August Issue 8 2015
W W W. Z I W I R A . C O M
BUILDING A GREEN FUTURE
10
top new species We are now able to marvel upon the top 10 new species of 2015
CLIMATE CHANGE
BEWARE OF BUGS Interview
Vinod Anthraper
Deputy General Manager of one of UAE’s leading clean energy companies
Conscious Leather How to use leather in a sustainable way
Plus: Things to do this summer
SUSTAINABLE
Travel
NORTH AMERICAN ARCTIC
Explore intact ecological tranquility
Green Startups A potential business future
2
BUSINESS BUILDING A GREEN FUTURE
CONTENTS ZIWIRA AUGUST 2015
FEATURE 22 Forests – vast and vulnerable We explore the vulnerability and importance of our forests, following the UN Forum on Forests in New York.
LIFESTYLE 26 Butter Up!
16
COVER STORY BUSINESS 12 Privatization of waste management in Bahrain Hesham Alhaddad of Gulf City Cleaning Company discusses the pros and cons of privatizing waste management in Bahrain, a country with no recycling plants of its own.
COVER STORY
Choosing natural, organic products provides assured safety for your skin. Check out our favorite organic body butter picks for this month.
28 Conscious Leather
Find out how to use leather in sustainable ways.
32 Things to do this summer If you’re looking for an adventurous and meaningful way to spend your summer, Volunteer World has some exciting options.
HEALTH 34 Air pollution and allergies
16 Green Startups – A potential business future
Could green startups be the answer to a cleaner future, and if so, are they getting enough support?
Medical experts have linked allergies and other respiratory illnesses to air pollution.
38 Climate Change: Beware of bugs
The insects that are spreading bugs, are being affected by climate change in ways you might not expect…read the full story here.
INTERVIEW 42 Greening the Emirates: Vinod Anthraper
38 www.ziwira.com
42
The Deputy General Manager of one of UAE’s leading clean energy companies.
August Issue 8 2015
WORLD
50
54
Ice Shelves are disappearing – Should we be worried? We explore the changing face of Antarctica, following the collapse of the Larsen A and Larsen B ice shelfs.
GREEN PERSONALITY 58 An insatiable love of the Natural World
72
Dr. M. Sanjayan has built a deep understanding of the natural world, and manages to share his knowledge in a way that is simple and comprehensible.
WILDLIFE 62 Hope for South African Wildlife
ECO-TECH 46 The latest technology that could potentially reduce e-waste Oakland, California-based, Next Thing Co. have developed a mini computer that has the potential to substantially reduce e-waste.
AUTO 48 Audi Leads an eco-fuel revolution Audi has recently announced a new product called ‘e-benzin’ -- synthetic, clean burning and petroleum free fuel. Another step towards sustainability.
50 Harnessing Hydrogen for optimum performance The new BMW i8 FCEV is an incredible feat of engineering, and offers us a glimpse of what a sustainable auto future could look like.
Taking a step forward towards sustainability and wildlife protection, South African Airways (SSA) officially banned the transport of endangered rhinos, elephants, and lions aboard its passenger and cargo flights.
64 A wealth of new species awaits us Thanks to a New York based university, we are now able to marvel upon the top 10 new species of 2015.
TRAVEL 66 North American Arctic: Explore intact ecological tranquility There are few places left in this world where you can experience a peaceful getaway, with untouched, serene splendor. Discover the eco-friendly Arctic Chalet lodge in the Northwestern Territories of Canada.
ENTERTAINMENT 72 Akon promotes sustainability in his home country 74 Lupita Nyong’o joins the ivory battle www.ziwira.com
4
EDITORIAL
Nature Nature is mighty Nature is strong Nature is usually always right Nature is rarely ever wrong Nature is beauty Nature is moody Nature is smart Nature always has the greater part Nature is blue Nature is green Nature is every color possibly seen Nature is true Nature is beaming Nature is dreaming Nature is in every place Nature is always with grace Nature is true Nature is you Nature is me Nature will forever be free. Anees Akbar
www.ziwira.com
August Issue 8 2015
BUILDING A GREEN FUTURE
Publisher Ziwira CEO and Founder Adam Merza adam@ziwira.com Editorial Saba Khan saba.khan@ziwira.com Imran Khan imran@ziwira.com Nasreen Rasool nasreen.rasool@ziwira.com Zane Small zane.small@ziwira.com Marketing Nadir Khan nadir.khan@ziwira.com +971 56 7481747 Design Asif Habib asif.habib@ziwira.com Fahad Balabhai fahad@ziwira.com Head Office Techno Hub Building, Office No. 161-162, PO Box No. 341171, Dubai Silicon Oasis, UAE. USA Office Ziwira Inc. 445 Park Avenue 9th Floor New York City
AUGUST 2015
EDITORIAL During a time when a whole new generation is being fed upon the idea of recycling, waste
management and Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth, I feel it’s an apt opportunity to discuss green startups. With a baffling array of green businesses booming worldwide, Dubai is soon becoming the hub and launch pad for such innovative enterprises. Ziwira gives you
a deep insight of the innumerable investment potential these startup entities possess, and how they are being advocated and funded by the investors and the government alike. Explore our cover story on page 14 on the future prospects of green startups.
In the auto section, check out BMW’s new hydrogen fuel cell-powered version of the i8 model - it will blow you away! page 48. In addition, Audi has also impressed us in terms
of sustainability in motoring, by implementing a new eco-friendly fuel concept made from plant sugars, called ‘e-benzin’. Check it out on page 46.
You may recognize Dr. M. Sanjayan from a recent series that aired in February, on National Geographic called Earth: A New Wild. We love how Dr. Sanjayan has used his influence and scientific knowledge of the wild to draw attention to the imperative relationship
between humans and nature - therefore, he is this month’s Green Personality. Get to know him on page 56.
While our hunger for electronics and technology keeps on swelling, what happens to our old stuff? We often dispose our e-waste improperly which poses high risk of polluting the air, contaminating soil, and leaching into water sources. To address this issue, a US-based
Company Next Thing Co. has developed a mini computer that has the potential to substantially reduce e-waste. Read more on page 44.
The travel section this month will guide you to Alaska’s Prince William Sound which is a sheer hotspot for photography, birding, hiking & kayaking, and land & sea adventures.
Summer is a perfect time to treat and pamper your dehydrated skin. To unlock the secret
for soft, supple and gentle skin, turn to page 24 and try out a few organic body butters listed there in.
This is not all, we have much more to indulge you in some green reading; do not miss our stories on climate change bugs, some cool summer activities, and lot’s more.
We’d be delighted to receive your comments or opinions on any of these stories. Read on and explore. Cheers!
New York 10022 United States of America Canada Office Ziwira Inc. Toronto, Canada
© Copyright 2015 Ziwira. All rights reserved. No part of this publication can be reproduced in
parts, stored in retrieval system or transmitted in
any form or by any means without the prior written
Saba Khan E D I T O R
@ZIWIRA
permission of the publisher.
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6
CEO BUSINESS
Adam Merza CEO & FOUNDER
www.ziwira.com
I initiated this company to bring life to my vision of a healthier future for our world and the impending generation. My hope is that these magazines will inspire you to adopt a healthier, sustainable lifestyle, and appreciation of this incredible planet that we call home.
“
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August Issue 8 2015
14 – 16 SEPTEMBER 2015 10:00 - 18:00
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NEWS & EVENTS BUSINESS
THE VITAL IMPORTANCE OF YOUTH IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE SUSTAINABILITY The United Nations General Assembly has commemorated the 20th anniversary of the World Programme of Action for Youth with an acknowledgement that young people have been “disproportionately” affected by many global challenges, but are ready and willing
to be actively involved in shaping their future and creating a more sustainable world. In his remarks to the meeting, Secretary-Gen-
eral Ban Ki-moon noted that the commemoration comes at “a critical time” as 2015 represents an opportunity for transformation. “As we approach the adoption of a new set of sustainable development goals, the global community has an unparalleled opportunity
to change the course of history,” he said, and “as the largest generation of youth the world has ever known, you are in the driving seat of this change.” The Secretary-General is trying to diminish the belief that young people have no influence in the world. “You are the first generation that can end poverty – and the last generation that can act to avoid the worst effects of climate change,”
Mr. Ban told the gathered delegates. “I call on governments to enhance their efforts to implement the World Programme of Action for Youth under the new post-2015 development agenda, and to include young people as part of their delegations to the summit in September,” he said.
FRANCE BANS UNNECESSARY FOOD WASTE French parliament have declared a new law which bans throwing away or destroying unsold food. Food waste costs countries around the world billions of dollars each year and is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, but France’s action
was spurred by another type of crisis. Following a somewhat economic slump, France has witnessed an increasing number of people living off food scavenged from waste bins outside grocery stores, which has prompted an outcry from activists. “There’s
an absolute urgency — charities are desperate for food. The most moving part of this law is that it opens us up to others who are suffering,” assembly member Yves Jégo announced to parliament. Under the law, which will go into effect in July of next year,
French supermarkets will have to give unsold food away to charities or donate it for use in animal feed or compost. But while the
law might help get food into the bellies of those who need it, in terms of overall waste, the step may be more symbolic than effec-
tive. According to The Guardian, In France, 7.1 million metric tons of food is wasted each year, but only 11 percent is thrown out by food retailers. The bulk of it, 67 percent, is thrown away by consumers, and 15 percent is tossed by restaurants. The concern with food waste goes beyond the travesty of wasting food in a time when others are going hungry.
SEA TURTLE RECEIVES NEW METAL JAW AFTER BOATING ACCIDENT In an amazing act of humility and extraordinary science, scientists in Turkey recently
saved a turtle after it was terribly injured following a collision with a motorboat. This loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) has got his bite back with the help of a 3D-printed, medical-grade titanium beak. The turtle weighs 100 pounds (45 kilograms) and is
named Akut-3. Quickly brought into the Sea Turtle Research Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in Dalyan, Turkey, the turtle was nursed back to health. However, to be able to properly fend for himself back in the wild, the staff at the center quickly realized his jaw
would need to be rebuilt. The center contacted BTech Innovation, a Turkish company
that makes customized medical prosthetics and implants – usually for humans. Eager
to take on the challenge for a reptile in need, BTech used CT scans of Akut-3 to customproduce a brand new metal jaw for him to chomp away with once more. www.ziwira.com
August Issue 8 2015
MT. EVEREST COULD BE ICE FREE BY THE END OF THE CENTURY
A team of scientists has modeled the likely ice loss in the Everest region of the Himalayas and concluded that with greenhouse gas emissions continuing to rise, the glacier
volume could be reduced by between 70 to 99 percent by the end of the century.
CHINA CONDEMNS ILLEGAL IVORY TRADE
While they admit that there are variations in their predictions, it seems set that the re-
Following the UAE’s recent condemn-
not only the landscapes, but also the culture of the people who live there. But accord-
now following suit. For the first time,
these beautiful rivers of ice might not last. “The signal of future glacier change in the
out its illegal ivory industry. Chinese
given the projected increase in temperatures,” said Joseph Shea, a glacier hydrologist
cated ivory in a symbolic gesture of
of the study, published in ‘The Cryosphere’. The team used field observations from
African elephant poaching. “We will
that could then be used to predict future glacier loss. They then applied it to the next
trade until the commercial process-
and glacier melt.
are eventually halted,” said Zhao Shu-
gion will lose a massive chunk of its ice over the coming decades. The glaciers shape
ing of the illegal ivory trade, China is
ing to the new study, if we continue to pump out harmful emissions at the current rate,
China has committed to phasing
region is clear: Continued and possibly accelerated mass loss from glaciers is likely
workers destroyed 662kg of confis-
from the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development and lead author
the country’s commitment to fighting
weather stations in the region from the past 50 years to test and calibrate a model
strictly control ivory processing and
century to see how different changes in temperature could impact the snowfall, rainfall,
ing and sale of ivory and its products
THOUSANDS OF SAIGA ANTELOPE HAVE PERISHED
cong, head of China’s State Forestry Administration. Zhao outlined a ten
point plan to fight poaching, including
stricter policing of wildlife trade online and offline, and running campaigns
In Astana, Kazakhstan, the mysterious deaths of tens of thousands of endangered an-
to discourage public demand. A re-
the species future. Thousands of rare saiga antelopes – more than a third of the total
instances of illegal ivory for sale on-
Environment Programme has called “catastrophic”. UN experts have said the mass
slist alone. China hopes a reduction
seasonal wetness may have been something that lowered their immunity to infection
decrease black market demand. But
of the Altyn Dala Conservation Initiative. The rate of the deaths has staggered those
the Convention on International Trade
ice age. The sudden spate of deaths comes as a nasty shock as up until recently the
and Flora (CITES), said that while Chi-
protruding noses — had been hailed as something of a conservation success. Until
market still remains a big driver of
numbers in Kazakhstan had rallied from an estimated 20,000 in 2003 to the more than
“one of the most destructive forms of
telopes have left scientists scrambling for answers and conservationists worried about
port this April found more than 500
global population – have been wiped out in a devastating blow that the United Nations
line over a four-day period on Craig-
deaths are attributed to a combination of biological and environmental factors. “Un-
in the illegal ivory market will also
but until we do more analysis we will not know anything for sure,” said Steffen Zuther
John Scanlon, Secretary-General of
who have studied the species — whose ancestors have inhabited the region since the
in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna
saiga antelopes — which live for between six and 10 years and are known for their
na’s decision is promising, the black
mid-May, when the country’s ministry of Agriculture began reporting the deaths, saiga
elephant poaching, which he called
250,000.
wildlife crime.”
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10
NEWS & EVENTS
THOUSANDS MARCH AGAINST TAR SANDS IN MINNESOTA
NEW YORK HOSTS COUNTDOWN TO PARIS
A significant event was held on June 29 in relation to climate
change action. The High-Level Event on Climate Change was opened by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in New York. He Thousands of people recently gathered in St. Paul, Min-
nesota to march in protest of the growing network of tar sands pipelines in America, singling out one pipeline — the Alberta Clipper — in particular. Activists from across
the Midwest were joined by environmental leaders such
as 350.org co-founder Bill McKibben, Sierra Club President Aaron Mair, and Indigenous Environmental Net-
work Director Tom Goldtooth in protesting tar sands, an unconventional and carbon-intensive fuel that’s found largely in the Athabasca region of Alberta, Canada.
About 5,000 people attended the march, according to
the Sierra Club’s Mark Westlund — making it the largest anti-tar sands march the Midwest has ever seen.
The main goal of the protest was to emphasize that the conversation about tar sands and fossil fuels was about
more than just the Keystone XL pipeline, McKibben said on a press call in the lead up to the march. “It’s gone way, way, way beyond Keystone,” he said. “That one got the attention…but the beautiful result has been the
‘Keystonization’ of pretty much every pipeline company
across the country.” McKibben hopes the protest in St. Paul will bring more attention to other pipeline projects, which are being proposed all over the USA.
addressed the issue that development cannot be sustainable if it does not address the challenge of climate change. “Let us always remember that climate change and sustainable develop-
ment are two sides of the same coin, with two mutually reinforcing agendas,” the UN chief explained to delegations gathered for the event. It was held just months ahead of the next Conference of the Parties (COP) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate
Change (UNFCCC), which will take place in Paris in December,
and was convened in support to the process that will ultimately result in an agreement intended to succeed to the landmark Kyoto Protocol on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
But a climate change agreement in Paris will not be the end point,
according to the Secretary-General. “It must be a turning point in how the world collectively responds to the defining challenge of
our time,” he stressed. “Today, we have come together to take stock of what we have pledged, what we have delivered, and what
else we must do to ensure that world leaders and their governments adopt an ambitious, universal agreement in December.” He
welcomed a number of recent achievements, such as the fact that the world’s three biggest economies – China, the European Union,
and the United States – have “placed their bets” on low-carbon, climate-resilient growth, while the two biggest emitters of greenhouse gases have announced ambitious climate actions.
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION EXPRESSES AIR POLLUTION CONCERNS Pollution was the main topic of discussion at the 67th World Health Organization’s (WHO) World Health Assembly, Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland. Director General Dr. Margaret Chan noted that the convention has passed several, “landmark reso-
lutions and decisions.” According to WHO, air pollution is the world’s biggest environmental health risk, causing at least one in
eight deaths around the globe. The new estimation significantly increased the threat posed by air pollution and has direct health
implications for countries such as India, where pollution load is high and public health infrastructure is underdeveloped. Last year, WHO ranked New Delhi as the most polluted among 1,600 cities across the world, worse than Beijing which had previously held the shameful title. WHO’s assessment points to a huge surge in disease burden and deaths due to air pollution exposure. Deaths
due to air pollution, which include outdoor as well as indoor pollution, have increased four-fold across the globe in the past decade, according to recent data. China and India are by far the worst affected countries. www.ziwira.com
August Issue 8 2015
UAE PLANS TO END PETROL SUBSIDIES TO REDUCE EMISSIONS The United Arab Emirates plans to end billions of dollars’ worth of petrol subsidies in an attempt to strengthen state
finances and limit spiraling car usage, the country has one
of the highest per capita greenhouse gas emission rates in the world. The International Monetary Fund has put pressure on oil-dependent nations such as the UAE to reduce
fuel subsidies. IMF says petroleum subsidies in the UAE amount to $7 billion a year, and are part of a package of energy subsidies that total $29 billion, or 6.6 percent of gross
domestic product, and also include support for natural gas and electricity. Budgeting pressures are being felt by oil-
producing countries, because of the collapse of oil prices
from more than $100 a barrel a year ago to the current level
of about $55. The UAE needs an oil price of around $75 a barrel to balance its budget, but has substantial reserves.
Other Gulf States, such as Bahrain and Oman, are depend-
ent on prices of more than $100 a barrel to break even and have much smaller reserves than the UAE. According to
Suhail al-Mazouri, the Minster of Energy, an end to fuel sub-
sidies would decrease consumption and encourage the use of public transport and fuel-efficient vehicles, including hybrid transport and fuel-efficient cars. Transport accounts
for 22 percent of the UAE’s total greenhouse emissions, which totaled at 199.65 million tons in 2013.
ABU DHABI PORTS PROMOTE WASTE & RECYCLING Abu Dhabi Ports, the manager and operator of commercial, leisure and
community ports in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi has joined with Tadweer,
the Center for Waste Management (CWM) and Green Mountains En-
vironment and Transport (GMET) one of the UAE’s largest liquid and
bulk waste treatment and disposal providers, to promote recycling and enforce the regulatory requirements in the ports. The two-day intensive
campaign entitled ‘Hand in hand to save the earth’ and was aimed at Abu Dhabi Ports’ employees, port workers, tenants and shipping
agents. The event highlighted the importance of reusing and recycling everyday items and explained that under international maritime regulations, all waste from the port and surrounding locations must be
separated into the different types, so that as much as possible can be recycled. Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, CEO of Abu Dhabi Ports said “As an operator of international ports and trade and logistics zones we are conscious of these pressures and keen to act to preserve our
natural resources. Recycling is one of the best ways that we can all make a positive impact on the world around us. This campaign will
ensure that our customers, employees and stakeholders are all aware
of their environmental responsibilities and the need for effective waste management.”
www.ziwira.com
12
BUSINESS
PRIVATIZATION OF WASTE MANAGEMENT IN BAHRAIN Hesham Alhaddad of Gulf City Cleaning Company discusses the pros and cons of privatizing waste management in Bahrain, a country with no recycling plants of its own.
www.ziwira.com
August Issue 8 2015
B
ahrain, that country of “two seas”, was once con-
sidered to be an island paradise, but is now in dire need of a reform. The country is just calming down
after major political unrest in 2011. While street violence is
reportedly at its lowest, the economy remains unstable. For ordinary businesses and residents, life goes on, and waste
builds up. Part of the country’s ‘catching up’ and its road to reform, involves finding new ways to fund and manage waste more efficently.
Gulf City Cleaning Company (GCCC) is the first privately owned service provider for cleaning and waste manage-
ment in the GCC countries. Hesham Alhaddad, the Public Relations Manager, shed some light on the challenges and advantages of handling waste management as a private entity in Bahrain. Beyond dealing with the media, Hesham has
also presented to government and private sector organiza-
tions such as schools on why and how the people of Bahrain should care for their country and keep it clean. Moreover, he is increasingly involved with a greener agenda for Bahrain as policy and infrastructure are developing.
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14
BUSINESS the Gulf, and this is a huge problem,” he explained. As a solution to this particular problem, Bahrain requested a special KPI
system that was tailor-made for the country. It allows for mobile
uploads of pictures directly to the system and to the operator. If the waste is not collected by the company within two hours, there is a penalty.
“Its user friendly and customized,” said Alhaddad. “You also have to consider how to deal with the rapid increase in volumes and changing characteristics of municipal solid waste,” he added. One solution of course, is to outsource international companies that are more skilled and equipped to
take on these situations. But therein lies another challenge –
Hesham Alhaddad
“
Bahrain currently does not have its own recycling facility. Recyclable waste is collected, packaged and sent to Pakistan or other neighboring countries for segregation and processing.
“
Speaking at the Middle East Waste & Recycling Expo in Dubai, Hesham said that the benefits of privatization in Bahrain have been lower costs for improved service, increased recycling rates, more trained and skilled staff and new equipment.
“One of the other benefits is that the private sector is now re-
sponsible for innovation,” he said. Hesham added that the profit motive of private companies will incentivize them to pro-
duce services at lower costs to compete in the market. One of the major negatives, however, is that expats get preference over locals for jobs in this sector because they are ready to work even at lower wages.
According to Alhaddad, the challenges that arise with privatization include strikes, the dangers associated with outsourc-
ing, and the fact that waste has not been viewed as a resource, but rather as a commodity. Efficient monitoring of the contractor is another challenge, he said.
“How will you do this? There are no standards for monitoring in
www.ziwira.com
the problem of trust and reliability. The danger with awarding
tenders to overseas companies is that they may leave everything behind.
“This happened to us in Bahrain,” said Hesham. The company woke up one morning to find the work sites completely de-
serted. They had no idea it was coming, and had to pick up the pieces.
In terms of quality assurance, he said one solution is that con-
tractors should be awarded on technical submissions, and not only on the “price factor”. Far too often, price overrides careful
screening of the company, its technical capabilities and trustworthiness.
For the company, the unorganized sector, or the ‘scavengers’ remain one of the greatest challenges, faced on a regular ba-
sis. According to Hesham, they are mostly illegal residents, who open the rubbish bags to take recyclables and leave the waste on the floor.
“We have spoken to the municipality to organize this by pro-
viding the scavengers designated jobs and uniforms to collect the recyclables in a systematic way. But this would require too many legal formalities and it will take time,” he said.
Bahrain currently does not have its own recycling facility. Recyclable waste is collected, packaged and sent to Pakistan or other neighboring countries for segregation and processing.
According to Hesham, the amount of waste generated in Bahrain is not enough to establish a factory for segregation.
However, tenders have been submitted for converting waste to energy.
The company has established recycling centers for charity as
part of their corporate social responsibility. With this, charities can collect and package recyclable waste and sell it for small
profit. The road has been rocky, but he is confident that they have been successful in privatizing waste management in the country and believes the future holds many bright possibilities.
August Issue 8 2015
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16
COVER STORY
GREEN STARTUPS A POTENTIAL BUSINESS FUTURE
by Nasreen Rasool
Could green startups be the answer to a cleaner future? And if so, are they getting enough support?
A
prominent businessman once said that young business
towards environmental conservation, but unfortunately they are
invest in education because young people will become
side of the problem is lack of experience among entrepreneurs,
should be seen in the same light as young nations. We
future leaders. In the same way, investing in startups should be
a priority, because small business, if nurtured, can become big business. This man was Fadi Gandour, the founder of Aramex,
still in minority. This may change, but a will take time. The other which often discourages potential investors and leads to a high failure rate.
one of the world’s largest logistics companies.
GREEN IS GOOD FOR BUSINESS
There is no doubt that attitudes are changing and things are
According to investment expert and CEO of the SEED Group,
startups? As climate change tops global headlines, the earth’s
as they want to be associated with Green or Eco-Friendly com-
answer, many have said, is innovation. A quick glance at the
certain parameters are met. Al Gurg is also the CEO at the
tive startups, with the likes of Uber, Tidal and Snapchat. Baby
Dubai ruling family members. His office aims to attract smart
clean tech ideas or the fantastic startups that will revolution-
ment opportunities.
picking up for small businesses. But is it the same for green
Hisham Al Gurg, green startups actually attract more investors,
reality of slow destruction is becoming more frightening. The
panies. He says people are ready to invest at risk but only if
business world will narrate countless success stories of innova-
Private Office of HH Sheikh Saeed bin Maktoum, one of the
boomers doing big things. So where are the groundbreaking
and ambitious business projects in the region for direct invest-
ize energy or reduce carbon footprint at the touch of a button? Why are we inclined towards new companies that yes, meet
our needs, but also add to the mass consumer culture that is destroying the environment?
Green startups do exist, and innovation is budding. But the
scale is still unfortunately far too small to make any significant difference yet. The potential of these startups is prominently unknown due to lack of media attention.
The most common mistake that many startups make, according
to Hisham, is that they don’t invest enough time into research-
ing their idea. At times they have excellent business plans and
inspiration, but very often the idea has not been validated by customers, so when they launch, they find that everything they assumed to be true is not.
“The majority of startups fail early, mainly due to lack of expe-
rience. Many turn their hobbies into business, without much
The problem has many faces. Part of it has to do with funding
understanding. Business is not rocket science, but to make it
People who start green companies and the consumers who
sive. You have very costly payouts, so don’t start until you have
and a lack of support both from big business and consumers.
a success, it requires time and in business, time is very expen-
support them are those who already have a personal inclination
carefully thought it through,” says Hisham.
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August Issue 8 2015
Hisham Al Gurg www.ziwira.com
18
COVER STORY His advice is to find a mentor or join a business training course for making your business successful. Al Gurg is currently spearheading Lean Launchpad, which was brought
to the UAE from Silicon Valley. It’s the kind of training he
suggests all entrepreneurs should undergo, as the trainees get a chance to go out into the market and interview customers for their feedbacks.
“This will have a huge impact on startups in the region, as well as the incubators and accelerators because it will re-
duce the failure rate. It will also attract more investors on account of the credibility gained after receiving the certifi-
cate of training. Investors often believe that investing in a startup is too risky,” he says. Hisham also advises entrepreneurs not to borrow money from family or banks, as they
are not designed to assist small business. The best option, he says, is angel investors.
“Many of us don’t want our money to sit in banks, collecting interest. We all seek opportunities to invest in business pro-
jects,” he says. “We look for something that is unique and in demand. We look for the person pitching the idea and judge how flexible and coachable is he? Is he committed or is he going to quit on us? How experienced is he in the
proposed field? We also look at how scalable the idea is.
Will we have to keep putting money into the project or can it generate its own revenue quite quickly? We are looking to
invest in companies that can generate revenue up to 100 million within 5 years.”
As far as green startups go, Al Gurg is confident that there
is a growing interest in clean tech companies. He agrees that they are few in number, but believes they can flourish if given more attention from the private sector, governments
and other stakeholders. Venture capital firms are crucial for
new, innovative businesses at all stages of development. Angel investors, in particular, usually provide the capital
needed when there is no guarantee of any revenues—and
often no guarantee of even a completed product. This is more complicated with green companies, specifically the clean energy business, as its aim is not merely to create a simple product, but to build infrastructure. Power plants
are large and expensive, so it requires tremendous risk and commitment from investors.
Nonetheless, Al Gurg says, “The opportunities are there.
Investors love green projects because it’s not a crowded
space. If done the right way, they can be very profitable.” Commenting on the success of Silicon Valley, he says it’s unique in the sense that it’s a complete ecosystem.
“When you start a company, you need money, guidance,
mentorship and legal support, and all of this is provided in Silicon Valley. It’s a mature market and we can learn a lot from it, but it’s a difficult model to replicate.”
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CLEAN INSPIRATION John Van Zuylen, the founder of a small, yet successful startup
in Dubai offers a slightly different perspective, as he consciously chose the self-funding route. But even as he talks about his experience, a similar theme resonates – business skills are impor-
tant. John describes himself as a “cautious thinker” rather than a “rusher”.
Originally from Belgium, he moved to Dubai six years ago, and
together with his wife, founded “Keep it Clean”, which is dedicated in making eco-living much easier for city dwellers. They noticed a stark difference in the approach to recycling compared to what
they were used to back home and saw this as both a niche in the market as well as an opportunity to do something good.
“At home we have five types of garbage bins, and we have to buy different colored bags from the shop. The bags are also transpar-
ent, so if you don’t separate your rubbish correctly, you get a big
sticker on your bag so the neighbors can see what a bad person you are,” jokes John.
The company’s latest project is Homecycle, which is a home recycling service that allows members to request daily pick-ups of recyclable waste from their doorsteps. They collect in small quanti-
ties, which no other recycling company will do. In just few months,
they already have more than 700 members and have diverted more than 13 tons of waste from landfills. It’s a great idea, especially for people in apartment buildings who have limited options for recycling. The company is only four years old, and operates with a small dedicated team of 5, but it’s growing steadily.
“I don’t know many companies who get several calls and emails
every week, just to thank them!” exclaimed John, who relies mostly
on word of mouth to reach people. All the services provided by Keep it Clean are free, and the income is generated from CSR
projects with big brands. The plan is to grow the number of mem-
bers to reach at least 5% of the local population and later expand globally.
It hasn’t always been easy, admits John, who has a business studies background and works as an independent consultant for the waste management and solar sector. Some of the main challenges
have been starting from zero, administrative set-up, logistics and public scrutiny.
“As a green startup we’re in the kind of business that makes us soft targets for scrutiny. Many people perceive us as purely recycling
service providers, so if we do one thing that’s not 100% environmentally friendly, we get a lot of criticism”, he says. He admits
there were many times when he wanted to give up, but his love for
the environment kept him going, along with the tremendous support from customers.
“My work has a purpose. It’s what drives me to work 14 to 16 hours a day!” he says.
August Issue 8 2015
“
You can’t ask people to pay for doing the right thing. So we need to motivate people in a different way.
“
John Van Zuylen www.ziwira.com
20
COVER STORY
Despite his passion for work, Van Zuylen’s realistic take on
“You can’t ask people to pay for doing the right thing. So we
patient, don’t rush into it, but at the same time don’t take too
end it’s all about the money. If u can explain to people the true
things is refreshing. His advice to other entrepreneurs is to be long. Execution is important, according to John, as somebody else out there may have the same idea as yours, but the
need to motivate people in a different way,” says John. “In the cost of their actions or how your startup can benefit them, they will buy into your idea.”
difference lies in how fast you realize that idea.
He believes there is scope for many more
He says people also underestimate the im-
green startups, not only because it’s the
portance of luck and timing, in the sense
right thing to do, but also because it’s
that sometimes even if your plan looks
a business and people are definitely
perfect on paper, it may just not work
interested.
out. John’s outlook is that it’s a game in the end, and you have to accept
When asked about his dream for the
that, try to influence it, but also be
company, he replies, “It’s a strange
able to adapt when things happen
dream. Somehow I wish we would not
that you did not anticipate.
have to exist. It’s based on a feeling
that we can do better for the environ-
For most green startups the biggest
ment.”
challenge beyond securing seed capital,
is probably, how do we make money? Unless
“Maybe we will look back and say we were
you’re manufacturing solar panels or biodegrad-
crazy, but for now it’s working.”
able cups, selling a concept of eco-consciousness is not easy.
Can Green Startups be the Next Big Thing? It’s also working for a number of green startups across the in-
Tesla Model S, and he plans to export them to Europe. Li Yinan
such as startup competitions and crowdfunding platforms like
completed a round of financing that raised $50 million in total.
ternational stage. New funding options are making this easier,
Kickstarter and Indiegogo. One US Company called Simple
Shoes recently launched a KickStarter campaign to raise funds for their startup that makes shoes from sustainable materials.
invested $3 million of his own money into the venture and has The E-scooters can cut carbon emissions by 42 million tons a year.
Already, they have quite a following.
These are just a few of many emerging green startups, but
In China, a former chief technology officer for the country’s larg-
stands the test of time will be interesting, but let’s hope we don’t
est Internet search-engine started a company that develops electric scooters. It uses the same lithium-ion batteries as the
many that go unheard of. Waiting to see which of them withhave to wait too long!
Homeycle’s latest, hottest campaign is recycling coffee capsules.
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August Issue 8 2015
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22
FEATURE
FORESTS: VAST AND VULNERABLE
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August Issue 8 2015
“
To build a sustainable, climate-resilient future for all, we must invest in our world’s forests. That will take political commitment at the highest levels, smart policies, effective law enforcement, innovative partnerships and funding.
“
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
F
orests are not just made of trees, they are
The eleventh session of the UN Forum on Forests
shrubs, wildflowers, ferns, mosses, lichens,
tions headquarters in New York. The aim was to pro-
complex ecosystems that also include wildlife,
fungi and microscopic soil organisms, as well as nonliving things like water, nutrients, rocks, sunlight and air. Deforestation destroys all of these.
(UNF11) was held from May 4-15 at the United Namote the management, conservation and sustainable
development of all types of forests, and to strengthen long-term political commitment in this regard. The fo-
rum is composed of all member states of the United Nations, plus specialized agencies.
24
FEATURE
Reverse the loss of forest cover
worldwide through sustainable forest management
(SFM), including protection,
restoration, afforestation and
GLOBAL OBJECTIVES ON FORESTS
reforestation, and increase efforts to prevent forest degradation.
Reverse the decline in official
development assistance
These are the goals the Forum has put in place:
for sustainable forest
management and mobilize
significantly-increased new and additional financial
resources from all sources for the implementation of SFM.
Increase significantly the area of sus-
Enhance forest-based economic,
tainably managed forests,
social and environmental
and increase the proportion
improving the livelihoods
including protected forests, of forest products derived
from sustainably managed
benefits, including by of forest-dependent people.
forests.
The member states adopted a Ministerial Declaration, entitled,
the need to integrate forests in the outcomes of key international
sustainable forest management (SFM) is vital to transforma-
Conference on Financing for Development, the UN Summit for
‘The Forests We Want Beyond 2015’, which highlights how tive change and to addressing development challenges - from
poverty eradication and economic growth to food security and
climate change mitigation and adaptation. Delegates agreed to strengthen implementation and financing in order to achieve the post 2015 global agenda.
conferences taking place in 2015, including the Addis Ababa the adoption of the post-2015 development agenda and its SDGs, and the Paris Climate Change Conference.
The Ministerial Declaration adopted at the UNFF11 states: “We stress the vital role and significant contribution of all types
At UNFF11, Forest Ministers pledged to cooperate internation-
of forests and of trees outside forests in achieving sustainable
degradation by promoting secure land tenure rights and stake-
ment and environmental protection.”
ally and bilaterally to address the issues of deforestation and holders’ participation. Ministers recognized that the UNFF, with its universal membership and comprehensive mandate plays a vital role in addressing challenges related to forests in a holistic
and integrated manner. The Ministerial Declaration emphasized
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development including economic development, social develop-
August Issue 8 2015 duction, agriculture and other industry benefits. But sadly, the event has not received much media attention.
According to UNEP (United Nations Environment Program),
charcoal production is one of the main drivers for deforestation. In Kenya specifically, 84 percent of the population use charcoal and fuelwood as their main source of energy. Around 2000
bags of charcoal are delivered to Mombassa each day from the country’s protected forest areas. A recently launched pro-
ject is aiming to reduce illegal logging by teaching the locals to “trim” the trees instead of chopping them down completely.
This may be a more sustainable method of sourcing charcoal, but it’s not entirely healthy for the environment. The ugly truth is that countries like Kenya will never be able afford clean energy,
and no one is willing to invest in them. So they will forever re-
main entrapped in the cycle of cutting trees to burn charcoal, that pollutes the air, and leads to global warming, which further aggravates their harsh living conditions.
Aida Greenbury, Managing Director of sustainability for Asia Pulp and Paper said ending global deforestation should be eve-
rybody’s responsibility. “My overriding message to everyone is that the time to act and save the world’s natural forest is now,” she said.
The company held a Twitter debate on the topic of deforestation
last year and received staggering support. “Approximately 225 people took part in the debate, and our current estimates show
that over 600,000 accounts were reached via the #zerodefor-
estation hashtag. It was extremely encouraging to see this level
of interest and engagement in zero deforestation from so many people all around the world,” commented Greenbury.
“Targets can be set and achieved by individual companies. We have shown this and there simply isn’t any time to waste if we are to collectively save one of the world’s most precious natural resources,” she said.
A recent report found that Indonesia is witnessing the fastest
DESTROYING A LIFELINE
rate of deforestation in the world. On the island of Sumatra, 75%
According to the UNFF, over 1.6 billion people depend on for-
to this crisis, its leading paper company, and one of the world’s
ests for subsistence, livelihoods, employment and income generation. Three quarters of fresh water also comes from forested
catchments. Moreover, almost one third of the world’s land area is covered by forests. Keeping this figure intact is a must for our future survival, but is proving to be challenging.
“Forests build resilience. Forests provide renewable energy. And forests offer effective and cost-competitive natural carbon
capture and storage,” said UN Deputy Secretary General Jan Eliaason in his opening speech. He later added that, “This pur-
suit is fundamentally about respect for everything living and for the necessary balance between Man and Nature.”
It could not be a more crucial time for a forum of this nature,
of the forests have been lost to palm oil plantations. In response largest producers of paper and pulp, April, announced to dis-
continue clearing forests for paper production. The company controls one million hectares of forest in Indonesia, and has
vowed to allocate half of the area for conservation. The move
has been backed by Greenpeace, who previously condemned the company for its forest clearing. However, they will be closely monitoring the situation.
“We only want to make sure that there will be no more clear-
ing of natural forests,” said Bustar Maitar, Forest Campaigner for Greenpeace Indonesia. But the road ahead is a rocky one
for forest protection, as consumer demand and monetary gain continue to place production above conservation.
with forests around the globe rapidly declining for palm oil prowww.ziwira.com
26
BEAUTY Rejuvenating Argan Butter Packed with nutrient rich ingredients, including precious Moroccan Argan Oil and Fair Trade
Certified Shea Butter, to help replenish and restore skin.
Almond Vanilla Skin softening body butter from Nourish Organic, in Almond Vanilla flavor. This light and creamy
blend of whipped shea butter, concentrated co-
conut and olive oils and antioxidant-rich Vitamin E smoothes on easily.
BUTTER UP! The wonderful thing about body butters, is that you can literally use them all over, and if you choose organic, natural products, you have double assurance that it’s safe and gentle on your skin. Use it as a skin moisturizer, lip balm, or even as a make-up remover. These are our favorite organic body butter picks.
Bubble and Bee Orange, Vanilla Body Butter Includes Organic shea butter, organic coconut
oil with retained coconut meat, organic jojoba oil, organic sunflower oil, organic vanilla extract, organic sweet orange essential oil.
Whipped Shea Body Butter With Citrus Lavender scent from Organic Essence.
Pink Grapefruit The Body Shop’s jumbo pink grapefruit body butter is made with Commu-
nity Fair Trade cocoa butter and Community Fair Trade shea butter, it melts
at body temperature, so it absorbs easily to provide fantastic hydration, and
leaves no greasy residue.
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Chocolate Peppermint Yeyo’s Organic chocolate
peppermint body butter – yum!
August Issue 8 2015
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28
LIFESTYLE
CONSCIOUS LEATHER Modern leather production and tanning methods are extremely toxic, so much so that old tannery sites cannot be used for agriculture. But there are still ways to use leather in a sustainable way.
Pasquale Natuzzi,
Founder and CEO
of the Natuzzi Group. www.ziwira.com
August Issue 8 2015 The most common source of leather is cows, with other
exotic skins also used, such as ostrich, stingray and crocodile hides, which cost a fortune, as they are considered high-end luxury products.
So as a consumer shopping for leather products, be it furniture, shoes or clothing, it is now necessary to look
past the authenticity and durability of your leather, and rather consider the responsibility behind the production of your leather. Remember the days when we used to
ask, “Is it real leather?” Well, now many designers are actually moving away from that past precedent, as real
leather has gained a rather notorious reputation due to the massive deforestation and animal massacre that goes along with it.
These days it is actually ok, and even revered to boast a
leather-like couch that is NOT made from real leather, but
rather something like cork or soya. The new eco-friendly materials available are fascinating, and endless. More and more manufacturers and designers are using a com-
bination of natural fibres such as flax, cotton, soybean
and plant oils to create something that looks and feels like real leather, but is environmentally friendly, recyclable and in some cases even bio-degradable.
Modern production methods also include tanning, which
is highly toxic, as well as heavy processing which uses copious amounts of energy and water, not to mention the
huge carbon emissions. What’s more, ninety percent of the world’s tanneries use chromium, a toxic chemical, to tan cheaply and efficiently. When choosing sustainable leather items, look out for products that were made with vegan dies and recycled materials. Some labels say “vegetable tanned” or “naturally tanned”.
A
s long as people eat meat, there will be leather. However, new concerns are arising regarding the source
of leather and how the animals are treated in the pro-
cess. In order for leather to be truly sustainable and ethical, we would have to see a huge shift in both production methods and consumer habits.
All animal skins can be used to make leather, but the widespread killing of animals for profit carries major moral issues.
PETA (People for Ethical Treatment of Animals) has condemned the use of dog and cat skin for leather.
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30
LIFESTYLE
ITALIAN ELEGANCE MEETS ETHICS Natuzzi is an Italian company specializing in luxury leather
furniture that is sustainably sourced. The company is com-
mitted to lowering its environmental impact and has strict international standards concerning quality management and environmental protection.
The leather used is a combination of byproducts from the beef industry and recycled materials. In addition, all the wood used in the furniture is also ethically sourced. The com-
pany only accept legally produced wood that comes from forest managed in a responsible manner. All suppliers must
declare the country of origin of their materials. None of the wood comes from natural forests, high conservation areas, or even genetically modified trees.
Leather tannery Natuzzi further reinforces its sustainability philosophy by
using only environmentally friendly leather, which does not involve chromium in the tanning process. There are 21,000 photovoltaic panels installed on the rooftops of Natuzzi plants
and trading offices in Puglia and Basilicata (Italy), allowing its customers to enjoy a product that was produced with clean
and renewable energy. The solar panels produce an estimated 4,5 Megawatts of power, assuring an annual reduction of
approximately 3400 tonnes in CO2 emissions. The company also recycles all water used in the tanneries.
With these admirable standards, Natuzzi is just one company
proving that syle, comfort and luxury can have eco-consiousness at its core and doesn’t have to harm the environment.
So the next time you’re out shopping for shoes, leather bags, or recliners, make the effort to enquire about the product’s origins…you may just be pleasantly surprised!
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August Issue 8 2015
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32
LIFESTYLE
THINGS TO DO THIS SUMMER‌
VOLUNTEER! If you’re looking for an adventurous and meaningful way to spend your summer, Volunteer World has some exciting options.
Organic School Garden, Togo, Africa Organic RoofTop Farming, Hyderabad, India Travel to India to learn about the importance and poten-
tial benefits of Organic Roof-top Farming, while interacting
with local community members. The community engagement
programs include community based design processes to engage the local people and instill a sense of involvement and accomplishment in them and thus tapping all its potential benefits by emphasizing on community engagement and global climate issues. The goal is to develop 100 completely self-sufficient organic roof-top farms over a period of 4 months.
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In this program, you will participate in the establish-
ment of organic gardens in schools with the support
of agricultural technicians from WWOOF Togo, a nonprofit organization that promotes healthy agriculture with respect for the environment. Get the chance to work with farmers, youths and students. Volunteers will coach, lead and teach the students. However, no knowledge in agriculture is required, just a sense of motivation and a desire to learn.
August Issue 8 2015
Madagascar Reforestation Help plant a million trees in Madagascar. Omaha’s Henry Doorly
Zoo and Aquarium (OHDZA) seeks qualified and highly motivated
volunteer research assistants to contribute to an on-going reforestation
program in southeastern Madagascar in the second half of 2015 and again in
2016. The restoration effort is led by OHDZA and its partner, the Madagascar
Biodiversity Partnership and is designed to reconnect natural habitats over the
mountainous terrain in the Kianjavato-Vatovavy landscape. Nine lemur species, several of which are critically endangered, are present in the remaining yet
unprotected forest fragments, along with birds, chameleons and other animal species. The long-term goal of this project is to expand animal habitat while sustainably benefiting the 12,000 area residents.
Volunteers will have different tasks for the day, be it collecting seeds within an established forest; or at a field site preparing for a
Visit volunteerworld.com for more details.
community planting event. Duties may include sorting compost, placing seedlings into growing bags, organizing the tree inventory, and planting trees with the local community groups or school children.
Bahamas Marine Conservation This project, led by Greenforce Volunteering, allows you to learn
from marine scientists and help create UNESCO protected marine
parks, teach conservation awareness in primary schools and become
a PADI diver! As part of the team of Marine Research Assistants, you will
experience unforgettable diving, make a whole community of friends and help ensure that future generations will care for the reef and its long term
sustainability. No experience is required, just the desire to make a difference. Full diving training will be provided over the first two weeks of the course.You will be trained by experienced scientists to complete underwater marine surveys and to identify the many species of marine animals and corals you’ll see including invasive species, sharks and turtles.You will also learn how to monitor marine movements and how to locate breeding and feeding grounds. In your free time you can experience the laid back Caribbean culture, enjoy a host of water-sports and swim with the turtles, plus much more!
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34
HEALTH
AIR POLLUTION AND ALLERGIES
T
Medical experts have linked allergies and other respiratory illnesses to air pollution. As seasons change and pollen levels rise, unhealthy air can aggravate an already irritating condition.
he World Health Organization has identified air pollu-
study, they decided to build on that and dig deeper into how
recent study in Germany puts scientific backing to this,
could increase the strength of these allergens.
tion as the world’s biggest environmental health risk. A
after it found that levels of ozone and nitrogen dioxide in the
atmosphere could be tied to climate change and may also
that happens and examine how traffic-related air pollutants
Following laboratory tests and computer simulations, they
explain why airborne allergies are becoming more common.
determined that ozone -- the main component of smog --
Though the research is still in early stages, researchers say
pollen proteins. This transformation sets in motion a chain of
that scientists have for a long time suspected that the in-
crease in allergies worldwide had something to do with air pollution and climate change. The findings were presented at
oxidizes an amino acid called tyrosine that helps form birch chemical reactions that ultimately create more potent allergens.
the American Chemical Society in Denver, by Ulrich Poschl,
Researchers also found that nitrogen dioxide, a component
light on how chemical modifications in allergenic proteins oc-
some allergenic proteins. This, in conjunction with the ef-
who led the research. Poschl said, the findings shed some
of automobile exhaust, appears to alter the composition of
cur and potentially affect the allergic reaction in humans.
fects of ozone, may enhance the body’s immune response
According to recent WHO data, the total number of deaths
vironments.
due to air pollution is 8 million each year, with China and India
to these particles, particularly in humid, wet and smoggy en-
being the worst affected countries.
The scientists concluded that chemical modifications of al-
Poschl and his colleagues had previously explored how aller-
prevalence of allergies worldwide. As pollution levels rise, so
gy-causing substances are altered in the air, so in this new www.ziwira.com
lergenic proteins may play an important role in the increasing will related allergies.
August Issue 8 2015
ASTHMA People who suffer from allergies are 14 times more likely to experience migraine headaches than those who don’t have allergies. One of the more serious respiratory conditions linked to air quality is asthma, which kills more than 3000 people in the US every year.
Asthma is a chronic condition, which affects the respiratory airways in a way that can sometimes be debilitating. They become filled with mucus,
constricted and swollen. During an asthma attack, the chest becomes tight you may cough or wheeze, feeling like you cannot catch your breath.
Usually, people with asthma are well educated in terms of what brings on
attack, so they can avoid those triggers. These include avoiding dust, tobacco smoke or cold air. But sometimes, it’s not possible to control the air you breathe or avoid pollutants in outdoor air.
SOME AIR POLLUTANTS THAT TRIGGER ASTHMA The Environmental Protection Agency has
named the following as toxic elements that can aggravate asthma:
Particulate Matter: This refers to a wide range of pollutants such as dust, soot, fly ash, diesel exhaust parti-
cles, wood smoke and sulfate aerosols. They
are suspended as tiny particles in the air that can become lodged in the lungs and trigger an asthma attack. Studies have shown that
when the levels of particulate matter in the air go up, so do the number of hospital cases for
Recent studies have shown that air pollution from cars, factories and power
asthma. Major sources of this kind of air pol-
hood asthma is due to environmental exposures in the US. Studies also
and diesel vehicles.
affected with asthma.
Ground Level Ozone: Ozone is a toxic component of smog that can
plants is a major cause of asthma attacks. An estimated 30 percent of childsuggest that air pollution can cause previously healthy people to become
lution are coal-fired power plants, factories,
trigger asthma attacks and even make exist-
ing asthma worse. Ozone is typically pro-
duced when pollution from cars and trucks or industrial sources react with oxygen and sunlight. Ground level ozone is a serious problem in cities with lots of traffic.
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2): Sulfur Dioxide is a respiratory irritant associated with the onset of asthma attacks and is produced when coal and crude oil are
burned. Coal-fired power plants, particularly older plants that burn coal without SO2 pollution controls, are the worst SO2 polluters. Oil
refineries and diesel engines that burn highsulfur fuel also release large amounts of SO2 into the air.
Nitrogen Oxide (NOx): This is a gas emitted from tailpipes and pow-
er plants. Nitrogen oxide contributes to the
formation of ground-level ozone and smog. It also reacts with other air pollutants to form
small particles that can cause breathing dif-
ficulties, especially in people with asthma. Exposure to high levels of nitrogen dioxide
early in life could increase the risk of developing asthma.
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36
HEALTH
AVOID THE HOTSPOTS While we cannot escape air pollution, until the world commits to cleaner energy, there are some things we can practice to avoid air pollution hotspots, thereby reducing our health risks.
When walking or exercising outdoors, choose a route that avoids major streets or highways. When choosing new schools and housing developments make sure they are not placed near busy roadways, ports, rail yards or other industrial areas where the risk of diesel exposure increases.
If you live in an area with very high air pollution, consider installing air filters inside your home.
Don’t reach for the anti-histamines, try a natural option first. As soon as the snivels start, the immediate reaction is to reach for the anti-histamines. Pharmaceutical remedies may work quickly, but are often expensive and come with unwanted side effects, such as drowsiness and nasal irritation, not to mention the hazards that go with the chemicals involved in their mass production.
Try these natural remedies for allergies instead: Saline solution:
Stinging Nettle:
A little douse of saltwater can rinse away pollen grains and help
Though unpleasant to touch, stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) is
treat allergies and other forms of sinus congestion. Quercetin:
This is a natural antioxidant that can help rid the body of free radicals that cause cell damage. Citrus fruits, onions, apples,
parsley, tea, tomatoes, broccoli, lettuce and wine have natu-
rally high concentrations, but allergy sufferers may have to use a supplement to build up enough of this compound to prevent
allergic attacks. The recommended dosage is about 1,000 milligrams a day, taken between meals. Omega-3 fatty acids: If consumed regularly, these can also alleviate allergy symptoms, as they fight inflammation. Find them in cold-water fish, walnuts and flaxseed oil, as well as grass-fed meat and eggs.
essentially a natural anti-histamine. It behaves in much the
same way as many of the drugs sold to treat allergies, but without the unwanted side effects of dry mouth and drowsiness. It inhibits the body’s ability to produce histamines. You can make your own tinctures or teas with stinging nettle, but be sure to wear protective gloves! Butterbur: Derived from a common weed in Europe, butterbur (Petasites hybridus) is another alternative to antihistamines. One study
found that butterbur was as effective as the drug Cetirizine, the active ingredient in Zyrtec. Consult a health practitioner
first, as effects of taking butterbur over a long period of time are unknown.
HISTAMINE IS NOT ALWAYS BAD
Histamine is a chemical involved in your immune system, digestive system, and central nervous system. It acts as a neu-
rotransmitter, communicating important messages from your body to your brain. It is also a component of stomach acid, which is what helps you break down food in your stomach. The histamine’s role in the body is to serve as a warning to the immune system, notifying your body of any potential attackers, hence the inflammation and quick response especially to
food allergies. Some medical practitioners have argued that anti-histamines should be used with care, as they work in much
the same way as antibiotics, which kill off the good bacteria and the bad bacteria. So while histamine can cause irritation and discomfort, remember that it’s part of the body’s natural response. Consider natural treatment where possible.
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August Issue 8 2015
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38
HEALTH
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August Issue 8 2015
CLIMATE CHANGE: BEWARE OF BUGS There seems to be an increasing awareness of the potentially threatening effects of climate change. We are faced with the reality that our fragile world is slowly warming up, thanks to a steady release of human induced CO2 emissions. What people aren’t aware of, however, is that an increase in temperature can even affect our susceptiblity to bugs, and also increase the effect that bugs can have on us. What’s more, the insects that are spreading bugs, are being affected by climate change in ways you might not expect…
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HEALTH BUG LIFE
INSECTS & DISEASE
As you probably already know, insects thrive in warmer cli-
It has been determined that climate change will increase the
eas such as Southeast Asia. This also includes ticks that carry
distribution. A group of researchers set out to answer whether
mates. For example, pesky mosquitos will flourish in tropical ar-
potentially fatal Lyme disease and perhaps even flu bugs. With a now proven increase in world temperature, scientists warn of an increase in sickness bugs, and the effect that they can have
on us. We have global warming to thank for an increase in the rate of bug bite related infections. As annual winters shorten,
ticks are showing up earlier each year and leaving later. As a
result, the number of cases of Lyme disease has doubled in recent years.
What is Lyme disease? Also known as Lyme borreliosis, Lyme
disease is caused by bacteria of the Borrelia type. Sufferers ex-
perience an area of redness, known as erythema, which begins at the site of a tick bite about a week after it has occurred. The
spread of bugs by ticks, but it will also significantly reduce insect
the average temperature of an area or the frequency of extreme temperature conditions in an area have the highest impact on species distribution or not. The study, led by Johannes Overgaard from Aarhus University in Denmark along with Michael
R. Kearney and Ary A. Hoffmann from Melbourne University in Australia, demonstrated that extreme temperature conditions is the main factor in defining distribution of both tropical and temperate species. In their experiment, the team tested 10 fruit
fly species of the genus Drosophila that are adapted to tropi-
cal and temperate regions of Australia. They began by finding the optimum temperatures for the species, and then found the boundaries for their tolerance of hot and cold temperatures.
disease is transmitted to humans by the bite of infected ticks
In terms of disease, climate change has an impact on even
eases that are on the rise. In January 2013, doctors witnessed
on the cold, while others thrive on the heat. Mild winters cause
of the Ixodes genus. However, it is not only insect related disthe highest rate of flu related visits in more than a decade. An
epidemic was declared in 44 states. The symptoms of flu are far worse than in previous years, and flu shots are not covering
the strain that is affecting most flu sufferers. In fact, even many
of those who are not sick with the flu are still suffering from the worst colds in record years.
the smallest of organisms. Some bacterium and viruses thrive an increase in the population of several viruses and bacterium. This is because these organisms lay dormant during cold
climate, and become more active and populous when it gets warmer. Such organisms are now thriving because they are experiencing the perfect conditions for reproduction, which is an
alarming reality. Just how dire is the effect of global warming on
the increase of bugs and insects? Consider that West Nile virus and dengue fever also require dry and hot climates to survive and spread. As warmer temperatures spread, diseases previ-
ously isolated to warmer regions will spread across continents and infect many more people.
Insects such as the Green Shield Bug are usually isolated to
areas of North America, the Mediterranean, the Middle East,
Australia, and Africa. However, a couple of years ago the bug started showing up in the United Kingdom, in areas that historically were too cold to support it. Despite it being regularly im-
“
Ixodes genus
ported by travelers, it was always too cold of a climate to allow the Green Shield Bug to survive, but not anymore…
Climate change will result in fewer cold days and nights, and thus allow species to move toward higher latitudes. However, climate change also leads to a higher incidence of extremely hot days and our model therefore predicts that the distribution of these species will be reduced to less
“
than half their present distribution. – Johannes Overgaard, Aarhus University, Denmark
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Green Shield Bug
August Issue 8 2015
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42
INTERVIEW
GREENING THE EMIRATES:
VINOD ANTHRAPER Meet the Deputy General Manager of one of UAE’s leading clean energy companies. They installed the rooftop solar panels on DEWA’s famous sustainable building, and they’re doing many more big things. Vinod Anthraper tells us more.
DEWA’s famous sustainable building in Al Quoz.
Q: Tell us a bit about yourself and your role at Value Addi-
derstands the value of having qualified personnel in the service
tion?
team, who are also trained regularly to be up to date with the
Armed with an engineering background, I started my career
business is from existing clients, which is a clear indicator of
in the solar energy field 20 years back. At that time, it was a
fledgling, but an extremely promising field in India. After serving for nearly 14 years in the Indian renewable energy market,
where I cut-my-teeth on everything from domestic solar water
heating to Industrial PV systems, I moved to the UAE in 2007 to join Value Addition, as the company was looking to enter the solar energy and LED lighting business then. The company had already established itself in the UAE market from 1997, acting as the sales and service partner for Ther-
advancements in related technologies. A major chunk of our the high quality of our product range, backed by professional
after-sales service. These attributes have tremendously helped
us to become one of the leading players in the UAE market for solar Photovoltaic installations.
Q: Do you think clean energy is a good business to be in, in the UAE?
The UAE is a comparatively new player in the clean energy business. When I joined
max India Ltd, a renowned international
Value Addition in 2007, the local market
cooling business. In my current role as
measures or clean energy technolo-
sibilities include solar PV and LED light-
street lighting or off-grid systems. It was
player in heating and vapor absorption DGM-Sales and marketing, my respon-
ing business for the entire GCC, North
African and Indian subcontinent markets. Q: The company has grown relatively quick-
ly, since 2002, what do you think has contributed to its success?
Being in a service-oriented business, the backbone of our organization is its dynamic engineering team. The company un-
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was not too aware of energy efficiency
gies. What existed was a few solar
at this time that we installed the largest
solar hot water system in the region at
Palm Jumeirah Shoreline Apartments, which
has an installed capacity of around 2.4MW in
collector power. With the announcement of DEWA
Shams rooftop solar program, I feel that the floodgates
have opened as far as solar PV business is concerned. It would
certainly be lucrative to be in the clean energy business at this juncture especially if your company has strong fundamentals.
August Issue 8 2015
“
Every organization and household needs to adopt a multi-pronged approach to achieve a substantial reduction in its carbon footprint.
“
Q: Tell us about Value Addition’s work with the Dubai Elec-
Q: Apart from DEWA, who are your biggest clients for solar
We were lucky to be associated with DEWA since 2007 when
Most of our clients are the Government or semi-Government de-
light fixtures at their head office. The success of the pilot project
sector too. Dubai Municipality is an equally important customer
tricity and Water Authority (DEWA)?
we had our first project to install 10 solar streetlights using LED
paved a way for the largest solar LED street lighting project in
the region, when we bagged the order for illuminating around 5 kms of roads inside DEWA Hassyan facility. After this, we
have been regularly supplying solar LED street lights and other LED light fixtures to various DEWA projects. We also had the privilege to supply and install LED light fixtures at DEWA power station Jebel Ali and various sub stations. The major break
came when we were awarded the 750kWp rooftop PV system at DEWA Al Quoz building, which is a LEED platinum rated building. Our association with DEWA would prevail as long as we are
in business. To strengthen ties, we collaborate with DEWA for
panels?
partments. We also have a fair share of business from the private like DEWA with an increase in solar PV projects from last year
onwards. Currently, we are in the final stages of commissioning the 864kWp carport PV system at their Safari Park project near
Warsan. Similarly, we were involved with the Abu Dhabi Future Schools Project by the Abu Dhabi Education Council, where we have installed more than 500kWp in rooftop PV systems in their
various schools. Being selected to be the PV system specialist for the Masdar Head Quarter project is also one of our very special accolades, and we consider it a true testimony to the
recognition for our highly professional approach to PV projects.
events like Wetex as Gold / Platinum sponsors.
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44
INTERVIEW Q: How can the private sector play a role in reducing the ef-
We have numerous installations, mainly in hotels, hospitals and
fects of climate change?
industries where there is huge demand for preheated water. We
Every organization and household needs to adopt a multi-
efficient heating systems. For large industries, we offer vapor
pronged approach to achieve a substantial reduction in its carbon footprint. Some of the easy measures that would ensure
immediate results are the adoption of LED lighting coupled with
proximity sensors, air conditioners with higher star rating, solar PV system to support your daytime loads, solar thermal sys-
tem to meet your hot water demand, etc. Another bright spot
represent Viessmann Werke GmbH for solar and other energy
absorption cooling solutions from Thermax Industries, which helps clients save at least 35% of their cooling loads. We have
more than 100 installations across GCC for vapor absorption chillers. Some of the notable references would be BBC Head Quarters and Mercedes Benz factory.
in humanity’s crusade against increasing carbon emissions is
the technological advancements in electric vehicles especially with development of high efficiency batteries that have substantially high service life and storage capacity. If every organiza-
tion takes a stance to convert their fleet to electric powered in
a phased manner, we can soon witness a massive reduction in the global warming phenomena. I am quite certain that within
the next 5 years, all major automobile manufacturers will have
a long lineup of electric models in the developed countries at least.
Q: Solar street lighting is already visible in the UAE. Could
you estimate what percentage of street lighting is powered by solar? And how fast do you think this will grow?
If you look at any new market, solar street lighting and small off-
grid systems would be the most popular choice to begin with. As the market matures, the focus gradually shifts to grid-tied PV systems, especially if the country has a stable power grid. As
far as the UAE market is concerned, I would assume that the in-
terest for solar street lighting would gradually fade away due to reasons like a stable power grid, unattractive IRR (Internal Rate
of Return) due to recurring cost of batteries mainly due to the effects of extremely high temperatures, and the impact of dust on
the performance of the PV panels, etc. Having said that, remote areas that are still isolated from the grid will have to depend on solar street lighting option. If you look at mainstream business
prospects of UAE, this does not contribute much to the total
Q: Where are the photovoltaic panels manufactured and is the process costly?
Ours is an open policy, wherein we are not bound to any particular brand. We currently work with most of the leading Tier-1
Companies, which makes it easier for us to offer our clients all leading brands and technologies available in the global market. One can say that the PV manufacturing costs are at an all-time
low for the last couple of years, which is encouraging to custom-
ers waiting to have a taste of clean energy. The market predic-
tions point to more or less the current price levels to prevail for some more time.
Q: What are the latest technologies being used in clean tech, and what innovations do you expect to see in the future?
mix. The best approach would be to replace your existing metal
Let’s start with PV technology itself. The cell efficiency levels
LED fixtures that consume only a third of the power when com-
the typical efficiencies were in the 8 - 12% range. Currently we
ing from high bay to flood lighting.
brands. A further revolution in price reduction can be expected
Q: Besides solar PV, what other energy efficient solutions
the efficiency barrier and be at par with crystalline silicon tech-
halide or sodium vapor street light fixtures with high efficiency
have increased more than 100% in the last 10 years or so when
pared to conventional fixtures. This applies to all kinds of light-
are looking at efficiencies to the tune of 25% in some of the very soon when the PV coating technologies (thin film) breaks
do you offer at Value Addition?
nologies. This would revolutionize the PV market further with a
As a company involved in clean energy business, we try to
stalled cost per watt peak of a solar PV system is under USD 1.
maintain various energy efficient technologies in our product range. Specialized industrial LED lighting is one of the core ar-
eas and we have invested in Gemma Lighting, UK, who is a specialist manufacturer in industrial grade high efficiency LED
fixtures ranging from streetlights, high bay lights, floodlights, vapor proof lights, etc. Another clean energy technology that
helps cut emissions substantially is the solar hot water systems.
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sharp increase in demand. The days are not far when the inThe advancements in LED technologies are also happening at a brisk pace. Each passing year brings out LED chips with an
increase of at least 20 lumens per watt. A few years back, 100 lumens per watt was the best in the market, which now stands at close to 200 lumens per watt. Improvements are fast happening
in all types of energy efficient technologies, which is good for humanity on the whole.
August Issue 8 2015
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46
ECO-TECH
THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY THAT COULD POTENTIALLY REDUCE E-WASTE According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), experts predict that recycling 1 million cellphones can recover about 24kg of gold, 250 kg of silver, 9kg of palladium, and more than 9,000kg of copper. We face an increasingly dangerous threat of electronic waste all over the world. To address this issue, Oakland, California-based company Next Thing Co. have developed a mini computer that has the potential to substantially reduce e-waste. It is the future of electronics.
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August Issue 8 2015
NEXT THING CO. Next Thing Co. is one of those truly innovative enterprises that
tems including 4-second boot times and easy, reliable Wi-Fi.
tech industry. The team consists of a group of artists, engineers
power and charging, and protected user program space.
not only aims for monetary benefits, but also to revolutionize the
They also bear the credit of developing self-contained battery
“
and hackers all working together to create advanced and excit-
ing products. The company was founded by Gustavo Huber, Thomas Deckert, and Dave Rauchwerk – the three hardware
professionals who loved hacking and prototyping on Raspberry
Success for us is them (community) seeing what we’ve done and being excited about it and backing it.
Pi. What is Raspberry Pi? It is a series of credit card-sized single-board computers developed in the UK by the Raspberry Pi
“
Foundation with the intention of promoting the teaching of basic
– Dave Rauchwerk, one of Next Thing’s three founders.
computer science in schools.The founders were fully aware of the amount of hard work required to get a fast, clean and flex-
ible Pi setup. They created OTTO, a hackable camera built on Pi. They put tons of effort into building the frameworks and sys-
C.H.I.P In May 2015, Next Thing Co. announced the release of their lat-
sor in a new, smaller form factor as a cheaper system-on-chip.
the release on Kickstarter, the success of the CHIP was pre-
access to and used in its board design. The great eco aspect
est technology debut, CHIP – the world’s first $9 computer. With
It is this new chip, called the R8 that Next Thing received early
dicted in advance. What is Kickstarter? It is a new way to fund
of the exciting new mini computer, is that while it doesn’t look
creative projects. Since its launch in 2009, 8.8 million people
like much, the potential of CHIP could be amazing. E-waste is
have pledged more than $1.8 billion, funding 86,000 creative
a crisis we are faced with today. Tech devices either don’t last
projects on Kickstarter. It was a great opportunity for Next Thing
long enough, or if they do, they are
Co. to secure funding from people
discarded because there is some-
who genuinely wanted the project
thing new and better. According
to succeed. The CHIP campaign
to the latest report from the United
crossed the $50,000 mark, setting
Nations University, a staggering
a benchmark on the very first day,
41.8 million metric tons of e-waste
with more than $100,000 in a mere
was produced in 2014. With CHIP,
12 hours.
instead of buying, say a new MacBook, people can connect to an old
If you’re wondering how a $9 com-
or unused keyboard and monitor that
puter could even be possible, you
would otherwise end up in a landfill.
can thank cheap Chinese tablets.
The system-on-chip (SoC) used in
Baring some unforeseen disinterest
the development board is based on
in cheap single-board computers,
an A13 processor by ALLWINNER, a
Shenzhen-based
Next Thing Co. has attracted enough
semiconduc-
backers to reach their funding goal.
tor company. As recently as 2013, ALLWINNER was the second largest tablet manufacturer in the world,
However, crowdfunding campaigns
CHIP CAPACITIES
carry a huge risk. Attempting to re-
USB Port
Built in Wi-Fi
processor in ALLWINNER’s lineup.
Micro USB Port
Bluetooth 4.0
“CHIP is $9 because we worked very
Video/Audio/Mic
4GB Nand Flash Storage
and the A13 was the most successful
closely with the manufacturers of the system on CHIP that’s used to build it,” said Dave Rauchwerk.
Connecting with the right company wasn’t the only achievement for Next Thing. At the same time they intended a partnership
with ALLWINNER for developing an affordable computer. ALLWINNER was looking to redesign their successful A13 proces-
establish the cost of development boards is not likely to go unnoticed by larger players.
The question is: Will supply chains
narrow? Will big companies care
about a $9 computer and try to cut costs, or will we see a concession on price, and redoubling of efforts to make their user
experience better? If Next Thing manages to pull this off, there’s
a great deal of potential for the community, says Rauchwerk. “The goal for CHIP is to give anyone who wants a $9 computer access to one.”
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48
AUTO
AUDI LEADS AN ECO FUEL REVOLUTION German auto manufacturer Audi is competitively leading the sustainable fuel revolution by means of multiple projects dedicated to deliver more efficient, eco-friendly fuelling solutions. In 2013, Audi announced its ‘e-gas’ project (hydrogen and synthetic methane), and has just recently announced a new product called ‘e-benzin’ synthetic, clean burning and petroleum-free fuel.
AUDI E-GAS In late September 2013, Audi announced a groundbreaking new eco-friendly fuel concept for vehicles. Current estimates show that
we could be facing a world with no more gasoline left by as early as 2050. To counter this predicament, Audi opened an e-gas plant
in Werlte in 2013 making it the first automobile manufacturer to develop a chain of sustainable energy carriers. It began with green electricity, water, and carbon dioxide. The end product was hydrogen and synthetic methane: e-gas. “Audi is the only manufacturer
worldwide with such innovative technology. Research into synthetic, environment-friendly fuels is the core of our vigorous e-fuels strategy,” said Heinz Hollerweger, Head of Total Vehicle Development at the inauguration.
The amount of Audi e-gas produced annually, around 1,000 metric tons, is enough to power some 1,500 Audi A3 Sport back gtron vehicles, each of which can clock up 15,000 kilometers of CO2-neutral driving. The Audi e-gas project is the first step toward
achieving the goal of sustainable CO2-neutral mobility. But e-gas production is not the only aspect of the project. As soon as there is a functioning infrastructure, the power-to-gas plant will also be able to provide the hydrogen produced through electrolysis to power fuel-cell cars. In addition, the e-gas can also be converted back into electricity and can therefore also be used for intermediate storage of renewable energies.
THE E-GAS PLANT WORKS IN TWO PROCESS STEPS: Electrolysis and ‘methanation’, whereby the
plant uses surplus green electricity to break water down into oxygen and hydrogen in three electrolyzers.
The hydrogen is reacted with CO2 to produce synthetic methane, or Audi e-gas. It is virtually
identical to fossil fuel gas, and is distributed through existing infrastructure, from the Ger-
man Natural Gas Network to the CNG filling stations. The plant began feeding Audi e-gas Energy Turnaround
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to the grid in fall 2013.
August Issue 8 2015
The first industrial-scale power-to-gas plant
AUDI E-BENZIN
In April 2015, Audi officially announced another sustainable fuel concept made from plant sugars. The company is clearly showing no sign of slowing down as
they have released their latest petroleum-free, synthetic fuel. Audi partnered with ‘Global Bioenergies’, founded in 2008 with a unique goal to develop a process converting renewable resources into isobutene, one of the main petroleum de-
rivatives. Together, they created a new gasoline which they called ‘e-benzin’, derived from plant sugars. After extracting and processing glucose from corn or
maize, the researchers ended up with a final clean-burning product of isobutene gas. Isobutene gas is commonly found in aerosols, plastics, and refrigeration
systems. A possibility is that after Audi discovers a way to burn the fuel effectively in cars and produce it on an industrial scale, the next step might be to replace
isobutene made from non-renewable petroleum with this renewably created one. Audi has further ambitions to make the technique even less wasteful by eventually getting rid of the need for corn. Audi wants to refine the process by only using water, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and sunlight. This is a smart endeavor for the
future, as the risk with plant-derived biofuels is the increased crop demand and the possibility of people going hungry at the engine expense. The overall hope for the new e-benzin product is that it will be used as a blend in current fuels to
make them burn more cleanly or possibly even to replace current fuels entirely. Audi is preparing to test the fuel to monitor its performance on the engine before it becomes a commercially used alternative for gasoline.
Rick Bockrath, Vice President of Chemical Engineering at Global Bioenergies said, “We believe we’re bringing green-ness to a field that desperately needs green-ness. It’s basically how we’re moving away from an oil-based economy towards a clean, sustainable and renewable economy.” The next step for the company is to build a new demonstration plant in Germany, ten times bigger than
the current plant in France, with the capacity to produce 100 tons of plant-based fuel per year.
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50
AUTO
HARNESSING HYDROGEN FOR OPTIMUM PERFORMANCE BMW have outdone themselves with a new prototype hydrogen fuel cell-powered version of the i8. The BMW i8 FCEV is an incredible feat of engineering, and offers us a glimpse of what a sustainable auto future could look like‌
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August Issue 8 2015
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52
AUTO
T
ake one look at the new BMW FCEV (fuel-cell electric vehicle) prototype model, and you know it has the
makings of greatness. What resembles a slick “bat-
mobile” type vehicle, is in fact a fully functioning hydrogenelectric propulsion system with a mid-mounted cryogenic
storage tank, with new square-cut bodywork that may hint at the brand’s future design direction. This particular model
was designed in partnership with Toyota, who like BMW, have produced some of the best electric and hybrid vehicles to date. The new model was unveiled at BMW’s Inno-
vation Days 2015 - an event where BMW exhibits its recent and most innovative technologies, which its first fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEV’s) were a part of.
BMW I8 FCEV
U
nderstanding how a sleek, eco-friendly beast such as this works, can be a little complicated – so let’s simplify it for you. Unlike the original i8 in our April Issue, this
latest prototype is powered solely by hydrogen, which gives it enough power to accelerate up to 0-60mph (0-100km/h) in just 6 seconds, with a top speed of 124 mph (not as fast as the origi-
nal i8), according to Top Gear. The FCEV reportedly converts gaseous hydrogen contained in the storage tank into electric power and water vapor.
According to BMW, “The vehicles’ high-voltage battery serves
as an energy storage unit and can therefore be considerably
smaller (with a net capacity of around one kilowatt hour) than in battery-electric concepts.” Storing hydrogen in a cryogenic
pressure vessel can allow an operating range comparable with that of conventional vehicles powered by combustion engines. Filling up the hydrogen storage tank takes a similar amount of time as refueling a petrol or diesel tank.
The greatest aspect of this new hydrogen fuel cell-powered concept is that it is just about as eco-friendly as you can get.
What’s more, the i8 FCEV has untimely stylistic appeal, mean-
ing customers will no longer be skeptical about driving an ecofriendly car, because of its looks. You can totally picture the stunning new hydrogen model powering down Sheik Zayed Road in Dubai, causing a stir of interest and envy.
Gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles emit greenhouse gases, mostly carbon dioxide (CO2), that contribute to global warming.
Fuel-cell vehicles powered by pure hydrogen emit no GHG’s
from their tailpipe, only heat and water. FCV’s could reduce our
dependence on foreign oil since hydrogen can be derived from domestic sources, such as natural gas and coal, as well as
renewable resources such as water, bio-gas, and agricultural waste. www.ziwira.com
August Issue 8 2015
BMW 5-SERIES GT HYDROGEN
T
he i8 FCEV wasn’t the only concept to be revealed at BMW’s Innovation Days event. The 5-Series is already popular amongst BMW fans. However, a few years
back, BMW partnered with Toyota to add an initial group of
approved components ready by 2020. The BMW 5-Series GT
can produce 245 horsepower, which is equivalent to the out-
BMW seems to be focused on the hydrogen fuel tank, batteries,
gen 5-Series concept also carries an electric motor derived
fuel-cell. These two auto giants have put their heads together to
put of the brand’s turbo 2.0-litre four-pot engine. The hydro-
and electric motors, while Toyota is pushing its efforts on the
from the automaker’s “I” sub-brand.
manufacture hydrogen FCEV’s with excellent safety, consumer
WHY GO FCEV?
Fuel-cell electric vehicles provide customers with a no-compromise electric-drive vehicle with
longer range, quick refill, high performance and
comfort along with zero emissions and a lowcarbon and potentially renewable fuel.
adaption, and more hydrogen refueling stations for the future.
ADVANTAGES OVER ELECTRIC
Longer range between refueling, less weight, lower vehicle cost when mass-produced, shorter refueling time, fewer greenhouse gas emis-
sions, and great market penetration potential. FCEV’s have the ability to replace all types of
HOW DOES IT WORK?
vehicles including SUV’s, buses, and even Class 8 heavy duty trucks.
Fuel cells use locally produced hydrogen to create electricity,
which powers the vehicle. An important part of the alternative fuel vehicle portfolio, FCEV’s will help reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
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54
BUSINESS WORLD
By Zane Small
ICE SHELVES ARE DISAPPEARING – SHOULD WE BE WORRIED? The world is changing. Today we are faced with the gloomy reality that our world is without a doubt, slowly warming up. There is nowhere on earth where this is more evident than Antarctica. In the southern polar region, we have witnessed the growing disintegration of the Larsen A and Larsen B ice shelves on the Antarctic Peninsula, as well as the collapse of the Wilkins ice shelf. Why is this happening? And how does it affect us when it is happening so far away?
Map represents temperature trend based on thermal infrared observations from National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration satellite sensors. It shows the long term change in yearly surface, rather than air temperatures – and it shows the long term change in yearly surface temperature between 1981 and 2007.
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August Issue 8 2015 Process of ice shelf movement in Antarctica.
THE ISSUE Antarctica is covered by vast ice sheets that sit atop the conti-
nent. Many of these ice sheets flow gradually toward the ocean,
where they form ice shelves that float on the water. Over time, chunks of these ice shelves break off – or ‘calve’ – to form ice-
bergs. Ice shelves essentially keep the ice sheets behind them
Christopher Shuman
A RESEARCH SCIENTIST WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE COUNTY AND NASA
“
“
We’re passing further thresholds in terms of mass loss.
COLLAPSE OF LARSEN A & LARSEN B
hemmed in. For thousands of years this system was reasonably stable. Ice would flow gradually into the oceans. However, this was countered by snow that was falling back to Antarctica re-
plenishing the ice sheets. During the past two decades, global warming has completely altered the situation due to which Ant-
arctica’s ice sheets are now losing 147 gigatons (1 billion tons) of ice annually, mainly from the Amundsen Sea sector of West
Antarctica. Those floating ice shelves that keep the land ice hemmed in have been thinning and collapsing, because the
water beneath the shelves has gotten warmer. A 2015 study in Science recorded that Antarctica’s ice shelves have thinned by up to 18 percent in the last two decades.
Back in 2002, scientists discovered some alarming evidence
directly related to climate change. Scientists at NASA while tracking daily satellite images of Antarctica were surprised to
discover a huge chunk of the Larsen B ice shelf splintered and collapsed in just a month. To put the size in perspective, the area of ice shelf that collapsed was the size of Rhode Island – 1,250 square miles. “This ice shelf has existed for over 10,000
years, and soon it will all be gone,” said Ala Khazendar of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, who led the study.
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56
WORLD Ice shelves are formed by glaciers, which are akin to colossal slow-motion rivers of ice. The same way rivers empty out into the sea, glaciers creep toward the ocean, pulled by gravity. As they reach the shore, glaciers empty out into ice shelves, the mingled ends of glaciers, many hundreds of feet thick, formed over thousands of years.
Ice shelves act as floating doorsteps. When ice shelves disappear, the glaciers that push against them speed up. For some time what wasn’t known, was just how much
the glaciers sped up and how much ice they lost in the aftermath. To answer this,
Christopher Shuman, a Research Scientist with the University of Maryland Baltimore County and NASA, combined reams of Antarctic ice data collected by satellites and aircraft from 2001 to 2009. From 2001 to 2006, glaciers that were once buttressed by
the Larsen A and B ice shelves lost 11.2 billion tons of ice per year, and about 10.2 billion tons per year in the four years following. During the study period, more than 14.5 cubic miles (60 cubic kilometers) of glacial ice melted into the ocean.
RISING SEA LEVEL The major issue we face with ice shelf depletion, is sea level
rise. “We suspect strongly that the sequence of events that we’re documenting for these smaller ice shelves and glaciers will be repeated in the future for the larger ice shelves and their
supporting glacier systems,” said Shuman. Warming seas and
warming air temperatures mean that ice shelves can’t reform in
the areas where they once stood. In addition, the warming effect is marching farther and farther south into Antarctica, weakening more ice shelves as it goes.
According to Shuman, we are going to have a tough time fore-
casting sea level rise in the future, and it’s going to take a lot
Christopher Shuman
COLLAPSE OF WILKINS ICE SHELF In late February 2008, scientists witnessed another significant loss of ice in Antarctica. The Wilkins ice shelf disinte-
of effort to track down how certain areas are going to change.
“We’re passing further thresholds in terms of mass loss.” The ultimate amount of sea level rise will depend on how much the
earth actually warms in the coming decades. Increased snowfall in East Antarctica, for instance, could partially counteract
the increased loss of land ice. However, over a longer term, Ant-
arctica is expected to raise sea levels much higher than what it is now.
grated, much like Larsen B, an indication of warming tem-
In 2014, two studies argued that a major portion of West Antarc-
Spectroradiometer sensors on NASA’s Terra and Aqua satel-
slide into the sea over the next 200 to 900 years is inevitable.
peratures in the region. The Moderate Resolution Imaging
tica’s ice sheet has been destabilized irreversibly, and that its
lites provided evidence of the disintegration.
Then there’s the even bigger East Antarctica ice sheet, which
In the five decades prior to the collapse, the Antarctic Pen-
feet. Thankfully, this ice sheet remains more stable, for now.
insula experienced a temperature increase of 0.5 degrees Celsius per decade, making it one of the fastest warming
places on earth, according to the National Snow and Ice Data Center. As the ice shelf crumbled, the British Antarc-
tic Survey (BAS) conducted a flight over the shelf, capturing video footage and photographs.
BAS stated, “A large part of the Wilkins ice shelf on the Ant-
arctic Peninsula is now supported only by a thin strip of ice hanging between two islands. It is another identifiable impact of climate change on the Antarctic environment.
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contains enough ice to raise global sea levels by a further 190
August Issue 8 2015
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58
GREEN PERSONALITY
AN INSATIABLE LOVE OF THE NATURAL WORLD -
MEET DR. M. SANJAYAN
“
All around the world, there is a new understanding of our dependency on the wild.
“
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August Issue 8 2015
You may have recognized Dr. M. Sanjayan from a recent series that aired in February, on National Geographic. It is the first show that implores the important relationship between humans and wildlife. Sanjayan has dedicated his life to his belief in our responsibility to conserve wildlife. He has built a deep understanding of the natural world, and manages to share his knowledge in a way that is simple and comprehensible.
WILD AT HEART
play in protecting the forest. It all comes down to the ‘ecology
The extraordinary Dr. M. Sanjayan was born in Sri Lanka, but
(Bangladesh), it plays out with a human twist.”
spent most of his early life in Africa. As a child, he was sur-
of fear’, which he explains is a, “key part of our world, only here
rounded by wildlife. One of his earliest memories was using his
He explains that in Bangladesh, the tiger is the guard of the
sixth birthday cake stolen by a monkey. He admits that in his
edge, creating a delicate balance within the forest area. Fear of
mother’s hairpin for catching fish from the gutter. He had his younger years he wasn’t the conservationist that he is today.
Sanjayan and his family moved to Sierra Leone in 1972. He later moved to the United States to study at the University of Oregon,
where he received a B.S. in biology, and an M.S. in ecology. It wasn’t until he started internships and consultancies at the
World Bank, that he discovered he could make a career out of his love for the environment.
Sanjayan was the lead scientist for Nature Conservancy, and today is the Executive VP of Conservation International. He is most recognized for a recent series that aired on National Geographic. EARTH: A New Wild came together when Sanjayan met Dave Allen, an award-winning natural history producer, at the Jackson Wildlife Film Festival. Sanjayan proposed his idea
with Dave, and together they pitched it to executives at Dis-
covery, Animal Planet, PBS (Public Broadcasting Service), and National Geographic. PBS and National Geographic picked it up. It eventually came together better than anyone could have thought.
A DELICATE RELATIONSHIP In the show, Sanjayan visits an institution that is pouring money into a concept called ‘rewilding’. A research center in the Si-
chuan province of China is home to some incredibly endearing Giant Pandas. Pandas are famously difficult to breed in captiv-
ity, but for a long time captivity has been necessary for them in
order to survive, due to loss of habitat. At the research center, Sanjayan meets Zhang Hemin, also known as ‘Papa Panda’. At
his facility, he set up 150 cameras to closely examine which of
his pandas would be most suitable to be returned to the wild. This process of ‘rewilding’ can take up to two years, and requires extremely close attention. In an amazing scene, Sanjayan witnesses the first female Giant Panda in history, to be released back into the wild.
Sanjayan has a profound understanding of the relationship
between humans and nature and is an expert in describing it in the most simple way which is easy for us to understand. In
Bangladesh, Sanjayan stresses on the important role that tigers
forest. The tiger keeps every animal, including humans, on the tiger keeps the deer alert and always on the move, trailing
through the forest, never overgrazing one area. Even though
a reported 50 humans a year die from tiger attacks, it is incredible that the people protect and respect the tiger, because
they realize that without the tiger, there is no forest. The people
understand that they need the mangrove forest, as it absorbs about 40 percent of a tsunami, and provides food and oxygen.
Sanjayan is deeply impressed with the situation, saying, “these people aren’t just showing tolerance, but also a remarkable appreciation of the big picture.”
Sanjayan has a deep respect for India, where cows are consid-
ered sacred. Once again he is able to draw attention to a very unusual, but important link between humans and nature. He ex-
plains how the population of cows in India is very high, so when they die, their bodies are disposed off in big fields, where 20 years ago, Indian vultures would feed on the carcasses. How-
ever, presently the Indian vultures have been dying out and are on the verge of extinction, leaving a mass of cow carcasses left to rot.
It all comes down to a drug called diclofenac which is used
on cows. After investigation, it was determined that the drug is
deadly to the vultures, which resulted in their deaths. Now, after
20 years, vulture population is becoming stable. Once again, Sanjayan outlines the importance of wild animals that you may
never have thought had a purpose that related to us. “All around the world, there is a new understanding of our dependency on the wild.”
What do each of these stories have in common? What is the message that Dr. Sanjayan wanted to get across? Each of these
unique investigations helps us to understand an important balance between humans and nature. Sanjayan realizes that there is a new reality out there, a new, extremely harmonious and
balanced relationship between humans and animals - one that
gives us both a future. What Sanjayan hopes people will come
to understand, is that there is always a scope for mankind to have a relationship in perfect traquility with nature, as long as
we humans respect boundaries, and learn from our triumphs and mistakes.
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60
BUSINESS
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August Issue 8 2015
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62
WILDLIFE
An elephant head with ivory tusks and
other hunting trophies in a taxidermy
store in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
Photo: Robert Caputo/Getty Images
HOPE FOR SOUTH AFRICAN WILDLIFE Much of the appeal of visiting South Africa, is its breathtaking range of beautiful, endangered animals. South Africa is home to the ‘Big 5’: African elephant, African lion, Cape buffalo, leopard, and rhinoceros. The lush nation has significantly improved their reputation lately. In a stunning move, South African Airways (SSA) officially banned the transport of endangered rhinos, elephants, and lions aboard its passenger and cargo flights.
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Tim Clyde-Smith
SSA COUNTRY MANAGER
“
“
SAA will no longer support game hunters by carrying their trophies back to their country of origin.
August Issue 8 2015
AFRICAN GAME HUNTING
W
hat do you feel when you think about game hunt-
A glimpse of hope for conservationists has emerged from an
and killing a powerful beast that could otherwise
South African Airways (SSA) banned the transport of endan-
ing in Africa? Do you feel excited about capturing
have killed you? Or do you feel cruel and unnatural, destroying
the life of a being who was just minding their own business? Whatever you feel about game hunting in Africa, it is an extremely controversial blood sport that needs to be outlawed.
Many believe that shooting a marvel of nature and shipping its carcass home seems an odd practice. However, the business
is ever booming. An estimated 1,000 captive lions are shot dead mostly by American and European tourists on South African ranches annually. Tourists will pay $20,000 for a captive
male, compared with $75,000 for a wild one. The expansion of the ‘canned hunting’ industry, which breeds lions by isolating mothers from their cubs to jumpstart ovulation, has lifted African
trophy hunting revenues to $200 million a year – an alarming statistic.
unexpected player in the scheme of things. On April 25, 2015,
gered rhinos, elephants, and lions aboard its passenger and cargo flights. SSA Country Manager Tim Clyde-Smith spoke out about the decision, saying, “The vast majority of tourists visit
Africa in particular to witness its wonderful wildlife.It is our re-
sponsibility to preserve it for future generation and that we deter
any activity that puts this wonderful resource in danger.” No
exceptions will be made with regard to the new rule, even if the hunter holds a valid permit issued by authorities to transport the animal. According to SSA spokesperson TlaliTlali, a recent
incident influenced the airline to establish the embargo. “Early in April 2015, a shipment lodged as machinery spare parts was discovered in Australia whilst in transit to Kuala Lumpur. The
shipment contained elephant tusks and was seized. We were issued with a notice of seizure.”
CHANGING ATTITUDE The difficultly that wildlife activists face in the African region
However, game hunting remains an adventurous and lucrative
game hunting as part of their tradition, and do not know any
organization that offers a full African game hunting experience,
is changing the attitude of native people who practice African
better. It all comes down to education, and changing attitudes. In order to inflict change, there needs to be an understanding of
both sides of the situation. Change began in 2005, when British Airways stopped carrying animals for scientific experiments in its cargo holds. Despite jeopardizing a lucrative business relationship with Glaxo Smith Kline, a British pharmaceutical company, the threat of a customer boycott was deemed too risky.
No matter how profitable and defensible, South African Airways has decided that trophy kill cargo is a bad business to be in. It
wasn’t to nullify a potential storm of bad publicity before it ar-
rives. SSA should be lauded for its move. If other airlines jump
on board, trophy hunting might not be so appealing to big game hunters if they can’t bring evidence of their kill home. American
hunters are already facing restrictions on what African animals
sport for some people. Frikkie du Toit Safari’s is a controversial with a professional hunter and guide. Frikkie du Toit has sup-
posedly effectively guided clients in hunting all of the ‘Big 5’.
American trophy hunters belong to clubs, such as the Dallas Safari Club and Safari Club International, where they can com-
pete to kill the most animals for the most awards. To earn every award on offer, at least 171 different animals must be killed. Many SCI members have recorded killing more than 400 dif-
ferent creatures. Hunters receive award trophies for shooting
a prescribed list of animals. For example, the ‘Trophy Animals of Africa’ award requires the hunter to kill 79 different African
species to win the highest honor.This poses a huge challenge to protect these animals, simply because they are on the verge of extinction if hunting continues.
they can go after.
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64
WILDLIFE
A WEALTH OF
NEW SPECIES
AWAITS US
2015
ESF TOP10 NEW SPECIES E
Dr. Quentin Wheeler
PRESIDENT OF SUNY EFS
very year, the State University of New York Col-
In a video released by ESF, SUNY ESF President Dr.
(SUNY ESF) releases their exciting list of the
project. “The Top 10 never fails to amaze every year,”
lege of Environmental Science and Forestry
Top 10 New Species. The university has taken the lead
in educating future leaders, opening new possibilities, and encouraging the public to engage in creating a better future. For more than a century, ESF has been unique among institutions of higher learning in its exceptional
focus on environmental discovery, learning, and sus-
tainability. Recently ESF released their Top 10 Species for 2015 to coincide with the birth anniversary of Carolus
Linnaeus on May 23, the 18th century Swedish botanist
who is considered to be the father of modern taxonomy (the practice and science of classification). The annual
list, established in 2008, calls attention to discoveries
that are made even as species are going extinct faster than they are being identified. Scientists believe 10 million species await discovery, five times the number that are already known to science.
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“
The last vast unexplored frontier on Earth is the biosphere. We have only begun to explore the astonishing origin, history, and diversity of life.
“
Prepare to be fascinated by what our incredible planet has to offer. The world of wildlife is much more elusive than we might think. Sure, science has come a long way, especially during the past century. However, it is estimated that 18,000 undiscovered species become extinct annuvally. Thanks to a New York based university, we are now able to marvel upon the top 10 new species of 2015.
Quentin Wheeler shared his thoughts about the Top 10
he said. “It takes about two years until you actually accumulate all the new species, so the committees work
is pretty tough, because we limit it to species found the year before.” According to Wheeler, the international
committee of experts on various plants, animals and microbes then distills the interesting species down to about 40 or 50. In 250 years, mankind has discovered
more than 2 million kinds of plants and animals. Many
species will disappear before they’re even discovered. The advantage of creating the list, according to Wheeler, is that changes to the planet are occurring very rap-
idly due to climate change. We don’t have a baseline understanding of what kinds of plants and animals exist to begin with, so that puts us at a huge disadvantage
to measure how fast they’re disappearing, and to, “recognize invasive species and recognize when they don’t belong.”
August Issue 8 2015
CORAL PLANT: ATYPICAL TUBERS (PHILIPPINES)
T
his parasitic plant, discovered and almost immediately considered endangered, has elongated, repeatedly branching, and rough-
textured aboveground tubers. These peculiar tubers
give this root parasite from the Philippines a corallike appearance distinct from the more typical underground tubers of related species. Parasitic plants do
not contain chlorophyll and are incapable of photosynthesis, so they draw their nutrition from other living plants. This species is, so far, known from fewer
than 50 plants, all found between 4,800 and 5,600 feet
(1,465 and 1,735 m) elevation on the southwestern slopes of Mt. Mingan in mossy forest areas. Because so few plants are known to exist, and the narrow area
BONE-HOUSE WASP: MORBID MOTHERHOOD (CHINA)
in which they live is unprotected, the scientists who described it consider the plant critically endangered.
T
his insect, which tops out at about a half-inch
(15mm) in length, has a unique way to pro-
tect its offspring. The wasp constructs nests
in hollow stems with several cells, each separated by soil walls. The wasp kills and deposits one spider in
each cell to provide nourishment for her developing young. Once her egg is laid, she seals off the cell and hunts a spider for the next cell. Rather than provisioning the final or vestibule cell with a spider, she fills it with as many as 13 bodies of dead ants, thus creating
a chemical barrier to the nest. This is the first animal known to take this approach to securing the front door
to a nest. This species, found in Gutianshan National
Nature Reserve in eastern China, has significantly lower parasitism rates than similar cavity-nesting wasps.
INDONESIAN FROG
T
here’s an exception to every rule and the
newest species of fanged frog is such an exception. Unlike other frogs, Limnonecteslar-
vaepartus from Sulawesi Island, Indonesia, gives birth to tadpoles that are deposited in pools of water. On
one occasion, a female gave birth to a tadpole in the
hand of a scientist at the moment she was captured. Fewer than a dozen of the world’s 6,455 frog species have internal fertilization and all except this new species lay fertilized eggs or give birth to tiny froglets. The
species, about 1.5 inches long (40mm), is found in the island’s Northern Peninsula on the western edge of the Central Core. The region has not been fully explored
for frogs, so the extent of this species’ range is not yet known. The frogs live in natural and disturbed forest
habitats, often in areas occupied by one to five other species of the same genus.
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66
TRAVEL
[
NORTH AMERICAN ARCTIC
[
EXPLORE INTACT ECOLOGICAL TRANQUILITY
There are few places left in this world where you can experience a peaceful getaway, with untouched, serene splendor. Canada and Alaska remain two of the coldest regions on earth. But that hasn’t stopped people from all over the world travelling to the North American Arctic to marvel upon the Prince William Sound, or inhale the fresh, crisp air, experience the amazing wildlife, or stay in cozy eco-friendly establishments such as the Arctic Chalet in the Northwestern Territories of Canada.
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August Issue 8 2015
“
“
The beauty of Alaska’s Prince William Sound is in a class by itself.
Joel Connelly SEATTLE POST
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68
TRAVEL
DISCOVERY VOYAGES July is a good time to visit the Arctic
ages. The company has a carbon
mentally prepared for a chilly, thrill-
the
north, as it is not so cold. If you are ing adventure to reconnect with nature, be sure to check out Discovery
Voyages, located in the northwestern US state of Alaska. The compa-
ny specializes in exciting ecological adventures – a way for people to truly connect with the wilderness that
Alaska has to offer. The company offers professionally-guided, small ship cruises in Alaska’s Prince Wil-
liam Sound, featuring photography, whale watching, birding, hiking,
opportunity
to
help
others
achieve energy independence and
zero emissions. By contributing to a clean and renewable energy projects’ fund managed by Native En-
ergy of Burlington, Vermont, based
on their annual fossil fuel use and associated carbon footprint, Discovery Voyages helps to fund wind,
solar, farm methane, and other renewable energy projects.
Even in Alaska, some remote native
kayaking, and land/sea adventures.
villages have switched to wind pow-
It’s a thrilling way to explore Alaska’s
tive Energy’s renewable energy pro-
gorgeous and diverse marine envi-
ronment. Because of its small size, Discovery Voyages’ 65-foot historic yacht can sail into quiet coves and
navigate ice-bound channels that larger boats must avoid, offering passengers an up-close and per-
sonal view of glaciers and wildlife
that is simply not possible on a large cruise ship.
Sustainability dwells deep in the treasured values of Discovery Voywww.ziwira.com
offset program which gives them
ered electricity with the help of Nagrams. The Iowa Farms Wind Project
helps to reduce approximately 8,000
tons of greenhouse gas emissions
per year and generate additional income to Iowa farmers. The company was recently awarded the Ad-
venture Green Alaska (AGA) Gold Certificate for meeting the highest
standards of economic, social, and environmental sustainability by the Alaskan Wilderness Recreation and Tourism Association.
August Issue 8 2015
OFF THE GRID
PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND Undoubtedly, one of the most awe-in-
perate rainforest, Chugach National
during your time in Arctic America, is
glaciated Chugach Mountains. Massive
spiring ecological destinations to visit Prince William Sound. The area became
somewhat infamous following the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill of 1989. However, the Sound has recovered remarkably well in
the decades that have followed and sci-
entists work diligently to determine the ultimate impact. Prince William Sound
comprises more than three thousand shore land, miles of bays, coves and
deep fjords, south of the Gulf of Alaska. The sheltered waterway contains the greatest diversity of habitats found
along the entire Eastern Pacific Coast,
including the world’s northernmost tem-
Forest. It is ringed by the steep and glaciers can often be seen inching their
way through mountain valleys and thun-
der icebergs into the surrounding fjords and inlets. The area has an abundance of wildlife because the calm and gentle
waters offer shelter to many marine and bird life. Travelers can also experience
Prince William Sound’s farmed Harriman Fjord, with its dozen glaciers and 10,000
foot mountain peaks, by undergoing
the Harriman Fjord Overnight Voyage,
spending the night in a snug anchorage.
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70
TRAVEL
To give you a broader perspective of the North American Arctic, let us take you east of Alaska to the Northwest Territories of
Canada - a vast state that stretches up toward the North Pole. The remote northern territories of Canada are the perfect place to go for escapism, and to reconnect with all that nature can
offer. The Arctic Chalet is a beautifully landscaped eco-friend-
ly, non-smoking tourist establishment located in the Canadian
Arctic on the outskirts of Inuvik, Northwest Territories. The cozy establishment was created by Olav, a retired aeronautical engineer, and his wife Judi.
In his early twenties Olav immigrated to Canada from his home-
land in Norway after attending a private college in Great Britain. As a young boy he was always fascinated by airplanes. By the time he was fifteen he was a licensed pilot, flying gliders and learning how to build real airplanes which he still enjoys. This
Herschel Island on Pauline Cove where guests meet the park rangers who will
at the Arctic Chalet. Together, Olav and Judi Falsnes have cre-
days when Herschel Island was a center for hunting Bowhead
willing to enjoy the vast wilderness that Arctic America has to
is incredible with many birds nesting close to the buildings in
passion influenced him to initiate the many flight tours on offer
give a brief tour of the historical buildings reminiscent of the
ated a fun filled and adventurous place for couples and families
Whales. The area is also a nature lover’s heaven. The birdlife
offer.
early summer. Plants and wild flowers grow lusciously in this
One of the stand out adventure opportunities on offer is a flying
spectacular five-hour tour available in July and August.
tour to Herschel Island by float plane. The island is very special,
special environment which is conducive to plant growth. It is a
a Yukon National Park located in the Arctic Ocean only a few
Guests can also partake in dog sledding, one of the most treas-
Mountains. During the flight, you will witness a variety of wildlife,
trails with white Siberian/Malamute Huskies. Learn how to drive
ing near the coast, Beluga Whales swimming in the ocean, Griz-
tour. These are just some of many nature appreciation experi-
kilometers north of Ivvavik National Park and the beautiful British
ured and traditional arctic region activities. Explore beautiful
such as moose feeding in the Mackenzie Delta, Caribou graz-
your own small dog team on Judi’s very popular short dog sled
zly Bears and even Muskox, some of which have been living on
ences on offer in the arctic north.
the island for several summers. The float plane lands
Caribou
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Judi Falsness, Owner
August Issue 8 2015
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72
ENTERTAINMENT
AKON PROMOTES SUSTAINABILITY IN HIS HOME COUNTRY As a boy who was born in the crowded West African state of Senegal, Akon has certainly turned the tides and risen to prominence as a leading singer. Not only is Akon a Grammynominated platinum-selling artist, producer, and entrepreneur. He is also a dedicated philanthropist, having formed initiatives with his mother Ms. KineGueyeThiam such as ‘Konfidence Confidential’, and ‘Akon Lighting Africa’.
KONFIDENCE FOUNDATION Akon is one of the most successful African-born artists of his
he grew up) by promoting health and education, and support-
on the Billboard Hot 100, and over 150 guest appearances with
Africa having lived in Senegal until he was seven, and hopes
era. In addition to having two multi-platinum albums, 27 songs artists such as Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Eminem, and Gwen Stefani, he is also the first artist to hold both the number one and two spots simultaneously on the Billboard Hot
100 chart twice. Born as AliauneThiam, Akon with his mother
Ms. KineGueyeThiam established the Konfidence Foundation
in 2007. The foundation is dedicated to empowering the youth in Senegal (Akon’s home country) and the United States (where
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ing impoverished families. Akon deeply feels a connection to
that his second home, the United States will support him in his quest to better the lives of people there in terms of energy. The
non-profit organization strives to construct the ‘Africa of Tomorrow’ by empowering individuals and communities by means of practical and helpful resources. Akon, along with his mother,
distributed thousands of toys on Christmas Eve to the less-fortunate children staying in the metro-Atlanta area.
August Issue 8 2015
“
Bringing hope to millions and ultimately giving Africa a better future.
“
AKON LIGHTING AFRICA
Akon, with the support of his mother, has extended his humanitarian reach in Africa by establishing the Akon Lighting Africa
Initiative. Through this initiative he not only intented to help the people of Africa, but also the environment by means of renew-
able energy. The project launched in 2014, aims to accelerate the electrification of Africa by installing in rural communities off grid solar solutions suited to home and collective use. The pro-
ject has now been successfully initiated in 11 countries which include Mali, Senegal, Republic of Guinea, Benin, Niger, Bur-
kina Faso, Congo Brazzaville, Gabon, Sierra Leone, Equatorial Guinea, and Kenya. The project is based on a business model, where solar kits are offered to households and small communi-
Akon with his mother Ms. KineGueyeThiam
ties are pre-financed in order to be immediately available. The
“Development aid is important; however now we must move
of engineers and technicians in the field of renewable energy
lenge. Without access to energy, there is no development.
initiative has provided an opportunity to train a new generation
to an economic logic if we really want to address the chal-
which will create jobs.
No schools, no economic activity beyond a certain time, and
On May 19, in New York City, the Akon Lighting Africa initia-
nary. “We came to New York to stress that if such a situation
honored at the second Sustainable Energy 4 All forum organ-
amazing potential of Africa and Africans,” he concluded.
tive and its founders Akon and ThioneNiang Samba Bathily were
no communications,” said ThioneNiang at the opening ple-
persists, then the world continues to be deprived of all the
ized by the United Nations and the World Bank. UN Secretary-
General Ban Ki-moon launched the initiative in 2011 with the in-
tention of ensuring universal access to modern energy services, double the growth rate of improvement in energy efficiency, and double the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix by 2030.
At the panel session on financing issues for energy, Samba Bathily explained, “We started the project in early 2014 by securing $1 billion credit lines with international banks and financial partners; we later went to the African governments and mi-
crocredit agencies that were convinced by this approach; they can indeed repay these loans at the appropriate pace.” Accord-
ing to the founders, this new approach will help democratize access to energy on the continent more quickly.
Akon speaking at forum www.ziwira.com
74
ENTERTAINMENT
LUPITA NYONG’O JOINS THE IVORY BATTLE
W
ho could forget Lupita Nyong’o’s gorgeous green
species. With this campaign, Lupita Nyong’o joins Prince
Oscar-winning actress wowed crowds with her ef-
ivory sales.
gown at this year’s Cannes Film Festival? The
fortless grace. She won an Oscar for her debut film appear-
William, David Beckham and Yao Ming in the call to end all
ance in the movie 12 Years a Slave in 2014, becoming the
WildAid and the African Wildlife Foundation said they will
success, she has put her name to the worldwide call to save
“When the buying stops, the killing can too.” The Academy-
first Kenyan to win the award. Now, adding to her Hollywood
recruit more prominent Kenyans to promote the message:
elephants from extinction.
Award winner returned to Kenya, the country where she
“I have joined @WildAid as a global ambassador to call for
drick Wildlife Trust’s elephant orphanage. She has been film-
us to save elephants from extinction. Join me. Be #ivoryfree.” she posted on Instagram.
grew up, to visit Amboseli National Park and the David Sheling a series of videos to raise awareness about the elephant poaching, which can be seen on the WildAid official site.
Each year, horrendous amounts of elephants are killed for
“I ask the world to end the current elephant poaching crisis
timates 25,000, while others estimate that the figure could
wide and to consign the tragedy of the ivory trade to history,”
their ivory. The United Nations Environment Programme esbe as high as 50,000. Poached African ivory is estimated to have a street value of between $165 million to $188 million
by being ‘Ivory Free.’ It is time to ban sales of ivory worldsaid Nyong’o in a powerful statement.
in U.S. dollars per year according to a recent UN/INTER-
“Brave and dedicated people are giving their lives to protect
banned since 1989, the sale of ivory remains legal within
the United States and Asia by not buying ivory, and from
tinues to thrive. Experts fear that elephants could be extinct
crime,” she said.
POL report. Even though international ivory trade has been
our elephants. They need all of our support, from people in
many individual countries and the black market for ivory con-
Kenyans in supporting anti-poaching by reporting wildlife
within a decade if poaching continues at the current rate.
Lupita, a Mexican-Kenyan, is the perfect choice to lead the
campaign, as she has rich African heritage, and through her sterling work and on-screen fame has thrust the continent into the spotlight.
“I am proud of my Kenyan heritage, and part of that heritage
is the incredible wildlife haven that is in our care,” she said.
“I have come to realize that when you know more, you do more. I want to encourage people all over the world to learn more about these incredible animals.”
She joins a worldwide battle that is gaining momentum
among many conservation groups and thought leaders and policy makers. The practice of confiscating and destroying ivory has been increasingly publicized in countries from
the US to Africa and even the UAE. WildAid is a non-profit
conservation group that frequently works with celebrities to voice the urgent need to stop wildlife trade in endangered
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August Issue 8 2015
“
I ask the world to end the current elephant poaching crisis by being ‘Ivory Free.’ It is time to ban sales of ivory worldwide and to consign the tragedy of the ivory trade to history.
“
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