Citizen Zero Issue 02

02

P E OP L E

P L A NE T

P UR P O S E

Giving every child the best start

Taking a ride with the Electric Renegade

Travel, learning, and tomorrow’s global citizens

Compound’s motorsport-inspired sneakers are made from used race tyre rubber combined with recycled natural rubber to create the soles.

The uppers are made from waste leather with recycled polyester lining and laces. At the end of their natural life, they can be recycled into 100% reusable raw materials to make new shoes and products.

We invite fashion-conscious consumers to join our movement, where every step taken is a step towards a cleaner, greener future.

LEARN MORE

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EDITORS

L

ife isn’t easy when it comes to this note.

Traditional logic says I give you a taster of what to expect in this issue. But how do I begin to distil the huge collection of passionate and inspiring people we’re

lucky enough to have spoken to over the last couple of months, and who are making real, meaningful changes that’ve kept me fascinated?

Granted, it’s not a bad problem to have. Because there is no stand out story, person or organisation here in Issue 02. And that’s really the point. Global Citizenship, our inspiration for Citizen Zero, is about collective or shared responsibility, understanding the world by knowing our place and impact in it, and realising that through collective action we can bring about sustainable development whether that’s through economic change, social development, or helping the environment.

CONTACT

That’s the connecting thread with everyone in these pages: they’re all people or organisations who’ve seen a challenge or a problem affecting others and decided

hello@citizenzero.online EDITOR-I N-CH I EF

Matt High

to do something about it. Like Justin van Fleet and Theirworld tackling the early years child care challenge head on to make sure every young person has the best start, Rudayna Abdo and Thaki providing second hand

CR EATIVE DI R ECTOR

Steve Shipley PU B LIS H ED BY

laptops to displaced children to help them thrive, Michael Lee’s Centre for Global Citizenship Studies building the next generation of global citizens, tackling heat-related kidney disease with Jason Glaser, or Electric Renegade Ellis Spiezia.

© Citizen Zero 2024. All rights reserved. Reproduction of this publication in whole or in part without written permission of the publisher is prohibited.

See what I mean? That’s only scratching the surface.

So, back to my problem, it’s best if I just thank everyone who has contributed to this issue and urge you all to dive straight in. Enjoy, and be inspired!

Matt High, Editor-in-Chief

C I T I Z E N Z E R O ——— I S S U E T W O

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BIG PICTURE

© Per Frost, Technidrone

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C I T I Z E N Z E R O ——— I S S U E T W O

THE OPERA PARK, COPENHAGEN Inspired by European historical gardens, The Opera Park’s green, winding paths and rich flora and fauna provide an escape from the bustling city life of Copenhagen while also tackling urban challenges like decline in biodiversity and water management.

C I T I Z E N Z E R O ——— I S S U E T W O

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CONTENTS

84

18

34

42

62 10 | REGULARS

34 | REGULARS

54 | INNOVATION

BRIEFING

DIRECTORY

CLEAN AIR

18 | SOCIAL

42 | ENVIRONMENT

62 | SOCIAL

How Theirworld is transforming early years child care

Education, travel, and tomorrow’s global citizens

children to thrive

The people, innovations, and stories on our radar

Essential picks for responsible consumers

Lillium’s vision for sustainable air mobility

POTENTIAL ACT FOR EARLY YEARS CLASS WITHOUT WALLS UNLOCKING How Thaki is helping vulnerable

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C I T I Z E N Z E R O ——— I S S U E T W O

54

100

106 102 74 | ENVIRONMENT

100 | PIONEER

106 | PIONEER

SINK | RISE

FOREST SCHOOLS

JEAN THERAPY

84 | TRAILBLAZER

102 | INVENTORY

ELECTRIC RENEGADE

GREEN BUILDINGS

South Pacific Islanders’ plight: a photostory

Ellis Spiezia, the world’s first native electric racing driver

The open-air classrooms inspiring the next generation

Giving denim a new lease of life with Denimolite

Bold, beautiful, and built to make a positive impact

C I T I Z E N Z E R O ——— I S S U E T W O

07

I could tell you my grades.

Or I could tell you how engaging and volunteering in the community though the Youth Empowered program has developed my understanding and empathy towards others.

MY STORY IS MORE THAN NUMBERS.

Global Citizen Diploma

globalcitizendiploma.org

108

116

118

TOM LAFFAY

108 | ECONOMIC

118 | ECONOMIC

NATURE EMBODIED

PROTECTING WORKERS

116 | PIONEER

130 | REGULARS

LIQUID TREES

THE GUIDE

Foraging, local sourcing, and a hydro-powered distillery

Tackling urban air pollution with microalgae

C I T I Z E N Z E R O ——— I S S U E T W O

La Isla Network on tackling heat-related illnesses

Education and entertainment for sustainable citizens

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BRIEFING

Briefing T H E P E O P L E, I N N O VAT I O N S, A N D S T O RI E S O N O U R R A D A R

I N N OVAT I O N : M O B I L I T Y

BUBBLE CAR: REBORN A bubble car? In 2024? Yep, we didn’t think we needed it either. But just look at it.

And once you’re finished, check out the specs because the Microlino is as innovative as it is attention grabbing. On average, a car is occupied by only 1.2 people and driven just 35 km per day, meaning that most are too big for their purpose. Microlino still has space for two adults (and three beer crates, according to the company), but it’s a tiny and all-electric solution to busy and cramped cities. It charges from a house plug in four hours, has a maximum range of over 200 km, and uses 50% fewer parts than a regular car, 80% of which are locally sourced from Europe. microlino-car.com

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C I T I Z E N Z E R O ——— I S S U E T W O

SOCIAL: GENDER EQUALITY

FEMINIST CLIMATE JUSTICE Feminism is a powerful tool in the fight against climate change, says the UN’s Feminist Climate Justice: A Framework for Action report. The document shows how crises around the world, from geopolitical gridlock and the direct impacts of changing climate to economic equality, have a disproportionate effect on women and girls.

It says there’s a growing body of evidence on gender and climate change that identifies negative impacts on women, girls, and gender-diverse people because of underlying inequalities and an ongoing failure to take gender issues into account in environmental policymaking.

If unaddressed, climate change will push up to 158 million more women and girls into poverty and lead 236 million more women into hunger. “Climate change is creating a downward spiral for women and girls”, said Sarah Hendriks, UN Women Director. “We need to transform economies away from extraction and pollution and integrate women’s rights into all aspects of climate policy and financing. UN Women is calling for feminist climate justice, and a world in which everyone can enjoy their human rights, and flourish on a planet that is healthy and sustainable.”

The feminist climate justice approach centres around four key areas: recognising women’s rights, labour, and knowledge to develop effective and inclusive climate adaptation policies; redistribute economic

The world added 50% more renewable capacity in 2023 compared to the previous year International Energy Agency: Renewables 2023

resources to support women’s resilience; increase representation of women’s voices; and address and repair inequalities and historical injustices. unwomen.org

C I T I Z E N Z E R O ——— I S S U E T W O

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I N N OVAT I O N : S P O R T

BLUE IMPACT

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There’s more to sport than just competition.

The marine environment faces several threats:

It can inspire, be a vehicle for positive messaging,

emissions from shipping and transports con-

or a showcase of innovative or exciting new tech-

tribute significantly to global CO 2 emissions;

nologies – you just have to look at the attention

climate change has a serious impact on sea and

series’ like Formula E or Extreme E have put on

river life; and the sheer volumes of waste that

electric cars to understand that. Swap cars for

finds its way into the world’s oceans and water-

boats, and you begin to understand why the E1

ways is terrifying. And, while the incredible

Series, the world’s first electric boat racing

RaceBird electric racing boat can’t change that

championship, is important.

single handedly, E1 has committed to healing

C I T I Z E N Z E R O ——— I S S U E T W O

coastal waters and ecosystems through innova-

sustainable energy in marine, using comprehen-

tive technologies and aquatic regeneration.

sive waste reduction strategies across its entire operations, and using alternatives to plastic.

E1 launched in early February, with its first race in

It also collaborates on coastal habitat restoration

Jeddah. It uses all-electric boats equipped with

initiatives and creates content to teach children

advanced electric propulsion systems and foiling

the importance of ocean health.

technology that gives high performance with minimal environmental impact. Boats aside, E1’s

e1series.com

‘Blue Impact’ commitments include promoting

C I T I Z E N Z E R O ——— I S S U E T W O

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What can you tell us about Truly Nuts!?

We make the only flavoured Brazil nuts out there, offering Brazil nuts in smoked, chilli, salted, and dark and milk chocolate flavours.

We’ve launched in the UK, Singapore, and the Middle East. We also try very hard to give back – our inaugural project is the reforestation of a thousand hectares of Peruvian Amazon, with the ultimate goal of planting one million trees.

We also donate 25% of our profits to the Amazon Citizen Zero meets DJ turned sustainable

and other ecologically-based projects.

entrepreneur Gareth Lloyd to talk about his love for South America, his new nut brand, and the natural wonder of the incredible Brazil nut tree.

Why South America in particular, Gareth?

As a DJ you tour new places, towns, cities, and countries meeting new and incredible people, and seeing new environments. I built a profound connection with Peru. There’s a lot of poverty and terrorism impacting the population and it’s not really reported, it’s like a forgotten world. It made me really motivated to help. People flee dangerous areas, coming to cities like Lima searching for a better life, but there’s no real work or economic

And what about the Brazil nut tree? It’s pretty

opportunities; they live in terrible conditions and

incredible, right?

have to rely on community support.

Yeah. The tree must remain in pristine Amazonian forest for it to produce fruit or the nut, and they

14

How has your charitable trust helped?

only grow in a certain part of the Amazon where

We’ve undertaken some incredible projects, like

Bolivia, Brazi, and Peru meet. You can’t commer-

building more than 100 homes to rehouse 500

cially farm the Brazil nut tree, unlike a macadamia

locals over seven years. We pay fair wages, too,

or an almond. By definition, it’s a sustainable

and prioritise empowering women, who make up

practice because if you cut the trees down

70% of our workforce. I always remember seeing

around a Brazil nut tree, which has happened in

people so happy to receive their new homes,

some parts of the Amazon, the trees stop giving

many because of something as simple as having

nuts and eventually die. They die because there’s

a padlock on their door – often adults have to leave

a certain type of Amazonian bee that pollinates

children home alone while they go to sell sweets

the tree and they need pristine rainforest.

in the streets, but it’s such an unsafe environment.

By definition, they can help protect the Amazon.

Having that security meant so much.

trulynuts.com C I T I Z E N Z E R O ——— I S S U E T W O

S O C I A L : S U S TA I N A B L E C O M M U N I T I E S

RISE OF THE PHOENIX The North Street area and Phoenix industrial estate, today neglected, once played a crucial role in the history of Lewes and Sussex, UK. The team responsible for repurposing the site into a new, sustainable community plan to use as many materials such as steel trusses and cladding, bricks, walls, and buttressing as they can. They’ll form the basis of The Phoenix, a development planned to prioritise people over cars, use primarily sustainable timber and renewable power, encourage a culture of sharing, and represent a new and regenerative way to build a community. Residents will be provided spaces to set up their own ventures focused on upcycling, repair, and reuse, and to collectively compost their waste to make fertiliser for neighbourhood cafes and restaurants. phoenixlewes.com

E N V I R O N M E N T: C L I M AT E E N V I R O N M E N T: R E C YC L I N G

MAKE AND MEND

THE TIPPING POINT A study published in the journal Science Advances suggests that the Atlantic meridional

Sustainable sneaker and accessory brand

overturning circulation (AMOC) - a critical sys-

Veja has opened a very different kind of

tem of Atlantic Ocean currents that effectively

store in Paris. Think of the Veja General

transports heat and salt through the ocean

Store as less of a sneaker shop, more a

- has recently shown signs of trending towards

dedicated pit-stop for existing shoes from

a crucial tipping point. If the AMOC collapses,

the brand – which are made from organic

it could have devastating effects on the planet,

cotton, wild rubber from the Amazon, veg-

including in the Amazon, where the wet and dry

etable tanned leather, and recycled PET

seasons would flip, pushing the already-weak-

bottles. The 100 sqm space is dedicated

ened rainforest past its own tipping point, and

entirely to care and repair, under the watch-

in Europe, where average temperatures could

ful eye of a team of full-time cobblers to

decrease by 30 degrees Celsius over a century.

encourage reuse and a circular approach.

science.org

veja-store.com

C I T I Z E N Z E R O ——— I S S U E T W O

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E N V I R O N M E N T: M A R I N E L I F E

CITIZEN DIVERS “It’s like underwater gardening,” says Lea Verfondern, a 21-year-old veterinary assistant and one of the first batch of local citizens taking part in a project to restore underwater seagrass meadows off the coast of Kiel, Germany. The meadows, which can help tackle climate change by acting as vast natural sinks that store millions of tonnes of carbon, have been lost at an alarming rate over the last century as a result of worsening water quality. Under the SeaStore Seagrass Restoration Project, local citizens receive training on how to move seagrass from existing meadows to new locations to encourage growth with the objective of re-greening the Baltic Sea. reuters.com

REUTERS/LISI NIESNER

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C I T I Z E N Z E R O ——— I S S U E T W O

ECONOMIC: FINANCE

TECH-DRIVEN INCLUSION New research by the World Economic Forum (WEF) and the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance has set out the huge growth in the global fintech industry over the last decade, and how digital banking and financial services are transformative in developed economies and regions where people don’t have access to banking services.

Financial inclusion and equal rights to economic resources underpins several SDGs, both for improving financial equity for people and communities, and for the development of small-scale enterprises and economic growth. In developing nations, says the WEF, digital innovation by fintech companies has allowed entire economies to bypass traditional banking systems thus providing options to people who may have previously been excluded from access. It set out three ways in which fintech is proving beneficial: > Opening opportunities for female entrepreneurs and democratising financial services by enabling women access to capital, to engage in crowd funding, and manage their finances. > Boosting growing businesses through the provision of a suite of financial services once the preserve of larger corporations. > Offering mobile banking and digital payment platforms to people in remote communities. weforum.org

C I T I Z E N Z E R O ——— I S S U E T W O

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SOCIAL

Making every young life matter Theirworld President Justin van Fleet discusses acting for early years development, delivering lasting change, and giving every child the best start in life

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C I T I Z E N Z E R O ——— I S S U E T W O

C I T I Z E N Z E R O ——— I S S U E T W O

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“FOR FAR TOO LONG IT’S BEEN A PRIVILEGE, NOT A RIGHT, TO HAVE EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE” JUSTIN VAN FLEET

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C I T I Z E N Z E R O ——— I S S U E T W O

I

t’s not every day you meet with an

better social equity and more inclusive

experienced, knowledgeable and pas-

societies as they grow. There are economic

sionate leader to discuss the tantrum

benefits, too. Research has shown that every

they’re throwing. But so it is with

$1 invested in early childhood care and

Theirworld’s Justin van Fleet. In his

development can lead to a return of as much

and his colleague’s defence, the source

as $17 for the most disadvantaged children.

of their frustration – the chronic lack of investment in early years child care,

Education rightly underpins sustainable

development and education, and the lack of

development across the board; the 17

coherent focus around the need to give every

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), set

single child worldwide the very best start

out by world leaders eight years ago, make

they can have in life – is a global problem

clear its importance for preparing and em-

worth getting angry about.

powering people to make informed decisions about their health and life, contributing to

Ninety percent of a child’s brain develop-

economic growth and social cohesion, and

ment takes place between birth and the age

equipping them to engage in crucial man-

of five. For every child, the first five years are

dates like climate change and environmental

a once in a lifetime opportunity to provide

preservation. Within SDG4, which comprises

foundations that will make a difference for

seven outcome targets for universal primary

the rest of their lives. Nurturing care across

and secondary education, early childhood

health, nutrition, play, learning, and protec-

development has its own specific target: to

tion is crucial for development. In particular,

ensure that, by 2030, all girls and boys have

early years education improves socialisation,

access to quality early childhood develop-

sets children on the road to reaching their

ment, care, and pre-primary education so

full potential, and helps them contribute to

that they’re ready for primary education.

C I T I Z E N Z E R O ——— I S S U E T W O

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And yet, we are in crisis. Currently, less than

“WE WERE COMPELLED TO ACT…”

2% of all early childhood development aid

“We were just frustrated,” says van Fleet,

goes towards education. More than 175 mil-

discussing the origins of the campaign,

lion children, close to half of all pre-primary

which includes a ‘Global Tantrum’ protest at

age children globally, are not enrolled in

the lack of support for children spearheaded

pre-primary education, more than half of

by celebrities and influential figures world-

the world’s children don’t have access to

wide. “For far too long it’s been a privilege,

the childcare they need, and one in three

not a right, to have early childhood care. And

children between 3-4 years of age is not

this is a problem that resonates for everyone,

developmentally on track. Investment is

it’s not something that only affects certain

crucial to reversing these statistics and

groups or nations. Everyone, every single

breaking cycles of poverty and inequality

community, and every single country is deal-

that can become entrenched early. But that

ing with the impact of the early years crisis

won’t come without a significant change in

and, when we are talking about the ability

attitude among governments, policy makers,

of a child to thrive or not thrive before the age

and donors – in 2021, only 22% of UN

of five, people become quite animated.

member states made pre-primary education compulsory, and only 45% provided at least

“I remember brainstorming and developing

one year of free pre-primary education.

the idea,” he continues. “We were looking at the statistics, analysing the reasons behind the

Which is why we’re talking tantrums with

lack of investment and policy, and really un-

van Fleet. Specifically, Theirworld’s. The

derstanding how deeply this impacts people,

organisation, a children’s charity dedicated

and the entire team felt so frustrated at the lack

to ending the global education crisis and

of action we were compelled to act – we just

unleashing the potential of future genera-

had to get the word out there. For me, that’s

tions, has launched its Act for Early Years

the real power of this particular campaign.

campaign calling for urgent action to end

It’s something that’s so personal. Everyone can

the early years crisis. The initiative brings

see what it means for their family and friends,

together governments, business, international

so it’s absolutely a cause that’s critical, and

agencies, frontline workers, and other

which can make such an impact globally.”

groups to call for greater investment from governments at national and local level,

Van Fleet’s passion stems from a long

and for the early years to be treated as part

affinity with tackling the inequalities and

of a country’s essential infrastructure.

disparities inherent in education and childhood development that began, he explains, in the remote Bolivian countryside. Growing up in rural Appalachia on the West VirginiaMaryland border, van Fleet’s worldview may have been limited at first. But that changed when his aunt and uncle hosted an exchange

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C I T I Z E N Z E R O ——— I S S U E T W O

SDG VIP DINNER DURING UNGA WITH FEDERER FOUNDATION

“I TRULY BELIEVE THAT EDUCATION AND EARLY YEARS CARE IS THE KEY THAT UNLOCKS OUR SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC GOALS” student from Spain when he was young

shocking,” says van Fleet. “It was a wake-up

and he was inspired to apply to be a foreign

call to the disparity in opportunity that people

exchange student himself. “There were all

have from such a young age. I really became

these countries you could choose from and

interested in the importance of education,

I just remember putting a big X in a black

why some go to school and others don’t, and

marker across them and writing ‘I’ll go any-

of ways to make sure everyone has the oppor-

where in the world, but I’d really like to

tunity to reach their full potential. When

learn Spanish’. I was accepted with a note

you’re young you think an exchange pro-

telling me ‘congratulations, you’re heading

gramme is about learning other cultures, but

to Bolivia,” he recalls.

for me it was a window into the injustice and inequality in the world. It had a real impact

“I was 16 and attending a Bolivian high school

on me and, even though I didn’t necessarily

and it was the first time I’d ever seen people

think it at the time, has always been the core

my age not doing the same thing. It was

of who I am and what I care about.”

C I T I Z E N Z E R O ——— I S S U E T W O

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So much so that van Fleet has built a respected

“We’ve made progress, but there is still

career in education and childhood develop-

so much to do. Look back to the turn of the

ment, including previously serving as

century, when the Millenium Development

Director of the International Commission on

Goals were set out,” van Fleet says. “More

Financing Global Education Opportunity,

than 100 million children were out of

and as Chief of Staff, UN Special Envoy

primary school and, in the first few years

for Global Education for former UK Prime

following, the number was dramatically

Minister Gordon Brown. As well as acting

reduced to around 60 million. Of course that

as President of Theirworld, he is Chief

brought to the fore many of the challenges,

Executive Officer of one of its key initiatives,

questions and trends we’re still working on

the Global Business Coalition for Education,

beyond just getting children through the

which supports companies with environ-

school door: what type of education are they

mental, social, and governance activities

receiving? How do we ensure it is the best

in education. Over this period, he says, the

quality, and how is it delivered? What does

landscape for education and children has

effective teaching and learning look like?

evolved significantly even though many

And what role should technology play in

challenges remain.

supporting young people going to school?

JUSTIN VAN FLEET AND THEIRWORLD CHAIR SARAH BROWN MEET UKRAINE’S PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY

24

C I T I Z E N Z E R O ——— I S S U E T W O

“There are other bright spots I’ve seen first-

There’s often a tendency to focus on areas

hand during my time at Theirworld,” he

that can provide a hard return to invest-

continues. “Ten years ago there wasn’t an

ment, like infrastructure as an example, or

emergencies fund for education – when it

on short-term solutions like training people

came to international aid, learning was left to

for specific jobs.

the side and children were out of school for an average of seven to 10 years. It led to our safe

“It requires significant coordination, too,”

schools campaign – Education Cannot Wait

he continues. “This isn’t just about education,

– which established a global fund for educa-

but health, employment, social work, and

tion in emergencies and protracted crises that

care, meaning governments must work as

has given millions of children the opportunity

a system to provide a comprehensive set of

to attend school. There’s also been progress

services to families. The reality is that for

in the business community and private sector,

most of the challenges we face, education

including our Global Business Coalition for

is the underlying foundation or link. This

Education, which has created a more joined

is about looking beyond short-term fixes

up approach to organisations addressing edu-

and understanding that we have to be invest-

cation and social responsibility. Early years,

ing in the root problem to prepare an entire

though, is an enduring challenge that’s at the

generation of young people for the future.

top of peoples’ minds because of the need

Act for Early Years is about making govern-

to give children a better start in life and the

ments understand that if they invest in this

pressure so many families are under.”

most fundamental of needs they’re giving every young person the opportunity to

“THE IMPACT IS CATASTROPHIC…”

contribute to society, participate in the

The early years crisis is a multifaceted one.

economy, nurture their own families,

Around the world, the situation for the

manage challenges like climate change and

youngest members of society and those that

so much more. I truly believe that education

care for them – parents, carers, nursery

and early years care is the key that unlocks

teachers, and teaching assistants – continues

our social and economic goals.”

to worsen, suffering from both a lack of investment and engagement from government

The impacts of not making this change are

and policy makers.

profound. The high cost or poor availability of adequate child care is the main reason

“Governments just aren’t prioritising the

women leave their jobs, making families

issue overall,” says van Fleet, discussing

less able to afford the things their children

the context behind the crisis. “Making

need and businesses and economies lose

change, particularly in education, is always

valuable employees. Without the right sup-

challenging. In this instance, you have an

port, children are at risk of going through

environment where there are many compet-

life with poorer physical and mental health,

ing priorities, particularly in countries

and may struggle to learn or join the work-

where there’s limited capacity or budget.

force later in life.

C I T I Z E N Z E R O ——— I S S U E T W O

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THE EARLY YEARS CRISIS Around the world:

350 million children below primaryschool entry age around the world

More than half of all young children

need childcare but do not have

(349 million) do not have the access

access to it (World Bank, 2021).

they need to childcare, and around half of pre-primary-aged children are not

Malnutrition and stunting impact

enrolled in any form of early education.

an estimated 250 million children under five, thwarting their develop-

At least 175 million children are not

ment at a critical moment in their

enrolled in pre-primary education

lives (Ndayizigiye et al 2022).

programmes (UNICEF 2010).

Of the world’s 100 million displaced

26

One in four children aged five have

people, just under 12 million are esti-

never had any form of pre-primary

mated to be children under the age

education (UNESCO 2022).

of five (Moving Minds Alliance, 2022).

C I T I Z E N Z E R O ——— I S S U E T W O

C I T I Z E N Z E R O ——— I S S U E T W O

27

AT THE GBC-EDUCATION UNGA ROUNDTABLE 2023

Investment in early years support also helps eradicate cycles of poverty and inequality – children from more prosperous, educated backgrounds tend to begin primary school ready to learn, leaving those with no access to childcare at a major disadvantage. And, in low- and middle-income countries 40% of children are at risk of not attaining their full development potential because of poverty, inadequate nutrition, exposure to stress, and lack of early stimulation and learning.

“The impact is catastrophic,” stresses van Fleet. “Hundreds of millions of children aren’t in the adequate early childhood care or development programmes they need to be in, and millions more will never step into a preschool. Beyond just learning, millions do not benefit from a healthy pregnancy and birth, lack the family support they need, and do not receive the early interventions necessary around health, nutrition, and 28

C I T I Z E N Z E R O ——— I S S U E T W O

“THIS IS ABOUT LOOKING BEYOND SHORT-TERM FIXES AND UNDERSTANDING THAT WE HAVE TO BE INVESTING IN THE ROOT PROBLEM TO PREPARE AN ENTIRE GENERATION OF YOUNG PEOPLE FOR THE FUTURE”

development. The challenge is that all of these crucial interventions are still thought of as things that happen in the home and that parents are supposed to do, while we just make sure there’s a school ready for children once they reach the age of five. It’s hugely unfair and if we continue, we’re just entrenching inequality.

“If 90% of the brain develops in the early years, all we’re doing beyond that is tinkering on the margins of what’s already been developed and nurtured,” he continues.

“The earlier we invest, the better the longerterm trajectories are and the greater opportunity we have to address societal issues around equity and fairness, and tackle things like skills shortages in the workplace.

If we’re genuinely concerned about the future, we have to start shifting the needle in a big way and understand that early investment will bring huge value. That’s where we want to make a difference.”

“OUR GOAL IS TO RAISE A BILLION DOLLARS…” The Act for Early Years campaign calls for radical change, not just with proper investment but also bright ideas and bold policy making across the board. There is early momentum – in the US, President Biden has set the goal of establishing universal preschool care and education for the two years before primary education starts; Canada’s President Trudeau has announced a C$30bn national plan to subsidise childcare; and in early 2023, the UK government said it would provide 30 hours of childcare a week for one- and two-year-olds during the school term. But, says Theirworld, greater unity and global collaboration is essential.

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Working with partners and experts, it has set out several key recommended interventions to achieve the vision of universal quality childcare. These are aligned with five integrated intervention packages, originally identified by the World Bank, designed to be delivered across the different stages of a child’s life – family support, pregnancy, birth, child health and development, and preschool – and spanning sectors including education, health, nutrition, water, sanitation, and social protection.

The recommended interventions at the heart of the Act for Early Years campaign include, at national and local government level, to provide sufficient financing to guarantee universal access to affordable, quality childcare, learning, healthcare and nutrition, to set the appropriate policy and legal frameworks so that children may thrive, set out family-friendly support policies, give greater transparency over childhood development spend, and to set and deliver early years investment targets.

It also sets out key actions for the international community, such as setting early years minimum investment targets (as a total percentage of GDP), conducting a five-year review of the G20’s 2018 Initiative for Early Childhood Development, tracking early years investments in aid budgets and programmes, especially those for emergencies and refugee communities, and staging the first International Financing Summit on the early years.

“Our goal is to raise a billion dollars in commitments from governments to prioritise this issue, show their intent to really level up investment, and start taking action on early 30

“IF WE’RE GENUINELY CONCERNED ABOUT THE FUTURE, WE HAVE TO START SHIFTING THE NEEDLE IN A BIG WAY AND UNDERSTAND THAT EARLY INVESTMENT WILL BRING HUGE VALUE”

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childhood, delivering quality care and education over the first five years of every child’s life – it’s the most important issue,” says van Fleet. “The great thing about having the five packages of interventions and our recommendations is that there’s been so much work and research done in this field that we can provide data on exactly what needs to be done to deliver results.

“When it comes to nutrition, for example, we know what young people need to ensure food security and healthy growth, on engagement we have information that shows how to foster a young person’s development, or make them feel loved, that they belong, and to nurture the early stages of their cognitive development, and when it comes to learning, we know that two years of quality preschool before the age of five is the gold standard for every child,” he says.

“Teachers and carers must be a priority, too,” adds van Fleet. “There are huge shortages in child care workers and preschool teachers that have to be addressed if we’re to deliver change. We don’t pay people well, we don’t reward them or provide professional development, yet we expect them to support and nurture our young people and be responsible for their development. Schools are some of the most unreformed institutions, but the people that work in them absolutely have one of the most important professions on the planet. The solutions exist, but we need each country or community to map them out, create the systems to deliver them, make sure that they’re accessible to all parents, and provide the right level of funding to get results. That’s the core of our campaign.”

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“GIVE EVERY CHILD THE BEST START…”

van Fleet had recently returned from a visit

Theirworld has a long history of working to

to Ukraine. There, he and Theirworld Chair

transform the lives of children impacted by

Sarah Brown met President Volodymyr

conflict, emergencies and crises. Globally,

Zelenskyy to discuss the nation’s commitment

hundreds of millions of children are in-

to being an Act for Early years champion.

creasingly living in hostile and dangerous environments and, as a result, have no access

Theirworld will support a national early

to quality education. For these children, early

childhood education and development initia-

years education is even more important,

tive to ensure that Ukrainian children – five

protecting them from the worst effects of the

million of whom have had their education

crises they’re experiencing, providing nur-

disrupted since the Russian invasion – can

turing care, psychosocial support, and much

benefit from a safe, quality early education.

needed stability, normalcy, and routine.

It will also work to deliver accelerated learning programmes for science and mathematics.

Close to 10 years ago Theirworld, through

“We’ve worked a lot with Ukraine,” says

its global campaign, was instrumental in the

van Fleet. “In terms of early childhood devel-

establishing of the Education Cannot Wait

opment there has been a realisation that,

fund, the first global fund to prioritise educa-

in order to incentivise people to return to the

tion action in humanitarian emergencies.

country, it’s essential to have high quality

Its goal was to raise $4bn to provide quality

services for families including the preschool

education, ensure education is a top priority

reform we’re working on now in partnership

during crises, generate and disburse addi-

with the Ukraine Ministry of Education.

tional financing, and strengthen capacity to respond to crises. At time of writing,

“Previously we’ve also supported Stay With Ukraine, a programme with our on-theground project partner Smart Osvita to help

wE nEed Act for Early Years

your help.

A call for a global movement to support the world’s youngest children

Case Report April 2023

1

The Act for Early Years Report Theirworld, April 2023 Introduction

Read the Act for Early Years Report here

32

young refugees keep in touch with Ukrainian language, learning, and culture while living in other countries.Through the Global Business Coalition for Education, we have worked with key partners like HP and Microsoft to deliver more than 70,000 laptops to children so they can continue to learn,” he adds. “Any crisis is a tragedy with terrible impact on people, but we should also look at them as an opportunity to collectively find opportunities to improve lives. I’m really confident that the work we’ll see over the next year or so in Ukraine will contribute to major developments in early education and development.”

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AT THE ACT FOR EARLY YEARS EVENT, 20 SEPTEMBER 2023

“OUR GOAL IS TO RAISE A BILLION DOLLARS AND COMMITMENTS FROM GOVERNMENTS TO PRIORITISE THIS ISSUE” We could, truth be told, listen to van Fleet

“I’m really optimistic about what we’re

discuss his and his colleagues’ work all day

looking to achieve with the Act for Early

– his passion for the subject and desire to see

Years campaign,” he states. “My mission

everyone have the best start in life is an in-

is to raise $1bn from governments, to drive

spiring mix. “I love every minute of what we

the campaign, and to see the change that’s

do,” he affirms. “It’s challenging to bring the

needed for young people. It’s an incredible

many complex pieces together to make things

opportunity we have and success means

happen but what we do so well at Theirworld

every child has the best start in life and

is to really stick with a campaign or challenge.

a safe place to develop and learn the skills

We dedicate ourselves to the most important

they need for the future.”

issues, often those that require a long or difficult journey and do everything we can

theirworld.org

to deliver for those that need it.

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DIRECTORY

Directory Citizen Zero’s essential picks for responsible consumers

BARK SWEDEN WOODEN PHONE CASE There’s real beauty in wood – each pattern, grain, and colour is testament to the life of a particular tree. Like a cherry thinned from a forest outside Stockholm, or an ash from the Småland Highlands sadly cut down due to age. Bark Sweden tells these stories, using waste or unused wood from forest management in parks and green areas to handcraft and mill these bespoke phone cases. barksweden.com

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ALPHA PADDED CROSSBODY BAG Look closely at ReTribe’s crossbody bag and you may see small areas of damage, colour fading, or random seams. They are, says the small business that saves products and fabrics from landfill for reuse, the battle scars of its past life – in this case, as a surplus military sleeping bag. retribe.co.uk

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LESPOL COFFEE CUP AND SAUCER Coffee grounds in landfill produce methane, which contributes to global warming. Better then they end up here, as a bioplastic cup and saucer crafted from spent coffee grounds and plant-based materials. The bioplastic can also be used for anything from baby products to automotive interiors. lespol-en.ddokd.com

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CRIMAGNO EARTH Sometimes you have to forego the prose to get straight to the point. So here goes: Crimagno’s Earth shoes have a sole made from natural rubber, hempwood, and recycled material, an upper made from PET bottles recovered from the sea, a lining made from hemp and recycled polyester, and recycled polyester zips. crimagno.com

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THE HEMLOCK: WOOD WATCH All of The Sustainable Watch Company’s watches and watch straps are handmade from recycled natural wood furniture and discarded railway tracks. The Hemlock also runs without batteries to reduce waste. For every watch ordered, the company plants 10 trees to support reforestation. thesustainablewatchcompany.com

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IAMECO V3 DESKTOP COMPUTER The v3 is the result of two decades’ development work to create an ‘ecologically safe’ computer free from harmful chemicals and heavy metals. It has a carbon footprint 70% less than the average PC, uses 98% recyclable materials (by weight), and LED lighting that’s up to 40% more energy efficient. iameco.com

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WISHBONE 3-IN-1 BALANCE BIKE When it comes to toys, there’s two kinds of plastic: that which contributes to vast amounts of landfill each year, and Wishbone’s.

The company’s recycled balance bike is made from post-consumer recycled bottles and carpet, and has a zero-waste frame and wheels for maximum recyclability. eu.wishbonedesign.com

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ENVIRONMENT

THE CLASSROOM MICHAEL LEE DISCUSSES REVOLUTIONISING GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP THROUGH INNOVATIVE EDUCATION, VOLUNTEERING, AND INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL 42

O

ne warm evening in late 2011 Michael Lee (Mike) was relaxing in a bar in Chiang Rai, Thailand. He’d spent the day working on an ongoing project he was part of rolling

out Montessori school programmes for Burmese refugees from the Shan state through the Kom Loy foundation. Taking a break in town, Mike overheard a conversation between two

C I T I Z E N Z E R O ——— I S S U E T W O

WITHOUT WALLS foreign English teachers, one of whose mother

these advertised elephant encounters to tourists

was heading out to pay them a visit.

and travellers. In reality, they often showcased young elephants bred in captivity. Ethically, it was

Listening to the group discussing the best ‘tour-

a questionable model. Mike, though, was inspired:

ist-friendly’ elephant sanctuaries in Thailand,

he saw that the challenges around ethical

Mike realised there was a glaring gap in the

volunteering and tourism were multifaceted and

understanding and awareness around ethical

deeply entrenched in a lack of proper education

tourism and animal welfare. Sanctuaries like

and awareness – there had to be a better way.

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Recognising the potential for true, transforma-

EDUCATION BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

tive change, Mike found it, in his own words,

Mike’s vision rapidly became the Centre for

through a journey that saw him connecting the

Global Citizenship Studies (CGCS), which he

dots. When working in an animal rescue centre

established in 2020, bringing in his business

in Bolivia in 2018, for example, he saw how

partner Jared Borkum, a thought leader in

volunteers, while passionate and eager to help,

education gamification, instructional course

often lacked clear guidance, structure, and

design, and impactful education. The mission

a deeper understanding of the impact of their

was to pioneer new educational frontiers and

efforts. They needed a more structured educa-

empower students wanting to volunteer and

tional framework to prepare and support them

actively engage in global challenges through

to deliver truly meaningful work.

a suite of meaningful and impactful projectbased certificates and diplomas. “It was built

During COVID, Mike was working with LSBU

on best practices in blended teaching and

Global on Transnational Education (TNE)

learning methodologies, also incorporating

Projects at London’s South Bank University. The

elements from apprenticeships and traineeships

university, which is one of the UK’s main players

to provide a structured yet flexible learning

in international validation and quality assurance

experience,” Mike explains.

for online and international programmes, was the ideal environment for his idea to grow.

“Key components include preparation for volun-

“I had the opportunity to reflect on and design

teering projects, understanding cultural nuances

an educational model that addressed a lot of the

through the lens of inquiry, the cultural iceberg

challenges I’d seen over the years,” he says,

model, dealing with reverse culture shock, ways

picking up the story. “I envisioned a course that

to measure and understand the impact of volun-

would not only prepare people for volunteering

teering efforts, guidance on fundraising, and

but also provide them with a comprehensive

analysing and understanding the broader needs,

understanding of the cultural, social, and ethical

impacts and dynamics of the communities that

dimensions of their work.”

our volunteers serve,” he adds. “It’s a platform where education meets action, theory meets practice, and learning goes beyond the confines of traditional classrooms. We coined it ‘the

“Our vision is to reinvent education as the powerhouse for global citizenship”

classroom without walls’, but that’s now a common term I can’t take credit for. People are empowered to become informed, effective, and compassionate global citizens, equipped to make a positive difference in the world.”

The CGCS runs accredited Diplomas in International Volunteering across marine conservation, wildlife preservation, and global citizenship. International accreditation gives

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“Sustainability has also become a mindset, not just a lesson plan. Students are stepping up as

“It’s about teaching young people to think big, have empathy as their compass, and prove they can understand and discuss concepts and ideas that matter”

mini-activists, pushing for change and, in a lot of cases, making adults sit up and listen,” adds Mike. “Citizenship is global, too. You’re no longer a citizen of your hometown, but of the world – schools are twinning with others globally, just look at the #twinforhope campaign with Ukraine and UK universities, language lessons are about Microsoft Teams and Whatsapp chats with students in other countries, and history takes an increasingly global perspective. At the same time, you’ve an environment where skills are far more applicable to solving real-world problems. It’s a huge change that’s teaching young people to think big, have empathy as their compass, and prove they can understand and discuss concepts and ideas that matter.”

volunteers tangible value from their experiences

MAKING A MEANINGFUL IMPACT

– CGCS’s courses are recognised in the UK,

Volunteering and travelling is an essential part

Europe, Australia, and Canada via the OFQUAL

of this kind of learning. And while it’s always been

register and in the US through its School of

a right of passage for many young people, Mike

Record partnership with Warren Wilson College

and CGCS promote volunteering that matters,

and the University of Jacksonville. Upon

only partnering with and recognising high quality

completion, students receive academic credit

projects and organisations to avoid the type

and diploma-level qualifications that help with

of ‘volun-tourism’ often associated with white

college, higher education and employment

saviour syndrome – parachuting into a local

opportunities all over the world.

community, looking to do good with little understanding of how and why work is necessary or

Mike has seen a shift towards this kind of practical

acting in a disrespectful manner, then leaving

learning and focus on understanding global chal-

with a few Instagram shots for good measure.

lenges and perspectives beyond the classroom over his 20 years in education. “Learning isn’t

“We combine the rigour of formal education with

trapped between bell rings anymore,” he says.

the vitality of real-world experience, and each

“Most education has gone rogue, and in a good

programme is tailored to imbue learners with the

way. It’s spilled out into the streets and fields, and

knowledge, skills, and experiences necessary

onto our screens – we’ve students tracking turtle

to become proactive guardians of our planet

migrations in Costa Rica or building solar panels

and its inhabitants,” Mike explains. “Volunteering

in a village in Ghana as part of their coursework.

and travelling are the dynamic duo of the real

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THE CLASSROOM WITHOUT WALLS: A VISIONARY APPROACH Beyond being just a course, each of the Centre for Global Citizenship Studies’ international volunteering diplomas are a journey into the realms of advocacy, environmental stewardship, and global responsibility.

Diploma in International Volunteering with a Specialisation in Global Citizenship For those ready to tackle global challenges head on.

A deep dive into what it means to be a global citizen today, blending political science, sociology, economics, and environmental studies. Students engage with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, develop critical thinking, and explore civic engagement.

The programme encourages active learning, fostering a philosophy of global citizenship that goes beyond the course into lifelong advocacy for change​​.

Diploma in International Volunteering in Wildlife Conservation For the wildlife enthusiasts. It offers an opportunity to become part of the solution to pressing environmental challenges. It’s an active, hands-on learning journey, marrying conservation biology with sustainable resource management. Students emerge not just as graduates but as champions of biodiversity, ready to make a tangible impact on the world.​​ Diploma in International Volunteering in Marine Conservation A call to all who are passionate about preserving our oceans. This programme is a profound exploration of marine habitats and conservation strategies, blending theoretical knowledge with practical action.

It’s designed to mould students into change makers in marine ecosystem preservation.

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world classroom and young people hitting

in the world underpins the diplomas offered by

the road are doing it with purpose. They’re

CGCS. Mike calls this ‘the secret sauce in the

change makers, earth-shakers, and bridge

recipe for a better world’, and it’s a philosophy

builders. But it’s about getting out of your

he’s carried throughout his life. “When I was

comfort zone – you’re not just a tourist snapping

young, my grandmother would tell me you can

pictures. We don’t just send people off with

change the world, and you never have to do it

a backpack and good wishes, we integrate

alone,” he reflects. “You only have to do enough

their passion for volunteering into a structured

work to change 1% then inspire 99 more people

academic programme.”

to do the same. That premise is always there: you can make meaningful and impactful change

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Fostering a sense of global citizenship and an

just by doing your bit, and it’s about citizenship

understanding of our wider place and impact

but also stewardship.

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“A sustainable and fairer planet isn’t just a nice idea, it’s an absolute must-have for us all. That only happens when every global citizen is on deck and ready to play their part,” Mike stresses.

“At CGCS education transcends traditional boundaries. It’s learning with purpose and travelling and volunteering with an open heart and a keen spirit. We believe in swapping knowledge across borders, and that what you learn sticks when you’re in the heart of the action, contributing to the world not just as observers, but participants.”

MICHAEL LEE MANAGING DIRECTOR, CENTRE FOR GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP STUDIES Mike is a pioneering force in global education, steering the Centre for Global Citizenship Studies with a fervor for sustainability, innovation, and leadership. With over 18 years of expertise, he has championed educational progammes across four continents that intertwine learning with impactful travel. Mike’s commitment to educational reform and strategic vision have garnered him recognition, including an Innovation of the Year nomination and the title of Education Abroad Business of the Year. His strategic leadership has resulted in partnerships and programmes that deliver significant community impacts worldwide.

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TOMORROW’S GLOBAL CITIZENS

Mike designed the diplomas in conjunction

CGCS provides a mix of online learning and

with his network as a launchpad for students,

immersive travel and volunteering that hones

whether they want to continue their academic

real-world skills and ensures students don’t just

journey or build a career. “The practical experi-

learn about global issues but work on solving

ence and specialised knowledge people gain

them. Students can choose from three courses:

positions them really well for roles in non-

Diploma in International Volunteering (Global

profits, NGOs, environmental consultancies,

Citizenship), Diploma in International Volunteering

and other similar roles,” he notes. “Our goal

(Wildlife Conservation), and Diploma in

is to offer a blend of academic prowess and

International Volunteering (Marine Conservation).

practical expertise that’s highly valued in today’s interconnected and socially conscious

Each of these flagship programmes is delivered

job market. It shows not just what students

over five interactive modules/courses, starting

know, but who they’ve become: proactive,

with preparation for international volunteering

knowledgeable individuals ready to make

including planning for selection, before moving

an impact on a global scale.

through the specialised content (Global Citizenship, Wildlife Conservation, or Marine

“To ensure that’s the case every course is

Conservation), undertaking the volunteering

tailored: it’s hands-on, it’s real-time, and it’s

placement, and then reflecting on the experi-

personal to the individual,” continues Mike.

ence post-placement.

“Say you’re helping with microfinance projects

“You can change the world, and you never have to do it alone.

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C I T I Z E N Z E R O ——— I S S U E T W O

in Tanzania, that’s not just volunteer work, it’s your

encouraging practical wisdom and social con-

economics classroom. The lessons you learn and

sciousness. “Our vision is to establish education

the experiences you gain become the building

as a catalyst for global citizenship,” he states.

blocks for your CGCS Diploma. These kinds of

“To do that, as we grow we have to let our values

experiences enrich peoples’ understanding of

lead the way and prioritise impact over scale,

their field and shape their worldview. We want the

and substance over size.

diplomas to be a unique combination of academia, travel, sustainability, project management, and life

“We’re in an interconnected world, and the thirst

experience, all tied up in one comprehensive

for education that transcends conventional

package of learning and growth.”

boundaries and nurtures active global citizens will only intensify. I predict a surge in demand for

CGCS expects to be enrolling 500 new students

programmes that integrate global citizenship,

for 2024, with the majority of those coming

positive action, and sustainable development

from the UK and US. Growth, he says, isn’t just

and I want us to be right at the front of charting

about numbers, but rather, being a part of the

the course toward a future where education is

evolution of education – essential for sustainable

the gateway to a better world for all.”

development and recognised across many of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals – by

globalcitizenshipstudies.com

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INNOVATION

CLEAN 54

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AIR FUTURISTIC, ZERO EMISSION, AND FAST: LILIUM’S VISION FOR A MORE SUSTAINABLE REGIONAL AIR MOBILITY MODEL Mathis Cosson believes in the power of biomimicry – using nature and natural systems to solve complex human problems – in his design. It was certainly fitting when he sat to create Lilium Jet, a revolutionary, electric jet-powered vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft created to make regional air mobility more efficient and sustainable. Since Cosson put pen to paper, inspired by the natural lines of the Manta Ray, the German company has designed, developed, tested, and test-flown. Now, it’s moving into production.

When the first complete fuselage arrived at Lilium’s final assembly facilities in Wessling, Germany, in early December 2023 it was a significant moment for sustainable aviation. Over the next months the aircraft – the first all-electric eVTOL jet – will take shape; the fuselage will be matched and joined with other components, including wings, canards, batteries, and Lilium’s unique electric propulsion system. Once complete it and its six sisters will be used for flight testing and type certification.

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Lilium Jet is designed to make regional

networks that scale quickly – because

air mobility, directly connecting inner

it doesn’t require expensive land-

towns and cities across ranges of

based infrastructure like rails and

between 40 km and 200 km, efficient

roads connecting each town and city,

and sustainable. The service will enable

Lilium Jet opens up more route

faster travel than existing high-speed

options and the opportunity to create

alternatives (Lilium envisions speeds

significant economic impact, better

up to 300km/h) for passengers and

land use, and increased access to

cargo – Lilium Jet can carry up to six

industry, culture, and nature. Lilium

people for regional travel or serve the

has designed its own landing pad, or

zero-emissions logistics market.

‘vertiport’ system that can fit easily into existing city infrastructure; in

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Regional Air Mobility relies on a

theory a Lilium Jet can operate from

modular and affordable approach

the top of a shopping mall, busy car

to enabling the creation of regional

park, or even a garage.

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REGIONAL MOBILITY REDEFINED Think of urban air mobility: futuristic, electric

A Lilium Jet network is easy to build in this kind of

flying cars zipping around the city taking us on

environment as piers, parking lots, and rooftops

more sustainable trips to the shops, to work, or

can be transformed into vertiports at a fraction

for a coffee. Lilium doesn’t subscribe to that

of the cost of high-speed ground transportation

vision. Taking a short hop of this nature, it says,

infrastructure, connecting smaller towns and cities,

is impractical (requiring hundreds of landing

and taking the pressure off highly congested cities

pads in a city) and won’t save time.

– commuting to central areas like Palo Alto will be quicker, more sustainable and cheaper (a 10

Its plan forgoes urban air taxis, connecting entire

minute flight between San Francisco and Palo

regions with high-speed transport. Its example?

Alto compared to a 50 minute train journey).

San Francisco and the Bay Area, an urban sprawl where travelling and working is challenging thanks to polluting traffic and high house prices.

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Lilium Jet is built around several

technology. This uses 36 jet engines

key requirements including high seat

driven by an electric motor integrated

capacity, highly efficient cruise

into wing flaps that rotate and move

capability, and low noise and vertical

to control hover and vertical flight

takeoff/landing to make inner city

as well as cruise. Lilium says that

operation customer friendly.

using this kind of propulsion results in aerodynamic efficiency, lower

The result is suitably futuristic, inno-

noise profile, and payload/carrying

vative and, says Lilium, capable of

advantages.

zero operating emissions (with a little Manta Ray thrown in for good meas-

CEO of Lilium Klaus Roewe said start-

ure). Its main wings and forward

ing production was “a proud moment

canards, small wings at the front of

for everyone involved in our mission

the aircraft that provide control and

to make aviation more sustainable.

stability, generate lift and make the jet

We firmly believe that the Lilium Jet

stable in flight – they also remove the

will usher in a new era of sustainable

need for the kind of vertical stabiliser

regional mobility, offering the highest

or tail you see on other aircraft.

safety standards, as well as superior comfort, unit economics, and cus-

Lilium Jet’s zero-emission capabilities

tomer experience.”

are the result of proprietary Ducted Electric Vectored Thrust (DEVT)

lilium.com

“LILIUM JET WILL USHER IN A NEW ERA OF SUSTAINABLE REGIONAL MOBILITY, OFFERING THE HIGHEST SAFETY STANDARDS, AS WELL AS SUPERIOR COMFORT, UNIT ECONOMICS, AND CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE”

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SOCIAL

Rudayna Abdo tells us how, in the face of disruption, fear and displacement, education and digital literacy are helping vulnerable children thrive

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R

udayna Abdo needs more laptops.

Spend an hour with her as I was lucky enough to, experience her infectious passion for her work and helping others, or be inspired by her understanding of the plight of the many millions of children displaced by conflict and crises, and

it’s impossible to believe she’ll be welcomed with anything but open arms. The organisation she founded, Thaki, uses the devices – perfectly usable second-hand laptops consigned to the waste pile by businesses – to provide digital literacy, e-learning, emotional support, and crucial stability to some of the worst affected children.

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And it’s already achieved so much.

Starting in Lebanon in 2015, providing laptops and educational resources to displaced Syrian children – the country hosts an estimated 1.5 million Syrian refugees – Thaki has helped more than 30,000 marginalised and displaced young people to learn and thrive. In the Middle East, 136 organisations use its devices in refugee schools and centres and, to date, the organisation has repurposed close to 5,000 devices, saving them

“Forced displacement is so unjust, people are made homeless through no action of their own and often looked down upon or made to feel invisible.

There’s something so wrong with that”

from landfill and preloading them with rich and diverse learning content that can be accessed offline, and from anywhere. fair education is a crucial lifeline, But there remains more to do. When

providing stability, security and

Abdo began her journey with Thaki

a sense of normalcy in schools and

in 2015, there were around 65 million

organisations where risk is reduced

displaced people in the world.

and future potential unlocked.

Today, that figure stands at close to 120 million. Children bear the brunt of

FORCED DISPLACEMENT IS SO UNJUST

this traumatic experience with the

Abdo has firsthand experience of

consequences of displacement, if

being displaced. During the Lebanese

unaddressed, lasting for generations,

Civil War that began in the 1970s, she

particularly given how it interrupts

and her family left the country for

education and limits future

their own safety, travelling by boat

opportunities.

first to Cyprus and then on to Greece, where they settled. “It’s one of several

Displaced children are often separated

formative periods that have influenced

from family members and experience

what I do now,” she says. “It was an

severe poverty, abuse, exploitation,

intense thing to experience as a child;

and psychosocial distress. The im-

a time of fear, violence, and displace-

pacts are often more severe for girls

ment. We left thinking we would

with displacement increasing the risk

return, but it wasn’t possible and my

of violence and abuse, and exacerbat-

parents were concerned about dis-

ing existing barriers to education. In

ruption to schooling, which is why

this context, the right to equitable and

we ultimately moved to Greece.”

C I T I Z E N Z E R O ——— I S S U E T W O

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Education has always been important to Abdo. Growing up in a Palestinian family – her father has his own memories and experiences of being forced from Palestine in 1948 – she and her relatives had an important mantra: ‘the only thing you can take with you is your education’. “I remember watching a TED Talk by then Head of Global Communications for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Melissa Fleming,” she recalls. “She was talking about a young Syrian boy who had left Aleppo when he was 17, and all he managed to take with him was his school certificate because he felt his life depended on it.

It just completely resonated with me.

“Fast forward to 2015. I was in Turkey during the height of the Syrian war, which had caused a huge displacement of Syrian refugees to the surrounding countries,” says Abdo.

“I remember seeing a woman sitting on a bridge with her child. I took her some food and, when I gave it to her and made eye contact, it felt as though I was the first person to really see her for who she was and that she was just invisible to everyone else.

It was the trigger moment – an intense feeling that forced displacement is so unjust, that people are made homeless through no action of their own and often looked down upon or made to feel invisible. There’s something so wrong with that.”

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“There are so many businesses who have devices that aren’t being used any more but still have so much to give, why don’t I have the conversation about using them for learning in Lebanon or Jordan?”

C I T I Z E N Z E R O ——— I S S U E T W O

EDUCATION WAS IN CRISIS

“Around the same time I was inter-

Thaki grew out of Abdo’s frustration

ested in waste and the environment,

and sense of helplessness at the

especially the number of devices in

Syrian refugee crisis at a time when

households and businesses that are

she was working and living in Abu

perfectly good but constantly up-

Dhabi, close to the affected areas.

graded or thrown out. Societally,

“I couldn’t help reflecting on how

the lack of appreciation we have for

my own family had experienced

things and our willingness to discard

displacement and hardship, but

them is an ethos that’s always driven

we’d been lucky to land on the side

me crazy particularly when, as

of privilege, we had opportunities,

a mother myself, I was aware of how

were able to rebuild our lives and

powerful technology could be as

have citizenship. All around me

a learning tool. It all came together:

I could see that this just wasn’t the

there are so many businesses who

case for so many people,” she says.

have devices that aren’t being used

C I T I Z E N Z E R O ——— I S S U E T W O

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any more but still have so much to

On the ground in Lebanon at that

give, why don’t I have the conversation

point education was in crisis; there

about taking them to use for learning

were 1.5 million Syrian refugees,

in either Lebanon or Jordan?”

a large proportion of whom were school age children out of school

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The response to this request during

and with no access to learning. Great

the startup period, says Abdo, was

things were being done by the gov-

overwhelmingly positive. “There’s

ernment, like the second shift school

huge complexity – you’re dealing

system to provide learning to more

with hardware, software, borders and

children, and many organisations

logistics, and different regulations

were responding to the crisis, but they

depending on location. But everyone

simply couldn’t absorb all the educa-

was incredibly gracious; I didn’t

tion. It’s the point we really stepped

receive one ‘no’ from businesses.

in to help in any way we could.”

C I T I Z E N Z E R O ——— I S S U E T W O

IT’S RICH, ENGAGING AND INTERACTIVE Thaki refurbishes the second-hand devices it receives from businesses (mostly laptops that are in perfectly good condition and still working years later), and loads them with either proprietary or open source interactive offline learning content – necessary to mitigate connectivity and infrastructure challenges. It does so in collaboration with education and technology partners like National Geographic, Oxford University Press, IBM, Little Thinking Minds, and many more.

“It’s rich, engaging, and interactive learning content that complements curriculum-based learning and ranges from pure numeracy and literacy content, through to things like coding and technical skills, science, mindfulness, the sustainable development goals (SDGs), gender equality, ethics, and more. It’s about enriching the education environment as much as possible,” Abdo explains. “Our aim

“In Lebanon education was in crisis; there were 1.5 million Syrian refugees, nearly half of whom were school age children out of school and with no access to learning”

was to encourage curiosity in learning and for children to learn independently through our platform. You’d need years to work through the content we have available thanks to our edtech partners. We provide for children of various age levels, but the majority of our learners are elementary school-age which, sadly, is because so many older children have to leave education to work and support their families.”

C I T I Z E N Z E R O ——— I S S U E T W O

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“We’re about vulnerability and children’s needs and, while it started with refugees, it’s so much more than that”

Children using Thaki’s devices also

a classroom and see kids playing,

gain valuable digital literacy skills,

running, learning, and just being

essential for improving learning,

children. That’s the definition of

giving greater access to a wider vari-

success for us: providing purpose,

ety of resources, and for things like

structure, and creating a community.”

social awareness, career readiness and self-guided learning, particu-

Teachers are an essential part of that

larly important in the overcrowded

community. But, as Thaki found

classrooms many displaced children

when it first started circulating de-

find themselves in. Such a learning

vices, they too often have minimal

environment can be challenging for

digital literacy skills. To tackle this,

students and teachers alike, but plays

and ensure children would make the

an essential role in providing a safe

most of the technology available,

and trusted space.

the organisation has developed a dedicated digital toolkit that includes

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“Early on I was visiting in classrooms

free lesson plans, courses and videos

with 50+ children, all of whom were

covering fundamental topics, from

visibly impacted by their displace-

language skills and maths to global

ment, and it was challenging to

issues like climate change, mindful-

accommodate everyone – but it still

ness and gender equality. “It’s an

meant that they weren’t on the streets,

almost impossible task for teachers,”

being taken into early marriages, or

adds Abdo. “They’ve large class-

going through any of the other horrific

rooms, they too have to learn how

things children should never have

to use and apply technology in the

to endure,” Abdo reflects. “Over the

learning environment, and they’re

years, the way the whole system has

caring for children with severe, deep

come together – and Thaki is only part

trauma that’s both immediate and

of that system – shows the power

generational because of what they

of education. Now I can walk into

and their families have had to face.”

C I T I Z E N Z E R O ——— I S S U E T W O

KEEPING GIRLS IN SCHOOL

Enterprise Agency. The platform

That trauma has detrimental effects

integrates theories and practice across

on the neurobiological, emotional

mental health including Cognitive

and social development of children.

Behavioural Therapy, mindfulness,

Currently, children in Lebanon have

and emotion-focused therapy.

no or limited access to science-based interventions that enhance their resil-

Nour’s World has been piloted with

ience, caused by poor health literacy,

more than 300 children in Lebanon

a lack of resources and of trained

and has improved children’s social-

professionals. To address this, Thaki

emotional wellbeing and mood

launched Nour’s World, an innovative,

significantly. The number of children

scalable, edtech app that builds chil-

rated ‘happy’ by teachers increased

dren’s emotional resilience and helps

from 44% to 75%, children showed

them overcome the effects of trauma.

statistically significant improvements

Nour’s World was jointly developed

in behaviour and attention, and more

between Thaki and TNO, a Dutch

than 90% of parents said the app

research and innovation organisation,

helped their child to communicate,

and funded by the Netherlands’

recognise, and regulate their feelings.

C I T I Z E N Z E R O ——— I S S U E T W O

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While all children benefit from education, learning, and support from organisations like Thaki, girls and young women remain out of school more than boys. According to the UNHCR at global level, for every 10 refugee boys in primary school there are fewer than eight refugee girls. At secondary school the figure is worse, with fewer than seven girls for every 10 boys and, among populations where there are significant cultural barriers to girls’ education, the difference is greater.

Through education, Thaki helps girls to stay in school and avoid early and forced marriage and other challenges.

“Learning is such a powerful thing for children, especially girls,” Abdo continues. “Learning digital skills is really important for everyone, and for vulnerable girls in particular, so building a strong set of digital skills enables them to have opportunities to work remotely. Many of our partners focus on education and digital literacy for women and girls, whether it’s quite nuanced like National Geographic

RUDAYNA ABDO (BACK LEFT) WITH THE THAKI TEAM

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C I T I Z E N Z E R O ——— I S S U E T W O

highlighting female racing drivers

“I want to remain true to why I started

and other roles women take on that are

Thaki in the first place,” says Abdo,

traditionally seen as male roles, or more

considering how the organisation

overt when we’re providing content

may evolve against the backdrop of

on specific SDGs and gender equality.”

ongoing global conflict and displacement. “I’ve always wanted us to fill

Since 2015 Thaki has made a signifi-

an important gap and to be doing

cant difference to displaced and

something that’s truly needed, and

refugee children in the Middle East,

our strategic direction won’t change.

thanks to both the hard work and

We’re currently working in Lebanon,

dedication of Abdo and team, and the

Jordan and the UAE, and my primary

generosity of businesses in donating

focus will remain the Arab world

devices and learning content that

because there is so much need in the

have proved so valuable. It has dis-

region. But, ultimately, we’re about

tributed $13.8m in-kind value of

vulnerability and children’s needs

distributed hardware and content

and, while it started with refugees,

that would otherwise have been

it’s so much more than that.

waste or recycled.

“Social and emotional learning, and The organisation’s vision to unlock

trauma, are still ever present,” she

children’s potential has achieved

says. “Being Palestinian and seeing

extraordinary results – according to

the extent and scale of the distress

an external evaluation by the Centre

and injustice that’s happening in

for Lebanese Studies, after six

Gaza, I want Thaki to be involved to

months of using Thaki laptops and

help with the healing of the millions

resources there was a 19% increase

of displaced children. We have to be

in students reported good or very

a part of that. We’ve learned a lot over

good for maths knowledge, a 21%

the last eight years about displace-

increase in students reported good

ment, technology, interventions, and

or very good for knowledge of climate

what children need and we’re more

change, 22% increase reported good

than ready to apply that knowledge

or very good in English, and 59%

to other contexts. The global trends

increase in students’ confidence us-

for displaced people, refugees, and

ing a computer. In January, Abdo was

the related impacts on people are still

named a Schwab Social Innovator of

going in the wrong direction and we

the Year 2024 at the World Economic

have to be involved in changing that.”

Forum Annual Meeting 2024 in Davos.

The prestigious award recognised

thaki.org

her as a leader in digital education for marginalised children.

C I T I Z E N Z E R O ——— I S S U E T W O

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ENVIRONMENT

Photographer Nick Brandt’s new series highlights the impact of climate change on South Pacific Islanders

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BEN AND HIS FATHER VITI, FIJI, 2023

C I T I Z E N Z E R O ——— I S S U E T W O

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ONNIE BY CLIFF II, FIJI, 2023

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C I T I Z E N Z E R O ——— I S S U E T W O

Perhaps if we were made to look into the eyes of the people most affected by the destructive impact we collectively have on the natural world, things would be different. You would hope. And yet, we continue to see environmental degradation, biodiversity and habitat loss, and the impacts of climate change impacting both landscapes and the people that inhabit them.

Like the South Pacific Islanders in Sink / Rise, an arresting new series of images from photographer Nick Brandt. It’s challenging to not face those in the shots and feel our efforts to protect the planet have fallen far short of what’s necessary. But, that’s the point. Sink / Rise is the third chapter of The Day May Break, an ongoing global series portraying people and animals that have been impacted by environmental destruction.

It focuses on the people of the South Pacific Islands impacted by rising oceans from climate change. The locals in the photos, photographed underwater in the ocean off the coast of the Fijian islands, are representative of the many millions of people whose homes, land, and livelihoods will be lost in the coming decades as a result of dramatic and devastating sea level rise.

The small island states of the Pacific are only responsible for 0.03% of global greenhouse

Everyone and everything was shot in-camera underwater.

gas emissions, yet they are disproportionately facing many of the threats of climate change head on, including sea level rise faster than the global average.

View Sink / Rise and Brandt’s other work here: nickbrandt.com C I T I Z E N Z E R O ——— I S S U E T W O

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JOE AND SOSI, FIJI, 2023

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MARIA ON TABLE, FIJI, 2023

C I T I Z E N Z E R O ——— I S S U E T W O

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ONNIE AND KEANAN ON SEESAW, FIJI, 2023

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C I T I Z E N Z E R O ——— I S S U E T W O

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SERAFINA AND KEANAN ON BED, FIJI, 2023

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C I T I Z E N Z E R O ——— I S S U E T W O

BEN ON SOFA, FIJI, 2023

C I T I Z E N Z E R O ——— I S S U E T W O

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TRAILBLAZER

THE

E ECTRIC RENEGADE Ellis Spiezia tells us about being the world’s first native electric racing driver and how he’s leading a new generation that will redefine education, the economy, and a more sustainable future

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C I T I Z E N Z E R O ——— I S S U E T W O

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ELLIS SPIEZIA 86

C I T I Z E N Z E R O ——— I S S U E T W O

W

e were hunting for

In this instance, the rewards go beyond

inspirational quotes

just winning races (although Spiezia has

as a way to introduce

an uncanny knack for doing just that).

Ellis Spiezia.

Today, we’ve joined him to talk about

Something, consider-

advancing electric mobility, how he is

ing his reputation and

paving a new path in a legacy sport, using

ambition, suitably pio-

his platform to redefine education and

neering, fearless, and

champion sustainability, and inspiring the

about the importance

next generation to embrace positive action.

of being first. Or, to use the language of his

At just 18, Spiezia is the world’s first native

beloved motorsport: choosing a path, stick-

electric racing driver. Starting his career

ing your foot down, and not stopping until

in indoor karting and sim racing he and his

you get there. Ayrton Senna – of course –

family, who together run and manage his

came to mind with his famous ‘being second

Ellysium Racing team, bucked the tradi-

is to be the first of the ones who lose’. But

tional karting to racing route (where most

sometimes, you just have to keep it simple.

drivers want to end up in the gas-guzzling,

Which is why we stopped hunting, and let

internal combustion-engined Formula 1)

the man himself sum it up: “I truly believe

to take the unproven path, driven by a belief

that the rewards of being first far outweigh

that electric is the future for performance

the risks”. See. Perfect.

and the planet.

““WE’RE ESSENTIALLY RACING TO STRESS TEST WHAT’S GOING TO BE AT THE HEART OF WHAT PEOPLE ARE DRIVING EVERY DAY IN THE FUTURE” C I T I Z E N Z E R O ——— I S S U E T W O

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ELECTRIC RACING PIONEER “I got my ass kicked. But we’re still here, so I must have done something right,”

“I REMEMBER USING MY BIRTHDAY MONEY TO PUT US ON THE PREORDER LIST FOR A CYBERTRUCK, OR GOING TO THE FORMULA E RACES IN BROOKLYN BECAUSE THEY WERE JUST A FERRY RIDE AWAY”

laughs Spiezia, recalling his first race in the DEKM, a German electric kart championship that gives young drivers an alternative route and promotes electric mobility and zero-emission transport. He and his family had arrived in Europe in 2020 (originally planning to visit for just three months, they are still there) after reaching a crossroads. Having proved his ability in rental karting in the US, the choice was to buy a combustion kart and club race for as long as they could afford to keep it up, or go for something completely different.

“We had no bias,” says Spiezia. “We didn’t know what the path was supposed to be so, when my mom said ‘you raced indoor electric karts, I wonder if they do it outdoors at a higher level of competition’ it was completely normal, the goal was getting a platform and to keep pushing forward.

It was the middle of COVID, we gave up our home, sold the car, and headed to Europe.

The electric karting series in Germany was

Along the way they’ve helped grow a nascent

arrive and drive – you brought your helmet,

industry, embraced cutting-edge technology,

a race suit and someone to be your mechanic

competed in four electric kart series, partici-

and coach and went for it. Against some of

pated in testing and development for new

the best drivers in one of the most prestig-

electric race cars, raced in junior electric car

ious motorsport countries.”

championships and – when there’s time to

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come up for breath – turned Ellysium from a

Spiezia has followed the electric racing

personal brand to a tech-driven education

route ever since, developing both his skills

and training movement. Spiezia calls it

behind the wheel of numerous cars and race

‘building the bridge as you’re crossing it’

series, and his position as an advocate for

and, perhaps unsurprisingly for someone

getting young people into the electric eco-

known as the Electric Renegade, it all started

system. In 2021 he raced in four electric kart

with a leap of faith and a one-way ticket to

series driving, he says, “nearly every single

electric karting in Europe.

electric kart on the planet” in the process.

C I T I Z E N Z E R O ——— I S S U E T W O

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In 2022 and 2023, Spiezia moved to develop-

example, uses sustainable sources of energy

ing, testing and racing electric cars in the

to charge its fully electric cars, has no air

Electric Racing Academy (ERA)

freighting or intercontinental travel within

Championship for open wheel, all-electric

a season to minimise logistics impact,

formula racing cars, where he was the first

explores alternative and more sustainable

pole sitter with a gap of one and half sec-

materials for its cars, and addresses waste

onds, and NXT Gen Cup, the world’s first

through ensuring a plastic-free paddock and

100% electric junior touring car series.

minimising tyre and brake usage. The NXT Gen Cup is focused on making electric the

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Both championships are as much about

biggest revolution in automotive history

promoting the potential of an electric future,

and ensuring that young people are at the

raising awareness about sustainability,

heart of change; drivers as young as 14 can

and inspiring the next generation as they

enter, racing fully electric touring cars

are about racing. ERA Championship, for

based on a Mini Cooper.

C I T I Z E N Z E R O ——— I S S U E T W O

ON THE PODIUM AT SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS

“I TRULY BELIEVE THAT THE REWARDS OF BEING FIRST FAR OUTWEIGH THE RISKS” AT THE FORD FIESTA SPRINT CUP AWARDS IN 2022

FIRST EVER WIN IN CARS IN THE NXT GEN CHAMPIONSHIP

C I T I Z E N Z E R O ——— I S S U E T W O

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C I T I Z E N Z E R O ——— I S S U E T W O

“Both are completely opposite driving experiences, despite the way they’re both pushing towards the same goals,” says Spiezia. “They’re fantastic for demonstrating the potential that’s there with electric motorsport. In the NXT Gen Cup, for example, we were the only 20 drivers racing in an

“I’M NOT GOING TO LIST THE WAYS IN WHICH THE WORLD IS BURNING. INSTEAD, I WANT TO INSPIRE AND BE A PART OF POSITIVE ACTION”

electric touring car championship like this, there was nothing else on the planet like it last year and that’s huge in terms of visibility for electric mobility. But we were also doing amazing things in karting around sustainability too like charging the entire fleet of karts from the local solar grid when we turned up to race; that grassroots field is where so much of the growth happens.”

DEVELOPING FUTURE MOBILITY Spiezia points to the importance of this kind of ambition, and electric motorsport more broadly, as a proving ground for technologies that will likely end up in tomorrow’s road cars. A self-confessed tinkerer with a life-long obsession with anything on wheels, his interest has grown alongside his commitment to the sport.

“I can remember even before we were in electric motorsport, things like using my birthday money to put us on the preorder list for a Tesla Cybertruck,” he says, “or going to the Formula E races in Brooklyn because they were just a ferry ride away. That was in the early days of electric motorsport, when Formula E was in its first generation and cars were being swapped mid-race because batteries wouldn’t last. The advances that have been made since are huge.

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“It was around 2019 when I began taking

way it interacts with other components will

electric indoor karting more seriously that

be crucial for efficiency in future electric

we started doing our research, and you could

mobility solutions. In a race, changing a few

see there were things growing and develop-

values on a computer gets us another 10% of

ing,” Spiezia continues. “Technology-wise,

range out on track – when you’re not driving

being able to develop the ERA car as a test

flat out and cruising on the highway, those

and development driver was really cool.

kinds of gains will be enormous.”

Everything is fun at the top level, when you can spend what you want on batteries, mo-

TRAINING, TEACHING, INSPIRING

tors, and tech, but on a rainy day in Belgium

Spiezia also puts his passion for racing

when you’re working hard on software and

to good use off the track. He and Ellysium

hardware and part of a team that’s innovat-

Racing are focused on using their own

ing to bring the most change at a super-fast

experiences to leverage the excitement of the

rate, that’s when it’s pretty inspiring.

rapidly growing electric motorsport sector to inspire more young people to innovate,

“Seeing firsthand how that side of the tech-

think, and create. His pioneering spirit

nology grows, then trickles down into road

was recognised in 2022 when he was one

cars is awesome – we’re essentially racing

of only five athletes in the world to be

to stress test what’s going to be at the heart

nominated for the first ever BBC Green

of what people are driving every day in the

Sports Young Athlete of the Year Award,

future,” he says. “If you look at disc brakes,

given to a sportsperson aged 25 and under

aerodynamics, active suspension, it’s all

who is either professional or on a pathway

important for safety and comfort on the road,

to elite sport and has proactively demon-

and it was all pioneered in racing. With elec-

strated support for environmental and/or

tric cars, I think how we use software and the

climate change issues.

“WE WERE ALSO DOING AMAZING THINGS IN KARTING IN TERMS OF SUSTAINABILITY TOO LIKE CHARGING THE ENTIRE FLEET OF KARTS FROM THE LOCAL SOLAR GRID WHEN WE TURNED UP TO RACE” 94

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“It’s really important, both to show young people that there’s more than one route into what they want to do, and teach them about electric mobility and things like sustainability,” Spiezia says of working with younger drivers. “From a pure driving perspective, the first steps in a career are the most defining, so it’s crucial that there are junior routes into electric sport and that we’re highlighting them as much as possible. That’s especially true for younger kids who don’t have any bias yet, who have started out on sim racing or don’t care about things like what noise the kart makes. We want to get people into the electric ecosystem and onto this giant, growing stage as early as possible.”

“IT’S FANTASTIC FOR DEMONSTRATING THE POTENTIAL THAT’S THERE WITH ELECTRIC MOTORSPORT”

Ellysium Racing does that via several methods. Over the course of Spiezia’s career it has developed from his own race team/personal brand to maximise his racing opportunities, to a fully-fledged movement that provides education including around STEM subjects, driver coaching, training, and development, and a community with transparency, positivity and a mission towards sustainability.

In typically innovative fashion, it delivers this using the latest technologies including the metaverse, web3, and blockchain-enabled carbon audit and compensation tools.

“It’s a funny one,” he says, “because we always say you don’t get into motorsport to save the planet. It’s probably the last on peoples’ lists in terms of sustainability and being more conscious of the environment, but we actually have an amazing platform where people are paying attention to the racing and the cars, and we’re able

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C I T I Z E N Z E R O ——— I S S U E T W O

to push the important messaging about sustainability because of that. My view has always been that I’m not going to list the ways in which the world is burning. Instead, I want to inspire and be a part of positive action. Motorsport is a great way to do that – we can bring the younger generations in with the fast cars, the on-track action and excitement, and through that they’re actually learning all about what we’re doing in terms of the bigger picture.”

Ellyisum works with several partner organisations to help amplify this messaging as much as possible including EcoAthletes Champion, which works to turn the sporting sector into a force for good by connecting professional athletes with charities to give collective voice to global education and action. “It’s really about expanding our reach as much as possible and finding others doing the same thing,” says Spiezia of the partnership. “For example, it’s really great in helping us understand areas we’re supporting, whether it’s working with certain charities impacting climate change or even developing work around the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. We’re all about sharing platforms to inspire people.”

As well as driver coaching and training, where Spiezia has been working with young people stepping into karting, Ellysium offers dedicated learning and education opportunities including custom curriculum content on topics like sustainability, climate, STEM, entrepreneurship, hands-on workshops and projects, after school programmes, and speaking engagements.

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“I can’t imagine doing anything else, so I’m

but we have such a powerful set of tools

glad I can use my passion to educate and

with the electric race cars that we can get

inspire other people about sustainability,”

the really important information out there

Spiezia says. “It’s something I really enjoy

in a unique way that no one else is doing.

and we’re definitely seeing interest and engagement from young people on these kinds

“To give an example, I’ve a huge fleet

of subjects. You have to package it the right

of radio controlled (RC) cars and we’ve

way, though. We can throw a million graphs

recently been partnering with the KidKong

and statistics at kids, but we want to make it

Association, which provides urban youth

as engaging and interactive as possible. The

initiatives, to offer a programme that

metaverse is great for that because it brings

encourages young people into the electric

people together and creates a community,

vehicle field,” he continues. “It’s a projectbased STEM learning programme that teaches them to engineer, create, and problem solve using RC cars, which are basically electric cars in miniature.”

Spiezia and Ellysium are proof that there’s great opportunity in taking the unorthodox

“I CAN’T IMAGINE DOING ANYTHING ELSE, SO I’M GLAD I CAN USE MY PASSION TO EDUCATE AND INSPIRE OTHER PEOPLE ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY”

approach to life. His choice to enter electric racing has proven successful, both in terms of podiums and having a platform to engage and inspire others on some of the very real challenges we face.

And, as if training, teaching, driver coaching, public speaking and building the next generation of electric renegades wasn’t enough, he remains as committed to his craft as ever. “We’re stepping out of the junior categories now,” he explains. “It’s now about entering and competing in a more professional landscape as a springboard to 2025/26, when I want to be at the top level, whether that’s Formula E, Extreme E, or other electric championships.” Somehow, we’ve no doubt he’ll get there. www.ellysium.co

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PIONEER

Passion fruit, papaya, lush canopies, and local plant species: welcome to the open-air classrooms inspiring the next generation In three food forests at schools in São Paulo, meticulously crafted to integrate with the surrounding urban environment, children from low-income communities learn. Here, they enjoy direct contact with nature in open-air classrooms packed with local plant species, find relief during heat waves, and cultivate a sense of environmental responsibility by gaining vital knowledge about native Atlantic forests, microclimates, and soil life.

The forests are created by formigas-de-embaúba, a nonprofit organisation run by Rafael Ribeiro and Gabriela Ribeiro Arakaki, which promotes environmental education through the planting of native mini-forests by students in public schools in Brazil.

Their aim is to provide safe, lush spaces for children while bringing the urgency of ecosystem regeneration and climate change mitigation to new generations.

As extreme weather becomes more frequent, urbanisation and its overabundance of concrete and other impenetrable surfaces worsens the impact of heavy rain and heatwaves. So-called ‘pocket forests’ built in cities and communities are invaluable, helping filter airborne pollutants, cool city temperatures, mitigate flooding, improve physical and mental wellbeing, and create a haven for important pollinators. sugiproject.com 100

C I T I Z E N Z E R O ——— I S S U E T W O

RAFAEL RIBEIRO AND GABRIELA RIBEIRO ARAKAKIY

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INVENTORY

GREEN BUILDINGS

Bold, beautiful, and built to make a positive impact. We take a closer look at architectural projects designed with a sustainable ethos

THE RAJKUMARI RATNAVATI GIRL’S SCHOOL An oasis in the heart of the desert, the Rajkumari Ratnavati Girl’s School doesn’t just employ sustainable building techniques – it’s handmade from local stone, has a water harvesting system to reuse rainwater and a solar panel roof, and its unique shape provides a natural cooling system – it’s also designed to empower and educate women in a region experiencing gender discrimination, economic disparity, and technological barriers.

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C I T I Z E N Z E R O ——— I S S U E T W O

VANCOUVER CONVENTION CENTRE WEST Atop of Vancouver’s Convention Centre West are four beehives of European honey bees, who pollinate its six-acre living roof packed with indigenous plants. Beneath, is the world’s first double Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certified convention centre complete with water treatment plant, seawater heating and cooling, local materials from sustainably managed forests, and facility-wide recycling programmes.

POWERHOUSE TELEMARK If only all workspaces looked like this.

Powerhouse Telemark’s tilted roof is as practical as it is striking, expanding surface area to ensure maximum solar harvesting from the PV-cell clad facade.

The building’s BREEAM Excellent certification recognises its use of natural materials, efficient lighting and cooling technology via geothermal wells, and a yearly net energy consumption 70% less than comparable offices.

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COPENHILL Architect Bjarke Ingels believes that sustainability is more than just exploring clean technology (although Copenhill does this very well, primarily as a waste-to-energy plant producing enough electricity to power 60,000homes). It should also be about increasing quality of life, he says. Which is why the site also includes a ski slope, outside gym, hiking trail, and a climbing wall.

THE EDGE Sophisticated design and smart, advanced tech underpin The Edge’s design – they’ve also gained it a 98.36% BREEAM-NL sustainability score. The Edge uses highly efficient solar panels that absorb the sun’s energy, and keep it out when needed.

The result is a building that generates more energy than it consumes, powering heating and cooling, all laptops and smartphones in the building, and employees’ EVs.

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C I T I Z E N Z E R O ——— I S S U E T W O

BOSCO VERTICALE A case study in architectural biodiversity, Bosco Verticale focuses on improving the relationship between human and other living species. It’s home to around 800 trees, 5,000 shrubs and 15,000 perennial plants that regulate humidity, absorb CO2 and microparticles, and produce oxygen.

Just a few years after being built, it’s home to 1,600 species of birds and butterflies.

ADAPTIVE REUSE: BRINGING BUILDINGS BACK TO LIFE

ZEITZ MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART AFRICA

ELBPHILHARMONIE HAMBURG

THE GREEN BUILDING

Sitting on Hamburg’s

which sits within a

The giant disused concrete

harbourfront, the

115-year-old former dry

grain silo sat dormant until

Elbphilharmonie concert

goods store, is the first

being transformed by

hall involved the complex

LEED Platinum project in

Heatherwick Studio into a

adaptive reuse of a 1960s

the city of Louisville and

not-for-profit museum and

cocoa warehouse, the

the first LEED certified

contemporary art exhibi-

red-bricked base structure

adaptive reuse project in

tion space in Cape Town.

of which still exists.

the US state of Kentucky.

C I T I Z E N Z E R O ——— I S S U E T W O

The Green Building,

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PIONEER

JEAN THERAPY Practical and utilitarian, denim was made to last.

Thanks to Denimolite, that no longer means as landfill

At first glance, a denim table – complete with denim knife, fork, and drinks coasters – may seem a bit… well, odd. But, enough with your preconceived ideas because, actually, it’s perfect.

You see, 70 million pairs of jeans are bought every year in the UK alone. And, because many brands use additives like polyester or elastane in their denim products, they’re not recyclable at municipal recycling. The result is approximately 260,000 tonnes of denim put to landfill and incinerators each year in the UK. Some even finds its way into the ocean.

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C I T I Z E N Z E R O ——— I S S U E T W O

Denimolite, like the rest of us, has had enough of stats like this. Its solution is an upcycled, high quality composite material that’s made from all types of waste denim including stretch, which is notoriously difficult to recycle. Waste denim from donations, charity shops, and fashion brands is combined with a plant-based bio resin made from waste produce from other industries, to make a denim composite material for the architectural and interior markets, and myriad applications from furniture and kitchenware, through to jewellery.

“ 70 M I L L I O N PA I R S OF JEANS ARE BOUGHT A N N U A L LY I N T H E U K .

T H I S C O N T R I B U T E S TO A P P R OX I M AT E LY 2 6 0, 0 0 0 TO N N E S O F D E N I M P U T TO L A N D F I L L E AC H Y E A R I N T H E U K A LO N E ”

www.denimolite.com

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ECONOMIC

PHOTO: MARIUS VIKEN 108

C I T I Z E N Z E R O ——— I S S U E T W O

Nature embodied Foraging, local sourcing, and a hydro-powered distillery. Welcome to Himkok’s sustainable take on a 1930s speakeasy. As they say in Oslo, skål!

Norwegians call it friluftsliv. It is, to them and their ancestors, a philosophy that sums up the innate value and deep sense of meaning they get from spending time with nature for spiritual and physical wellbeing. Friluftsliv isn’t connected to a specific activity – although being the most sparsely populated nation in Europe means there’s plenty of options. Rather, it’s about being a part of the wild without disturbing it, whether it’s hiking, cross-country skiing, lunchtime runs in the forest or, in the case of Paul Voza and his white-lab-coat-wearing colleagues, using natural ingredients to make some of the best cocktails in the business.

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HIMKOK, where Voza and his fellow mixologists create cocktails and spirits distilled in-house, embodies this sentiment. Drinks like aquavit, gin, vodka, and a menu full of cocktails, beers and ciders, are crafted to reflect Norway’s love of the natural landscape and to foster a shared sense of responsibility and stewardship for the resources on peoples’ doorsteps.

A strong, a strong ethos of caring for the planet hides behind HIMKOK’s unassuming grey exterior. Here, practices like local sourcing, using renewable energy, minimising waste and recycling, creative preservation techniques, and even hosting sustainability workshops and events, have seen the bar win the Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award – given to the venue that achieves the highest environmental and social responsibility rating across three core pillars: sourcing, society, and environment.

Think of the place – to use mixologist parlance – as one-part cocktail-

“SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IS INTEGRAL TO OUR IDENTITY”

loving speakeasy, one-part sustainability pioneer.

The HIMKOK team have taken an all-encompassing approach to living

110

“We’ve grown up surrounded by

and working sustainably, from where

majestic fjords, rugged mountains,

and how they source their ingredi-

and breathtaking natural beauty.

ents (and what happens to leftovers),

It instils in you a profound apprecia-

and using their own hydro-energy

tion for nature and a desire to protect

powered distillery that delivers

it,” says Voza. “It’s why we have such

against sustainable goals for waste,

a strong and deep-rooted commit-

food miles, and emissions. Local

ment to positive action in sustainable

sourcing is a key principle, even

development at HIMKOK. It’s inte-

in a nation with a growing season

gral to our identity.”

that can last as little as a month.

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C I T I Z E N Z E R O ——— I S S U E T W O

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C I T I Z E N Z E R O ——— I S S U E T W O

“We take advantage of the rich resources around us by foraging for wild ingredients like berries, herbs, and mushrooms. It’s not only good for bringing unique flavours to our drinks, but also lets us highlight the importance of preserving local ecosystems,” Voza explains.

“We also prioritise sourcing our ingredients locally and ethically.

Collaborating with local farmers and producers gets us the freshest products, but also supports local communities and businesses and reduces the carbon footprint associated with transporting ingredients over longer distances. To extend the life of these ingredients, and reduce waste during off seasons, we use preservation techniques like canning, pickling and fermentation.”

Once local ingredients and botanicals have arrived at HIMKOK, little gets discarded. The bar takes a zero-waste approach, using citrus peels for garnishes, and fruit pulp byproducts for making syrups used in cocktails.

The team also explores alternative grains, innovative new fermentation techniques, and has found a way

“WE SOURCE OUR INGREDIENTS LOCALLY AND ETHICALLY”

to distil out-of-date beer to create whiskey. Other more traditional ingredients have been replaced in the quest for more environmentally friendly products – aquafaba (chickpea water) instead of egg whites, for example, because it doesn’t have an expiration date and removes extra byproducts like egg yolks.

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The centrepiece of HIMKOK’s main bar area is its own distillery, a sculpturelike installation of copper pipes and pots in which 80% of the spirits sold are made (an otherwise substantial amount of alcohol that would be transported to Oslo from around the world).

“It’s the beating heart of our sustainability initiatives,” Voza says. “It empowers us to decrease our carbon footprint through local production and renewable hydro-energy, maintain quality control to reduce production errors and minimise waste, and to explore ways to constantly innovate and improve. We also have recycling 114

C I T I Z E N Z E R O ——— I S S U E T W O

“OUR DISTILLERY IS THE BEATING HEART OF OUR SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES”

programmes for glass bottles and pack-

“It’s also about education and aware-

aging materials, and are looking at

ness, which we do through workshops

alternatives to single-use plastics.”

and promoting our ethos with our customers, and collaborating with the

Beneath HIMKOK’s cool-as-you-like

local community and organisations

facade, there’s a sense of experimen-

dedicated to sustainability,” says Voza.

tation and creativity that’s put it at

“We work hard to balance tradition

the top of many ‘most sustainable bar’

and innovation, and we’re committed

lists. Voza concedes that sustainabil-

to making constant improvements.

ity is a journey that requires constant

Of course we want to create exceptional

improvement, including things like a

cocktails, but embodying Norwegian

focus on water conservation, invest-

culture is about living up to our rich

ment in energy efficient appliances

heritage of balancing human need with

and lighting to reduce consumption,

the health of the environment.”

and consistent monitoring and reporting of key sustainability metrics.

himkok.no

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PIONEER

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C I T I Z E N Z E R O ——— I S S U E T W O

A tank of microalgae?

As efficient as a tree at removing CO2 in a packed city? Absolutely You know the score: never judge a book by its cover.

Or, in this case, a glass tank by its green gloopiness.

Because LIQUID3, otherwise known as a ‘liquid tree’, is actually a clever solution to tackling urban air pollution in highly populated urban spaces where room for real plants and trees is at a premium.

Just like in Belgrade in Serbia, where LIQUID3 is being installed in benches and other public spaces.

The city is close to two large coal plants ranked among the top 10 dirtiest in Europe and, in 2019, researchers claimed it had Europe’s worst capita record for pollution-related deaths at 175 per 100,000 people.

LIQUID3 is an urban photo-bioreactor that uses the power of microalgae to efficiently remove CO 2 and produce oxygen and biomass – just like its solid, leafier counterpart.

In its 600 litres of water, microalgae use photosynthesis to make oxygen from carbon dioxide, harvesting the sun’s energy using chlorophyll. The algae is up to 50 times faster at removing CO 2 from the atmosphere than trees and one tank is the equivalent of two 10-year-old trees or 200 square metres of lawn. The liquid tree’s creators stress that it’s not intended to replace trees and other flora, but to fill urban pockets where planting is problematic. liquid3.rs

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ECONOMIC

TOM LAFFAY

Protecting workers, changing lives LA ISLA NETWORK’S JASON GLASER DISCUSSES THE DEVASTATING IMPACT OF HEAT-RELATED ILLNESSES AND HOW TO PROTECT WORKERS IN A CHANGING CLIMATE

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C I T I Z E N Z E R O ——— I S S U E T W O

“This is coming for all of us,” says Jason Glaser.

He’s not wrong. We’re near the end of an hour-long conversation about the devastating effects of heat stress-related illnesses on workers and their communities that’s both inspiring – Glaser and his La Isla Network colleagues are doing immeasurably great work in researching the impact of heat and poor occupational practices and driving evidencebased solutions – and also frustrating: why should diseases that can be countered by simple actions like shaded rest, hydration, and providing decent working conditions be so difficult to address?

It’s a question we should all ask ourselves.

That’s because Glaser really is right. The world is heating rapidly. Global temperatures reached exceptionally high levels in 2023, with a slew of record-breaking conditions being ticked off in quick succession – hottest months on record, daily global temperatures surpassing pre-industrial levels by more than 2°C, and a record number of days breaching the 1.5°C global warming limit we’ve held as so important for so long. In these conditions, all workers and those employing them could soon face more challenging conditions.

For many, though, living and working in these conditions isn’t new. And it can be deadly. In Mesoamerica and South Asia, but increasingly around the world, high heat combined with intense physical work and insufficient labour protection is placing a significant burden on the health of workers and their families in industries like agriculture, construction, and mining.

Gruelling hours in high temperatures leads to illness from headache, cramps, and exhaustion up to fatal heat stroke, and often amplifies existing chronic illnesses including cardiovascular, respiratory, and renal conditions.

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It’s also recognised as a key risk factor in a prevalent silent killer in many disadvantaged communities where low-wage labour is the key source of income: chronic kidney disease of non-traditional origin (CKDnt). CKDnt is characterised by a fatal loss of kidney function over a relatively short period of time, affecting young and otherwise healthy workers.

It’s associated with exposure to repeated heat stress and episodes of acute kidney injury, which is then exacerbated by dehydration and ongoing exposure to these conditions.

Current data shows that CKDnt has killed at least 40,000 people in Mesoamerica and Sri Lanka, and is likely affecting millions throughout the tropics and beyond.

TOM LAFFAY

Glaser, then a young filmmaker, first

“I’d set out to make a documentary about

encountered the impacts of CKDnt among

exploitation in supply chains, particularly

Nicaraguan sugarcane labourers in 2007,

Nicaraguan banana workers who’d suffered

meeting communities where almost a third

terrible working conditions and long-term

of households had a member diagnosed with

health problems including sterilisation

the disease and scores of young men died

from the pesticides used,” says Glaser.

in a relatively short period of time – La Isla

“It was actually them who told us about what

Network, of which Glaser is CEO, is named

was happening at sugar mills throughout

for a community in Nicaragua where so many

Nicaragua. It was tough when we arrived

men had died of CKDnt that locals called

at one of the main mills. We were basically

it ‘La Isla de Viudas’: the Island of Widows.

told there was nothing to see by the police – probably the worst thing you can say to

“If you look closely, you basically see a

a bunch of film and documentary makers.

young Jason freaking out, wondering what’s

120

going on. There’s protestors, national police

“When you encounter something like that,

trying to make it difficult for us to see

you’ve no choice if you have any kind of mor-

the extent of what’s happening, and a line

al compass,” he adds. “I decided we’d start

of young men dying in hammocks,” says

small, focused on the local community, but

Glaser of a French Film that captures his

that we had to take a national approach, be

first visit, Too Hot To Work, a visual docu-

data- and research-driven in order to inform

ment of the impact of sugarcane labour

private and public policy, and ultimately

in Nicaragua where in the most affected

become an international effort supported by

communities 70% of men developed CKDnt.

a coalition of academics, industry, unions,

C I T I Z E N Z E R O ——— I S S U E T W O

“WHEN YOU ENCOUNTER SOME THING LIKE THAT, YOU HAVE NO CHOICE IF YOU’VE ANY KIND OF MORAL COMPASS” researchers, and people and organisations

consultancy dedicated to protecting work-

prepared to tell our story. We’re now in

ers in a heating world driven by climate

a position where we can aid workers facing

change. It specialises in occupational safety

heat stress around the world, in particular

and health research, conducting independ-

those affected by this and related kidney

ent, scientific investigations in collaboration

diseases. But I still wrestle with one funda-

with leading research institutions around

mental question: ‘why did it take a tiny

the globe to provide evidence-driven policy

NGO of a filmmaker turned epidemiologist

recommendations that protect the work-

to highlight a fatal disease killing thousands

force and support industry leaders. The

of people while no one did anything?’.

organisation gives technical support to com-

Something’s still very wrong with that.”

panies and governments seeking to improve resiliency, protect the health of workforces,

Today, La Isla Network is the leading global

and ensure a healthy and economically

occupational health research NGO and

viable future for the world’s supply chains.

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HEAT-RELATED ILLNESS

“Look at anthropological history and in

What Glaser and La Isla Network encoun-

Nicaragua you can find records of high num-

tered in Nicaragua isn’t a new problem.

bers of young men dying in their 20s and 30s

While more typical forms of kidney disease

during the 1930s,” says Glaser. “They called

are likely genetic or a consequence of other

it exhaustion, but that’s what kidney failure

diseases like diabetes or hypertension,

can look like if undiagnosed. It’s the same

CKDnt is closely tied to heat stress. It’s been

story with Bantu miners in South Africa in

documented in Nepali migrant labourers

the 1960s. We know they worked in a hor-

working in the Middle East and Malaysia,

ribly hot environment, had documented heat

rice farmers and salt harvesters in Thailand,

stroke and acute kidney injury, and in six

and miners in South Africa among others.

months you had young, otherwise healthy

“I STILL WRESTLE WITH ONE FUNDAMENTAL QUESTION: ‘WHY DID IT TAKE A TINY NGO OF A FILMMAKER TURNED EPIDEMIOLOGIST TO HIGHLIGHT A FATAL DISEASE KILLING THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHILE NO ONE DID ANY THING?’.

SOME THING’S STILL VERY WRONG WITH THAT”

ED KASHI 122

C I T I Z E N Z E R O ——— I S S U E T W O

ED KASHI

men very sick with chronic kidney disease.

“You heard stories of people just dying

All these years later, it’s exactly what we’re

from heat stroke in the field or later that

seeing in our work. The commonality is that

day in hospital – the process can begin

these are people in distressed situations,

when you’re at work but the end stage,

with very little agency or power to raise their

after the systemic inflammatory response

voice. They’re forgotten.”

occurs, may not manifest until that day or even a day after,” Glaser says. “Suddenly

Sugarcane harvesting is a particularly strenu-

you need to go to the hospital because your

ous and intense, but low-paid line of work.

organs are failing and it becomes a rapid

In communities across Mesoamerica like those

chain reaction. It’s brutal. And it’s not just

in northwestern Nicaragua, says Glaser, occu-

sugarcane, it’s a problem that’s been exacer-

pational health and safety was more often than

bated by huge growth in these kinds of

not an afterthought – men and sometimes

supply chains, be it gold, farming, or con-

children often worked in sugarcane fields

struction. We’re talking about marketplaces

cutting six to nine tonnes a day, for 10 to 12

that historically haven’t put a premium

hours with little or no breaks, and no hydration.

on the health of the workforce.”

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BUILDING WORKER PROTECTION

Sugar Producers Association. Funding

La Isla Network’s work, first in working in

for the project was provided by the German

Chichipalga with Ingenio San Antonio (ISA)

Development Corporation, the Federal

and subsequently in other mills and loca-

Ministry of Economic Cooperation and

tions, shows it doesn’t have to be this way.

Development of Germany, the Stavros

The organisation spent eight years since

Niarchos Foundation, and ISA.

2017 working with ISA, implementing a rest, shade, hydration, and sanitation interven-

The project acts as a dynamic lab – what La Isla

tion and improving health screening and

Network calls a ‘Centre of Excellence’ – at ISA,

training programmes, while simultaneously

now one of the most logistically competent

collaborating to drive organisational change

mills in the Americas, and a platform to evalu-

– essential, says Glaser, for lasting impact.

ate and improve work practices by using the best possible data and learnings from work-

124

The project, known as the Adelante Initiative,

force intervention. Learnings will inform

is a collaboration with the global sustainabil-

similar programmes of work in the sugarcane

ity platform and standard for sugarcane

industry and beyond, replicating the success

Bonsucro, Nicaragua Sugar Estates Limited’s

at ISA by establishing in other industries and

San Antonio sugar mill, and The Nicaraguan

companies similar Centres of Excellence.

C I T I Z E N Z E R O ——— I S S U E T W O

“The fundamental aspects are really simple: you stop work when temperatures are high and give regular rest breaks, have a mobile shade tent, provide water and electrolyte solutions for each work group, while also ensuring health assessments, education and training for workers and management,” says Glaser.

“But it’s the organisational change that’s essential, and where the barriers come in once you’re working to ensure supervisors, workers, and managers agree to prioritising this level of change and committing to investment.”

Data and trust are essential in influencing organisational change, says Glaser. The former is key for demonstrating that, contrary to some management and supervisor opinion that taking breaks will impact ROI, productivity actually increases when proper workforce

ED KASHI

protections are implemented – according to one study, ISA reaped a 22% return on investment in rest, shade, hydration, and sanitation, among other benefits like keeping primary earners in the labour economy, greater communication between organisation and

“EVEN IN NICARAGUA YOU CAN FIND RECORDS OF HIGH NUMBERS OF YOUNG MEN DYING IN THEIR 20S AND 30S DURING THE 1930S”

workforce, and increased planning and innovation. Trust, Glaser reports, is crucial to earn with workers who, used to having little agency for so long, can be cautious of accepting breaks for fear of repercussions.

“As a case study, our work with ISA is an amazing example of what’s possible,” Glaser explains. “It was a challenging environment at first but, once they saw we didn’t want to fight but to make change with them, we collectively transformed what they’re doing there. They moved from subcontracting to direct contracting for the most at-risk workers, developed social protection, made huge

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improvements on reduction of harm and risk and, by prioritising occupational health, have streamlined the entire organisation.

“You’re changing values, priorities, and operations and that makes you realise that it goes way beyond heat stress to things like how to manage pay, re-evaluate management prioritisation, sick leave and remediation,

“WE’RE TALKING ABOUT MARKE TPL ACES THAT HISTORICALLY HAVEN’T PUT A PREMIUM ON THE HEALTH OF THE WORKFORCE”

and even how success and investment is measured,” he continues. “They even have paid sick days for field labourers – we don’t even have that in California. I predict that, by the end of this year in Nicaragua, we’ll have programmes in place that makes this the first completely protected supply chain directly employed or otherwise.”

Despite the success Glaser is quick to denounce any ‘Silicon Valley-esque notions that we’re changing the world and everything’s fine’.

The truth is far from it, particularly in the face of ongoing climate change and a heating world. Which is why data and knowledge from La Isla Network’s initiatives are essential to scaling and adapting much needed change in other industries and geographies.

From the Adelante Initiative La Isla Network developed its PREP (Prevention, Resilience, Efficiency and Protection) methodology, the core rest, shade, hydration, sanitation interventions of which are effective and achievable in all settings. Through PREP, and based on the foundational data collected from previous projects, the organisation is able to provide core recommendations across the board, from workers and employers through to the development community, legislators, and labour and health ministers.

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TOM LAFFAY

C I T I Z E N Z E R O ——— I S S U E T W O

“Breaking down the PREP acronym in terms of data,” Glaser notes. “Prevention is based on epidemiological and health data, Resilience considers economic data from the company and, where we can, the community, Efficiency addresses productivity information across the company’s work, and Protection is the policy data that basi-

TOM LAFFAY

cally considers whether what’s being put in practice is bringing the required changes.

“For us it’s about how you inform both the private policy in the industry or specific organisations we’re working with, but also public policy, because this clearly has significant and very broad public and social ramifications: dialysis and other treatment of kidney failure is preventable but also expensive, and access to proper health care in affected low- and middle-income countries is limited,” says Glaser.

“You’re also addressing the knock-on effects within the communities: mothers that have to work because their husbands are too sick or, more often, instances of child labour.

When people in their prime earning years are removed from the economy, kids are leaving school to harvest sugarcane from as young as 12 which means you’re cutting people off from education, from developing their own skills and autonomy so they can pursue actual development and building a future economy. Of course, you also have the fact that a kid has probably had as much as eight years’ exposure to heat stress before they’re employed by a mill legally at 18.

It’s no mystery why people are getting sick by the time they’re 24.”

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MAKING LASTING CHANGE You have to be sober about change, says Glaser, who remains positive about achievements to date but also realistic in the scale and complexity of the challenge.. A cursory glance at the headlines around the world shows heat-related illnesses rising, with many outlets arguing it is the world’s first occupational disease caused by climate change: think migrant workers dying in extreme circumstances building world cup stadiums in Qatar and the exponential rise in heat-related deaths in the United States between 2010 and 2022. Glaser and La Isla Network have been at the forefront of this clarion call for awareness and urgent change – most recently, he went on the record for TIME, warning of CKDnt’s dangerous potential to be the ‘black lung

TOM LAFFAY

of climate change’.

“I also heard a story about six grape pickers who died of heat stroke in Champagne and

better occupational health and safety regu-

Bordeaux,” Glaser adds. “These aren’t poor

lation and guidance for employers and

farmers. They’re making Champagne and

workers,” Glaser states. “That also has to

absolutely have the resources to have resil-

include changes in policy for things like

ience and interventions built into what they’re

lending from development banks so infra-

doing, but we’re consistently seeing a deficit of

structure and business growth is attached

understanding and value for the largely migra-

to guaranteed labour protection. On the

tory workforce. An investigation after those

private side, insurers could make a real dif-

deaths found abhorrent living conditions, no

ference. Imagine the impact if an insurance

safe or adequate place to live and inadequate

company says it’s no longer paying out the

diet. These kinds of heat waves are going to

liability claim for dead or injured workers

happen more and more and we’re not learn-

because the company didn’t provide the

ing from examples everywhere.”

necessary protection – that would change everything very quickly.

He and La Isla Network have four key targets

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necessary to systemise change internationally.

“Then I have to look at brands,” he continues.

“Governments have to adapt and develop new

“And this is where we have to get tough. Flor

policies using the data we provide to build

de Caña and its supplying mill, ISA, came to

C I T I Z E N Z E R O ——— I S S U E T W O

the table with us because it had a crisis, but

Diageo shouldn’t have to shoulder this alone.

they adapted very quickly and were collabo-

I suppose I’m always shocked by the lack of

rative in record time; they took it seriously

imagination from major brands who think

and it’s amazing what people can do when

a problem like this is too niche or focused.

they want to. But, the only other company

It’s not just ‘kidney disease’, it’s everything

I know that’s ever taken anything like this

related to labour and worker wellbeing.

on and committed investment is (alcoholic

Diageo and ISA have shown what’s possible,

beverage company) Diageo. They came to us

as has the German Development

with vision, buy-in on the issue, and we’re

Corporation, the US Department of Labor

actively problem solving together.

and Department of State. They’re not small names. If you’re not smart enough to listen

“The message I want to leave is that this stuff

to us, you should be listening to them.”

isn’t easy, but it’s all doable. We’ve seen first hand the power of multi-stakeholder par-

laislanetwork.org

ticipation and the potential when there’s a willingness to exchange information and

Photography courtesy of

ideas,” Glaser reflects. “And this is where

Ed Kashi: edkashi.com

I lay down the gauntlet: companies like

Tom Laffay: tomlaffay.com

C I T I Z E N Z E R O ——— I S S U E T W O

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THE GUIDE

SOUND & VISION Education and entertainment for sustainable citizens

PODCAST THE ECOSIA PODCAST

FILM HOW TO POWER A CITY

Reforestation projects, discussions with pioneers and environmentalists, personal stories

Well, how do you? That’s what this inde-

and more from the Berlin HQ of the search

pendent feature documentary sets out

engine that plants trees for every search made.

to answer. Director Melanie La Rosa was

Episode 7 about staying sane in the age

inspired after being asked on a Brooklyn

of climate change is particularly useful.

sidewalk if she wanted to switch to wind

blog.ecosia.org/tag/podcast

power. She wanted to know more. How to Power a City showcases the people and innovations leading the way in delivering clean energy including a plan to turn New York’s Rikers Island prison into a solar farm, energy democracy training in Detroit, and a group of Atlantic City fishermen trying to build the first offshore wind farm in the US. powercityfilm.com

FILM PATAGONIA: TREELINE Trees are intertwined with our existence and stand as part of our history. Celebrate them with this film from Patagonia, following skiers and snowboarders as they travel through three forest landscapes in Japan, Nevada, and British Columbia. patagonia.com 130

C I T I Z E N Z E R O ——— I S S U E T W O

BOOK HOW TO RAISE A GLOBAL CITIZEN Children can be inspired, equipped, and mobilised to make a difference in the world, so long as they’re encouraged and nurtured – just read any of our education content to know how important that is.

How to Raise a Global Citizen distils that message into a go-to handbook for parents and carers shaping the next generation

EVENT INNOVATION ZERO

of responsible citizens. It recognises that

30 April – 1 May 2024 | London

raising truly globally minded and socially

The UK’s largest sustainability conference

conscious children starts at home and in

dedicated to accelerating meaningful action

the community, and teaches how to model

towards a low-carbon economy and society.

global citizens through day-to-day actions.

Themes include oceans and water, aviation

dk.com

and shipping, and food and agriculture. innovationzero.com

EVENT ENERGY TRANSITION SUMMIT 4 March 2024 | London A one-day event packed with 30 keynote and panel sessions addressing the clean energy transition. The event’s core focus is on accelerating a path towards scaling clean energy technologies and innovation. events.economist.com C I T I Z E N Z E R O ——— I S S U E T W O

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THE GUIDE

PODCAST BUILT FOR GOOD Episode one, in which Captain Alex Cornelissen, CEO of marine conservation organisation Sea Shepherd Global, talked us through his adventurous life on the high seas had us hooked. In just half an hour we heard about his first, almost magical experience helping an animal, becoming captain of a direct-action ship, freeing dolphins in Japan and more. It’s a non-stop ride that sums up the ethos of Built for Good: handpicking stories from some of the most influential change makers who have dedicated their lives to the pursuit of good. builtforgood.show

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DOWNLOAD TOO GOOD TO GO

FILM 2040

More than one third of all food is wasted.

A movie that, in the onslaught of climate

Too Good To Go wants an end to stats like

anxiety we face, is refreshingly optimistic.

that. The app lets users find ‘Surprise Bags’

It charts director Damon Gameau imagining

of surplus food at restaurants nearby, buy

a future for his four-year-old daughter

them at a reasonable price, and save what’s

where climate change has been solved and

inside from going to waste.

the numerous solutions responsible.

togoodtogo.com

theregenerators.org C I T I Z E N Z E R O ——— I S S U E T W O

EVENT PEOPLE, PLANET, PINT

EVENT EARTH DAY

Since it started during COP26 in Glasgow,

Earth Day has evolved into the largest civic

People, Planet, Pint has provided a relaxed

event on the planet. This year, on 22 April

space for people to gather, share their

earthday.org is demanding a 60% reduction

passion for sustainability, and find out how

in the production of all plastics by 2040 and

they can make a difference. They pop up

advocating for widespread awareness on

everywhere, so keep on the lookout.

the health risks of associated with plastics.

Small99.co.uk

earthday.org

BOOK BUILDING FOR CHANGE A study in creative reuse and adapting existing buildings to create new spaces for a more conscious future that looks as good as the architecture inside. Building for change explores how we can build a sustainable future in a time of climate change and dwindling resources. It collates strategies of reuse, from waste repurposed as construction materials and reworked buildings to modular structures designed to be dismantled, and demonstrates their power to build a better tomorrow. uk.gestalten.com

C I T I Z E N Z E R O ——— I S S U E T W O

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