Beyond Magazine - Dubai Edition - Issue 1 2014 by Beyond Magazine

A w o r d fr o m the G ene ra l di re c t o r

The Torchbearer

Dubai, the city leading the charge and lighting our spirits

I must admit that my last trip to Dubai left me besotted. Its continuous – and extraordinary – development has by far exceeded my expectations. I saw a city that’s easily a model of cultural diversity and racial/religious tolerance, all the while celebrating its very traditions and faith and cementing its own identity. I was in a city that has transitioned to an international hub for commerce and finance, a city that has weathered the financial storm, building a robust economy anew with a per capita income that’s among the world’s highest. I realized that I was in the media, advertising, and digital powerhouse of the entire Middle East and North Africa, with a foundation so sturdy that it has absolutely wiped out all competition. Having been on a business trip, I popped in and out of industry events of every shape and form – some weren’t even work-related, but honestly my interest was piqued with every tradeshow or gathering that I attended. And as anyone who’s visited the bustling city in recent years can tell you, nobody can pull off a grandiose event in any area imaginable as Dubai does (as much as I wish that that were an overstatement!). Another issue that was the object of my fascination was the generous number of art and culture foundations and museums that have risen in Dubai, whether local or exported. It was heartwarming to see how much the emirate is investing in its fledgling homegrown talent in various fields, particularly in art and design, not to mention the great lengths it has gone to so as to establish a stellar education infrastructure. Despite being a seasoned traveler, it would be a blatant lie if I said that I wasn’t enticed by Dubai’s swanky hotels and plethora of retail and entertainment attractions – or its jaw dropping F&B offerings for that matter. As for the city’s many architectural marvels, their reputation precedes them. Burj Khalifa, for instance, currently stands as the world’s tallest skyscraper and has made the Kippreport list of “the 25 most impressive mankind engineering/construction feats” from around the globe – so did the manmade archipelago Palm Jumeirah. In a city where the crime rate is comparatively low and law enforcement is remarkably high, it dawned on me that I was standing in a first world country set in a third world region. Now I hate these Eurocentric labels as much as the next person. And I’m fully aware that it’s not always rainbows and butterflies in Dubai. And yes I have so far mostly dwelled on the physical things that Dubai has built. And it’s downright true that the UAE is rich in natural resources. Yet the worldwide

status that Dubai has gained over the years has been primarily due to the political wisdom of its leaders who have heavily nurtured its human resources, not strictly exhausted its natural wealth. And nothing better attests to this than the latest United Nations World Happiness Report, which ranked the UAE as the 14th happiest country on earth – and the Arab world’s happiest bar none! I was struck by the words that the visionary ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, uttered in reference to this classification. “A country cannot develop without the happiness and satisfaction of its people,” he said, noting that ensuring the happiness of citizens has always been a priority in the framework of the founding fathers of the UAE. It is a framework shared among all government sectors and institutions, he stressed, and all the development plans and initiatives as well as all policies and government laws. Sheikh Mohammed promised more work and further successes to ensure that the UAE and Dubai will be one of the world’s finest countries. I think it is safe to fully take him at his word (for the man has yet to make an empty promise). We have seen the city mobilize its efforts for Dubai 2020, after it defiantly bid to host the World Expo in seven years – and nabbed it! It is an imposing event that has yet to be held in the Middle East, Africa, or Southeast Asia. Beyond the number of visitors that Dubai is set to attract in light of this win, or the amount of money the global extravaganza is expected to generate for the UAE, the city has achieved an epic feat in scooping the honor. The win has just cemented the city as a global hub – a hub for everything under the sun. It demonstrated that leaders like Sheikh Mohammed are – sadly – few and far between in the Arab region. But mostly, it has proven that dreaming in this part of the world is still allowed and is not an exercise in futility. As Dubai continues to dream big and aim for additional jewels in its crown, one cannot but commend the young city’s phenomenal advancement. Dubai is a shining example of how far political neutrality, tenacity, and good-old hard work can take you – even if situated in a region swimming in turmoil.

B E Y O N D

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Owner and General Direc

T E A M

Saad tor Pascale Choueiri

Co-owner Ronald Saad Chief Editor Pa scale Chouei ri Saa d

Chief Environmental Consultant Edgard Chehab Environmental Consultants Bassam Kantar Art Director

Hage Tannouri e y Jaff itor Jod

Pauline

Copy Ed Guest Photographers

Coordinator Joelle Choueiry Makhoul

or Antoine Hajj Responsible Direct Nada Karam, Ph ilip Barret, Ed ward Barms, Sandy Sulmar, James Runbat, Roger Ghane m

Translators Jody Ja ffe, Sabine Abi Dergham

ice Hlidkova, h, Alia Fawaz, Al ra Fa m ha Ad ers rit Contributing W Pearl , cey

Tannoury, La e Yazbeck, Diana in ĂŠr Ch , Pat, ra Sa e Alin pher, Reggie Wade, Rodger Linsey Kaety, Morris Kristo

Zeina Aboul Hosn.

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M ain

C o nt r ibut o r s

Edgard Chehab

With 17 years of experience in the environmental field, Edgard Chehab is a renowned name in local and regional green circles. He is the assistant resident representative and manager of the Energy and Environment Program of UNDP, Lebanon. He is also the advisor to the Ministery of the Environment. Beyond is lucky to have Mr. Chehab Âas its environmental consultant and dear friend.

Yousra Bustros

Yousra wanted to study medicine. She studied management, which bored her profoundly. She considers herself to be a self-taught person who learned and went deeper into her studies according to her passions, which are numerous. They include reading, politics, philosophy, music writing, gardening, and hiking, when she is never without her camera. Professionally speaking, she has been the assistant to two extraordinary men: Gebran Tueini and Michel Elfteriades. She avows a profound love for Lebanon, which she has crossed largely on foot, and to which she is devoting a great deal of her energy as a militant who is into everything.

Nader Nakib

A regular contributor and strong supporter of Beyond, Nader El Nakib is the international officer of the Future Movement. Mr. Nakib has keen interest in fighting climate change, leading him to co-found a green NGO called G, which he currently presides over. He serves on the boards of the AUB Alumni Council, Business Week Market Advisory, and Economist Global Executive Forum.

Diana Boudargham Tannoury

In her contributions to Beyond, Diana Boudargham Tannoury continues to push her poetic license to the next level. With a masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree in international communications and international relations from Boston University, Mrs. Boudargham Tannoury enjoys writing short stories and poems in the hope that her words will help raise awareness about natureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fragility.

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10 The foun 22

BREEDING THE HOUBARA BUSTARD

The U.A.E. has made great strides towards increasing the population of this iconic bird

Miracle Garden

30 Dubai's Miracle Garden proves that the c e s s en

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EMOTION

Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan

The Earth Hero

Words B K

Dubai skyline along Sheikh Zayed Road at sunset, Dubai, UAE. It is home to most of Dubai's skyscrapers, including the tallest hotel in the world Rose Rayhaan.

– In a journey that he began over forty years ago, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the first president of the United Arab Emirates, infused in the country a spirit of responsibility, of camaraderie, and of collaboration. During his forty years of rule the country was transformed from a stunted conglomeration of seven emirates into a strong, modern country with one of the highest GDPs per capita in the Arab world and a state-of-the-art infrastructure and social system.

heikh Zayed’s vision was driven by a passionate belief in social, economic, and environmental sustainability. He focused on the promotion of agriculture and the spreading of greenery to curb desertification. In his role as President of the UAE, he created the political infrastructure for environmental research, protection, and development. Not only did Sheikh Zayed support the growing of crops, but he also ordered the planting of more than 140 million trees throughout the UAE. “Champion of the Earth” In 1995, in recognition of his strong support for environmental protection, Sheikh Zayed was the first head of state to be honored with the Golden Panda award by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). In 2005, one year after he had passed away, the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) honored Sheikh Zayed posthumously as an outstanding and innovative leader with the “Champion of the Earth” award. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan laid out a vision that would ensure the sustainable development

Burj Khalifa - the world's tallest tower in Downtown Burj Dubai , in Dubai, UAE

of the UAE. In a speech that he delivered to mark the UAE's first Environment Day in February 1998, Sheikh Zayed articulated his beliefs: "We cherish our environment because it is an integral part of our country, our history, and our heritage. On land and in the sea, our forefathers lived and survived in this environment. They were able to do so only because they recognized the need to conserve it, to take from it only what they needed to live, and to preserve it for succeeding generations. God willing, we shall continue to work to protect our environment and our wildlife, as did our forefathers before us. It is a duty, and, if we fail, our children, rightly, will reproach us for squandering an essential part of their inheritance, and of our heritage". http://zayedprize.org.ae

The Zayed Future Energy Prize The Zayed Future Energy Prize is one way in which Abu Dhabi has chosen to honor and continue Sheikh Zayed's legacy of environmental stewardship. In 2008 at the World Future Energy Summit, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, announced The Zayed Future Energy Prize, to honor his fatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s legacy of environmental stewardship. With a mind towards ensuring that the prize reaches out to the different key players in the industry, it is awarded annually to: A large corporation, a small-sized and a mediumsized enterprise, a non-governmental organization, a Lifetime Achievement recipient, and up to five high schools from five different regions of the world. https://www.zayedfutureenergyprize.com

Expect the unexpected: Dubai World Expo 2020 would be something spectacular Words B K

Fireworks illuminate the sky near Dubai's Burj Al Arab building during celebrations of the United Arab Emirates’s national day and Dubai’s victory in the voting for the hosting of the 2020 World Expo on December 2, 2013. AFP PHOTO/KARIM SAHIB

– The glitzy Gulf emirate of Dubai, chosen on November 27, 2013 to host the 2020 World Expo, has transformed itself over 50 years from a sleepy port town into a regional travel, trade, and financial services center.

ubai has defeated Brazil, Russia, and Turkey to win the right to host the 2020 World Expo, sparking celebrations in the Gulf city and a stunning fireworks display at the world's tallest building. Dubai beat Russia's Ekaterinberg in the final round of voting in Paris to clinch a prestigious event that should give a huge boost to tourism and business. The victory for Dubai – home to the world's tallest tower, largest man-made island, and one of the world's busiest airports – means that the World Expo will be hosted by an Arab country for the first time. The benefits will outweigh the costs Total spending related to the Expo, including private sector projects, could reach $18.3 billion, HSBC has estimated. The Dubai government is expected to provide a total of about $6.8 billion of capital spending for the Expo, while the exposition will cost around $1.6 billion, Bank of America Merrill Lynch said in a report. Bank of America has predicted that the Expo could lift Dubai's GDP growth by around 0.5 percentage point annually in 2016-2019, and around two percentage points in 202021. According to UAE officials, 227,000 new jobs are expected to be created as a result of World Expo, 40 percent of which will be in the tourism and travel sectors.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed al-Maktoum, head of Dubai's Supreme Fiscal Council and its Expo Committee, told reporters last month, "I can tell you now, the benefit will outweigh the cost of hosting the event." Sheikh al-Maktoum wants to astonish the world Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, said after winning the vote, "We renew our promise to astonish the world in 2020. "He added, "Dubai Expo 2020 will breathe new life into the ancient role of the Middle East as a melting pot for cultures and creativity." He promised that the Dubai Expo would "undoubtedly stand out as the best edition in the history of the event in terms of preparation and presentation." Dubai's ruler described his approach in a book that he published last month: "To take a risk and fail is not a failure. The real failure is the fear of taking any risk...If we had waited for regional stability to be restored before launching our large projects, where would we stand today?" Sheikh Mohammed has been credited with shaping Dubai into the modern, global city that it is today. Sheikh Mohammed founded Emirates Airline, now one of the biggest in the world, and has also spearheaded the development of Dubai’s sector-based hubs, including Internet City, Media City, Knowledge Village and, soon, the Dubai Design District. In June 2013, Sheikh Mohammed ordered the creation of a Dubai Strategic Plan 2020, which will be an update of the Dubai Plan 2015. The city’s tourism strategy envisages 20 million tourists by the year 2020.

Green light Dubai shares its sustainability strategy at COP 19

- Dubai’s Supreme Council of Energy and the Dubai Green Economy Partnership have

announced their support for the World Climate Summit 2013, the largest summit meeting of leaders from government, business, and finance, to be held in Warsaw, Poland along with the UNFCCC (COP19) meeting.

Words REGGIE WADE

or the first time this year, World Climate Ltd. and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development are collaborating to provide a complementary series of activities over two days alongside the 19th annual UN Climate Change Conference in Warsaw. Warsaw will mark the halfway point between the decisions taken in Durban to a climate change agreement in Paris in 2015, when a global agreement will be adopted. His Excellency Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, vice chairman, Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, will be a key speaker in the National and Sub-National Collaboration on Climate Change Plenary. Al Tayer stated, “The United Arab Emirates has been a constructive participant supporting international climate talks and has led the way by hosting the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and investing in visionary projects such as the recently launched 1,000 MW Mohammed Bin Rashid Solar Park in Dubai, among other remarkable regional and international achievements.” Dubai sets an example for reducing carbon emissions Engineer Waleed Salman, chairman of the Dubai Green Economy Partnership, a global initiative of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, to drive the transition to a green and sustainable economy, will join a workshop panel on Building Sustainable Cities. Salman stated: “Dubai sets an example for measurable results from carbon emissions reductions to increased efficiency and private sector participation. The Dubai

Integrated Energy Strategy 2030 aims to reduce energy consumption by 30 percent, which will reduce carbon emissions by over five million tons. As the first multistakeholder partnership to promote the transition to a green and low-carbon economy in the Middle East, the Dubai Green Economy Partnership is driven by global public-private partnerships, collaboration and crosssector participation, which reflects our stakeholders’ leadership and commitment to reduce carbon emissions in all activities from power and water to transportation and built environment.” The Dubai Supreme Council of Energy Under the visionary guidance of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice president and prime minister of the UAE, and ruler of Dubai, the Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy 2030 was deployed in 2011 to set the strategic direction of Dubai towards securing sustainable supply of energy and enhancing demand efficiency. It is tasked with policy development, planning, and coordinating to deliver new energy sources, while employing a balanced approach to protecting the environment. The Dubai Green Economy Partnership The Dubai Green Economy Partnership is an initiative of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council. It aims to enable the growth of green trade and investment, accelerate the adoption of green technologies, products and service, build capacity, and co-develop projects and knowledge assets.

Eng. Waleed Salman, Chairman of Dubai Green Economy Partnership

H. E. Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman, Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, MD & CEO, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA)

EMIRATES Group Flying the eco-friendly flag The 2012-13 annual environmental report illustrates the continuing efforts of the Emirates Group to improve its environmental efficiency, both in the air and on the ground.

Words RODGER PAT

– The Emirates Group has published its third annual environment report, for the fiscal year 2012-2013. It reveals improvements in Emirates’ fuel efficiency and reduction of carbon dioxide emissions as the airline has added new, modern aircraft and retired older, less efficient ones. The audited report analyzed environmental performance data from a range of the Group’s activities.

Better fuel efficiency and less carbon emissions With airline operations constituting the main environmental impact of the Emirates Group, total fuel efficiency for all passenger and freight flights improved by 0.29 percent, decreasing to 0.3103 liters per ton kilometer (L/TK). Similarly, carbon dioxide emissions fell to 0.767 grams of CO2 per ton kilometer (gCO2/TK), improving efficiency by 0.3 percent. Emirates’ average fleet age is six years as opposed to the IATA average fleet age of 11.7 years. This directly impacts Emirates’ fuel efficiency, which is 15.7 percent better than IATA’s 2012 forecast industry average, and its carbon dioxide emissions efficiency, which was 16.6 percent better than the IATA average.

Other significant highlights of

the report include: • Emirates has doubled its total recycling volumes in the reporting period, to 10,697 tons.

• Emirates Flight Operations is saving more than 4,200 tons of fuel and 13,200 tons of CO2 emissions per year because of its iFlex program, which has opened up 25 new airways structures across the African continent for Emirates’ South American operations. • Emirates was awarded the “Fly Quiet” Award at San Francisco Airport in 2012 and 2013 for the work done by its Flight Operations team to reduce the noise impact on surrounding communities. • Emirates Group Central Services team spearheaded a mail reduction campaign to reduce the amount of mail items at the Group’s headquarters in Dubai by 25 percent. • The Dnata Baggage Services team is planning to purchase 50 electric vehicle tractors, which should improve air quality for airport ramp workers, for use at

Dubai International Airport for the 201314- fiscal year. • Emirates plans to award funds to one or more deserving organizations this year under its new “A Greener Tomorrow” environmental grant. Emirates takes the lead in environmental reporting Emirates is also taking a leading role in the airline industry when it comes to environmental reporting. This year, the report includes Emirates’ proposal to adopt a new measure of industry fuel efficiency to become an industry standard. The new standard, measured by ton kilometer per liter (TK/L), will form the basis of reporting Emirates airline’s fuel efficiency next year. The Emirates Group Environment Report builds upon its commitment to the continuous development of environmentallyresponsible work practices and eco-efficient operations. The report highlights Emirates’ position as a leader in the airline industry in terms of fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions as a result of its young, technologically-advanced fleet.

Going for green The UAE is striving for sustainability

– The launch of Beyond’s first issue in Dubai and Abu Dhabi comes at an opportune moment for sustainability in the UAE. In the past three years, Dubai has been developing a strategy for green initiatives that involve government, businesses, and local communities. Industry leaders and the royal family have been transforming the young desert city into a “green mecca,” to promote Dubai’s bid to host World Expo 2020. Words Alice Hlidkova Photos courtesy of TCI

he Change Institute Building (TCI) in Dubai has recently unveiled a 4,000-square-meter retail shop, which provides sustainable solutions for customers. The U.S. Green Building Council assigned it the world’s highest LEED Platinum rating. Its superior sustainability has impressed His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who is spearheading his own efforts in the field of eco-architecture, such as the Dubai Canal Project, which directly links both the walkway and jogging track along the Corniche. His Highness said: “Our developmental projects are integrating to attain this ultimate goal. We are committed to invest in building healthy human capital through providing an ideal enabling environment.” The ruler of Dubai has also inaugurated a solar plant. It is a step in the direction of energy sustainability. Sustainability as a means of survival Reporter John Vidal of The Guardian has written about the city’s drive for sustainability as a means for survival. On the enormous solar energy potential, he writes, “Over the next 15 years, the emirate intends to cut its energy and water demand by 30 percent, retrofit 30,000 buildings to save energy, switch a quarter of the enormous government car fleet to run on compressed gas, and keep the temperatures in many buildings at a modest 24°C.” For the city to be able to meet it demands, the emirate will need to reduce power subsidies and offer the right incentives to encourage the use of solar heating and electricity.

Dubai’s strategy is described in a 200-page energy report that details energy-and water- saving initiatives. By 2030, says the report, Dubai will have reduced its carbon emissions by 29 percent and converted 30 percent of its economy to renewable energy (“clean coal” and nuclear energy). Journalist Robin Mills from The Guardian adds: “The report’s green vision fits with plans to meet half of the Expo’s requirements from on-site renewable energy, but it is more than just a marketing tool. It lays out a strategy.” Abu Dhabi follows its own strategy Neighboring Abu Dhabi also has a strategy for sustainability, and it has its own ambitious solar and efficiency programs. To achieve its environmental goal of carbon neutrality, the city has created what is meant to be the “greenest” habitat in the world, Masdar City. As the two cities become “‘smart,” good management to meet target goals will require strong leadership. Waleed Salman, a member of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, says: “We have everything in place in term of infrastructure. But we do not jump into the water without knowing how to swim.” The people of the emirates will need coaches as well as leaders.

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RECORD-BREAKING YEAR FOR BREEDING HOUBARA, THANKS TO THE UAE Words LACEY PEARL

he success of the captive breeding program was showcased at the Fund’s stand at the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. The IFHC’s education program, which is designed to educate and inform future generations about the Houbara, was showcased through students’ presentations and schoolwork in its children’s’ corner. The program, with its focus on conservation efforts and the scientific understanding of the bird and its cultural significance, is being integrated across schools in Abu Dhabi in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC). The Director General of the IFHC, Mohammed Saleh Al Baidani, said: “This year’s record production provides another boost in our ongoing efforts to provide a sustainable future for the Houbara. The experience and knowledge we have gained over many years studying the ecology of the Houbara has been applied to our captive breeding program, enabling the Fund to reach new heights”.

The Asian Houbara and the North African Houbara The IFHC breeds two sub-species of the Houbara family: the Asian Houbara and the North African Houbara. The range of the Asian Houbara extends for thousands of kilometers. It can be found as far south as the Arabian Peninsula, with some of the birds migrating as far as China and Mongolia in the east. The IFHC has two breeding centers in Abu Dhabi and also has a breeding program in Kazakhstan (an important country as it is home to 80 per cent of the world’s population of migratory Asian Houbara). In 2013, the IFHC produced a total of 19,670 Asian Houbara chicks as part of the Sheikh Khalifa Houbara Reintroduction Project to restore a sustainable, wild populations in the UAE. The two breeding centers in Abu Dhabi (National Avian Research Centre and Sheikh Khalifa Houbara Breeding Centre – Abu Dhabi) produced 19,273 chicks. The Emirates Centre for Wildlife Conservation (ECWP) based in Missour, Morocco has been breeding North African Houbara since 1997. In 2013 its two breeding stations produced 20,340 of the species, which is found in North African countries such as Morocco and Libya. This year’s production was also an annual record for ECWP, bringing the total number of birds to 111,336 since the program began. IFHC Website: www.houbarafund.org

Hope hatches on Saadiyat Island Saving the endangered Hawskbill Turtles in Abu Dhabi.

– The critically endangered hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) has been exploited for thousands of years as a primary source of commercial tortoiseshell. The beautiful carapace is generally streaked and marbled with amber, yellow, or brown. The hooked beak on the narrow head gives rise to the hawksbill turtle’s common name.

Words KENDRICK KOREY

ast August, forty hawksbill turtles hatched on Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Island. The hatchlings were the first on the island this year, and they were spotted by security guards at Saadiyat Public Beach. Hawksbill turtles, which breed in the Arabian Gulf, have been listed as a critically endangered species since 1996 on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List, a database that aims at the conservation of threatened species. The hawksbill’s population has decreased by 80 per cent during the last century. Tourism Development & Investment Company protects the turtles The Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC), a major developer of tourism destinations in Abu Dhabi, has taken measures to ensure that Saadiyat Island remains safe for nesting turtles. Development along the beach is restricted to within 60 meters of the seaward edge of the coastal dunes, creating a buffer zone between construction and the beach. Pedestrians are also encouraged to use elevated promenades to reach the beach, preventing them from disturbing the turtles’ nests. Threats to the survival of the hawskbill The major threat to the turtle’s survival comes from the illegal trade in its prized shell. There is also a substantial market for eggs, meat, and even stuffed young turtles as exotic gifts in some parts of the world. Additional pressure on the global population comes

from harvests to support traditional customs, the loss of nesting sites, accidental entanglement in fishing lines, and the deterioration of coral reef systems that act as feeding sites for these turtles. A further threat to the hawksbill turtle is global climate change. Average global temperatures are predicted to increase by at least two degrees Celsius in the next 40 years. An increase in the temperature of the sand used for nesting could have serious consequences for the hawksbill turtle, as the gender of the hatchlings is determined by incubation temperature. The outcome is likely to be a skewed sex ratio, which could threaten the stability of hawksbill turtle populations in the future. Ocean levels are predicted to rise in the future, while increases in storm frequency and severity are also expected. This is likely to lead to increased beach erosion and degradation, which could wash away hawksbill turtle nests and decrease nesting habitat. Hawksbill turtle conservation International trade in the hawksbill turtle is banned among signatory nations by its listing on Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), but extensive illegal trafficking still occurs. Preventing this black market trade is the key to saving this species. With successful monitoring of turtle populations and a decrease in illegal trade, the hawksbill may respond well to longterm protection. 27

RELOCATING DUBAI’S CORAL REEF

A NEW ADVENTURE FOR SCUBA DIVERS Words MORRIS KRISTOPHER

– One of Dubai’s coral reefs, recently transferred from the port area of Dubai (Dubai Drydocks) to The World artificial archipelago, is solid enough and now ready to receive scuba divers. A haven for coral divers According to marine biologists, the reef, which is now the largest in Dubai, has not only been preserved in its original form, but it has become “picturesque.” That is why it was decided to open it for tourists. Divers have begun the re-opening of the reef. According to one of them, Dubai’s coral reef dives were notable for the abundance of marine life and a clear visibility of up to 15 meters. Although the project cost more than $9.8million, it has been deemed a success. It now comprises 18 types of coral, as well as more than 30 types of reef-associated fish, including rare species such as the sind and regal damselfish. The corals were discovered by Nakheel in 2007 while conducting an environmental-impact study on the Drydocks breakwater. A causeway had been planned near or on the breakwater, meaning that the corals would have been destroyed by the development. It was decided to move the corals. However, common methods of doing so can be destructive to the corals, with sometimes only 35 percent of the marine invertebrates surviving. Conservationists at Nakheel came up with a new way to relocate them.

An impressive feat of engineering Nakheel Marine Group's director of development and operations, Ali Saeed Bin Thalith, described the operation as a great engineering accomplishment, which required that the coralencrusted rocks be lifted without actually leaving the water. He said: “This was one of the largest coral-relocation projects ever conducted in the world, with more than 20,000 coral colonies spared from the effects of infrastructure development. Engineers and divers drilled and glued an iron bolt into each rock and attached a sling to hoist them from their resting places. Each rock was suspended from the deck of a 90-meter barge. The barge was then towed at two knots for more than 18 kilometers to The World, and then carefully lowered into place. The process was repeated for 49 days until 1,129 rocks had been relocated.”

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, i ts s p e l l sts a c t i nce r The Sea, o et foreve n ts i n i holds one

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a miracle Dubai really can make the desert bloom Words Adham Farah

Imagine, dear reader, that you are roaming in a hot, lonely desert, and, suddenly, a flower appears in your path. “What a miracle!” you might declare, for how can a flower exist when water is lacking in a desert? Yes, it is a miracle, but, today, Dubai, the city of marvels, is establishing one of the most innovative and impressive gardens that have ever existed on Earth. The cultivated area, known as “Dubai Miracle Garden,” which is a symbol of the city’s prosperity, is also one of the crucial elements in the process of change that Dubai is undergoing in order to create a more sophisticated future. Full of various charming plants and flowers, the garden takes you on a flamboyant journey that will revive the sense of nature, which has been lost in many cities around the world. It is also unique in terms of its attractions and facilities, which are considered to be exceptional, and which have the sole aim of enriching the environment. A flower of gratitude and appreciation should be given to the minds that pondered and planned to make this blessed city a distinctive place in which to live.

Park life in the UAE Beyond picks the top five Many people consider the UAE a park, and they may well be right! However, the country also has some actual theme parks. In March 2012 the UAE inaugurated 25 new parks. New spaces include Al Hubab Park and Al Warqa 2 Park in Dubai, with more parks planned for Mohammed bin Zayed Cit y, Al Shahama, and Khalifa Cit y B in the capital.

Words LINSEY KAETY

Miracle Garden

Welcome to Dubai Miracle Garden, the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s latest outdoor recreational destination, located in Dubailand near the Arabian Ranches. Dubai Miracle Garden features over 45 million flowers in stunning designs and breathtaking shapesâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;a riot of colors as far as the eye can see. There is a long perimeter wall and four kilometers of pathways decked with bright flowers that glow in the midday sun and stand out at twilight.

www.the-miracle-garden.com/

The Desert Park

The Desert Park of the Environment and Natural Reserves in Sharjah has seen a significant increase in the number of visitors this year so far â&#x20AC;&#x201D; attracting more than 100,000 people through its gates. The park is turning into a major environmental hub in the emirate. 105,000 people visited the park during the period from January 1 to June 30, 2013. The park is definitely one of the most popular and highly recommended attractions in the UAE.

www.epaa-shj.gov.ae/

Dubai Creek Park

Creek Park

The only park with its own cable car can be found in the heart of old Dubai, between Maktoum Bridge and Garhoud Bridge. The park is also home to the Dubai Dolphinarium and Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s City, a center where children aged two to 15 can investigate, explore, play, and learn about the world in which they live.

www.dubaidolphinarium.ae/

Capital Garden

Capital Garden is a welcome patch of green in the middle of the city, located opposite the National Bank of Abu Dhabi in Al Markaziyah district, Abu Dhabi. Each little garden cove has a small selection of climbing frames, swings, and slides. A large pond in the middle erupts periodically with bursts from the stunning fountains. Vending machines and an enclosed cafeteria provide refreshments. The 5.6-hectare space is a green oasis in the concrete jungle and it is open 247/. The small park was opened in 1976 but was recently refurbished and now includes a rock fountain, where high-pressure nozzles shoot boulders a few meters into the air.

www.visitabudhabi.ae

Aquaventure Waterpark

The largest and most popular water theme park in the world is located in the resort Atlantis, The Palm in Dubai. It is the perfect destination for adrenaline junkies. Aquaventure Dubai consists of 42 hectares full of thrilling attractions, and its countless swimming pools and water slides will guarantee you days of water fun. One of the highlights is the 28-meter high Ziggurat, which launches visitors into a 60-meter slide with a transparent tunnel that passes through a shark lagoon.

www.aquaventuredubai.net

"A garden requires patient labor and

ly attention. Plants do not grow mere good to satisfy ambitions or to fulfill meone intentions. They thrive because so expended effort on them." Liberty Hyde Bailey

Green park in Dubai, UAE

Palm trees with the sea behind in Fujairah, UAE

(C ) Pepj

Madinat Jumeirah, the Arabian Resort

Dubai

Contemplation is a luxury, requiring time and alternatives.”

“

― Tahir Shah, In Search of King Solomon’s Mines

Villa at a luxury hotel

ras al khaimah, UAE

ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE

ABU DHABI 52

Every state of society is as luxurious as it can be. Men always take the best they can get. “

”

Samuel Johnson

Old and new yacht of Dubai, and National Bank at sunset reflection. United Arab Emirates.

Dinner at the beach in Dubai

The World island.

Beach of luxury hotel, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Chocolate is the first luxury. It

has so many things wrapped up in it:

Deliciousness

that remains in childhood memories, and that grininducing feeling of getting a reward for being good. Mariska HargitayÂ

Going loco over cocoa Words Cherine Yazbeck

C hocolate is a processed , sweetened food that is produced from the seed of the cacao tree . I t has been cultivated for at least three millennia in M e x ico , C entral A merica , and northern S outh A merica . I ts earliest documentation dates back to 1 1 0 0 B C . T he M esoamerican communities made chocolate beverages . T he A ztecs made it into a beverage known as x ocol ä tl , a N ahuatl word meaning " bitter water . " C hocolate pla y ed a special role in both M a y an and A ztec ro y al and religious events . P riests presented cacao seeds as offerings to the deities and served chocolate drinks during sacred ceremonies . A ll of the areas that were con q uered b y the A ztecs were re q uired to pa y cacao beans as a tribute . T he T heobroma C acao L . ( cacao tree ) comes in three varieties : C riollo , the F orastero , and the T rinitario , which is a h y brid of the first two . C riollo and T rinitario are often referred to as fine or flavor cacao beans , while F orastero is considered to be the ordinar y or bulk bean for mass production . T he E nglish word “ cocoa ” comes from the S panish word “ cacao . ” 60

Cocoa is grown throughout the world. West Africa is the biggest producer, with nearly three-quarters of the world’s cocoa. Most cocoa farms are smallscale and family-run, spread across just a few acres. Inside the pods are the coveted cocoa beans, packed tightly into a white, pulpy mesh. It is this sweet encasement that gives the kernels their dense flavor, reacting chemically with the beans when the pods are laid out on wooden racks to ferment. Then comes the drying process and shipment across the globe. Ivory Coastis the largest producer, with over 800,000 small-scale farmers who produce over 40 percent of the world’s supply. Since cocoa was brought to Africa from Latin America in colonial times, Ghana has been a leading global producer of cocoa beans for the world market. Ghana is the second largest producer, contributing 16 percent of the global supply. There is widespread child labor on its small farms. Awareness campaigns and the creation of the cooperative “Kuapa Kokoo” in 1993 are changing mentalities, as they have triggered a new challenge to the statedominated system. Kuapa Kokoo has put the members of the cooperative into a direct relationship with fair trade buyers and it has given them an outlook on the global chocolate market. Thanks to the cooperative, farmers receive 70 percent of the export price. Because it is so well organized at the village level, Kuapa Kokoo has been able to leverage many supports from government, development agencies, and sponsorships providing local service such as scholarships, credit, farm inputs, and development project resources that have improved the farmers’ daily lives.

Fair trade for a better future for farmers Chocolate can help lift developing world farmers out of poverty. It is a key product in the organic and fair trade movements, which seek to build a more equitable, cleaner planet. Conditions of chocolate farmers are difficult and wages are low on conventional chocolate farms. Small farmers often receive pennies on the dollar from unscrupulous middlemen. The only way to tackle this issue is through fair trade, a growing movement that guarantees a "fair price" to producers and sets rigorous, transparent social and environmental standards. The goals of fair trade include economic self-sufficiency and stability for producing regions. There are fewer middlemen involved, and participating producers are organized into co-ops. Chocolate is also increasingly being offered as certified organic, meaning no synthetic pesticides or fertilizers are used in its production. Organic cacao is typically cultivated on small plots under existing forest canopy, which preserves valuable habitat for birds (particularly migratory songbirds) and other wildlife. Biodiversity is much higher on organic cacao plots than it is on conventional plantations.

A growing interest in small farms that produce high-quality cocoa beans Madagascar is home to some of the world's finest rich orange and red pods of cocoa, used by the finest chocolatiers. Raw cocoa beans, used to make premium chocolate, are in high demand. A surge in appetite for high-end chocolate sourced from single-origin growers

Nosy be coastal scene

has created a frenzied rush for the â&#x20AC;&#x153;dark gold,â&#x20AC;? which is highly praised by international chefs. Sambirano is an area in the northwest of Madagascar especially known for the production of high-quality cacao, also known as the "green gold" of Sambirano. The cacao harvest grown in the region can contain up to 10 percent Criollo beans. Cacao harvested from Sambirano is especially suited for high-quality, low bitterness, dark chocolate and it is used by premium quality chocolate brands.

In recent years, Madagascar, in particular, has yielded the most sought-after beans. For the local cocoa farmers, the surging demand for chocolate should have been transformative, especially after years of poverty, but their newfound livelihoods are

under threat from armed bandits running rampant in remote areas, hijacking stores and road shipments of the precious beans that make chocolate. Some small-scale farmers are considering arming themselves in order to defend their crop!

The craving for luxury chocolate has fuelled an increase in the price of some varieties of cocoa in the past few years, with traders paying 10 times the world cocoa price for the best beans.

The fruit, called a cacao pod, contains 20 to 60 seeds or beans, embedded in a white pulp. Each seed contains a significant amount of fat. Their most notable active constituent is theobromine.

Another small actor: Venezuela

Venezuela's native criollo beans are sought after by chocolatiers the world over for their lack of bitterness and their flavor. Today Venezuela produces about 17,000 tons of cacao a year, less than one percent of the world's production. However, the country is part of a select group of countries producing fine aromatic varieties of cacao, along with Ecuador, Trinidad, and Tobago, and some other Caribbean islands. Despite its success among connoisseurs, cacao has long been viewed as an artisanal crop here and hasn't received state funding to promote it worldwide. Gourmets differentiate between the rich assortment of varieties of cacao in Venezuela, such as Porcelana and Rio Caribe, as they would with fine wines.

A Cocoa plantation worker harvests cocoa pods off trees.

Cocoa pods at harvest time.

coffee cocoa

Both and beans contain caffeine.

cocoa pod harvest.

Cocoa pod harvest.

Man cleaning pulp from meat of cocoa, at the Bukare cocoa hacienda.

Cocoa beans (Theobroma cacao) being dried in planation.

Chocolate

flows in deep dark, sweet waves, a river to ignite my mind and alert my senses.

Cocoa facial, museums, spaâ&#x20AC;Ś Words Cherine Yazbeck

HERSHEY, PA: Hershey Chocolate World in Hershey, PA USA.

HERSHEY, PA: Hershey Park in Hershey, PA USA. The factory has many attractions that include making your own chocolate, 3D movies, and trolley bus rides around Hershey City.

Famous Chocolate Spas

- Yunessun Resort in Hakone in Japan features a chocolate spa. It is a key venue for all chocolate lovers. - Cocoa Juvenate Spa, Rabot Estate, SoufriĂ¨re in St. Lucia. >>

Come over to the dark side: Chocolate that can give you a boost Words aline sara

It isn't everyday that you hear nutritionists ramble on about the perks of eating chocolate. Yet, despite its bad reputation, the highly desired and always tempting cocoa treat can actually be packed with impressive health benefits. First, it's important to be clear about exactly what kind of chocolate we are talking about here. Yes, we love those chewy, crunchy, sweet and nutty chocolate candy bars that always catch your attention at the cash register, but it isn't these treats that will do you much good. Venture over however on to the dark side, in particular to chocolates that consist of at least 60 percent cocoa, and you've got yourself a good deal.

Chocolate and cavities are no longer a given Dark chocolate contains theobromine, another chemical that resembles caffeine and that has been proven to strengthen tooth enamel. That means that dark chocolate, unlike most other sweets, lowers your likelihood of getting cavities, if combined with proper dental hygiene. Dark chocolate helps control blood sugar levels By keeping blood vessels in good shape as well as improving blood circulation, dark chocolate can actually help protect against type 2 diabetes. Insulin resistance, a key symptom of both type 1 and type 2 diabetics, can also decrease with the presence of certain flavonoids contained in dark chocolate. These flavonoids help to ensure a cell's proper functioning, while maximizing the body's use of insulin. Moreover, because of its low glycemic index, dark chocolate does not trigger spikes in blood sugar levels. Dark chocolate stimulates not only the brain, but also the heart Dark chocolate contains flavonoids that enhance blood flow, while helping to maintain a healthy blood pressure. As such, dark chocolate can actually diminish the risk of a heart attack and complications resulting from high blood pressure.

A chocolate vitamin? Dark chocolate contains a number of vitamins and minerals in relatively high concentrations. These include potassium and copper, both of which help to decrease the chances of strokes and cardiovascular disease, as well as magnesium and iron. Iron prevents iron deficiency anemia, while magnesium decreases the likelihood of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. It improves your mood...and not just because it's chocolate Chocolate energizes and decreases chronic fatigue. Like coffee, cocoa contains caffeine but also phenylethylamine (PEA), the chemical that is secreted by the brain when you have that feeling of falling in love. PEA triggers the release of endorphins in your brain and ultimately, combined with other compounds, gives your mood a lift. And finally...dark chocolate is good for your sex life! Ever wondered why Valentine's Day is often dubbed chocolate day? The reason may be biological. Dark chocolate contains L-arginine, an amino acid that is critical to healthy blood flow, and that can help to increase the flow of blood into the sexual organs. By increasing the body's concentration of nitric oxide, which also promotes better blood flow, dark chocolate can indirectly enhance a personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bodily sensations, thereby nourishing his sexual desire.

E s s e n c e

Always you

Diana Boudargham Tannoury

Ancient oak, your roots seep into me, entwine my being My spirit embraces your splendors, breathes into your glories past One pure autumn morning, led by a love I prayed forever would last Enticed with visions of a secret garden, seeking I climbed over an iron gate, into a magical place Three enthroned majestic trees stretched into the heavens, where I sought to behold your face Branches and leaves in each other enmeshed Loversâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; entangled embraces lurk in an abandoned house, in its veins, life throbbing so fast Nearby, a small chapel, through its window, a sun filtered rainbow on grass enlaces memories of lost wedding colors from a time past Oak tree, what stories hide beneath your branches? Which broken hearts have you soothed over lost chances? Was I ever here, in lives long gone, a spirit adrift in your leaves? Did I love in lifetimes of passion and in pain, did I cry heaves? Where are the maidens asleep in your lap? Where are the beings awake in your shadow by moonlight? In this moment, the universe beckons me, fragile as glass to lay myself on your silken bed of grass Where I am in my hearth Within my heart, Earthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Beats to the rhythm of creation In unison with mine Remembrances of a time, of a splendid oak in a seed To the beginning, always in truth, one returns indeed.

(c)Â Beata Becla

Rain Let the rain kiss you. Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops. Let the rain sing you a lullaby. Langston Hughes

89 (c) Andrew Chin

91 (c) slhy

“The Winter snow envelops the land in a sparkling coat of purity” Anonymous

Far away from it all

In remote Indonesia, ecotourism is blooming

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To many eco-travelers the Raja Ampat region of Indonesia represents the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Underwater Eden.â&#x20AC;? The archipelago of over 1,500 small islands in Western Papua is guarded by local fishermen who regularly venture into the reefs that are teeming with sharks and fish. Their adventures have paved the way for an ecotourism movement that not only protects their marine oasis and livelihood, but also attracts teams of researchers and nature lovers who are interested in exploring remote areas as well as conserving them. Words Alice Hlidkova

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n Raja Ambat, researchers understand that an epicenter of tropical marine diversity is dependent on alternative income sources that directly preserve the local habitat. Maurine Shimlock, who studies the region’s reef systems says, “Often ecosystems are intertwined, with both corals and mangroves providing a substance upon which all other reef life flourishes.” Shimlock notes that “the income generated from tourism is used to educate locals about the marine environment, which instills a sense of stewardship to help ensure the long-term viability of the area’s marine habitat.” She refers to the leadership of Dr. Mark Erdmann from Conservation International, who has instilled the value of ecotourism in the local community as “a replacement for destructive fishing, mining, and logging.” She adds that “Erdmann believed that the only way for this area to remain somewhat protected was to involve locals in the management of conservation initiatives.”

Making the locals involved in conservation Making the locals participants and stakeholders relieves pressure on the most visited areas and promotes ecotourism in the entire region. Shimlock says that “tourists are encouraged to stay beyond the beaten path and discover what lies beyond Raja Ampat’s better known regions.” In the surrounding Birds Head Seascape, villages are encouraged to welcome tourists. She says, “Kayaking is now a popular way to see some of the area and local homestays are available.” Bird watching and trekking are gaining in popularity. However the area needs infrastructure to accommodate new forms of tourism, as it is still relatively remote. Shimlock believes that the national government is taking notice of the value of promoting Raja Ampat as a worldwide tourist destination. Despite the distance and expense of reaching Western Papau, tourism is increasingly yearly. Shimlock says, “It is strikingly beautiful and will, no doubt, become a haven for ecotourism in the next decade.”

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A diverse coral reef grows in the shallows of a lagoon in Raja Ampat, Indonesia. This area is known as the heart of marine biodiversity and is within the Coral Triangle.

A cave looks out upon a remote lagoon near the island of Misool in Raja Ampat, Indonesia. This area is known for its spectacular marine biodiversity and great scuba diving. 103

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A Giant clam (Tridacna gigas) is an endangered species of bivalve found throughout the IndoPacific. It can grow to hundreds of pounds in weight.

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Just can’t get enough Nutrients sourced from the sea are at risk Words Alice Hlidkova

he marine food chain starts with plankton, which include bacteria and viruses that nourish larger species of fish up the chain, ultimately reaching human beings. Each step in the food chain has different levels of eicosapentaenoic acid ( EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), two omega-3 fatty acids that not only promote human development and reproduction but also preserve the ocean’s genetic biodiversity. “Examining the preservation of the ocean’s resources through the lens of nutrients such as EPA and DHA is not necessarily a traditional way of managing marine species,” noted Adam Ismail, an executive of the Global Organization for EPA and DHA Omega-3’s ( GOED ). Because the human population has grown to a size where the omega-3 requirements exceed what can be sustainably harvested from the oceans, management and preservation of these precious resources is difficult to achieve even under optimal conditions. A nutritional gap To paint a better picture of the situation, the daily EPA and DHA intake of at least 250 mg per person per day, as recommended by the World Health Organization ( WHO ) and the European Union ( EU), is equivalent to a total of 0.65 million tons. The Japanese quadruple that recommendation with at least 250 mg per person day, or 0.65 million tons. However the ocean’s production capacity is only 0.53 million tons, leading to a nutrition gap that

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excludes pharmaceutical and clinical needs. “The problem is that the oceans do not provide enough EPA and DHA today and there are already fears of overfishing of many species,” argued Ismail, who referred to eleven fishery groups that account for more than half of the Earth’s EPA and DHA capacity, and that are in danger of being overfished, polluted, and improperly managed. Seeking new sources of EPA and DHA To close the nutritional gap and relieve the pressure on mainly aquaculture and hatchery fisheries new sources of EPA and DHA outside of the natural marine environment are being explored. In the last six months, new algae, fish, and zooplankton projects include commercially growing and harvesting singlecell organisms, improving aquaculture operations, and genetically modifying plants and oilseed crops. The potential of algae to meet the demand that oceans can’t provide depends on the economies of scales that these projects can achieve in order to compensate for their higher capital costs. Ismael pointed out that even with more than 23,000 published papers and 2,500 human clinical trials, understanding the role of EPA and DHA in human health is in the beginning stages. To realize the destruction of genetic diversity that threatens global fisheries and thereby reduces the ocean’s ability to provide these vital nutrients is a frightening thought.

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Sea Nutr ient s s are at risk

KNOWN AREAS

PROTECTING THE LESSER

OF OUR OCEANS 108

Oceans Words Alice Hlidkova

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The areas of the ocean for which no one country bears management responsibility is the gold pot of marine genetic biodiversity. The water column of the high seas and the seabed, including the subseabed, encompass the marine Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (ABNJ). Although these areas constitute 40 percent of the planet’s surface, 64 percent of the ocean’s surface, and nearly 95 percent of its volume, only five percent of these areas have been explored.

consideration the developing world. “Although sector-based Strategic Environment Assessments (SEAs) and region-based Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), collect data on activities in the high seas, they are rarely undertaken in the ABNJ,” noted Marjo Vierros, adjunct senior fellow at the United Nations University Institute of Advanced Studies. Therefore, developing nations have limited access to the database and assessments on the large scale of ocean ecosystems. Potential value of genetic resources cannot be measured While no authority can legally restrict commercial activity in the majority of the ABNJ, safeguarding genetic resources is immeasurable. Ester Serrão, assistant professor of biology at the University of Algarve in Portugal, said, “The potential value of existing genetic resources cannot be determined, because the future environmental conditions and new future technologies are unknown.” Serrão concluded that the potential is enormous in this important reservoir of biodiversity, with genetic resources “acting as insurance agents against environmental changes by allowing adaptation to take place.”

Given the complexity of the ecosystems, including their great depths and distances from the coasts, public and private stakeholders from developed nations have both worked to protect these areas. Jim Juniper, a researcher from Canada whose country is one of the developed nations with a significant amount of patents on genetic material of microorganisms, said “Field programs in ABNJ are most commonly undertaken by consortia of research institutions, funded by state agencies in developed countries, although there have been a few recent, highly publicized biodiversity expeditions funded by Public and combinations of private, public, and private non-governmental organizations.” stakeholders These hydrothermal vent organisms, found in cold-water coral reefs and from developed nations have deep water sponges, store valuable worked both bioactive compounds from which to protect genetic information is extracted and these areas. then harvested in laboratories to produce biomass for the food and pharmaceutical industries in a number of countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Switzerland, France, Japan, and many others. This is in addition to the rapidly growing nutraceutical industry, which makes use of fish waste and harvested algae to produce health food products and restorative cosmetics. Developing countries are shortchanged Because of the scope of research and commercial exploitation of the marine environment, developing nations are often the least to benefit. Sharing of research data and bio-prospecting to search for useful organic compounds found in microorganisms often does not take into

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ÂŠ Maurine Shimlock / Burt Jones / Edition Fifty Fathoms

112 ÂŠ Norbert Probst / Edition Fifty Fathoms

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ÂŠ Doug Perrine / Edition Fifty Fathoms

114 ÂŠ Maurine Shimlock / Burt Jones / Edition Fifty Fathoms

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ÂŠ Enric Sala / National Geographic / Blancpain

ÂŠ William Winram / Edition Fifty Fathoms

Friend or foe? Sharks do more good than we think Words Alice Hlidkova

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ÂŠ William Winram / Edition Fifty Fathoms

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A bluish-gray seven-foot mass flashing past swimmers in five feet of water is a frightening thought. “Sharks come from one part of the dark castle where our nightmares live – the deep water beyond our sight and understanding,” wrote author Peter Benchley in his best-seller Shark Life, “so they stimulate our fears and fantasies.” His riveting sea adventures not only provided content for his film Jaws, but also highlighted the ocean’s natural balance in ways that we know and in ways that we are still discovering. Benchley said, “Wiping them out, through greed, recklessness, or simple ignorance, would be a tragedy – not just a moral tragedy, but an environmental one as well.” Few sharks are a threat to humans Only a handful of the 350 known species of sharks are a threat to humans. In fact, for every human being that is killed by a shark, roughly ten million are killed by humans, noted Benchley. “Sharks are being killed at an alarming rate,” declared researcher Nobert Prost, referring to a study published by Elsevier, a world-leading provider of scientific, technical, and medical information products and services. The study indicated that every year 100 million sharks are killed worldwide to supply a growing shark fin trade for use in Asian cuisine. Prost remarked: “This is driving some shark species to extinction, and the international community is already taking measures, by adopting stringent regulations such as the recent inclusion of five shark species in the Appendix II of the Convention of International Trade of Endangered species, which does not ban their trade but regulates it.” Sharks maintain ecological balance of oceans The United Nations drew attention to the ecological importance of sharks to healthy oceans with its Oceans exhibition held for World Oceans Day on June 8. Sponsored by the Swiss watch brand Blancpain, the exhibition showcased underwater photography by awardwinning photo-journalists including Daniel Botelho. Predatory sharks maintain the delicate

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balance of ocean ecology by feeding on weaker fish, which helps to “strengthen the gene pool of the prey species, as the healthier species reproduce more,” Botelho said. Sharks contribute to human health Sharks also contribute to human health. Their cartilage is studied for possible cancer treatments at leading research institutions, including the prestigious M.I.T in the United States and Aberdeen University in Britain. The ReefQuest Centre for Shark Research, dedicated to shark and ray conservation, reported that shark cartilage inhibits the formation of new blood vessels so that the “tumor ‘chokes’ in its own waste.” According to its website, “Sharks retain their non-specific immune response throughout their lives. This generalized immune system is one of the reasons why sharks are able to detoxify many potentially harmful compounds quickly.” There is more to be explored on shark immunology and their role in the marine environment. The late Benchley understood from early on that conserving the underwater menace should be our priority, and only in recent years has the international community advocated what the great filmmaker recommended.

121 ÂŠ Stephen Frink / Edition Fifty Fathoms

Words B K Photograph USGS BIML, Sam Droege

Oblong-winged katydid

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et us take a closer look at this amazing group of animals called arthropods. You are familiar with a wide variety of arthropods as a result of seeing them in your daily life. Have you thought about what they all have in common?

The U.S. Geological Survey- Native Bee Inventory and Monitoring Program designs and develops large and small-scale surveys and identification tools for native bees. A vital aspect of the program is to create accurate and detailed pictures of native bees as well as the plants and insects with which they interact. The U.S. Geological Survey Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab (USGS BIML) has uploaded an astounding collection of macro-photographs.

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Unknown Wasp, Yellowstone National Park, 2012

Staphylinidae, species unknown, found at moth light in Upper Marlboro, Maryland

A lovely Centris from Puerto Rico, collected by Sara Prado

Black Horse Fly

Yellow Jacket Mimic Fly, U, Face, MD, Cecil County

Dominican Republic, trypoxylon mexicanum,

Augochlora regina, female, Dominican Republic, formerly known as Augochlora elegans

Abeetle from by-catch from Badlands National Park

Melissodes dentiventris, M, side, Maryland, Anne Arundel County

Female Northern Black Widow Spider

into the wild

ARABIAN HORSES Arabian horses are a breed of horses that originated in the Arabian Peninsula. The Arabian horse is a very ancient breed. There is archaeological evidence dating back 4,500 years of horses in the Arabian Peninsula that resemble modern Arabian horses. Arabian horses spread throughout the world through war and trade. Arabian bloodlines exist today in almost every modern breed of riding horse. Arabian horses are characterized by a finely chiseled bone structure, an arched neck, a concave profile, a comparatively level croup, and a high-carried tail. They are one of the top ten most popular breeds in the world today. They dominate the field of endurance riding.

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FALCONS OF ARABIA Falconry refers to the hunting of wild quarry by means of a trained bird of prey. Falconry in the Arabian Peninsula dates back to at least the seventh century A.D., and it remains an important part of Arab heritage and culture. Around 3,000 falcons are employed each year on the Arabian Peninsula. Of these, approximately 70 percent are Saker Falcons (Falco cherrug) and the rest are primarily Peregrine Falcons (Falco peregrines). The most common prey of the falcons includes the Houbara Bustard, the Sandgrouse, the Stone-curlew, and hares. There are falcon breeding farms in the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.

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horizons

Arabian nights With a luxury flair Words Adham Farah

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ABU DHABI, UAE - MAY 1: Emirates Palace hotel on May 1, 2013. Emirates Palace is a luxurious and the most expensive 7 star hotel designed by renowned architect, John Elliott RIBA.

Blessed is the mind that has been able to revive the Arabian traditions with a luxurious twist, which is indicative of the prosperity that the United Arab Emirates is enjoying. The Emirates Palace Hotel is a symbol of true success and good planning.

he sumptuous hotel, located in the heart of Abu Dhabi, opened in November 2005. It was designed by a distinguished architect named John Eliott Riba. The construction began in December 2001. Over 250,000 cubic meters of concrete were used, and 20,000 workers were employed to complete the project. It cost around $3.5 billion. The Abu Dhabi government owns the hotel. The hotel occupies 850,000 square meters of floor space, and it has an underground parking lot that can accommodate 2,500 vehicles. It is considered to be the second most expensive hotel ever built. Gold and marble dominate the decor of the hotel. There are 15 different places to eat, including restaurants, bars, lounges, and cafes. It is one of

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the rare places where all types of foods, which are typical of different cultures around the world, can be found in sophisticated restaurants in the same hotel. The Emirates Palace Hotel also offers various sports facilities such as polo, a FIFA certified football pitch, cricket pitch, four tennis courts, paddle, two swimming pools, a 1.3-kilometer white pristine beach, a spa, water sport activities, and a marina. It also has a two-helicopter helipad. Elegance and comfort The Emirates Palace Hotel has 302 grand rooms and 92 suites of various sizes. All of these elegant rooms provide the highest levels of comfort. The topmost floor has six Rulersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Suites that are reserved only for royal families. The complex was also designed to

ABU DHABI, UAE - MAY 26: Palace suite bedroom interior of Emirates Palace hotel on May 26, 2011. Emirates Palace is a luxurious 7 hyphen star hotel designed by renowned architect, John Elliott Riba.

host international conferences, and its suites can lodge a large number of political leaders and their entourages. There is an auditorium with a capacity for 1,100 people, and another grand ballroom that can accommodate 2,400 people.

the many different hues of the desert. Furthermore, a vibrant lighting system is used to create the right atmosphere for guests. The lighting system includes elegant chandeliers, floor standing lights, table lights, and many other forms of illumination.

Unique luxuries This extravagant place also features unique luxuries. These include real Albino caviar, of which only six kilograms are produced per year at a price of £30,000 per kilo. The hotel has two kilograms of this delicacy. Moreover, each room contains 52-inch plasma television screens, as well as touch-screen pads that control services such as air conditioning and wake-up calls.

With all of the above-mentioned luxuries, the reader might ask about the price of such comfort and pleasure. The price of the rooms ranges from $400 to $14,000 per night. Dear reader, let’s test your desire for lavishness. Tell us: Are you ready to spend such amounts for one Arabian night?

The hotel is home to the world’s largest dome. Thirteen colors of marble decorate it, and these reflect

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ABU DHABI, UAE - MAY 1: Emirates Palace hotel on May 1, 2013. Emirates Palace is a luxurious and the most expensive 7 star hotel designed by renowned architect, John Elliott Riba.

"Every state of society is as luxurious as it can be. Men always take the best they can get. "

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Samuel Johnson

ABU DHABI, UAE - MARCH 17: People coming out from Emirates Palace hotel on March 17, 2010. Emirates Palace is a luxurious and the most expensive 7 star hotel designed by John Elliott Riba.

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Makkah Royal Clock Tower Hotel, Mecca, Saudi Arabia

It is the tallest hotel and clock tower in the world, with a height of 1,972 feet.

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REACHING HEAVEN OR BABEL? Words Adham Farah

Do you remember the last time you were in an airplane? A similar feeing of elevation can be obtained in super-tall skyscrapers. Although certain organizations are criticizing the necessity and effectiveness of such constructions, a fierce height competition between countries still exists. Here is a list of the tallest buildings in the world.

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Burj Khalifa, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

It is the tallest building in the world, with a height of 2,723 feet and 163 floors. Although the construction of the project coincided with the global financial crisis, it was completed in five years, and it was named after the president of the U.A.E., Khalifa Bin Zayid Al Nayhan.

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One World Trade Center - New York City

It is the tallest building in the Western hemisphere with a height of 1776 feet, which is a reference to the year of American independence.

One World Trade Center: New York City

It is the tallest building in the Western hemisphere with a height of 1776 feet, which is a reference to the year of American independence.

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It is the tallest environmentally-conscious skyscraper in the world, with a height of 1,669 feet.

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Shanghai World Financial Center: Shanghai, China

The center contains the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s highest observation deck, and it has 101 floors with a height of 1,614 feet.

Taipei 101: Taipei, Taiwan

International Commerce Center: Hong Kong, China

It is a 1,588-feet tall skyscraper, with a total of 118 floors.

Petronas Towers, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

They are the tallest twin buildings, with a height of 1,483 feet.

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Zifeng Tower: Nanjing, China

It was completed in 2008, and it has a height of 1,480 feet, with a total of 89 stories.

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Willis Tower: Chicago, Illinois

In 1973, it was considered to be the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tallest building and it held the title for 25 years. The tower has 108 stories, with a total height of 1,451 feet.

Kingkey 100: Shenzhen, China

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It is located in Shenzhenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s financial district, and it is named for its 100 floors, rising to a total of 1,449 feet.

Break away from routine and come away feeling exhilaratedâ&#x20AC;Ś Words alia fawaz

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Are you getting bored of the same type of vacations where you find yourself lounging lazily by the pool, gorging on hotel buffets, or being treated like school children by jaded tour guides? Then maybe itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time you stepped out of your comfort zone and tried a vacation that involves real exploration and serious adventure. This type of tourism may require some extra physical effort and involve some degree of risk and perhaps physical danger (depending on the activity). Here are some top destinations that can give you that adrenaline rush and excitement for which you may be itching. It is never too late to experience the inner explorer inside you.>>

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(c)Â M Reel

Ecuador This is a country with abundant wildlife and that is famous for the legendary Galapagos Islands in the Pacific (1,000 kilometers off the mainland). If you are a thrill seeker, try hiking in the Bellavista Cloudforest, whitewater rafting through the western Andes, or hiking among the volcanoes of Cotopaxi National Park. Motorbike trips are also a popular way to explore this nation that is rich in biodiversity (It has 15 percent of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s known bird species).

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(c)Â Guido Amrein, Switzerland

Costa Rica

It may be a small country, but it more than makes up for it with its natural wealth of biodiversity. You can choose from spectacular tropical beaches, wildlife adventures, and exploring the rainforests, waterfalls, and rivers via rafting, fishing, or jungle treks. Diving in the uninhabited nearby Coco Island is also a real treat for divers, who rate it as one of the best places in the world to view sharks, rays, tuna, and dolphins.

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Namibia This South African nation has the oldest and driest desert in the world, majestic rugged mountains, and endless untamed landscape. You can go sand-skiing down the colossal Namib dunes, participate in wildlife safaris, or try rafting on the rapids of the Kunene River. You can go dolphin or seal watching off the coast or try your hand catching ferocious tiger fish on the Kavango River! The options are really mindboggling and Namibia is well suited to family adventure holidays.

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It is only in ad ventu re tha t some people succeed in khowing themselves in finding te mselves AndrĂŠ Gide

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New Zealand

Every adventure activity that you can imagine (bungee, sky diving, caving, canyoning, and many more), plus others of which you have never heard, can be practiced here against the backdrop of stunning landscapes. Exploring caves – such as the Waitomo Caves – is a popular choice here. Offroading is also popular. Tourists may choose to rent a bike or ATV and head for the sand dunes of Ninety Mile Beach or the more quiet sheep grazing countryside.

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Beyond picks a few destinations that still have the wow factor. Giant bats, volcano oases in the middle of the desert, million year old salt lakes, and ancient man-made buildings with pioneering eco-designâ&#x20AC;Ś Not in South America, but right on our doorstep. Uncover these hidden gems of the Middle East and North Africa. Words ZEINA ABOUL-HOSN

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This is the largest salt lake in the Sahara, covering seven, square kilometers. Surreal and unique, this salt lake is being studied as one of the most Marslike places on Earth, in preparation for future missions to the Red Planet. Here is a chance to experience a totally unique environment, and to buy a bag of ancient salt, dug out and packaged by locals who work on the salt lake.

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Chott El Djerid Tunisia

Matmataâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Troglodyte Houses Tunisia

(c)Â Marques

These houses were created by digging a large pit into the ground and then carving out caves into the sides. Although built as early as 500 B.C., their energy-efficient design keeps the temperature inside a constant 20-22Â°C during the whole year.

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Waw Al Namus Libya

This prehistoric volcano rises out of the flat desert sands, forming one of the most beautiful spots in the Libyan Sahara. Its 100-meter deep caldera holds an oasis rich in trees, and fresh water, as well as three small salt lakes. Once a regular stop for desert caravans, today it is a site for tourists who are seeking a unique desert experience.

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Wadi Al GhulOman

Many who visit Arabia’s Grand Canyon say that it offers probably the best views in the Arab Gulf. Towering over this spectacular canyon is Jabal Shams, Oman’s highest peak, with an altitude of more than 3,000 meters. 165

Other places to see

Lencoes Maranhense, Maranhao State, Brazil.

Champagne Pool in Wai-O-Tapu geothermal wonderland, Rotorua, New Zealand.

in your lifetime

Red Seabeach, Panjin, China.

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Punaluu Black Sand Beach, Maui, Hawaii.

Salt lake in Bolivia's Salar De Uyuni.

Hamilton Pool State Park, Austin, Texas.

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Pack your suitcase for a different kind of vacation. 168

Saint Augustine said, “The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.” If the world is indeed a book I want to read and re-read it from cover to cover until I have memorized every word, every feeling, and every image. That means a great deal of travel. It also means a certain kind of travel: journeys where you step out of your comfort zone and engage with the world face-to-face, not through prearranged package holidays, the confines of resorts, and the schedules of commercial tour operators. The technical term for this is “sustainable travel.” It means choosing destinations where nature and wilderness are the main attractions, connecting with the locals there, leaving a positive mark on them, and being permanently marked by the whole experience. Words ZEINA ABOUL-HOSN

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A NEW EXPERIENCE

170 (C) Jamen Percy

(C ) Jamen Percy

The problem of air travel There is no doubt that airplane travel is the single most polluting action that any individual can perform. I do feel the weight of every ton of CO2 that is emitted into the atmosphere as a result of my eagerness to read all the pages of the book of the world. However, I do believe that sustainable travel is not only possible, but essential. Of course thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nothing like a train holiday, if you live somewhere that offers that opportunity. However, the reality is that the train does not go to many of the places where we want to go to. We have to find other ways of making our tourism green.

Husky safari, Finland If you feel really guilty about flying for your holiday, why not abandon 21st century modes of transportation altogether when you arrive at your destination, and go for something less polluting and more natural. For example, hire you own team of huskies to pull your sled though the Arctic landscape, far away from civilization. Lynx and wolf conservation volunteer holiday, Slovakia Why not make your holiday a chance to help protect nature, instead of just observing it? Join local scientists in the Carpathian Mountains of Slovakia to record, photograph, and observe lynx, wolves, and wildcats, and help create a more sustainable future for these icons of this snowy wilderness.

A sustainable winter break?

you the chance to experience the true magnificence of the Northern Lights, outside your traditional chalet in the wilderness, around your own log fire.

Camel caravan camping, Tunisia What is it like to ride camels through the Sahara, set up camp at night, cook couscous on a log fire, and sleep out under the stars? Whoever wants a winter holiday without snow should head to Douz in southern Tunisia. Local Bedouin families still keep herds of camels and organize trips for adventurous travellers who are after a rare chance to experience true nomadic life. Northern Lights, Finnish Lapland The locals in Lapland have left behind their traditional industry of forestry and invested in tourism, which is now their main source of income. Family-run tour operators offer

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Ten Countries with the Best Climate to Enjoy in the World. 176

When humans are questioned about distant epochs in comparison with the present time, they widely agree with the general consensus that we are currently moving in the direction of a highly sophisticated civilization, characterized by technological brilliance and scientific achievement. While there may be a great degree of truth in that idea, I see things rather differently, simply because of the fact that human beings are not able to resist the temptation to wreak havoc on their natural environment. People are thus preparing their own graves. However, my pessimistic prognostication about an approaching curse to Earth will be invalidated when people finally abandon their pestiferous habits. Earth at this moment still provides us, fortunately, with a chance to change, which is indicated by the different climates that exist around the world. One of the topics that people usually relish talking about, or starting a conversation with a stranger about, is the climate. Some constantly complain about it: “hot enough to fry an egg,” or “bone- chilling cold.” Yes, dear reader, Earth has become confused as to what people perceive to be perfect weather. Nevertheless, in this article I will present a list of countries that might possess that charming, ideal climate. Words Adham Farah

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italy It is considered to be the country with the best weather on the European continent.

New zealand This country is doing the correct thing by observing one strict rule: the conservation of nature.

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Rangitoto Island and Hauraki Gulf from Devonport, Auckland, New Zealand

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A typical landscape in Tuscany in Autumn

Savanna landscape in Serengeti, Tanzania, Africa During Summer season

France

France has it all, from hot summers to snowy mountain peaks.

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View of bay on sunny day. Cote d'Azur, near Nice and Monaco

tanzania

Do you like animals? If so, then Tanzania is the best country for you.

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Beautiful tropical coast. Wide angle during summer in Capri, Italy

A photo of Autumn landscape in New Zealand 183

Football players hate to play in this country because it has the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s highest capital city.

Picturesque view of a Spanish village in Spring

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Bolivia

Landscape of the Titicaca Lake in Bolivia

spain

Its location makes it one of the countries with the best climate in the world.

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USA Whatever your climate preferences are, the United States has it.

Argentina

Argentina is characterized by the great difference in temperatures between its regions.

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Beautiful landscape with Mt Fitz Roy in Los Glaciares National Park, Patagonia, Argentina, South America.

Fitz

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Reflection of Mountain Range Smooth Waters Redfish Lake Idaho Sawtooth Mountain Wilderness.

Spring in the mountains of Ecuador

ecuador

Ecuador is the perfect place to contemplate the beauty of nature.

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nepal

View of the Annapurna South from trek near Jhinu Danda - Nepal, Himalayas

Climbing Nepalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mountains, which include Mount Everest, is every manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s goal.

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Behold The Bamboo Bikes

In Ghana progress is taking shape on two wheels

Words B K

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ropelled by women’s leadership, the Ghana Bamboo Bikes Initiative is tackling climate change by building high-quality bamboo bicycles. The initiative has twofold climate benefits: It reduces emissions not only from the transportation sector but also from the bike production process. Compared to traditional steel bicycles, making bamboo bikes emits far fewer emissions, requires less electricity, and uses no hazardous chemicals. Not only are the bikes light and stable, they can handle rough terrain and can carry large farm loads and passengers. A female initiative Although Ghana is rich in physical, cultural, and intellectual resources, it is also a country with traffic congestion, environmental degradation, a stark urban-rural divide, low employment, and poverty. The Bamboo Bikes activity was started by, and continues to be led by, a young female entrepreneur. It promotes sustainable development, boosts trade, creates employment opportunities for women, and addresses a number of United Nations Millennium Development Goals in the process. Riding towards sustainable development The increased cultivation and use of bamboo as an alternative to wood helps preserve and rehabilitate Ghana’s dwindling forests. Bamboo improves air and water quality in areas where it is harvested. Additionally, its root system reduces soil erosion, which is a major concern for many farmers. The construction of bamboo bikes is much less energyintensive than the production of steel bikes; producing a steel bicycle frame emits about five kilograms of CO2.

Empowering communities The activity, led by women, is improving the lives of many rural Ghanaians, women in particular, not only by delivering a sustainable and affordable form of transportation that satisfies local needs, but also by creating employment opportunities and stimulating economic growth. The woman-led Ghana Bamboo Bikes Initiative trains people, especially women, with little or no education, in the manufacturing and assembling of bamboo bikes. Producing stable, cheaper, and reliable bikes in Ghana is helping the country reduce its dependence on fossil fuels while increasing economic opportunities for rural Ghanaians. The activity has created 30 jobs (10 jobs for farmers and 20 jobs for bamboo bike assemblers). Creating employment opportunities is reducing poverty in Ghana’s rural communities. Spillover effect Bamboo bike-making technology has been transferred to two other communities, employing 25 rural women who sell the frames to the Ghana Bamboo Bikes Initiative’s supply chain. The Initiative is talking to investors and potential funders to scale up the project, both in size and impact. Organizers aim to build bikes – in Ghana, by Ghanaians, for Ghana – in the thousands. Each artisan, after his/her training, will be equipped to employ at least five or six people and to set up his/hers own small-scale production base in any part of the country. As part of its scaling-up strategy, the Initiative plans to establish a bamboo plantation to support climate mitigation.

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Kevin Costner

Robert Redford

Matt Damon

Leonardo Di Caprio DiCaprio's contribution and attention to the environment is all-encompassing. While private jets consume mass amounts of fuel, DiCaprio flies aboard commercial airlines. He also uses solar panels in his home and invests millions in environmentally friendly charities. After establishing the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation to support sustainable development in 1998, he also participated in both the production and narration of The 11th Hour, which explores ways in which to bolster environmental ecosystems across the globe.

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Matt Damon Damon never fails to impress--be it through his acting or his altruistic endeavors. When it comes to the environment, water is his thing â&#x20AC;&#x201C; namely ensuring that it is clean and available to people around the world. That is why he founded Water.org, whose vision includes the provision of "safe water and the dignity of a toilet for all." Going beyond mere fundraising, Damon's organization seeks new and ingenious solutions to the water scarcity problem. It is most active in Africa, South Asia, and Central America.

Robert Redford As the son of a Standard Oil employee, Redford has long been aware of the oil industry's risks. In addition to being a staunch advocate of renewable and green energy, he is also the mind behind the Sundance Institute and its Sundance Film Festival, which is based in a ski resort that he purchased in the middle of Utah. The Green, which airs weekly on his Sundance Channel, offers insight into critical environmental issues.

Kevin Costner Having seen the damage of the 1989 Exxon-Valdez oil spill, Costner became a major investor in Ocean Therapy Solutions, a company that filters dense water from light oil using centrifugal oil-water separators, which makes water clean enough to go back into the sea in case of oil spills. In 2010, Costner even pitched his ideas for the cleanup of BP's Gulf Spill to Congress, making a case in point for the efficiency of his program.

Jessica Alba Though famed for her acting, Alba has long been concerned with the wellbeing of others. In addition to her involvement with a number of charities, she co-founded Honest Company, whose mission consists in finding the most salubrious, environmentally friendly products for children and the home.

Brad Pitt While a number of activists pooled efforts to rebuild homes after Katrina, one of the deadliest hurricanes in American history, Pitt made sure to restructure homes â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the green way. The Make It Right Foundation, which he founded in 2007, creates homes that are LEED Platinum certified and Cradle to Cradle inspired, meeting the utmost standards of environmental friendly building.

Alicia Silverstone Taking up the cause on a more individual level, Silverstone focuses her eco-friendly efforts on proper eating habits. In addition to her blog, The Kind Life, Silverstone authored her own book, The Kind Diet, which describes her mostly vegan- based diet.

Just say ing

"Being scared and doing it anyway"

n? don't y o s a e r e h t "Where is me it on m la b , e m n o blame it wild heart."

"when you r whole world is flat, empty and directi onless, the op ti ons for fun are pretty limited. the age of innocence"

Edith Wharton, The Age of Innocence

together Why don't you all get e of Innocence Wharton, The Ag h it d E " ? s and be 'they' yourselve

"And when a llt to ceryls.e" fa ils, i t's a ll r igh

"Nobody is gonna hit as hard as life, but it ain’t how hard you can hit. It’s how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. It’s how much you can take, and keep moving forward. That’s how winning’s done"

Syl ve st e r St al l one , Rock Bal boa

"My life? not even rules, more like hidden truths."

"And you'l l sit bes ide me, and

we'l l look, not at visio ns, but at real it ies. " ~ Edi th T

W h t on, he Age of Inar no cence

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Freaks of nature

15 cool wonders of the world Fact

Fact

Cave of the Crystals

Rainbow Eucalyptus This tree is located in Kailua, Hawaii. It can be named one of the most colorful trees in the world. The barks of the trees can take on a yellow, green, orange, and even purple shading!

Fact

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Giant Crystal Cave is connected to the Naica Mine, which is located in Chihuahua, Mexico. The crystals are said to be 500,000 years old and were formed from the underground magma. But watch out, the conditions there are so extreme, that it is impossible to be there without special equipment. The temperature of the hot air inside the cave can go up to 136째!

Light Pillars It is not a UFO. Everything is way too simple. Light pillars occur when flat ice crystals float close to the ground and cause light to bounce in vertical columns.City lights enhance the light pillar effect, as with these glowing columns seen over Moscow, Idaho.

Fact

Geologists found the Blood Falls in Antarctica in 1911. The red color on ice is said to be caused by microbes living off sulfur and iron in oxygen-free water trapped beneath the ice for nearly two million years. How amazing mother nature is!

The Wave

The Door to Hell It may look like a dramatic scene from a science-fiction movie. But it is actually a natural gas field in Derweze, Turkmenistan. It was discovered by Soviet geologists in 1971. They tapped into a cavern filled with natural gas, but the ground beneath the drilling rig collapsed, leaving a hole with a diameter of 70 meters. They thought that the fire would use all the fuel within days, but the gas is still burning today. At night it definitely looks like an attack on Earth launched by other civilizations.

6 Fact

The Wave is a sandstone rock formation located in the United States of America near the ArizonaUtah border. It is real Red Rock Country, with a wind-shaped mesas and water-carved canyons that began their slow formation millions of years ago. If you are a photographer, you will definitely appreciate its interesting detail. The Wave does not have shadows in the center a few hours around midday.

Blood Falls

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>> Freaks of nature

The Crystal Cave

If you are looking for new adventures in the natural world, this Crystal Cave is perfectly good for it. Emerged as a result of its glacier meeting the Icelandic coastline, it has an access via a 22foot entrance at the water's edge. So, be ready to get a new portion of adrenaline just accessing it!

Fact

Shimmering Shores

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The super romantic view of the shimmering shores of Vaadhoo, Maldives can cause lots of pleasant emotions… and many memories… The shoreline glows at night because of bioluminescence. This occurs when a micro-organism in the water is disturbed by oxygen. More like a miracle, right?

Fact

Frozen Air Bubbles This place is very popular among photographers. Located in western Alberta, Canada, this lake was created in 1972. The plants on the lake bed release methane gas and it gets frozen once the gas reaches close enough to the relatively colder lake surface. Isn’t it beautiful?

Fact

Cocooned Trees

Fact

In 2010, millions of spiders climbed into the trees to escape the flooding in Pakistan. Because of the scale of it, many trees became cocooned in spider webs. People have never seen such a phenomenon before. We bet, you too havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t seen something like this until now!

Fact

The Blue Dragon River This river looks like it was photoshopped. But it really was not. Its real name is Odeleite, and it is in Portugal. The river is known as the Blue Dragon River because of its dark blue color and shape.

The Sunken Forest of Lake Kaindy Lake Kaindyis a 1,300 feet long lake in Kazakhstan that is nearly 30 meters deep in some areas.The lake was created after an earthquake in 1911 that triggered a large landslide forming a natural dam. Then rainwater filled the valley and created the lake. The water is said to be very cold there even in summer. But if you are fond of trout fishing, it is a great place to do it.

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>> Freaks of nature

Fact

Lake Hillier

Fact

Reflective Salt Flats It is almost impossible to distinguish where the sky ends and the ground beginsâ&#x20AC;Ś. The flats, located in Southern Bolivia near the Tunupa volcano make up the world's largest salt desert, around 11,000 square kilometers. It is also a popular travel destination. Everybody is curious to see not the water, but the ground that is covered in a layer of salt crust so reflective, that it perfectly mirrors the sky. And we understand those people!

Lake Hillier in Australia is only 600 meters wide, but its rose pink color is seen from a far. Its color is still under investigation, but one of the reasons for that is the low concentration of Dunaliella salina and Halobacterium. Whatever the reason for all this, Lake Hillier looks absolutely incredible!

Fact

Lake Retba

Lake Retba is located northeast of Dakar, Senegal. Its water is pink, because the Dunaliella salinaalgae in the water produce a red pigment that uses sunlight to create more energy. The lake is also known for its high salt content, so it enables people to float easily.

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Did You Know that... My kidney can smell! Biologists have been stunned at the discovery that the elements that help us to identify odors and tastes exist everywhere in our bodies. Studies have revealed that the kidney, an organ known for its filtration functions, contains scent receptors. Scientists have tried to search for a possible explanation for such a phenomenon. Some of them have suggested that these receptors are evolutionary leftovers the previous functions of which have been lost over time. Still others have speculated that these structures are active and essential to our health.

system attacks. Thus, receptors might not always have a propitious association with microorganisms. [The meaning is not clear]. Further investigations need to be carried out to clarify and explain all the mysteries that lie behind the presence of such scent receptors in our bodies. Finally, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be shy to point out that sperms have bitter taste receptors. Sour scent receptors have been identified in the spine. Words Adham Farah

Bacteria make use of scent receptors in the kidney After many studies, biologists now believe that the scent receptors that are found in the kidney have a functional role related to microorganisms and bacteria that reside in humans and fulfill various important tasks (preventing allergies, breaking down food to energy and useful nutrients, suppressing harmful microbes, etc.) For example, one type of scent receptor is utilized by the bacteria to advise the kidney to regulate the blood pressure changes in the body, so that they (the bacteria) can perform their healthrelated functions. Bitterness receptors detected in the human airway protect the body by intercepting signals that the bacteria send to each other to strengthen their defenses against the immune

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"Let us make the flowers our bed, and the sky our blanket, and rest our heads together upon pillows of soft hay." Gebran Khalil Gebran

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