Ziwira March Issue 2015

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AL GORE

March Issue 3 2015

BUILDING THE FUTURE

SUSTAINABLE

THE POLITICIAN

WITH AN OSCAR AND A NOBEL PRIZE IN HIS KITTY

WOMEN’S HEALTH

ECO-FILM COWSPIRACY – THE S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y S E C R E T

5

ECO FRIENDLY

C I T I E S

COV

ER

I N

R STO

Y

T H E

W O R L D

WORST

Water Crisis BRAZIL

FA C E S I T S W O R S T W AT E R C R I S I S

WATER

T h a t L i q u i d J Je ewwe -l

2

CONTENTS

BUILDING THE FUTURE

CONTENTS ZIWIRA MARCH 2015

Water - That Liquid Jewel

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COVER STORY

INDUSTRY 14 Hydraulic Fracking What exactly does fracking do to the environment?

16 Rainmaking in a Desert Land Is it really possible to scientifically generate rain?

COVER STORY 18 Water – That Liquid Jewel!

As it ebbs and flows, the beating of our hearts depend entirely upon it. This month is World Water Day.

TRAVEL 44 5 Eco-Friendly Cities in the World As the population in metropolis around the world is booming, so is the global emphasis on sustainability.

INTERVIEW

ENTERTAINMENT 54 Eco-Film

Cowspiracy – The Sustainability Secret

56 Game Review Little Big Planet 3 for PlayStation

34 Roger Platt A delightful encounter with Roger Platt, President of the US Green Building Council

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42

March Issue 3 2015

54

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GREEN PERSONALITY 28 Al Gore – The Politician with a Passion With an Oscar and a Nobel Prize in his kitty, Al Gore continues to passionately advocate for the environment.

HEALTH 30

Women’s Health

Explore women’s health from a greener perspective.

FEATURE 26 Water Crisis in Brazil Brazil faces its worst water crisis in his-

tory, the fight for life continues in one of the biggest cities of Brazil.

56 ECO-TECH 36 Hydroponic Nano Kitchen

What better way to ensure that you

and your family are consuming, fresh,

delicious, non-toxic vegetables, than to grow them in your own kitchen!

MOTORING 40 The Electronic Vehicle

The hunger of people to drive a safe

and reliable machine, inspired Japan to be the leading manufacturer of Electric Vehicles (EV).

38 Review: Renault Zoe The super mini vehicle and winner of

LIFESTYLE

the Best Electric Car award for less

10 An Eco Store with a Difference

you.

than £20,000 is surely here to impress

At the bottom of the Pacific, you will

WILDLIFE

ure – The Eco Store.

42 Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)

find an all-natural New Zealand treas-

12 Back to Basics Be kind to your skin try the top three organic skincare picks of the month.

Cameroon -- Home of the endangered Cross River Gorilla

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4

POEM OF THE MONTH

Mankind does not agree I have no use for birds in cages, but mankind does not agree; they’ve been gaoling them for ages and they just don’t seem to see that the beauty that inspired, inevitably fades, and what once was writ in diamonds will in time be played in spades.

Wings are made for flying, for dancing with the air, and wings that cannot open are the color of despair, and an anger in me rages and I long to set them free, but it’s the sadness of the ages that mankind does not agree.

Gorden J.L. Ramel

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March Issue 3 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

MARCH 2015

EDITORIAL Safe drinking water is one of the basic necessities to survive in this world. Almost 3.4 million people, mostly children, die annually from water borne diseases. Amidst the

celebrations of World Water Day on 22nd March 2015, where this year’s theme was “Water and Sustainable Development”, the steaming global issue still remains to be

safe drinking water and water conservation. In the spotlight, persists the epic drought of Brazil which has left the cities of Sao Paulo and Minas Gerais dry, withered and without power over the past nine months. The situation is getting grave with each passing day. Brazil is one of the largest producers of coffee in the world, but the

severe water crisis has damaged almost 50% of the crops. Apart from agricultural

losses and energy crisis; and shortage of safe drinking water is making life of Brazilians very cumbersome.

On the other hand, the authorities in the UAE are recruiting scientists to check the feasibility of stimulated rains in one of the most rain deprived countries. Read our story on (pg no.16) to know more.

The industrial section this month, reveals the hazardous effects of fracking. Though fracking is an easy way for oil and gas companies to make money, it surely has its

harmful effects on the environment. Go to (pg no.14) for more information about the process.

Our writer, Nasreen Rasool had an exciting encounter with Roger Platt, President of US Green Building council. A one to one interview with him left Nasreen with deep

insights about the worldwide recognized LEEDS building rating system. For the full conversation turn to (pg no. 34).

As the month of March, also coincides with the Women’s Day (9th March) we de-

cided to dedicate our health section to all the women out there, the most important pillar of a society. And yes of course, how can we miss on the fun part – if you are planning a vacation soon, try and check out the best eco cities we spotted for you

this month along with a review of Orange County, a luxury resort in Karnataka, India.

Last but not the least, get to know more about the most endangered species, the

cross river gorilla (only 300 left in the world) and how WCS is helping to save them.

Also, think twice before listing your pets on social networking sites. Read our column on (pg no.42) to find out why.

Ziwira Inc. Toronto, Canada

© Copyright 2015 Ziwira. All rights reserved.

No part of this publication can be reproduced in

parts, stored in retrieval system or transmitted in

any form or by any means without the prior written

permission of the publisher.

Saba Khan E D I T O R

@ZIWIRA

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6

NEWS & EVENTS

Abu Dhabi leads the UAE to a cleaner future Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, has

announced that it is going to strive to

improve air quality, water and waste management, climate change effects,

and biodiversity conservation. The announcement was made by the Envi-

ronment Agency, on behalf of the UAE Government. The agenda was pre-

pared over 3 years with environmental

performance targets aiming to reduce carbon emissions per capita. Abu Dhabi also intends to reduce the number of hospital visits due to respiratory complaints from 10.7 per cent (recorded by the Health Authority Abu Dhabi, 2011)

to less than 5 per cent, by the year 2030. Another goal for the government of Abu Dhabi is to be more efficient

with the use of water. The agenda outlines an aim to reuse all treated sewage effluent by 2018, as well as reducing water consumption per capita from the current average of

629 litres per person, to less than 340 litres by 2030. The agenda document is currently being reviewed by the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, and should be released in the next three months.

Oil train derailed in West Virginia, sending tanker into a river On February 15, 200 people were evacuated from a massive fire in West Vir-

ginia, USA at about 1pm. People in the area were told to evacuate their homes,

after a train carrying more than 100 tankers of crude oil derailed, sending at least one tanker into the Kanawha

River. Fortunately, there were no immediate reports of injuries, with the company CSX

announcing on Twitter that they were

working very hard to ensure the safety

of the community and making it their

first priority. The governor Earl Ray

both from internal exposure to oil through ingestion or in-

that fell into the river were loaded with bakken crude (a

irritation. For this reason, the town of Cedar Grove also

water treatment plant located 3 miles from the derailment.

It is still unclear as to why the tankers were derailed. It

cal constituents are poisonous. This can affect organisms

Virginia experiencing heavy snow fall at the time.

Tomblin issued a state of emergency, as the tanker cars

halation and from external exposure through skin and eye

type of oil), causing West Virginia Water to shut down a

closed its intake of water flowing from the Kanawha River.

Spilled oil is harmful to living beings because its chemi-

could have something to do with the weather, with West

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200 whales stranded on New Zealand beach

Frozen berries recalled across Australia in hepatitis A scare

It was a desperate situation when 200

Hepatitis A scare in Australia Hepatitis A is a viral disease that directly affects the liver, with symptoms including nausea, fatigue, and jaundice (yellowing of the eyes, skin and urine). The virus is transmitted by direct contact with an item (often food) that has been exposed to contaminated faeces. Recently in Australia, three Victorians and one person in New South Wales have contracted the virus from eating Nanna’s Frozen Mixed Berries. The berries were imported from China and distributed by Patties Foods, based in Bairnsdale. As a result of

Pilot Whales were discovered strand-

the viral infections being discovered, the Victorian Farmers Federation is now urging shoppers to only purchase local mixed berries from the supermarket, to reduce the risk of more victims. Steven Chaur, the chief executive of Patties Foods, has decided it is appropriate to recall all of the mixed berries imported from China, so that the berries can be tested for infection, rather than risk more cases. It is an unfortunate blow for China, a country that does not have a particularly clean record when it comes to food quality.

ed on the beach at Farewell Spit, in the South Island of New Zealand. This

particular area is well known for whale stranding, as it is difficult for whales

to navigate the shallow waters in the

area. When the whales were discovered, at least a dozen had already passed

away.

Remarkably,

more

than 80 local people descended to the beach to help shift the surviving whales back to the water, which is not

an easy task, as some Pilot Whales

can weigh up to 3,200 kilograms. According to Trevor Sparadlin, a marine

mammal biologist with the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the reason that so many of the

whales become stranded together, is that they are very social animals,

and will follow one another by instinct.

Because whales are water dwellers, their bodies cannot stand the weight

upon their internal organs, as they are used to the weightlessness of the sea.

For this reason, their organs begin to

crush under their own weight, and do

Solar Day A Total Solar Eclipse captivates the upper Northern Hemi-

not survive on land for long.

sphere. People in the northern hemisphere were able to

from the center of the viewing zone. Technicians from the

rarely observed. People in the northern hemisphere could

Electricity (Entso-E) had been working for more than a

witness a phenomenon on March 20. An occurrence that is experience the full effect of the solar eclipse and a partial

eclipse was witnessed by those in Europe, Asia and Africa.

There were concerns that if the weather was clear on the day of the eclipse, the European grid could lose the equivalent generation of eight to ten very large coal power

plants. The eclipse covered about 85 percent of the sun

European Network of Transmission System Operators for

year on how to cope with the potential loss of 35,000MW of generating capacity. A spokeswoman for Entso-E said

engineers were “very confident” the system would cope, even if conditions were sunny. “The risk is serious but we

are taking all measures to mitigate them. It is very unlikely there will be any incidents”.

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NEWS & EVENTS

Forest Day March 21 is the internationally recognized day to appreciate our forests. First created in 2013, it was established as a recognizable event by the United Nations General Assembly. As a day to acknowledge the wealth that forests provide for human beings, and to remember how important they are to our survival. On March 21 each year, the United Nations Forum on Forests, in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, encourages local, national, and international efforts to organ-

Reported relationship between biodiversity and human health A significant report has been released which demonstrates the important relationship between biodiversity and human health. The report, which took place in Kolkata, India, comes from the 14th World Congress on Public Health.

The report was prepared by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (SCBD) and the World Health Organization (WHO). The report focuses on the following topics: Biodiversity, food production and nutrition, Microbial diversity, non-communicable diseases and infectious diseases. Examples are provided in the report, of the relationship between specific issues which include water, air quality and human health, biodiversity, food production and nutrition, medicines, climate change, disaster reduction, and also physical, mental and cultural well-being.

The World Health Organization Director for Public Health, Environmental and Social Determinants, Dr. Maria Neira, believes that the report will help to serve as a reference to the sustainable development goals and the post-2015 development agenda, “which represent a unique opportunity to promote integrated approaches to protect human and planetary health.”

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ize activities which involve agriculture, tree planting, and any such activity that will benefit our forests.

Other ways that the United Nations encourages the celebration of Forest Day, is by inspiring the use of social media to spread the message of the importance of forests and trees – for example photo exhibits. It is easy to dismiss the importance of Forest Day, because our forests are taken for granted on a regular basis. We as human beings assume that if there is a serious problem and our forests are dying out, someone else will present a solution so that we don’t have to worry about it. But we all need to work together to ensure that our forests remain healthy and plentiful, because only through communication can we expect to see change.

March Issue 3 2015

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LIFESTYLE

AN ECO STORE WITH A DIFFERENCE

At the bottom of the Pacific, you will find an all-natural New Zealand treasure – The Eco Store.

E

co Store, a successful all natural cosmetics/cleaning products/baby care company in New Zealand, is true to the phrase, ‘less is more’. With very simplistic packaging, it is not as strikingly eye-catching as some cosmetic brands out there. But don’t let it fool you – it is a gem just waiting to be discovered by those who crave a more naturalistic way of life.

Eco Store was founded in 1993 by Malcolm Rands and his wife Melanie, in the basement of their home in an ecovillage in New Zealand. Although Malcolm and his wife had been practicing sustainable and organic gardening on their property, they felt that they were still being exposed to too many harmful chemicals residing in their cleaning

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and body products. So, the couple shared ideas, and soon created the Eco Store brand, with products carefully selected to disincline any unnecessary toxic chemicals. Malcolm sourced Sir Ray Avery (2010 New Zealander of the Year)v, to formulate and develop products each month to ensure that the high standards of health, environmental awareness, and efficiency within the business remained top notch.

After opening their first Eco Store in Freeman’s Bay, Auckland in 1997, they then released their product onto the shelves of New Zealand supermarkets in 2002, followed

by Australia in 2004, and the United States in 2009.

March Issue 3 2015

PALM OIL

“

temporary solution.

Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) is working towards increasing the amount of sustainable palm oil being used in the market. Coconut oil does not have the same support system that palm oil now has, with people working towards its sustainability. That is why Malcolm Rands stands his ground, and is a firm believer in the use of proven ¬sustainable palm oil. By tracing the palm oil that he purchases back to its source, Malcolm is able to ensure that it is coming from a sustainable palm oil farm, which in this case is in Papua New Guinea, in the town of Kimbe.

“

There is a lot of controversy surrounding the use of palm oil in mostly cleaning and cosmetic products. Oil palm trees produce large fruit all year round which contain about 50% oil in an individual fruit, which can weigh up to 50kg. For such an economic product such as palm oil, the demand for it has increased around the world. Many forests have been cleared to make room for palm oil plantations, often destroying the natural habitats of majestic animals such as orangutans living in Borneo and Sumatra.

Many manufacturers have turned to coconut oil to avoid association with the controversial palm oil. However, Eco Store has not. The reason for this is that Malcolm and Melanie believe using coconut oil is only a

PALM OIL

Piles of harvested oil palm fruit lying on the side of the road, ready for pickup.

If everyone started to use coconut we would cause even worse environmental damage – Malcolm Rands

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LIFESTYLE

Redefining Natural

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BEAUTY

March Issue 3 2015

3

Back To Basics ORGANIC SKINCARE TOP

Organic living should include our skincare regime. So be kind to your skin with our top three organic skincare picks for the month, whose benefits are far more than skin deep.

H

ave you looked in the mirror lately and wondered, “What happened to that naturally soft, flawless and healthy skin I once had?” Well, it’s probably buried under years of sun damage and chemical exposure. While ageing is a natural process, the amount of toxins that our skin absorbs on a daily basis only adds to its ‘wearing out’, making it more dull and lifeless than it actually should be.

One of the first changes we need to make is: SIMPLIFY. When we were babies, our skin was naturally buoyant with zero product usage. Aim for the ‘less is more’ approach, using only handpicked essentials to cleanse,

enhance and protect your skin against sun damage.

Just as we are making the shift to nurturing our bodies with organic foods, it makes perfect sense that we give our skin the same natural treatment. Perhaps now is the time we take a closer look at the products we use on our skin and read those labels much more closely. Are the words “Coconut and Shea Butter” glaringly obvious?

That’s great, but just what percentage of these natural ingredients are actually used in conventional skincare products and how much of it is composed of chemical preservatives and long names of foreign synthetics you can’t even begin to pronounce?

Here are just a few products and brands that offer healthier, more sustainable alternatives.

1. Dr. Hauschka

2. Eminence

Beauty begins in the garden, this is the belief behind Dr. Hauschka products. This brand takes a uniquely intelligent approach to skincare, combining science with the body’s natural rhythms. At the heart of their approach is that our skin is smart, and knows how to regenerate itself. Based on this, Dr. Hauschka products are engineered to complement and support this natural process rather than to stifle it or cause imbalance.

Celebrities such as Cameron Diaz and Madonna swear by this brand, which is a Hungarian family business that specializes in handmade organic products since 1958. They offer a wide range of skin products and all ingredients are locally farmed using Biodynamic practices.

Eminence products do not contain animal bi-products, artificial colorants, Parabens, Petrolatum, Mineral Oils, Propylene Glycol or Sodium Lauryl Sulfate. Instead, they are made from fruit pulps, plants and exotic spices, making them extremely rich in nutrients. For every product purchased, the company will plant one tree.

They also donate nutritious organic foods to sick children around the world.

3. Farm to Girl It has a fresh, fun and vibrant feel to it, supports fair trade and is 100% organic.

With its eco-friendly packaging and simple, all-natural ingredients, natural beauty care can’t get more appealing than this. And making all the more worth it, is that 20% of proceeds go to women’s health and education.

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14

INDUSTRY

HYDRAULIC FRACKING What exactly does it do to the environment?

What happens when you mix sand, water and 600 chemicals and crack a rock in the ground? A shale boom!

H

ydraulic fracking is the main method of extracting natural shale gas and could be considered the cornerstone to the US shale boom which saw its economy rise to record highs. So why was the method banned by the mayor of New York? Was it the gallons of water used in the process or the toxic gases it produces? Here’s a deeper look at the controversy surrounding fracking and its impact on the environment.

Hydraulic fracturing, commonly known as “fracking” involves drilling vertically and horizontally into the ground and injecting chemical fluids at a very high pressure so as to fracture shale rocks. A natural gas is then released through the cracks. This is then used for energy production in its natural gaseous form or condensed into shale oil.

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While it may be a winning lottery ticket for oil and gas companies, communities worldwide have protested against fracking for its numerous harmful effects on the environment. Apart from the noise pollution, the process has several other unsatisfactory side effects.

According to dangersoffracking. com, it takes 1.8 million gallons of water and 40,000 gallons of chemicals to complete each fracking job. Fracking fluid contains a cocktail of known carcinogens and other toxins such as mercury and uranium. These substances can leak out from the system and contaminate nearby groundwater supplies. Studies show that methane concentrations are 17 times higher in drinking water wells nearby fracking sites than in others. Spillover effects include sensory, respiratory and neurological damage and accelerated climate change.

Only half of this toxic fracking fluid is recovered, while the rest remains in the ground, and is non-biodegradable. As it evaporates into the atmosphere it creates VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds).

The end result is 300,000 barrels per day of natural gas, but comes at a hefty price of health hazards. The Fracturing Responsibility and Awareness of Chemicals Act (FRAC) was formed in response to this and calls for the energy industry to publicize all the chemicals used in the fracking process.

This is just one of the many protest movements.

In December 2014, New York banned fracking due its health risks after a 6-year campaign. Many were shocked, since the city has one of the biggest shale reserves in the United States. UK civilians and public health officials appear to have little say in the government’s plans to bolster ahead with fracking, believing it will bring more jobs and cut costs of natural gas imports.

But perhaps the saddest one yet, is the untainted Karoo desert, which has been a sacred land to plants, animals and indigenous people for centuries. The Karoo is now a prime spot for hydraulic fracturing and the South African government plans to begin drilling in 2017, subject to license approval.

The Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) and Treasure the Karoo Action Group (TKAG) are pushing for legislation that will oblige companies to undergo thorough research and tests before fracking.

PHOTO » Meerkats are one of the indigenous animal species of the Karoo region.

March Issue 3 2015

Protecting Groundwater during Hydraulic Fracturing

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16

INDUTRY

RAINMAKING IN A DESERT LAND Is it really possible to scientifically generate rain? And how safe is it? The UAE is currently recruiting scientists to find innovative ways of stimulating rainfall in one of the world’s most rain-starved regions.

T

With water being one of the main challenges for sustainability in the UAE, the National Center for Meteorology and Seismology (NCMS) is spearheading a research program that will task some of the best scientists and researchers to find ways of enhancing rainfall. Over the next three years, grants will be given to selected candidates, with the first round being awarded in January 2016.

Both local and international individuals and organizations are invited to submit their ideas for the project which is backed by the Ministry of Presidential Affairs.

As the world population increases at an alarming rate, it is paramount to find as many ways as possible to meet the growing demand for water. According to the NCMS, fresh groundwater supply in the UAE has declined substantially in the past two decades and the search for new resources has seen only limited success. The Center’s Climate Yearly Report shows that during the period 2003 to 2013 there was absolutely no rainfall in the months from May to October. Atmospheric scientists have now reached a global consensus that rain enhancement provides real potential to counter the supply and demand problem. www.ziwira.com

“

“The UAE always seeks to find new techniques to save water and increase efficiency through cloud seeding, desalination, use of solar energy and all other available sources of energy,” – Ahmed Al Zaabi

Deputy Minister of Presidential Affairs

“

he Khoisan believed in the rain dance. In times of drought indigenous people of the earth would engage in ceremonial sing and dance rituals to spur on the flow of nature’s juice. And sometimes it worked.

Now there is a new type of rain dance. It’s called science, and we are so confident in its results, that we actually put money in it. In this case, Dh18.3 million.

March Issue 3 2015

“The UAE always seeks to find new techniques to save water and increase efficiency through cloud seeding, desalination, use of solar energy and all other available sources of energy,” said Ahmed Al Zaabi, Deputy Minister of Presidential Affairs at the official launch of the program.

The country has already been using cloud seeding to stimulate rain, as have others. China reportedly creates 55 billion tons of synthetic rain per year using this technique. Cloud seeding works by disseminating certain chemicals such as silver iodide, potassium iodide and solid carbon dioxide into the clouds to increase precipitation. It can also be used to increase snowfall when the temperature in the clouds is low enough.

But just how safe is this method? The natural response to anything artificial would be to question its effects on environmental and human health. Critics have expressed fears of soil contamination and respiratory problems. However, the Weather Modification Association (WMA) says there has been no proven environmental harm from this method, and the levels of chemicals used are far below from what would be required for it to be toxic.

The bottom line is that the UAE will be facing a severe water shortage in the foreseeable future and according to the NCMS, the purpose of this project is to discover new improved methods to enhance rainfall in order to meet this challenge. With a sizeable monetary incentive now in place, hopefully we will have more answers and some eco-friendly methods for rainmaking. Who knows, we could soon be dancing a new dance to celebrate healthy rainfall!

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COVER STORY

CELEBRATE

WORLD WATER DAY ON MARCH 22, 2015

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March Issue 2 2015

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COVER STORY

A day for water and water for

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

WATER

THAT LIQUID JEWEL As it ebbs and ows, the beating of our hearts depend entirely upon it. This month we celebrate World Water Day.

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March Issue 3 2015

T

he United Nations declared 2005-2015 as the International Decade for Action, under the campaign heading: Water for Life.

As we go forth in the final year of this campaign, one has to wonder if we have met our goals, and if any real action has been taken in lieu of saving our most precious resource. March 22 marks International World Water Day, which brings with it a whole new set of goals, promises and calls to action.

International World Water Day is held on the same date every year, and each time highlights a different aspect on fresh water sources. The theme is set annually by UN-Water, who last year put the spotlight on Water and Energy. Following on from that, the theme for 2015 is Water and Sustain-

able Development, an appropriate one, given the rising need for sustainable development in our crisis ridden world.

“The main objectives of these events are conducting of comprehensive review of the progress achieved in the implementation of the International Decade for Action, “Water for Life”, 2005-2015, including the best practices and lessons learned relevant to the achievement of sustainable development, as well as recommendations for the further post 2015 actions, including the promotion of efforts in formulating the Sustainable Development Goals related to water resources,” said Mr. Sirodjidin Aslov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan in his welcome address at

the UN-Water Zaragoza Conference in Spain. The event was a lead-up to International World Water Day. Sustainable development has of late been a pressing topic on the global agenda, and water provides one of its main challenges. It is only through the sustainable management of our fresh water resources that there can be any hope for a formidable future.

UNESCO defines fresh water as that which is suitable for drinking, animals and crops. It can come from rain water which has not seeped too deep into the ground or ten percent of groundwater sources. Water in the oceans cannot be considered as fresh water due to its salty composition, making it unsuitable for drinking and farming purposes.

water is nature Ecosystems lie at the heart of the global water cycle.

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22

COVER STORY

N

ot only is water key to our survival, it is key to our future survival as well. If managed correctly, conserved and recycled, it can strengthen sustainable development in all other aspects from economic to industrial.

Despite the many shortfalls, credit must go to those countries, organizations, and individuals who have made concerted efforts to conserve and purify water for a more sustainable future. If there are more collective efforts on a grandiose scale, which hopefully this World Water

Day can inspire, then we may just be able to save ourselves from a waterless earth.

A concluding summit on the post2015 development agenda for the “Water for Life” campaign will take place in September.

Consumption Figures • Agriculture uses the most

• Domestic use accounts for

quantity of water, with an

10%

average of 70% globally.

• Almost 2 billion people

This figure is set to increase, live in river basins and are as demand for food supplies overconsuming. If the trend will grow steadily in coming

continues, the rest of the

years.

world will be facing severe

• The industry and energy

water shortages in just ten

sector demands 20% of the

years.

The United Nations has set the following

world’s fresh water supply.

The other challenges

Certain industrial activities

despite its scarcity is the

5 targets to be achieved by 2030:

such as hydraulic-powered

contamination of fresh water,

1. Achieve universal access to safe drinking water,

dams and hydraulic frack-

which in turn leads to life

sanitation and hygiene.

ing for oil and gas use huge

threatening diseases.

2. Improve the sustainable use and development of

amounts of water.

water resources in all countries.

3. Strengthen equitable, participatory and accountable water governance.

4. Reduce untreated wastewater, nutrient pollution and increase wastewater reuse.

5. Reduce mortality and economic loss from natural and human-induced water-related disasters.

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March Issue 3 2015

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24

COVER STORY

water is industry

More water is used to manufacture a car than to ďŹ ll a swimming pool.

water is energy

Water and energy are inseparable friends.

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March Issue 2 2015

water is food

To produce two steaks you need 15,000 liters of water.

water is equality

Every day women spend millions of hours carrying water.

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26

FEATURE

BRAZIL

Faces its WORST WATER CRISIS in H I S T O R Y The fight for life continues in one of the biggest cities of Brazil HARD FACTS 750 million people do not have access to clean water 3.4 million die due to water, sanitation and related issues The population using mobile phones is more than those using toilets Water related illness results in a loss of 443 million school days

I

t’s Monday morning. 6-year old Zara opens the tap, brushes her teeth, and splashes clean cool water on her sleepy face before getting ready for school. A million miles away, 6-year old Maria rises before dawn, fetches her water pitcher and travels for hours to the nearest water source.

Life is very different for the millions in developing countries, who go through this routine struggle every day. According to reports, 200 million hours of work are lost in water collection by women globally in a day. One of the hardest hit countries to date is Brazil, facing its worst drought in 80 years.

Sao Paoulo, the country’s most populous state received only a third of the expected rainfall in its recent rainy season. Civilians have been faced with massive water cuts and

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March Issue 3 2015

DISTRIBUTION OF URBAN WATER STRESS Estremely high

23%

Low

27%

Fortaleza

High

6% Medium to high

11%

Low to medium

33%

40%

Salvador

OF BRAZIL’S URBAN POPULATION

FACES MEDIUM TO EXTREMELY HIGH WATER STRESS Rio de Janerio Sao Paulo

Porto Alegre

say their pipes have been dry for months in certain areas.

Brazil’s environment minister Izabella Tiexiera has called for the states of Rio de Janeiro, Sau Paulo and Minas Gerais to save water. But observers have criticized the government for its delayed reaction to the water crisis, which has now been looming for months.

Despite the obvious health implications and poor sanitation that come with water scarcity, the drought is also negatively impacting the country’s energy supplies. Brazilians may soon be troubled with more power cuts as the hydroelectric dams have been unable to generate enough power for the country.

Over 8 million people depend on Sau Paulo’s reservoir system, which is now at dangerously low levels. The main reservoir in Rio de Janeiro dropped to zero earlier this year.

Experts have said that lack of education about water conservation and deforestation of the Amazon are conjunctly to blame for the drought. According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), 17% of the Amazon has been cleared in the past 50 years. While the annual rate of deforestation has recently dropped, threats such as agriculture and gold mining still exist. And with less greenery to absorb moisture from the air and spur on rain, Brazil may be heading for dryer days to come.

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28

GREEN PERSONALITY

AL GORE THE POLITICIAN WITH A PASSION

N

With an Oscar and a Nobel Prize in his kitty Al Gore continues to passionately advocate for the environment. ot many politicians go beyond the call of duty. But

In 2006, Gore became famous for the movie An Incon-

personal passion for the environment. And he went

won a Nobel Peace Prize for his work on climate change

former US Vice President Al Gore is a man with a

far beyond expectations. He recently received a $500 000

Lifetime Achievement Award at the Zayed Future Energy

venient Truth, which went on to win an Oscar. In 2007, he awareness.

Prize in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Outrageous as it may seem, the

Since leaving the US parliamen-

for cars to be banned from every

unconventional Gore has called

tary office more than ten years

major city in the world as the only

ago, Gore has been a vocal ad-

way to reduce carbon emissions.

vocate for climate change and

He believes that government

is now the Chairman of The

budgets allocated to upgrade cit-

Climate Reality Project, a non-

ies, should be spent on upgrad-

profit organization dedicated to

ing public transport facilities so

creating awareness about cli-

they would eventually become

mate change.

the only method of transport used in urban areas, thus reducing the

After tracking his history, it

impact on global warming.

makes perfect sense that Gore should be where he is right now

bring about change, stems from the family tree. His father was also a member of the US Sen-

Al Gore

on the global scene. His zeal to

All we know is that when Mr Al

ate and was known to hold a liberal stance on civil rights and the Vietnam War. His mother was a Law School graduate.

Gore asked the US and China to commit to carbon reductions in

his 2007 Nobel Prize acceptance

speech, seven years later, they listened. Perhaps years from now

“I am Al Gore, and I used to be the next president of the United States of America.”

the world will listen to this recommendation from a passionate individual who became much more than just a vice president.

“The global environment crisis is, as we say in Tennessee, real as rain, and I cannot stand the thought of leaving my children with a degraded earth and a diminished future” www.ziwira.com

March Issue 3 2015

GREEN PERSONALITY

Al Gore

Born in Washington DC 1948 Full name: Albert Arnold “Al” Gore, Jr Educated at Harvard University First elected into US House of Representatives in 1976 Elected into US Senate in 1984 and again in 1990 Served as President Bill Clinton’s Vice President from 1992 – 2000 Ran for president in 2000 & won popular vote Conceded to defeat by Republican George W Bush for presidency Lives in Nashville, Tennessee.

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30

HEALTH

IMRPOVING

WOMEN’S HEALTH FOR A GREENER WORLD Since International Women’s Day is celebrated in March, it’s only fitting that we should explore women’s health from a greener perspective.

8 march

[

Too many women are still missing out on the opportunity to get educated, support themselves, and obtain the health services they need, when they need them

– Dr. Flavia Bustreo, World Health Organization

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[

March Issue 3 2015

T

hey nurture us, they feed us, and they care for us. In many cases, it is women who are driving the change when it comes to sustainable development, because no one cares for the earth quite like they do. In most homes, it’s the woman, not the man, who instigates recycling and composting food scraps. It is also usually women who lead and participate in volunteer operations that feed the poor, provide disaster relief or educate children. They are the ones who will raise the new generations to be custodians of the Earth with that natural maternal instinct.

Put simply, a sustainable world needs healthy women, and the health of women depends heavily on sustainable living.

With this powerful force that women can contribute, the world needs healthy women now more than ever. Yet the sad reality is that in many parts of the world, women’s health is still sorely neglected.

In the lead-up to International Women’s Day, Dr. Flavia Bustreo, Assistant Director General for Family, Women’s and Children’s Health through the life-course at the World Health

Organization, highlighted that twenty years after the Beijing Declaration and Platform of Action (the fundamental principal that the rights of women and girls are an “inalienable and invisible part of universal human rights”), women still face many health problems.

Cancer is one of the main health concerns facing women, according to Bustreo.

“Two of the most common cancers affecting women are breast and cervical cancers. Detecting both these cancers early is key to keeping women alive and healthy,” she said.

Latest statistics show that every year almost half a million women die from cervical cancer and half a million from breast cancer. These deaths are more prevalent in low to middle income countries in which little investment goes toward screening, prevention and treatment.

Making matters worse is that so many known human carcinogens penetrate our lives on a daily basis. Some of these include, UV radiation, alcohol beverages, tobacco, BPA (found in the lining of almost all canned foods), engine exhaust

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32

HEALTH

WHO FACT BOX More than 20 million women continue to experience ill health each year as a result of pregnancy. The lives of eight million of these women are threatened by serious health problems, and about 500,000 women, almost 90 per cent of whom are in Africa and Asia, die as a result of causes related to pregnancy and childbirth.

Around 17 per cent of potentially healthy years of life are lost in women of reproductive age because of sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS. Many health problems will continue to be exacerbated by pollution, noise, crowding, inadequate water and sanitation, improper waste disposal, chemical contamination, poisonings and physical hazards associated with the growth of densely populated cities.

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– Dr. Flavia Bustreo, World Health Organization

DID YOU KNOW? - Anemia is particularly common in women. Women between the ages of 19-50 require 18mg of iron per day.

- 108,210 women were estimated to be diagnosed with lung cancer in the US in 2014.

- Women in high income countries live on average 24 years longer than those in low income countries.

- Air pollution has been linked to premature birth in pregnant women.

March Issue 3 2015

MATERNAL AND MENTAL HEALTH In 2013, almost 300,000 women died from complications in pregnancy and childbirth, bringing to light the next major concern – maternal health. Despite significant improvements in maternal care, many still lack access to family planning and basic services. Poor hygiene, poor air quality and harmful chemicals found in our food and water can also contribute to complications in pregnancy.

And while it is certainly not the last on the list, mental health is definitely among the top of the list of health concerns affecting women.

Research shows that women, more than men, are prone to depression and anxiety.

“Helping sensitize women to mental health issues, and giving them the confidence to seek assistance, is vital,” says Dr. Bustreo.

While the WHO works hard to strengthen health systems, women also need to be empowered to bring about positive change in their own lives. This can start with small choices like adopting a nutritious organic diet filled with as many natural foods as possible. Eliminating processed foods, sugar, and GMOs could be the first step to long term health and stronger immune systems.

In the developed world, women suffer from poor diets too, but not due to lack of supply, rather lack of time or willpower to make healthier choices. Heavy reliance on pharmaceutical vitamins and supplements are common among working women, as their working hours consume time and effort that could go into preparing slow, home cooked nutritious meals. A nutrient rich diet and greener lifestyle can make all the difference in improving overall health, physically, emotionally and mentally.

Ultimately, it would take a combination of logistics, such as access to better health care, and the education and empowerment of women to personally make smarter choices for themselves.

“WHO and its partners are developing a new global strategy for women’s, children’s and adolescents’ health, and working to enshrine the health of women in the post 2015 United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. This means not only setting targets and indicators, but catalyzing commitments in terms of policy, financing and action, to ensure that the future will bring health to all women and girls – whoever they are, wherever they live,” concluded Dr. Bustreo.

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34

INTERVIEW

ROGER PLATT

A Delightful Encounter with Roger Platt, President of the US Green Building Council If you’ve ever wondered how successful people got where they are, I think I have discovered the answer: Belief. Why? A personal encounter with the president of the US Green Building Council taught me so.

The US Green Building Council (USGBC) devised the 100 point LEED (Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design) building rating system, which is now recognized worldwide as a global standard for sustainable buildings.

However, the man at the helm of it all, is surprisingly down to earth.

With his spiky crop of platinum white hair and all-American friendly demeanor, Roger Platt hardly looks like an uptight businessman. He further confirms this suspicion by joking about his organizations recent award from the United Nations in a manner that revealed he was both humbly honored but also pleasantly surprised that a small bunch of entrepreneurs could receive such a prestigious award. After politely brushing me off at first due to the long queue of hopefuls waiting to meet him, I managed to sneak in one question and the rest was history. I had sparked a trigger and got Mr. Platt talking and talking… and talking about something he obviously believed in with all his heart.

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March Issue 3 2015 Q You recently won an award from the United Nations for achieving

something tangible, a global standard

buildings can be part of the solution for climate change.

for green buildings, which no other

Q USGBC is a non-profit organization

did you manage to achieve this?

your organization unique?

UN meeting has been able to do. How

A

It’s unbelievable, really, that the

United Nations has given us the Champions of the Earth Award, which

is its flagship environment award that usually goes to professors or people

who’ve made incredible discoveries.

But it’s also an extreme honor. I think

how we managed to get here, is that we’re an entrepreneurial environmental group that realized there is a nexus

between buildings as income generating and also having huge environmen-

tal impact. So by building more sustainably, you can not only reduce that

environmental footprint, but you can also attract more income. We helped

making huge impact. What makes

A

At USGBC we have a vision to

always go one step beyond. So we

ask: How can buildings not only be do something positive? How do we achieve not just net-zero, but give

something back to the grid? In order to make water cleaner, we need

low carbon buildings, but what about

buildings that also clean the air? It’s an integrated process and integrated

tially, it was a lawyer, a real estate de-

veloper and a marketer, who came up with an idea to define what constituted

a green building and to help stimulate

a brand new industry. It was market players who created a standard that added value to real estate projects,

and is a powerful mechanism to scale green buildings. So just to reiterate,

this was not a government led pro-

LEED certified?

vations in sustainable development, are that this is not going to happen.

And many have the belief that it has

to be a CSR led initiative. But I think

this will slowly change. For example in China, it was initially not the Chinese

nationals who were promoting LEED, but now they are. Many of them are

now doing it to attract multinational companies.

Q Do people request LEED voluntar -ily or do you have to incentivize it?

ple who felt there was no difference

that tenants want green buildings.

ed to make money and the visionary

part that produced the magic. Fifteen years later we have a global standard in 150 countries that now see how

not a regulation. But I think it’s a stepping stone to when it eventually does become mandatory.

USGBC Fact Box: - Established in 1993 - Operates from its own LEED Platinum office in Washington - Mission: To transform the way buildbuilt and operated, enabling an enble, healthy and prosperous environment that improves the quality of life.

- Non-profit organization made up of member organizations, environmentalists, corporations, lawyers, builders, teachers, students, citizens and community volunteers.

- 76 chapters, 12,870 member organizations and 197,000 LEED professionals.

- LEED is a certification program for buildings, homes and communities that guides the design, construction, operations and maintenance. Officially launched in 2000.

A

between the part of them that want-

still largely voluntary though, since it’s

vironmentally and socially responsi-

gram, and it was not a UN program. It was an industry led program by peo-

they care about the same values. It’s

Q Are more people wanting to get

I’m struck at how suspicious people

It sounds like a bad joke, but essen-

work with them because it shows that

ings and communities are designed,

did!) but do it for business.

of USGBC is that it came from within.

seduce younger employees to want to

design.

A The more I hear about new inno-

Also, what contributed to the success

that with LEED certification they can

alive, but regenerative? How do we

people realize that you don’t have to do it for CSR (it would be great if they

shift so many companies are realizing

- More than 54,000 projects are currently participating in LEED to date.

Both. A lot of people request it

because it’s now an increasing trend There are also tax incentives for hav-

ing a LEED certificate, and it also

Nasreen Rasool

more quickly. Money is definitely a

Writer

helps to get your buildings approved factor. We are seeing a generation

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36

ECO-TECH

Hydroponic

Nano Kitchen What better way to ensure that you and your family are consuming, fresh, delicious, non-toxic vegetables, than to grow them in your own kitchen?

T

he Hydroponic Nano Kitchen is an innovative way to grow your very own fresh produce, free of toxins and pesticides.

There are various ways of growing your own vegetables, including window farming kits, growing vegetables in small pots on the window sill. Or you can grow vegetables in your backyard garden. However, one of the more contemporary concepts for home grown goodness, is the very futuristic Hydroponic Nano Garden. The system allows people to grow fresh produce in the safety of their own homes, which means guaranteed resistance from any toxic chemicals on the produce may have been exposed to like pesticides, when buying from your local supermarket.

The way the Nano Kitchen functions, is by use of specially designed lighting which promotes growth in plants.

The device is completely dynamic, down to controllability of the amount of light, water and nutrient supply, which enables users to control the speed of growth. The device will also signal when more water is needed, to provide nutrients to the plants, and it also functions as a natural air purifier, eliminating unfavorable smells.

An in-line pump circulates nutrient rich water through the plant’s root system, while overhead lighting allows the plants to complete the normal photosynthesis cycle they need to grow.

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While soil grows can be a little more forgiving, the plants always end up being robbed of vital nutrients which limits their growth potential. If you’ve ever purchase hydroponic vegetables, you’ve probably noticed how much larger, juicer, and colorful they are.

There are a substantial amount of benefits for growing your own produce, as previously mentioned. Not only do you obtain new skills from maintaining your garden, you also benefit from the higher nutrients within produce you grow yourself, because it has not traveled several thousand miles to get to your local grocery store. Homegrown produce is also rich in nutrients such as phytochemicals (linked to disease protection), anti-oxidants, vitamin C, vitamin A, and folate. Furthermore, you will save money growing your own produce, making the Nano Kitchen an investment, as you will be spending less on your groceries. Underlying benefits include less water usage, and less land used to grow crops.

The only downside of this smart contraption is that it is still a very new concept, which in turn means that it will be very expensive when it is released. It also should not put people off their backyard gardens, as they still remain a very healthy, sustainable alternative to supermarket purchasing.

March Issue 3 2015

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38

MOTORING

. . RENAULT ZOE Z.E ZE RENAULT

This super mini vehicle is the winner of the Best Electric Car award for less than £20,000 and is su

I

t can be a difficult task to find an electric car that can really tickle your fancy. In terms of innovation, Renault has managed to create a vehicle that is both original, stylish, and practical. The Renault Zoe is a supermini electric car manufactured in France. The Zoe has a 22 kWh (kilowatthour) lithium-ion battery pack that delivers a range of 210 km. There have been a number of model concepts, initially created in 2005. However, the current model which was released in 2012, has been the most successful, with European sales reaching 8,792 in 2013. In 2014, global units reached 10,000, impressive for a tiny electric car, which is

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difficult to market in a world where statement making petrol guzzling vehicles are still considered ‘cool’.

This year, the Renault Zoe has been recognized not only for the concept, but for its very reasonable price tag. ‘What Car?’ a consumer magazine publishing independent motor news and reviews, has names the Zoe the ‘Best Electric Car for less than £20,000’ (AED 110,601, US$30,121).

In 2014, the Zoe was named by ‘What Car?’ as the ‘Best Green Car for less than £15,000’.

March Issue 3 2015

urely here to impress you.

The great thing about owning a Renault Zoe, is that owners are able to lease a battery, which keeps the overall cost of using the car very low. Not only is the Zoe ecoconscious and cost-effective, it also comfortably sits four adults, within a modern, well-designed cabin.

Renault UK Sales Director Darren Payne, has said that “the number of electric vehicles on sale in the UK has more than doubled in the last year, so we’re thrilled that

‘What Car?’ has recognized Zoe’s talents for the second year in a row.” Some of the great features the Renault Zoe has to offer are remote-monitoring of the battery, the ability to preheat the cabin via your cellphone, as well as the Chameleon Charger that allows the Zoe to make the most of the widest range of power supplies, meaning excellent charging times in the real world. Overall, the Renault Zoe is cheap to run, perky and fun to drive, and offers timeless French style.

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40

MOTORING

ECO

TECHNOLOGY

The hunger of people to drive a safe and reliable vehicle, inspired Japan to be the leading manufacturer of Electric Vehicles (EV).

P

etrol powered vehicles emit pollutants which include nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, and small amounts of Sulphur Dioxide and Ammonia. These compounds result in greenhouse gases which contribute to global warming. The best alternative to using fuel powered vehicles, is going electric, and Japan is doing just that.

Cars offer freedom and a reliable means of travel, especially living in the city. It is understandable to want to drive a car, but in order to maintain a sustainable planet, we must look to more sustainable solutions. An electric vehicle produces zero exhaust emissions. The only emissions related

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to using an electric car, would be the source of electricity used to power it – giving EV’s a significant advantage over similar conventional vehicles that run on gasoline or diesel. Today, users of electric cars do not have to worry about having to charge their car all the time, because advanced batteries now exist with a substantial lifespan.

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory indicates that modern car batteries will last from 12-15 years in a moderate climate, often coming with an 8 year/100,000 mile battery warranty. Using an electric car can also significantly reduce costs, as fuel is dramatically more expensive than the power needed to charge an EV.

March Issue 3 2015

GM’s Green Dealer Recognition program certifies eco-friendly dealerships

Leading this electric revolution, is the world’s second largest economy, Japan. Japan has managed to win the world over, with its immensely popular variety of car brands, which include Toyota, Daihatsu, Honda, Nissan, Suzuki, Mazda, Mitsubishi, and Subaru, just to name a few. Now Japan is not only the leading brand leader of conventional cars, but is also the leading manufacturer of eco-friendly electric cars.

GM launches

G re e n D e a l e r

Recognition Program

What has created such popularity for electric cars in Japan, is not necessarily that Japanese people want to be eco-conscious. People in Japan simply feel that when they buy electric cars, they are getting a great deal – a car that is safe, reliable, and stylish. Basically, Japan stands as the only market in which EVs are seen as meeting direct personal needs. The Statistics Portal, has predicted that Japan will continue to dominate the market for electric cars in 2015 as shown in the graph, followed by the United States, and China significantly behind.

According to GFK (Germany’s largest market research institute), 55 percent of participants in the survey from around the world, said they had a favorable opinion of electric vehicles. 77 percent of participants surveyed were drawn to the benefit of low emissions when driving an EV, while 76 percent were attracted to the innovation of EV’s.

Electric vehicles have been able to bloom in Japan, because not only did the government offer tax incentives for new purchases of electric cars, but the dense cities are an ideal place to own one. The dense traffic in mega-cities like Tokyo, means that drivers do not need a car that is fast, rather they need a car that is safe, and efficient. In Japan, some 76 percent of luxury “standard” car intenders are open to considering EVs.

General Motors is launching a “Green Dealer Recognition” program to highlight sustainability. The program encourages dealers to make eco-friendly improvements to their businesses by saving energy and water, using renewable energy, recycling, creating natural habitats, and working with the community. Dealerships will receive annual recognition for improvements and overall sustainability performance. “We think customers should know all the behind-the-scenes efforts our dealerships make to leave a smaller footprint on their communities,” says GM’s US Sales and Service VP, Kurt McNeil.

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42

WILDLIFE

WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

SOCIETY (WCS)

CAMEROON HOME OF THE ENDANGERED CROSS RIVER GORILLA

F

ounded in 1895, the Wildlife Conservation Society continues to protect animals who are unable to defend themselves from the harsh realities of mankind. The story of WCS began in the early 1900s, when they successfully helped the American bison (American Buffalo) recover on the Western Plains.

WCS have committed themselves to protecting 50% of the world’s biodiversity, including tigers in India, gorillas in the Congo, wolverines in the Yellowstone Rockies, and the majestic giants of the ocean. WCS operates across 5.8 million kilometers, both on land and sea, to protect 40% of the world’s terrestrial biodiversity and 55% of its marine biodiversity. That being said, WCS also strives to tackle four very important issues facing our world today which include; climate change, natural resource exploitation, the connection between wildlife health and human health, and lastly the sustainable development of human livelihoods.

There is one particular place on earth, where WCS has made a delightful impact on a very rare species of gorilla. This place is called Cameroon, which bridges West and Central Africa, bordering Nigeria. Cameroon is host to a unique setting, filled with tropical lowland rainforests in the south, to mangroves along its coastline, and savannahs in the north. The Cross River Gorilla is the world’s most endangered Great Ape. There are only a reported 300 individual gorillas left,

scattered throughout sites in Cameroon and Nigeria. It would be an unconditional tragedy to lose the beautiful Cross River Gorilla forever – so in response to this desperate situation, the WCS helped to establish Takamanda National Park, and the Kagwene Gorilla Sanctuary, specifically designed to protect the endangered Cross River Gorilla species. Deng Deng is another National Park that was created after years of conservation planning, and is also the site where WCS researchers were able to conduct their first gorilla population surveys. The park is about the size of Chicago (224 squaremiles), and humbly hosts more than 600 Western Lowland Gorillas, threatened chimpanzees, forest elephants, buffalo, and bongo.

The Cameroon area is continuously under threat. Offering such a rich variety of wildlife, Cameroon is entwined in a never ending battle against uncontrolled wildlife harvests, logging, mining, and the destruction of natural habitats. Hunters collecting bush meat, is also a major threat to the National Parks, and local authorities often lack the man power to stop this. If it weren’t for well-established organizations such as the Wildlife Conservation Society, willing to defend extremely endangered species like the Cross River Gorilla, they would have been long extinct by now. Isn’t that a sobering thought…?

Facts Status: Critically endangered

Common Name: Cross River Gorillas

Scientific Name: Gorilla gorilla ssp. diehli

Location: Headwaters of the Cross River spanning the border between Nigeria and Cameroon.

Description: They have small eyes, placed close together and their skulls are noticeably smaller in comparison to other gorilla species.

Size: Similar sized to Western Lowland Gorillas (Male gorillas can stand 6 feet tall) but with noticeably smaller skulls.

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By Zane Small

March Issue 3 2015

NEVER LIST PETS ON SOCIAL MEDIA! Have you ever in your wildest thoughts realized how listing of your beloved pets can take their lives?

N

owadays people use social media for anything and everything, including giving away pets for adoption. Experts and professionals working at animal shelters warn against such act.

Dog and cat fighters continuously scour social media and look for pets they can use as a bait. These people usually dress up in their finest attire when they go to meet the owner of the pet, act courteously and make umpteen promises to look after the pet. Once the owner hands over the pet to them, it’s highly predictable that the animal will soon be wounded, hurt and eventually killed in one of the fights. This is what dog and cat fighters do. They train their animals to kill and fight. Social media listings is a gold mine for dog fighters and animal abusers. It is the easiest and cheapest way of possessing an innocent pet for their personal requirements and money making.

While shelter homes have a list of requirements that need to be fulfilled along with references, home checks and adoption fees; online listings make life of these animal abusers easy and hassle free. The last things they want to do is waste their effort, time and money on animals who they know, would eventually die in a short span of time.

If under any circumstances one has to give away their pet, it will be more logical to do so to a shelter home, family or friend rather than listing it online.

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44

TRAVEL

5 ECO-FRIENDLY CIT

As the population in metropolis around the world is b

A

ccording to a study by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) urban areas have become home to 50 percent of world’s population and another 60 -80 percent account for its energy consumption.

BARCELONA www.ziwira.com

SAN FRANCISCO

COPEN

March Issue 3 2015

TIES IN THE WORLD

booming, so is the global emphasis on sustainability.

The rapid growth in the demand and consumption of energy has compelled cities globally to adopt a sincere approach towards sustainability. We have shortlisted ďŹ ve greenest cities in the world that have already found a way to not only sustain themselves but also reduce their carbon footprint considerably.

NHAGEN

VANCOUVER

CURITIBA www.ziwira.com

46

TRAVEL

BARCELONA As one of the most beautiful cities in the world , Barcelona has revolutionized the way businesses, government and citizens work together to boost and support sustainable lifestyle. The city has successfully deployed solar energy to cater to the everyday needs of the city, rehabilitated buildings and has an enhanced hydrogen bus pilot program. Barcelona has a state of the art

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113,000 square foot solar panel situated in the Forum Esplanade. These are not only designed for decoration but also supply ample electricity to the public utility system. The specially designed panels can reduce carbon emissions by 440 tons annually, thus, contributing to environment preservation.

San Francisco skyline and Bay Bridge at sunset, California

SAN FRANCISCO

San Francisco is an elegant eco-friendly city, surely a must visit. The city has imbibed progressive green practices into the daily lives.

The recycling program in which San Francisco is a pioneer ranks it among the 27 greenest

cities in North America, states a survey by Siemens Corp. The city is also famous for its amazing transportation, organic stores, and recycled crafts workshops.

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48

TRAVEL

Bicyclists on road in Copenhagen

COPENHAGEN

Copenhagen has one of the largest cyclist populations in an urban setup, reducing its air pollution and traffic snarls to almost negligible.

The city has also controlled its landfill from waste by 1.8% while providing 98% heating to

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the city through district heating. The planned city of Copenhagen has aesthetic architectures, organic cafes and vast green fields that make the city eco-friendly.

VANCOUVER Vancouver was named the world’s most livable city by the Economist magazine. The city has now become Canada’s model for using renewable energy and is known to be the largest user of hydroelectric power for harnessing 90% of its power from natural resources.

The spectacular city also has a 2.4 hectare rooftop garden which serves as a mini sanctuary for wildlife and plants. Vancouver has always been first to adopt new technologies and implemented Solar powered trash compacters all over the city. These trashcans are equivalent in size to the normal trashcans but able to carry five times the waste.

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50

TRAVEL

CURITIBA The distinct long bus inter connected with three cars circulate the city and pick up passengers from designated stops. The use of public transport enables citizens to save on energy. Public parks in the city are kept tidy by grass eating sheep that freely roam around.

Nyhavn canal copenhagen denmark

Curitiba is a tourist destination and one of the nicest place to explore in Brazil. Proper progressive planning over the years has transformed Curitiba completely. The city has the simplest and best bus services in the world.

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52

TRAVEL

ORANGE COUNTY LUXURY RESORTS

K

odagu (also known as Coorg), is home to the first Orange County Luxury Resort. Kodagu is an administrative district in Karnataka, India. The first resort opened in 1994. The idea of the luxury resort, was built on a theme of coffee, spice, and plantation life, to reflect the spirit of Coorg. The resort sits amidst 300 acres of coffee and spice plantations, with the Dubare Reserve Forest on one side, and the river Cauvery on the other.

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In 2007, a second resort was opened in Kabini. Orange County Resorts and Hotels Limited, is committed to the concept of ‘responsible tourism’. The company seeks to enhance the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of the host community. The brand ‘Orange County’ is committed to employing the best in environmental and ecological practices in technology, equipment and operational processes.

SPIRIT OF THE LAND

February Issue 2 2015

A world of luxury holiday experiences, so steeped in the lore of the land, in the culture of its people and in the untainted natural beauty of the region, that it enjoins you to be one with the Spirit of the Land.

The resorts are an undeniably attractive option for a perfect honeymoon getaway. Imagine staying in a magical forest situated next to the ow of an ethereal river. However, the beauty and luxury of the resorts are not the only attractive aspect of spending time there. The resorts are signiďŹ cantly conscious of the environment and the impact that they have in their surrounding areas. Only local trees and plants reside in the resort areas, and only local fauna is promoted in the neighborhood. Participation is encouraged by Orange County Resorts, to be involved in re-forestation schemes and preservation. The resorts also promote the use of organic manure on the properties, as well as actively participating in local conservation programs.

environment. They will also be educated about the rules and regulations in this regard. Management also provides staff and guests opportunities to participate in and encourage local conservation and community development programs. The principal tenets of responsible tourism can be seen and experienced in the day to day life and running of the two resorts run by Orange County Resorts. Both of these resorts endeavor to offer more than just a luxurious experience. Guests can expect to leave their holiday with extended knowledge about the fragility of eco-systems, of which we are all a part of, and the measures that can be taken consciously to soften our footprints upon a beleaguered environment.

Orange County Resort management have dedicated themselves to maintaining a sustainable establishment by educating their cherished staff members and guests.

They are taught about responsible tourism awareness, and offer information about the local culture, customs, and

It is incontrovertibly satisfying to know that there are holiday resorts out there that offer more than a holiday, but also a rich learning experience. By visiting sustainable facilities such as Orange County, people will be able to immerse themselves in a rich eco-friendly environment.

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ENTERTAINMENT

This ďŹ lm will make you think twice about the next succulent Big Mac you consume.

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March Issue 3 2015

COWSPIRACY

The Sustainability Secret

‘Cowspiracy’ is a documentary film, said to be as inspiring as ‘Black Fish’ and ‘An Inconvenient Truth’. Released in 2014, the film was inspired by entrepreneur Kip Anderson, and awardwinning documentary filmmaker Keegan Kuhn, both from San Francisco. The film focuses on an issue that is not widely recognized, an issue that according to the film, sits very high on the list of contributing factors of global warming – animal agriculture.

Throughout the film, as Kip Anderson approaches different environmental leaders, he finds that there is intentional ignorance towards the issue of animal agriculture. As he continually pushes the issue, he is eventually faced with industry leaders threatening his life if he continues to persist.

Some of the individuals who feature in the film include Richard Oppenlander, author of the groundbreaking book Food Choice & Sustainability, also Howard Lyman, a former Montana cattle rancher and world-renowned public speaker, author, and animal advocate. Will Potter, an award-winning independent journalist from Washington DC focusing on animal rights also

features in the film, as well as Dr. Will Tuttle, an award-winning speaker, educator, author, musician, and author of The World Peace Diet, and Michael Besancon, a 41-year veteran of the natural foods industry.

The film is particularly eye-opening in the way that it gives specific examples of how the animal agriculture industry will stunt any other efforts we make to improve our environment. According to the film, animal agriculture uses 55 percent of the water in the USA, with homes only using five percent. It also points out that animal agriculture is responsible for 18 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, with statistics showing that all forms of land, air and ocean transportation total 13 percent.

Furthermore, livestock uses 30 percent of the Earth’s total land mass, including nearly 50 percent of the USA mainland. The growing demand for animal farmland is responsible for 80 percent of Amazon rainforest destruction, the second most responsible being clearing for palm oil plantations.

Information such as this can be catastrophic for New Zealand based companies like Fonterra, the world’s larg-

est dairy exporter, whose profits rely solely on the exportation of dairy. Demand for dairy product is not weakening either, with demand growing around the world for more western foods. Jürgen Siemer, Robeco (investment engineers) agribusiness analyst, predicts that demand for dairy is only going to continue to grow and exceed supply growth by 2020, especially in markets such as China, India, the Middle East and North Africa.

The purpose of this film was to educate and draw people to the environmental issues surrounding animal agriculture. For this particular issue, it requires no political action, money, no corporate boardroom decisions, no re-negotiated food policy, and no tax incentives. Simply refusing to eat dairy products is the only way that there can be change caused by the realizations gained from watching the film.

While producing the film, Kip Anderson became a vegan himself.

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ENTERTAINMENT

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March Issue 3 2015

GAME REVIEW Little Big Planet 3 for PlayStation PlayStation’s most imaginative platformer is back, featuring all new playable characters and unique abilities

ur entertainment pick of the month is the kiddies PlayStation game, Little Big Planet 3, available for PlayStation 4 and PS Vita. This fun filled, captivating game is not only a great form of edutainment, but also gets young people excited about saving the planet.

The strangely cute central character Sackboy (a small figurine that looks like he was handmade out of soft brown hessian), returns in this third season of the game to take viewers on a brand new adventure. This time he is captured and needs to be rescued by his friends.

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The design of the game has lovely natural textures, none of that violence or gore usually associated with gaming. Fans of the series will be pleased to know that the creative element synonymous with Little Big Planet games is still there, allowing players to collect items and create their own environment. The game has over a million Likes on Facebook, proving its popularity.

There is one little drawback however, and that is the navigation which might be slightly confusing, therefore, younger players will definitely be needing some help from a grown up.

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