwater quality in New Zealand and the predicament that farmers are often in. And I’ve always wanted my children to enjoy the same kiwi upbringing I did – swimming in our rivers! We were connected by a mutual friend and had a lot to share about the decline in water quality, and creating change through a market-led initiative. Conversations with others throughout the sector pointed us towards contacting the Bartons.

Help FFFW by completing their survey at surveymonkey.com/s/buying_beef

10

element

RB: What gaps does FFFW fill?

RM: Farmers operate under a food production system of intensification that doesn’t recognise the true cost of food.

As a consequence, negative externalities, such as water pollution, aren’t accounted for – both in the cost of farming and in the cost of food. By providing products which are underpinned by robust auditing, independently certified to meet high standards for water and sold for premiums, FFFW’s model supports rural communities, reduces environmental pressure and allows Kiwis to contribute to fixing an environmental problem.

“[Mike and Sharon] run a farm that operates under New Zealand’s toughest environmental standards for water quality.

They’re leading the way in demonstrating that environmental guardianship and good business are not mutually exclusive.”

RB: What will society look like in 10 years because of FFFW? RM: Our rivers and lakes will be swimmable and fishable, with healthy freshwater ecosystems. Our supply chain will be shorter, enabling farmers and consumers to better understand each others’ needs.

RB: Do you see FFFW evolving into something bigger?

RM: Our certification system and model has applicability to all land uses. However, we’re starting with the red meat sector (beef and sheep) since we know it is under pressure, but typically has lesser environmental impact than more intensive land uses such as dairying. We see potential to expand this model into other sectors but first we want to demonstrate the willingness of Kiwis in a model that supports meat farmers.

Rate My Flat RB: Describe Rate My Flat?

Lindsey Horne: Rate My Flat is a website enabling tenants to rate the flats and homes they rent across a variety of aspects including warmth, dryness and landlord responsiveness, so future tenants know what they’re getting before they sign the lease.

RB: Tell us about the brains behind Rate My Flat.

LH: We are all graduates or current students at the University of Otago with an interest in improving energy efficiency and health. Leander is our solutions director. Letisha is our external relations director. Cade Bedford is Rate My Flat’s logistics & financial director. As for me, I’m the marketing director.

RB: Tell us about the “aha” moment?

LH: After living in Dunedin for a few years, we were all sick of living in freezing flats where you couldn’t think because you were so cold! We decided to move into what was the ‘Official Worst Flat in Dunedin’ – or, as we like to call it, the ‘Sh*tshow Chateau’. For 18 months we’ve worked alongside our landlord to renovate it (with the help of our friends). We insulated over half the house, installed a pellet fire burner, painted over the graffiti and removed five skips of rubbish. We were able to convince Canterbury Power Solutions to install eight solar PV panels. After this we started thinking about how we could drive change on a larger scale. Rate My Flat was born.

RB: What gaps does TMH fill?

LH: Rate My Flat is a platform that goes beyond information sharing. It changes the relationship between landlords and tenants from something that can be troublesome into something where both parties are stoked to have one another. If rental properties are warm, healthy and energy efficient then tenants are more likely to respect properties. People will suffer less from respiratory illnesses and flus and power bills and emissions will decrease.

Landlords stand to gain with homes that will have less maintenance and lower rental turnaround.

LAUNCHPAD – MEET THE TEAMS

Contact announces $20,000 People’s Choice Award for Launchpad The eleven teams participating in Akina’s Launchpad programme have really impressed the judging panel, but next month, the judging will be handing the job of choosing a winner over to you.

Rate My Flat’s Lindsey Horne, Leander Schulz, Letisha Nicholas and Cade Bedford. Photo: Mark Tantrum

RB: What will society look like 10 years from now because of RMF? LH: Over a third of kiwis rent and this is on the rise as buying your first home is becoming harder. We hope that every tenant and their landlord will be using tools like RMF to improve their relationship. We want to see a world where tenants can ask for insulation, extractor fans or solar heating without fear of being considered troublesome tenants who won’t get their lease renewed and landlords see that tenants are a positive contribution to their investment property.

RB: Do you see RMF evolving into something bigger?

LH: We’re looking beyond RMF to tools that can fast-track win-win situations for all rental parties involved. We learned really quickly how having a hightrust relationship with your landlord is key for keeping homes healthy. We’re looking into the relationship side of housing and using that as a basis to then improve housing standards.

RB: Tell us about the brains behind TMH. JS: Four of us make up TMH. My background is in the creative and health sectors. I’m great at making stuff happen so I look after the project management, business management and funding aspects. Carol Searle, my co founder, brings expertise from the health and disability sector. Linda Grey is our awarding-winning finance brain and whizz with all things numbers-based. Haylee Bright performs magic with all things admin, organisation and co-ordination focussed.

RB: Tell us about the “aha” moment for TMH? JS: It happened in 2010 at a conference for Orthotists. I was talking with a prosthetist about what happens to all the old artificial arms and legs and learned that they were simply dumped. That conversation sparked the idea that led to our first project – sending 500kg of prosthetic equipment to an organisation overseas that fits prosthetics free to those in need. Our projects have grown, both in terms of range of equipment, quantity and the spread of countries we send to.

Contact is going to give a whopping $20,000 to a Launchpad team chosen by you, the public, as your favourite social enterprise team as part of our Launchpad People’s Choice Award.

Supporting the Launchpad teams isn’t just about backing a winner. It’s about growing social enterprise in New Zealand, and helping people do great things for our communities.

Voting will run from the February 23 to March 22 on elementmagazine.co.nz. There you’ll also find information about each of the eleven Launchpad teams, so make sure you take a look.

Contact has sponsored the $20,000 People’s Choice Award, as well as three $1000 milestone awards which recognise the teams with the most innovative idea, the best community engagement strategy and the most improved social enterprise.

We’ll be announcing the winner in the March issue of Element Magazine.

RB: What gaps does TMH fill?

JS: We’re the connector between the “haves” and “have nots” with both an environmental and social impact. Currently good equipment is dumped because, for whatever reason (regulation, convenience, becoming obsolete in some way), it can no longer be used here. This equipment still has usable life left in it. At the same time, people in need in less fortunate regions of the world are screaming out for equipment that doesn’t cost the earth.

RB: What will society look like 10 years from now because of TMH?

Carol and Jeanette Searle from Take My Hands.

Photo: MarkTantrum

Take My Hands RB: Describe Take My Hands?

Janette Searle: Take My Hands improves the lives of those less fortunate abroad by redistributing medical equipment to those in need internationally – for free. How? By utilising spare capacity and resources; in our case recycling medical equipment that can no longer be used here, and teaming it up with spare warehouse space, transport, and volunteer time.

JS: We will have an economy that trades in spare capacity operating alongside the normal ‘cash-based’ economy. We will have inspired a raft of sharing economy based organisations focused on connecting people and organisations across the globe with spare equipment, resource, time and space to those in need.

RB: Do you see TMH evolving into something bigger?

JS: Once we’ve nailed our current systems and processes, the idea is to expand the basic model. The model can be scaled up in two ways: geographically, in terms of having equipment being donated from a range of donor countries and in terms of expanding the range of equipment verticals we focus on – like veterinary equipment and medications, or building equipment. Take My Hands will essentially act as the support medium, providing the tools, knowledge, experience, systems, processes, platforms.

See more at elementmagazine.co.nz

element

11

SUSTAINABILITY

NZ ripe for electric vehicle conversion High-performance cars running on clean, renewable energy.

What’s not to like?

The electric Tesla Roadster is under consideration for the government’s fleet.

Opinion: James Russell

I

s electricity the new oil?

Only the most optimistic and hopeful of people will believe that current low prices at the pump will endure: oil is becoming ever-more difficult to extract.

Electricity, on the other hand, is becoming ever-easier to generate from clean, renewable resources. Increasing numbers of people are now making their own.

And now you can drive your car with it. Trouble is, currently the electric vehicles (EVs) whirring around the cities all cost a pretty penny, and are out of reach for the average motorist.

But that won’t be the case for long. The pricey bit of an EV is the lithium ion batteries, which are dropping in price by 6 – 8% per year. And don’t forget the average motorist with an EV is already saving about $2500 per year on petrol. An EV owner spends less than $500 per year on electricity to drive it.

A second-hand Nissan Leaf with less than 10,000km on the clock can now be purchased for less than $20,000.

At the end of 2014, there was close to 2.5m cars on NZ roads, most using $2500 worth of petrol – a total price tag of $6.25b for fuel which is imported from offshore. Mighty River Power (MRP) chief executive Fraser Whineray articulated it nicely last November when he said: “Imagine our Kiwi exporters standing on the end of the wharf having just sold their wonderful goods and shipped them off, only to throw that money at visiting oil tankers.”

Far better to throw it at our power companies, parts of which are now owned by Kiwi mums and dads.

Conversely, the electricity mix in New Zealand is 75% clean, renewable electricity, with the remaining 25% generated from burning fossil fuels. That mix will only move one way – more renewables.

Whineray said that the energy in the renewable power projects that are already consented is more than enough to drive the entire country’s cars 12,000km a year. He has put his money where his mouth is, with both himself and chairwoman Joan Withers now getting around in E-vehicles, and company plans to switch 70% of the MRP fleet to E-vehicles.

12

element

MRP has also teamed up with the brand new Audi E-Tron plug-in hybrid, offering a 30% discount for E-Tron owners charging their cars with MRP electricity between 11pm and 7am.

It has emerged that one of the challenges for EV producers and retailers is to bust the myths about them.

So-called ‘range anxiety’ is a legitimate concern, which isn’t helped by motoring journalists discovering that the advertised range on some EVs applies only if you’re extremely light on the accelerator and don’t use the car stereo or air conditioning.

The short-term solution has been the plug-in hybrid, which generally has a short electric-only range, backed up by a petrol engine for longer trips (of the electric-only

“Imagine our Kiwi exporters standing on the end of the wharf having just sold their wonderful goods and shipped them off, only to throw that money at visiting oil tankers.” MRP chief executive Fraser Whineray vehicles, the Holden Volt and Tesla Roadster are boasting ranges comparable to standard petrol car, albeit for a hefty price tag).

It’s particularly applicable for the New Zealand situation, where a long, skinny country with limited public transport options between towns and in the regions means we tend to do a lot of driving if we’re planning on an out-of-town excursion, and a vehicle is needed when we get there.

Plug-in hybrids include the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and the Audi E-tron vehicles, while the brand new BMWi3 is marketed as an all electric vehicle (with a range of 150km), but it too has a ‘range extender’ – a nine-litre petrol tank which will get you where you need to go – or at least as far as the next petrol station.

Drivers new to EVs are generally taken by surprise by the torque on offer – without a gearbox or transmission most

EVs get off the mark like the proverbial cut cat.

The charging issue is another which raises its head in discussions about EVs. As the Association for the Promotion of Electric Vehicles (APEV) points out, electricity is the most widely distributed form of energy in New Zealand. While a dedicated charging station delivers a much faster charge, many of today’s EVs also plug into a standard three-point socket so stranding is unlikely to be an issue if you have the time to charge the car.

For those who realise and accept that their personal emissions contribute to the global problem, driving a vehicle which prevents about two tonnes of CO2 from entering the atmosphere each year has merit of its own. Multiplied by 2.5m cars – the size of New Zealand’s fleet – that’s 5m tonnes – or almost 15% of the country’s total emissions.

The conversion of the country’s fleet to electric power is modestly supported by the government, but far from the extent to which other countries have promoted E-vehicles.

E-vehicle owners are exempt from road user charges through to 2020, but that’s where the encouragement ends.

“This government will not subsidise the purchase price of EVs,” announced Energy Minister Simon Bridges last May. The government itself has been urged to take the initiative and replace its own fleet with EVs, with the Tesla Roadster electric vehicles being touted as a suitable replacement for its BMWs. Quite how this would be viewed by the foreign oil companies invited by the government to prospect here is another matter.

The oft-quoted issue of environmental impact of an EVs batteries is explained best by APEV: “It is true that producing batteries requires the use of minerals such as nickel, copper and aluminium and that the potential global warming impact is greater because of this. However a recent study by a Norwegian University found that if the cars are powered by electricity made from low-carbon sources such as we have in New Zealand, then they offer substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions over time, and of course they eliminate exposure to tailpipe emissions which dirty the air and create costly health problems. Also, because of the high value of lithium which is found in EV batteries, it is, and will continue to be, recycled.”

Be part of the bigger picture Our degrees are in real demand. Look at Michelle Ruske: she’s tackling big environmental issues, like how we can turn Christchurch into a Copenhagen-like cycling city.

Do worthy things that are worth a lot too.

Enrol for 2015.

Enrol now

www.lincoln.ac.nz/michelle Environment | Tourism | Sports and Recreation | Property Management | Landscape Architecture

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Preparing your home for solar energy Before you splash out on a new solar system, reduce your energy demands.

L

ate last year the power companies paying a buy-back rate for excess power produced from small-scale solar installations and fed back into the national grid dropped their rates with the coordination of synchronized swimmers.

Did it change the equation?

Not really. While it would be nice for your solar panels to be earning 25c/kWh while you’re on holidays for those four weeks a year, the solar equation now comes down to offsetting your regular daytime use.

If you’re at home all day, your energy requirements increase, making a larger solar array feasible. If you’re not, your requirements come down to heating your hot water, keeping the fridges running, and any other appliances you can set to operate during sunlight hours.

Calculating your daily energy use and choosing an array just large to offset it is the key to minimising the payoff time for your system, which should be no more than eight years. That calculation also doesn’t take into account the depressingly regular increases in the price of electricity.

That same system will continue to produce power for a minimum of 25 years, and probably 30.

With all this in mind, it makes sense to lower your home’s energy requirements first, before calculating what sized solar array you need.

Here’s how you do it.

Lighting

LED lighting is a revolution in energy efficiency. With lighting making up, on average, eight per cent of a home’s energy use, this energy cost can be cut by at least 80 per cent. On a power bill of $250, $22 will be spent on lighting with traditional incandescent bulbs. Replace them all with LEDs, and you’re looking at more like $4.50. Of course, it has limited impact during the day when lights aren’t needed so much, but it pays dividends at the power bill.

14

element

Hot water heating

The efficiencies gained from the coupling of a solar array and a heat pump water heater (HPWH), which transfers the warmth in the air to your water, can only be described as a match made in heaven. With hot water making up at least one third of an electricity bill, a HPWH (pictured right) alone will slash that cost by two thirds, and adding solar power to the mix should effectively halve it again. An ‘all-in-one’ HPWH can be installed as a retrofit for between $3000 and $4000, and for between $2500 and $3500 in a new build. Some HPWH models can also be set to heat water during sunlight hours and keep hot water ready to use during evening or early morning – ideal for solar generation or cheap daytime grid electricity.

Insulation and heating

On a frosty but clear day in winter the thought that your solar panels are running your efficient heat pump will certainly warm the cockles.

But consider that a well-insulated home, with draft proofing measures throughout, double glazing and thermal curtains, will decrease the amount of heat needed to bring the room to a comfortable temperature.

Heating throughout winter generally makes up one third of a power bill, so any inroads which can be made can make a very pleasant difference.

Electronics

Electronics take up around 18 per cent of power usage.

When your solar system is installed, it obviously makes sense to charge all your mobile devices during the day.

Turn off appliances at night, as left on standby they are just money down the drain.

It also makes sense to choose those appliances with

the Blue Energy Star mark, which are among the top ten per cent for efficiency. For example, refrigeration takes around 11% of the electricity used in your home. Over the 15-year life of a fridge, an efficient model will more than pay for itself.

Heated towel rails

These innocuous little appliances are a 24-hour draw on your power and the best thing you can do is to have an electrician install a timer switch. With a solar system installed, it makes sense to have them come on when the sun is high in the sky, but that will only work to dry towels after your morning shower, and not your evening bath. A damp towel will dry on a heated towel rail in less than four hours, after which your timer can switch it off for the night.

Now that your home is as energy efficient as possible, it’s time to figure out your energy usage during the sunlight hours, so that you can choose the correct-sized solar array.

Your solar installer will be able to help here.

Other considerations include whether you plan to purchase an electric vehicle in the next decade or two.

For this reason you may like to have spare capacity in your inverter (the unit which converts DC solar power in AC power suitable for your appliances) for more panels in future, or whether you opt for micro inverters (which can fit under the panels and be scaled modularly).

This editorial series is made possible with funding from Energy Alternatives. To find out more about energy efficient products visit energyalternatives.co.nz.

EA190115

Your affordable energy answer Save at least 65% on your biggest energy expense* Water heating accounts for one of the biggest chunks of power consumption in the average kiwi home. Families of four or more can save at least 65% of your hot water heating costs, compared to a traditional electric water heater, with a new Aquarian Heat Pump Water Heater.

Now with our best-performing outdoor and indoor Heat Pump Water Heaters, the Aquarian range delivers stainless steel durability and the best like for like product payback in NZ for a family of four or more.

If you’re tired of hefty power bills, let Energy Alternatives help you reduce yours.

Highly efficient water heating Significant savings & quick payback Stainless steel tank 10 year warranty

Call us now on 0800 697 3639 or read more at www.energyalternatives.co.nz/heat-pumps

* When compared to a traditional electric water heater and families of 4 or more.

Aquarian 250L

Heat Pump Water Heater from just

$2,760 (incl GST) plus installation** Finance available terms and conditions apply **Special price valid until 27 February, 2015

Call 0800 697 3639

16

element

element

17

18

element

element

19

20

element

Kiwi kids love our school bags These backpacks have ample room for large binders, gym clothes and books with room to spare. Laminated linen exterior with a nylon lined interior, with 2 side insulated bottle pockets and a chest clip to keep the bag securely on while skipping, jumping, running, or any other high energy activity.

www.munchcupboard.com

element

21

22

element

Buy a Better World Welcome to ShopGreen, the new marketplace from Element. Here’s where the power of your wallet can bring about social and environmental good, through choosing to purchase from New Zealand’s most sustainable and ethical companies. Read all about this month’s offerings on the following pages, and visit shopgreen.co.nz to purchase.

24 NuZest

26 Te Radar

25 The Village Roaster

27 ShopGreen Deals

Your powerhouse dietary supplements

Organically sourced coffee at its freshest

Alternative forms of sunscreen

Sustainable products online now

Buy now @ shopgreen.co.nz

element

23

HEALTH & BEAUTY

NUZEST

NuZest – a Kiwi success story The starting point for a business can affect its culture and direction for years, and this couldn’t be truer for Kiwi-owned nutrition company NuZest. When its people say that product quality is more important than profit, it’s clear they mean it – and the origins of the business explain why.

O

ver the past three years, NuZest’s Good Green Stuff and Clean Lean Protein have become some of New Zealand’s most sought-after supplements. They are endorsed by high-profile sportspeople, media personalities and a swathe of health-conscious consumers who want to be sure of the quality and point of origin of the products they’re putting in their bodies.

The NuZest story began in 2005 when company founder, Sydneybased Kiwi Trevor Bolland, learned that his daughter Monique had been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Not satisfied with the bleak prognosis, they embarked upon a two-year international search consulting leading neurologists, naturopathic doctors and nutritionists.

The experts’ advice was simple: a healthy, balanced lifestyle and good nutrition were critical.

Trevor and Monique contacted Kiwi nutritionist and naturopath Cliff Harvey to help develop quality supplements to fill the nutritional gaps typically caused in Western diets by nutrient-deficient food, stressful lifestyles and poor eating habits. They teamed with internationallyrenowned Dr Robert Verkerk PhD, founder and scientific director of the Alliance for Natural Health (Europe and USA), and Kira Sutherland, then head of Nutritional Medicine at NatureCare College, Sydney.

The flagship Good Green Stuff is a complex 76-ingredient blend of nutrient-dense greens, fruits and vegetables combined with a potent mix

of additional vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, probiotics and therapeutic herbs; it’s designed to support everything from the digestive system to cognitive function – complete nutritional support. It’s much more than your daily multi and light years away from just greens.

“It’s simple to throw a pile of superfoods and mixed vitamins together and make it appear to cover all the bases,” says Trevor. “We wanted to ensure that our product had a scientific rationale to the final formula and careful research into the form of each ingredient; there were to be no compromises, to save a few dollars. We wanted people to feel the difference.”

NuZest’s Clean Lean Protein is made from golden peas that are grown sustainably, processed, blended and packed in Europe to the highest standards. Containing up to 90% protein per serve, it’s one of the best available sources of vegetable protein. Clean Lean Protein is alkaline, all-natural, low in allergens and, like Good Green Stuff, it’s free from gluten, dairy, eggs, nuts, soy, GMOs and artificial flavours.

A deep appreciation of the value of nutrition runs throughout the NuZest business, which is still essentially a family affair despite supporting an expanding international distribution. Trevor and Monique run the international office and close friend and fellow Kiwi Geoff Ashenden and his daughter Claire head up NuZest New Zealand. www.nuzest.co.nz

Visit shopgreen.co.nz to buy a NuZest starter pack for $79.00 including a 120g tub of Good Green Stuff, a pack of 10 serves (4 flavours) of Clean Lean Protein, a free shaker, book and a Good Green Stuff bar.

24

e em el ment en nt element

w www.shopgreen.co.nz

FOOD & WINE

THE VILLAGE ROASTER

Craft coffee from The Village Roaster A true coffee guru, Sune Farrimond is hell-bent on the freshest coffee possible.

S

une Farrimond developed a taste for the coffee business at a tender young age. Now, after over a decade working in the industry, he’s applying his hard-won knowledge to the creation of his own boutique brew.

The Village Roaster is a culmination of all that experience, combined with an obsessive desire for the best quality cup. It’s what Sune describes as; “A premium experience of organic coffee.”

That’s some achievement for a high school drop-out. Born in Denmark, Sune lived in Sydney before moving to Auckland in his late teens. He left Western Springs College by what he wryly describes as “mutual agreement” at the age of 17 and went to work washing dishes in a cafe.

That was the start of a journey through the roles of coffee runner, to barista, to cafe manager, to coffee sales and company manager.

“It’s all I’ve ever known.”

He’s now satisfying New Zealand’s growing desire for coffee blends from smaller, high-quality producers – an area which has seen explosive growth.

It starts with the raw ingredients, sourcing the perfect blend of beans and developing recipes that he can be proud of. “We roast

organic coffee. It’s the way the world is going.”

The next crucial step is, of course, roasting. While 85% of New Zealand’s coffee is drum roasted, Sune sourced a state-of-the-art machine that literally roasts the beans on a bed of hot air. “It gives more consistent, brighter coffee notes and removes the burnt, smokey flavours that can often be associated with drum roasting.”

The Village Roaster operates from an old industrial building in Auckland, a far cry from its previous use as a marble and granite factory. Under a gantry crane, the huge roasting chamber is housed in an open-sided shipping container.

Unlike a lot of supermarket coffee which can often have up to a two-year shelf life, supplying direct online is a way for The Village Roaster to deliver fresh roasts for consumers, while keeping overheads (except for the cranes) low.

“Coffee is roasted to order weekly. We make fresh organic premium products and within days of being roasted it is in your pantry.”

The Village Roaster has teamed up with ShopGreen to deliver on that promise of great tasting fresh coffee.

“Fresh is always best,” says Sune.

Visit shopgreen.co.nz where you can purchase organically sourced five 200gm bags of The Village Roaster coffee for $55.00 including delivery.

w www.shopgreen.co.nz

element elem el emen entt

25 5

TE RADAR RADAR’S RANT

“We may scoff at the wrist-to-ankle togs of the past but I can’t help but think they had it right.”

Bright ideas e ssun un un There are some excellent ways to stay out of the Te Radar Ra R ada darr that also double as population control methods. By Te

F

or a while this summer I took to walking about under an umbrella, which was useful for providing shade and handy for Auckland’s typically inclement summer weather. Then my arm got tired, so I decided to wear an umbrella hat.

I wasn’t worried about rain. I wore it because I like to be sun-smart. The problem is that I’d also attempted to become sunscreen-smart. My first mistake was glancing at headlines intimating that the cancer sunscreens prevent might be replaced by the cancer that some believe they cause. The second mistake was reading the articles.

There are two types of sunscreen, they stated. I had assumed these were, firstly, the type you have when you don’t need any and, secondly, the type that you left at home resulting in you not having any when you do need some.

But no, they were referring to the physical and chemical types. Physical types create an actual physical barrier. That seemed logical. Some of these now use nanomaterials, added to make them seem clear after applying, rather than having you appear as if you had slathered yourself in house paint.

The chemical types absorb the sun’s ultraviolet radiation and subjects it to some kind of chemical reaction that prevents damage. That sounds like Science, and therefore must be a good thing.

However studies of the sunscreens’ effects on animals have proved worrying, not least for the animals involved.

However, the animal studies involved injecting the various chemicals, forcing the animals to inhale them, bathe in them, eat them, or a combination of all of the above. Not many of us will be doing that, and nor indeed should the poor lab animals.

But they are not the only creatures sunscreen endangers.

Researchers from an Italian university have estimated that

26

element

o f tourists to our uri u rists s onto o to coral on coral co cor oral a reefs ree re efss 6000 tons of sunscreen washes off standa sta da dably ably blly stressed sttres essed es d coral c ra co ral al each year. This results in understandably se e a reef-safe reef reef eff-sa ef-sa - afe e sunscreen su sun sunscr u scr creen cr e ee that is prone to bleaching. Choose or, as I like to call it, a wetsuit. m the th various va v arious ario rio ious u chemicals chemic ch che m al mic als a lss Worse, some researchers claim com com mpou po ounds ndss, which wh hic icch ch can react in water to create new compounds, icc algae, alg gae ae they ae, they are th ae harm phytoplankton. Microscopic in, n, and n and provide an prov viide de us u the basis of the ocean’s food chain, th he, e so o you o could ou could u ul with half of the oxygen we breathe, say they’re pretty useful. suns un cre cr en n from fro r om I did consider making my own sunscreen n the tth he he internet. inte inte terne errne ne net. n t. t That Tha at one of the innumerable recipes on barel ba arel ely follow foll foll oll ow w a recipe reci ecip ec pe e too is fraught with danger. I can barely conccoction occttion oct on off chemicals. o cch hemi emical ca ss.. cal for toast, let alone a complicated concoction nter ternet ern net e sunscreens su sunsc un nscree nsc creens ree een nss actually accttual a act tually ua ly ua ual ly Then I read a report that some internet urn rn ning in n . Truly Trul uly the u the internet int n ern nt errnet ett make you more susceptible to burning. makes lab rats of us all. a children ch child hiild ld dren r n in i their th heir e fullfu ullllll Little wonder I look enviously at ach. ch h Why W y don’t Wh d don’ on t they on’ they h y have ha ave e length sun-smart suits at the beach. t e wrist-to-ankle wrist wrist wr istt-to to-an a kle ankle kle togs to ogs gs of o them for adults? We may scoff att the the past but I can’t help but think they had it right.

For now though I’m prepared to take the risk and slather myself in the lotions and sprays because the other option is simply staying indoors and risking the rigours of Vitamin D deficiency, which can cause depression, as anyone who experienced the weather leading up to Christmas would well know.

The best advice is to stay in the shade and not spend too much time reading research articles on the dangers of danger preventions. After all, one of the last claims I read was that sunscreen might affect male fertility. I have no idea if that’s true, but what I do know is that the greatest danger to any breeding I may be contemplating is wearing an umbrella hat.

Above: Try Te Radar’s new range of sunscreens.

SHOPGREEN DEALS

ShopGreen deals on now Just visit ShopGreen.co.nz to see these great deals and more from New Zealand’s most sustainable businesses.

ECOSTORE

ecostore is one of New Zealand’s most progressive and environmentally friendly companies.

Grab yourself a ecostore Healthy Home Pack for $39.95.

ARTEMIS LIVER DETOX TEA

The Liver Detox Tea from Artemis helps improve your health, energy levels and wellbeing by supporting your liver to detox efficiently. $22.

SOLAR KING SOLAR SYSTEM

Take control of your power bills for just $5,250 for a tier-1, six-panel solar power system - including Auckland delivery (value $6,250).

ODYSSEY WINES

Experience Rebecca Salmond’s Homer wines, which encapsulate the terroir of the organic Odyssey Vineyard. $75 for 6 bottles.

YEALANDS WINES

Sip New Zealand’s most eco friendly wine. $125 for eight Peter Yealands Eco 750ml range wines & Four Govino wine glasses (value $163).

VALENTINE’S DAY OFFER - TWO FOR $29.99

PLUG-IN PEST FREE

Keep rats, mice and cockroaches out of your home. $139.95 for a Plug-In Pest Free domestic unit, $239.90 for two units or $359.95 for a pro-unit.

w www.shopgreen.co.nz

FLOW MOTION LUBRICANT

Get busy with two 100ml tubes of FlowMotion BioGro certified organic lubricant at this special rate.

element

27

ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS TAKE RESPONSIBLE ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION. Independent certification from Enviro-Mark Solutions proves that a company or product is taking the right action for the environment.

Ask to see these certifications to trust a business is taking responsible environmental action.

Learn more about what it takes to earn this mark of approval and who is already committed.

0800 ENMARK ENVIRO-MARK.COM

Managed and offset carbon footprint

Managed carbon footprint

Managed energy use

Managed environmental impacts