the
Future
SUSTAINABLE
E COV
R
R STO
February Issue 2 2015
Building
www.ziwira.com
Y
WETLANDS FAST DISAPPEARING ECOSYSTEM Also Includes: Eco Tech | Business | Lifestyle
| Tourism
2
CONTENTS
BUILDING THE FUTURE
CONTENTS ZIWIRA FEBRUARY 2015
WETLANDS
14
CONSTRUCTION 24 Tiny Homes At least 80% of humanity lives on less than $10 a day according to World
Bank figures. The Tiny House Movement is an attempt to change this.
COVER STORY 14 Wetlands The plight to conserve our fast disappearing ecosystems.
COVER STORY MOTORING 34 Review
2015 SOUL EV
BUSINESS
22
26 TerraCycle One Man’s rubbish, is another man’s treasure. That is certainly the case for Tom Szaky. His company TerraCycle leads the way to fresh, innovative, eco-friendly solutions.
46 www.ziwira.com
14
32
February Issue 2 2015
24
44
34 GREEN PERSONALITY 32 Jared Leto The beautiful blue-eyed boy from Louisiana makes it into our green books
this month for more than one reason.
HEALTH 30 Save the Night Light pollution wasting energy
LIFESTYLE 08 Tying the Knot‌Sustainably Time to swap that white gown for a
green one. Eco-friendly weddings are
gaining popularity amongst young couples across the world in a bid to further protect the environment.
10 Reduce Carbon Paw Prints Too! A personal guide to developing more sustainable habits in caring for pets.
ECO TECH 40 Greening the Bluetooth
Greener solutions for Bluetooth de-
vices are now available, so how come everyone’s not using them?
TRAVEL 44 Costa Rica
Where Luxury Meets Sustainability
46 Travel Right Plan the greenest getaway you possibly can with these recommended eco-friendly travel accessories.
WILDLIFE 42 The Reality of Extinction If you could save one endangered species from extinction, which would you choose?
06 News & Events www.ziwira.com
4
POEM OF THE MONTH
Seedling Once, I fell in love with a man, Then I watched him grow Careless, wasteful He abandoned the plan Once, I fell in love with my newborn child And I watched her grow, She planted a seed And smiled Now I’m falling again Oh help me, help me I’m falling so hard For the earth, My most neglected gift from God That suddenly stole my heart And is pulling, pulling me closer Will I fail? Will I be disappointed again? Why can no one else see it? Oh help me, help me I’m falling in love with the earth It needs me, must help it, must save it, must defend it But I’m clueless, just a seedling who must grow in this new space for love A green love, naïve love, give-it-all-you’ve-got-till-you-break love, Oh help me, I’m falling in love with the Earth Can u feel it too?
www.ziwira.com
February Issue 2 2015
BUILDING THE FUTURE
Publisher Ziwira CEO and Founder Adam Merza adam@ziwira.com Editorial Saba Khan saba.khan@ziwira.com Nasreen Rasool nasreen.rasool@ziwira.com Zane Small zane.small@ziwira.com Stephanie Gay stephanie.gay@ziwira.com Fizzah Khan fizzah.khan@ziwira.com Marketing Nadir Khan nadir.khan@ziwira.com +971 56 7481747 Design Asif Habib asif.habib@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
FEBRUARY 2015
EDITORIAL The issue of educating the citizens of the world about the importance of sustainability and profound understanding of the pathway to envi-
ronmental conservation and development is critical for a sustainable
future. Doing our bit to keep you updated about sustainability and environmental crises taking place around the world, we present you with yet another edition of Ziwira.
We have dedicated this issue to World Wetlands Day. The cover story
on wetlands will give you some insight about the massive commerciali-
zation and industrialization of wetlands, which is resulting in the extinction of some marvelous animals. The lifestyle section is full of eco-
friendly paraphernalia: from eco-weddings to eco-pets, it’s all here. We also have a motoring column (for all our car loving readers) to
keep you informed about the latest eco trends and technology your favorite manufacturer is coming up with. This month find out how
impressive Kia Soul EV is, with its noiseless engine and organic light system.
The green personality of this month is Jared Leto, heartthrob from
Louisiana, who was recently appointed as the global ambassador for WWF. Don’t miss out reading the tech section, which talks about 3D scanning and eco-friendly Bluetooth technology.
Have you noticed the starless sky of a rapidly growing city? Read the health section to know more about the mystery of disappearing stars and its effect on our health. Luxury and sustainability at the same
place and cost… does that sound weird? Well, this month’s travel section will take you to Costa Rica where this deadly combination comes
alive. And lastly, learn more about the reality of extinction in the wildlife section.
Happy reading!
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
permission of the publisher.
Saba Khan E D I T O R @ZIWIRA
www.ziwira.com
6
NEWS & EVENTS
Apple to build new solar farm Apple recently revealed it would be
building a 70 megawatt solar farm in Arizona. The idea came after Apple partnered with GT Advanced to
build an artificial sapphire factory last year. When GT Advanced later went bankrupt, Apple decided to convert
the factory into part data HQ and part solar farm. The mobile company has
been receiving accolades from Green
Peace since its impressive 2014 Earth
Day campaign. Now they are setting their sights on being leaders in renewable energy and sustainability.
Solar Impulse 2 ready for take-off 17,000 solar cells on its wings.
Dubai seminar for World Wetlands Day
newables such as solar power. We
The Dubai Municipality will host a
night in an aircraft without a drop
about the importance of wetlands.
trand Piccard, at a press confer-
year on the 2nd February to com-
public will be able to visit the plane
Wetlands Treaty in 1971. The UAE
tries.
Dr. Rashid Ahmed bin Fahad, said
The fully solar powered plane, So-
be powered by solar energy from
its journey around the world by the
“ Miracles can be achieved with re-
lar Impulse 2 is set to take off on end of this month. The route for the journey will include 12 stops along
the way. The plane will take off from Abu Dhabi and make its first stop in
Oman, then India, followed by an-
other two pit stops in China. The total distance of the trip will be 22,000
miles and is due to be completed in 5 months. The plane’s engines will
want to show we can fly day and
seminar to raise public awareness
of fuel,” said one of the pilots, Ber-
World Wetlands Day is honored every
ence in Abu Dhabi. Members of the
memorate the signing of the Ramsar
during its stops in various coun-
Minister of Environment and Water, the country had made huge strides towards preserving its Wetlands and educating the public about their value
as ecosystems. The Ramsar Conven-
tion identified five wetlands in the UAE as having international importance.
Together they cover a surface area of over 20,000 hectares.
www.ziwira.com
World Sustainability Energy Days (WSED) From February 25 – 27, 2015, World UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner (front left) with foreign ministers and heads of state from the Group of African Small Island Developing States.
UNEP discusses sustainable development with small African islands The 24th African Union Summit re-
vulnerable to climate change and
great opportunity for discussions on
of food, water and exposure to ex-
cently held in Addis Ababa provided
the topic of sustainability. UNEP’s
Executive Director Achim Steiner, met with leaders of the Group of Afri-
can Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to lay a roadmap for helping them achieve sustainable develop-
ment goals. Due to their size and location, the SIDS are particularly
its ripple effects such as shortage
treme weather hazards. This raises the urgent need for innovation and
financing in the area of renewable
energy, sustainable farming and living habits. UNEP has proposed the
Africa 2020 Renewables Initiative
which aims to assist these smaller states in this vein.
Australians devoted to eco-friendly, innovative projects
Sustainability Energy Days takes place in Wels/Austria. Five conferences
will feature, including-- the
European Pallet Conference, the European Nearly Zero Energy Buildings Conference, and the Young
Researcher’s Conference: Biomass
Energy Efficiency. Furthermore, the Energy Efficiency Watch Conference,
and lastly the Energy-Efficient Commercial Buildings Conference. The purpose of the WSED is to educate
and share ideas. The conference offers the latest information regarding
technologies, policies and markets. It is an excellent setting for companies
to meet and share solutions/contacts, and an official meeting place for experts from all around the world to
share their ideas with those who are keen to provide assistance with cre-
Australian company Eco Innova-
partments, and social enterprises.
ating an eco-friendly environment. In
counter eco-friendly ignorance. The
minutes, to a day or two. Programs
participants from about 59 countries.
tors, has developed a solution to
company has introduced a program called ‘Ecovators’, a sustainability workshop which aims to broaden
the minds of its participants through
engaging activities such as creative play and innovation challenges, a
waste and recycling challenge, sustainable art practices, design problem solving through sustainability,
and sustainability science. The lectures and workshops will facilitate
schools, charities, government de-
Workshops run from between 45
such as this would greatly benefit
children, as they would better understand the problem of pollution and
the effect that it has on their environment. Anne Allan, from Padua Sec-
ondary College is enthusiastic about
the programs. She believes that the workshops provide the necessary
skills an individual needs to know, to be able to effectively change the way they treat the environment and facilitate change.
2014, the event brought in over 750
8
LIFESTYLE
ECO WEDDINGS
h t e Knot g n i y T Sustainably
Time to swap that white gown for a green one. Eco-friendly weddings are gaining popularity amongst young couples across the world in a bid to further protect the environment.
www.ziwira.com
I
magine yourself dressed in a white, organic-cotton wedding
gown, embellished with handmade jewelry. En route to your electric car, you walk by a rustic wooden table strewn with
bark vases, naturally fashioned, wooden tree light holders and simple containers filled with flowers. Autumn leaves and recycled paper flowers decorate your path.
Conventionally, weddings have been linked to extravagance,
large quantities of money spent on dresses, venues, decorations, food and entertainment. Although, there is an obvious
cause for this level of celebration, weddings are wonderfully
wasteful occasions where, people utterly forgo their ethics and
beliefs concerning the environment. With the quantity of people celebrating such occasions – with almost two million marriages
annually in the US alone – we can’t overlook the impact we are having on the environment through this kind of splurging. Think of the waste; the plastic plates, the catering service, the non-
biodegradable decorations, the quantity of food required, and of course, the water and energy expenditure.
The concept of eco-friendly weddings aims, not to tarnish your
dreams of a perfect day, but to offer responsible, viable alternatives to services and products, helping you reduce waste by
proposing substitutes which demand fewer resources to enact. To help narrow down the ways you can make your wedding more ‘green’, here are a few suggestions:
Venue
Dresses
Decoration
Menu
Selecting a suitable
Conventionally, wedding
When deciding which
Provide healthy, or-
venue for your wedding
is considered one of the
most important aspects –
after the dress, of course! For an eco-wedding,
steer clear of five star
hotels and resorts which guzzle electricity, water and other resources,
and where you have little control over how your
food is served and where it comes from. Celebrating a wedding out in the open shall unburden
your pockets, and save
on electricity. If there are any certified eco-friendly hotels, that can be a viable option.
dresses are elaborate,
decorations to use, pick
ganic dishes for your
recyclable materials
guests. By doing so you
the craftsmanship of a de-
ambience of the venue.
footprint as well as the
is usually only worn once,
can serve as vases.
heavy things with long
trains that truly showcase
and candles to set the
signer. For something that
Decorated used cans
dresses require a lot of
Use recycled paper for
ten designed without eco-
e-invites to cut the paper
ing sustainable materials
To cover tables, use table
fabric to make, and are offriendly methods. Choos-
for your dress, or ordering dresses from an estab-
lished eco-designer would ensure that your gown
the invitations or send
consumption completely.
decrease your carbon
chances of anyone leaving your wedding sick.
Ensure you have pesti-
cide free food as well as support local farmers.
cloths dyed with natu-
ral colorants, and linen
napkins instead of paper napkins.
hasn’t had a negative impact on the environment. Reusing your sibling’s or
mothers wedding dress is
another great way to save resources.
www.ziwira.com
10
LIFESTYLE
PETS
Reduce C
PAW PRIN A personal guide to developing more
P
ampering our pets is a pleasurable pastime for many. New tr
www.ziwira.com
spread and numerous as baby goods. The one thing most
problem. Though they are often small in stature, our furry co
simple steps to reduce the negative
February Issue 2 2015
Carbon
NTS TOO! sustainable habits in caring for pets.
rends in pet couture, toys, homes, and food are becoming as wide-
t pet lovers can easily overlook is that this may lead to an ecological
ompanions can have an impact on the environment too. Follow these
e ecological paw-prints your pets might have.
www.ziwira.com
12
LIFESTYLE
PETS
ECO-CLEANING With the amount of mess and mayhem our pets create, it’s just easier to use umpteen paper towels to clean up spillage than to find a mop and broom. Keeping pets – especially when they are young – guarantees bin bags filled with dirty papers, ruined carpets and bottles of cleaning products. In a bid to get rid of the mess as quickly and
reliably as possible, most of us will resort to conventional cleaning
brands and use paper towels to clean up the smallest spillage. However, these are not always the most environmentally friendly meth-
ods. Many chemicals and energy resources go into the production of paper towels – even the biodegradable ones. Additionally, the strong cleaning chemicals we resort to have, have similar negative impacts
on the environment, as well as your health. Opt for re-useable towels or eco-friendly cloths which don’t have to be disposed every time
you use them, and search your local organic supermarkets for eco-
friendly cleaning products made from plant-based sources. Adopting these simple eco-friendly methods can protect the environment on a daily basis.
ORGANIC FOOD As our human dietary requirements shift to accommodate the latest research and findings in nutrition, so should
the food we feed our pets. Alongside the growing number of organic food shops, many organic pet food brands are
emerging – names like Petguard, Natura, Karma and Core come to mind. Much like their human counterparts, organic pet food is noticeably more expensive, but their containers and manufacturing processes are also far more environ-
mentally sound. For owners with more time on their hands, there’s an array of YouTube videos and online demonstra-
tions on how to make home-made food for your pets. In line with feeding your pet organic pre-made food, making your own is a fun and interesting way to lessen your pet’s environmental impact.
www.ziwira.com
February Issue 2 2015
ECO-FRIENDLY TOYS Like children, our animal friends must be entertained
too. Play is an essential part of their mental and physical
stimulation. Hence, the importance of pet toys for providing them with the activities and exercise they need to be
healthy and happy. With a little effort, it’s possible to find
alternatives to standardized rubber toys and balls, which
often are made with harmful chemicals and questionable labor practices. Fire hydrants made of recycled canvas, hand knitted ‘knit-knacks’ and red rope toys are a few
examples of eco-friendly alternatives to purchasing rubber balls.
PET POOPS Yuck! The worst part about having a pet is the cleaning up. Replace the plastic bags with biodegradable ones.
SPAYING If you have a cat who likes to roam about at night, make
sure they are spayed. According to the Watauga Humane Society, a male cat can sire as many as 2,500 kittens in
ADOPT A PET
Before going to that pet store or breeder, consider adopting an animal from a local shelter. Puppy
mills are still an issue around the world, and you
a single year, and one un-spayed female cat and one un-
neutered male cat and their offspring can result in 420,000 kittens in 7 years. Do you know 420,000 people who want to adopt a kitten? No, nor do we, thousands of these kittens will have to be euthanized because of it.
can help put them out of business by not funding their cruel and inhumane practices.
www.ziwira.com
14
COVER STORY
WETLA
Disappearing at a
Pantanal, Camargue and Okav most precious ecosystems, no of wildlife they support, but for surrounding water supplies, de preventing widespread ooding interference and infringement delicate ec
www.ziwira.com
February Issue 2 2015
ANDS
an alarming rate
vango are some of the world’s ot only for the peerless variety r their pivotal role in managing ecreasing water pollutants and g. However, increasing human t are rapidly destroying these cosystems.
www.ziwira.com
16
COVER STORY
WETLANDS
WETLANDS DEMORALIZED
INDUSTRIALIZATION Industrialization has led to the annihilation of many Wetlands.
T
he most biologically diverse ecosystems in the
industrialization, dams, over-fishing and climate change
land are found globally – excluding Antarctica –
Developments in agriculture alongside our other growing
world, these vast expanses of water-saturated and play a vital role in managing flood control,
shoreline stability, as well as water purification.
More than half of the wetlands have already disappeared from the face of the earth. Continuous development and
alterations pose to be a great threat to wetlands, despite their importance and value for human life.
With hosts of migratory and non-migratory animals supported by unusual looking, but well adapted hydrophilic vegetation, the wetlands are prized for their unique
appearance and frequently shifting ecosystems. Home
to some of the most diverse flora and fauna, the destruction of these habitats has led to the extinction of many
animals and plants, and the endangerment of countless other species.
Apart from the physical removal of these plains, pollution,
www.ziwira.com
aid in culling our Wetlands’ biodiversity.
construction needs have benefited society in many ways, but at the expense of our environment. Alongside draining wetlands to make way for crops and farms (which
require vast quantities of space) to accommodate our
growing population and consumerist needs, wetlands are being replaced with houses, shopping malls and manu-
facturing plants. Entire ecosystems are being devastated by our grand-scale re-sculpturing of the environment.
Like some sinister Plastic Surgeon from a Hollywood B-
rate movie, we stand armed with a scalpel, fully prepared to maim our planet and remove substantial portions of
‘unwanted’ ecosystems for capital gain and to fuel a burgeoning population that is spiraling out of control. Thousands of hectares of wetlands continue to be destroyed due to these industrial demands.
February Issue 2 2015
POLLUTION
Pesticides and chemical spills pollute wetlands and disrupt the food chain.
L
ike many other ecosystems, wetlands have fallen prey to pollution. Pesticides and insecticides used in agriculture, as well as other harmful
chemicals used in manufacturing can leech into
surrounding water bodies, either through rainfall, or due to unsafe environmental practices. Although Wetlands are responsible for water puriďŹ cation and desalina-
tion, these chemicals cannot be removed naturally, and disrupt the process. Furthermore, their presence in the water systems ensures that they infect all members
of the ecosystem; causing nitrogen ďŹ xation in plants
and destroying key players in the food chain, like small rodents and insects, which disturbs the population of predators further up the pyramid.
www.ziwira.com
18
COVER STORY
WETLANDS
CLIMATE CHANGE
A
global issue, the effects of Global Warming can
Rising temperatures from human-induced climate change ]leads to the drying up of Wetlands.
be felt everywhere. For wetlands, the changing temperature is particularly bad news. Varying
temperatures are disturbing the water levels of
some wetlands, leading to flooding in some areas, and
drought in others. As a result, animals that have become
adapted to their habitats are unable to evolve fast enough to meet these changes, and are gradually dying out.
Greater measures must be taken to preserve these critical ecosystems, which are home to vast populations of
animals and play a pivotal role in maintaining the health and purity of water supplies.
www.ziwira.com
Figures collected by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) claim that over 50 percent of the world’s wetlands have been lost since 1900, with numbers as high as 80 percent for specific wetlands, such as the coastal wetlands of the Philippines.
April Issue 1 2015
www.ziwira.com
20
FEATURE
COVER STORY
Endangered
WETLAND
ANIMALS
Commercialization of wetlands, endless
construction, extraction of minerals and pollution from industrial waste, all are to be blamed for the disappearing wetlands and extinction of some splendid animals.
February Issue 2 2015
AMERICAN CROCODILE
An American crocodile’s diet consists mainly of small fish
American Crocodile
To date there are less than 1200 Ameri-
of south Mexico as far as South America.
ful hunter, these reptiles can be found in
and poaching have taken a grave toll on
can Crocodiles left in the wild. A successFlorida, all the way down the pacific coast
Despite their prowess, habitat destruction the American Crocodile population.
CHINESE EGRET
One of the Fifty Rarest Birds of the World
Chinese Egret
The iconic alabaster Chinese Egrets
destroy necessary nesting grounds, the
in Russia, China and Korea. As humans
fallen to around 3000.
have lost many of their wetland homes encroach on their breeding areas, and
population of the Chinese Egrets has
EAST INDIGO SNAKE
The eastern indigo snake can grow to over 8 feet in length
East Indigo Snake
Well adapted to life in the Everglades
destroyed and its staple food sources
Snake has received a threatened sta-
predator has steadily declined.
and freshwater marshes, the East Indigo tus in recent years. As its habitats are
eradicated, the population of this versatile
www.ziwira.com
22
FEATURE
WHITE WINGED WOOD DUCK
The white-winged duck now has a patchy distribution across India and Southeast Asia
White Winged Wood Duck
One of the largest species of duck, the
gone extinct in these regions. Surveys
pushed to the brink of extinction. Resi-
Ducks in 2002: 200 were found in Laos,
White Winged Wood Duck has been
dents of India, Indonesia, Malaysia, and
Thailand, these ducks were once found in Java and Bangladesh, but have already
recorded only 800 White Winged Wood Thailand, Vietnam and Canada, 150 in Sumatra and 450 in India.
WEST INDIAN MANATEE
The reproductive rate for manatees is low
West Indian Manatee
• 50 percent of India’s Wetlands have been lost in the last 50 years.
www.ziwira.com
One of the largest aquatic mammals,
and constant run in with boat propellers
known as the ‘sea cow’) fails to find a
In spite of governmental and non-govern-
the West Indian Manatee (affectionately foothold in its dwindling habitat. Found
in the rivers, wetlands and coastal areas of Florida, damage to their ecosystems,
• India has lost between 70-80 percent of their Wetlands and lakes according to a study taken in 2011.
In United States, 63,000 hectares of Wetlands have been destroyed from 2004-2007 according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
are destroying the Manatee population.
mental efforts to protect this species, the Manatee population continues to fall.
Over 340, 000 sq. kilometers of Wetlands have been destroyed in China since 2003.
February Issue 2 2015
www.ziwira.com
24
CONSTRUCTION
TINY HOMES
At least 80% of humanity lives on less than $10 a day according to World Bank ďŹ gures. The Tiny House Movement is an attempt to change this, with ďŹ scal relief as well as environmental consciousness at its heart.
O
ver population and poverty occupy much room in the
day-to-day global discourse.
Millions of people in various developing and under developed countries are living below the poverty line,
with an estimated 640 million liv-
ing without adequate shelter. The
infamous slums of Brazil, India and
Africa are only growing larger as the
income gap expands, and population growth remains unchecked. While
we attempt to remedy this economic discrepancy between people, the Reduce the complexity of life by eliminating the needless wants of life, and the labors of life reduce themselves
Tiny House Movement is bringing
some much needed relief to those who cannot afford much room. It remains unclear exactly who
started the movement and when, but the concept of building smaller DIY homes has been around for some
time now and is prevalent in several countries. The idea is to provide a
practical solution that allows people on lower incomes to not only build
and own their homes, but also use up less land space, allowing more Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful
www.ziwira.com
room for others to build their houses.
In doing so, there is also less harm-
from bales of hay or straw. Once a
smaller homes eliminate the need to
set, bales of hay are used to fill the
clear masses of natural vegetation
for the purpose of construction. Tiny Homes are often portable and can
be maneuvered on wheels. The light DIY material used for building them
also reduces consumption of water, energy and gas emissions that, go into producing building materials.
Tiny homes are cheap, sustainable
buildings, often built from eco-friendly renewable or recycled goods. Easy to make, and do-able on a small
budget, these mini residences rarely exceed 500 sq. feet – perfect for conserving space and providing
economical homes for our growing population.
Despite their compact size, they are ingeniously made and meet all the
basic requirements of a home, with space enough to house a kitchen, washroom and bedroom.
Tiny houses come in an array of
shapes and sizes, prices and quality. Although, there are a growing number of luxury tiny homes made from uneconomical materials, standard
designs usually employ the most facile and plentiful resources the region possesses – like Tiny Houses made
wooden frame of a desired size is
walls. Natural materials like clay, soil or concrete form the base of their
foundations and due to their com-
position, minimize the risk of water
seeping during rains. Tiny Homes of this design are cost-effective, easy to make and can be produced en-
masse without harming the environment. Additionally, their economic
sizes make them a prime candidate
for using renewable energy sources exclusively, something that is much
harder to do with larger residences. Governments would prosper from
endorsing and funding Tiny Housing
projects across third world countries, where homelessness has skyrocketed. Places like India (which sup-
ports over two million people without homes), Brazil and much of Africa would greatly benefit from this ef-
ficient housing method, for their low
start-up costs, their limited impact on the environment and their negligible energy requirements. For owners, it gives people the opportunity to
change their lives; to afford their own living space, manage smaller power bills and find relief from burgeoning living costs.
The Tiny House Conference takes place in Portland, Oregon from April 18-19, 2015. Tiny house builder and owner Corinne Segura of British Columbia, Canada, will share her story about her chemical free Tiny House that is free of flame retardants, formaldehyde, volatile organic compounds, and fiberglass.
“
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication
“
ful impact to the environment, as
Small rooms or dwellings discipline the mind, large ones weaken it.
– Leonardo Da Vinci
26
BUSINESS
TERRACYCLE
ECO-FRIENDLY SOLUTIONS ‘ONE MAN’S RUBBISH, IS ANOTHER MAN’S TREASURE’ That is certainly the case for Tom Szaky. His company TerraCycle leads the way to fresh, innovative, eco-friendly solutions.
www.ziwira.com
February Issue 2 2015
T
erraCycle is not your everyday business. Unlike most
raCycle in 2008, to create the worlds’ first reusable tote bag.
businesses, rather than buying and selling brand new
By 2009, TerraCycle, with the addition of over 25 new programs,
product to make profit, TerraCycle collects unwanted
had expanded to Brazil, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
product, or ‘rubbish’, and transforms it into something usable
Furthermore, in 2011 TerraCycle had opened up in Norway,
– from bicycle tires, to chip wrappers, to cigarette butts – Ter-
Spain, Germany, Ireland, Switzerland, Denmark, Israel, Bel-
raCycle accepts it all.
gium, Argentina, and the Netherlands, with a staff total of over
It all started with Tom Szaky who dropped out of Princeton
100 employees. Finally, in 2013, TerraCycle expanded to the
University to pursue his dream of founding a company that
Pacific, opening in Australia and New Zealand, marking over 20
makes the non-recyclable, recyclable. The idea for the company
countries of operation.
came to Szaky when he witnessed his friends feeding kitchen
TerraCycle currently operates a vast amount of waste brigades,
scraps to worms, and then using the resulting fertilizer to feed
collecting rubbish in the forms of cell phones, cigarettes, tooth-
their indoor plants. That was his original business plan: ‘to help
paste/oral care, diapers, drink pouches, energy bar wrappings,
eliminate the idea of waste by making quality fertilizer from food
paired shoes, stationary, and many more. Some of the amaz-
waste.’ When his first partner Suman Sinha invested in his com-
ingly innovative creations for sale on the TerraCycle website
pany, Szaky was able to set up his first office in New Jersey.
include a handbag made from Dorito wrapping, a recycled desk
From there, his business grew. It was the plant food from Szaky’s enormous worm poop conversion unit that enabled the company to establish profit,
ABOUT
Tom Szaky
organizer made from tubing, and a slim pencil case made from a washing powder box – innovation at its absolute best. As a modern company, TerraCycle has
selling the product to buyers such as
certainly made an impact on the world,
Walmart and Home Depot.
by proving that not all rubbish should be
From there, TerraCycle further expand-
condemned. In actual fact, waste can be
ed with initiatives such as the Bottle
used to create all types of useful things.
Brigade, and the Energy Bar Wrapper
It is a fact that all energy is recycled,
Brigade, programs designed to collect and repurpose such waste. Tom Szaky was named Brand Innovator of the year after initializing a campaign where the public gave 47,000 waste bags to Ter-
Tom Szaky (born 1982) is the
CEO and founder of TerraCycle,
a company that makes consumer products from waste
including the energy within ourselves. TerraCycle has confirmed this, and has opened a pathway to a better, more sustainable future for our world.
www.ziwira.com
28
INTERVIEW
RENU OJHA A motivational Q & A with a fiery organic guru who’s concerns about growing health, led her to take action.
INSPIRING OTHERS TO GO ORGANIC Renu Ojha is a social entrepreneur with firm beliefs in organic, sustainable living. But what she loves even more is sharing this with others and inspiring people to change their lives with healthier eating choices. She founded the company Blue Planet Green People, which is already doing great things in Jumeirah, Dubai. Find out what Renu really thinks about organic foods and those who shy away from it.
People. What exactly do you do?
A: Blue Planet Green People (BPGP) started in the year 2012 as an
organic and natural store with the
quality organic, natural and local (wherever possible) products
at affordable prices. And with a clear- focused message about
the brand values it stands for i.e.
“Quality, Convenience & Speed”. This has in turn strengthened
our customer value proposition, and resulted in a highly loyal
base of dedicated customers.
commitment to healthy, fresh, and
offered are in affordable range &
well-being of all! We offer Corporate
tional supermarkets. Most products
considered to be of high quality, both in terms of taste and healthiness.
The current store has very small foot
“
“Brick n Click” model. It was set up with an objective of offering high-
are distinct from those sold in tradi-
Today we have grown as a quirky organic, natural and
healthy food store with a dramatically simplified product
range, and we have strategically
created product range that caters for
people who lead busy lifestyles and
prefer the convenience and simplic-
ity of having fewer but good, healthy options to choose from.
BPGP offers an array of products that www.ziwira.com
‘Good Health’ plans, dinner boxes and other focused offerings con-
necting us to our consumers without mass media advertising!
Q: As the founder, how did you come up with the concept?
As demand for organic food and products is increasing, technological innovations and economies of scale should reduce costs of production, processing, distribution and marketing for organic produce – Renu Ojha
portfolio that appeals to our tar-
get audience. These are mainly
affordable locally grown food for the
paleo, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and raw food diets.
We also have a BPGP Farmers
Market that further reinforces our
A: I believe in the saying that,
“We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from
our children.” It’s our duty to give
“
Q: Tell us about Blue Planet Green
the next generation a healthy, clean, green and sustainable
life. And this is our small way of
connecting people with farmers, ethical products and good food. I’m also deeply concerned with the growing problem of obesity in our society that’s related to
lifestyle, the use of GMOs, ad-
ditives and preservatives in our
food chain. We wanted to create a
place where every food on the shelf is good for you! And Blue Planet
Green People is desired to be that destination.
February Issue 2 2015
when setting up the business?
A: We are a self-run business with a very limited budget and the biggest
challenge is changing the mindset of people towards organic and natu-
ral. Making people understand that
organic is for all and can fit into your
budget but it requires a little bit smart working around. In other words we must differentiate between “Must
have” and “Would like to have”. We are constantly trying to create an
understanding that local food is more affordable and an important “green
step”. Also, availability and affordability is a continuous battle.
Q: Do you think people would buy
organic if it were more accessible? A: Yes, who would like to consume
chemically laden toxic food or GMOs in their diet! I think we are shying away from reality.
Q: Why are organic products so
much more expensive than regular ones?
A: It has to do with the supply and
demand gap and also the “fluff price”
• Avoidance of health risks to farm-
is same as your grandma ate? The
pesticides (and avoidance of future
acknowledge and act!
ers due to inappropriate handling of medical expenses)
• Rural development by generating
Q: What changes would you like to
suring a fair and sufficient income to
government level to make organic
additional farm employment and asproducers
• Also cost is higher because,
Organic food supply is limited as compared to demand
& post-harvest handling of relatively small quantities of organic foods
for organic products is relatively inef-
future?
• Marketing and the distribution chain ficient and costs are higher because of relatively small volumes.
However, we may see this chang-
ing in the near future. As demand for
organic food and products is increasing, technological innovations and
economies of scale should reduce costs of production, processing,
distribution and marketing for organic
Q: Are there any plans to expand the company?
the moment and are investing in peomake organic produce more affordable and accessible.
why should I go organic?” How would
nancial returns of rotational periods which are necessary to build soil fertility
• Higher standards for animal welfare
ket growing in the UAE in the near
A: Yes, there is increasing awareness about healthy eating and food quality. More middle-class consumers are
discovering organic products for the
first time. The key is for consumers to understand the benefits of organics.
Local farms and farmers markets are gaining popularity too.
produce.
expenses to mitigate pollution). For cash crops compensate for low fi-
A: Always look at certification. Q: Do you see the organic food mar-
Q: Many people say “I’ve been eating
example, higher prices of organic
is organic, how do I know if it really
results in higher costs.
• Environmental enhancement and
protection (and avoidance of future
caution note!
is?
ple, infrastructure and technology to
food, such as:
A: Label conventional food with a
greater labor inputs per unit of output
are typically higher because of
of the food production itself, but also captured in the price of conventional
foods the norm?
Q: If a local farmer says his produce
A: Yes, we are in a growth mode at
a range of other factors that are not
see on the individual level and on
• Production costs for organic foods
in conventional industry. Prices of organic foods include not only the cost
answer is with us and it’s time to
this way for so long and I’m ok, so you respond?
A: Just name people you know who
are fighting cancer, the latest ADHD case you heard of, kids growing up
bigger and faster and moreover, do
“
“
Q: What challenges did you face
We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children
you really feel that the food you eat
www.ziwira.com
30
HEALTH
Light pollution does not only waste energy but deeply affects the sleep patterns and health of human beings.
I
n cities and suburbs stars are a rare sight. As soon as the sun sets, the dusk is vanquished by the glare of
artificial light. Behind it are the stars. Buildings, houses,
factories, parks, lawns, parking slots, bus bays, train
stations, airports and roads each radiate light. To make
matters worse, our homes are relentlessly illuminated by LED bulbs on electronics, computers, televisions, lamps and fitted lights. Constant exposure to artificial light has
made us oblivious to the great absence of natural nocturnal light in our life.
The IDA refers to this excessive use of artificial light as
‘light pollution’, and as the name suggests, has various adverse effects on our health and environment.
www.ziwira.com
“
Light pollution wastes energ�, affects ast�onomers and scientists, disr�pts global wildlife and ecological balance, and has been linked to negative consequences in human health
– International Dark-Sky Association (IDA)
“
SAVE THE NIGHT
February Issue 2 2015
LIGHT POLLUTION AND HEALTH Scientists have observed that human sleep patterns have changed significantly over the years. Namely, less sleep, more time spent browsing the internet, or staring out into space until finally nodding off. However, more serious ailments including insomnia, depression, anxiety and
other sleep disorders have become common, and many researchers are now connecting this phenomena to our constant exposure to artificial light.
According to scientific theories, artificial light disturbs the melatonin (hormone which helps regulate sleep), which
is released by a gland (pineal gland) that helps stimulate sleep. Triggered by darkness, the production of the hor-
to feel less alert, and also helps you warm up to the idea
GREATER PROBLEMS
light inhibits the production of melatonin, and as recent
Some experts have also begun to link cancer, headaches,
mone melatonin is released into the blood, causing you
of sleep. Naturally, to avoid feeling drowsy during the day, studies have shown, so does artificial light, resulting in
health related issues in the future. With televisions, dim
and bright LEDs and other artificial lights left on in most households, we run the risk of ruining the health of our environment, and our own.
and near sightedness with the excessive exposure to artificial light.
A Harvard Neuroscientists, Steven W. Lockley, conducted
a survey on breast cancer sensitivity across 164 countries in 2010. He discovered that there was 30 to 50 percent more risk of breast cancer in countries with high light
pollution. However, it was Richard Steven, professor at
University of Connecticut, who first noticed the correlation between breast cancer and artificial light.
A Belgian survey of 1,656 teenagers found that those who used phones at night, less than once a week were still
twice as likely to be tired as those who didn’t use them
at all. As Rensselaer Polytechnic University discovered in 2012, exposure to bright screens reduced melatonin
levels by 22 percent, which explains why teenagers in the 2007 study felt fatigued when using their phones at night. In order to have a decent night sleep, advice from doc-
tors is to turn off all those pesky devices at the mains, and make sure you stop using computers, phones and the like a few hours before you go to sleep. This way you can en-
sure that your body gets the rest it needs while protecting the environment from unnecessary electrical wastage.
www.ziwira.com
32
GREEN PERSONALITY
ANOTHER REASON TO LOVE JARED LETO The beautiful blue-eyed boy from Louisiana makes it into our green books this month for more than one reason. He was every teenage girl’s heartthrob in the TV series
research and drastically changing his appearance to
charmed audiences with his blue eyes and captivatingly
dedication to his role as an ambassador for Mother Earth
“My So-Called Life” in 1994. Since then, Jared Leto has good looks. He slowly broke away from being poster
boy to philanthropist and environmental activist, receiv-
ing much flak from celeb gossipers about the change in his appearance. Now we have one more reason to love
Jared Leto and that’s his recent appointment as a global ambassador for WWF( World Wildlife Federation). One of his first tasks in this new role will be to work with WWF in raising awareness about wildlife crimes. The awardwinning actor, musician and director
recently visited South Africa with WWF
to gain firsthand experience of the country’s rhino poaching crisis.
“Being that close to majestic creatures like rhinos and elephants reminds me of the deep connection and important responsibility we have to protect and
shepherd these fragile species and their habitats. I’m committed and passionate
about doing all I can to help ensure that these endangered animals survive, and
will continue to encourage others to get into action as well,” said Leto.
“I’m honored to join with WWF and the global conservation community and do my part. I hope you will too,” he added.
Leto’s mother was part of the hippie movement so he
grew up around creative people. As an actor, he is known to be methodical and dedicated to each role, doing
suit the character. It’s apparent that he applies the same
which goes far beyond WWF. Leto is a practicing Vegan, and supports animal rights as well as several children’s charities. He has also been involved with Habitat for
Humanity. A year after the 2010 Haiti earthquake, Jared visited the country and on is return released a book of
photographs from his trip to raise funds for the survivors. Hollywood fans may not know that Jared Leto is also the lead vocalist in a band
called Thirty Seconds to Mars. They sing
spiritual and philosophical rock songs and launched a blog called abeautifullie.org
to raise funds and awareness for environmental issues. Leto directed the music
video for the band’s song “A Beautiful Lie” in Greenland in 2008. He worked closely with the Natural Resources Defense
Council to ensure minimal fuel consump-
tion and environmental impact. Proceeds from the video’s sales went toward the NRDC.
So why do we love him? He’s deep with a
side of crazy (his Facebook profile pic shows him hugging a tree!). And he’s genuine in his fight for the envi-
ronment. WWF did good to choose Mr Leto as their new ambassador. Anyone who loves those dreamy eyes is
bound to fall in love with the rhino he’s standing next to.
So Hollywood can criticize his long hair and beard all they want, because we don’t mind, and it’s highly unlikely that the rhinos will either!
“Can you imagine a time when the truth ran free A birth of a song, a death of a dream” www.ziwira.com
February Issue 2 2015
Academy Award-Winning Actor Joins WWF as Global Ambassador
GREEN PERSONALITY
Jared Leto
- Born: 26 December 1971, Louisiana - Biological name: Jared Metrejon (Leto is the surname of his stepfather) - Earliest claim to fame: TV series “My So-Called Life”, 1994 - Films: American Psycho, Lord of War, Fight Club and Lonely Hearts, Requiem for a Dream
- Won Academy Award for his portrayal of a transsexual woman in “Dallas Buyers Club”, 2013
www.ziwira.com
34
MOTORING
www.ziwira.com
2015
February Issue 2 2015
Fully charged. Eco-friendly and fun, together at last. Starting as low as $26,200
($33,700 MSRP - $7,500 federal tax credit), the Soul EV has a best-inclass EPA-estimated driving range of 93 miles and MPGe of 92 miles
on the highway and 120 miles in the city (105 miles combined). It’s the same vibrant Kia Soul now with a standard DC Fast Charge port.
www.ziwira.com
36
MOTORING
www.ziwira.com
February Issue 2 2015
A
nd so, the Korean brand finally decides
to go green with its first foray into the all electrical vehicle segment.
Recently launched in the US, the all new Kia
Soul EV, is a fun and funky car, positioning Kia as one of the strong contenders in the green segment.
Design The overall look of the Soul EV was inspired by the 2012 Kia Track’ster. It has retained the
iconic square-shouldered broadness of the original soul, and also features a bold exterior.
The Soul EV will be available in a range of three
Set to launch in California and go on sale to
color combinations, including Caribbean Blue
Soul comes with two standard charging ports,
lower body with Inferno Red roof, and lastly Ti-
charging, and a CHAdeMo DC fast-charging
features an exclusive 16-inch set of alloy wheels
as little as 33 minutes with a 50 Kw–output fast
sistance (SLRR) tires that offer 10 percent less
the selected additional markets in 2015, the
lower with a Clear White roof, or Shadow Black
an SAE J1772 port for Level 1 and Level 2 AC
tanium Grey and Clear White. The Soul EV also
port (480v). It can be charged to 80 percent in
with specially engineered Super Low Rolling Re-
charger (five hours using a 240v outlet).
resistance than standard low rolling resistance
High Energy Density Battery and Usable Power The Soul EV is equipped with a high-energydense lithium-ion polymer battery. This 27kwh,
air-cooled, 200 watt-hour/kg battery enables an EPA estimated range of 93 miles, which is better than most EVs on the market. The Soul EV
uses Kia’s third-generation regenerative braking system to capture up to 12 percent of the car’s
kinetic energy, which is fed back into the battery while the Soul EV is coasting and braking. To
recharge, you can simply plug into any standard 120v outlet or a conventional 240v EV charger. The time to recharge a fully depleted battery in
a 120v charger will require at least 24 hours and five hours when it is plugged into a 240v outlet. A further excellent addition to this economic
machine is the improved aerodynamics, and ab-
tires. An ‘Eco Electric’ badge has also replaced
the ‘Soul’ fender garnish. In terms of lighting, the brilliantly sustainable car boasts Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) technology with low energy consumption.
Interiors The Soul EV manages to stand out from other conventional gasoline-powered vehicles, with a bright white accent trim on the center con-
sole, instrument panel and door panels, giving
it a sleek, fresh, modern look. The vehicle also features a circular theme, which is a comple-
menting contrast to the exterior’s angular look. Distinguished by Kia’s most extensive use of
bio-based materials, the Soul EV has received UL’s first ever automotive environmental claim validation for its 52.7 lbs. of bio-based organic content in interior plastic.
sence of engine noise. Special sound-proofing material results in a quiet, enjoyable ride.
www.ziwira.com
38
GREEN DRIVING
GREEN DRIVING HABITS Buying an eco-friendly car is the first
4. A careful tip about gasoline, is that
mental impact you make when travel-
toxic, hazardous substance, with fumes
step in reducing the negative environ-
Few tips for those who want to reduce their eco tire tracks
ling. However, it should not stop there. There are many more, surprisingly
easy ways that you can help to keep your carbon footprint down, when it comes to your car.
1. A simple way to avoid wasting gas
when driving, is to anticipate stops and
let your vehicle coast down as much as possible.
2. Combine trips in your car by plan-
ning ahead. A warmed up car engine
produces much less air pollution than starting a car from cold.
3. A helpful maintenance tip is to regu-
larly change the oil and oil filter in your
car, as this will help with fuel economy. It is recommended however, to check your owner’s manual for specific
recommendations about how often to change it.
people often forget that it is a very
that are carcinogenic (substance di-
rectly involved with causing cancer and smog). It is important to never overfill your car with gasoline letting it spill,
because excess gas will evaporate and create smog – it can also leak into the groundwater.
5. A beneficial way for employers to
help reduce carbon emissions, is by
encouraging carpooling to work, and offering benefits to those employees who walk to work, or commute with
others. In the USA, the Environmental
Protection Agency and the Department of Transportation have been teaming
up with businesses to set up ‘commuter choice’ programs. One example is a
company that offers staff free walking shoes with the promotion, “we’ll even
buy your walking shoes if you hoof it to work!”
February Issue 2 2015
40
TECH
GREENING THE BLUETOOTH Greener solutions for Bluetooth devices are now available, so how come everyone’s not using them?
S
olar power is finding
lives. The latest trend these
more homes and is
devices with solar energy. Like
its way into more and
quite common in some parts of
the world. However, we are still far from integrating this form of
renewable energy into our daily
www.ziwira.com
days is powering Bluetooth
most new tech inventions, it’s
a great concept, but somehow
still slow to catch on among the masses.
February Issue 2 2015
BLUETOOTH MEDIA PLAYERS
W
ith the solar powered
expeditions. Perhaps the only
users will be able to do
a few hours to charge.
portable media player,
much more than with an ordinary
one. Absorbing the sun’s rays, this player uses mini solar panels to
charge its battery, and can store enough energy to power the de-
vice for up to 35 hours. This nifty
player also comes with a standard 1GB of memory, but can easily be expanded to accommodate over
16 GB – that’s over 4,000 songs,
or 7,000 e-books! If you happen to
downside is that the battery takes In today’s rapid techno world where some phone batteries
can be fully charged in under 10
minutes, this portable player takes between one and five hours to
charge. This being said, this versatile contraption also has the capacity to recharge all cell phones and any other gadgets which run on lithium batteries.
Solar Media Player doubles up as
run out of sun, the machine comes
a speaker and solar-powered phone-
equipped with solar power batter-
charging case
ies, which you can pre-eminently charge for cloudy days or long
BLUETOOTH HEADSETS
Above: Secur Products’ Solar Media Player Image Credit: Secur Products
A
longside the media player, the
Swapping our commercial headsets
comes the new solar powered
would be a seamless transition. Cost
world of green tech also wel-
portable Bluetooth headset. Compact, wireless and eco-friendly, this unique apparatus also runs on sunlight and
unlike previous models, does not suffer from poor voice quality or network reception.
and players for these eco-gadgets
effective and able to run all the soft-
ware, programs and tools you need, if everyone were to pick up this eco-
device we would certainly protect the
environment from yet another energy demand. These devices usually cost within the range of $40-200.
There are several companies in the world who have created and sold
these headsets and MP3s, yet be-
cause of stiff competition from dominating tech figures, like Apple and
Samsung, they are not particularly
widespread and can only be found
in certain specialist shops or online. Hopefully, as society grows more
conscious of the impact their spend-
ing has, they will actively seek these
options to replace conventional ones.
www.ziwira.com
WILDLIFE
THE REALITY OF EXTINCTION If you could save one endangered species from extinction, which would you choose?
www.ziwira.com
“
People are beginning to realize that we need to live in accordance with the law of ecolog�, the law of finite resources, and if we don’t, we’re going to go ex�inct. -Paul Watson
“
42
February Issue 2 2015
• SCIENTIFIC NAME: Panthera pardus orientalis
• STATUS:
F
IUCN: Critically Endangered C2a(ii)
ew in this world are as in touch with nature and the
• POPULATION:
reality of extinction, as the legendary, Sir David At-
About 7-12 in China and
tenborough. On BBC’s ‘Attenborough’s Ark’, when
20-25 in Russia
• LONGEVITY:
faced with the perplexing question of what 10 species
15-20 years
Attenborough would take on his ark to save them from
extinction, he surprised us all by choosing some very rare, very special creatures, that to most are unheard of. One of the bizarre creatures that he deems necessary to de-
fend, is the endangered Olm salamander, a small aquatic species that can survive without food for up to ten years.
It is a pale, sightless, wormlike European (Slovenia, Croatia) cave dweller which has evolved independently from an ancient lineage of amphibians for 190 million years.
It is fortunate that the world has someone like Attenbor-
ough, to defend the likes of those we simply do not know about. However, there are endangered species out there that we do know about, species that are blatantly failing
The Amur leopard also known as the Far Eastern leopard
terribly to keep their lineage alive.
One such animal struggling to maintain its existence is the Amur Leopard, a sub-species of Leopard. In 2007, it was recorded that only 14-20 adults and five cubs were still
alive in the northern ranges of Russia’s Primorye region.
Another very rare species is the Javan Rhinoceros. There is approximately 40-60 of these majestic creatures left on
the island of Java, Indonesia, at the Ujung Kulon National Park. What’s more, in 2011 the last member of another
small population in Vietnam was killed by poachers, most likely for its horn which is used to make Asian folk medicines.
This is only a taste of a sad reality that we live in. Incredibly, conservationists are able to calculate the extinction
rate of a species, by keeping track of how many die each year. Using this technique, National Geographic reports a rate of 100 to 1,000 species lost per million per year
due to destruction of natural habitat, and climate change. Information also points out that before humans evolved, around 200,000 years ago, it was revealed (by studying
fossil records), that less than a single species per million went extinct annually.
As sobering as this information is, it begs the question; are there too many humans on this planet to allow for
other species to co-exist with us? Or are we simply too careless and too ignorant to care?
www.ziwira.com
44
TOURISM
COSTA RICA
Where Luxury Meets Sustainability Living the high life doesn’t have to mean high costs to the environment. This eco-friendly hotel provides the perfect balance between luxury and green living.
H
otel Punta Islita, a luxury beach resort in Guanacaste, Costa Rica was identified by the Travel Chan-
nel as one of 6 earth-friendly luxury resorts around the world. While travel destinations of this type usually include backpacking, cozy wooden lodges and bamboo beds, it’s rare to find a luxury resort that can also offer you peace of mind when it comes to its environmental impact. True, luxury Hotel Punta Islita
is usually associated with opulence and wastage, but with a little green consciousness, Hotel Punta Islita has proven it is possible to defy the norms.
Hotel
Punta Islita Costa Rica
The resort offers everything one could expect for a relaxing, decadent getaway from Infinity pools to draped 4-poster beds and the chance to view some rare species of wildlife. The hotel is located on a secluded beach cove along the Guanacaste coastline. Vacationers can enjoy sustainable luxury, friendly hospitality and earthly adventures while reveling in the lush sights of the surrounding tropical forests of Costa Rica. Open plan rooms are designed to give guests the best of natural light and their surroundings. Much of the natural vegetation and wildlife was preserved in the development of the spa, which also had full support from the local. It spurred opportunities for environmental conservation and more employment for the indigenous population.
www.ziwira.com
“
February Issue 2 2015 The eco-system is thriving thanks to a partnership between the hotel and regional conservation NGOs. The local fauna consists of iguanas, howler
Eco-tourism affords travelers the opportunity
“
to directly benefit the people and places they visit by supporting conservation and protecting cultural heritage as well as economic
development,” - Brian T. Mullis, President of Sustainable Travel International.
monkeys, macaws and other exotic birds. The hotel is also actively involved in wildlife conservation. It houses the headquarters of the Ara Project which is dedicated to the recovery and release of red and green macaws. Costa Rica is a North American country, swept by the Pacific Ocean on west and the Caribbean Sea to its east. It also boasts beautiful mountain rises. The country has been identified by UNEP as a leader in sustainability due to the
government’s effective management of forestry and its commitment to becoming carbon neutral by 2021. A large percentage of its electricity is produced from renewable energy sources. The government has invested considerably into biofuel and sustainable construction. Tourists visiting Hotel Punta Islita in Costa Rica, can look forward to kayaking, horse-riding along the coast, dolphin watching and viewing of other rare wildlife such as sea turtles. Then wind down with a sip of herbal tea at the resort’s pampering luxury spa. It’s an experience that will leave you rejuvenated and ethically cleansed too. www.ziwira.com
46
TRAVEL
TRAVELRIGHT Plan the greenest getaway you possibly can with these recommended eco-friendly travel accessories.
The civilized, squeezable travel tube
RE-USABLE SHAMPOO CONTAINERS Reduce plastic consumption by using these BPA Free travel bottles from GoToob for your
shampoo and conditioner. Made from soft yet rugged silicone, they are approved by the FDA (Food & Drug Administration) and 100% PC free. They have wide openings for easy-to-pour usage and are easy to squeeze, but also keep your liquids safely inside with no leaks.
REYA NATURAL CORK BAGS Matt & Nat sounds like a company named after two brothers. But it actually stands for Material and Nature. Their motto ‘Live Beautifully’ sums up the philosophy behind their designs. All bags and wallets
are made from non-animal products such as vegan leather, cork or recycled nylon. This cork backpack is perfect for your travel essentials.
SOLAR POWERED CHARGER Since you’ll be spending plenty of time basking in the sun, why
not let your charger soak in some natural sunilght too and put it
to good use! This is great option for travelling, since you may not
easily find a power source, especially if you’re camping. This nifty device can save on electricity while charging your mobile phone, iPad and any other electronic device that has a USB port. www.ziwira.com
www.ziwira.com