My Green Pod Magazine, September 2024

SEPTEMBER 2024

INTUITIVE LEADERSHIP Could heart-centred decision-making boost your business and its impact?

PETS AND PLASTICS A new EARTHDAY.ORG report suggests pets ‘are in peril from plastics – just like us’

DEMOCRATISING ORGANIC LIVING We share simple ways anyone can participate in Organic September, whatever the budget WHICH TYPE OF ORGANIC SHOPPER ARE YOU? Match your shopping habits with one of the profiles from UK ORGANIC

ORGANIC

SEPTEMBER

Welcome to

My Green Pod Magazine!

There are many moments to celebrate in September; each brings an opportunity for gratitude, but also a call to consider climate justice and look at the current challenges through an intersectional lens.

Organic September asks us to recognise all the people flying the flag for a more sustainable farming system with planetary, human and animal health at its heart – and to acknowledge that producing food this way isn’t easy. Organic farmers and suppliers are currently working against the system with little (or no) support. This means organic produce – widely found to be the healthiest option out there – is often a more expensive option that isn’t available to everyone, while ultra-processed foods are accessible to individuals and families juggling the smallest budgets.

Farming in a sustainable way is key to ensuring global food security as we continue to experience droughts, floods and other extreme weather events. As many as 783 million people currently go hungry – and that’s at a time when there is more than enough food to go around.

Hunger and resource scarcity are key drivers of conflict, and important considerations as we move towards the United Nations International Day of Peace (21 September). This will lead us to Climate Week NYC (22-29), and a solar broadcast from Times Square to celebrate climate action with arts, music and inspiring talks and speeches.

In this issue you’ll find tips on how to live a low-budget organic lifestyle and meet individuals who have devoted their lives to creating a fairer future for everyone. There’s a lot to celebrate and there are many heroes to champion – they’re all working behind the scenes to create the lifestyles we can so easily take for granted.

Katie Hill, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF katie@mygreenpod.com

ABOUT US My Green Pod is an independent, family-run UK business, founded by Katie Hill and Jarvis Smith. We want to share the real stories behind the brands and people working tirelessly to offer ethical alternatives to mainstream products and services. You might not see these options on the high street and they may not be the first to appear in online searches. But they are on mygreenpod.com.

Use the search bar to find conscious lifestyle inspiration – and you could save some cash along the way!

Transforming food systems could save

$10 trillion per year

76% believe

businesses should have a legal responsibility to prioritise people and planet as well as profit

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CONTACT US Subscribe to get each digital issue of My Green Pod Magazine delivered straight to your inbox mygreenpod.com/subscribe @mygreenpod

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The climate sector has a current turnover of £344.6bn and is growing at 11% per year mygreenpod.com ORGANIC SEPTEMBER 3

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CONTENTS NEWS 06 We celebrate the winners of 2024’s P.E.A. Awards, announced at a green-carpet reception hosted

by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall at The Savoy London 10 EARTHDAY.ORG’s Aidan Charron reveals why our pets ‘are in peril from plastics – just like us’

10

BUSINESS

12 OMMM co-founder Michelle Narciso makes the case for conscious leadership in business 14 Meet the sustainability advocate inspiring cancer survivors and young activists in northern England 15 Get set to be inspired by some of the brightest minds in sustainability 16 Blue Earth Summit’s founder shares the opportunities for climate tech investments

HERO PRODUCTS

22

FOOD & DRINK

24 For the Soil Association, you are the champion this Organic September 25 Britain’s largest organic brand shares ways to make the most of Organic September 26 UK ORGANIC explores the different motivations behind organic shopping 27 As big brands advertise more conscious blends, here’s what all eco coffee connoisseurs need to know

CONSCIOUSNESS

28 Tammy Scarlett asks: is world peace a pipe dream or a real emerging possibility?

29 Embrace an organic lifestyle by taking time to connect with nature 30 A solar broadcast to celebrate Climate Week NYC and the UN International Day of Peace

TRAVEL

17 My Green Pod Heroes for September, plus our Top 5 Switches

32 Biologist Neel Zaver shares three projects in Costa Rica that offer hope in a time of crisis

ENERGY

COMPETITIONS

18 UK renewables are back in the spotlight: here’s how to avoid greenwash when choosing a green energy supplier

34 Take a look at the latest competition giveaways featured on mygreenpod.com!

ARTS & FASHION

20 Model twins Brett and Scott Staniland unpick cotton’s credentials as an ethical option

HEALTH & BEAUTY

27

21 For Organic September, natural beauty expert Janey Lee Grace shares her top organic skincare tips 22 Meet the (all-natural) beauty favourites of the TV and film industry

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Katie Hill DESIGN: Suzanne Taylor PUBLISHER: Jarvis Smith PUBLISHING: My Green Pod Distributed by My Green Pod which takes sole responsibility for its contents. MGP does not accept unsolicited contributions.

Editorial opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of My Green Pod and the company does not accept responsibility for advertising content.

Prices are correct at time of going to press and are subject to change. The Publishers cannot accept any responsibility for errors or omissions.

The contents of this magazine are fully protected by copyright and may not be reproduced without written permission. If you have any queries relating to the magazine call 0203 002 0990.

mygreenpod.com ORGANIC SEPTEMBER 5

2024

P.E.A. AWARD WINNERS IN ASSOCIATION WITH

O

This year’s top eco warriors named at glittering green-carpet reception The Savoy London

n 25 June, the winners of 2024’s P.E.A. (People. Environment. Achievement.)

Awards, in association with OMMM, were announced at a glamorous ceremony attended by leading lights in the sustainability sector.

The event, hosted by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall at The Savoy, was part of London Climate Week (22-30 June) – the world’s largest city-based climate change festival.

‘John Burton was one of the most important figures in helping to save vast areas of land across the world in order to protect wildlife, nature and its communities’, explained P.E.A. Awards founder Jarvis Smith. ‘The single-greatest act we can do is protect the land and the people who care for it.

That is why we are raising money tonight for the Amazon rainforest in John Burton’s name. We do have time – but not much!’

CELEBRATING ACHIEVEMENT

THE AWARDS CEREMONY

Winners of this year’s P.E.A. Awards, now in their 14th year, were not restricted to London; pioneers from across the globe were recognised for their tireless and inspiring efforts to flip the script and demonstrate that sustainable business is good for bottom lines as well as the planet.

Winners were celebrated in sectors ranging from Arts and Energy to Influencers and Indigenous Communities. A new Lifetime Achievement Award was launched this year to recognise an individual who has made it their life’s work to effect positive change for the planet, without waiting for traditional ‘leaders’ to smooth the way. The shortlist comprised Chris Packham, Professor David Hill and John Burton, who won the award.

For 14 years the P.E.A. Awards has provided a glamorous night of great food, inspirational company, first-class entertainment and freeflowing drinks. This year was no different, with an award-winning plant-based menu and vegan wines, plus zero-alcohol drinks, from The Savoy.

This year, a silent auction was held to raise money for the World Land Trust’s John Burton Memorial Fund and Amazon for Life, to protect Indigenous communities and conserve wildlife and biodiversity in the Amazon rainforest.

Auction lots ranged from a two-night stay in The Savoy (with afternoon tea) to a signed and framed photo of David Attenborough (winner of 2020’s Eco-Hero of the Decade P.E.A. Award) and art by

Lama Tashi Norbu, a contemporary Tibetan artist who trained at the court of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The art was created live over the course of the evening.

Guests were also given an opportunity to sponsor baru and cashew nut trees in Bolivia to help support the Amazon for Life restoration project and balance guests’ personal or business carbon footprints. Each tree sequesters around 25kg of carbon each year, supports the growth of a superfood and generates an income for the local communities and Indigenous people in the Bolivian Amazon, all managed by Amazon for Life.

P.E.A. Award winners received bespoke trophies handmade by the extremely talented Katie Weiner, who is renowned for finding vintage treasures and combining them with upcycled materials to stunning effect.

2024’s all-female judging panel comprised Cat Fletcher, Emily Cromwell, Jayn Sterland, Jo Wood, Jordan Brompton, Katie Hill, Ruth Easter and Stephanie Jordan.

Find out more

n For further details and a link to images from the night, visit peawards.com

‘It’s so important to share the ideas that can help set us on a path to a more sustainable future.

Some of them – like organic farming and energy from wind and solar – are well established and just need more support, while others are more complicated solutions to today’s complex and interconnected challenges. The P.E.A. Awards celebrate the pioneers who are looking for new ways to make a positive difference.’

HUGH FEARNLEY-WHITTINGSTALL 6 ORGANIC SEPTEMBER mygreenpod.com

RIVER COTTAGE

NEWS

2024

P.E.A.

AWARD WINNERS ARTS

WINNER: Ben and Ciara, Going Green Media This media company highlights green projects and solutions from across the globe, spotlighting incredible people, projects and innovations that are actively making our world a greener place, and sharing their journeys with an ever-growing audience of over 300,000 individuals.

RUNNERS-UP: Dewi in the Deep (team); Earth Minutes (team); Forest Without Frontiers (team); Janina Rossiter, 1, 2, 3, Who’s Cleaning The Sea?

CLIMATE PIONEER Sponsored by Deloitte

WINNER: Eleni Polychroniadou, Sintali intali verifies the impact of the uilt environment around the world, acting as an independent third party to validate sustainability claims made about buildings and ensure companies, governments and financial institutions are genuinely making a positive difference.

RUNNERS-UP: Cathy Yitong Li; Fazeela Mubarak; Justin Sutton-Parker; Luke Howell, Hope Solutions; Zahra Biabani

DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY SPONSORED BY KRYSTAL

WINNER: The Advanced Infrastructure team The judges loved the LAEP+ (Local Area Energy Planner Plus) Platform – a planning tool for local authorities and their partners to create the infrastructure we need to supply energy across our country, in our journey towards a net zero world.

RUNNERS-UP: Citibeats (team); Earth Minutes (team); GreenInsight (team); Sam Tovey, North

DRINKS

SPONSORED BY AVALLEN

CLOCKWISE Artist Lama Tashi Norbu; (l-r) 2022 Initiative Foundation founder Helena Lindemark, President of the Chapra Indigenous Nation of the Peruvian Amazon Olivia Bisa, Amazon Sacred Headwaters’ Uyunkar Domingo Peas Nampichkai and business coach Maurielle Laurenne; OMMM co-founder Michelle Narciso

ENERGY

SPONSORED BY DURACELL

WINNER: Lily Cairns Haylor, Advanced Infrastructure The judges felt Advanced Infrastructure’s planning tool, which helps local authorities create the infrastructure we need in our journey towards a net ero world, identifies an important gap and offers a scalable solution to speed up the transition to a greener, more sustainable future.

RUNNERS-UP: Orsted (team); Pedra Wadstrom, Solvatten

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

WINNER: The Boatyard Distillery team The judges were very impressed with this bin-free distillery, which transforms spent botanicals into chocolate, liquid waste into electricity and barrels into furniture and brewery tools.

Leftover fruit is turned into compost and even condiments.

WINNER: The team at Paxster The judges loved the electric light delivery vehicle developed by Paxter for city use as part of its range of last-mile vehicles with different capacities.

They can be used for post, parcels and more.

RUNNERS-UP: Feragaia (team); Papillon Gin (team); Sapling Spirits (team); Two Drifters (team)

RUNNERS-UP: Co-Charger (team); ENSO Tyres (team); Spark EV (team)

SPONSORED BY MYENERGI

FOOD

WINNER: Dr Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, Gorilla Conservation Coffee The judges were bowled over by the way Dr Gladys is giving smallholder farmers on the outskirts of Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (BINP) access to global agricultural commodity markets, increasing incomes and resilience while reducing threats to forest resources and mountain gorillas.

RUNNERS-UP: Kenneth Rimdahl, Forest Friendly Tea; Liberation Foods (team); Lou Palmer-Masterton, Stem & Glory; Marc Coloma, Heura Foods

GREEN PIONEER SPONSORED BY WELEDA

WINNER: Jo-Anne Chidley, Reposit Scheme o-Anne created the world s first closed-loop solution for beauty packaging to help put a stop to the single-use plastic commonly used in beauty products. Empties are returned to be washed and reused, with a goal to save up to 10 million empties from landfill within months. cont.

mygreenpod.com ORGANIC SEPTEMBER 7

2024

P.E.A.

AWARD WINNERS RUNNERS-UP: Avril Greenaway, Cleaner Seas Group; ity to Sea tea a id reen eld, Tech-Takeback; Luke Howell, Hope Solutions

cont.

HEALTH & WELLBEING SPONSORED BY RIO-VITALISE

WINNER: The incognito team One of incognito’s key remits is to educate the public on the increased risks associated with insect bites on our shores as a result of climate change.

Life-threatening diseases which for many years had been eradicated are reappearing in the UK and EU as global temperatures increase, allowing insects to flourish.

safeguard the Sacred Headwaters, a vast alpine basin that is the shared birthplace of the Skeena, Nass and Stikine Rivers. Royal Dutch Shell wants to drill more than 1,000 methane gas wells here and Fortune Minerals wants to turn Mount Klappan into an open-pit coal mine. Let’s help the Sacred Headwaters to keep them out.

RUNNERS-UP: Amazon Watch (team); Cheryl Pailzote, Highland Support Project; IWGIA (team); Landesa (team); Trees, Water & People (team)

INFLUENCER

SPONSORED BY OMMM

WINNER: Mikaela Loach Mikaela, the bestselling author of It’s Not That Radical: Climate Action To Transform Our World, is a climate justice activist focusing on the intersections of the climate crisis with oppressive systems and making the climate movement a more accessible space. She was a claimant on the ‘Paid To Pollute’ case over the huge public payments given to fossil fuel companies.

WINNER: The Sacred Headwaters team This is a really crucial movement: concerned citizens from around the world are calling for steps to

RUNNERS-UP: Andy Orchard, Plantally; Deogracious Kalima; Going Green Media (team); Máximo Mazzocco; Rebecca Daniel

RUNNERS-UP: Carrie Cort, Sussex Green Living; Farmer Nick – Nick Cutsumpas; Joanna Maiden, Kujuwa Initiative

INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES

MONEY

WINNER: The Ethex team The judges love the massive impact Ethex is making by helping to make money do good. Since 2013, this direct impact investment platform has helped around 20,000 everyday people invest and raise over £100 million to back more than 200 pioneering projects that are taking real steps to tackle climate change.

RUNNERS-UP: Chris Fry, The Nature Finance Impact Hub (Accelar); Conrad Langridge, Sage Earth (was Spherics); Monika Martinsson, Deedster; Sustainable Futures Network (team)

NATURE

SPONSORED BY YEO VALLEY

WINNER: The team at Rewilding Britain The judges had nothing but praise for Rewilding ritain, the first and only country-wide organisation in Britain focusing on rewilding and the amazing enefits it can ring for people, nature and climate.

RUNNERS-UP: Ed in ya uthii, ree or Planet Pro t and Future; Hannah Bourne-Taylor, The Feather Speech; Michael Kennard, Compost Club; Surfers Against Sewage (team)

PRODUCT

WINNER: The Dayrize team The judges really liked the way Dayrize is able to offer rapid impact assessments of consumer products, enabling businesses and consumers to bring consumption within planetary boundaries.

The automated results are available for a fraction of the cost of a traditional Life Cycle Analysis.

RUNNERS-UP: Human Milk CIC (team); Jeroo Doodhmal, Pip and Henry; Out of the Box Gifts (team); Smooth Edge (team)

TRAVEL

SPONSORED BY DELPHINA HOTELS & RESORTS

WINNER 1: ar S ith, Seat (Getting from A to B Award) Seat 61 is a travel site that originally started as a hobby. Mark’s detailed research makes it extremely easy to travel without flying simply plug in your destination and you’ll get a route to pretty much anywhere in the world by train, boat or both.

WINNER 2: Kieron Van Bosch, Camplight (Tourism Award)

8 ORGANIC SEPTEMBER mygreenpod.com

NEWS

2024

P.E.A.

AWARD WINNERS Camplight has been tackling tent waste in the festival sector for almost 10 years, picking up tents abandoned at festivals, cleaning and restoring them, then offering them back to festivalgoers at an affordable rental cost. The judges loved the concept and the driving force behind it.

RUNNERS-UP: Aradhye Ackshatt; COCO+ (team); incognito (team)

THE P.E.A. LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNER:

John Burton, World Land Trust RUNNERS-UP:

Chris Packham; Professor David Hill

UPSHIFT

This is a new award, given to five organisations in the World Upshift Movement that are literally upshifting the world to a higher place.

WINNERS: Faggin foundation (team); Reboot the future (team); Retake Roma (team); The Global Consciousness Project (team); Unify (team)

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE P.E.A. Awards founder Jarvis Smith with model twins Brett and Scott Staniland; Uyunkar Domingo Peas Nampichkai; Lama Tashi Norbu with his art; artist AY Young; Alfie Ruffell, Rio-Vitalise; Camplight’s Kieron Van Bosch with Rebecca Heaps from Tentshare and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall; Viv Burton, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and World Land Trust Young Ambassador (2016-18) Nick Finch

VEGAN

WINNER: Lou Palmer-Masterton, Stem & Glory Stem & Glory is a plant-based restaurant brand with three sites – two in London and one in Cambridge. It serves healthy and delicious vegan food in a contemporary setting, for those looking to lead healthier and more sustainable lives without compromising on taste or dining atmosphere.

RUNNERS-UP: Choose Liberation (team); Marc Coloma, Heura Foods

YOUTH

WINNER 1: Máximo Mazzocco, founder of Eco House (Individual Award) UNDP Youth Leader and co-founder of several environmental federations and local-nationalinternational youth networks, Máximo has an impressive portfolio as a climate and ecological entrepreneur-activist and SDG promoter.

He has shared panels with high-level authorities from around the world, and has written more than 20 laws.

WINNER 2: UK Youth Climate Coalition (Team Award) The judges were all impressed by this voluntary, consensus-led, non-hierarchical and non-profit organisation. Its organising members are based UK-wide, and share the common goal of achieving genuine global climate justice.

RUNNERS-UP: Angela Zhong; Free To Be Kids (team); Mikaela Loach; The Visionaries (team); The Young People’s Trust for the Environment (team)

‘The P.E.A. Awards offer a time to stop and celebrate all the tireless work people are doing to set us on a path to a more sustainable future, which is becoming more urgent than ever.’

JARVIS SMITH P.E.A. AWARDS FOUNDER

mygreenpod.com ORGANIC SEPTEMBER 9

PETS AND PLASTICS

EARTHDAY.ORG’s Aidan Charron reveals why our pets ‘are in peril from plastics – just like us’

TAKING THE TOX TEST

If I am totally honest it was probably more because I (almost selfishly wanted a tangi le stake in the fight against plastics, microplastics and the toxic chemicals that are poisoning us.

But that concept is hard to quantify and bring to life without doing a plastic tox test – hence peeing in the cup.

EARTHDAY.ORG worked hard to get some plastic tox test kits and we persuaded a few other people to take the test at the same time. The test would reveal how much phthalate and bisphenol – two common plastic additive chemicals, both of which are toxic – are in the body at the time of testing. We collectively shipped our urine samples off to Million Marker Labs in California in February this year, leaving just enough time to receive the test results back by 22 April: Earth Day. 10 ORGANIC SEPTEMBER mygreenpod.com

The plan was that I’d be able to make a big announcement in Ottawa at the UN’s fourth Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, INC-4, on the Global Plastics Treaty. I wanted to get the attention of delegates – whether members of civil society or high-ranking government officials whom I hoped would then e eager to show me the time of day when it came to fighting back against the production of plastics.

DEVASTATING RESULTS

Things took a little longer than expected – no fault of the lab – and I did not receive my results until une, ust as I was finishing writing a report, Pets Vs. Plastics. This report followed on from Babies Vs. Plastics, which was released last November.

These reports look at the way in which plastics, in the form of microplastics and their additives, impact the health of our pets and our kids.

When the results came back I was stunned. As the director of the End Plastics initiative at EARTHDAY.ORG, I have cut as much plastic as I possibly can from my life; I think about plastics pretty much all day, every day. I know how to avoid plastics in toiletries, clothes, cans and a whole heap of other less obvious places.

Given I am committed to reducing plastic production by 60% by 2040, I could not fathom how I ranked so highly for plastic chemicals. How could I, the King of Anti-Plastics as I am

PHOTOGRAPHY ISTOCK

B

y the beginning of 2024, I had been bombarded – pretty much every day for two years – by frankly terrifying information on plastics and their impact on human health.

Factor in that I had also attended two largely soul-crushing UN Global Plastics Treaty conferences, one in Nairobi and one in Paris, on how best to manage our out-of-control global plastics addiction. I decided that the best thing I could do was pee in a cup. For science.

NEWS

UNDERSTANDING BPA

affectionately known at work, have a higher number of bisphenols in my system than 89% of those tested by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention?

It wasn’t just me; Hollywood actress Amanda Seyfried had also agreed to do the plastic tox test and was in the top 72% for phthalates. Her beloved dog Finn, who was also tested, ranked in the top 90% for phthalates. It was devastating.

CHEMICALS IN PLASTICS

The first step in fighting ack against this mass poisoning is to educate ourselves as much as we can about how these chemicals are ingested and inhaled, irrespective of whether or not we agree with the use of plastics. And let’s be honest – none of us ever agreed to this. ere s what everyone should know our results confirmed that two of the most common chemical additives in plastics are indeed bisphenols (which include BPA and BPS) and phthalates.

Phthalates are used to make hard plastics like polyvinyl chloride more fle i le and dura le. They are found in tonnes of products, from pet toys to human food packaging.

Amanda suspects that Finn’s very high levels are down to the plastic packaging that his pet food comes in, and she is now rethinking the food she buys for him. ne of the most significant health issues associated with phthalates is endocrine disruption. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) can mimic, block or interfere with the body’s hormones; this can impact puberty, fertility, growth, mood and a whole host of other crucial functions for which the endocrine system is responsible.

Exposure to phthalates has been connected to reproductive issues and developmental issues in children, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder A and autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

CLOCKWISE A new report reveals pets are at risk from plastics; EARTHDAY. ORG’s Aidan Charron with his wife and rescue dogs, Buzz and Sally Ride; Aidan at a march against plastics in Nairobi

I tested very high for bisphenol A (BPA), which is found mostly in water bottles, the lining of metal cans and even the piping used for water that leads into people’s homes and drinking sources. This can make them particularly difficult to avoid.

While there have been some bans on BPA, the industry has simply tweaked the chemical formulas to circumnavigate regulations. I suspect that my exposure to BPA is primarily due to my water ottle flask, which has a plastic lip to drink from. I have now thrown it out and invested in a stainless-steel bottle instead. But will this be enough to lower my bisphenol reading?

BPAs are nasty chemicals associated with a whole heap of human health issues – from triggering high blood pressure to cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

BPA hurts our pets, too; in the Pets Vs. Plastics report we outline research that shows BPAs can impact dogs by changing their gut microbiomes, causing gastrointestinal, neurological and immunological health problems, including cancers.

My one big regret is that I didn’t have my beloved rescue dogs Sally Ride and Buzz tox tested, too; I missed my opportunity in the rush to get samples in. I’m going to buy my own tests as I want to know what I am inadvertently exposing my pets to.

As a precaution all their plastic toys have been replaced with hemp and old cotton T-shirts they can rip up. Their diet no longer includes anything canned because multiple research papers, including one published in 2017 from the University of Missouri, have reported BPA in canned dog food.

FIGHTING BACK

The second step in beating the plastics industry is slightly more difficult we need to apply pressure on companies and governments so we stop producing plastic. The biggest plastic polluter in the world is The Coca Cola Company – though it tries very hard to blame that terrible accolade on consumers. ou can influence companies with your wallet move away from plastic wherever you can, and they will get the message that we have had it with plastics!

For over 80 years we have been misled about the safety of plastic and how it is a ‘miracle’ material. The fossil fuel-run plastics industry knows this, too; the New York Times reported that lawyers at an industry presentation on ‘forever chemicals’ warned of lawsuits that would ‘dwarf’ asbestos litigation.

The reality is that plastics are killing us and making us ill on a grand scale; cancer rates, neurological disorders and heart attacks are all on the rise. How long will it take for at least part of this increase to be attributed to microplastics and plastic additive chemicals?

None of this is our fault. This is not like smoking – we can’t choose not to ingest or inhale plastics in one form or another. ut we can do something a out it. e need to fight ack.

Tell retailers to cut the plastic packaging, avoid cosmetics and toiletries wrapped up in plastic boxes that will just head to landfills, avoid the fast-food companies that ear none of the responsibility for plastic pollution. Tell your elected representatives you want them to stand up to the fossil fuel-owned plastics industry and reframe plastics as toxic.

Systemic change is never easy; it typically occurs slowly, but by working together we can end the scourge of plastics on our planet and go back to a healthier environment. One that we all deserve – our dogs and cats included.

Find out more

n Read the full Pets Vs. Plastics report at earthday.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Pets-vsPlastics-Report.pdf

mygreenpod.com ORGANIC SEPTEMBER 11

Unleashing the power of

PHOTOGRAPHY ISTOCK

intuitive leadership

OMMM co-founder Michelle Narciso makes the case for implementing conscious leadership in business

W

e’re living through a rapidly evolving business landscape, where leaders face complex challenges that demand more than traditional business acumen.

Navigating globalisation, technological disruptions and heightened social responsibilities requires a holistic approach to leadership that alances profit with purpose.

Now is the time to implement a new paradigm in business leadership – one that integrates consciousness, intuitive intelligence and heartcentred decision-making.

This approach rings many enefits that transform leadership effectiveness, organisational culture, employee engagement and social and environmental responsibility.

LEADERS OF TODAY

Traditional leadership models often emphasise efficiency, profita ility and short-term gains. hile these factors are crucial, they do not fully address 12 ORGANIC SEPTEMBER mygreenpod.com

the multifaceted challenges of the modern world.

Today’s leaders must also prioritise long-term sustainability, ethical integrity and social impact.

A leadership paradigm rooted in consciousness and intuitive intelligence is able to meet these demands by providing a comprehensive framework that fosters deeper self-awareness and compassionate decision-making.

EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP

Leaders who embrace conscious leadership gain a deeper understanding of their strengths, which in turn leads to more confident and authentic leadership.

By integrating intuitive intelligence, they navigate complex challenges and balance short-term gains with long-term sustainability. These leaders are better positioned to inspire and motivate their teams, which can improve performance. hile traditional decision-making often relies on data and analysis, it can overlook human nuances and business complexities.

BUSINESS

Conscious leadership incorporates intuitive intelligence, allowing for decisions that are logical, empathetic and aligned with the collective good.

These decisions are likely to result in more effective outcomes.

IMPROVING ORGANISATIONAL CULTURE

Conscious leadership fosters a culture of empathy, compassion and ethical integrity. Leaders who embrace heart-centred decision-making create environments in which employees feel valued and respected; this enhances collaboration, innovation and job satisfaction among employees.

This supportive culture leads to higher productivity and reduced turnover; employees feel heard and appreciated, which in turn helps to boost morale and loyalty.

Emphasising ethical integrity ensures decisions align with values and the collective good, building trust within the organisation and with stakeholders.

Companies known for their integrity also attract top talent and build stronger relationships with customers and partners.

decisions by promoting sustainable and socially responsible practices.

By understanding interconnectedness, businesses can drive positive change and show commitment to corporate social responsibility. This approach ensures decisions are profita le and sustaina le, leading to practices that minimise environmental impact and conserve resources.

By prioritising sustainability, organisations are able to meet the demands of the growing number of eco-conscious consumers and investors. An emphasis on interconnectedness fosters social responsibility, leading to policies that enefit society, enhance reputations and strengthen community relationships. Imagine having a representative or voice for nature in all decision-making.

IMPLEMENTING CONSCIOUS LEADERSHIP

To successfully implement conscious leadership in business, leaders should follow a structured approach that includes assessment, integration and continuous improvement.

Conscious leadership fosters a culture of empathy, compassion and ethical integrity.

Leaders who embrace heart-centred decision-making create environments in which employees feel valued and respected; this enhances collaboration, innovation and job satisfaction.

INCREASED EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT

It has been shown that employees are more engaged and motivated in environments that prioritise their wellbeing and development.

Biophilic design is one powerful example of how to help teams stay connected to nature.

Aligning organisational goals with the collective good inspires purpose and meaning, boosting engagement and commitment and fostering a shared mission.

This meaningful work environment increases motivation; an emphasis on holistic wellbeing ensures employees feel supported, allowing them to bring their whole selves to work. It also boosts creativity, collaboration and performance.

GREATER RESPONSIBILITY

usinesses significantly impact society and the environment. Conscious leadership encourages leaders to consider the broader implications of their

The first step is to assess the current state of leadership and organisational culture. This process involves identifying strengths, weaknesses and areas for improvement.

Surveys, interviews and workshops can provide valuable insights into the existing leadership dynamics and employee engagement levels.

Once the assessment is complete, the next step is to integrate the principles of conscious leadership into the organisation. This can be achieved through targeted training sessions, workshops and coaching for leaders.

Emphasising the importance of self-discovery, intuitive intelligence, heart-centred decisionmaking and strengthening a relationship with nature is crucial during this phase.

Implementing conscious leadership is not a onetime event but an ongoing process. Leaders should regularly practice, revisit and refine their approaches to ensure continuous improvement. Establishing feedback mechanisms, such as regular check-ins

and evaluations, can help track progress and identify areas for further development.

OVERCOMING CHALLENGES

Change can be daunting, especially in established organisations. hile the enefits of conscious leadership are clear, implementing this paradigm can present challenges. Resistance to change, time constraints and resource limitations are common obstacles. However, these challenges can be overcome with a strategic approach and strong commitment from leadership.

To address resistance, it is essential to communicate the enefits of conscious leadership clearly and involve employees in the process.

Creating a sense of ownership and demonstrating quick wins can help build momentum and support for the programme.

Integrating a new leadership paradigm requires time and effort; leaders should prioritise and allocate resources, which may involve dedicating time for training and workshops and investing in coaching and support services.

A TOOLKIT FOR MODERN BUSINESS

At a time when the business landscape is increasingly complex and interconnected, the need for wise, intuitive and heart-centred leaders has never been greater.

Conscious leadership offers a transformative approach to leadership development that addresses these challenges. By fostering selfawareness, intuitive intelligence, compassionate decision-making and listening to nature, this paradigm equips leaders to navigate the complexities of modern business effectively.

Implementing conscious leadership can lead to enhanced leadership effectiveness, improved organisational culture, increased employee engagement and greater social and environmental responsibility. By embracing the principles of conscious leadership, businesses can pave the way for a more sustainable and prosperous future.

One example of a programme that embodies these principles is the MoMentuM programme by OMMM. MoMentuM provides a structured framework for integrating ancient wisdom with modern leadership practices, helping leaders to develop the skills and insights needed to thrive in today’s complex business environment.

By adopting programmes like MoMentuM, businesses can cultivate a new generation of leaders who are not only effective stewards of power, but also compassionate and aware of their place within the larger cosmos.

Find out more

n Information about the MoMentuM programme and how to implement consciousness leadership is at ommmpresents.com

mygreenpod.com ORGANIC SEPTEMBER 13

BUSINESS

BIRTH OF AN

ACTIVIST Hana Sanadi speaking at COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh

H

Meet the sustainability advocate inspiring young activists in northern England

ana Sanadi’s youth was spent in two very different areas – Toxteth (‘L8’), one of Liverpool’s most culturally diverse communities, and the countryside in and around Merseyside. The proud British-Yemeni was raised on stories of the jungle; from a young age her concept of ‘nature’ only ever evoked images of untouched wilderness or exotic biodiversity, yet she found these impressions weren’t reflected in the empty, cultivated green land of inner-city life.

Hana didn’t intend for climate change to become part of her career until, during her first year studying Engineering at the University of Southampton, she was diagnosed with cancer. This led Hana to discover and explore the link between planetary health and human health.

Hana continued her studies in Environment and Planning at University of Liverpool while undergoing cancer treatment, so she could learn more about environmental science and urban health.

Today Hana is an ambassador for OMMM and an awardwinning sustainability advocate, currently specialising in environmental regeneration issues and sustainable urban development. She says her goal is to serve as a positive example for fellow cancer survivors and, more generally, youth in the north of England.

THE SUSTAINABILITY SPARK

Hana’s interest in sustainability was sparked at the age of 17, when she took a work placement at the Tropical Rainforest Research Conservation Centre in heart of the jungle in Borneo, and joined a volunteer-led Raleigh International expedition.

Hana witnessed forest fires, deforestation and habitat destruction during a 19-day trek into the ancient Crocker Range Virgin Jungle in Borneo’s Sabah. During her three-month expedition to Malaysia Hana also helped to create a reservoir, 14 ORGANIC SEPTEMBER mygreenpod.com

dam and gravity-fed water system, and took part in a project to plant 400 trees at a former illegally deforested palm oil site.

Hana’s passion for the planet and environmental activism have seen her present at the House of Lords, United Nations and Mexican Congress, Parliament of Mexico. She was elected Coordinator to the UK Global Peace Forum Conference and is also involved with the UNFCCC. Hana was selected as the official UK Youth Delegate and Climate Policy Lead at COP28 and is currently the COP29 Partnerships Officer for Generation Climate Europe (GCE), Europe’s largest climate youth NGO.

TACKLING E-WASTE

Hana has a strong entrepreneurial spirit; she created and is developing a service dedicated to e-waste recycling, with a focus on the intersection between technology and climate change, for healthier cities and a circular economy.

‘Urban Upcycle connects people and businesses with the most trusted, ethical recyclers to ensure proper disposal of different types of growing waste in cities’, Hana explains. ‘The focus is on electric waste, and the goal is to increase awareness of the intersection between tech and climate change.’

The student-led waste management service is an accessible platform with resources that support collaborative measures to reduce e-waste in urban areas across the UK. The goal is to roll it out to more countries in the near future.

For subscribed members, Urban Upcycle provides access to sustainability events, plus leading academic research on waste and climate change. It is an interactive platform that creates the opportunity to network with leaders in sustainability.

Find out more

n Information about Urban Upcycle is at urbanupycle.com

BUSINESS

Net Zero Festival 2024 Get ready to be energised, challenged and inspired by some of the brightest minds in sustainability

N

ow in its fifth year, usiness reen s et ero estival has ecome the go-to gathering for industry professionals and thought leaders dedicated to driving positive change in the field of sustaina ility.

Taking place cto er at the usiness esign entre in Islington, ondon the free-toattend event will ring together over , usiness leaders, clean tech providers, sustaina le investors, green campaigners and environmental policymakers to ointly e plore how to tur ocharge the transition to net ero.

This year s event will provide an invalua le opportunity to cele rate and showcase the est of the s vi rant net ero economy at a pivotal time in the country s decar onisation efforts.

SPEAKERS AND INNOVATORS

An incredi le lineup of speakers is taking part, with over trail la ing e perts set to oin the event across four stages Inspiration, Action Engage, howcase and usiness reen Intelligence. Each arena promises to deliver pioneering insights and spark innovative ideas. onfirmed speakers include festival hosts ames urray, ucy iegle and hilippa orrester, plus keynote speakers roadcaster imon eeve

and climate scientist Emily huck urgh as well as ain ewton- mith, chief e ecutive of the I. In addition to the roster of high-profile speakers, usiness leaders and corporate sustaina ility figures, the event will fully em race the festival spirit, cele rating the most e citing green usinesses and innovations in clean tech.

The et ero estival is always a great event, providing the urgeoning green economy with an opportunity to come together to e plore how to accelerate decar onisation efforts and uild a net ero economy that works for everyone , said ames urray, usiness reen s editor-in-chief. e re looking forward to lots of fascinating sessions, discussions and workshops on every aspect of the net ero transition, taking in the latest trends in technology, policy, marketing and investment , ames continued. The festival provides a fantastic opportunity to connect with colleagues and peers who are working on the net ero transition while cele rating the most e citing industrial revolution in history.

THE INTELLIGENCE STAGE

elegates can choose to upgrade their festival ticket to include access to the all-new usinessreen Intelligence tage, where they will discover e clusive, in-depth content specifically curated for sustaina ility e ecutives and green usiness leaders. elegates will e a le to watch a wealth of toptier e pert insights and in-depth conversations to support them, and their organisation, in their ourney to net ero.

Tickets for the usiness reen Intelligence tage cost AT the pass includes a three-month mem ership to usiness reen Intelligence worth . If you re a usiness reen Intelligence mem er, your su scription includes a free ticket to access the stage. Entry to the wider et ero estival is free.

CLOCKWISE 3,000 delegates will attend the Net Zero Festival on 22-23 October; entry to the festival is free; highprofile speakers, business leaders and sustainability figures will explore ways to turbocharge the transition to net zero

READER OFFER

My Green Pod readers can get 30% off tickets at netzerofestival.com using the code GREENPOD30 at checkout.

Find out more

n Register your place to attend the Net Zero Festival 2024 at netzerofestival.com n For information on exhibiting or sponsoring the event, email hello@businessgreen.com

mygreenpod.com ORGANIC SEPTEMBER 15

BUSINESS

continues. ‘That balance of personal passion and business health is what inspires me.’

informing’, he says. ‘It’s about sharing timely insights with investors and innovators, as well as being alive to important and emerging trends. It’s a global sector where changes are fast moving – from the latest legislation to updates in investment ta efficiencies.

There are always knowledge gaps in the climate sector, and that’s probably why Blue Earth is growing in popularity for investors, VCs and founders. ur growth is reflected in a rapid change of attitude to planet-positive innovation’, Guy shares.

‘Resistance is becoming a thing of the past and no one can ignore the opportunities in the impact space any more.’

2. DON’T DWELL ON THE STATUS QUO

4. KNOW WHERE TO LOOK

Blue Earth Summit founder Guy Hayler explores challenges and opportunities for climate tech investments

G

uy Hayler is co-founder of Blue Earth Summit, a 5,000-strong annual event in London that connects climate tech and planet-positive innovators, investors, campaigners and policymakers.

This year, Blue Earth has launched a new climate tech competition, BE100, that will enable 1,000 environmental startups to connect with investors and secure funding worth over £100 million.

In the climate sector Guy Hayler is known as a ‘super connector’. He has built a reputation for helping to connect investable planet-positive businesses with impact investors looking for emerging and exciting businesses ready to scale.

‘Connecting investors with innovation is in my DNA’, Guy shares. ‘I come from an entrepreneurial family background so it’s always felt natural to build a network of people who inspire me and feel the same about the climate crisis.’

Guy believes it’s essential for investors to consider five key areas when investing in the climate technology sector; below he shares what they mean and why they matter.

1. PROFIT AND PASSION

‘Whether innovators or investors, I always look for like-minded people who want to protect the environment’, Guy says. ‘Individuals who are not driven exclusively by short-term gain but recognise the myriad growth and return opportunities in the climate sector.’

Richard Walker, executive chairman of Iceland Foods, is a great example who also happens to e uy s good friend e even go surfing together!’, Guy shares. ‘Richard’s store chain has a healthy marketplace position with a £4bn turnover. But his drive doesn’t end there. He’s been called the ‘green’ grocer because of his personal and business commitment to the environment and protecting nature.’

‘People like Richard are super successful but they’re also driven by positive impact, born out of a love for humanity and the natural world’, Guy 16 ORGANIC SEPTEMBER mygreenpod.com

Guy believes the blame for global warming and climate change can be laid at many doors, from government policymakers, the gas and oil industry or, in the case of fashion waste, human habit and behaviour. ‘But I choose not to blame or look backwards’, Guy says. ‘It’s not a useful approach that will ignite the change we need. We’re a team of optimists at Blue Earth. My co-founders and I are out there looking at hundreds, if not thousands of startups every year, fi ing pro lems from the ground up. And that’s the future. It’s inspiring.’

Financial institutions recognise the next unicorns will come out of the climate space, and that’s an exciting prospect for Guy. ‘The climate sector has a current turnover of £344.6bn and is growing at 11% per year , he says. Things are definitely changing and more governments are supporting change.’

In May the European Council approved the Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA), a new law introducing a framework of measures aimed at scaling up Europe’s manufacturing capacity for technologies key to achieving the EU’s climate goals. It has also introduced a framework for new sustainability requirements for all products sold across the EU as well as a new ban on the destruction of unsold textiles and footwear.

According to London & Partners, London-based climate tech startups raised $3.5bn last year, ranking second globally in terms of investment in the sector.

3. INFORM AND EDUCATE

Guy acknowledges that being labelled a climate business ‘super connector’ is ‘interesting’, but concedes his role involves more than just networking. ‘I see my role as connecting and

Find out more

espite a growing appreciation of the significant opportunity in the climate sector, investors want guidance on where to look and why. ‘In my view, there are a couple of industry sectors that are getting plenty of attention right now’, Guy says.

‘Farming practices are slowly changing and so is investment for protecting our natural world. It’s clear that our current food system is broken.

Industrial farming is destroying soil, wildlife, land quality and biodiversity. Not to mention food security. It’s an urgent problem that needs resolving. A 2024 report from the University of Oxford and London School of Economics concluded that if we continue business as usual, we will carry billions of avoidable costs, whereas transforming food systems could save $10 trillion per year. There are some exciting players in this space, from lab-grown meats to technology that can track the quality of farmland and new green sustainable chilled food transport systems.’

5. THE TIME IT TAKES

Naturally investors are impatient; they’re looking for the fastest returns. But innovation in the green sector takes longer so Guy urges investors to think differently. ‘Returns in the climate sector may take longer but the opportunity could be bigger’, he says. ‘Higher risk and higher reward. Perhaps this is the biggest challenge facing our sector, but innovators are already providing competitive results and financial returns are eing realised.

‘I am hoping that as impact investing is becoming more mature, the returns are more visible and so investor commitment becomes an easier choice’, Guy concludes.

n Blue Earth Summit takes place 16-18 October 2024.

View the schedule and book tickets at blueearthsummit.com

PHOTOGRAPHY ISTOCK

Blue Earth Summit

HERO PRODUCTS

TOP 5

SEPTEMBER SWITCHES

1

Try Tabitha James Kraan’s Clean Shampoo – a truly organic shampoo with a completely natural preservative system – for a luxe wash with a mesmerising scent. @tabithajkpro mygreenpod.com/heroes/ tabitha-james-kraanclean-shampoo

Introducing our September Heroes!

We’ve picked these products because we believe they are all best in their class for people and the planet.

They represent simple, sustainable switches that will help to keep you, your home and the planet healthy – without compromising on performance!

View all our Heroes at mygreenpod.com/heroes FOOD & DRINK

2

HOME & GARDEN GOOD ENERGY SOLAR

Generate your own electricity and you could save over £600 on your electricity bill with Good Energy Solar. No third-party contractors. mygreenpod.com/heroes/ good-energy-solar

If your diet includes dairy, switch to organic for optimum taste and health – for you and the animals. Yeo Valley Organic milk is produced to the highest animal welfare standards. @yeovalley mygreenpod.com/heroes/ yeo-valley-1-litre-semiskimmed-milk

3

ZERO WASTE BULK FOODS

DANDY’S RAW CHOC

Embrace refills at the UK’s only Soil Association Organic-certified zero waste store.

These raw and organic chocolate bars are made using Mother Earth’s rich bounty.

mygreenpod.com/heroes/ zero-waste-bulk-foods

mygreenpod.com/heroes/ dandys-raw-choc

HEALTH & BEAUTY

A weekly veg box is the easiest way to get fresh, seasonal and delicious produce – straight to your door. If you live in Norfolk or Suffolk, try Goodery. @goodery_uk mygreenpod.com/heroes/goodery

4

Go natural for autumn – Haoma Organic Eau de Parfum is a sophisticated and pure perfume made with 8 organic essential oils – and no synthetic fragrances. @Haoma_UK mygreenpod.com/heroes/ haoma-organic-eaude-parfum-no-1

5

OBVS SKINCARE INTENSIVE SKIN RECOVERY CREAM

GINGINGERS APPLE CIDER VINEGAR GEL

mygreenpod.com/heroes/ obvs-skincare-intensive-skinrecovery-cream

mygreenpod.com/heroes/ gingingers-apple-cider-vinegar-gel

Your all-in-one organic family skincare saviour.

Balances pH, moisturises, tones, addresses spots, fights foot odour and much more.

Try switching to a natural deo.

Scence natural deodorant comes in 100% paper packaging – all the ingredients are ethically sourced, natural and functional, and most are organic. #Scence mygreenpod.com/heroes/ scence-cool-rose-deodorant

mygreenpod.com ORGANIC SEPTEMBER 17

ENERGY

ETHICAL

ENERGY With UK renewables back in the spotlight, this is how to avoid greenwash and get an authentically green energy supply

O

ur new Labour government has pledged to make Britain ‘a clean energy superpower’, doubling onshore wind, tripling solar power and quadrupling offshore wind by 2030.

With clean, locally generated power back in the spotlight – and affordability and accessibility never far from bill-payers’ minds – the challenge now is to make sure you’re getting an authentically clean energy supply from a company using business as a force for good – at both community and global levels.

Good Energy – one of the original purpose-led businesses – has just become the only UK household energy supplier to be certified as a orp. ertified orps are companies verified y the non-profit a to meet high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability. ith certification comes official recognition of ood Energy s 25-year mission to do good and provide solutions to climate change. ‘It is one thing to say we are a purpose-led business and

18 ORGANIC SEPTEMBER mygreenpod.com

another to have it externally validated by the global authority on business as a force for good’, says CEO Nigel Pocklington. ood Energy egan the process of orp certification over two years ago; the main attraction was initially to join the community of other purpose-driven businesses. ‘Many of our customers are like-minded, values-led businesses and quite a few are B Corps themselves’, Nigel explains. ‘But it soon ecame clear that the value of orp certification was not only recognised by other businesses, but also by our domestic customers, employees and investors, too.’

GREENWASH IN ENERGY

Earlier this year B Lab UK released research that reveals over three-quarters of the UK public (76%) believe, more than ever before, the law needs to change to give businesses a legal responsibility to prioritise people and the planet alongside making a profit. law currently re uires firms to operate under a legal regime of shareholder primacy, meaning company directors too often put profit ahead of society and the environment.

In a bid to meet this growing consumer demand for ethical products, companies have scrambled to get ‘eco’ products on the shelves and take a share of the market. According to the latest figures from intel, ethical claims on product launches accounted for 21% in 2022, up from 19.5% a year before.

‘Green’ services are on the rise, too – not least in the energy sector. Ethical Consumer’s 2023 Ethical Markets Report reveals that spending on green electricity tariffs increased by 40% in and, in a year when inflation was running at . and most other sectors saw little growth or real-term declines, spending on solar panels increased by 282%.

‘Greenwash in the energy sector is a huge problem and only getting worse as energy suppliers recognise a growth in demand for greener options but don’t want to do the hard work to truly meet that demand’, Nigel warns. ‘These suppliers fall back on smoke and mirrors and false claims.’

If suppliers talk about their electricity being backed with certificates, or E s , ut make no mention of the actual renewable generators they have purchased the power from, Nigel suggests it’s probably greenwash.

‘Good Energy is very clear that 100% of the power we supply our customers is backed with electricity we have sourced directly from over 2,500 renewable generators around the UK’, he tells us.

Market regulators like the ASA and CMA are being stricter on greenwash in other sectors and, within energy, when it comes to technologies like hydrogen. Still, in Nigel’s view the regulators have yet to step up when it comes to energy supply.

‘The previous government promised a crackdown, but it was deprioritised during the energy crisis’, Nigel explains. ‘We are hopeful that the current government will give it the priority it needs — there is huge consumer demand for renewable energy.’

Find out why Good Energy is a My Green Pod Hero at mygreenpod.com

READER OFFER My Green Pod readers can get £400 off a heat pump or solar installation from Good Energy.

Use the discount code MYGP2024 at goodenergy.co.uk/my-green-pod

A NEW DAWN FOR UK ENERGY

What we have seen from the Labour government so far is positive. It rightly removed the ban on onshore wind almost immediately, and GB Energy’s goal of investing in large-scale clean power projects is a good one.

‘It is absolutely essential that that work comes alongside reforms to planning and grid infrastructure though’, Nigel says.

‘We also want to see more on the small scale — because small can be big in energy. The UK’s rooftop solar capacity is larger than our single-largest power station. Labour has announced it wants to lead a ‘rooftop revolution’ on solar, which is great.

We want to hear more.’

Good Energy is one of the major players in rooftop solar power, counting around a fifth of households with solar as its customers. As well as eing the first to launch a fully certified 100% renewable electricity supply tariff, Good Energy introduced the first solar e port tariff for homes.

‘We are building on that legacy by offering more in that space, including solar installation, storage, EV chargers and heat pumps, along with the tariffs and services that make it as simple as possible for households and businesses to go green’, Nigel says.

While simplicity is essential when it comes to switching energy supplier, price can’t be ignored. Good Energy’s standard varia le tariffs are e empt from the energy price cap ecause the regulator Ofgem recognises its higher operating costs, and

acknowledges that these higher costs are directly related to supporting the growth of renewables. ‘This means that Good Energy can e more e pensive than other suppliers, ut not that we always are’, Nigel says. ‘I would recommend going to our website to get a quote and to see how we compare — you may be surprised.’

A CLEAN FUTURE

OPPOSITE A Good Energy heat pump comes with end-to-end support; Bristol-based artist Luke Jerram installed a floating Gaia at Good Energy’s HQ ABOVE Good Energy solar at Great Yarmouth; CEO Nigel Pocklington

Good Energy was awarded a particularly high impact score when it ecame a certified orp the average for usinesses that complete the orp Impact Assessment is . and the minimum for certification is . ood Energy achieved an impressive score of . .

As part of the certification process ood Energy made a commitment in addition to renewa le electricity, it currently supplies gas that is 10% green, with the remainder offset through Gold Standard schemes. ‘This is the greenest product we can offer customers who aren’t ready to switch their homes off gas yet , igel e plains. ut we are acutely aware that we cannot solve the climate crisis if we keep using gas, so we have provided a plan to move fully away from gas by 2040.’ o will orp certification change anything ood Energy does on the ground? ‘The only thing it should change’, Nigel says, ‘is more reassurance that we are the company we say we are – that cares about our impact on people and planet.’ mygreenpod.com ORGANIC SEPTEMBER 19

ARTS & FASHION

CONTROVERSIAL COTTON

Cotton? Organic cotton?

Better Cotton? Dot Cotton?

Model twins Brett and Scott Staniland unpick this material’s credentials

N

ews stories earlier this year shared reports linking H&M and Zara’s cotton to illegal deforestation and stolen land in Brazil.

The frightening part is that this cotton was actually verified ustaina le y the industry s largest cotton certification scheme etter otton.

The purpose of this organisation is to certify the supply chain from an ethical standpoint. etter otton Initiative I was founded in when a group of visionary their words, not ours partners came together to form a non-profit governance group that would provide a practical solution for cotton farming and practices.

GREENWASH IN FASHION

Earthsight spent a year investigating and tracking cotton from the errado region in the state of ahia, ra il to the high-street and online giants Zara and H&M. These rands have made use of clever marketing tactics for years, ut in this case the greenwashing had already een done y etter otton. Its logo is the sign many shoppers seek prior to purchase to ensure their morals and ethics have een satisfied, ecause the hoops have all een umped through. ather o viously we all threw our hands up and looked at each other like, how? e re talking a out an industry ody we were supposed to trust not an in-house don t worry we looked and everything is cushty , ut an independent verifier.

Naturally we looked a little deeper; we discovered I was initiated at a roundta le y the orld ildlife und, and it didn t take long for controversy and criticism to follow.

EXPLOITATION AND BOYCOTTS

I egan operating pro ects around and as early as , people were uestioning whether etter was good enough.

The word organic rings sometimes perhaps inaccurately connotations of ethical and fair, ut this promise was a sent.

In a rench roadcaster and ournalist raised concerns a out how etter otton was ust providing greenwashing solutions to producers who systematically resort to e ploiting children in their supply chain. Allegations of modern slavery joined accusations of wasteful irrigation and the use of harmful pesticides.

20 ORGANIC SEPTEMBER mygreenpod.com

In , I again found itself in the midst of controversy when its cotton from hina was linked to a flurry of forced la our allegations in the in iang region.

I was eventually forced to pull out of the area, which then led to multiple oycotts of the rands it supplies.

MAINTAINING INDEPENDENCE

and Indite could e called founding partners of I they remain etter otton s iggest customers today, which leads us down a dark hole of power dynamics. hen your iggest customers are creating unprecedented demand, you have to keep up.

But where does this leave us? Do we need an independent ody to vet the independent odies rganic cotton has een the stalwart of what is considered a sustaina le product ever since the words sustaina le and fashion were united. In fact, organic cotton has een responsi le for a large section of the industry s work and credi ility. ut with etter otton falling into disrepute, what happens ne t

REGENERATIVE COTTON

iss The round cotton has an even etter approach. The organisation is on a mission to awaken people to the possi ilities of regeneration, and the enefits of re uilding healthy soil. egenerative farming is creating a new wave in the industry, supporting farmers to switch, su sidising costs and providing a product worthy of a certificate. egenerative agriculture isn t ust driven y how the fashion industry cultivates cotton, either it connects everything environmentally. iti ens of umanity was pivotal in the movement it used regenerative cotton for its products, with a particular focus on denim. rganic may no longer e enough in the fashion industry what we need now is a divorce from the large industry players. e need to move to new ways that make the whole environment etter, rather than ust less ad.

Find out more

n Stay up to date with Brett and Scott on Instagram: @twinbrett and @twinscott

HEALTH & BEAUTY

Embrace Organic September Natural beauty expert Janey Lee Grace shares her top organic skincare tips

O

rganic September is a time to recognise and celebrate the enefits of organic across various sectors, including beauty and skincare.

The campaign promotes sustainability, health and overall wellbeing by encouraging shoppers to consider making the switch to organic alternatives.

If a product is descri ed as organic ut doesn t carry any organic certification, look carefully at the ingredients. We should be looking not at what’s in a product it may contain a tiny amount of one organic ingredient – but what’s not in it. The brands that genuinely care will be very transparent about their approach. ere are a few of my favourite organic products, all of which have entered the latinum Awards.

WHY ORGANIC BEAUTY?

AE stands for Active Energised rganic Skincare, and this brand uses ancient techniques, the spagyric tinctures of crystals and gems and super-hydrating ingredients.

AE leansing il e- a . , ml is a lend of premium-grade organic and iodynamic oils including spelt oil, jojoba oil, grapeseed oil, sesame seed oil, avocado oil, vitamin E, plant extracts and gems and crystal energies.

It removes every last trace of makeup, impurities and environmental pollution, while also hydrating the skin. It uses the power of plants to help normal or dry skin to retain optimal moisture, as well as balancing oily and combination skin types.

Organic beauty products are gaining popularity for many reasons. According to the oil Association, the s leading organic certification ody, organic eauty products are crafted without synthetic chemicals, pesticides or genetically modified organisms s . They are safer for our skin and also gentler on the environment. tatistics from the oil Association highlight the growing demand for organic eauty products, with a ig increase in certified-organic eauty rands and products in recent years. e are all increasingly conscious of the ingredients we apply to our skin, and of course when we opt for natural and organic formulations we can promote healthier skin without compromising on results.

WHERE TO BEGIN

Transitioning to organic cosmetics and skincare can seem daunting at first, ut it doesn t have to be. You can start by evaluating your current beauty routine and identifying products that you can swap out for organic alternatives. hen looking for organic eauty products, look out for those that have organic certifications and logos such as , AT E or oil Association, which meet rigorous standards for organic ingredients.

AEOS CLEANSING OIL DE-MAQ

CONSCIOUS SKINCARE FACIAL KITS

onscious kincare has created a range of organic facial kits to pamper your skin naturally.

They include everything from cleansers and toners to enzymatic peel masks and moisturisers.

Each product is packed with organic ingredients that nourish and rejuvenate the skin, leaving it smooth, plumped and glowing. The kits are presented in eco-friendly organic, fair-trade cotton ags that are good for your skin and the planet.

WELEDA BLUE GENTIAN & EDELWEISS eleda s new vegan range of age-resilient skincare features the lue entian Edelweiss ontouring ace are series . - . . These AT E-certified products harness the power of eleda s natural ollagen Active omple to enhance collagen production, reduce wrinkles and redefine facial contours.

Enriched with organic plant oils and utters like shea utter and sacha inchi oil, these formulations hydrate, nourish and improve skin tone, catering especially to the effects of menopausal changes.

RHYTHM OF BEAUTY VENUSIAN FLOWER WATER

ounded y ouise Allen, hythm of eauty is a uni ue and revolutionary eauty and lifestyle rand that com ines seasonal, natural flower and plant essences.

The enusian lower ater , ml is a refreshing and nourishing facial mist that gives an instant oost to the skin. It contains lue utterfly pea otanicals, infused with gold pearl and violet to soothe and comfort. rganic witch ha el and helichrysum are ust two of this mist s other wonderful oils and essences.

INSPIRIKO FIBRE WISE

e know that good skin comes from within looking eyond skincare, Inspiriko offers i re ise . , g , a uni ue pre iotic fi re powder designed to provide comprehensive gut health support – which in turn impacts our skin.

This tasteless powder com ines high-strength solu le fi re with pre iotics and pro iotics it dissolves seamlessly into any li uid or food.

Find out more

n To nominate or enter your natural beauty brand in the Platinum Awards, visit janeyleegrace.com/your-vote LEFT TO RIGHT AEOS Cleansing Oil Dé-Maq; Conscious Skincare Facial Kit; Weleda Blue Gentian & Edelweiss Contouring Day Cream; Inspiriko Fibre Wise

mygreenpod.com ORGANIC SEPTEMBER 21

Screen

STARS Meet the beauty favourites of the TV and film industry

W

eleda Skin Food – the original iconic backstage beauty secret at London Fashion Week – is now a favourite prep and prime product in the world of film and television, and a staple with makeup artists who keep a tube of the multitasking hero in their kits. eleda has een supporting theatre, film and TV productions for decades, providing Weleda skincare for the cast and makeup crews of bigscreen blockbusters and small independents.

Leading actors regularly request Weleda when they start filming, knowing they can rely on the range to bring out their natural beauty while being skin- and planet-friendly. There’s a whole armoury of products to protect and nourish, or calm irritation after the removal of stubborn stage makeup, prosthetics and special effects.

SKIN FOOD: THE ICON

Weleda Skin Food Original provides the perfect base for both ‘barely there’ and elaborate looks, and makeup designers credit Weleda’s all-natural ingredients for giving skin a natural-looking, healthy glow when filming in high definition.

The versatility of Weleda’s original iconic Skin Food means it is now a staple in the kits of over

Find out why Weleda Skin Food is a My Green Pod Hero at mygreenpod.com

SKIN FOOD: The ultimate multitasker DAILY PREP: to nourish dry skin on the face or anywhere on the body PRIMER: apply ahead of your base for a long-lasting, natural dewy look SOS MOISTURISER: to instantly improve dry patches such as elbows HIGHLIGHTER: apply on top of makeup for a natural shimmer and sheen FACE MASK: a restorative, deeply nourishing treatment for tired, lacklustre skin HAND CREAM: an intensive overnight hand cream to protect and replenish EYEBROW TAMER: tame unruly brows with a little Skin Food and a spoolie BEARD BALM: replace dusty-looking beards with glossy hair TRAVEL ESSENTIAL: to protect skin from drying effects while flying

22 ORGANIC SEPTEMBER mygreenpod.com

ritish makeup artists. ith over , fivestar reviews, a tube now sells every eight seconds.

That means 4 million tubes of this skin saviour are sold every year.

A firm favourite of models and A-list cele rities as well as being loved by makeup artists, Skin Food’s efficacy and afforda ility make it popular with us all. Weleda Skin Food intensely nourishes dry skin with the power of nature and leaves both body and face naturally soothed and protected.

The refreshing fragrance is from pure essential oils including sweet orange and lavandulae, and all products are free from artificial preservatives, parabens and additives of any kind. With a nourishing, smoothing base of organic almond oil and sunflower oil, organic eeswa and the purest, protective hypoallergenic lanolin, it’s the natural way to feed your skin.

A LIGHTER TOUCH

In 2018 Weleda introduced Skin Food Light for naturally oilier skins; this formulation has also enjoyed a meteoric rise to stardom, with over four packs selling every minute.

HEALTH & BEAUTY

Makeup artist Tahira Herold always has Skin Food and Skin Food Light in her kit. ‘I am never without a tube of Weleda’s Skin Food’, she shares. ‘It’s a classic, multi-use product that can be used to hydrate, prime or boost glow. The Light formula is my favourite – especially for the face. It’s a great base for any makeup, especially if you have more mature skin.’

Makeup designer Sophie Slotover also recommends this duo. ‘I am a huge fan of Weleda Skin Food’, she says. ‘The Light moisturiser is such a perfect base for any actor or actress in the chair, to prime the skin ahead of a day filming. It provides such a great barrier to lock in the skin’s natural hydration which ultimately makes our job so much easier! However the real gem to me is the Original formula. It’s perfect for the end of the day, especially after filming in tough weather conditions. I have used it throughout my career and have found that it resets the skin, plumps and restores what harsh weather conditions can take away from the skin, and provides a lovely, deeply hydrated canvas to start working on the very next day.’

Makeup artist Sophie King agrees: ‘Weleda has always been a staple in my kit, from Fashion eek to working in film , she says. I m always reaching for it time and time again. Weleda Skin Food – in particular Skin Food Light – is in my top five products I use for every single o . ot only do I love this after cleansing, to create a gorgeous hydrated canvas to apply makeup on, but I love using it as a highlighter on high points of the cheeks, shins and collar bones – it’s beautiful.’

Makeup designer Lesley Brennan started using Weleda Skin Food on herself around 10 years ago, then introduced it into Sheridan Smith’s makeup routine on a drama called Cilla – and thereafter on every production they worked together. ‘The lighter moisturiser, Skin Food Light, worked well as a base under foundation with hot lights and long filming days , esley says. heridan s skin was always hydrated and looked radiant with Weleda.’

GET THAT GLOW

Another makeup artist favourite is the new Skin Food Ultra-Light Dry Oil, a fast-absorbing and lightweight multipurpose oil. It has been formulated to naturally moisturise, intensively nourish and instantly hydrate, with weightless care and a beautiful glow.

The Ultra-Light Dry Oil is a dynamic oil-in-water formulation; give it a quick shake to mix the ingredients efore sprit ing the fine mist on skin and effortlessly smoothing in. aturally fragranced with pure essential oils, the spray leaves a satin sheen and the signature Skin Food scent of refreshing rosemary, aromatic lavender, vibrant sweet orange and balsamic benzoin.

Ideal for normal to dry skin, this is the perfect way to give skin some intensive Skin Food TLC in a hurry. The dry-touch, sheer texture absorbs instantly without leaving a greasy film. It can e used anywhere on the body or face and delivers a luxuriously indulgent softness to skin, instantly reducing dryness or tightness and adding a beautiful shimmer to shoulders and shins.

CLOCKWISE The Weleda Skin Food range is a backstage beauty secret for makeup artists working in fashion and film; the multitasking moisturisers are also great for highlighting cheekbones; the Ultra-Light Dry Oil delivers a Skin Food hit on the go; 4 million tubes of the Original Skin Food formula are bought every year

Skin Food Ultra-Light Dry Oil is a favourite for makeup artist Jean Carlos De Blas: ‘I love the Skin Food Ultra-Light Dry Oil. It absorbs into the skin really fast and doesn’t leave too much residue. It hydrates the skin and is great for all over the body!’

Makeup designer Jules Chapman agrees: ‘Why is Weleda a must-have in my makeup kit? Effective skincare makes for the best makeup foundation. e love the enefits of the essential oils in the gorgeous Weleda products to balance, relax, rejuvenate, soothe, restore – and glorious fragrances improve the mood. These products smell amazing, everyone wants some!’

‘All our cast start their days with their skin prepped with Weleda Skin Food or the Skin Food Ultra-Light Dry Oil’, Jules continues. ‘We sometimes mix a little Skin Food or Dry Oil into their makeup bases which makes a wonderful tinted moisturiser. At the end of our day s filming, all our cast enjoy cleansing the day away with Weleda’s luxury skincare for their different skin types.’

Find out more

n Discover the full Weleda Skin Food range at weleda.co.uk

mygreenpod.com ORGANIC SEPTEMBER 23

FOOD & DRINK

always easy to find a pu or restaurant serving organic food, though some of the casual dining chains are making this more accessible.

As a family that places a high value on eating organic at home, it’s even more challenging to find an esta lishment where I know the whole meal is organic. For help with this, you can browse the organic cafés and restaurants carrying the Soil Association’s ‘Organic Served Here’ Award (see box) by following the link below.

CHEERS TO ORGANIC

Organic in your nature For Mark Machin, development manager at Soil Association Certification, you are the champion this Organic September

S

eptember means back to school for families, with expectations and hopes running high. For those working in the organic sector, September evokes a similar energy.

Organic September is a focal point in the organic calendar – a time to make a particular effort to celebrate the farmers, hauliers, food makers, abattoirs, marketers and retailers that bring organic clothes, cosmetics and food to our homes.

But this market has another key component that we should celebrate this September: you.

A NEW ERA

For over 50 years we have had a recognisable organic market, yet one of the key pillars for success that has eluded us is structured support from the state.

As we look into a new political era, the hopes and expectations for that to change are naturally running high.

Up until now, growth for organic in the UK has relied on investment from organic brands and a core base of eco-minded consumers, always looking to seek out products made differently.

ORGANIC’S GRASS ROOTS

rganic is firstly a grass roots- ased movement.

As a campaign, we have an ask of you: this 24 ORGANIC SEPTEMBER mygreenpod.com

September, we ask you to recognise the important part you play in your organic community.

Organic is a movement for positive change, driven by a shared desire to live in a healthy world and a recognition of the power of nature. Building the organic movement from the ground up makes us more resilient, but it also serves to bring us together and celebrate what we have in common.

For my own part, this Organic September I will be seeking out one of our organic pubs for a celebration lunch with my family. To come around the table and celebrate food made good. It’s not

ORGANIC SERVED HERE The community of Organic Served Here Award holders includes pubs, restaurants and cafés committed to sourcing quality, sustainable, organic ingredients for their menus. The rating of 1-5* – as verified by experts at Soil Association Certification – denotes the percentage of organic food and drink on the menu.

Find out more

This September sees a renewed commitment from the hospitality sector to support organic farming.

Both the Fullers pub group and Nicholsons are joining forces with the organic brewing sector for an Organic Tap Takeover and will be hosting organic ale on the bar throughout the Organic September campaign. I can’t think of a better example of community for organic than a meeting with friends at the pub this September, with an organic pint in hand.

If pubs aren’t your thing, there are lots of ways you can celebrate organic this September. Perhaps you are green-fingered and have a glut of organic goodies you are able to share with friends and family. If you’re like me, you may have nothing but slugs to share at this stage in the year; I’ll be thanking my veg box delivery driver for the part they play in restoring nature – and making sure we have food on the table!

GROW THE COMMUNITY

If you are a social media user, share an organic product you love on your social channel and tell us why you love it. Maybe it’s a favourite brand, a home- aked loaf made with organic flour or a favourite T-shirt made with organic cotton.

Help grow the organic community by tagging a friend in your post and asking them to share their favourite organic product. Use #LoveOrganic and #OrganicSeptember to join the online community.

Whatever you are doing this September, thank you for your continued commitment to organic.

Organic isn’t always the most expensive option, but the combination of ‘cheaper’ food, aggressive pricing strategies and the higher costs of production needed to produce organically does make choosing organic more difficult for all of us.

Our organic farmers need our support now more than ever; to enthuse them to farm, to reassure them of the demand for what they produce and to celebrate the sense of community where organic really starts. Organic – it’s in your nature!

n Find a certified-organic restaurant or café at soilassociation.org/take-action/organic-living/buy-organic/find-an-organic-restaurant

FOOD & DRINK

DEMOCRATISING

ORGANIC LIVING

S

Britain’s largest organic brand shares ways anyone can make the most of Organic September

hopping organically doesn’t have to (and shouldn’t) break the bank. We’re still navigating the cost-of-living crisis, and looking for ways to shop as costeffectively as possible.

As a family-run organic dairy brand, Yeo Valley Organic is, predictably, passionate about all things organic. It believes Organic September is a great time for everyone to learn more about organic farming including its costs and enefits and how we can further democratise organic living.

WHAT IS ‘ORGANIC’?

‘Organic’ refers to a method of farming and food production that emphasises natural processes and sustainability. Organic farming avoids synthetic chemicals, such as pesticides and fertilisers, and instead relies on natural alternatives, crop rotation and composting to maintain soil health and fertility.

Organic livestock are raised without routine antibiotics or growth hormones and have access to outdoor spaces.

The aim is to promote ecological balance and conserve biodiversity, while adhering to stringent standards set by certifying bodies such as the Soil Association.

As a result, food is made in a way that puts nature first.

Organic farming puts nature first and brings many benefits; this Organic September, look for an organic alternative to your usual product when you’re in the supermarket

Find out why Yeo Valley Organic is a My Green Pod Hero at mygreenpod.com

Find out more

n Discover healthy recipes that won’t break the bank at yeovalley.co.uk/recipes

GOING ORGANIC Here are four ways Yeo Valley Organic says anyone can participate in Organic September, whatever the budget:

1

GET YOUR FINGERS GREEN If you want to be truly certain about the origins of a product, why not grow your own? Despite the UK’s seemingly awful weather, much of the food we enjoy every day can be grown on home turf.

Gardening can be a fun and rewarding activity for the whole family. If you have children, it would be a great opportunity for them to learn more about the organic movement, with the reward of growing and nurturing your own food to enjoy.

You don’t need access to an allotment for great results; with a few planters and pots, a small balcony can become a flourishing

herb garden in no time. Growing your own produce lets you know exactly what goes into your food and can reduce your grocery bill.

2

PLAN YOUR MEALS We all lead busy lives and planning ahead can help you to stay organised. Meal planning is also an easy way to ensure you are incorporating a higher number of organic products into what you cook each week.

At the start of the week, plan out all the meals you will cook and work out what ingredients you need. This way, you won’t be overwhelmed by the different options when you’re in the supermarket, and you will likely have far less

leftover or wasted food at the end of the week.

If you need some recipe inspiration, Yeo Valley Organic has listed some of its favourites on its website, ranging from showstoppers and seasonal specials to speedy suppers (see above).

3

SHOP LOCAL You don’t need to visit a boutique farm shop to find organic goodies: many supermarkets now stock a wide range of organic products, and buying from your usual store will make the swap in your weekly food shop more intuitive.

Look for organic options in every aisle, from fresh produce to pantry

staples. This approach can help you incorporate more organic items into your diet without making a separate trip to a (potentially more expensive) store.

4

JOIN AN ORGANIC COMMUNITY It’s much easier to change habits when you have a support group.

If your local area doesn’t have an organic community group, why not set one up?

Sharing tips and tricks on how to get the best organic products at good prices can be invaluable. You could also all chip in and bulk-buy products to reduce costs, making organic living more accessible and affordable for everyone involved.

mygreenpod.com ORGANIC SEPTEMBER 25

FOOD & DRINK

WHICH TYPE OF ORGANIC SHOPPER ARE YOU? UK ORGANIC explores the different motivations behind organic shopping

H

ealth, sustainability, and conscious consumerism are becoming increasingly important – and the landscape of organic shopping is evolving, too.

Whether you’re a seasoned organic enthusiast or someone who occasionally reaches for organic products, understanding your shopping habits can help you make more informed choices and better align your purchases with your values.

UK Organic is a Community Interest Company (CIC) dedicated to raising awareness about organic in the UK and helping you make informed decisions about your purchases.

We recently conducted a study, in collaboration with the Organic Research Centre, that provides fascinating insights into the behaviour, motivations and demographics of organic consumers. So, which type of organic shopper are you?

THE ORGANIC ENTHUSIAST

Are you someone who always opts for organic, no matter what? If so, you might belong to the group known as Organic Enthusiasts. These shoppers consistently buy organic across multiple product categories, often prioritising health enefits, high production standards and environmental impact.

Many Organic Enthusiasts are younger individuals from lower-middle income households.

They re willing to spend more on certified organic products, driven by concerns about synthetic pesticides, harmful chemicals and animal welfare.

Over half of this group follow a special diet – whether due to allergies, intolerances or a lifestyle choice like veganism or keto – further reinforcing their commitment to high-quality, organic ingredients.

THE ORGANIC REGULAR

If you have a few go-to organic products that you always include in your shopping basket, you might be an Organic Regular. This group tends to be older, with a higher household income compared with Enthusiasts. They focus on two or three staple organic products, such as dairy, but don’t typically venture outside these categories. For Organic Regulars, the balance between budget and quality is key; they’re committed to making healthier choices within their comfort zone.

THE ORGANIC OCCASIONAL

Do you see organic products as a treat or something special? Then you might be an Organic Occasional.

This group, often comprising mature families with mid-to-lower incomes, views organic products as a premium choice reserved for special occasions.

They might opt for organic foods for a celebration or when they want to indulge in something extra wholesome. While they don’t purchase organic 26 ORGANIC SEPTEMBER mygreenpod.com

regularly, they appreciate the value of these products and are willing to splurge occasionally.

THE DEAL SEEKER

Perhaps you’re someone who loves organic products but is also on the lookout for the best deals; if so, you could be a Deal Seeker.

This group tends to shop in higher-end stores and often has a higher household income. Deal Seekers are strategic about their organic purchases, often buying organic when it’s on offer or priced similarly to non-organic options.

Interestingly, they’re also more likely to cook from scratch, showing a strong commitment to quality ingredients even while being budget-conscious.

THE ORGANIC REDUCER

Lastly, we have the Organic Reducer. Are you cutting back on organic products due to budget concerns? You’re not alone.

Organic Reducers are typically mature individuals, often homeowners, who have scaled back organic purchases in response to economic pressures.

Despite having a higher household income, they’re more cautious with their spending and opt for organic products mainly when they’re on sale or competitively priced.

This group is particularly focused on stretching their budget while still trying to make healthy choices when possible.

EMERGING ORGANIC TRENDS

The study highlights a growing interest in organic products – particularly among younger consumers, who are showing a greater willingness to explore multiple organic categories despite often having lower incomes. These shoppers are increasingly informed a out the enefits of organic products, from health to sustainability, and are eager to invest in better quality, ethically produced goods.

On the other hand, older generations tend to be more price-sensitive, gravitating towards organic options only when they are on sale. nderstanding these trends can help you reflect on your own shopping habits. Are you prioritising health and sustainability or do budget concerns play a more significant role in your purchasing decisions nderstanding your profile can not only help you shop smarter but also contribute to a more sustainable and health-conscious future, and empower you to make choices that align with your values and lifestyle.

Find out more

n Make organic an everyday choice – whether in food, drink, textiles or skincare – using the support and advice at ukorganic.org

FOOD & DRINK

How ethical is your coffee?

As big brands advertise more conscious blends, here’s what all eco coffee connoisseurs need to know

espresso has confirmed that only of its capsules get recycled, meaning or illion pods, ased on the count end up in landfill.

In contrast, lue oose offee pods start life as a waste product from the European printing industry and are created using renewable energy. After use they can e collected with your food waste and processed into compost or liquid fertiliser within around 12 weeks, depending on the facilities used by your local council. This also reduces the methane released by coffee grounds as they rot. ‘If you compost at home, then with the right mix of conditions our capsules break down in around three months , ick shares.

FAIR PAY FOR PREMIUM QUALITY

D

emand for ethical coffee is rising in line with awareness of the issues facing coffee growers ut as ig rands fight for a share of the market, greenwash is rife.

Earlier this year, the A s ational onsumers eague filed a lawsuit alleging tar ucks is falsely and deceptively claiming ethical coffee and tea sourcing, detailing widespread evidence the company relies on farms and cooperatives that commit egregious labour and human rights violations.

Any discussion of ethics in coffee production must cover everything from environmental sustainability and biodiversity to fair labour practices, economic justice and community impact. laiming ethical might e overly am itious due to inherent complexities and ongoing challenges , accepts ick atsey, founder and director at lue oose offee yet striving for the highest possi le ethical standards is crucial .

Today billions of single-use coffee pods are produced and discarded annually. In 2018 it was estimated that 59 billion coffee pods were sold worldwide – a number that will only have increased following the pandemic, when many sought to upgrade their coffee-making options at home.

‘Traditionally pods have been made out of plastic or aluminium, and the mix of materials used makes these pods difficult to recycle , ick e plains. adly the vast ma ority end up in landfill the mountains of plastic pods will take up to 500 years to break down while their aluminium cousins can take up to years.

CLOCKWISE These compostable coffee pods can break down in 12 weeks; Blue Goose has launched a range of homewares made from upcycled hessian coffee sacks; Blue Goose founder Nick Ratsey

PLASTIC-FREE COFFEE

ick launched one of the first composta le espresso-compati le capsules into the market, and went on to launch lue oose offee in early 2019. ‘They say do something you are passionate a out, and for me that was coffee , ick tells us.

‘I was also motivated to address the huge waste caused by plastic and aluminium capsules, as I knew a via le alternative was availa le.

Over the last 30 years or so, coffee pods have continued to grow in popularity and are now a feature of many kitchens, offices and hotel rooms around the world. hile the convenience factor can t e denied, this shift has come at a significant environmental cost.

Find out why Blue Goose Coffee is a My Green Pod Hero at mygreenpod.com

hen ick set up lue oose offee, he committed to putting people and the planet ahead of profits y empowering farmers, supporting fair trade principles and fostering a more just and sustainable coffee supply chain. The mission from the start was to source, process and deliver worldclass coffee to customers in the most responsible way possible.

All the coffee we source is speciality grade, meaning it s graded points and a ove on the peciality offee Association s -point inde , ick says. As well as eing among the highestgraded coffee in the world, speciality coffee refers to the whole farming and supply chain. offee of this cali re is usually grown at a higher altitude and often requires more care and attention during farming, picking and processing – and this naturally impacts the price.

‘For all our coffees at Blue Goose, we pay smallholder cooperatives a premium as they are producing the highest- uality coffee in the world , ick e plains. This premium is well a ove the airtrade minimum price and the commodity end of the coffee market, and means our growers not only enjoy a greater income, but can grow their businesses so their communities and families can grow and prosper, too.

Higher pay also means growers can continue to invest in the sustainable farming practices that maximise biodiversity and use the tree and forest canopies to shade-grow their crops, producing a superior coffee.

‘For us it has never been about slugging back a mug of black liquid with a generic coffee flavour , ick says. o, the morning coffee ritual is about exploring and celebrating the delicate flavours and nuances of different coffees, their origins and the farming practices used. hade-grown coffee and rich biodiversity improve your daily coffee in so many ways. mygreenpod.com ORGANIC SEPTEMBER 27

CONSCIOUSNESS

The many facets

of peace

M

Tammy Scarlett asks: is world peace a pipe dream or a real emerging possibility?

uch like the word ‘love’ required at least seven different words in Greek to capture the variances in meaning, the word ‘peace’ is a multifaceted concept that can be understood on various levels, from personal tranquility to global harmony.

WHAT IS PEACE?

At its core, peace might be considered the absence of violence, conflict or fear, em odying a state of harmony where individuals, communities and nations coexist without aggression or hostility.

On a personal level, peace can refer to an inner sense of calm and wellbeing, often achieved through mindfulness, self-awareness and emotional balance. This inner peace allows individuals to navigate life’s challenges with a sense of stability and contentment.

On a social and political level, peace involves the resolution of conflicts, the esta lishment of justice and the protection of human rights. It is not merely the absence of war but also the presence of conditions that allow for sustainable development, respect for diversity and fair resource distribution.

Globally, peace is seen as the ideal state of international relations, where nations collaborate to solve problems, respect each other’s sovereignty and work towards common goals for the betterment of humanity and the planet.

Peace also extends to the environment, where it signifies the alance etween human activities and the natural world, promoting sustainability and the wellbeing of all life forms.

28 ORGANIC SEPTEMBER mygreenpod.com

MAKING PEACE MAINSTREAM

The peace movement is increasingly mirrored in popular culture, where it is eing redefined and embraced in transformative ways.

The growing focus on mindfulness and mental health has brought inner peace into the mainstream, making meditation and yoga essential parts of personal wellbeing. Once considered fringe, these practices are now recognised for their broader societal impact and for contributing to a culture of peace.

A DAY FOR PEACE

On the International Day of Peace (21 September), events like Pause the World for Peace in Times Square have become cultural milestones, engaging diverse audiences and drawing global attention to peace efforts. These moments are amplified y social media campaigns that reach millions, introducing the message of peace to new generations in innovative ways.

Organisations like UNIFY.org have played a key role in using the tools available in our digital age to turn global meditations into collective experiences that resonate worldwide and let people know they are not alone.

A PIVOTAL MOMENT FOR PEACE

In September 2024, New York City will become the focal point of a historic convergence of global peace initiatives. Anchored by the UN General Assembly (UNGA 79) and the Summit of the Future, this gathering is more than just a diplomatic event – it’s

a powerful call for global harmony. The Summit will emphasise long-term strategies that transcend national interests and recognise peace as the cornerstone of a sustainable future.

Alongside these discussions, Climate Week NYC (22-29 September) will unite activists, corporate leaders and policymakers who understand that climate justice and peace are deeply intertwined.

A groundbreaking addition to this year’s events is the Global Society Delegation, spearheaded

by Dr Christoph Geisler and Marc Buckley. This delegation of 30 representatives from bioregions around the world will speak on behalf of humanity as a whole, shifting the global discourse to collective wellbeing – a crucial step in the journey to a lasting peace.

Amidst these high-level talks, led by Good News Planet and Pause The World For Peace founder Paul Sladkus, Times Square will host the Pause the World for Peace event, a moment of global reflection and unity. This event will highlight that peace is not just the domain of diplomats but a responsibility shared by all humanity. Times Square, a symbol of global connectivity, will remind us that peace is ready to be cultivated everywhere.

A SOCIAL FOUNDATION OF PEACE

These September 2024 convergences signal an emerging global consciousness where peace has a chance to be recognised and established as the foundation of global society.

The synergy between these initiatives has the opportunity to transform peace from an aspiration into a lived reality, marking these events not just as gatherings but as the dawn of a new era in our collective journey towards a peaceful world.

The work of weaving this tapestry is ongoing, requiring each of us to recognise our role in it. As Rachel Carson might remind us, even the smallest actions can ripple out to create a world of peace.

As we continue to introduce, connect and collaborate, we are not just contributing to the peace movement – we are completing its formation in motion. We are making it whole.

In this moment of global awakening, let us remember that peace, like any ecosystem, thrives when all its parts are present and working in harmony. The peace movement has begun to realise this, finding itself and each other. ow, it is up to all of us to continue this work, to nurture these connections and to ensure that the dream of peace becomes a living reality – for ourselves and for future generations.

Find out more

n Tammy is an inspirational leader, strategist and energetics mentor for both people and systems.

Discover more at tammyscarlett.com

CONSCIOUSNESS

LIVE AND LOVE

ORGANIC

Jarvis Smith shares ways we can all embrace an organic lifestyle by taking time to connect with nature

W

hen I feel into the organic movement it always seems natural to me – it’s quite simply how things should be.

We are made of organic matter and therefore exist organically. The problem is that currently, most of what we eat, drink and breathe creates a toxicity in the body that contradicts the very essence of how living beings should thrive.

Pesticides, fertilisers, livestock feed additives and growth regulators are being ploughed into our soil and water systems – and therefore also our food. A simple way to deal with this is to eat organic whenever and wherever possible.

My wife and My Green Pod editor-in-chief Katie always talks about how easy supermarkets make it to buy organic food for babies; in many cases the majority of pouches and products in the aisle are certified organic.

But notice the contrast in the cereals aisle, the next you’ll visit as your child grows. The products here are packed with refined sugars, preservatives and colourings, with cartoons and branding designed to attract kids and make a healthconscious parent’s life hell (at least for the couple of minutes it takes to move on).

If we want to buy the best and healthiest – and that means organic – products for our babies, why don’t we demand the same when they get a few years older? And why don’t supermarkets provide as many cheap, own-brand organic products for kids as they do for babies?

DEMOCRATISING ORGANIC

The result is that organic is not financially accessible to everyone. In this context there are no hard and fast rules because compromise is inevitable, but I’d say that if you can afford the organic option, buy it.

Like everything, the more we buy the more accessible it will become to everyone; if we want a just and balanced world, let’s all do our bit and

PHOTOGRAPHY ISTOCK

SUPERMARKET SHOPPING

help democratise organic food by giving it as much support as we realistically can.

HOW TO CONNECT WITH NATURE

Remembering that we are nature, and therefore we are organic, can help to repair the separation from our natural state of being. This can be achieved by committing to the following simple yet powerful actions or rituals.

Be out in nature each day; sit on the ground and allow yourself to reconnect with the Earth to stabilise you natural rhythm.

Remember that nature is our teacher; it has survived all moments in time so far, and will evolve

without us if we can’t stop abusing her. Nature is everywhere. It has provided every single material we use daily – including our food, phones, clothes, homes and transport. Could you thank nature every time you use her?

This might sound simple, but I believe nature and perhaps our universe is giving us an opportunity to evolve organically – it’s her way of telling us that if we all remember we are one, and that there is no separation, we can all come together to solve this mystery we call the climate crisis.

I believe this will need to start with an offer of gratitude and appreciation for everything we have, have taken and will take in the future.

Nature is everywhere. It has provided every single material we use daily – including our food, phones, clothes, homes and transport. Could you thank nature every time you use her? mygreenpod.com ORGANIC SEPTEMBER 29

Cultivating a culture of peace

A solar broadcast to celebrate Climate Week NYC and the UN International Day of Peace

O

n 21 September 193 different countries will come together to honour the UN International Day of Peace.

In the run-up to Climate Week NYC (22-29 September), the day also marks the 22nd annual Celebration for People Living in Peace & Climate Week in Times Square, Manhattan – an event that will be broadcast live to the world.

A new artwork, the Peace Friendship Tree, by the American Oriental Arts Foundation, will stand tall in Times Square; the 26.3ft wide, 10ft high and 14ft deep artwork is made from , steel pieces, forged over five years y craftsmen from the USA and China. International models will surround the Peace Tree, which symbolises common elements in different cultures around the world: life, the protection of the living world and the endless cycle of life.

A MOMENT FOR PEACE

This year’s programme of events will be kicked off when, at midday on 21 September, UN Peace Messenger Ringo Starr will virtually request a minute’s silence for world peace.

For the Moment of Silence for Peace, Ringo will ask everyone to create a minute of silence to cease fire and conduct acts of peace in honour of the UN International Day of Peace, established in 1984.

30 ORGANIC SEPTEMBER mygreenpod.com

SOLAR BROADCAST

Following the minute’s silence, Good News Corporation and OMMM will present their 22nd annual concert at Father Duffy Park in Times Square, New York.

The five-hour live solar roadcast, in partnership with Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, will welcome over 380,000 people and feature virtual messages from UN Peace Messengers including Dr Jane Goodall, Michael Douglas, Leonardo DiCaprio, Stevie Wonder and UNICEF Ambassador Shakira. The day will also include inspiring musical performances by artists such as Snatam Kaur, Mandy Mayhem, Lama Tashi Norbu, AY Young and others, plus speeches from influential voices from across the peace and sustainability movement.

SOLAR BROADCAST SCHEDULE PART 1

11.30: The festivities will begin with a drum circle followed by the ringing of the Peace Bell via FOWPAL (Federation of World Peace and Love).

12.00: For the Opening Ceremony, UN Peace Ambassador Ringo Starr will virtually request a global moment – a minute of silence – on the large LED screen, and broadcast all over the

CONSCIOUSNESS world. Reverend Paul Sladkus, All Faiths & Spirituality commissioner Jeff Dannhauser and the Administration of Children’s Services will join the meditation with interfaith prayers. Mark Levine will welcome the audience and introduce a virtual peace message from Michael Douglas.

SohoJohnny will speak on peace; seven-year-old singer/ songwriter Lake Anthony will invite Randy Edelman, composer of over 100 award-winning movies and songs, to perform Song of Peace.

12:15: A powerful meditation will be led by master meditators, global spiritual leaders and OMMM Ambassadors Yogini Jaima and Yogi Cam. There will be a ceremonial drum circle and a symbolic sand mandala will be created.

SOLAR BROADCAST PARTNERS THE EXTREME HANGOUT Inspired by a love of adventure sports, the natural world and a passion to protect the planet, Extreme Hangout was established as a community climate action platform in 2021.

Its collective mission is to give young changemakers a voice, popularise the climate movement and inspire environmental action.

PART 2

13:35: Climate Week NYC will be kicked off by AY Young, the only American and Young UN 17 Sustainable Goals Leader.

Anushuka Sen will debut her new song, Graduation (Goal 4).

Grammy award-winning Ken Lewis will join the stage; Ken has 114 platinum and gold albums and singles, 79 billboard number ones and 38 billion streams.

HUMANITY’S TEAM

PART 3

14:35: The Woodstock Forever: Peace, Love & HOPE movie trailer will be played to introduce this Woodstock Forever 55th Anniversary segment, with Grammy-winning rising star JillyYeah.

It will be followed by a virtual message from Leonardo DiCaprio.

15.00: Seven-year-old singer/songwriter Lake Anthony will sing Put a Little Love in Your Heart. Joining the stage are Artie ornfield, creator of oodstock eidi ittle awaiian yon Rowland and the all-star Reggae Souljah Band; Earthman Lanny; Shree Chandra; African Legend Solo Beats (featuring hristine arie Al mith ick lfick uma ultan and the American Relics and Peace Parrots. Shakira will perform Imagine virtually.

PART 4

15:45: The Devine Feminine segment, hosted by Lorraine ilvet . -year-old entertainer ylvia ilver finally sings on Broadway. Gao Wei Wei and Jeannie Yi introduce the Peace Friendship Tree featuring The American Arts Foundation.

15-year-old Celine Rong performs on the Chinese Pipa and International Models. Performances by Quinn Lemley, Irene Michaels, Indiggo Twins and Katya Grineva.

16:40: Georgia Fumanti, world-renowned crossover singer, closes the broadcast.

16.48: In the closing segment, join the whole cast for another moment of silence, which will be followed by a virtual message from Stevie Wonder.

OPPOSITE PAGE On 21 September 2023 AY Young led the Battery Tour – a groundbreaking concert powered by 100% renewables – in Times Square during Climate Week BELOW AY Young promoting the SDGs and mixing with the crowd in Times Square

umanity s Team is a non-profit dedicated to awakening humanity to the truth that we are all one: connected with the divine and each other.

Its mission is to establish a global culture of conscious living, where everyone lives in harmony, by 2040. Humanity’s Team aims to achieve this using the world’s largest transformational education platform, Steam +, alongside global events, live broadcasts and collaborations.

Humanity’s Team produces an annual conference in October called the Global Oneness Summit, where people join together to spread the message of oneness. The co-founder of Humanity’s Team, Steve Farrell, is a Silicon Valley entrepreneur and author who had his own awakening before starting Humanity’s Team over 20 years ago with author Neale Donald Walsch.

WORLD UPSHIFT

World Upshift believes that true transformation begins in the heart. Guided by the power of love, the organisation unites to inspire intuitive, compassionate and self-aware living. The mission is to foster a global movement dedicated to raising awareness about humanity’s most pressing challenges and to cultivate

innovative solutions through collaboration and dialogue.

World Upshift is inspired by the vision of thought leaders such as Ervin Laszlo, Wangari Maathai, Master Sha and Deepak Chopra. It partners with thought leaders, political and cultural figures, academics and s to create spaces for critical thinking and consensus-building.

Through symposiums, workshops, public meetings and publications, World Upshift encourages a spirit of inquiry and active participation in the search for wiser and more sustainable ways of living. The view is that every action, no matter how small, contributes to a legacy of cooperation, awareness and love-driven change.

ANANDA WORLDWIDE

This spiritual community, inspired by the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda, was founded by his direct disciple Swami Kriyananda in 1968. The mission is to help individuals realise the joy of their own higher self through yoga, meditation and spiritual living. As a Church of All Religions, Ananda embraces the universal truths that underlie all faiths. Through residential communities, Ananda Worldwide provides supportive spaces for spiritual growth, meditation and joyful service. Its teaching centres offer classes on yoga philosophy and meditation, all designed to guide seekers on their journey towards Kriya initiation.

Ananda honours the light that shines from every faith; every individual is encouraged to explore their unique path at their own pace. By embodying the principles of unity, service and inner transformation, it aims to share the experience of divine joy and peace with the world.

Find out more

n Watch the five-hour Celebration for People Living in Peace & Climate Week solar broadcast live at youtube.com/goodnewsbroadcast n Join the Extreme Hangout mission to give young changemakers a voice at facebook.com/ExtremeHangout n For information about Humanity’s Team, Stream + and live weekly interviews, visit humanitysteam.org n Learn more about Ananda Worldwide at AnandaVillage.org mygreenpod.com ORGANIC SEPTEMBER 31

COSTA

LIVING

Biologist Neel Zaver shares three projects in Costa Rica that offer hope in a time of crisis

O

ver the last eight years, I have focused on spreading my experience in biological sciences within online communities, hoping to make science more accessible and digestible to those with no scientific ackground.

One of my biggest motivations was to tackle disinformation; I soon realised that, as the world was adapting and changing, the conversation around the environment, conservation and climate was shifting, too.

I noticed an upsurge of negative rhetoric across all media formats, particularly in our news cycle, when it comes to where our planet and its inha itants are heading.

The negative headlines became almost allconsuming – to the point where they were driving people away from the conversation with an overwhelming sense of hopelessness. I knew that if I could feel it, as someone driving for change, the feeling would be even more pronounced for those on the fringes of the dialogue.

We are ambushed with negativity almost daily and from all angles – whether it’s the cost-of-living crisis, international war or the impacts of tipping points.

CLOCKWISE A toucan perches in the trees at Lands in Love eco hotel, Costa Rica; pineapple plantations are a cause of deforestation, pollution and habitat loss; the Macaw Recovery Network is helping to protect the critically endangered great green macaw; a room with a view at Origins eco resort; the animal rescue centre at Lands in Love shelters and rehouses cats and other animals; looking out across the MRN Rainforest Reserve

32 ORGANIC SEPTEMBER mygreenpod.com

Yet we see and hear very little of those who are not just striving for change but making positive strides in conservation, environmentalism and sustaina ility.

FINDING HOPE

Having worked with conservation projects, both on the ground and behind the scenes, I know how uplifting it can be to see your own positive impact; it can instil a sense not only of hope but also of investment in something eyond yourself. I wanted to share that feeling, to break through the negative rhetoric and give people something inspiring to aim for.

I set myself the ambitious task of creating an eco-documentary, beginning in the incredible country of osta ica. ith a history of deforestation that led to radical changes in its environmental protection policies, osta ica was filled with diverse organisations working to connect and restore nature and to reconnect us to nature as well.

Costa Rica is estimated to be home to over , species, a figure that represents a out of the world s total iodiversity. ith its tropical climate, diverse topography and variation in

TRAVEL

altitudes, the country houses various ecosystems, from tropical rainforests and dry forests to coastal areas, mangroves and cloud forests.

LANDS IN LOVE

Located deep in the valley of a cloud forest on the outskirts of San Lorenzo, Alajuela, Lands in Love is a uni ue eco hotel in a magnificent location.

Inspired by a love and passion for animals, and with an on-site, no-kill animal rescue centre, it was formed by a group of 16 vegan friends who embarked on a remarkable journey that led them to Costa Rica.

The cloud forest provides habitat to a wide variety of plants and animals; many are found nowhere else on Earth, making their conservation crucial.

As I walked around Lands in Love I could see wildlife thriving everywhere I looked. Families of toucans and honey-creepers filled the tree lines thanks to Lands in Love’s efforts to protect the environment. The hotel’s environmental advocacy extends to the cuisine; this is a fully vegan hotel, and the team works with local communities to source and produce its menu.

Today Lands in Love is home to a large animal rescue centre, though this was not part of the original plan. The centre has grown organically; as locals learned of the team’s stewardship, more and more animals were abandoned there or reported for rescue. To date Lands in Love has helped over 3,000 animals in need, and remains home to 1,700 animals including dogs, cats, chickens, goats and horses. The goal is to rehouse animals where possible, but in the meantime Lands in Love relies on hotel guests and donations to keep these animals safe, fed and protected.

THE WOMEN RANGERS NURSERY

Community collaboration has been integral to MRN’s operations – not only to help protect critically endangered species, but also to promote local stewardship and education around ancestral land.

The establishment of a local Rainforest Reserve shows how these issues can be addressed in tandem.

While speaking to local landowners and farmers about nest scouting, the MRN discovered a cattle farm booming in biodiversity. The team built a good relationship with the owner and was able to put a simple monitoring site on the property.

It eventually purchased the land to create the Sarapiqui Rainforest Reserve.

The plant nursery has helped to protect key plant species, such as the mountain almond tree, while allowing women in rural communities like Boca Topada to become primary income earners. School children have also been introduced to STEM careers and shown how to coexist with nature.

ORIGINS ECO LODGE

Origins Eco Lodge rounded off my experience in Costa Rica, showcasing how conservation is for everyone and can also be a luxury experience.

Set against the backdrop of the Tenorio volcano, the 45-acre property’s panoramic views extend across the rainforest to the distant lakes of Nicaragua. The environment has been prioritised in all aspects of guests’ experience, from the expert local guides to an on-site mandala garden that houses over 50 cultivated plant varieties and provides 60% of the fruit and veg consumed on site.

95% of Origins’ workforce come from the local Upala community; staff spoke highly of their time working for Origins and the vital skills they were gaining – extending to socially responsible programmes to support work, education, health and culture in their communities.

ABOUT NEEL ZAVER Neel Zaver is a biologist and creative who is using his work to showcase the inspiring work of organisations around the world for the environment, conservation and our planet. His goal is to instil hope by profiling those working to create a positive future for us all.

MACAW RECOVERY

Costa Rica has recently made historic progress towards reducing deforestation and protecting its abundance of biodiversity, yet when I visited I found the country at a crossroads when it came to the conservation of some of its most critically endangered species.

Living amongst the Macaw Recovery Network (MRN) team in Sarapiqui, I witnessed both the success and struggles faced on the mission to bring parrot species like the great green macaw back from the edge of extinction in the heart of the bird’s habitat.

A booming pineapple export industry has caused a recent upsurge in plantations in Sarapiqui. These pineapple plantations, which could be viewed as economically eneficial, are causing a cascade of issues with deforestation, habitat loss and environmental pollution – the effects of which are felt throughout the regions.

The great green macaw, once a vibrant icon of Central and South American rainforests, is now facing a fight for survival. lassified as critically endangered, fewer than 600 remain in Costa Rica and there are no more than 1,000 in the wild.

Intelligent birds with diverse diets and complex social behaviours, they are threatened by deforestation for crops like pineapple and habitat loss of crucial tree species like the mountain almond tree. As agriculture expands their world shrinks, leaving fewer nesting sites and food sources.

Following the establishment of the 203-hectare reserve, the MRN found that even cattle ranching had fragmented the habitat; the majority of the farm was rich with biodiversity and its long-term protection was essential – particularly in light of the rapid expansion of pineapple plantations.

Restoration efforts to recover 20% of the site were conducted by the Women Rangers plant nursery in Casa del Titor, a female-led community-empowered initiative created by the MRN. Originally formed to help six women from Boca Tapada who were displaced from their jobs in the tourism sector during Covid-19, it was so successful that training continued and Casa del Titor plant nursery was established in 2022.

Origins has also developed partnerships with wildlife conservation programmes such as the Tapir Valley Reserve, which protects and conserves the endangered Central American tapir. While visiting the valley I heard first-hand from one of the founding brothers, Donald Varela, of the partnership s enefits in educating visitors on the plight of the tapir and advocating for the species and its habitat.

Looking back on my time with the three groups I’m left with an overwhelming feeling of passion and strife for our planet and nature. Each is aware of the global issues and challenges they face, yet they do not let these inhibit them from carrying out the positive work they hope to achieve.

I hope that those who come across these organisations can look to this approach as a way forward, learn from it and use it as a way to invigorate our sense of stewardship and protection for the place we all call home. mygreenpod.com ORGANIC SEPTEMBER 33

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