Project Third World: February 2015 by P.T.W

PTW HEALTH|EDUCATION|WORLD|CHARITY

PROJECT THIRD WORLD

Feature Article

Gregg Treinish

- wildlife campaigner and scientist -

Volume 3 NO. 1

FEBRUARY 2015

New Year, New Change, New Chance Welcome to a whole new edition of PTW magazine. With everyone starting to feel comfortable in the new year, Project Third World has been working hard to make sure that this is a year unlike any other. Our Graphics and Design Volunteer Benjamin Bugeja has been working around the clock to bring you a brandnew face to Project Third World including new logos, posters, website, advertising material, and even a rebirth of our very own PTW magazine. PTW magazine is also expanding its range of articles and topics to not only give you a broader understanding of health, but also the world around you. Aside from the exterior, Project Third World is developing and growing

internally with a larger volunteer group with fresh, new and exciting projects which Project Third World will be undertaking. This includes our upcoming 'Education Through Arts: The Ticking Bomb' event, which will take place on the 22nd of March in the Docklands, Melbourne, Australia. Please see the poster within the magazine for more details or visit our website. We will also be hosting a range of unique fund-raisers that we hope everyone can enjoy, learn from and support Project Third World in. With 2014 behind us, Project Third World sees 2015 as a year to make things right and bring in the changes the world needs. 2014 brought may tragic events around the world including war, terrorism, reli-

gious tension, socioeconomic tension, racism, animal cruelty, environmental destruction and more. As a year that people will want to forget, it should be remembered for that very reason. With the failures and disappointments of humans alike, it should be seen as a year to learn from and improve on, rather than be forgotten. Project Third World aims to do what it can through the promotion of health and education to tackle the big issues the world faces and we hope that the world will continue to support us and spread the word of Project Third World as much as it can. Thank you to all our supporters and volunteers for the past year and good luck with 2015.

Camels Milk

Vitamins

Hidden Benefits of Laughter

Crossfit

Editorial

Q&A GREGG TREINISH

Contents

Heat Illness

Managing your health during summer.

What is all the fuss about?

The $1.5 billion a year industry.

Natural health

What?

Warming globe

Wildlife campaigner and scientist

www.projectthirdworld.org contact@projectthirdworld.org facebook.com/projectthirdworld twitter.com/projectthirdworld @projectthirdworld youtube.com/projectthirdworld

P R O J E C T TH IR D W O R L D PRESENTS

See many of the greatest world issues represented through dance, Music, Drama, Poetry and Art.

The Ticking Timebomb 22nd March 2015

National Australia Bank Theatre 700 Bourke Street Docklands VIC 3008 5:00pm-8:00pm

Under 12: $15

Concession: $20

Adults: $25

Finger Foods and refreshments will be provided.

All profits going directly to Project Third World sponsored Schools and Orphanages. For more information visit www.projectthirdworld.org or visit Facebook for further event details.

Thank you to our devoted sponsors

T A E H

PROJECT THIRD WORLD

ILLNESS

Managing Your Health During Summer. Australia is a dry country due to an abundance of extremely hot conditions. During hot weather, it is easy for the human body to become dehydrated or overheat. Since 1890, heat-waves have caused the deaths of 2,887 people, equal to deaths caused by floods, cyclones, bush-fires, earthquakes and storms combined.

The State of Australia Cities Report revealed that city residents are more vulnerable because of Heat Island Effect (HIE), which can result in a four-degree temperature increase. Heat waves can be felt more in cities due to a prevalence

of dark-coloured pavements and roofs that absorb heat, and a lack of shade and green spaces.

Heat Stress and Causes

Heat stress occurs when the human body is unable to cool itself enough to maintain a healthy temperature. Normally, the body cools itself by sweating, but sometimes sweating isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t enough and the body temperature keeps rising. There are many factors that can cause or contribute to heat stress and heat-related illness such as: dehydration, lack of airflow, sun exposure, party drugs, bushfires and crowded conditions. FEBRUARY 2015

HEAT ILLNESS

Those at High Risk Although anyone exposed to these factors are vulnerable, there are people who are most vulnerable to heat illness: • Older people (65 years and older) • People taking certain medications, such as those for depression or insomnia • People with a physical disability • People with a mental health condition • People living alone with little social contact • Babies and young children

• People with a pre-existing physical health condition, such as diabetes, heart disease or kidney disease • Pregnant women • People who are homeless • Some people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds who cannot access health services or information

How to Avoid Heat Illness There are a number of things that can be done to avoid the risk of heat illness and manage health during hot weather, including:

• Drinking plenty of water (2-3 litres during hot weather) • Limiting or avoiding alcohol and caffeine • Modifying physical activity (e.g. exercise in the morning or night when it is cooler) • Staying indoors, if possible in air-conditioning (shopping centres are air-conditioned) • Fanning air and applying a wet towel on skin

FEBRUARY 2015

• Applying sunscreen at regular intervals while outdoors • Staying in shaded areas when outdoors if possible • Blocking out the sun at home during the day by closing curtains and blinds • Storing medication correctly • Wearing lightweight and loose fitting clothing • Taking a cool shower or bath

PROJECT THIRD WORLD

Symptoms of Heat-illness Symptoms vary according to the type of heat-related illness however there are a few key symptoms of any heat-related illness: • • • • •

Hot and dry skin Paleness Rapid heart rate Muscle cramps Nausea and vomiting

• Lack of sweating despite the heat • Dizziness or weakness • Worsening of pre-existing medical conditions ■

Rebecca Meldrum Health Promotion Editor

Enjoy the sun

safely

FEBRUARY 2015

CAMEL'S MILK

FEBRUARY 2015

PROJECT THIRD WORLD

CAMEL'S M LK WHAT IS ALL THE FUSS ABOUT?

Currently multiple sources of milk are available in Australia, including milk obtained from the likes of: cows, goats, almonds, coconuts and recently, camels. It is probably a safe assumption that camel’s milk is not something that is brought to conversation with friends or family. For the time being, this may well be due to camel’s milk being the obscure option relative to all the other sources of milk available. It also sounds less dignifying than conventional milk sources. Whilst this may be so, there has

recently been attention focused towards camel’s milk, not only by health-conscious individuals who are intrigued by the potential health benefits associated with the consumption of camel’s milk, but other populations too. An example may be people with allergies to other forms of milk looking out for a healthy alternative. This article will address the potential health benefits associated with the consumption of camel’s milk and the evidence, if any, that supports such claims.

FEBRUARY 2015

CAMEL'S MILK

Traditionally camel's milk was, and to some extent today, used as a natural remedy supplement for the malnourished, and a common part of the everyday diet of people living in the Middle East, Asia and Northern Africa. In these conditions, large-scale cow farming is not feasible as it consumes large amounts of water and electricity. Historically it is also said that entire populations could survive on this milk for days or months on end without the apparent loss of health. Health fanatics claim that this milk may also be comparable to that of human milk based on nutritional content and the presence of colostrum, which gives some types of milk their thick frothy appearance. The benefits of colostrum are that it is rich in immune-promoting proteins known as ‘immunoglobins’ that support the development of a baby's immune system.

IMOOOONOGLOBINS?

FEBRUARY 2015

The importance of colostrum has also seen some mothers choosing to express breast milk prior to giving birth to their infant, in order to obtain colostrum for a variety of reasons including: a mother with diabetes, previous issues with breastfeeding, as a precautionary measure to ensure that the baby can still obtain colostrum if the mother is unable to breastfeed, and many other reasons. The benefits of breastfeeding and breast milk, for both the infant and the mother, have been well established. This is well recognized in Australia and for that reason Australia’s National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) recommends that babies be exclusively breastfed for at least the first 6 months of a baby’s life. Thereafter, the NHMRC recommends breastfeeding to continue alongside family foods for one year or for as long as the mother and child desire. Even companies that produce infant formula clearly specify that breast milk is the golden standard. Given that research into the benefits of camel’s milk is still in its ‘baby stages’ (mind the pun); comparing it to the likes of human breast milk is somewhat hasty.

PROJECT THIRD WORLD

Research also suggests that milk sourced from camels compared to cows, on average, contains more vitamins and minerals that are essential for the everyday proper functioning of the body. This may explain why historically it has been used as a supplement in the malnourished and as a natural remedy. Whilst having extra nutrients, camel’s milk is also said to have less bad fats and

molecules that can cause allergic reactions. Therefore, in the future it may be a good alternative in individuals who have allergies to the components present in the other available forms of milk, or people that are trying to reduce their total daily intake of bad fats as part of a balanced diet. However, at this point in time there have not been any major studies to back up these claims.

There has also been some research to suggest that camel’s milk may also be beneficial in people with certain diseases. Currently, the most promising results have been seen in type 1 diabetics. Results obtained from a two-year study conducted by Agrawal et al., (2011), which monitored twenty-four type 1 diabetics showed that camel’s milk may reduce the primary need for insulin and improve overall control of blood sugar levels.

ern medications that are administered through the mouth.

Type 1 diabetes, also known as juvenile diabetes, is a metabolic disease that is characterised by the inability of the pancreas to secrete insulin, which works by lowering the amount of sugar in the blood. Consequently, type 1 diabetics have more sugar circulating in the blood, which if left uncontrolled may lead to long-term complications such as heart and eye disease. At the moment insulin can only be administered as an injection into fat pockets under the skin, as opposed to many mod-

So how does this all link in with the consumption of camel’s milk? The same researchers, Agrawal et al., (2011), don’t know how camel’s milk reduces blood sugar levels but what they suggest is that camel’s milk may contain insulin and/or proteins very similar to insulin. Remember, insulin is a protein, therefore when exposed to the hostile environment that is the stomach it should be broken down just like any other protein, which makes these results very intriguing but difficult to rationalize. Though the study does have its flaws, the results do look promising. In the future camel’s milk may prove to be of some effectiveness in type 1 diabetics, as it may reduce the amount of injections type 1 diabetics need to administer, alongside potentially providing a suitable dietary option for these people.

FEBRUARY 2015

CAMEL'S MILK

In Australia there is difficulty in milking camels as they are not bred for that purpose and for that reason, obtaining camels milk can be quite difficult. In the future camel’s milk may have a place on our shelves and at a reasonable price too. It may also be used as a supplement or as a viable treatment

FEBRUARY 2015

option for many conditions, in particular diabetes. This will take time; therefore until camel’s milk overcomes a few more humps in the form of long-term studies, it is best to remain on the fence but listen out for any developments. ■ Daniel Kocoski Medical Editor

PROJECT THIRD WORLD

VITAMINS the $1.5 Billion a year INDUSTRY

The use of dietary supplements is on the rise more than ever before. It is estimated that Australians spend 1.5 billion dollars a year on vitamins and supplements.

FEBRUARY 2015

VITAMINS

“Is taking a multivitamin every day necessary or beneficial? Should I worry about vitamin deficiencies? Am I taking too much?” These are common questions with much debate surrounding them. I think the majority of the population views a daily vitamin as a 'nutrition insurance policy.' You may not ever need it, but it’s there to help just in case you do. However, just like having car insurance you shouldn’t drive like crazy just because you know you have an insurance policy. The same principle applies here; you shouldn’t eat whatever you want just because you take a multivitamin everyday. The same historic principle applies to maintain a healthy lifestyle and diet and if you are still deficient, supplement accordingly. Therefore I only use vitamins as a last resort if I am not getting enough from my food.

So what exactly are vitamins? In basic terms, vitamins are organic compounds which are needed in small quantities to sustain life. It is an essential nutrient which the body cannot produce enough

FEBRUARY 2015

of, or not at all to sustain normal functioning. Therefore, we have to obtain these from food. There are currently 13 recognized vitamins which are split into 'fat-soluble' and 'water-soluble' vitamins.

PROJECT THIRD WORLD

Fat-soluble vitamins

are stored in the fat tissues of our bodies as well as the liver. Fat-soluble vitamins are easier to store than water-soluble ones, and can stay in the bodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s store for days and some for months. These vitamins are absorbed through the intestinal tract with the help of fats to aid digestion. Fat soluble vitamins are A, D, E and K

Water-soluble vitamins

are not capable of being stored in the body for long. What is not absorbed gets flushed out through the urinary system soon after. Therefore these need to be replaced more often than fat-soluble vitamins. Water soluble vitamins are all the vitamins B and C.

A healthy diet should ideally provide you with all your nutrition needs, however this is not always the case, as many individuals donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t eat a healthy diet or consume their required 5 vegetables serves a day. In these situations a daily multivitamin can ideally help fill the nutrition gaps which can be important in our lives. Specific vitamins are more important at certain times, such as during pregnancy, infancy, in our senior years and also with vegetarians, smokers and alcoholics.

FEBRUARY 2015

VITAMINS

Pregnancy Folic acid is important for a pregnant mother as it aids in the prevention of neural tube defects in newborns. Vegetarians/Vegans The human body stores several years worth of vitamin B12, so deficiency of this vitamin is extremely rare. However, people who follow a strict vegetarian diet and do not eat eggs or dairy products may need to take vitamin B12 supplements. Smokers Smoking interferes with the absorption of several vitamins, especially vitamins C and D. Smoking can also interfere with the metabolism of vitamin D, resulting in poor muscle function. Taking supplements of antioxidant vitamins, especially beta-carotene, is harmful to smokers. Instead of taking supplements, smokers should eat a diet rich in fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Smoking cessation is the most important intervention.

Alcoholics Alcoholics often have several vitamin deficiencies. The most dangerous deficiencies include vitamin B1 (thiamin), vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), Folic acid, and vitamin C. Low levels of vitamin B6 may increase the risk for colorectal cancer in men who drink large amounts of alcohol. Senior Citizens Almost 1 out of 3 elderly people do not get enough vitamins and important minerals; this is due to lack of and eating regularly balanced meals. In addition senior citizens are more likely to take several medications which often prevent the absorption of certain vitamins and minerals. Common vitamin deficiencies in the elderly include vitamin D due to their lack of exposure to sunlight regularly. They are also more prone to having low levels of B vitamins.

Furthermore, senior citizens have to use caution when supplementing, as metabolism slows with age and it takes longer for the body to absorb and remove vitamins from the body. A healthy dose of vitamins for a middle-aged healthy individual could be a potentially toxic level for an elderly individual.

FEBRUARY 2015

PROJECT THIRD WORLD

In general it is best to adhere to the standard recommended amount of vitamins and minerals stated by the Australian government as there can be 'too much of a good thing.' Keep in mind that your daily vitamin will usually contain all the vitamins you need to prevent disease.

is lowered, skin colour returns to normal. In other cases such as Vitamin A (retinol) excess intake can result in more serious consequences such as increased intracranial pressure, liver disease and coma, some of which are not reversible even after levels of Vitamin A are reduced.

However, if you consume any cereals, protein bars, bread and other fortified foods this can increase your intake significantly and can reach a toxic level. It is also best to stay away from the ‘super supplements’ or ‘mega doses’ as these will put any healthy individual more at risk of reaching a toxic level.

In addition, excess vitamin D and calcium can cause calcification of the heart or kidney stones to form. In saying that, most vitamins and minerals are not detrimental in high doses however I have put together the list below to simplify the Upper Limit (UL) and Recommended Dietary Intake (RDI) for each vitamin and mineral. This will help you become aware of which supplements we should be careful of and which ones don’t have a UL and just get flushed out.

Vitamins that are taken in excess can cause more harm to your body than good and there are varied problems associated with the excessive intake of vitamins. Some are harmless and will subside as soon as intake is lowered. For example, high levels of beta-carotene (preformed vitamin A) found in vegetables such as carrots will cause skin to turn a yellow-orange colour; however, once intake

These vitamins with a UL should not be supplemented unless advised by your doctor. The best way to go about this is to go to your doctors and get a blood test done. They will tell you if you are deficient in a certain vitamin or mineral and if you are then you

should supplement the vitamin accordingly. If your blood test results show you are not deficient in anything then your diet is sufficient and there is no need to take a multivitamin because at this point you are paying for a pill that is flushed straight out of your system. Scientists state that there could be a psychological placebo effect to taking these supplements and lead people to actually feeling healthier even though they may not have any beneficial effect to your body (i.e. it is all in the mind in this case). In actual fact if you are not deficient in these vitamins they are just getting flushed out of your system, making your body work harder in the process. There are many studies featured in The Cochrane Collaboration which publishes reviews of medical evidence and have recently concluded that taking vitamins does not extend life,whilst exercising regularly, watching your diet and limiting sugars and preservations have been proven to extend life.

FEBRUARY 2015

VITAMINS

KEY: The Recommended Dietary Intake (RDI) refers to the amount of specific nutrients required on average on a daily basis needed to prevent deficiency diseases. Upper Limit (UL) refers to usual intake above this level may place an individual at risk of adverse effects from excessive nutrient intake

Vitamins

Good for

RDI

Top Sources (per serving size)

Promoters

Mouth ulcers, poor 800mcg night vision, frequent colds, dry flaky skin, dandruff, thrush

8,000-30,000 mcg per day long term or 300,000 mcg of retinol at once or 6mcg of betacarotene at once.

Carrots Zinc. Vitamin (8,500 mcg), E and C help Cabbage protect it. (900mcg), Sweet Potato (5,170mcg) Tomatoes and broccoli.

B1 (Thiamine) Energy production,

Tender muscles, poor 1.4mg concentration, irritability, poor digestion, stomach pain, poor memory

No UL

Lamb (0.12mg), Asparagus (0.11mg), Mushrooms (0.1mg), peas, cauliflower, peppers

Other B vitamins, magnesium, manganese

Helps turn fats, sugars and protein into energy. Needed to repair skin. Regulates body acidity, good for hair, skin and nails

Burning and sensitive 1.6mg to light eyes. Cataracts, dull or oily hair, eczema, split nails, cracked lips

No UL

Mushrooms (0.4mg), watercress (0.1mg), Asparagus (0.12mg), Broccoli (0.3mg)

Other B vitamins and Selenium

Vitamin A (retinol and betacarotene)

Healthy skin, night vision, protect against infections and cancers

Deficiency Symptoms

brain function, digestion. Helps body use protein

B2 (Riboflavin)

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PROJECT THIRD WORLD

B3 (Niacin)

Energy production, brain function. Balanced blood sugar and lowers cholesterol. Involved in inflammation and digestion

Lack of energy, diar- 18mg rhea, headaches, poor memory, anxiety, depression, bleeding gums

3,000 (basically no UL

Mushrooms (4mg), Tuna (12.9mg), Chicken (5.2mg) Salmon (7.0mg), asparagus, lamb

Other B vitamins and Chromium

B5 (Pantothenic Acid)

Controls fat metabolism, essential for brain and nerves, helps make anti stress hormones (Steroids)

Muscle tremors and 6mg cramps. Poor concentration, burning feet, nausea, lack of energy, teeth grinding

600mg (Basically no UL)

Mushrooms (2mg), Broccoli (0.1mg), Peas (0.75mg), Lentils (1.36mg)

Other Bt vitamins. Biotin and Folic acid help aid absorption

B6 (Pyridoxine)

Protein digestion and use. Hormone production, balances sex hormones, good for menopause. Anti depressant and diuretic. Controls allergies

Water retention, tingling hands, depression, anxiety, muscle cramps, lack of energy, flaky skin

1,000mg Basically no UL

Cauliflower (0.20mg), Peppers (0.17mg), Bananas (0.51mg), Red kidney beans (0.44mg)

Other B vitamins, Zinc and

2mg

Poor hair condition, 1mcg B12 (Cyanoco- Makes use of protein, helps the blood eczema or dermatitis, balamin)

Folic Acid

carry oxygen, so needed for energy, needed for DNA synthesis and nerves.

irritability, anxiety, constipation, pale skin, tender or sore muscles

Critical during pregnancy for development of brain and nerves, always needed for brain and nerves. Uses protein and red blood cell formation

Anemia, eczema, cracked lips, prematurely grey hair, poor memory, poor appetite, stomach pains, depression

200mcg

magnesium

No UL

Oysters Folic Acid (15mcg), Sardines (25mcg), turkey and chicken (2mcg), eggs (1.7mcg), cheese (1.5mcg)

No UL

Wheat germ (325mcg), Spinach (140mcg), Peanuts (110mcg), Broccoli (130mcg), Avocados (66mcg)

Other B vitamins, especially B12, best with food

FEBRUARY 2015

VITAMINS

Biotin

Important in childhood, Helps body use essential fats, promoting healthy skin, nails and hair

Dry skin, hair, and premature grey hair, tender or sore muscles, poor appetite, eczema

Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)

Strengthens immune system, fight infections, makes collagen, making bones, skin and joints firmer, antioxidant, detoxifying pollutants, helps make anti stress hormone and turn food into energy

Vitamin D

No UL

Cauliflower (1.5mcg), Watermelon (4mcg), Eggs (35mcg), Almonds (20mcg)

Other B vitamins, Magnesium and manganese, best with food

Frequent colds, lack 60mg of energy, frequent infections, tender gums, easy bruising, nosebleeds, red pimples, slow wound healing

No UL

Peppers (100mg), Broccoli (110mg), Strawberries (60mg), Tomatoes (60mg), Oranges (50mg)

Bioflavonoid in food increase effect, B vitamins to produce energy, works with Vitamin E as an antioxidant

Helps maintain strong and healthy bones by retaining calcium

Joint pain or stiffness, backache, tooth decay, muscle cramps, hair loss

1,250mcg is potentially toxic

Herring (22.5mcg), Mackerel (17.5mcg), salmon (12.5mcg), eggs (1.75mcg)

Sunlight, Vitamins A, C and E protect D

Vitamin E (d-alpha tocopherol)

Antioxidant protects cells from damage and cancer, helps body use oxygen, preventing blood clots, Improves would healing and fertility.

Lack of sex drive, 12mg exhaustion after light exercise, easy bruising, varicose veins, loss of muscle tone, infertility

No UL

SunflowVitamin C and er seeds Selenium (52.6mg), Sesame seeds (22.7mg), Beans (7.7mg)

K (Phylloquinone)

Controls blood clotting, bone health, heart disease prevention, reduces neural damage, diminishes post operative bruising, neutralizes free radicals

Hemorrhage, Anemia, easy bruising, gums and nose bleeding

No UL

Cauliflower (3,600mcg), Broccoli (200mcg), Peas (260mcg), milk (1mcg)

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150mcg

5mcg

RDA not established

Healthy intestinal bacteria so no external source

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Minerals

Good for

Deficiency Symptoms

RDA

Calcium

Promotes healthy heart, Clots blood, contracts muscles, improves skin, bones and teeth health, relieves aching muscles, reduces menstrual cramps, maintains acid alkaline balance

Muscle cramps or tremors, insomnia or nervousness, joint pain, tooth decay, high blood pressure

800mg

Chromium

balance blood sugar, normalizes hunger and reduces cravings, Protects DNA and RNA

Cold or excessive sweats, dizziness, irrability, sleepiness, needs food often, addiction to sweet foods

None established, therapeutic level is 200mg max

Iron

Component of haemoglobin, iron transports oxygen an Co2 to and from cells, vital for energy production

Anemia, pale skin, sore tongue, fatigue, appetite loss, nausea, sensitivity to cold

14 mg

Magnesium

Strengthens bones and teeth, promotes healthy muscles by helping them relax, good for PMS, Imp for heart muscles and nervous system, essential for energy production

Muscle tremors, 300 mg insomnia or nervousness, high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, constipation, convulsions, hyperactivity, depression, lack of appetite, calcium deposited in soft tissue

UL is due to intake of Vit D over 625mcg per day. Excess will interfere with absorption of other minerals, may lead to calcification of heart, kidney and soft tissue and kidney stones Above 1,000mg

UL above 1,000mg

Top Sources

Promoters

Cheddar cheese (750mg), Almonds (234mg), Parsley (203mg)

Magnesium, phosphorus, Vit D and boron, exercise

Wholemeal Bread (42mcg), Eggs (16mcg), Butter (13mcg), Potatoes (24mcg), Lamb (12mcg) Spirulina (28.6mg), Pumpkin seeds (11.2mg), Parsley (6.2mg), Walnuts (4.1mg), (Pork 2.9mg), (lentils 3.5mg) Almonds (270mg), cooked beans (37mg), Buckwheat flour (229mg), Garlic (36mg), (Green peas 35mg)

Vit B3 and 3 amino acids (Gylcine, Glutamic acid and cystine) form Glucose tolerance factor. Improved diet and exercise

Vit C increases iron absorption, vit E, calcium, folic acid, phosphorus, stomach acid

Vit B1, B6, C, D, Zinc, Calcium, Phosphorus

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VITAMINS

Manganese

Helps to form healthy bones, actives over 20 enzymes, Stabilizes blood sugar, essential for reproduction and red blood cell synthesis, insulin production

No UL

Pineapple (1.7mg), Blackberries (1.3mg), Oats (0.6mg), Beetroot (0.3mg)

Vitamins E, B1, C, K, Zinc

Molybdenum

Helps rid body of Not known protein breakdown products, eg uric acid, strengthens teeth, detoxifies body from free radicals, petrochemicals and sulphites

None established

Intakes of 1015mg per day may cause a high incidence of gout-like symptoms associated with high uric acid

Tomatoes, wheat germ, pork, lamb, lentils

Protein, carbs, fat

Phosphorus

Forms and maintains bone and teeth needed for milk secretion, builds muscle tissue, Component of DNA and RNA, maintains body pH, aids metabolism

Unlikely as it is in most foods, but rickets, osteomalacia (softening of bones)

800mg

No UL

Present in almost all foods

Correct calcium

Potassium

Enables nutrients to move into cell and waste products out of cells, maintains bodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fluid balance, helps secretion of insulin.

Rapid irregular heartbeat, swollen abdomen, cellulite, low blood pressure, muscle weakness, nausea

2,000 mg

At around 18,000mg cardiac arrest might occur

Watercress Magnesium helps (329 mg), to help potassium Cabbage in cells (251 mg), Pumpkin (339 mg), Banana (370 mg)

Selenium

Antioxidant properties, reduces inflammation, stimulates immune system to fight infection, required for male reproductive system

Signs of premature aging, cataracts, high blood pressure, frequent infections

None established

None below 750mcg

Oysters (0.65mg), Mushrooms (0.14mg), Tuna (0.12mg)

FEBRUARY 2015

Muscle twitches, None eschildhood growing tablished pains, poor sense of balance, convulsions, joint pain

:Phosphorus ratio, lactose, Vit D

Vitamins E, A and C

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Sodium

Maintains bodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s water balance, prevents dehryration, helps nerve functioning, helps move nutrients into cells

Dizziness, heat ex1,300 mg haustion, rapid pulse, low blood pressure, muscle cramps, nausea

None specifically listed but around 2,300mg per day is high and increased intake can result in odema, high blood pressure and kidney disease

Sauerkraut (664 mg), olives (2,020 mg), miso soup (2,950mg), cottage cheese (405mg)

Vitamin D

Zinc

Component of DNA and RNA, essential for growth, important for healing, controls hormones, aids ability to cope with stress, promotes healthy development of foetus

Poor sense of taste or 15mg smell, white mark on more than two fingernails, acne, greasy skin, low fertility, pale skin, depression, loss of appetite

2g or more can result in gastrointestinal irritation, vomiting, reduced growth, stiffness. Copper/zinc levels should be balanced

Oysters (149mg), Lamb (5.3mg), Brazil nuts (4.2mg), egg yolks (3.5mg), almonds (3.1mg)

Stomach Acid, Vitamin A, E and B6, magnesium, calcium and phosphorus

We should always try and not take the easy way out by popping a pill but rather exercise a healthy lifestyle as often as we can. â&#x2013;

Sonia Kaurah Diet and Nutrition Editor

FEBRUARY 2015

LAUGHTER

the

Laughter Hidden Benefits

Laughter: It can change any situation by turning frowns upside-down. It can make us snort, sneeze, wheeze, wee, and completely alter the state of consciousness we are in.

FEBRUARY 2015

PROJECT THIRD WORLD

Laughter comes in many forms: childhood memories of giggles; the sneaky laugh that comes out of nowhere; the long laugh which starts small and then takes over; the seizure laugh which starts with a smile and then grows into a giggle which evolves into a laughing fit! However you laugh, whatever makes you laugh, there is one thing which connects all of us: the joy we get from laughter. But what is actually happening

inside us to create this feeling? The effects of laughter on the body, and mood of humans and primates, are so interesting that the study of laughter and its effects from a physiological and psychological perspective was created and named Gelotology (from the Greek word Gelos; to laugh), pioneered by Dr William F. Fry during a deep chuckle, our brains send out signals all across our body from eyes and nose, to hormones.

FEBRUARY 2015

LAUGHTER

When we laugh our diaphragm contracts, causing us to suck in deep amounts of air. The deeper we breathe the more oxygen is brought into our blood and our brain. A higher level of oxygen in the body assists in alkalising the system which contributes to greater liver and kidney function. On the out-breath, our diaphragm and chest muscles contract which forces the air back up through the windpipe, rushing over the larynx, causing the vocal cords to vibrate. This creates the laughing sound, and the quick exit of the air sends the body into slight distress making the heart rate soar and the blood pressure to rise which carries more oxygen throughout our body, blood and organs. The sudden exit of air from your lungs creates an urgent call for oxygen.

FEBRUARY 2015

Your heart rate and blood pressure ramp up to help ferry more oxygen to your organs. Face muscles also contract and cause your mouth to open. In some cases the eyes will water. Whilst this happens, the rest of our muscles become weaker and less coordinated, we need to subconsciously work harder to keep balance, keep breathing and regain muscle strength. This whole phenomenon can burn a few extra calories which not only can be a great health benefit, but also reduces the stress hormone, cortisol, a hormone linked to depression, exhaustion, anxiety, weight gain and chronic fatigue syndrome. Our abdominal muscles and diaphragm muscles contract, creating a similar effect to exercise.

PROJECT THIRD WORLD

If laughter is used in conjunction with a regular exercise routine it can assist in the strengthening of the core. As we interpret whatever it was that created the laughter, our brains move into higher functioning, our imagination is tickled, and 'happy chemicals' called endorphins (Endogenous morphine) are released. Endorphins are an analgesic which essentially numb the pain receptors in the brain and allow more pleasure to be felt. Laughter is in some sense contagious, because when we see someone else laughing our occipital lobe activates and stimulates the muscle memory of laughter producing the same hormones â&#x20AC;&#x201C; this triggers a body response which can lead to smiles, giggles or even laughing fits! FEBRUARY 2015

LAUGHTER The positive effects of laughter have been so widely studied and supported that a variety of therapies have emerged across the world using (you guessed it) laughter as medicine to combat anxiety and depressive disorders. Positive psychology is facilitated by a trained clinician who uses stories, jokes, movies, shows and other humorous anecdotes in the hopes that it will allow the patient to reflect on humorous memories and begin associating memories with laughter, happiness, joy and positivity. Laughter Meditation can be done in group settings or alone. It is a three stage process beginning with intentional stretching, followed by intentional laughter, finishing with a silent inner reflective meditation. Laughter Yoga is very closely related to traditional yoga â&#x20AC;&#x201C; with one difference; laughter is incorporated with intentional breathing. Dr. William F. Fry from Stanford University states that laughter is a process that encompasses the entire being, not merely the diaphragm and lungs. Dr Fry concludes that â&#x20AC;&#x153;humour, mirth, laughter are in the side of contributing positively to the maintenance of health and survivalâ&#x20AC;? (Fry, 1994).

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The psychological benefits of laughter are numerous and varied. A humorous perspective on life can help prevent people from feeling overwhelmed, depressed, anxious and lonely. Humour impacts on our social circles, it begins early in life; from an attachment perspective we see that children enjoy activities with their parents because they feel completely loved, supported, nurtured and safe doing with them. These feelings release bonding agents as well as endorphins and seratonin.

happy memories which, if focused on enough, can create these chemicals just by the memory. Creating a positive shift in your life can be as easy as swapping horror movies for comedy; a drama series for a light-hearted show; surrounding yourself with reminders of the things which make you smile and laugh; searching for local comedians to visit for your weekend activity; switching to satirical news for your evening news; and filling your heart and mind with positive people!

The brain creates neurological pathways linking these emotions, facial actions and chemicals to the specific environment (people, activity, surroundings), creating

The Journal of Nursing Jocularity even has a complete introduction to the language of laughter.

The Best Medicine

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LAUGHTER

Laughter Language of

• The Smirk: Slight, often fleeting upturning of the corners of the mouth, completely voluntary and controllable. • The Smile: Silent, voluntary and controllable, more perceptible than a smirk; begins to release endorphins. • The Grin: Silent, controllable, but uses more facial muscles (e.g. eyes begin to narrow). • The Snicker: First emergence of sound with facial muscles, but still controllable (if you hold in a snicker, it builds up gas). • The Giggle: Has a 50 percent chance of reversal to avoid a full laugh; sound of giggling is amusing; efforts to suppress it tend to increase its strength. • The Chuckle: Involves chest muscles with deeper pitch. • The Chortle: originates even deeper in the chest and involves muscles of torso; usually provokes laughter in others. • The Laugh: Involves facial and thoracic muscles as well as abdomen and extremities; sound of barking or snorting.

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• The Cackle: First involuntary stage; pitch is higher and body begins to rock, spine extends and flexes, with an upturning of head. • The Guffaw: Full body response; feet stomp, arms wave, thighs slapped, torso rocks, sound is deep and loud; may result in free flowing of tears, increased heart rate, and breathlessness; strongest solitary laughter experience. • The Howl: Volume and pitch rise higher and higher and body becomes more animated. • The Shriek: Greater intensity than howl; sense of helplessness and vulnerability.

• The Roar: Lose individuality; i.e., the audience roars! • The Convulse: Body is completely out of control in a-fit of laughter resembling a seizure; extremities flail aimlessly, balance is lost, gasp for breath, collapse or fall off chair. • The “Di-Laughing”: Instant of total helplessness; a brief, physically intense, transcendent experience; having died, we thereafter report a refreshing moment of breathlessness and exhaustion with colours more vivid and everything sparkling; everything is renewed. ■

Regena Margaret Wellbeing Editor

FEBRUARY 2015

CROSSFIT

CROSSFIT The average perception of a muscular man is one who lifts heavy weights at the gym 4 to 5 times week. He fistpumps his training partner after hitting his new personal-best and indulges on proteins and supplements more than water and food. So is that how males get muscular? Well not exactly;. Don’t be fooled, it’s not the only way.

WILLIAM LAISTER

People often laugh at me for my absurd choice in music and my unique taste in romantic comedies. For some reason, it’s abnormal for a guy to sit back and enjoy a love story and fall asleep to Celine Dion on a Saturday night. Have you ever wondered why? I can tell you why, because society says so. We read articles on the internet and brainless posts on Facebook that force us to think a way that we don’t have to. Men should be good at ‘handyman’ activities around the house and females should have a solid understanding of fashion. FEBRUARY 2015

Have you heard of CrossFit? CrossFit has a poor reputation in the body building fields, and to be honest, I’m not quite sure why. So what exactly is CrossFit? It’s a vigorous workout that combines weight training, aerobics and gymnastics all in one so that you become fit in every area of your game – not just one. CrossFit focuses on all aspects of the human body, improving areas evenly to give you a well-rounded physique and hopefully make you capable of doing whatever activity life throws at you. This differs from weight training, which simply aims to build muscle in areas you focus on. It’s also different from sprint training, which focuses on the physics of running from one point to another in the shortest possible time.

PROJECT THIRD WORLD 29 It's common to enter a gym, lift a few heavy weights, chat with some close friends and slowly work back into your 3rd set in that 10 minute block. If this describes you, CrossFit will be a wakeup call like none other. If the aforementioned workout is a light cup of coffee that slowly wakes you up, CrossFit is a short-black with an energy drink. It’s a fast-paced, intense workout that can take less than 15 minutes a day to have an effect because that quarter of an hour is going to be condensed, nonstop movement. Two words that describes CrossFit best is ‘effort’ and ‘intensity.’ To see improvements in your physique and overall health, effort and intensity must be consistent no matter what type of workout you do. CrossFit is often done in small groups, working through a circuit, with absolutely no breaks. So, instead

of taking one hour to do a moderate workout, you can change to a 20 minute CrossFit workout to push your body to the maximum and achieve great goals. CrossFit’s specialty is ironically in not specializing. It’s constantly changing, which keeps your mind and body from getting bored. If you’re sitting there thinking you can do a CrossFit workout on your own, you’re probably wrong. Who is there to push you if you’re strolling through a circuit on your own? Don’t be frightened, this workout is for everybody; men, women, experienced, new, brainy or brawny. Let’s not get distracted by pointless online mediums which tell us CrossFit is just for athletic guys, just because a male is advertising it; CrossFit is for everyone and is being used by everyone. This is one time that the new bandwagon might be good for you. ■ Jay Himat Sports Editor

ROHAN2015 BUSH FEBRUARY

| PROJECT THIRD WORLD Presents |

Fitness For Life

Fundraiser Come to one of our weekly outdoor fitness sessions around Melbourne to get fit, get healthy, have fun and raise money for global health and education.

Strength, Cardio, Yoga, Pilates and more all-in-one.

All Outdoor - All Bodyweight For all ages, fitness levels and skill levels.

Visit www.projectthirdworld.org to find a location near you or email to contact@projectthirdworld.org

PROJECT THIRD WORLD

WARMING GLOBE EDITORIAL

Most outlooks on climate change are apocalyptic in fate, or seen as an inevitable global warming that can be neglected as a natural occurrence. In reality, neither of these outlooks are accurate.

We will take a look at the global issue directly affecting all life on earth and why this generation of humans may have the greatest impact on the future of our planet in human history, for better or for worse.

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WARMING GLOBEWORLD PROJECT THIRD

How does warming occur? The Greenhouse Effect: Global warming has been studied for decades. Scientists have looked to the natural cycles and natural events that are known to affect the climate. One factor that affects the temperature of our planet is simply the sun and the energy it releases. Another is the Earth's natural reflectivity of the sun's rays. The most significant however is the ‘Greenhouse Effect,’ a naturally occurring process that warms the Earth’s surface. Solar radiation transmits heat to the Earth. As this radiation hits the surface of the Earth, the Earth warms up. Some FEBRUARY 2015

of this radiation is reflected back into space, and thus, this process gives our regular temperature levels. While certain amounts of radiation will prevent the sun's rays from being reflected, certain types of gases known as ‘greenhouse gases’ make an invisible blanket around the Earth’s surface and trap the radiation from escaping. Now, there is a natural amount of greenhouse gas that sits in the Earth’s atmosphere, regulates the Earth’s temperature and makes the planet optimum for life.

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UV PROTECTION BY THE OZONE LAYER

V-B

AY NE L

V- A

OZO

EAR

Is the Ozone-Layer Involved? When talking about the environment, another problematic phenomenon is the ‘Ozone Hole’. While it is linked to global warming, it is still a different process with different consequences. The Earth’s ozone layer is almost a natural ‘sunscreen’ or ‘sunblock’ from the sun’s ultra-violet rays. These rays are the same radiation rays that heat up the earth. There are two types of UV rays: UVA and UVB. It is UVB radiation that is normally absorbed by the ozone layer, and is the primary ray causing skin cancer, cataracts and other health conditions.

An ‘ozone hole’ forms when the chemicals that make up the ozone layer reduce below their normal levels. It has been found that chemicals such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), halons, carbon tetrachloride and methyl chloroform are the primary causes of a reduced ozone. These chemicals are often found in aerosols, cleaning equipment and certain detergents. It is important to note that some of the chemicals causing a hole in the ozone are also the same chemicals causing a greenhouse effect, and this is where the link between the two phenomenons resides.

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PROJECT WARMINGTHIRD GLOBEWORLD Warming and destroying the earth unnaturally: So far we can agree that some greenhouse gases are necessary, as they have kept the earth at livable temperatures for millions of years, and the ozone layer is also a great

asset to have as it has the potential to be a safeguard against many of the greatest health threats of this century. So, why are greenhouse gases a problem?

Warming and destroying the earth unnaturally:

Whilst there is a natural ‘blanket of greenhouse gases’, this blanket becomes thicker when more greenhouse gases are created on earth. If more gases are trapping more radiation, the earth becomes warmer and warmer because heat enters the earth and doesn’t leave. Greenhouse gases that keep the earth heated up

FEBRUARY FEBRUARY 2015 2015

include water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, ozone and artificial chemicals such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). Humans are unfortunately the main culprit for creating unnatural amounts of these greenhouse gases.

PROJECT THIRD WORLD

Greenhouse gases are typically created through: • Farming: This includes the production of farm animals such as sheep and cattle. These animals themselves release large amounts of methane gas; (I’ll let your imagination determine how they release these gases.) As the human population increases, and as demand for meat products increases, the more farm animals are produced, and the more animals there are to release large amounts of methane gas. Farming also uses many fertilizers and chemicals to grow crops which release further greenhouse gased, including nitrous oxide.

• Burning fossil fuels: Gas released from the production of gas, electricity and transport contributes to climate change. When you turn on a light switch, or stove or car; the oils, gases or coals burn and carbon dioxide and other gases are released into the atmosphere. Carbon Dioxide then sits in the atmosphere and makes that ‘blanket’ thicker. Factories, industries and oil dredges are notorious for burning through fossil fuels. The greenhouse gases that they produce can be seen in the big plumes of smoke that come out of their chimneys.

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WARMING GLOBE

â&#x20AC;˘ Waste and Rubbish: This may sound strange but waste itself causes greenhouse gases. When waste from bins is taken to landfills, the waste decays (whether that be food or paper or other rubbish) and releases carbon dioxide and methane.

â&#x20AC;˘ Deforestation: involves the destruction of vegetation such as forests. Plants absorb carbon-dioxide which naturally prevents the greenhouse gas from accumulating, whilst simultaneously releasing oxygen which humans and animals breathe in to survive. When you cut trees down and remove plant-life, the greenhouse gas concentration increases, causing the earth to warm, whilst reducing the most

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viable source of oxygen which we need to survive. Not only this, but forests are a home for many of the animals and wildlife around the world. Cutting forests down results in the deaths of thousands of animals and creatures; and also leaves many homeless, vulnerable, endangered and even extinct. Many of these species of plant and wildlife are essential to our own survival too.

2º↑ PROJECT THIRD WORLD

Why worry about an increase of just two degrees? Many people would imagine global warming to involve the summers increasing from 30 degrees to 40 degrees.

Whilst this isn’t impossible, it’s not what scientists have predicted. Rather, scientists looked at the average temperatures each year and found an approximate increase in average temperature by one to two degrees.

While temperatures are only increasing by one-or-so degrees, this has catastrophic effects for the world. On a daily basis temperatures may fluc-

tuate almost twenty degrees, however this is not the same as the overall temperature. Although humans have been able to adapt to weather by throwing a coat on or taking a jacket off, the natural world is not so flexible. In a sense, the natural world around humans is fine-tuned over millions of years to exist within a very narrow temperature range.

Changing the conditions of the planet make it difficult for plants and animals alike to survive adequately.

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38 38

PROJECT THIRD WARMING GLOBEWORLD Is there any evidence? It’s all good to talk about the theory, but where is the evidence? Is there any evidence; and if so, does it show that human activity is of great influence? This has perhaps been the single-greatest debate in the environmental discussion. This debate is often a battle of activist vs. agonist, environmentalist vs. capitalist and scientist vs. economist. The cliché argument held by the capitalists and economists who are in disbelief of climate change is that “the evidence is not convincing” and that “there is no substantial evidence that global warming is caused by humans.” Ironically, it is scientific to be skeptical, which is a good thing; however, let us take a look at the evidence that

FEBRUARY 2015

has been collected over the years. In the world of science, it is always important to have reputable sources, unbiased views and raw data before making an inference or conclusion. As the climate issue is so significant, the United Nations themselves formed an international group called the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change commonly known as IPCC. They formed to cover the topic with the gravity and objectiveness it requires. This group is not made up of ten or twenty scientists, but hundreds of scientists who work with hundreds of other scientists from around the world to simply report the truth of their findings. From the IPCC’s report in 2014, several findings were highlighted:

PROJECT THIRD WORLD 39

The global average temperatures have had fluctuations over the years, but the general trend is on the rise. The global average sea temperatures have also risen significantly over the past 100 years. The 1901-2000 average combined land and ocean annual temperature is 13.9°C (56.9°F), the annually averaged land temperature for the same period is 8.5°C (47.3°F), and the long-term annually averaged sea surface temperature is 16.1°C (60.9°F).

Furthermore, carbon-dioxide emissions from fossil fuels, cement, flaring and other exclusively human activities have also risen exponentially, with a mild increase in forestry and other natural-based emissions.

WARMING GLOBE

CO2

Over the past 150 years, global greenhouse gas emissions have experienced exponential increases, with carbon-dioxide, methane and nitrous-oxide emissions all increasing significantly.

The IPCC has reported that since the 1950s, scientists have observed extreme weather and climate events evidently linked to human influences. These range from a decrease in cold temperature extremes, an increase in warm temperature extremes and an increase in extreme high sea levels and an increase in the number of heavy precipitation events in different regions. FEBRUARY 2015

While the IPCC does not stay definitively, they say that it is very likely that the number of warm days and nights has increased on a global scale and it is very likely that human influence has contributed to the observed global scale changes in the frequency and intensity of daily temperature extremes since the mid-20th century.

PROJECT THIRD WORLD

What effects is changing temperatures having? It is almost an insult to even question the impact our environment has on our lives and how dependent we are on the natural world. It can however, be quite difficult to understand and contemplate the wrath mother nature will raise if we do not look after her. Changing temperatures by two degrees wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t simply increase the need for sunscreen, it will completely change our global climate systems, each having an impact on the other. These effects are already having an impact today. Critical amounts of

ice are melting around the world in Antarctica, Greenland, the Arctic and other mountain glaciers. Furthermore, heat waves have already increased in parts of Europe, Asia and Australia. Precipitation discharge (or simply put, rain) has increased in some areas and decreased in other areas. Droughts, floods, cyclones and wildfires or bush-fires in recent days have had a significant impact on ecosystems, including entire species of animals and plants, not to mention the human species.

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PROJECT THIRD WORLD

How will changing temperatures affect us in the near future?

Looking at climate change data and extending the trends observed over time shows a very troublesome and challenging future for the human race. If we also consider the rate of growth of the human population, which has doubled in the space of a lifetime, we will be putting unprecedented strain and struggle on the environment on a level that has never before occurred. Imagine all the cars, electric lights, cattle and farm animals, stoves and more that will increase with the increasing population; thus increasing the amount of emissions. As it is, we are struggling to defeat world hunger, and climate change too will reduce our ability to produce food for the planet with our current population, let alone an increased human population.

Evidence is strongly suggesting that the resources we have depended on to run our civilisations: oil and coal; will run out within our lifetimes, and the generation of children about to be born will run out of gas. Imagine a world where you cannot: cook with a microwave, stove, toaster or blender; drive, shower, refrigerate food, watch TV, turn on a light-switch, call your friends and family, use a laptop or computer; and far more. Population has increased

1964: 3.26 billion

1914 Global population, billions

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TODAY

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Blend this with a world where the outdoors are too hot, too cold, too windy, too dangerous and violent to live in. What you are imagining is a true reality of the future if we continue to rely on these resources while simultaneously making the natural world around us incredible volatile and treacherous to live in. Furthermore, the increasing climate change is predicted to amplify existing risks and create new risks for natural and

human systems and is said that human and natural ecosystems will struggle to adapt. In some cases, the changes will also be irreversible and detrimental. A large fraction of the species that are alive today will face increased risk of extinction due to these climate changes as they cannot adapt to the planetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s changing climate fast enough. In particular, many marine organisms are expected to face extinction in this century.

What will it mean for human health and well-being? The IPCC has said with extreme certainty that climate change will greatly impact human health mainly by exacerbating health problems that already exist today. Illhealth is expected to increase throughout the 21st century, especially in developing countries and in lower socio-economic

regions. Human well-being will be compromised significantly by climate change which will affect human activities in rural areas from growing food to working outdoors. Water availability, food security, and sustaining infrastructure are expected to all be affected by climate change.

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PROJECT THIRD WORLD

What can we do for the future? While the future is bleak, it is not all lost. There is still hope of securing what we have left in our natural world, and there is still some damage which can be reversed if we make the right changes fast. The solutions to global warming and climate change are perhaps as complex and multifaceted as the problem itself. The threat of extinction as a result of global warming is perhaps one of the most imperative problems to solve. It is estimated that in the United Kingdom alone, climate change will make one in five plants an endangered species and a similar ratio is estimated world-

Scientists are not only working to preserve our natural world, but to rejuvenate the environment by changing the way we interact with it. One of these methods is to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. The most direct method is to limit using technology that creates greenhouse gas emissions. This includes our factories, cars, stoves, electrical appliances, our deforestation processes and more. It could even mean reducing the amount of meat we con-

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wide. These plants are essential to our survival as they make the basis of our ecosystems and give life to us as well as millions of other species on the planet which we live off. One conservation enterprise, The Millennium Seed Bank, has devised an ambitious yet ingenious solution to this problem: creating a bank of all the plant seeds in the world. By collecting seeds from all plants around the world, nurturing them and preserving them, The Millennium Seed Bank acts as an â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;insurance policyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; for the plant world. As humans have already destroyed much of the natural world, the seed bank makes a comforting last resort for what is left.

sume. By setting limits on greenhouse gas emissions, we can actively reduce the amount of destruction, and the rate of destruction on the planet. Many governments around the world are now placing objectives through various methods. Reaching these targets may seem daunting, but they are possible if individuals and corporations put environmental and health concerns slightly above individual wealth concerns.

PROJECT THIRD WORLD

We as individuals have control over this. If we consciously reconsider our need to consume energy and products in our daily lives, and also actively select energy sources and products from companies that implement environmentally-friendly methods we can pressure corporations to meet the values of the population. It is certainly possible for the human race as a whole to reduce their emissions significantly through these processes, but a complete stop would be impossible for a species that is now dependent on many of these technologies to sustain its own artificial standard of living. As such, alternatives are the key to our future. One such alternative is biodiesel, a fuel which is produced from a variety of oils including canola, sunflower, fish,

Not only are we discovering fuels that are environmentally friendly, we are also learning new methods of harnessing diesel fuels which are highly efficient and environmentally friendly. One of the most prosperous methods

coconut, corn, soy-bean and peanut. Chemical processes are used to convert these types of oils into fuel for energy. These fuels are considered one of the great options for green energy because their waste products include waste water, minerals, resins, and some solids strained out of used oil and glycerine; making it highly environmentally-friendly compared to fossil fuels and conventional methods. Already many cars can be fueled by biodiesel including heavy transport trucks, machinery, construction equipment, ships and more. The United States Environmental Protection Agency predicts that the use of one litre of biodiesel compared to traditional fuels can reduce emissions of carbon-dioxide by over 67.7%.

involves using a bacteria called Esherisha Coli which is known to cause food poisoning. Scientists have found a way to have this bacteria create biodiesel fuels and other materials by simply feeding the bacteria sugar. In this

method, the environment is also the solution to its own problem. This method is not simply beneficial for life, but also beneficial for the economy as it will be a method that is far more cost-effective than current production forms.

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WARMING GLOBE

So we have new fuels, new ways of making fuel, and now we even have new ways of using fuel. Toyota Car Company recently announced their newest technology in automotive transport: The Mirai. Although they have only released a prototype, Toyota have created the first hydrogen-fuelled car. Hydrogen stored in fuel-cells within the car go through a chemical reaction which involves turning hydrogen into electricity to power the vehicle.

T O Y O T A

MIRAI

The only bi-product of this car is water which is excreted in a tailpipe. In chemical terms, hydrogen is a single atom, making the car an â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;atomic carâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; to many people; but hydrogen economy is not the same as a hydrogen bomb, as both use a different atom and thus have different properties.

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PROJECT THIRD WORLD 47

MASDAR CITY - ABU DHABI Science has made the future look promising for environmentally-friendly and renewable energy sources, but society doesn’t have to wait for the future. Already we have substantial green energy alternatives. If one place exemplifies this, it is Masdar City in Abu Dhabi. Masdar City is the first zero-carbon city and also incorporates traditional Arabic architectural designs. The city uses an entire array of green-energy alternatives. From their fields of solar-panels, to their driver-less transport systems, wind-powered cooling systems and intelligent architectural designs, this city is the living example of how humans can live in a

manner that does not excessively harm the environment. To think that the city functions without the need for a single fossil-fuel is staggering and inspiring for the world. What is perhaps the most astonishing reality is that this is an area that is home for much of the world’s oil. In the words of the late Sheikh Zayed, Founder of the United Arab Emirates: “We must not rely on oil alone as the main source of our national income. We have to diversify the sources of our revenue and construct economic projects that will ensure a free, stable and dignified life for the people.”

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WARMING GLOBE

Upon initially viewing the situation, the climate change issue seems bleak. We have destroyed and taken away far more than we should have from the natural world, and it might come back to destroy humanity in return. The climate change issue is often made out to be an inevitable downward spiral leading to an impending doom. As a species which consumes more and more, demands more and more, takes more and more, and reproduces more and more, we are single-handedly leading the entire planet into a very troublesome future. Yet, hope remains; and with a little education and a will to act, the situation becomes rather optimistic. Science is giving us the tools we need to reverse some of the damage we have caused and is also changing the course of the future towards a far healthier, sustainable and promising future for generations to come. Science is reshaping the way we find resources, the way we use resources, and the types of resources we use. The irony of course is that the entity which humans have been destroying is turning out to be the saviour. The environment is constantly giving us new means of using resources that benefits us and all other species.

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Apart from acting out of our own interests, let us remember the incredible force that is mother nature. Nature has given us oxygen to breathe, food to eat, the colours of the rainbow, the cool oceans, the warm sands, the lively rainforests and more. Humans have been able to create and

produce much, but they are still no comparison to the magnificence and necessity of the natural world. It is not too late at all to save our most precious life source, and it is not too late to once again be in harmony with the natural world; our future will depend on it. â&#x2013; Chirag Lodhia

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Q&A Gregg Treinish

- wildlife campaigner and scientist Gregg stands beneath a baobab in the Okavango Delta. Photo courtesy Adventurers and Scientists for Conservation

Gregg Treinish is the founder of ' Adventurers And Scientists For Conservation': an environment and wildlife conservation organisation that dedicates itself and its volunteers to sending athletes out to the seven continents and five oceans around the world to discover, collect, and report key information; which has guided climate change decisions around the world and helped develop protection of wildlife habitats around the world.

As a founder, leader and active member of this movement, Gregg's work has earned him the prestigious titles of 2008 National Geographic Adventurer Of The Year, and 2013 National Geographic Emerging Explorer. Gregg took the time to answer questions PTW had for him about his commitment and success in his field, as well as Gregg's views on the world's environmental concerns.

PROJECT THIRD WORLD

How did your interest in the environment develop? I have always been fascinated by nature and the environment. When I was young, I would search my backyard for lighting bugs, potato bugs and always had a strong curiosity for the way things worked and fit together. It wasn't until I was in my late teens or

early twenties that I began exploring the mountains and began learning about the issues plaguing the places I visited. I felt a deep desire to stand up for the environment and to make a difference for the places I love to play in.

Gregg poles a dugout mokoro throughFEBRUARY the Okavango Delta,2015 Botswana. Photo by James Kydd

Where did your interest in science, and adventures develop? What was the motivation and thought behind founding "adventurers and scientists for conservation". How did you go about 'founding' the organisation? Again, as a boy, I was always extremely curious about how things worked. I was fascinated by explorers and scientists such as Vasco de Gamma, Darwin, and Galileo. When I was 16, I went on my first backpacking adventure in British Colombia. My guide on that journey had just finished the Appalachian Trail and I thought of him (Guybee Slangan) as a God. It wasn't until I was 22 that I set out on the Appalachian Trail myself. It was one specific moment that shaped the rest of my life. About halfway through the expedition, I had fallen on the rocks yet again and in a moment of despair decided that I couldn't explore without giving back. I decided in that moment between the tears that I would always do something to benefit the world while playing in the outdoors. I worked in wilderness therapy for a few years and was genuinely making a difference for the teens I was taking out. However, the more I learned about the environmental issues that exist, the more I felt compelled to learn and work towards solutions for these problems. In 2006, I set out to hike the Andes Mountain Range in South America with the goal of

learning about sustainable ways of life from the people who have lived off the land for thousands of years. During this 22 month journey, I became fascinated by the puzzle that is nature and I wanted to understand the ecology that I was seeing all around me. I moved to Montana after the Andes Trek and began studying Ecology and Evolution. I worked as a wildlife tracker and studied nature religiously. I quickly realized that management decisions are made every day with a lack of scientific information due to a lack of funding, outdoor skills, and time. When I was awarded the National Geographic Adventurer of the Year award, I was immediately able to leverage my connections and experience gained in the outdoors to build a council of advisors and begin the process of providing other explorers with the tools to make a difference while they play. Today, thousands have taken the opportunity to collect scientific data as volunteers for our projects. They are making a difference and tipping the needle of some of the most challenging wildlife management related questions.

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You have traveled through many different terrains/environments. What have been some of the different environments you have traveled through and what were the significant discoveries and/or issues you found on your journeys? I have been to the Amazon Jungle and seen first hand the destruction caused by resource extraction and deforestation. In the Mongolian tundra I searched for Wolverines to document a previously unstudied population and even found one of the first snow leopard tracks to be documented in the area in decades. In the Andes I learned about sustainability as well as the realities of the desire for progress in developing nations. There, I saw trash dumped directly into the rivers and gained an understanding of widely held belief that nature is

nothing more than a resource to many people on the planet. In Botswana, I experienced one of the final remnants of a pristine environment left on the planet and learned about the threats the area faces from upstream mining and agricultural development. Through all of my expeditions, I have remained incredibly optimistic that we can overcome many of these challenges. I believe that people are good at their core, and that given reasonable alternatives, they will make good decisions.

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You tackle some incredibly remote areas of the world; what goes into planning for these locations and what preparations do you go through to tackle some of these places? Do you go through any particular training including physical and mental training?

Each expedition is very different and requires differing levels of focus and preparation. I often will train for a few months if the expedition is going to be physically challenging. What I find most often is that the mental challenges I face are far greater than the physical ones. For example, when I recently went to the Okavango Delta along with a few other National Geographic Explorers, I knew that I'd be face to face with hippos and

crocs'. Still, nothing can prepare you for that actual moment when a 2 ton beast is charging at you. I bring the experience of each previous expedition along with me each time and often just try my best to have a clear head going in. Some of my best experiences have been because I have been part of great teams. Likewise, some of my most challenging ones have come when there are difficult personalities on expedition.

The environment is a very broad term which many people will foster a different image for in their mind; what is the environment to you? Environment to me is everything. It is the planet as a whole, it is the forest surrounding my home in Bozeman, MT. We are all part of the environment and the environment is inextricably part of us all.

PROJECT THIRD WORLD

What are the issues which the environment is facing that you are finding in your work?

ASC works on a variety of issues mostly surrounding wildlife and their habitat. Currently we are focused on a major campaign to reduce tiny pieces of plastic from entering the water both in freshwater and marine environments. This issue is huge and very few people are talking about it. Did you know that each time you wash your fleece jacket up to 2000 pieces of plastic are shed into the water? These pieces are too small for wastewater treatment to filter out and wildlife eats it thinking that it is plankton. The Guardian recently called this the biggest environmental threat you've never heard off. Likewise, we work in partnership with several NGOs and government agencies to provide the human power needed

to collect data on a massive scale. On the American Prairie Reserve in NE Montana, we have six volunteers at a time living year-round in temperatures that vary from -20oF to 110oF. They are collecting thousands of wildlife observations and studying how wildlife interact with the prairie. We are providing a key resource that will help APR grow wildlife numbers on the reserve. In Utah, we will work this year in partnership with the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest to search for rare carnivores including wolverines, lynx, and wolves. So little is known about these creatures and if they are even in the forest. We will provide essential information for managers to use in making the best possible decisions for these species.

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Q&A GREGG TREINISH Many people remain skeptical or deny the 'evidence' is accurate or that the evidence behind climate change and issues with the environment are human-caused or from 'non-natural' causes. What is your view on this? How do you try to sway the skeptics? My view is that it doesn't matter where climate change is coming from nearly as much as the fact that it is happening. Often climate deniers will point out that our current state is part of a natural cycle. It may be true that some of the change we are experiencing is part of a natural cycle of climate fluxes. What is also true is that the vast majority of scientists point out that human actions are greatly speeding up this natural cycle and that the changes we would have experienced naturally will happen more quickly and more severely with

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us pumping greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. The bottom line is that change is upon us. The signs are all around us and the changes are already happening. Man made or not, we must address the issues we face with innovation, collaboration and objectivity. To me, arguing whether we are the cause or not is akin to arguing whether the train that is about to hit you is going north or south. Either way it is coming and you should get the hell out of the way.

PROJECT THIRD WORLD 57 What are some of the consequences that will arise if we do not change our ways? We are already experiencing the consequences. The economic and ecological impacts are already staggering. We have all heard the traditional answers to this question about stronger storms, sea-level rise, air quality decline and mass-extinction. Thankfully there are many brilliant engineers, scientists, and educators working to make our existence on this planet more sustainable. Sustainability isn't about the survival of environmentalists, it's about the survival our species. Like every other species on the planet, we must work to

ensure that we are here for generations to come. I believe that as our collective consciousness grows, so too will innovative solutions to our problems. For many people, unfortunately seeing is believing. I have been around the world and seen first-hand these changes. Part of my role is to allow others to gather evidence of change themselves. It's much easier to believe in something if you see it yourself rather than being told that bad things are coming. I encourage every denier to come and collect the data themselves.

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Q&A GREGG TREINISH Gregg during a 22-month trek along the spine of the Andes Mountains in South America. Photo by Deia Schlosberg

What changes do you feel need to be made? What can the everyday person do in their lives to help the cause?

I challenge myself everyday to use less. As consumers, we are all going to have some waste, this is inevitable. We are going to use fossil fuels, plastics and products that compete with natural processes. This is simply part of who we are as a species of people who enjoy comfort and convenience. That being said, each of us can work towards a more sustainable decision-making regime. When I shop, I look for less plastics, I work to find local foods. I try and educate myself about the products I buy before I buy them. I garden, which ensures that I am eating healthfully for myself and the planet. I repair the items I own that are FEBRUARY 2015

broken and reuse as much as I can. I constantly seek more information and share what I learn with others about the choices we make everyday. One thing to keep in mind here is that living "sustainably" can be extremely overwhelming. By the time you look for a plastic free, hormone free, local product, there is often nothing left. If we each make the best choices we can on a day to day basis, we will ultimately use less. My general message is that we can't just assume things are healthy for ourselves or for the environment. We must ask questions and make informed decisions.

PROJECT THIRD WORLD

Why is the environment so important? What will humans benefit from looking after the environment? I heard today on a podcast that more than $173 trillion comes annually from ecosystem services or the services that the environment provides to people. That is more than the entire GDP of the world's economies combined! This is not just the tourism dollars that are being counted, its the pollination that bees provide for farmers, its the water purification that marshlands provide for drinking water, it's the bats eating insects so that

An ASC data collection trip to the Chichagof Wilderness near Sitka, Alaska. Photo courtesy of ASC

crops will survive, it's each and every nature-based thing we rely on and use in the world. For those who don't see the value in a clear view or in clean water, perhaps the economic incentive will strike a chord. For those who feel inspired when they are outside, those who know that the true value of a bear or a wild place is intrinsic, the question doesn't even need to be asked.

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Q&A GREGG TREINISH

You go through very tough conditions to fulfill your work and life goals; how do you stay so motivated and committed to the cause; what keeps you so driven? I believe that people are good. As I have been welcomed into peoples homes around the world, this has continuously been reinforced for me. We are all emotional beings who make decisions to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe and happy. I have been given an opportunity to reach a lot of people and while I certainly don't believe that my beliefs are the ones others should live by, I do hope that given accurate and abundant information, they will make good choices. I will also point out that what I consider a good choice is not necessarily how others will interpret the information ASC can provide. My hope is that knowledge will allow each person to weigh the positives and negatives of a given choice against their own values. Ultimately our species has a shared interest in a healthy planet.

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PROJECT THIRD WORLD

What do you feel has been the key to the success you have reached throughout your life? I believe that each and every obstacle can be navigated around with enough creativity and optimism. Thank you. â&#x2013;

Hari Mix rappels off the lip of a crevasse near the summit of Lobuche East to collect samples for the ASC Snow and Ice Project.

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FRONT COVER Gregg poles a dugout mokoro through the Okavango Delta, Botswana. Photo by James Kydd