Ziwira June Issue 2015

June Issue 6 2015

SUSTAINABLE

O M A . C I W I R Z .

W W W

BU

U E FUT H T G ILDIN

RE

COVER STORY

RAISING THE BAR ON

GREEN LIVING

WASTE

MANAGEMENT THE DUBAI MUNICIPALITY ENDORSED THE MIDDLE EAST WASTE & RECYCLING EXPO

ENDANGERED HONEYBEES THESE TINY CREATURES ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN WE REALISE

ZERO

ENERGY GADGETS ENERGY IS RARE AND SHOULD BE CONSUMED CAREFULLY

SUNGLASSES

8

CONTENTS

BUILDING THE FUTURE

CONTENTS ZIWIRA JUNE 2015

32

INDUSTRY 48 Drilling Nightmares

Ruthless oil companies make their case for drill-

ing for the sake of the economy, while the rest of our hearts ache for the sake of the environment and its wildlife.

46 From Pollution to Solution Carbon Capture and Storage needs backing to succeed on large scale.

COVER STORY

COVER STORY 32 Raising the Bar on Green Living The new Sustainable City in Dubai is taking green property development to new heights. The project

TRAVEL

boasts 100% water recycling and electric cars among other impressive features.

78 Reconnect with Nature in Panama

Michael and Jeffrey Dietrich wanted to create a place

where guests could come to live off the grid, and experience life away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

AUTO 58 Review: Mercedes-Benz C350 Plug-In Hybrid

ENTERTAINMENT 86 Book Review

Organic: A Journalist’s Quest to Discover the Truth behind Food Labeling

88 Green Celebrities Speaking Out The individuals who are constantly gracing

Our next Pacific travel idea takes you even further

our screens are the ones who begin and end

south of Fiji, to the luscious green state of New Zea-

trends in food, lifestyle, and fashion. See

land.

62 Renewable ‘E-Diesel’

German automobile manufacturer Audi, believes they have found a solution to the ever looming problem of

what these celebrities have to say about sustainability.

90 Film Review: Mission Blue

In her documentary film Mission Blue, Dr. Sylvia Earle shares with us her deep knowledge of the

fuel shortages, and increasing CO2 emissions.

ocean, and how we as humans desperately need to change our day-to-day actions.

INTERVIEW 82 Pablo Gordienko M. An exclusive interview about his breathtak-

ingly beautiful, all natural eco-resort, located South of Turrubares, San José, Costa Rica.

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88

June Issue 6 2015

56

74

72 GREEN PERSONALITY 56 Dame Jane Goodall

She has won more awards than you can count on your fingers and toes, a legend of the naturalist world, and this month’s Green personality.

FEATURE 40 Managing Waste in The Emirates To address the looming issue of waste management, the Dubai Municipality endorsed the Middle East

Waste & Recycling Expo. Read on to know more.

ECO-TECH 66 Adding Incentive to Recycling US Company ECOATM distributed kiosks

where people can trade in their old cellphones and other electronic devices for an immediate cash payment.

68 Zero Energy Gadgets Have a look at the gadgets that are the future of sustainable living, requiring zero electricity.

WORLD

HEALTH

52 Latin America’s sustainable growth challenges

96 Be Sun Smart and Sun Safe to Avoid Skin Cancer

Find out why economic development is a key factor in building a sustainable future in the Latin America region.

LIFESTYLE 24 10 Eco Products You Need This Summer

BUSINESS 28 UAE Awards Carbon Ambassadors Dubai’s young carbon ambassadors have completed the colossal task of turning old shipping containers into bus stops.

26 Using the ‘S’ Word in the Office

Recent survey shows the UK’s lust for sun is tempting skin cancer.

WILDLIFE 72 The Endangered Honeybees These tiny, seemingly insignificant creatures af-

fect human consumption, and hence human life in ways more important than we realize.

76 Only Five Mekong River Irrawaddy Dolphins Remain Between hunting, pollution, and accidental kills, these creatures are on the verge of extinction.

74 Put a Stop to Animal Smuggling

How green is your office? Given the large scale

The popularity of the cockatoo as a pet, is

ronmental impact can be equally high, if sustain-

and East Timor.

on which businesses operate, waste and envi-

causing its decline in the forests of Indonesia

able practices are not put in place.

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BUSINESS

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EDITORIAL

Nature’s Law The waves are rolling toward the shore.

A silent world - An empty core, Lifeless land with nothing more.

The waves are crashing on the shore.

The fabled beast - A mighty roar, Extinction men choose to ignore, And the waves are breaking at the shore.

A new beginning, our fathers - fore, Human nature set to explore, The waves are lapping at the shore.

Seven seas sailed, in the skies we soar, Kingdom’s conquered, blood they pour, Crimson waves rest on the shore.

A fractured earth, relations sore, A greed that breaks our natural core, And the waves are turning on the shore.

Gluttonous rage, We lust for more, And the waves are monsters on the shore.

The tides are turning, The land is raw, Time to face our nature’s law.

And the waves are rolling toward the shore, And the waves are rolling toward the shore, And the waves are rolling toward the shore... Forever more.

UNKNOWN

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June Issue 6 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 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 New York 10022 United States of America Canada Office Ziwira Inc. Toronto, Canada

EDITORIAL The word “sustainable” has become synonymous with UAE in general and Dubai in particular. The infrastructure in Dubai is growing by leaps and bounds and the real estate developers are coming up with new innovative techniques and designs to not only lure the people but also the government bodies. Our cover story this month is about one such developer who is building a “Sustainable City” within Dubai and striving to take green property development to new heights. The project boasts of 100% water recycling and electric cars among other impressive features.

The Carbon Ambassador Program, an initiation by Dubai Carbon Centre of Excellence was commenced to promote a culture of sustainable development among local youth, by engaging them in green activities. At the opening ceremony of the World Green Economy Summit 2015, the young carbon ambassadors and graduates showcased the colossal look of old shipping containers which they have turned into bus stops. Read the full story on (page no. 44).

The German automobile manufacturer Audi claims that they have found a solution to the problem of fuel shortages, and increasing CO2 emissions, by creating an “e-diesel”.

Whether or not the claim is true is yet to be decided, turn to (page no. 62) for more info.

Also, read our review of the new Mercedes- Benz C350 Plug-In Hybrid on (page no. 58).

With increased awareness and technology, we now live in a world where we can recognize the negative impact that we are having on our world, and in particular, our oceans. In her documentary film Mission Blue, Dr. Sylvia Earle shares with us her deep knowledge of the ocean. Read our review of the movie on (page no. 88).

The thrilling part of being a celebrity is the influence that one can have on the public. This month check out what a few celebrities are saying about sustainability and green lifestyle.

Also, don’t miss reading about our green personality this month -- a symbol of peace and discovery - Dame Jane Goodall on (page no. 54).

To address the looming issue of waste management and recycling, the Imdaad Facility Management, organized the Middle East Waste & Recycling Expo 2015. The event was endorsed by the Dubai Municipality and issues of landfills and pollution were discussed.

Read the full report on (page no. 38).

This month we got a chance to interview Pablo Gordienko M. owner of Macaw Lodge, Costa Rica about his breathtakingly beautiful, all natural eco-resort, located South of Turrubares in San José. Go through the exclusive interview on (page no. 56).

Well if you already feel exhausted, we still have more. Get to know about skin cancer, eco products you need this summer and learn some facts about the endangered honeybees.

Hope you enjoy reading this edition, and as always we look forward for your comments and suggestions.

Cheers!

© 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

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BUSINESS

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NEWS & EVENTS

MORE INVESTEMENT NEEDED TO ACHIEVE SUSTAINABILITY United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called on business leaders to expand investment in low-carbon growth and opportunities to

advance sustainable energy for all and tackle climate change, in a state-

ment to The Future of Energy Summit 2015, organized by Bloomberg New Energy Finance. “Energy is a story of global progress,” Mr. Ban Ki-moon

said. “Smart investors are opening new markets, facilitating new business

models, and supporting entrepreneurs in developing countries.” Noting that

global investment in renewable power and fuels in 2014 spiked by more than 15 percent over 2013, with investments in developing countries grow-

ing by more than a third, he pointed out that renewable energies still contribute less than 10 percent of global electricity, but that incentives can shift this forward. Currently, one out of five people live without access to electricity, and nearly 40 percent of the world’s population rely on wood, coal, charcoal or animal waste to cook and heat their homes, leading to over four million deaths each year from

the effects of indoor smoke. Addressing this while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions and tackling climate change is a crucial challenge.

DEWA SEND THEIR FINAL PAPER BILLS

The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has de-

cided to cease its regular paper mailing of utility bills to customers. From now on, customers will only be able to re-

ceive their bills electronically. The state utility provider has said the move follows its commitment to the environment

and smart services. The electronic billing and payment sys-

tem is safer and more efficient than sending by paper, and is much more favorable for the environment. Physical docu-

ments fuel demand to cut down trees in the paper manu-

facturing process. Emails and texts had been sent to alert customers about the change. Electronic billing also carries

the advantage that it provides more convenience, as the Green Bill will be sent out as soon as it is ready and there

will be no need to collect any physical bill. Customers will

have the advantage of viewing their bill anytime, anywhere,

and be able to settle the amount online, instead of wasting precious paper.

UAE DESTROYS OVER 10 TONS OF IVORY The illegal wildlife trade generates an estimated US$19 billion a year, ranking fourth on

the list of the most lucrative illegal activities in the world behind drugs, counterfeiting,

and human trafficking. Poachers target to sell it in East Asia, passing through the UAE.

This illicit trade is responsible for the recurring mass slaughter of elephants and it needs to stop. The UAE sent out this message to wildlife traffickers as it crushed more than 10

tons of raw and crafted ivory seized through the years from its points of entry. “The value of a live elephant is higher than the worth of all the ivory that we see today,” said Dr.

Rashid Ahmad Bin Fahd, Minister of Environment and Water. There is no known market

for ivory in the UAE but it is an important link as it is a transit point between Africa and East Asia. Destroying the tusks, therefore, sends a strong message to wildlife traffickers that they have no chance of smuggling ivory through the UAE. The UAE is the first Arab country to crush its ivory stocks, after the US, China, UK, and France. www.ziwira.com

June Issue 6 2015

MCDONALD’S SUPPLIER IN BEIJING SLAPPED WITH POLLUTION FINE A McDonald’s joint venture in China

supplying its outlets with French fries has been slapped with a record 3.9 mil-

lion yuan ($630,000) fine for water pollution. Beijing Simplot Food Processing is a joint venture between US agribusiness concern J.R. Simplot Company, McDonald’s, and the Beijing Agricultural, Industrial and Commerce General

Company. Established in 1992, Beijing Simplot makes French fries and hash

browns for McDonald’s. The fine comes as China cracks down nationwide on air, water and soil pollution amid rising pub-

lic discontent over health concerns, and

national embarrassment of the blight on the image of the world’s second-largest economy. In November, inspectors dis-

covered that a water quality indicator in Beijing Simplot Food Processing’s waste water exceeded limits and immediately

blocked its pipes, ordering it to treat the water at a processing plant. McDonald’s

said in a statement e-mailed to AFP that

it took the violation “very seriously” and would be monitoring Beijing Simplot’s compliance in the future.

ITALY WILL LEAD GLOBAL CELEBRATIONS OF WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY Italy has been determined as the host of this year’s World Environment Day global celebrations on June 5, in a joint announcement made by the Government of Italy and the United Na-

tions Environment Programme (UNEP). The theme of this year’s World Environment Day was resource efficiency and sustainable consumption and production in the context of the

planet’s regenerative capacity, as captured in

the slogan ‘Seven Billion Dreams. One Planet. Consume with Care’. Affirming WED as a

global public outreach platform, this slogan

emerged as the top choice by the global community through social media voting. “It is an

honor for Italy to work together with UNEP in leading the global celebrations for World Environment Day 2015,” said Italian Minister for

the Environment Gian Luca Galletti. “This year,

WED will focus on the need to respect the carrying capacity of the planet and to manage

natural resources efficiently - all aspects that

are of utmost importance if we really want to ensure prosperity and wellbeing globally.”

CALIFORNIA SETS 2030 EMISSIONS TARGET California is the second largest producer of carbon dioxide

California has been enduring one of the worst droughts in its

Brown has issued an executive order to bring down emissions to

order that links this problem to greenhouse gas emissions and

through fossil fuels among US states. California Governor Jerry 40% below 1990 levels, in the next 15 years. The US state was

already one of the most ambitious in its previous targets and has forced companies to pay for their carbon pollution. He called the plan “the most aggressive benchmark enacted by any govern-

ment in North America to reduce dangerous carbon emissions”.

history, and the governor made this clear as he issued the new

the warming of the Earth. The state is already well on its way to meeting the 2020 goal set by Mr. Brown’s predecessor, Arnold Schwarzenegger. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, the state - which has 12% of the US population - produces 6.9% of the country’s total emissions.

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NEWS & EVENTS

ARTIFICIAL PHOTOSYNTHESIS TURNS WASTE CO2 INTO FUEL In a breakthrough in artificial photosynthesis, researchers have

developed a new system that uses sunlight to convert waste

carbon dioxide into valuable chemical products such as biodegradable plastics, pharmaceuticals, and even liquid fuels.

Scientists with the US Department of Energy (DOE)’s Lawrence

Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) and the University

of California (UC) Berkeley have created a hybrid system of semiconducting nanowires and bacteria that mimics the natural photosynthetic process by which plants use the energy in sunlight to synthesize carbohydrates from carbon dioxide and

water. “We believe our system is a revolutionary leap forward in the field of artificial photosynthesis,” said Peidong Yang, a

chemist with Berkeley Lab’s Materials Sciences Division and

14TH ANNUAL GLOBAL OFFSHORE WIND CONFERENCE From 24-25 June, Renewable UK presents the association’s 14th

annual offshore wind energy conference and exhibition, which takes place over two days, in London, United Kingdom. The UK

has been the world leader in offshore wind since October 2008, with as much capacity already installed as the rest of the world

combined. The total offshore generating capacity in UK waters

provided around 8 terawatt-hours of electricity annually, equiv-

alent to the electricity consumption of around 2 million homes.

Employment growth in the sector has been substantial since the

numbers were first sourced in 2008 and now stands at around 6,830 full time employees. The conference presents an opportunity for people to better understand the benefits of renewable en-

ergy, and for companies interested in switching to wind energy to become familiar with the process.

one of the leaders of the study.

E-WASTE WARNING FROM UN ENVIRONMENT CHIEF At a conference on chemical treaties, the head of the United Nations body tasked with setting the global environmental agenda stressed the need to limit the use of dangerous chemicals and

to find a solution to the masses of electronic waste building up around the world, at a Conference of Parties to three major Con-

ventions on the subject in Geneva. Achim Steiner, Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), told journalists

that the “tsunami of e-waste rolling out over the world” not only accounted for a large portion of the world’s non-recyclable “waste mountain” but also needed dealing with because many elements

found in electronic equipment are potentially hazardous to people and the environment. “Never mind that it is also an economic stupidity because we are throwing away an enormous amount of

raw materials that are essentially re-useable,” said Mr. Steiner. He further added that the amount of such materials that are available above ground in unused electronics now exceeds the amount still

in the ground and he looked to the potential of the Basel Convention to help access ‘urban mines’ by working to better inform people of how to dispose of their e-waste.

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BUSINESS

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June Issue 6 2015

ASIATIC LION NUMBERS INCREASING IN GUJARAT, INDIA Figures from a May headcount by the Gujarat forest officials at

North India until 1880. However, they got cooped in a small area

Asiatic lions, indicated a brisk baby boom that counteracts the

the British Raj, as well as environmental changes, decimated hun-

Gir national park, home to the world’s last surviving members of

population slump in Africa — the only other place where these

kings of the jungle are found. Asiatic lions inhabit Gir’s approximately 22,000 square kilometer expanse, spread over eight districts in the Saurashtra region, though they roamed in much of

as the princely indulgence for game hunting during and before dreds of prides. “We have registered a robust growth in our lion

population, from 411 in 2010 to 523 now, which means a growth of 27 percent,” chief minister Anandiben Patel said, releasing the figures at Gir in Junagadh district.

NEW ZEALAND RECOGNIZES ANIMALS AS ‘SENTIENT BEINGS’ New Zealand has taken a step forward on a global scale for the well-being of animals, by legally recognizing them as ‘sentient’ beings. The amendment to New Zealand law on behalf of the Animal Welfare Amendment was passed on Thursday. The bill

states that animals, like humans, are ‘sentient’ beings – meaning they are able to perceive and feel things. This coincides with last

month New Zealand banning cosmetic testing on animals. “To say that animals are sentient is to state explicitly that they can experience both positive and negative emotions, including pain and

distress,” said Dr. Virginia Williams, chair of the National Animal

Ethics Advisory Committee. “The explicitness is what is new and marks another step along the animal welfare journey.” The new bill is one of many positive strides that New Zealand has made re-

cently in relation to animal welfare and environmental issues. Last

fall, New Zealand joined the fight against whaling in Japan, and in 2012, granted personhood to Whanganui River to protect it.

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LIFESTYLE

2 1

ALL-NATURAL SUNSCREEN

Smells like chocolate! The list of ingredients in Raw Elements sunscreen includes green and black tea, beeswax, coffee bean, cocoa and mango butters.

Rated as a top sunscreen for children, its non-GMO,

organic, all-natural, cruelty-free, and reef-safe.

EARTH-FRIENDLY GLADIATOR SANDALS Gladiator sandals are still in this summer

so get the eco-friendly version from Planet Shoes. They stock only environmentally

friendly sourced materials, practice sustainable business and offer carbon-free

3

shipping.

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EC

PROD

YOU NEE SUM 4

SOMETHING YELLOW Try this Eileen Fisher hemp and organ-

ic cotton yellow scoop neck summer

dress. Cool, easy to wear, and pretty!

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UPCYCLED NECKLACE Be kind to Mother Nature and accessorize with a recycled soda can necklace from Etsy.com

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6 5

ORGANIC COTTON BEACH TOWEL

CO

Before you pack that beach towel,

double check that it’s organic to

protect your body from chemical

exposure. Spiaggia beach towels are

made in Turkey from 100% organic cotton, repel sand and dry quickly.

DUCTS

ECO-FRIENDLY SWIMWEAR When choosing the ultimate swimsuit be aware that the production of synthetic material is very polluting to the environment.

Look for organic or recycled fabrics and responsible brands. This stylish teal one-piece by UK brand Kiss Me Deadly is made from upcycled materials. Riz makes men’s board shorts from 100% recycled and recyclable polyester.

ECO BEACH BAG

Set off to the seaside with this Carry Green beach

bag with cane handles, naturally crafted from jute, which is a vegetable fiber.

ED THIS MMER

CHEMICAL-FREE DEODORANT

7

8

Conventional deodorants contain aluminum

and parabens, both bad for you and the

environment. Antiperspirants also obstruct the

body’s natural process. Opt for a chemical-free product with organic ingredients. Weleda’s range comes in citrus, sage and wild rose.

DR. BRONNER’S CASTILLE SOAP

9

Minus the frills, Dr. Bronner’s pure castile soap is all you will ever need.

10

All products are certified organic, fair-trade and vegan. The Citrus Conditioning Hair Rinse will give you a fresh feel and look for the summer.

HEMP SUNGLASSES Ditch the plastic for hemp, a more

sustainable fiber, now being used in

sunglasses. Get these unisex Crosby

Hemp sunglasses from Hemp Eyewear, handmade in the UK.

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BUSINESS

USING THE ‘S’ WORD IN THE OFFICE How green is your office? Given the large scale on which businesses operate, waste and environmental impact can be equally high, if sustainable practices are not put in place.

B

y now, many of us are making efforts to green our lives

sands of documents will improve productivity, then so be it –

rubbish or composting food waste. But the average working

person spends 8 to 9 hours at the office, away from the home.

idea of changing traditional operating practices and introducing new sustainable measures to the workplace in a long-term

at home, whether it’s using LED lightbulbs, separating our

So isn’t it high time we start using the ‘S’ word more often in the

workplace? Why are we so afraid to utter the word ‘Sustainable’ or ‘Recycle’ to our colleagues?

Perhaps it’s because green practices are still fairly new to the corporate world, where profits dictate everything. Anyone who

mentions it, is easily pinpointed as the office geek, a hippie,

or someone making much ado about nothing. If printing thou-

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this has been the norm until now. No one is ever akin to the

commitment. But some companies are slowly realizing that a green business can actually mean a more profitable business.

The benefits include lower costs, higher productivity, more consumer appeal and above all, a cleaner, longer lasting planet.

Here are a few guidelines for adopting sustainable practices in the office.

June Issue 6 2015

CARPOOL

Millions of watts are wasted by lighting empty offices

Every day millions of individuals are travelling in

save energy.

contributes 18% to global GHG emissions. Arrange

UTILIZE TELECONFERENCING TECHNOLOGY

their own cars or by public transport. Road transport

a carpool for people travelling from the same area.

In addition to the personal benefits, this will reduce employee impact on traffic while, preserving energy resources.

PACK A GREEN LUNCH Packing a green lunch is healthier and you will save

on gas. Pack high protein meals with plenty of veg-

gies and fruit to snack on instead of oily crisps. Use

BPA free lunch boxes or recyclable lunch wrap and recycle plastic biscuit wrappers and paper cups. If you are providing coffee and confectionaries for the

employees, try to choose the healthiest options, such as Fairtrade organic coffee, and buy in bulk to reduce packaging and trips to the store.

GO PAPERLESS! Going digital will save paper, and provide easier data recall. Paperless boardrooms are now becoming more popular and more feasible with new emerg-

ing technologies. For instance, meeting notes can be recorded directly onto a laptop or iPad. Also, think

twice before printing anything. Most modern desktop

operating systems now feature robust search functions which allow you to find any document from any

date and digital networks allow for easy document sharing.

and parking lots, so switch off before you leave and

Broadband network connections and real-time in-

stant messaging and teleconferencing tools allow virtual conferences that can save on travelling as well as man hours. With travel being more expensive

and more polluting than in previous years, it makes sense to replace some trips and conventions with electronic events.

REDUCE INDOOR AIR POLLUTION The office space is usually full of artificial fibers and finished surfaces that may disperse volatile organic

compounds (VOCs) into the air. Some office equipment, such as fax machines, copiers and printers

emit pollutants and odors. Keep office air condi-

tioning and ventilation equipment in good condition by conducting regular maintenance and service

checks. Consider air quality when making purchase decisions.

BUY UPCYCLED OFFICE EQUIPMENT AND FURNITURE Expect to save up to 50 percent on second hand

RECYCLE

equipment and furniture. Recycled office supplies

Whether its large documents or just little scraps of

desks. This will keeping older equipment out of land-

paper, recycling is a given. Not only is it kinder to the

environment, recyclable paper may actually be an

income-generating commodity for larger offices and businesses. Set up convenient recycling bins around the workplace. Aim for zero waste!

USE SMART LIGHTING

are available from paper to printer cartridges to

fills and saving resources which would have been used to manufacture something new.

SHUT DOWN ELECTRONICS AT NIGHT Make sure that computers are shut down properly

Natural lighting is both healthy and free. If your office

before you leave the office. A computer uses almost

furniture so that the natural light gets in at the best

er as a spreadsheet or any other routine task. If they

lighting at each desk instead of roof fixtures. If you

by idling. Take a moment to shut down at the end of

windows are blocked by storage units, arrange the

the same amount of energy to produce a screensav-

angle. You could also install smaller energy efficient

are left on all night, they would just be wasting power

are using CFL (compact fluorescent light) bulbs, dis-

the day and save thousands of watts per year.

pose them off correctly and recycle what you can.

For a more detailed guide on how to green your office, find an Environmental Consulting firm in your area. Many of them offer workshops on sustainable practices in the workplace.

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BUSINESS

UAE AWARDS CARBON AMBASSADORS Dubai’s young carbon ambassadors have completed the colossal task of turning old shipping containers into bus stops

L

ast year, the UAE celebrated

World Environment Day by

announcing the very first team of Carbon Ambassadors, a group of 40 university students selected for their will to contribute to a low

carbon economy. Since then,

they have been working together

my Summit 2015 in Dubai. Each

“At Dubai Carbon, we are undeterred in helping develop future leaders. These university students are showing great promise, and must cultivate their interest further. It is imperative that our youth adopt a green frame of mind, and it is up to us to make this happen.”

to turn old shipping containers

member was personally awarded

by the CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), Mr. Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer.

The Carbon Ambassador Pro-

gramme is an initiative of the Dubai Carbon Centre of Excel-

into self-sustaining bus-stops, which are now fully complete and

lence, in an attempt to “promote a culture of sustainable devel-

in sustainability efforts, while at the same time creating some-

ties.” It is supported by DEWA, as well as the UAE Ministry of

ready for implementation. What better way to engage the youth

opment among local youth by engaging them in green activi-

thing practical out of waste material? The team of participants

Foreign Affairs and UNDP.

recently graduated at the opening of The World Green Econowww.ziwira.com

June Issue 6 2015

The program is entirely voluntary, and allows students who are interested in sustainable development to have hands on

involvement in real projects that make a difference, providing them with necessary training and capacity building. Students

were invited to submit their applications, and were selected on the basis of their individual interests, and motivation. A total of

40 students were selected, and then divided into smaller teams.

Surprisingly, the group comprised mostly Emirati females, with just a handful of male participants.

The 2014/2015 program was supervised by strategic partner, DP World, a global marine terminal operator, who supplied the

20ft shipping containers, and allocated $10,000 to each team for the construction of each project. A mentor from the company

was on hand to coach and assist the students on eco-friendly ways of adapting the containers for urban use. Further support also came from a number of young sustainability and MEP en-

In adopting a green approach to the design and implementa-

tion of the project, students had to consider sustainable meth-

ods of energy generation and consumption for each bus stop.

The first step for the students was to finalize the technical designs to create a fully sustainable containerized bus stop using

locally sourced tools and renewable energy. Some of the inno-

vations used were solar panels, wind turbines, motion sensors, LED lights and other low energy consuming devices and eco-

friendly materials. The conversion of the containers took place at the Dubai International Humanitarian City.

One of the participants, Fatma Alyousuf, a Computer Engineering & Biology student commented: “I think students are aware

of climate change only if they are studying something to do with environment. Business Studies students don’t really seem to care that much.”

gineers from BuroHappol, who helped the students understand

“Yes it is a huge responsibility to be part of a generation that has

helping them to devise sophisticated cooling systems for the

though, when I’m driving my car, sometimes I decide not to take

energy balance, and energy efficiency modelling, as well as

to carry the future, but we try not to think about it too much! Al-

containers.

a particular route if it’s too long, because I think of the carbon

DP World Chairman Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem said, “Educat-

emissions, and I say oh no, that’s too much!” she said.

ing future generations in sustainability practice and green tech-

The completed bus stops are at the moment awaiting funding,

duty to promote measures to protect the environment and busi-

Ambassadors Programme was launched as an annual project,

make more resources available to help tackle the environmental

ing applications for the 2015/2016 class of Carbon Ambassa-

such programmes.”

carbon reducing project will be announced soon.

nologies is an initiative we are keen to support. We all have a

upon which they will be implemented into city life.The Carbon

nesses can play a major role as well. By partnering together we

with a new team selected each year. DEWA is currently review-

issues that face the world and we are delighted to contribute to

dors and the all-new team of participants along with an all-new

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COVER STORY

RAISING THE BAR ON GREEN LIVING The new Sustainable City in Dubai is taking green property development to new heights. The project boasts 100% water recycling and electric cars among other impressive features.

D

riving into Sustainable City, we are met with nothing more

The idea started in 2010, when three colleagues of Diamond

nificent wonder it will eventually become, is not difficult, espe-

cially in a place like Dubai, which has seen property boom on

university at the time was planning a sustainable city of its

own, that focused mainly on water and energy saving. Inspired

than a dirt road. Hardly luxurious. But to visualize the mag-

an unprecedented scale. Sustainable City, however, is not just

any other property development. As the name suggests, it is set

to be the first ever self-sustaining community, with environmental concern embedded in every aspect imaginable.

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Developers visited the Sacramento University, UC Davis. The

by the concept, the team decided to build on this and create

something truly groundbreaking back home. Construction began in February last year and will be wrapped up in 2016. Once complete, the project will be worth 1.2 billion dirhams.

June Issue 6 2015

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34

COVER STORY

The team at Diamond Developers ( Left to Right ):

Emil Samarah (Cheif Commercial Officer), Wasssim Adlouni (Executive Director) & Faris Saeed (CEO)

The company is still fairly new on the market, established

in 2003, with only 3 other projects to their name. This

is the very first time they are incorporating green building practices

and

sustainabil-

ity into a project. All previous developments were operated

as conventional business, ac-

Located in Dubailand, Sus-

“We at Diamond Developers are always trying to raise the bar when it comes to setting our targets.

The Sustainable City is a practical implementation of the concept of sustainability into a reality. What is unique about this project is that it’s the first integrated, completely sustainable city in the region, with different components, such as commercial, residential, entertainment, and so on.”

cording to CEO Faris Saeed.

FARIS SAEED CEO

Environmental awareness is now a part of the company’s mis-

sion statement, as they hope to change their entire image and philosophy as well as to set a benchmark for others in the region to follow. Countries like Saudi Arabia and Indonesia are already

interested in replicating the concept of Sustainable City in their respective countries on a much larger scale. www.ziwira.com

tainable City spans across 46 hectares of land and accom-

modates 2,700 residents. It has five residential clusters with 100 villas in each, and is

surrounded by a buffer zone

of four rows of trees. People can move in by the end of

phase one, which is set for Q3 this year. Phase 1 of the

project comprises the residences, a community mall, a central

green spine, an equestrian center, a 1km jogging and cycling

track and all project infrastructural works. Phase 2 which comprises an eco-resort, a country club, a green school, a science

museum and a research and training center, is scheduled for completion by the end of 2016.

June Issue 6 2015

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36

COVER STORY

Other attractive features include organic farming, storm water

dust coming into the city, provide shade and reduce noise and

tric buggies and charging stations that operate on renewable

ing ease of access to all inhabitants. Along this green spine, will

collection, a community pool and gym, and free access to elecenergy. In addition, property owners will receive a 10,000 dirham subsidy to purchase their own electric cars.

Already 50% of the residences have been sold to people of 25

different nationalities, all based in the UAE. A portion of 40% will be retained for renting.

The green spine is a unique and clever concept of Sustainable City, serving as a buffer zone to improve air quality, minimize www.ziwira.com

air pollution. It runs through the center of the entire city, allowbe 11 bio-domes, each growing organic produce that will be available to residents, free of charge. Each dome is 300 square meters in size, and 7 meters high. Herbs such as mint, as well as the natural sweetener, Stevia are among the plants already being grown in the domes. In addition, several other outdoor

trees will be grown on either side of the domes, such as mango,

citrus and papaya. Two man-made lakes will be used to irrigate these trees using high-tech water saving irrigation methods.

June Issue 6 2015

ENERGY BREAKTHROUGH An electricity bill for residents living in Sustainable City will be

no more than 25 to 30 percent of a conventional bill, say the developers. While a typical house in Dubai uses 170kw, these use only 80kw.

also house conferences related to the subject. Already, com-

mitments have been made from UC Davis, University of Cairo,

and the American University of Beirut among others to join the center.

The city is planned to run on at least 75% solar power, with the possibility of achieving a higher rate than this. Every roof top has solar PV panels, every house has a solar powered water

heating system and all car parks are covered with solar panels.

The energy from the car

It goes without saying, that there will be several recycling bins

around the premises. Since Diamond Developers also own one

of the country’s main waste management companies, Tadweer, they will take care of all recycling at the plant. Composting will be done on site.

park roofs will be used to

As far as green building

light public areas.

The

Garden

Courtyard

equipped

Villas

with

are

rating systems is con-

and

cerned, CEO Faris Saeed

all

said, the company is cur-

Green

rently developing their

Star appliances that are

own rating system, as the

energy efficient. It also

standards of sustainabil-

boasts 100% grey and

ity incorporated in the de-

black water recycling. All

velopment go far beyond

interiors are non-toxic,

what is already out there.

non VOC emitting and the

He confirmed that the

rooftop furniture supplied

project was 50% self-fi-

is all eco-friendly. Walls

nanced, 25% from banks

are properly insulated to

and investors and 25%

maximize cooling.

financed from off plant

and a nursery also has

“We have also signed an agreement with the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), who will provide two electric buses to transport residents from the complex to the nearest metro station”

studios plus 1 & 2 bed-

FARIS SAEED CEO

The

Community

Mall,

which hosts shops, ca-

fes, restaurants, a clinic, 89 rental apartments with rooms. It’s a unique con-

cept, in the sense that when you buy an apartment, you receive shares equivalent to the size in square meters. The money generated from the shares goes towards maintenance, eliminating service fee charges for residents.

The region’s first sustainable mosque with a capacity of 700 people, will be built using all green building materials. Resi-

dents will also have convenient access to the Green School and students can enjoy regular field trips to the onsite organic urban

farms. The aim is to provide everything you need to minimize the number of trips between the city and the outside world.

The Sustainability Center of Excellence is another highlight of the development, and is poised to be a fully-fledged center dedicated to the research and training in sustainability. It will

sales. The villas will sell

for 3.8 to 5million dirhams

each, and renting will be from 100,000 to 150,000 dirhams.

The project has enjoyed support from the Dubai

Land Department, and the Dubai Electricity and Water Author-

ity (DEWA). Initially there was difficulty in obtaining permits because it is a new concept in Dubai, and they had to explain

many of the details to authorities. Eventually, with the support

of the Dubai Municipality, the project was given the green light.

Carbon monitoring will be a continuous process, according to Saeed, as the ultimate aim of Diamond Developers is to reduce

the carbon footprint not only of the company, but of the community at large.

If it seems too good to be true, or perhaps unsuited to the aver-

age budget, rest assured, Mr. Saeed personally affirmed that

they do plan to build similar sustainability projects in the future, that are more affordable.

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38

BUSINESS

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June Issue 6 2015

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40

FEATURE

By Zane Small

MANAGING WASTE IN THE EMIRATES Human beings love to create things – it’s one of our best qualities – we are so creative!

However, much of what we create, eventually becomes unusable or irrelevant. Think about your cellphone for example – one day it will stop functioning, and you will throw it in the trash. Eventually everything people dispose of, ends up in a huge landfill, polluting the ground. In response to this issue, the Dubai Municipality endorsed the Middle East Waste & Recycling Expo, to address the looming issue of waste management.

WASTE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE In the grand halls of the Dubai World Trade Centre, a

has responded swiftly to waste management develop-

cling Expo on May 20. The conference aimed to specifi-

address. It was reported that waste generated by the

conference was held in addition to the Waste & Recycally address “establishing a regulatory framework to deliver sustainable waste management strategies in the MENA (Middle East & North Africa) region,” although

it seemed to focus solely on the UAE. As one of the

most rapidly growing countries in the world, the UAE

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ment, before it becomes an issue that is too difficult to UAE will increase from 6.6 million tons in 2010 to 8.4 million tons by 2017. For the entire Arabian Gulf, almost 29

million tons of waste will be generated, creating a waste

management industry that could be worth AED 6 billion.

April Issue 4 2015

REUSE & RECYCLE In an effort to educate the people of Dubai about waste management, a few educated individuals shared their expert knowledge to the audience of the conference. The opening panel

was based on “creating a regulatory framework to accelerate the transition from waste disposal to reuse and recycling”.

The panelists included Sheikh Mohammed Al Harthy, Executive Vice President, Strategic Development Unit, Be’Ah Oman; Richard Davidson from the Center for Waste Management in

capita by 2021. He then went on to explain the difficulty waste management facilities face with determining what is waste and

what isn’t. “We need to determine what kind of waste manage-

ment programs would be suitable for particular Emirates. We

also need a regulatory project to promote recycling.” Other valid points that Mohammed made included: •

The importance of having a market for recycled prod-

•

The importance of identifying policies we need in the

•

“Waste classification policy” – Can this waste be recy-

Abu Dhabi, and Dr. Udayan Banerjee, Environment, Health and Safety Specialist, Center for Waste Management.

Dr. Udayan spoke about the importance of consultation and collaboration between the Emirates, to implement success-

ful waste management. “We are currently developing a waste

master plan for Abu Dhabi. We need to have a good system to

•

Need standardization of gate fees at dumping sites to

•

“If you really separate waste well, it can be reused.”

ing into Dubai with a very short lifespan, and then disposed of creating unnecessary e-waste.”

cled? We need to be able to determine the difference hazardous non-recyclable waste.

waste as a resource.” He very cleverly compared the idea to eradicate counterfeit trade. “Duplicate smartphones are com-

UAE.

between non-hazardous recyclable waste, and non-

address issues of waste management. We need to start seeing

“reincarnation”. He also made a good point about the need to

ucts.

control the issue of illegal dumping sites.

In relation to recycling, Richard Davidson spoke about the importance of the government to keep each Emirate in check, and

the “need for a consistent standardization approach.” Mohammed Al Harthy urged the audience to “look at the whole story

of waste,” and the relevance of strategic planning. He said that there is currently a waste management master plan in develop-

ment, where facilities are being reviewed, and regulatory instruments are being put in place, and determining what targets are

being set. One of the confirmed targets is to reach 0.9kg per

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FEATURE

QUESTIONS TO THE PANEL Q: WHEN CAN WE EXPECT A UNIFIED WASTE MODEL? A: The Ministry of Environment is developing national regulations, however, there is still a lot more to be done. Maybe in the next 3-4

years we can expect to see a complete model. Waste movement is now a close coordination between Dubai and Abu Dhabi. It is

also being implemented in Fujairah, and other Emirates. Coordination is very important.

Q: WHAT IS GOING TO ACCELERATE ALL THIS CHANGE? PENALTIES? ENFORCEMENTS?

A: The Department of Waste agency is enforcing new policies.

Governments are serious about meeting the 2021 target. In some cases, AED 100,000 fines can be issued for breaching policies

e.g. illegal dumping sites. Each Emirate needs to figure out its own way to deal with the issue.

EDUCATION The second panel focused on “education and incentives to im-

prove recycling in the Middle East.” Speakers on the panel in-

cluded Salam Al Sharif, Chairman, Sharif Group; Ambassador to the Middle East, Bureau of International Recycling; President of Bureau of Middle East Recycling. In addition, Muhammed Insa-

nullah Qamar, Cluster Director of Environment, Health & Safety, Al Bustan Rotana and Al Murooj Rotana also spoke, as well as

S. Madhumohan, Director of Waste Management Services, of Dulsco. The panel focused on the issue of “changing behavior”,

and the importance of “incentives” for recycling, which Madhumohan pointed out. He also noted that the UAE is on the right

track, having sorting facilities in action for a year now. The major issue is “educating people, and the need to get the message

out.” Salam Al Sharif spoke about the need to stop using the word “waste” and to think of it as “raw materials”. “If you recycle 1 ton

of paper, it is equal to 17 pulp trees.” Muhammed addressed the challenge of monitoring waste. He believes it is important for peo-

ple to not expect a reward for recycling, by “creating a positive message and establishing community cooperation. Dubai and Sharjah have good sorting facilities. Unless we have facilities to sort waste, then there is no point to it. Facilities and educational programs are in the process of implementation.”

www.ziwira.com

June Issue 6 2015

DUBAI’S BEST KEPT SECRET The third panel was without a doubt the most intriguing. It was presented by Karl Feilder, CEO and founder of Neutral Fuels. Clearly a guy who doesn’t take himself

too seriously, he humored the crowd by explaining that he was only in his current

position because his wife told him that it was time he did something “more useful

than making money”. With considerable previous success in the IT industry, in 2009 he

moved to the UAE, where he started his business Neutral Fuels, which is now expanding across the Asia Pacific/Middle East/Africa regions.

“We take waste cooking oil, and produce effective biofuel.”

– KARL FEILDER CEO of Neutral Fuels.

The “best kept secret” is Neutral Fuels implementation of bio-

•

Made from waste product.

Clearly many people in the audience were surprised, as it al-

•

Doesn’t have to be imported.

•

Burns cleaner.

•

50 percent less carbon soot.

as Mercedes-Benz, Deutz, Caterpillar, and Iveco. Neutral Fuels

•

84 percent more efficient than fossil fuels.

livery trucks. Astonishingly, they are able to sell biofuel at the

•

No engine modification required.

The biggest issue the company faces is the exportation of UAE

•

No loss of fuel economy.

fuel. “We take waste cooking oil and produce effective biofuel.” most seemed too good to be true. Karl assured the audience that it has been in operation for five years, but the industry has

been tarnished by online bloggers doubting it. However, Karl

completely backs the idea, with support from big brands such currently supplies Dubai McDonald’s with biofuel for their de-

same price as regular diesel, and “fuel efficiency is the same.” cooking oil. Karl outlined some of the benefits of his revolutionary biofuel.

QUESTIONS TO THE PANEL Q: WHY DON’T MORE PEOPLE USE IT? A: At this stage, biofuel can only become

widespread if governments stop subsidiz-

ing mineral diesel, and subsidize biofuels instead. Food companies with waste oil also need to be aware of the potential use for it.

We are currently working with schools to ex-

plain biodiesel fuel, to encourage children to collect waste cooking oil. The greatest risk

to any biodiesel business is obtaining a consistent supply of feedstock. What’s more,

feedstock can account for up to 95 percent of biodiesel production costs.

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46

INDUSTRY

FROM POLLUTION TO SOLUTION Carbon Capture and Storage needs backing to succeed on a large scale.

“The utilization of CO2 within a green economy framework encourages investments in green tech and clean energy. This is in line with UAE government initiatives and the strategy to diversify energy sources.”

ENG. RASHED KARKAIN

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June Issue 6 2015

As economies grow, so do greenhouse gas emis-

sions. The US Department of Energy recently re-

ported that emissions rose 0.7 percent last year,

as the country’s GDP rose by 2.4 percent, and historical data shows similar trends. Hence, a cleaner,

The CCS process involves separation of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, transporting it to a stor-

age location, followed by long term isolation from the atmosphere. This process can be very costly.

guilt-free economy must rest on clean industrial

“For any environmental project it is very difficult to

like an ideal option, but it would need much more

have a lot of stakeholders involved to make such

solutions. Carbon Capture and Storage may seem

find a cash in hand revenue for it, so you need to

international backing to succeed at a large scale.

projects succeed and to sustain,” explains Karkain.

Eng. Rashed Karkain, a member of the Dubai Mu-

without an integrated approach.

nicipality and avid environmental researcher, would like to see Carbon Capture and Storage used on a

He emphasizes that it would simply not be possible

“It is essential to have support from government

bigger scale in his country.

and private companies, tech owners, investors and

Given that CO2 makes up 72% of total greenhouse

is a must and there must also be proper legislation.

gases globally, the case for innovation could not

be made more urgent. According to the IEA (International Energy Agency), more than 70% of

the world’s electricity is from fossil fuels and in the MENA region, 41% of carbon emissions come from

educational and R&D institutes. Such collaboration

We are talking about something we don’t see here, so we can’t take high risks. Proper measures must

be in place if we are to minimize our contribution to global warming,” he says.

power plants. Saudi Arabia contributes 1.3% of

According to Karkain, there are a lot of pilot projects

pected to rise.

scale.His research paper has been sent to DEWA

“For years now we have all known that carbon diox-

Hopefully by the end of the year there will be some

global carbon emissions. But renewables are ex-

ide is a pollutant. It is one of the major greenhouse gases that contributes to global warming. However that is now changing. The recent approach pro-

vides ground that it can be seen as a resource. This involves taking something that is known to be a pol-

in Dubai, but CCS projects do not exist yet on a big (Dubai Electricity and Water Authority) for review.

certainty. Currently, there are two main sewage treatment plants in Dubai that could provide good

opportunities for CCS, according to Karkain, each producing around 250,000 cubic meters of gas.

lutant and getting something good out of it. So, we

The IEA has also proposed that CCS can provide

than as a pollutant,” says Karkain.

would require 3,000 CCS plants. According the

A Bloomberg report further supports this notion

2050 will come from fossil fuels, emphasizing the

should start to see CO2 as renewable energy rather

of embracing green initiatives, rather than shy-

ing away from them out of fear that the economy will suffer. It suggests that even though emissions

rise as economies grow, in recent years, the rise in emissions has been relatively flat, illustrating that efforts to cut down on air pollution do not necessarily

20% of the carbon cuts needed by 2050. That agency, 70% of the energy used between now and importance of CCS. “Without it, renewables, energy efficiency and nuclear power would have to significantly overshoot their already challenging targets,” says the IEA.

So far, the US has the largest CCS projects, which

hinder economic expansion.

it uses for enhanced oil recovery (EOR). Many other

The Obama administration has officially committed

even China has CCS plants, but the cost still re-

to reducing emissions by as much as 28 percent

by 2025, a move that would not be possible without

countries such as the UK, Canada, Australia and mains high.

renewable energy solutions.

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48

INDUSTRY

DRILLING NIGHTMARES Ruthless oil companies make their case for drilling for the sake of the economy, while the rest of our hearts ache for the sake of the environment and its wildlife.

Despite warnings of climate change acceleration due to the burning of

fossil fuels, and amidst recent divestment campaigns, there are still plans to drill for oil in some of the world’s most pristine locations.

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June Issue 6 2015

ARCTIC DRILLING

terbury after an operator reportedly pushed a lever the wrong

Perhaps the most talked about recent drilling controversy has

The report also highlighted that the number of “dangerous pe-

been Shell’s proposed exploration and rigging in the Arctic.

The Royal Dutch Shell oil rig, called Polar Pioneer, is making

its way to Alaska for oil exploration during the summer openwaters season. If permits are approved drilling will take place in October. But the company’s efforts have so far been met with

significant opposition from locals and environmental activists,

especially Greenpeace, whose members boarded the rig in April and have since been trying to raise public awareness to stop the escapade.

A study published in the journal Nature found that if we want to

protect our planet from further catastrophic climate change, we need to keep Arctic oil in the ground. If Shell’s rigs begin pumping oil and gas in the Arctic, the entire planet will be affected.

According to new information, the company also failed to alert investors of the full risks involved and omitted the total cost of

an oil-spill cleanup in reports to shareholders. If there is a major spill, it could cost the oil company and its shareholders an entire year’s worth of profit, and its information like this that can

determine the financial prospects of the project and whether it goes ahead at all. Andy Sharpless, the CEO of environmental advocacy group Oceana said, “There is no proven way to clean

up a spill in icy Arctic conditions, and Shell has an obligation to make investors aware of that.”

Over the past decade, Shell has invested more than $6 billion

on its Arctic drilling program. In December 2012, Shell attempted a similar feat in Alaska, but its drill rig ran in an accident that

the Coast Guard attributed primarily to the company’s “inad-

equate assessment and management of risks.” Now, the company intends to spend $1 billion more on its efforts to drill in the

Chukchi Sea during the summer of 2015. According to the US Department of Interior, there is a 75 percent chance of a spill greater than 1,000 barrels.

NEW ZEALAND

way. It was later retrieved by an unmanned submarine.

troleum occurrences” rose last year to 61 incidents, compared

to 54 in 2013. Of those occurrences, 36 were due to damage or failure of critical safety equipment and seven were classified as fires or explosions.

Lynda Kitchingham, spokeswoman for activist group, No Drill

Kaikoura, described the findings as an “outrage”, considering that Anadarko had released statements saying that deep water wells could be safely drilled in New Zealand waters.

Following an announcement that an additional 425,206 square kilometers of deep water around New Zealand would be available for oil exploration, Greenpeace climate and energy

spokesperson Steve Abel said that deep sea drilling risks a catastrophic oil spill that could irreparably damage New Zealand’s oceans, coasts, economy and way of life. Renewable en-

ergy advocates maintain that the country’s geothermal land and weather are conducive to the implementation of renewables, as an alternative to oil and gas.

AUSTRALIA’S GREAT BARRIER REEF Australia’s Great Barrier Reef faces imminent threat from mining

giant Adani, who plans to build a coal mine on Abbot Point. The

Carmichael coal and railway project aims to build Australia’s largest thermal coal mine in the north Galilee Basin, linked by a 388 km railway line to a new terminal at Abbot Point Port.

The company plans to sell the coal in India for profit, and is pushing ahead despite strong environmental opposition. Adani

has recently come under fire for allegedly inflating the number

of jobs the project will create. Its million dollar worth has grown mostly from plastic imports and coal mines, not the most environmentally friendly industries.

UK based Standard Chartered bank, who was advising Adani

In New Zealand, a local news report recently revealed a list

on how to finance the project, is now considering backing out.

went unpublicized. The news agency filed a request under the

business in the controversial coal mine that critics say not only

oil drilling ships in New Zealand waters. This came after pro-

carbon budget. Three French banks have already declined

of dangerous incidents caused by the petroleum industry that

The bank said it will review its involvement and halt all related

Official Information Act to reveal safety incidents on deep sea

threatens the Great Barrier Reef but will also surpass the global

testors took to the streets during the Auckland Oil Summit in a

funding the project.

peaceful march to stop deep sea oil drilling.

Critics have warned that the proposed mine will damage the

Both petrol companies and Government have continuously re-

UNESCO-protected Great Barrier Reef, which is home to sev-

ly, and without any incidents of spillage. But the report broke the

of its coral in the past 30 years and is already considered as

assured the public that deep sea drilling was taking place safe-

eral species of fish, algae and coral. The reef has lost over half

façade. In one of these incidents, American oil giant Anadarko

endangered due to pollution and climate change.

dropped a seven-ton platform from its ship off the coast of Can-

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50

INDUSTRY

KAROO

AMAZON

South Africa’s coveted and untainted Karoo is yet

As if it couldn’t get any worse, Ecuador is now also

through fracking. The government has invested

which is part of the Amazon rainforest. Ecuador set

another potential victim of shale gas exploration

12.5 million rand into a recently launched Strategic Environmental Assessment, in an effort to gather

enough evidence to make informed decisions regarding the project.

Both government officials and industry leaders say

they want to ensure safe and sustainable explo-

planning oil exploration in its Yasuni National Park, a new Guinness World Record in May when its citizens planted more than 640,000 trees in a single day. But environmentalists say this will be com-

pletely nullified by President Rafael Correa’s backing of the proposed new drilling, which will likely destroy a considerable portion of the rainforest.

ration but the intentions for fracking are strongly

The Yasuni National Park is one of the world’s most-

munity. One petition garnered 16,500 signatures.

last indigenous communities living in voluntary iso-

opposed by environmentalists and the local comJohnathan Deal, a Karoo anti-fracking leader also

set up an NGO called Treasure the Karoo Action Group, which has become a social media phenom-

enon. The Karoo region has been described as “water-poor” and “ecologically sensitive.” Fracking will use up millions of liters of water and release

toxic, carcinogenic chemicals into the atmosphere.

biologically diverse and home to one of Ecuador’s lation. President Correa launched a plan to protect the area back in 2007, but later backtracked when

funding fell flat. Despite protests, he is now fully supporting oil exploration in the Amazon region,

asserting that the extra oil revenue will help lift the country from poverty.

Adam Zuckerman of the conservation group Ama-

zon Watch said, “Those half-million acres that drilling would destroy are crucial to the indigenous peoples that call it home, the Amazon’s ecosystem, and our global climate.”

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June Issue 6 2015

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52

WORLD

POOR URBAN PLANNING, INEQUALITY IMPEDE LATIN AMERICA’S SUSTAINABLE GROWTH

“The rapidity, intensity and impact of global risks are exacerbated by higher population density, especially when cities are not carefully planned. For example, the human and economic losses are multiplied when natural catastrophes occur in a city and are even more substantial when informal settlements are affected.

LAC is a region which is particularly vulnerable to natural disasters. A failure of urban planning makes its population, and more specifically the poorest part of it, extremely vulnerable.”

WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM (WEF)

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June Issue 6 2015

T

his year’s World Economic Forum (WEF) on Latin America, which

heard at the Forum in Mexico. The region has shown genuine concern in

took place from 6-8 May in Mexico, saw 700 leaders from all sec-

global environmental efforts, but with poor distribution of wealth and re-

tors come together to discuss and better understand the risks and

sources, real solutions will be slow to materialize. For example, Brazil’s

challenges faced by the region. As all countries, big or small gear towards a

Environment Minister Izabella Teixeira, has committed to increasing the use

climate deal in Paris this December, economic development is a key factor

of renewable energy, targeting zero-net deforestation, and low-carbon ag-

in building a sustainable future.

riculture. But in order to do this, more foreign capital and technology will be required.

According to the WEF Global Risks Report 2015, 23.3 percent of respondents surveyed in Latin America believe the country’s urban planning is at

Alancay Morales, a representative of WEF’s youth led program Global Shap-

risk of failure. This may present serious problems in the regions sustain-

ers, highlighted that the indigenous people need to be consulted in policy

able development goals and lead to poor resource management. With 80%

making, as they can play a role in sustainability. He said Latin America’s

of Latin America’s population living in cities and with the urban population

indigenous communities have rights over the forests, as well as intimate

expected to grow by 86% by 2050, one would hope sustainable urban plan-

knowledge of the ecosystems. Have preserved the biodiversity of the region

ning and green building practices are firmly in place, if not now, then in the

until now and can provide insight on how to further do so.

near future.

So far, Costa Rica has made impressive ground in recent months by powerAccording to the WEF, urbanization puts pressure on existing infrastructure

ing itself completely with solar energy. Mexico also hosted the UN climate

and affects the availability and quality public transport, sanitation, energy

talks in Cancun in 2010, and became the first developing country to an-

and water supply and healthcare. Without careful planning, there will be

nounce its contribution to the new climate agreement. Several Latin Ameri-

negative impacts on general living conditions, social inclusion and eco-

can leaders are also actively involved in UN climate change debates. Costa

nomic opportunities.

Rican Diplomat Christiana Figueres leads the UN climate change convention and former Mexican president Felipe Calderón chairs the Global Com-

“The rapidity, intensity and impact of global risks are exacerbated by

mission on the Economy and Climate. Brazil remains the region’s biggest

higher population density, especially when cities are not carefully planned.

emitter of GHGs. A 2013 study by the Pew Research Center confirmed that

For example, the human and economic losses are multiplied when natural

Latin Americans are very worried about global warming.

catastrophes occur in a city and are even more substantial when informal settlements are affected. LAC is a region which is particularly vulnerable

The World Economic Forum on Latin America closed on a positive note, that

to natural disasters. A failure of urban planning makes its population, and

being despite the past and present challenges, progress has been made,

more specifically the poorest part of it, extremely vulnerable,” says WEF.

and with work, more can be done in the near future. The collective voice heard from panel experts was that progressive thinking of the younger gen-

Latin America may have improved on human rights and achieved moder-

eration coupled with technology and access to information creates hope

ate economic growth, but it is still one of the world’s poorest regions and

for the future.

inequality is one of the biggest problems, according to panel discussions

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54

BUSINESS

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56

GREEN PERSONALITY

GREEN PERSONALITY

DAME JANE GOODALL

A symbol of Peace and Discovery

She has won more awards than you can count on your fingers and toes. She has dedicated much of her life to chimpanzees, and remarkably earned their trust. She is a renowned advocate for animals and vegetarianism. She has honorary doctorate degrees from more than five universities. She has written dozens of books, and starred in equally as many films related to nature and conservation. She is Dame Jane Goodall, a legend of the naturalist world, and this month’s Green personality.

LIVING LEGEND

W

Leakey selected Jane to attempt a study to observe the pri-

dom. She is currently 81. She can be described as a primatolo-

ing on the high ground near a feeding area along the Kaka-

here does one begin to describe a living legend? There

is so much to tell. Dame Jane Goodall was born Valerie

Jane Morris-Goodall on April 3, 1934, in London, United King-

gist, ethologist, anthropologist, and United Nations Messenger of Peace. She is most recognized for her 55 years of social and

family interactions of wild chimpanzees in Gombe Stream Na-

tional Park, Tanzania. Jane’s first encounter with Africa came

when she was 18, after an invitation she received from a child-

hood friend to visit South Kinangop, Kenya. It was there that she met anthropologist Louis Leakey, then the curator of the Coryndon Museum in Nairobi. He believed that long-term study of the

behavior of higher primates would yield important evolutionary information – with particular interest in chimpanzees.

mates in their natural setting. She established a non-threatening pattern of observation, appearing at the same time every morn-

ombe Stream valley. The chimpanzees soon tolerated her pres-

ence, and within a year, allowed her to move as close as 30 feet to their feeding area. She became closely acquainted with more than half of the reserve’s 100 or more chimpanzees. She

imitated their behaviors, spent time in the trees, and ate their foods. By remaining in almost constant contact with the chimps,

she discovered a number of previously unobserved behaviors.

Ethologists had long believed that chimps were exclusively vegetarian. Goodall witnessed chimps stalking, killing, and eat-

ing large insects, birds, and some bigger animals, including

baby baboons and bushbucks (small antelopes). On one occasion, she recorded acts of cannibalism.

“You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”

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June Issue 6 2015

“Here we are, the most clever species ever to have lived. So how is it that we can destroy the only planet we have?”

ACHIEVEMENTS An interesting aspect of Goodall’s early life, that often surprises people, was that she did not have any qualifications, and was

often criticized of this during her time conducting research in Tanzania. In 1962, Leaky sent Goodall to Cambridge University where she finally ob-

tained a PhD degree in Ethology. She became only the eighth person to be allowed to study for a PhD there without first hav-

ing obtained a BA or BSc. Since then, she has been the recipient of numerous hon-

orary doctorates, from universities includ-

ing Uppsala University (2007), University

of Liverpool (2007), University of Toronto (2008), American University of Paris (2011), and National Tsing Hua University in Taiwan (2012), just to name a few.

In 1977, Goodall established the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI),

which supports the Gombe research, and she is a global leader in the effort to protect chimpanzees and their habitats. With nineteen offices around the world, JGI is widely recognized for innovative, community-centered conservation and develop-

ment programs in Africa. To preserve the wild chimpanzee’s environment, Goodall encourages African nations to develop

nature-friendly tourism programs, a measure that makes wildlife into a profitable resource. She actively works with businesses and local governments to promote ecological responsibility.

BOOKS BY JANE GOODALL

Jane Goodall has become somewhat of a minor celebrity due

to her recognition as a naturalist. In recognition of her achievements, Goodall has received numerous honors and awards,

including the Gold Medal of Conservation

from the San Diego Zoological Society in 1974, the J. Paul Getty Wildlife Conserva-

tion Prize in 1984, the Schweitzer Medal of the Animal Welfare Institute in 1987,

the National Geographic Society Centennial Award in 1988, and the Kyoto Prize in Basic Sciences in 1990. In addition to

these extraordinary achievements, she was named a Messenger of Peace by the

United Nations in 2002, and a Dame of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II of England in 2003.

Goodall is also a proud animal rights campaigner, and is the

former president of Advocates for Animals, an organization based in Edinburgh, Scotland, that campaigns against the use

of animals in medical research, zoos, farming and sport. She is an avid vegetarian and advocates the diet for ethical, environmental, and health reasons. In The Inner World of Farm Animals, Goodall writes that farm animals are “far more aware and intelligent than we ever imagined and, despite having been bred as

domestic slaves, they are individual beings in their own right. As such, they deserve our respect.”

FILMS FEATURING JANE GOODALL

• Reason for Hope: A Spiritual Journey

• 1984 – Among the Wild Chimpanzees National Geographic Special

• Africa in My Blood: An Autobiography in Letters

• 1990 – The Life and Legend of Jane Goodall National Geographic Society

• Hope for Animals and Their World

• 2005 – Jane Goodall’s Return to Gombe Animal Planet

• The Chimpanzees of Gombe: Patterns of Behavior

• 2006 – Chimps, So Like Us HBO nominated for 1990 Academy Award

• Harvest for Hope: A Guide to Mindful Eating

• 2012 – Chimpanzee Nature Documentary Feature co-produced by Disney Nature

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58

REVIEW

AUTO

“Efficiency you care about. Performance you crave.”

MERCEDES-BENZ

[

C350 CAPACITIES

•

Electric range of approximately 18.6 miles.

[

•

Combined power output of 275hp, 443 lb-ft of torque.

•

Five transmission modes: Individual, Sport, Sport+, Com-

• • • • •

fort, and Economy.

Four engine modes: Hybrid, E-Mode, E-Save, and Charge.

AIRMATIC air suspension.

Energy Recuperation during braking and coasting.

Central display unit with optional touchpad.

Standard safety technologies

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June Issue 6 2015

MERCEDES-BENZ C350 PLUG-IN HYBRID

There is something about the elegance of Mercedes-Benz that seems to render its world class reputation as unbeatable. The Mercedes C350 plug-in hybrid model is no exception to the trend. Mercedes have created a hybrid model that completely embodies the originality of the brand, while also producing a significantly less amount of CO2 emissions.

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60

AUTO

The Mercedes C350 has without a doubt maintained its sleek standard C-Class luxurious interior, but also boasts a set of frugal fuel economy figures to challenge those of small-engine city

hatchbacks. The C350 is sleek, elegant, and ready to drive. It

is everything you would expect from a C-Class, with the added benefit of advanced hybrid technology, which appeals to those

with an ethical nature. The C350 has five custom transmission

modes which include Individual, Sport, Sport+, Comfort, and

to travel up to 31km without help from the petrol engine, which makes it the perfect vehicle for those who commute short distances around the city on a daily basis. As with plenty of other

modern hybrid models, the electric motor can also provide a handy power boost to the petrol engine when you want to pick up the pace.

In addition, drivers of the C350 will be making the most of their

Economy. This enables the driver to be in complete control of

vehicles fuel-saving potential. The C350’s accelerator provides

ride. With additional engine modes, the driver is able to adjust

about to cut in. It will also pulse to encourage drivers to remove

completely up to the individual.

air suspension in the vehicle is standard, providing regulated

The C350 comes complete with a four-cylinder gasoline engine

rear axles. Pure electric cars aside, plug-in hybrids are the most

their driving experience, and makes for an absolutely thrilling

haptic feedback to inform the driver when the petrol engine is

the ratio of gas and electric energy, so the range of efficiency is

their foot from the pedal and allow the car to coast. AIRMATIC

in conjunction with a powerful electric motor. The vehicle has

275 horsepower capacity, while still allowing for emissions-free driving of up to approximately 18.6 miles. The name ‘plug-in

hybrid’ refers to the fact that the battery can be quickly charged at a charging station or at home, through a standard domestic

socket. Charging stations are beginning to pop up all over the world, especially in Dubai where DEWA has announced 100

new charging stations to be erected by the end of the year.

When fully charged, the C350 battery pack will allow the driver

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continuously variable damper adjustment at both the front and

economical and tax-efficient vehicles money can buy. They’re still reasonably expensive compared to petrol and diesel-pow-

ered alternatives, but with Mercedes planning to launch 10 additional models by 2017, customers can expect prices to tum-

ble. The time has finally come where customers can drive a luxurious Mercedes-Benz, and feel zero guilt about it. Hybrid is clearly a cleaner, healthier, more sustainable way to go.

June Issue 6 2015

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62

AUTO

RENEWABLE

‘E-DIESEL’ German automobile manufacturer Audi, believes they have found a solution to the ever looming problem of fuel shortages, and increasing CO2 emissions. Audi has declared that they have been able to create an “e-diesel,” or diesel containing ethanol, by using renewable energy to produce a liquid fuel from nothing more than water and carbon dioxide.

It almost seems too good to be true.

THE FISCHER TROPSCH PROCESS The idea of producing a fuel that is both carbon neutral,

oped by Franz Fischer and Hans Tropsch at the Kaiser-

to retrofit, is something that could change the world.

Ruhr, Germany, in 1925. Audi has admitted that none

and can be poured directly into a car without the need There have been attempts in the past by companies trying to do this by using vegetable oil, algae, and even

the microbes found in panda dung to turn bamboo into fuel. The possibility has been brought to life by German

of the processes they have used are entirely original, however, the way that they are going about the process is unique.

vehicle manufacturer Audi, who have adopted a pro-

Audi has declared they have been able to create an ‘e-

diesel during the Second World War, called the Fischer

to produce a liquid fuel from water and carbon dioxide.

cess that was used by the Germans to turn coal into

diesel’ containing ethanol, by using renewable energy

Tropsch Process.

The plant in Dresden operated by clean tech company

This very unique, and partially undervalued process is

they call ‘Blue Crude’. The product liquid is composed

defined as a collection of chemical reactions that con-

vert a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen into liquid hydrocarbons. The process was originally devel-

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Wilhelm-Insitut für Kohlenforschung, in Mülheim an der

Sunfire has managed to produce its first batch of what

of long-chain hydrocarbon compounds, similar to fossil fuels, but free from sulfur and aromatics, and therefore burns soot-free.

June Issue 6 2015

METHOD The process that has been undertaken involves harnessing renewable energy through solar, wind, or hydropower (all renewable). The energy harvested is then used to heat

water to temperatures in excess of 800oC (1472oF). The steam is then broken down into oxygen and hydrogen through high temperature electrolysis, a process where

an electric current is passed through a solution. The hydrogen is then removed and mixed with carbon monoxide under high heat and pressure, creating the hydrocarbon product ‘Blue Crude’. According to Sunfire, the synthetic fuel is not necessarily more eco-friendly than fossil fuel,

but the efficiency of the overall process – from renewable power to liquid hydrocarbon – is very high at around 70

percent. The ‘e-diesel’ can then be either mixed with regular diesel, or used as a fuel in its own right.

Audi isn’t the first company to consider using biogas facili-

ties to produce carbon neutral biofuels. German company Choren

has already attempted it. Choren

was backed by Shell and Volkswagen, so with all of the financial support it needed, suspicion

was raised when in 2011 the company filed for bankruptcy due to impracticalities in the process. However, Audi be-

lieves that they have refined the process by increasing the

temperature at which the water is split, which increases the efficiency of the process and that the waste heat can

then be recovered. Even if Audi doesn’t raise eyebrows around the world with their announcement, the refined process still has further potential. Whilst it may not be

heralding a fossil fuel-free era, the technology of turning green power into synthetic fuel could have applications as a battery to store excess energy produced by renewables.

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66

ECO TECH

ADDING INCENTIVE TO RECYCLING Leave it to the United States to create a truly revolutionary concept that has redefined the recycling process of electronic devices. The average person upgrades their cellphone every 18 months, which amounts to 130 million devices being discarded annually in the US alone. To put an end to these nightmarish statistics, US Company ECOATM distributed kiosks where people can trade in their old cellphones and other electronic devices for an immediate cash payment.

ECOATM ECOATM Inc. is headquartered in San Diego, California. It re-

mains to be the only automated kiosk company that collects unwanted or used cellphones, tablets, and MP3 players for instant cash. ECOATM was created to face an aggregate problem of

electronic waste. By the end of 2015, there will be an estimated

422 million idle or inactive mobile devices, and out of those, only 99 million will be recycled. The purpose of ECOATM is to in-

crease the amount of cellphones, tablets, and MP3 players that are recycled by providing people with an easy, safe, and convenient solution to address the electronic waste problem. The

specific kiosks accept any device of any era or condition. The

structure works by using a worldwide auction system to offer competitive prices – ranging from a few dollars for older models, to a few hundred for newer smartphones – depending on the condition. Sometimes very old devices may not be worth any-

thing, but the kiosks will still accept them and donate to charities.

RESPONSIBLE RECYCLING Responsible recycling is the main objective of ECOATM. This includes being certified to Responsible. Recycling (R2) and ISO 14001 standards. The R2 standard is a global environmental,

worker health and safety standard for the refurbishing and re-

cycling industry. The problem we face today with modern tech-

nology is that it is constantly being updated. This means that consumers feel the need to update their devices, even when there is nothing wrong with their old device. There is a greed for

superior and faster technology. The problem with so many de-

vices being disposed of, is that almost all consumer electronics contain toxic materials such as lead, mercury, arsenic, and other materials that pose a threat to the environment and our health.

What ECOATM does is extend the life of existing devices as long

as possible so that there is no need to build new devices to take

their place. If they are unable to extend the life of a device, the next best step is to responsibly recycle and reclaim materials from devices to put to better use (and not increase waste). www.ziwira.com

June Issue 6 2015

HOW IT WORKS The process of recycling a device at one of the ECOATM kiosks is very simple. It is also very safe, as the company has worked

hard to ensure that ECOATM is one of the worst places for a thief to bring a stolen phone. The kiosks have three security features which include a required photo scan, a required thumbprint scan, and a required ID scan, which is verified by live agents at the headquarters.

Place device in the

ECOATM test station.

Place a provided tracking sticker on the device.

The ECOATM will examine the

If the price is right, and the

highest price available in a net-

then receive an automatic

device and then search for the work of buyers.

customer agrees, they will cash payment.

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF ECOATM ECOATM has changed the way electronic recycling is perceived and conducted.

Recently the company has recycled three million devices – a major milestone for the

company and the environment. This collection of devices has enabled the recovery/ reuse of: •

500,000 pounds of devices – three space shuttles worth of plastics, metals, and

•

70,000 pounds of copper – enough to create a second Statue of Liberty (made

•

1,544 pounds of silver – enough to create 22,540 American eagle silver dollar

•

Reusing and recycling devices has environmental benefits as well as the mate-

potentially toxic materials.

of 62,000 pounds of copper), and still some left over.

coins (made of .0685 pounds of silver).

rial usage. The average environmental impact of a single ECOATM recycling

and reusing phones over a year period is equivalent to the energy savings of taking four US houses off the grid. The ECOATM network of kiosks in 2013 resulted in: •

A savings equivalent of enough electricity to power more than 2,750 US

•

A hazardous waste reduction equivalent to the weight of 267 refrigerators.

•

A greenhouse gas emission reduction equivalent to the removal of 200

homes.

passenger cars from the road.

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68

ECO TECH

ZERO ENERGY GADGETS We’ve heard it all before – Energy is rare and should be consumed carefully. Often we consume more energy than we realize, through day-to-day tasks such as charging our mobiles phones. What the world has been craving is products that will reduce our dependence on grid energy food for good. These following gadgets are the future of sustainable living, requiring zero electricity.

WINDOW SOCKET SOLAR CHARGER Designed by Kyuho Song & Boa Oh, this gadget is still only a

ment. The solar socket will be able to retain the charge accumu-

reduce the amount of electricity we use to charge devices. This

or tablet. The product appearance is made of plastic and the

concept, but when it becomes commercial, it will significantly is the first time we are seeing a direct solar plug-in. All you have to do is attach the socket to the nearest window during a sunny day and plug in any device. Running your electronic devices on pure solar energy is cheap (free), and it is good for the environ-

KOOSTIC ZERO-ENERGY WOOD SPEAKER This speaker device is called the Pivot, and is made entirely

out of wood, and uses zero electricity. The device simply am-

plifies the sound coming from an iPhone’s built-in speaker, producing louder music without the need to plug anything in. the Koostic speaker proves that simple acoustics can make a

big difference. The sculptural object can be used in portrait

or landscape mode, and boosts sound by 2-4 times over its usual volume. While it comes in a few different types of wood

- walnut, cherry and birds eye maple - there’s no mention as to whether or not these are FSC woods sustainably sourced.

However, the fact that the speakers use no electricity, they are undeniably the most eco-friendly iPhone accessory to date. www.ziwira.com

lated in a 1000mAh battery, enough to power a mobile phone

lower of the transparent absorption unit consists of solar energy panels as a material. The solar energy panels are used to be

charged with solar energy. The solar energy supplied for charging is converted into electric energy through a convertor.

June Issue 6 2015

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70

BUSINESS

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June Issue 6 2015

HUMAN POWERED LAUNDRY POD The Laundry Pod is a new washing alternative – a totally zero-

lons of water, after which you need to add a dash of detergent.

that it does in fact require power, but not the typical kind. The

the handle located above to get a nice washing action. Then

energy washing machine. What makes this device unique is Laundry Pod requires human energy. The Laundry Pod is de-

signed to not only wash your clothes well, but to reduce your water bills and your use of detergent while allowing you to ingeniously workout your arms and upper back. Using the device

is simple. The Laundry Pod needs to be filled with around 5 gal-

Put the clothing into the pod, close the upper cover, and rotate

simply take the clothes out, drain the soapy water, rinse the

clothes in a tub, and then put the wet clothes in the pod again, giving the machine a vigorous spin to get excessive water out of the clothing.

POWER-PRODUCING CAMPING POT This is the ideal, must have energy efficient gadget for those

who love camping and the outdoors. This cool gadget known as the Power Pot features a small thermoelectric generator at-

tached to the bottom that produces electricity to charge USB

gadgets while you’re cooking. The device has the ability to power any mobile devices, all while heating up a meal. It comes

in handy as a backup charger for a power outage or any other emergency. It works over any stove or heat sources, including open flames. It also has the added advantage of being light-

weight, designed to cater specifically to the camping market. If

you can build a fire (or, better yet, fire up a camp stove) you are well on your way to a no-outlet-necessary phone reboot.

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72

WILDLIFE

THE ENDANGERED HONEYBEES These tiny, seemingly insignificant creatures affect human consumption, and hence human life in ways more important than we realize.

H

H

ever, new evidence suggests that neonicotinoids, even

cucumbers as apples and to name cucumbers a few. to Forname years, a few. the farming For years, industhe

ers rivers and and streams. streams.

oneybees oneybees are are notnot justjust about aboutthe thehoney. honey.As As they collect collect pollen pollen for their for their hives,hives, they indirectly they indirectly polli-

nate crops pollinate that we crops consume thatdaily, we consume such as apples daily, such and try farming has been industry using haspesticides been using thatpesticides were thought that to were be

in lower doses, may be harmful to a variety of beneficial

insects and and birds, birds,and andtraces tracesofof it are it are being being found found in rivin

harmless thought totobebees, harmless but new to bees, studies butshow new studies that theyshow are

One study in Sussex found that bees fed food with neo-

lations. in bee populations.

duced, compared to those fed clean crops. Due to the

Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) was discovered in

government banned the use of neonics in all bee-at-

linked that they to the are mysterious linked to the and mysterious sharp decline and sharp in beedecline popu-

2006. It was the name given to the disturbing and mysterious disappearance of bees, first noticed in the US.

nics had an 85% decline in the number of queens pro-

high level of mortality indicated in this study, the French tracting crops.

Researchers estimate estimatethat thataround aroundone one third third of honeybee of honey-

Unlike traditional pesticides, neonics are more resilient,

Itreports. directlyItaffected directlyfood affected outputfood fromoutput farmers, from since farmers, fewer

Beekeepers have suggested that their bees are con-

Quartz er crops. reported Quartz that reported 10 million that 10 beehives million beehives worth $2billion worth

pollen back to their hives, thus contaminating their fellow

insecticides believe that insecticides and fungicides andare fungicides to blame.are to blame.

herbicides and fungicides, the beekeepers are seeing

colonies bee colonies in thein USthe have USvanished have vanished since the since initialthe reports. initial

persisting in crops and plants for weeks or even months.

bees since fewer meansbees lessmeans pollination less pollination and hence and fewer hence crops. few-

suming these neonics and bringing the contaminated

were $2billion wiped were outwiped in a period out inofa6 period years. Many of 6 years. believe Many that

bees, causing sickness or death. Combined with other

Neonicotinoids (commonly known as neonics) are a

serious effects and “strange behavior” in the bees.

widely used type of insecticide, derived from nicotine.

Another study conducted by the University of Maryland

es of growth of growth by by attacking attacking thethe central central nervous nervous system system of

of pesticides and fungicides were contaminating pollen.

They are designed to to protect protect plants plantsininthe theearly earlystages stag-

and US Department of Agriculture found that a cocktail

of pests, pests, causing causingparalysis paralysisand andeventually eventually death. death. How-

The researchers collected pollen from cranberry and

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June Issue 6 2015

watermelon crops, and fed it to healthy bees. The pollen had an average of nine different pesticides and fungi-

cides, with one sample containing 21 different chemicals.The results showed a decline in bees’ ability to

resist a parasite that causes Colony Collapse Disorder.

The researchers also discovered that bees that ate pol-

len with fungicides were three times more likely to be infected by the parasite.

And these are just two of several studies being conducted in this field. The results may not pinpoint a direct

cause of CCD, but they definitely lay the ground for new regulations to be put in place with regards to the use of insecticides and fungicides. While neonicotinoids have been linked with bee mortality, the findings also show

that combining different chemicals makes the problem more complex. The method of spraying also needs to be reviewed, as the bees sampled in the studies had

collected their pollen more from wildflowers than crops, proving that the effects of pesticides are far reaching.

However, pesticides are not the only killers of the bees.

According to Endangered Species International, about 70 percent of the crops commonly used today require pollination to develop fruits, nuts, and seeds. It is esti-

mated that those crops account for $1 trillion in annual

sales of agriculture products around the globe. The most common crops that depend on bee pollination

include broccoli, blueberry, cherry, apple, and cucumbers. China, Brazil, North America, and Europe have all

documented a great decline in the number of bee populations.

Even though science has now proven that the ingredi-

ents in pesticides are harmful to bees, it will take time for more specific details to emerge. For now, the basics are

warning enough - chemicals used on crops are killing bees, directly or indirectly. As long as there are econom-

ics involved, a widespread ban will never happen. But

if there is no urgent change in the agriculture industry, soon there may not be enough honeybees to pollinate

the crops that feed the global food demand. And a world without bees will be one with a detrimental fate.

A number of them are also dying due to habitat loss, parasites and lack of nutrition.

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74

WILDLIFE

More than 24 endangered Yellowcrested cockatoos were rescued by police.

Smugglers stuffed them in bottles to get through customs in Indonesia. Critically endangered cockatoos can be sold for as much as ÂŁ650 each. Around 40 per cent of birds die during the illegal smuggling process.

More than 24 critically endangered cockatoos were rescued by police after being found stuffed in water bottles for illegal trade.

STOP ANIMAL

SMUGGLING www.ziwira.com

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June Issue 6 2015

PET LUST FUELS ILLEGAL

BIRD TRADE Most of us can relate to a time when we were amazed by the mimicking capabilities of the Yellow-Crested Cockatoo.

They are incredibly entertaining creatures, that have made popular pets for those who enjoy more verbal interaction with their pet than physical. But the popularity of the cockatoo as a pet, is causing its decline in the forests of Indonesia and East Timor. Unfortunately, there will always be people out there who break the rules.

T

he Yellow-Crested Cockatoo

currently has a critically endangered IUCN (International

could have been sold through legal routes for a staggering $1,500.

Union for Conservation of Nature)

According

to

ICUN,

the

Yellow-

people, as they are commonly associ-

extremely rapid population decline,

is this insatiable demand for the birds

the cage bird trade.” It was confirmed

May, Indonesian police arrested a

gled out of Indonesia later died from

Yellow-Crested Cockatoo’s and one

were still alive, but very weak. The In-

on the black market. The 37-year-old

of Nature has listed the Yellow-Crest-

bottles, having cut the bottoms off to

sulphurea, as critically endangered.

suitcase, which would have been ter-

tinct in the wild. The illegal bird trade

elling on a passenger boat to the Tan-

with deforestation. It is incredibly sad

Java. Thankfully he was stopped by

cause of human fascination with them,

five years in prison if he is found guilty

a species they have suffered enough,

potentially ended up on the black

prosper once more.

status. This title might surprise some

Crested Cockatoo has suffered “an

ated as house hold pets. However, it

owing to unsustainable trapping for

that has caused their demise. In early

that seven of the birds being smug-

man for trying to smuggle twenty-two

the trauma they experienced. The rest

Green Parrot out of Indonesia to sell

ternational Union for the Conservation

man had stuffed the birds into plastic

ed Cockatoos, also known as Cacatua

fit them in. He then packed them into a

The ranking is one grade below ex-

rifying for the birds. He had been trav-

is the cockatoo’s biggest threat, along

jung Perak Port in the city if Surbaya,

that these animals have suffered be-

officials, and could be facing up to

and a longing to own them as pets. As

of smuggling. These birds could have

and deserve to be left to potentially

market with a price tag of $1,000, or

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76

WILDLIFE

ONLY FIVE

IRRAWADDY DOLPHINS REMAIN

The Irrawaddy River Dolphin are a very rare species of freshwater cetacean. What’s sad, is that these incredibly unique creatures are rapidly declining in numbers. In Laos, a country in Southeast Asia, only five Irrawaddy dolphins remain in the Mekong River, after the Worldwide Fund for Nature reported that one of them died. Between hunting, pollution, and accidental kills, these creatures are on the verge of extinction.

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June Issue 6 2015

IRRAWADDY RIVER DOLPHIN he Irrawaddy River Dolphin

T

190km stretch of the Mekong

timated 1,100 species of fish.

lated populations around South-

east Asia. Some of the popula-

Lao. They are identified by their

bulging forehead, a short beak,

considered a sacred animal by

can be found in small, iso-

tions are dangerously close

to extinction, such as those in the Mekong River, and Malam-

paya Sound in the Philippines.

The Mekong River Irrawaddy Dolphin population inhabits a

River between Cambodia and

and 12-19 teeth on each side

of each jaw. They can grow to 2.3 meters in length. The pro-

tection of the dolphins is crucial for the health of the Mekong

The Irrawaddy Dolphin is also both Khmer and Lao people,

and is an important source of in-

come and jobs for communities involved in dolphin-watching ecotourism.

River which is home to an es-

(Mekong River)

WWF REPORTS The World Wide Fund for Na-

ture (WWF) conducts research

to learn about dolphin mortality, population, and ecology. Every year, the Cambodian Mekong River

Dolphin

Conservation

Project conducts at least two

population surveys of Irrawaddy Dolphins in the Mekong

River. Recently, WWF reported

the death of an Irrawaddy River Dolphin, believed to have been

one of just six left in Laos – a

ing methods such as gillnets

gestation period of Irrawaddy

causes to their decline. All of

particularly difficult for them to

dian side of the border, where

crippling statistic. The long

and explosives to be further

Dolphins (14 months) makes it

these are illegal on the Cambo-

replenish lost populations.

approximately 80 dolphins sur-

Because of threats such as pol-

for the majority of the river sec-

lution, hunting, and accidental

kills, they have disappeared

vive. But gillnets are still legal tions under Laos control.

from the Yangtze entirely, and

Scientists predict that the final

other places. The isolated Me-

rawaddy Dolphins could be

able danger, verging on extinc-

Dam, 3km upstream of the main

river that forms a boundary be-

The dolphins are of extreme

once a population center for the

significance to the area, draw-

bers are thought to have fallen

ists. According to Teak Seng,

ades. The WWF considers fish-

servation Director, “The small

are in massive decline in most

straw for the endangered Ir-

kong population is in consider-

the destruction of Don Sahong

tion. The section of the great

dolphin habitat, exposing them.

tween Cambodia and Laos was

economic as well as ecological

dolphins, however now num-

ing in tens of thousands of tour-

by around half over recent dec-

WWF Greater Mekong Con-

population size and high calf mortality means these rare and

beautiful dolphins are facing

a highly uncertain future, but there is still hope for them. Joint

conservation action between both countries is paramount.”

He also believes that there

needs to be better collaboration between Laos and Cambodia.

It is time to end the use of all

types of illegal fishing gear and strictly regulate the use of gill-

nets and boat traffic, in order to save the species. As sad as it

is to say, pursuing these issues is the only long-term hope for the Irrawaddy River Dolphins’ survival in Laos and the greater Mekong River.

www.ziwira.com

78

TRAVEL

RECONNECT WITH

NATURE

IN PAN

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June Issue 6 2015

MOUNT TOTUMAS CLOUD FOREST

NAMA www.ziwira.com

80

TRAVEL

Two men had a vision of a place where people could come to reconnect spiritually to the natural world.

They did not dream of luxurious suits where people could reside as television watching couch potatoes.

Instead, brothers Michael and Jeffrey Dietrich wanted to create a place where guests could come to live off the grid, and experience life away from the hustle and bustle of the city. They called this place Cloud Forest, located on Mount Totumas in exotic Panama, Central America.

MOUNT TOTUMAS CLOUD FOREST Cloud Forest is located in far Western Panama in the province of Chiriqui, 20km west of Volcan. To

get there, transportation is offered from Volcan or David for those guests that do not have their own

4WD vehicle. The founders of Cloud

Forest are immense nature lovers.

Both Jeffrey and Michael Dietrich have found deep immersion in na-

ture to be the single path which has provided them peace of mind and balance in the world. The brothers

are ďŹ rm believers that only through

comprehension of ecological sus-

tainability planted in the minds of the young will provide the fertile grounds for the healthy environment

which the future generations and the natural world will require to thrive. www.ziwira.com

In establishing Cloud Forest, Jeffrey and Michael’s mission was to

protect and preserve the 400 acres

of Mount Totumas Cloud Forest that represent an important buffer zone

for the wilderness in La Amistad National Park. A buffer zone is a neutral

zone or area between two potentially hostile areas, designed to prevent

any overt acts of aggression. They

play a critical role in providing habitat for altitudinal migrants as well as vital corridors for the few remaining apex predators that are still managing to thrive in the area. Cloud For-

est has a network of nine incredible trails spanning over 50km that offer

the guests the opportunity to experi-

ence Cloud Forest as an intact ecosystem.

June Issue 6 2015

OFF THE GRID The entire Cloud Forest complex is run

on sustainable energy. Hydro power

bakes the bread, cooks the rice, runs

the refrigerators, powers the internet,

have the power to pull guests away from

the amazing views from the restaurant windows.

and lights up the lodge. The micro hydro

Cloud Forest even produces its very

tor putting out a steady 7KW, 24 hours a

1,850m, which is toward the upper end

ing and water heating, but otherwise the

is grown, as well as Tipica, and Cataui.

The lodge and cabins were built using lo-

trees under cultivation. All of the coffee is

given permits to use timber from the for-

ing said, a huge amount of bird species

thority), where fallen or dying trees were

ing is particularly popular, where guests

pelton wheel drives a 220V AC genera-

own coffee, with a plantation elevation of

day. Some propane gas is used for cook-

of the growing range for coffee. Geisha

micro hydro system powers everything.

The goal is to eventually have 5,000

cal timber and local expertise. They were

shade grown and bird friendly. That be-

est by ANAM (National Environment Au-

can be found in the region. Birdwatch-

selected to be used.

have the opportunity to observe more

In such a biodiverse area, food is one of

and migrants that have been spotted on

the most appealing aspects of staying at Cloud Forest. Their primary source of

food knowledge comes from the local

food producers of the region, plus the

expertise from guests. Chickens and tur-

keys are raised, as is a small herd of beef

cattle. For vegetarians, salad greens, carrots, onions, snow peas, and beets grow excellently in the area. Herbs and

spices are also in abundance. All of the

than 200 species of highland specialties the reserve. In breeding season, the Resplendent Quetzal is very common, and

easily observed, as is the Three Wattled Bellbird. Fifteen species of Hummingbird

have been spotted at the feeders, including the less common Magenta-Throated Woodstar, the Brown-Violet Ear, the

Fiery-Throated Hummingbird, and the Long-Billed Starthroat.

fresh produce ďŹ nds its way to the restau-

There are many destinations in the world

food. The kitchen experiments with local

there as one of the most surprisingly eco-

porates these into zesty desserts. Chef

Totumas Cloud Forest really is the ideal

European cuisine, creating dishes that

undisturbed nature.

rant providing guests with organic local

that will surprise you, and Panama is up

wild fruits such as salzamora, and incor-

friendly and ecologically diverse. Mount

Alma brings her expertise in Asian and

place to go and reconnect with majestic,

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82

INTERVIEW

MACAW LODGE

COSTA RICA

Costa Rica has become an exemplary country on an international scale. For the first 75 days of 2015, Costa Rica’s 2.8 million citizens powered their homes and businesses with solely renewable energy sources.

In light of this achievement, Pablo Gordienko M. opened up to Ziwira in an exclusive interview, about his breathtakingly beautiful, all natural eco-resort, located South of Turrubares, San José, Costa Rica.

C

The changes which took place in the area led to an increase

resources due to agricultural growth. By the end of the cen-

and harmony with the environment was initiated. This period

osta Rica as a country has suffered in the past. It was not

always an abundance of forest wealth. At the beginning of

the 1980’s, Costa Rica was suffering a rapid decline in forest

tury, accelerated symptoms of land degradation and natural

resources depletion was blatantly evident in the area. Forestry

incentives at the time, the so called Forestry Investment Certifi-

cates (CAF, by their Spanish acronym), offered an alternative of change in the use of the land. It was then that Santuario de

Macao Limitada � the name of the farm where Macaw Lodge is

located� took its first steps and proceeded to reforest the property with licensed and recommended species such as Teak

(Tectona grandis) and Melina (Gmelina arborea). The experience was successful in terms of timber production, soil conser-

vation, and watershed protection. Agroforestry plantations began to be developed in order to diversify production, and in an attempt to emulate the function of the ecosystems in the area. www.ziwira.com

in production and income options. At the same time, an eco-

logical tourism and research project that seeks sustainability presented an excellent opportunity for a new establishment to emerge – and it took the form of Macaw Lodge. A model of sustainable development was sought through ecotourism, the

cornerstone of which is the conservation of the scarlet macaw bird (Ara Macao). The project includes: ecotourism; an exotic, tropical, botanical garden for ex situ conservation; protection of

forests through the Environmental Incentives Program (PSA, by its Spanish acronym); reforestation; planting of tree species that will provide nourishment year-round to the scarlet macaw, and other wildlife in the area; and permaculture.

June Issue 6 2015

INTERVIEW

PABLO GORDIENKO M.

FOUNDER & OWNER

Clearly passionate and enthusiastic about his establishment, Pablo Gordienko M. was more than happy to share some thoughtful information about Macaw Lodge, and some of the influences behind its sustainable practices. Undoubtedly a very gentle person, this is what Pablo had to say.

Q: Your resort is beautiful, and is clearly established and doing well – what new projects are taking place at Macaw Lodge in relation to sustainability? – What direction

our visitors with a place to stay. Why not build it with the materials around and use solar to produce energy? Nothing is easy and making it happen takes time and effort, I really want

do you see the resort going in the future?

to do it and show people that it is possible. I

A: We would like to continue working on our

I guess I’m lucky or was able to connect with

found nice and open people on this journey,

on the establishment, and have you been able to save money using this eco-friendly concept?

A: At the beginning it was a large investment but pays for itself, not having to pay a bill eve-

ry single month, plus energy in this country

the right people.

keeps rising; one of the challenges in Costa

velous, guests appreciate what we are doing.

Q: The Macaw Lodge was built using plan-

have no comparison in the case of the lodge,

This year we are planting 200 breadfruit trees:

tation timber from the property, sawn and

but at my house I save plenty of money since I

www.globalbreadfruit.com, “food security for

processed at the farm´s mill, as well as

lowered our consumption substantially.

a growing world.” Once we reach production

trees swept away during the Tarcoles River

of the breadfruit we will spread trees through-

flooding, due to tropical storm Thomas in

out the area, and later around the country. We

2010. Where did the inspiration come from

are also testing a lot of tropical fruit trees with

to build using these materials? – Has it

a lot of potential and we plan to continue to

been a benefit to the resort/local commu-

experiment at the kitchen level with tropical

nity?

programs, farm to table and fish to table. The experience of producing our own food is mar-

fruits and vegetables. To enhance the experience, we also plan to build our first apiary of the melipona “stingless bee” native to the tropical forest. We are going to plant this year cocoa (6 hectares) intercropping with endangered species, mostly mahogany, mountain almond tree, Purple Heart. We are planting a hectare of “coyol” a native palm that grows on marginal soils that produces oil for biodiesel

trees and I took advantage of these incentives and planted teak wood. Instead of exporting all the teak to India as a raw product I decided to make a cabin for our own use, and from there I decided to build the lodge. The recovvantage of. The marble floor was a challenge, stones that by polishing properly became marble. It was my dad that told me about it.

begin the project?

I read and searched for advice to be able to

A: I was exposed since childhood to the way

sense the environment around and see what

houses and produced their food. Energy was not available in many cases. Also as an agronomist, I share a passion for plants, especially fruit trees, I could not fulfill my dream earlier and knew that I have the possibility to

an early stage, and my dream of proving that it is possible. I can’t recall a particular person

son in my life that what I see he can see it and

I could not believe that we had these white

had to be self-sufficient. People built their

A: The rural people that I was exposed to at

The government provided incentives to plant

tion rate, one of the fastest rates in the world.

Q: Where did the inspiration come from to

of living on rural areas, in those days people

your life to make you more eco-conscious?

besides Roberto, the person that manages

ered wood was an opportunity that I took ad-

difficult to find other like-minded people to

Q: Have there been particular influences in

A: In the 80’s Costa Rica had a big deforesta-

and for the cosmetic industry.

establish an eco-friendly resort? – Was it

Rica is how to lower the price of electricity. I

use the materials available. People have to is available. People that visit us appreciate the effort we have done and we benefit by explaining to them how we built it. The people in the area benefit from us since we provide jobs and we can transfer what we learn to the rest of the people.

do it; I want to share it with other people. In

Q: The resort produces electricity from so-

order to share this dream I have to provide

lar energy – Has this had a positive impact

the gardens at the lodge. He is the first permakes it happen. He never finished school but he reads a lot and really loves what he does.

Q: How does Macaw Lodge stand out from other luxury resorts in Costa Rica? – Is it difficult to encourage people to incorporate sustainability into their holiday?

A: What does luxury mean? I believe everything is relative. Luxury chain hotels, they do a lot with communities and use efficient light savings, have some degree of production in some cases, but are the same around the world. An experience is something different; at Macaw Lodge our guests have contact with the employees and myself. They feel at home, they like the food experience, the gardens, and the beauty of the forest and the effort of sustainability. Macaw Lodge offers comfort and shows that is possible to have it in a sustainable way.

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86

ENTERTAINMENT

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June Issue 6 2015

BOOK REVIEW

ORGANIC: A JOURNALIST’S QUEST TO DIS DISCOVER THE TRUTH BEHIND FOOD LABELING

V

tion and globalization of the food industry have

suspect ‘organic’ walnuts from Kazakhstan. Af-

labels can be trusted.

eteran Journalist Peter Laufer travels around the world, trying to trace the ori-

gins of a few food items, after discovering some ter reading the label on the packet of walnuts

allowed imposters to creep in, now we all want

to know where our food came from, and if the

bought from his local grocer, somehow the

Organic is part investigative journalism, and

Laufer, in true journalistic style decides to inves-

exciting read at the same time. The book ex-

organic claim just doesn’t sit well with him, so

part adventure, making it an informative and

tigate.

amines what constitutes organic and by whom

The book is particularly gripping, given that

learns more about the system we put all our

most of us come face to face with insecurity when it comes to food labelling on a daily basis.

We are now moving beyond the point of wanting

to know that our food is organic. As monetiza-

the definitions are made. As Laufer travels and faith in, his discoveries will stun readers, who

have bought into questionable and highly suspect goods for years.

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88

ENTERTAINMENT

GREEN CELEBRITIES SPEAKING OUT The magic of celebrity is the influence that they can have on the public. The individuals who are constantly gracing our screens are the ones who begin and end trends in food, lifestyle, and fashion. These four celebrities have spoken out about green lifestyle choices that they are especially passionate about.

`

DEMI LOVATO

“Eating vegan and raw food has made me feel better.”

Demi Lovato, the fresh-faced 22-year-old actress and singer

first rose to fame with the Disney Channel film Camp Rock. She then went on to star in her own show Sonny with a Chance, and

then experienced huge success as a solo musician artist. Demi,

whose real name is Demetria Devonne Lovato, then went on to serve as a judge on the American version of The X Factor. To-

day, Demi maintains a vegan-inspired diet, which has helped her “feel better” about herself, both mentally and physically. She is

allergic to gluten and dairy, so often she has aligned herself to veganism, which involves abstaining from the use of animal products. The addition of raw food has helped the superstar to keep

healthy. “I just eat vegan and raw as much as possible and it’s really changed my body and made me feel better.”

TOM HARDY “I’ve seen for myself the cataclysmic scale of the poaching problem Africa is facing.”

Edward Thomas “Tom” Hardy is best known for his acting roles in Inception and playing Bane in The Dark Knight Rises. Hardy

has also performed as a theatre actor on British and American stages. In 2013, Hardy undertook a project to raise awareness

of poaching in Africa. Hardy throws himself into the subject in a serious but unpretentious way. Travelling to Botswana, Tanzania,

and South Africa, he meets rangers, farmers, conservationists

and journalists. He begins his journey in South Africa, where he meets people who are trying to save rhinos using a variety of dif-

ferent techniques, including the implementation of anti-poaching organizations and the more controversial approach of dehorning.

These individuals provide an insight into the illicit trade. www.ziwira.com

June Issue 6 2015

KATE MARA “Animals have always been a massive part of my life.”

Kate Mara is speaking out against factory farming. The actress is

known for her roles in American Horror Story, and House of Cards.

She has been officially cast as the Invisible Woman in the upcoming Fantastic Four film. Kate officially became a vegetarian after passing “miles upon miles of chicken coops” and realizing then

“what a horrific life these animals were leading.” Further inspired

by meeting nutritionist Kimberly Snyder and reading her book The Beauty Detox Solution, Kate cut animal products from her diet

completely. She has narrated an HSUS video about factory farm-

ing and the benefits of reducing meat consumption. “By choosing more meat-free meals, we’re saying ‘yes’ to better health, ‘yes’ to a better environment, and ‘yes’ to better treatment of animals.”

STELLA MCCARTNEY “It’s not relevant, it’s not sexy, it’s not fashionable, and it’s not cool.”

Stella McCartney is an internationally recognised fashion designer. She is the daughter of former Beatles member Sir Paul Mc-

Cartney and American photographer and animal rights activist

Linda McCartney. Stella has followed in her mother’s footsteps, with very strong views on animal rights. At Paris Fashion Week

this year, Stella unveiled her ‘fur-free fur’ collection, with attendees including Cara Delevigne, Kanye West, and her father Paul.

All eyes were on the catwalk, where McCartney – lifelong vegetarian and pioneer of cruelty free, non-leather shoes and handbags – had a surprise for the audience: glamorous, shiny, shaggy (and

completely fake) fur coats. McCartney’s strict anti-fur policy has until now extended to an antipathy to fake fur, because “modern

fake fur looks so much like real fur, that the moment it leaves the atelier no one can tell it’s not the real thing.

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ENTERTAINMENT

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June Issue 6 2015

MISSION BLUE

With increased awareness and technology, we now live in a world where we can recognize the negative impact that we are having on our planet, and in particular, our oceans. In her documentary film Mission Blue, Dr. Sylvia Earle shares with us her deep knowledge of the ocean, and how we as humans desperately need to change our day-to-day actions, if we are to live harmoniously with it.

With the amount of experience she has, Dr. Sylvia Earle has

every right to speak for the ocean. She is an oceanographer, explorer, author, and lecturer. She has experience as a field

research scientist, government official, and director of corporate and nonprofit organizations. Formerly the chief scientist of

the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Earle is the founder of Deep Ocean Explora-

As one of the first and foremost American women oceanographers, Dr. Earle has become a standard-bearer among fieldresearch scientists. This is certainly reflected in her documen-

tary. She explains how she grew up with the Gulf of Mexico as her backyard, which is where she first fell in love with the

ocean and all that it had to offer. “I see things that others do not. A different world… A world that’s

tion and Research, Inc., founder of Mis-

changed enormously just in my lifetime.”

sion Blue and SEAlliance, and is chair

She believed that if people could have

of the Advisory Councils of the Harte

the chance to see things the way she

Research Institute, and the Ocean in

sees, after all of her years of experience,

Google Earth. She has a B.S. degree

and thousands of hours underwater, she

from Florida State University, M.S. and

would not seem like such a radical. That

PhD. from Duke University, and 22 hon-

is why she made the film, to offer peo-

orary degrees. If that isn’t enough, she

ple a chance to see her perspective.

has authored more than 190 scientific,

Sylvia believes that the ocean is slowly

technical, and popular publications,

dying, and cannot keep up with how fast

lectured in more than 80 countries, and

mankind is altering it. “We are the ben-

has led more than a hundred expedi-

eficiaries of having burned through fossil

tions and logged more than 7,000 hours

fuels”, she says, “But at what cost?”

underwater. With her abundance of cre-

dentials, it is unsettling to learn that Dr.

According to Dr. Earle, decades of over-

of the ocean. For this reason, she cre-

acidification, and other human pres-

fishing, pollution, climate change, ocean

Earle is concerned with the well-being ated a documentary film to outline these concerns.

Mission Blue is a global initiative of the

Sylvia Earle Alliance, an organization which was formed in response to Sylvia

“I wish for a global network of marine protected areas, to save and restore the ocean.”

DR. SYLVIA EARL

marine protected areas; Hope spots large enough to save and restore the blue heart of the planet.” The Mission Blue commu-

nity includes over 100 respected ocean conservation groups and like-minded organizations – including large multinational companies, down to individual scientific teams doing important research.

future of us. She encourages all global citizens who care about the oceans, through her website mission-blue.org, to cording to the website, only 2 percent of

urged people to “use all means at your

ate a campaign to ignite public support for a global network of

of the ocean, and therefore threaten the

reach out and support Mission Blue. Ac-

Earle’s 2009 TED Prize wish, where she disposal – films, expeditions, the web, new submarines – to cre-

sures threaten the fundamental nature

the ocean is fully protected. Five years

ago, that number was around 1 percent. With continued alliance and passionate people, this positive trend will grow and

help create a global network of Hope Spots, the seeds of to-

morrow’s healthy ocean. Dr. Sylvia Earle strongly believes that “the oceans are dying.” In the film she refers to Earth without the ocean as similar to Mars. She doesn’t want that to happen any time soon.

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“Surround youself ONLY with people who are going to lift you HIGHER.”

94

BUSINESS

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June Issue 6 2015

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96

HEALTH

BE SUN SMART AND SUN SAFE TO AVOID SKIN CANCER Recent survey shows the UK’s lust for sun is tempting skin cancer.

W

hen summer sets in, those who live in

Recent data from the National Oceanic and At-

ing for ways to get away from the scorching sun.

For those in typically colder climates, however,

size of the Ozone hole is now around 24 million

square kilometers, that’s about the size of North

warmer climates find themselves search-

such as England, it’s a welcome opportunity to

soak up the warmth and work on that tan! How-

ever, a new report by the British Association of Dermatologists suggests that careless sunburn

is reaching dangerously high levels and putting Britons at risk of skin cancer.

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mospheric Administration (NOAA) shows that the

America. It should come as no surprise then that

UV rays from the sun are hotter than they have

ever been. As summer dawns in, sun safety habits are critical, as most skin cancers are attributed to exposure to UV radiation from the sun.

June Issue 6 2015

“Many think that skin reddening is just a harmless part of the tanning process, rather than a sure sign that you have damaged your skin irreparably.�

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BUSINESS

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June Issue 6 2015 According to the survey conducted by

the British Association of Dermatologists,

72% of people interviewed said they had been sunburned in the previous year.

It also showed that the majority of British people do not do the recommended

monthly skin cancer checks and threequarters did not know how to identify the symptoms.

act as catalysts in destroying the ozone.

This sparked concern and prompted further research by several other scientists.

Eventually, in the late eighties, CFCs

were banned. The scientific conclusion was that the more damage there is to the

ozone layer, the more UV rays reach our

bodies, producing DNA damage in the skin and mucous membranes, causing

More than 2,000 people in the UK die from skin cancer each year, yet still

not enough is being done to prevent it.

Johnathon Major of the British Associa-

tion of Dermatologists warned that people often underestimate the damage caused by sunburn.

genetic mutations that can lead to skin

cancer, premature skin aging, cataracts and other eye conditions. In small

amounts, the sun can be a good source of Vitamin D, but too much UV exposure can also weaken the immune system,

making you more vulnerable to cancer and other diseases.

“Many think that skin reddening is just a harmless part of the tanning process,

rather than a sure sign that you have

damaged your skin irreparably,” he said.

The research was carried out in the sum-

mer of 2014 and surveyed 1,018 people.

Of those, 84% said they were worried about skin cancer in the UK climate.

The report was released during UK Sun Awareness Week, which was held last month.

DID YOU KNOW? Even on a cloudy day you can be at risk

of sunburn. Up to 80% of UV rays can pass through thin clouds.

1 in 50 men and women will be diagnosed with melanoma of the skin during their lifetime.

More people develop skin cancer be-

cause of tanning than develop lung cancer because of smoking.

One of the three UK scientists who dis-

covered the hole in 1985, warned that the real lessons of the story had still not been learned. “Yes, an international treaty was established fairly quickly to

deal with the ozone hole, but really the

main point about its discovery was that it shows how incredibly rapidly we can produce major changes to our atmosphere and how long it takes for nature to

recover from them,” said Jon Shanklin of the British Antarctic Survey in a Guardian

According to the association, people who have been sunburned before had

twice the chance of developing mela-

noma, which is the deadliest form of

skin cancer. The Association is holding

a number of roadshow events across the country, to create more awareness about

the disease and how it can be prevented.

Knowledge about the hole in the ozone

layer began to emerge around thirty years ago when Paul Crutzen’s study

report.

“Clearly, we still do not understand the

full consequences of what we did then because, we are still inflicting major changes in the atmosphere. Then it was

chlorofluorocarbons; today it is greenhouse gases,” he said.

Canada will mark Sun Awareness Week from 1-7 June, with free screenings and school visits.

suggested that nitrogen oxides could

SUN SAFETY HABITS No need to be a hermit. Avoid the sun

at its hottest (between 10am and 4pm), but enjoy the sun in the early morning

“Rising skin cancer rates are a major health concern for the UK, and some dermatology departments are stretched to capacity trying to keep up with cases.”

CHARLOTTE PROBY Dermatology Professor, Chairwoman of the Association’s Skin Cancer Prevention Committee.

and late afternoon for limited periods of time. Only excessive exposure will cause serious damage.

Use a broad spectrum, eco-friendly

(UVA/UVB) sunscreen with an SPF of

15 or higher every day and apply two tablespoons to your entire body before going outdoors. Natural ingredients to

look out for are zinc oxide, organic shea butter and natural oils.

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BUSINESS

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BUSINESS

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