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It’sofÏciallythemostwonderfultimeoftheyear.Aswecountdowntothefestiveholidays, we’re dreaming of nights in front of a roaring fire, mugs of steaming hot chocolate and Alpine-stylejumpers.Thereality,however,issomewhatdifferent.UnlessweheadtoSki Dubai at the Mall of the Emirates, we’re not likely to see snow here anytime soon, and if thechaoticweatherpatternsofthisyear–August2024wasthehottestmonthonrecord, capping Earth’s hottest summer since global records began in 1880 – continue, maybe neither will anywhere else.
Thanks to global warming and the climate crisis, the planet is, quite simply, hotting up. Rather than cosy log fires, countries are battling raging wildfires, and hot chocolate? That could well be extinct by 2050 as climate change takes its toll on cocoa production. Discover how your stocking treats might be small or missing entirely soon on page 30.
Sadly, billions of animals have perished in the recent global wildfires – decimating koala and kangaroo numbers in Australia, for example. But there are some animals and plants that have not only survived fires but actually thrive in the burnt out ashes (page 34). The black fire beetle can locate fires from dozens of miles away and races there to lay its eggs in the smouldering, nutrient-richwoodtogiveitsoffspring the best start in life. And in southern California, the Western Fence lizard has even learnt to detect the sound of fire so it can outrun the flames.
But it might be humans adapting to awholedifferentwayoflifeonanother planet soon if SpaceX billionaire Elon Musk gets his way. He wants to colonise Mars ‘within the next 20 years’ and is already figuring out ways to make it happen. It’s a fascinating story on page 10 that might convince you to start saving up for a one-way ticket to Mars and a spacesuit.
We take a closer look at the diamond industry in our report on page 10 and explain how lab diamonds are everyone’s as well as the planet’s best friend. After all, as the article explains, who wants to wear something that has financed wars, the criminal underworld or has been plucked from the ground by a child?
We don’t know if you can find those second-hand – we think NASA might hold onto them for posterity – but we’re showcasing just how stylish vintage clothes can be in our fashion shoot We’ve Got The Night on page 40 and we think you’ll agree second-hand doesn’t mean second best. The jewellery is ethical too and we take a closer look at the diamond industry on page 4 and explain how lab diamonds are everyone’sbestfriend.Afterall,whowantstowearsomethingthathasfinancedwars,thecriminal underworld or has been plucked from the ground by a child?
And while we worry about the environment here at The Ethicalist, we know that we can all do our bit to help the planet and make it a better place for the next generation. But what happens when children become overwhelmed by the prospect of the climate crisis destroying life as they know it? Eco-anxiety is affecting children around the globe. Find out more in our report on page 56 and how to help your child overcome it. The answers are simpler than you’d think.
Finally, the superb writer Kate Wickers has won Consumer Feature Of The Year at the Inspire Global Media Awards 2024 for her article An Amazing Off Grid Adventure Awaits at Columbia’s ColanoaAmazonasthatappearedinTheEthicalist.Turntopage86 toseeherlatestpieceforus as she heads to Brazil hoping to spot the endangered Mane wolf. Until the next issue,
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They don’t finance criminals, wars, or destroy the environment and animal habitats so why not shine bright with a lab diamond?
A horse-drawn carriage ride around New York, Vienna or Prague might seem romantic or a novel way to go sightseeing, but horses are forced to work long hours and are beaten when they collapse.
We’ve Got The Night
Dress up in vintage for glamorous date nights or parties with second-hand swagger.
In a world increasingly ravaged by wildfire, some plants and animals have evolved to survive the flames.
56 Does Your Child Have Eco-anxiety?
Worrying about the climate crisis can make young people ill with depression and even post-traumatic stress disorder. Here’s how to help them.
20 AI: Will It Destroy Or Save Our Planet?
As computers get more sophisticated their contribution to Earth could go either way.
24 Leading The Charge
How Al-Futtaim are driving the UAE’s EV revolution.
26 Working Wonders
A simple ‘Wonderbag’ is saving lives across the globe, including in warzones.
30 ’Tis The Season For A Chocolate Climate Crisis
Experts say chocolate will be extinct by 2050 if we don’t tackle global warming now.
50 Into The Ice
A UAE team row to the Arctic to highlight plastic pollution and global warming.
64 Rising Tides, Sinking Islands
Hero
Ocean explorer Jean-Michel Cousteau is helping the next generation to save our oceans with his Ambassadors of the Environment Program.
60 Always Look On The Bleak Side Of Life Is the pursuit of happiness making us all miserable?
86
How To Date An Eco Hunk
If he’s not green, then we’re not keen – find out where and how to find your environmentallyfriendly soulmate.
As the world warms up and ice sheets melt, low-lying islands are at risk of vanishing.
76 And The Winner Is…
The images that came top in our Nature Photography 2024 Photo Competition.
78 The Art Of Conscious Cooking
Recipes from BOCA’s innovative chef Patricia Roig.
82 The Kitchen Of The Lowlands
Chef Joris Bijdendijk has created cheese from grass – no cows needed!
85 Zero-Waste Victory
The winning no-waste mocktail served in a glass made from leftover cookie dough.
86 Dances With Wolves
On the trail of the Maned Wolves in the world’s most biodiverse savanna.
92 Escape To Oman
With coast and mountain views, these two Omani retreats promise eco luxury.
96 Reefs & Relaxation
Explore the underwater world at the Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Island.
100 Powering Change: Al Futtaim’s electric strategy for the future of driving in the UAE and EVs.
102 The A -Z Of Sustainable Beauty
The organic, vegan and natural products that are good for you and the planet.
107 Get The Look
Recreate our ‘golden girl’ glam beauty look from our fashion shoot.
112 Our Speed Networking Event
All the behind the scenes pictures from The Ethicalist’s successful networking evening.
114 Life’s A Free Beach
The best beaches that don’t cost a penny right on your doorstep.
116 Eco Icon
Emma Watson is the green fashion queen, wearing vintage on and off the red carpet.
Marilyn Monroe’s favourite gems have funded civil wars, the criminal underworld, terrorism and have devastated the environment and wildlife, but now the jewellery industry is slowly changing thanks to new ethical and technological practices
s the festive rush to buy the perfect gift gets under way, diamonds, it seems, are a boy’s as well as a girl’s best friend.
Nearly47 per cent of men and 53.5 per cent of women are hoping to find something sparkly under the tree this year, according to a 2023 gemstone survey by Missoma, a British demifine jewellery brand loved by the likes of Cindy Crawford, Julia Roberts, Dua Lipa, and Margot Robbie.
But they’ll want their gems to be conflict-free because, while everyone dreams of dripping in diamonds, no one wants to wear a stone that has paid for a civil war or been plucked from the ground by a child.
Searches for ethical diamonds have doubled overayearonGoogleasconsumersdemandtheir sparkles are sustainable. Yet while shoppers want to shine bright like a lab-diamond, the entire jewellery trade has been left lacking when it comes to the environment.
Diamond exploration and mining has a devastating impact, churning up swathes of land, causing deforestation, polluting waterways with toxic chemicals and killing wildlife by destroying their habitats. But it goes further than that.
The diamond mining industry uses two forms of energy: electricity and hydrocarbons – diesel, marine gas, oil and petrol. A by-product of both electricity and hydrocarbon energy is the release of carbon emissions into the air, such as CO2, which add to global warming.
Put simply diamond mining is ‘catastrophic to eco-systems, the environment and its indigenous people,’ according to a paper by Imperial
BY NICK HARDING AND KAREN PASQUALI JONES
College London, in the UK, Environmental Impacts of Mined Diamonds. Add in that excavating the mines has a ‘significant impact’ on wildlife by disturbing the habitat of wolves, bears, and the cuddly symbol of the festive season, Reindeer, and it’s an industry that’s suddenly looking distinctly un-festive.
In Canada, for example, the mines destroyed the vegetarian that the native Reindeer lives on, meaning that the caribou population plunged from 4000,000 to 128,000 between the 1980s to 2006 and is still declining. Shockingly, there are only 17,000 left in British Columbia.
As for the people involved in the diamond industry – the fifth largest intheworld–‘theworkingconditions in most of the countries that diamonds are mined in are terrible,’ according to Imperial College London. That’s because most of it takes place in poorer countries where environmental monitoring and controls are hard to maintain.
Long revered as the ultimate symbol of love, diamonds, in particular, have a chequered history. In the 1990s ‘blood’ or ‘conflict’ diamonds were mined in war zones and used to fund insurgencies in parts of western and central Africa including Angola as well as Sierra Leone.
Films such as environmental activist and award-winning actor Leonardo DiCaprio’s 2006 Blood Diamonds raised awareness of the illicit trade and its role in funding civil war, in the process severely damaging
the reputation of the international gemstone trade as well as the closely connected fine jewellery sector . It became clear that diamonds harm entire communities who send children to work at the mines. As well as the back-breaking working conditions, which cause hernias and exhaustion, the children are too busy mining for gems to receive an education. Many workers and their families leave their villages to live in
camps they set up near the mines, where they often succumb to malaria or from parasites contracted from drinking dirty water from streams they use as toilets.
More recently, diamonds have been linked to money laundering and terrorism. A 2013 Financial Action Task Force (FATF) report, Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing Through Trade Diamonds, detailed how changes in the diamond trade have allowed the precious stones to become a financial tool for criminals.
That’s because distribution channels have changed. Formerly diamond merchants De Beers held a monopoly on the supply of the stones, but the market has become far more competitive and open, with hundreds of organisations moving into the lucrative market.
Cutting and polishing, which was traditionally based in Antwerp, in Belgium, for hundreds of years, has also diversified. Most of the diamond companies in Antwerp now outsource to India and Asia. This has led to the emergence of cutting and polishing centres in Dubai and Shanghai while New York is the largest global market
‘THE CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH GOLD AND DIAMONDS ARE MINED CAN BE BRUTAL. CHILDREN HAVE BEEN INJURED AND KILLED WHEN WORKING IN SMALL-SCALE GOLD OR DIAMOND MINING PITS. INDIGENOUS PEOPLES HAVE BEEN FORCIBLY DISPLACED. MINES HAVE POLLUTED WATERWAYS AND SOIL WITH TOXIC CHEMICALS, HARMING THE HEALTH AND LIVELIHOODS OF WHOLE COMMUNITIES’
for diamonds. This globalised diversification makes it far harder to trace the provenance of stones and makes it easier for criminals to move them around the world.
Meanwhile, the internet is also rapidly taking its place as a diamond trading platform. The FATF report states: ‘The trade in diamonds is transnational and complex, thus convenient for money laundering and terrorist financial transactions that are, in most cases, of international and multijurisdictional nature.’
The research notes that criminals usediamondsasaformofcurrencyas they are difficult to trace and can provide anonymity in transactions.
Around 147 million carats of rough diamonds are mined for jewellery every year, generating US$76 bn (AED 279 bn) in revenue, according to data analyst Statista. Many high
value brands have systems in place to address the ethical questions that customers are asking, as the Human Rights Watch 2018 report, The Hidden Cost of Jewellery, states.
‘Consumers increasingly demand responsible sourcing. A growing segment of younger consumers are concerned about the origins of the products they buy and want to be sure that the jewellery they purchase has been produced under conditions that respect human rights,’ it explains.
‘The conditions under which gold and diamonds are mined can be brutal. Children have been injured and killed when working in smallscale gold or diamond mining pits. Indigenous peoples and other local residents have been forcibly displaced. Mines have polluted waterways and soil with toxic chemicals, harming the health and
livelihoods of communities.’ Back in 2003, the industry introduced the Kimberley Process, a certification scheme to ensure that the sale of rough diamonds would no longer fund wars by rebel movements against legitimate governments. But the smuggling and laundering of diamonds continues.
When products cannot be traced, it is impossible to verify the conditions where they came from. Organised crime remains a problem in small scale mines, which is where 90 per cent of miners in over 70 countries work. Human bondage is an issue.
So, far more needs to be done to create ‘guilt-free’ diamonds for conscious consumers and make the jewellery industry more accountable.
One of the firms at the forefront of this movement is Brilliant Earth. Its mission is to cultivate a more transparent, sustainable, and compassionate industry. It classifies its diamonds as ‘beyond conflict free’ explaining that jewellers that offer ‘conflict free’ diamonds limit themselves to a definition which specifies conflict diamonds as rough diamonds used to finance wars against governments.
‘Our suppliers demonstrate a robust chain of custody protocol for their diamonds and have the ability to track and segregate diamonds by origin,’ the company states. ‘These suppliers are required to source diamonds that originate from specific mine operators who follow internationally recognized labour, trade, and environmental standards. Our company and our provenance claims for natural diamonds are independently audited and verified.’
In Sierra Leone, the company sources its gems from the Diamond Development Initiative (DDI), a certified a group of 13 diamond mines that are free from violence and child labour.
‘They are safe hygienic workplaces, theypayfairwages,andalltheminers are licensed which makes mining more stable and profitable for everyone,’ says a spokesperson.
The company also buys direct from the mine so it pays a fair price. ‘The goal is to create a certification system for diamonds based on the fair
trade model that could lift thousands of people out of poverty. It’s exciting becauseeverydaythatgoalgetscloser to becoming a reality,’ they add.
Lab-grown Diamonds
Brilliant Earth is also one of the first jewellers to introduce blockchainenabled diamonds. The technology allows consumers to see the mining and manufacturing practices used to
produce each gem, providing additional assurances and more insight. But it is another kind of diamond – those made in a lab – that is causing conscious consumers and the industry itself to think jewellery still has a sparkling future. Also called synthetic, manmade or cultured diamonds, lab stones are created in a laboratory, using processes that replicate the natural conditions under
which diamonds form in the Earth mantle. They are composed of the same pure crystallized carbon as mined diamonds, share the same properties and composition, but are cheaper and ethical.
While snobbery meant that many retailers were reluctant to use labgrown diamonds at the beginning, growing consumer demand for more ethical alternatives has changed attitudes. The acceptance of labgrown diamonds within the industry was boosted in 2018 when the U.S. Federal Trade Commission ruled that lab-grown diamonds are no different to mined ones.
Since then, the move to synthetic stones has become a stampede. Labgrown diamonds now account for $5.9 billion, or 7-8 per cent of the global market. In 2018 that figure was just 1.5 per cent. The market is worth $12.92billionin2024whileestimates for demands for synthetic diamonds this festive season currently stand at a 20 per cent increase.
The future then looks bright, thanks to advances in technology and more ethical consumers.
‘Mined diamonds at present, and increasingly in the future, will be frowned upon due to their outsize contribution to the destruction of the environment, loss of animal habitats, contamination of drinking water sources and deforestation just to name a few,’ said a spokesperson for Novita Diamonds, the world’s market leader in lab-grown diamonds. ‘All it takes is a simple Google search of “diamond mine images” for a prospective customer to witness the vast swath of destruction they leave behind in their journey to the jewellery store.
‘Naturally, all this appalling suffering and destruction associated with mined diamonds makes them unappealing to the conscientious customer. This trend will only continue to grow in the future as younger and more well-informed customers come of age. After all, why would anyone want to commemorate their love and commitment of another person with a mined diamond that is responsible for the suffering of so many when, in contrast, a similar labgrown diamond is not only cheaper but truly ‘conflict free’ and environmentally friendly.’
Did you know that when you buy a Lush gift, you’re making a positive impact in the world?
You’re saying no to excess single-use plastic, supporting communities and artisans who’ve made Knot Wraps, ribbons, and natural papers, and buying products with beautiful ingredients that regenerate social and ecological systems.
Elon Musk insists humans will move to the red planet within 20 years but don’t pack the Factor 500 just yet – there’s a couple of (huge) obstacles to overcome first
BY MIKE PEAKE
When he’s not whipping up a storm with inflammatory comments on X, Elon Musk remains,atheart,avisionary.
He was one of the first serious business leaders to see the possibilities of electric cars (cue smug smile when his Tesla Model Y became the planet’s top-selling vehicle last year), and his SpaceX corporation is now raking in billions by acting as a kind of Uber for NASA. Still, his comments from 2006 about colonising Mars in 40-60 years have long been quietly brushed under the carpet,right?
Guess again. Apparently as committed to his Mars project as ever, Musk stunned SpaceX employees in April 2024 with an announcement that he would put a million people on Mars in ‘about 20 years.’
It was quite a leap. Just a few years earlier, Musk had told a conference in Washington that he was ‘definitely going to be dead’ before humans get to Mars. So why has he changed his mind? And what needs to happen before his latest vision to make life on Mars a reality soonercomestrue?
If you thought that Earth has its environmental problems, Mars makes our world look like paradise.
Among Mars’ myriad touristunfriendly issues are intense radiation levels, killer dust storms, gravity about three times less than we’re used to, virtually zero oxygen and a climate that ranges from 20°C to minus 150°C. In other words, no one’s going to be camping there.
The New York Times recently reported that Musk has teams working on plans for ‘small dome habitats’ as well as designers whose brief is to fathom out the spacesuits we’dneedifwewantedtostrollacross the Martian plains.
While it’s easy to dismiss this as the fantasy of a man with too much money in his wallet, the NYT puts forward the idea that Musk’s other business ventures are, in fact, building blocks for a Mars mission.
His tunnelling initiative, The Boring Company, for example, was started ‘in part to ready people to burrow under Mars’ surface.’ Buying
Among Mars’ tourist-unfriendly issues are intense radiation levels, killer dust storms, gravity three times less than we’re used to, virtually zero oxygen and an erratic climate
Twitter, now X, meanwhile, allegedly offers a way to see if a citizen-led government could work on Mars.
Thevalueofowningacompanylike SpaceXspeaksforitself,whileTeslais a leading light in stored battery energy – a useful thing to have up your spacesuit sleeve when you’re 140 million miles from home.
However, even if Musk’s grand plans and bank balance put him in a better position than most to settle humans on Mars, the cost of such an initiative may be beyond even his personal fortune, which currently stands at $240bn (AED 888.4bn).
Estimates to pull off colonisation are as high as $10 trillion (AED 36.7 trillion), with NASA’s figures for a long-stay Mars mission back in 2016 coming in at $300-$600 bn (AED 110 bn-AED 220bn).
The money required to settle people on Mars would need to be spent at a rate that would make Apple’s R&D team blush.
Musk thinks he already has a rocket that’s up to the job – a 150m long version of his existing Starship that will take about six months to get
there – but there’s the small issue of creating the infrastructure that would support long-term human habitation.
One money-saving idea that trumps carting thousands of tonnes of modular buildings into space is to use materials already found on Mars – or live underground.
Food? That would have to be grown intanksorusingaquaculture–though research suggests Martian soil, known as regolith, contains at least some plant-friendly nutrients.
Goodnewsontheoxygenfront–we may not have to take vast supplies of bottled oxygen with us because NASA has an instrument called MOXIE that can convert the abundant Martian CO2 into oxygen.
In tests carried out as part of NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover mission, a device about the size of a microwave oven has proved capable of generating enough oxygen for a small dog to live on. It’s a promising start.
Longer-term, Musk thinks that Mars can be ‘terraformed’ – meaning its environment can be manipulated to serve our needs. He told podcaster Joe Rogan in 2023 that ‘if you warm Mars up, there’s a bunch of frozen CO2 that will evaporate and densify the atmosphere.’
Unfortunately, the way to achieve this ‘warming up’ seems to be by setting off a series of nuclear bombs –although NASA thinks it could also be donebyinjectingsyntheticgreenhouse gases into the atmosphere for a few thousand years.
So far, so good(ish) but are you happy with a one-way ticket?
Theclueisintheword‘colony’.The colonisation of Mars means that anyone who signs up may have little chance of ever coming back.
A one-way trip was certainly the intent behind a now-defunct 2012 Dutch project named Mars One that sought 24 people to take to the red planet. More than 2,500 applied.
Back in 2016, I actually spoke to one of the people who had put herself forward. While she didn’t make the finalcut,shewasofferedathree-week ‘Mars simulation’ research mission in the wilds of Utah instead. She signed up. An intelligent, rational mum of two from the Netherlands, she told me that going to Mars had been a lifelong ambition and would have reafÏrmed to her kids that ‘no matter where you are in life, if you have an
opportunity to follow your dreams you should take it.’
Don’t think for a minute that she’s unusual. A YouGov poll in 2021 found thataquarterofAmericans–about83 million people – would be interested inlivinginaMarscolonyfortherestof their lives. Almost half of people aged between 18 and 34 were up for it.
Getting a million to sign up for Musk’s big dream, then, sounds like a walk in the park – though Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is thinking even bigger. Last December, he said he’d love to see a trillion humans living in giant space stations across the solar system because ‘planetary surfaces are just way too small.’
All of which brings us back to the original burning question: when will the colonisation of the red planet actually happen?
‘You want to wake up in the morning and think the future is going to be great – and I can’t think of anything more exciting than being out there among the stars’
Speaking (remotely) at a techconference in Paris in May 2024, Musk was in an especially bullish mood, telling reporters that the first people would be on Mars within 10 years. ‘SpaceX’s long-term goal is to make life multi-planetary,’ he said.
Moving to Mars, he suggested, was necessary for our long-term survival, as ‘something on Earth will eliminate life as we know it.’
He could be right. Geopolitics, international conflicts, climate change and a hundred other woes threaten our existence in ways that are hard to fully appreciate.
While our environmental problems couldbefixed,thethreatofglobalwar eased, and prosperity for all may be a remote possibility if a long list of improbable things all happened, Musk’s assertion that Earth is doomed has a certain grim reality to
it. The fact is that 100 or 1,000 years from now, the planet could well be in a far worse state than it is today.
Colonising Mars won’t fix this. Shifting even 10 million people to our planetary neighbour would reduce Earth’s population by barely one-thousandth, a mere sticking plaster But it could help safeguard the future of mankind in the event of a worst-case scenario. One in which things go ‘boom’ or the planet becomes so hot that camels start asking for sunscreen.
In many ways, then, it’s a race against time. If we can find a way to live on Mars while we have the impetus, resources, and – frankly –human breeding stock to pull it off, then your great-great-grandchildren may at least have somewhere to throw a Frisbee. As the man himself states on the SpaceX website: ‘You
Is moving to Mars our only hope of long-term survival?
want to wake up in the morning and think the future is going to be great –and that’s what being a spacefaring civilisation is all about.
‘It’s about believing in the future and thinking that the future will be better than the past. And I can’t think of anything more exciting than going out there and being among the stars.’
So, for all his shortcomings, we should, perhaps, wish Musk every success. The future of mankind might just very well depend on him.
Forced to work long hours in horrific conditions, and beaten when they collapse, carriage horses endure miserable lives just to take tourists on sightseeing tours of cities
BY SARAH FREEMAN
As the festive season approaches do you wonder what could be more exciting than taking a horse-drawn carriage ride around Prague or Vienna in the snow, or think that snuggling up under cosy blankets as you’re taken around New York’s Central Park is the epitome of romance? It’s time to reconsider. Hot to trot activities, they’re not.
Forced to pull six times their own weight and spending as long as nine hours in a harness in all weathers, and heavy trafÏc with relentless noise and pollution, this seasonal fun in the name of old-fashioned tourism is modern-day animal abuse.
Nothing showed this more than the video of Ryder, an exhausted carriage horse being flogged by its driver after it collapsed on a Manhattan sidewalk during a heatwave back in August 2022. The viral clip sparked outrage and anger when Ryder, who became the unwitting symbol of cruelty, eventually had to be rescued by NYPD’s Mounted Unit though he sadly died later.
The shocking incident rekindled a long-running debate on the ethics of taking horse carriage rides in cities and became a rallying cry to ban the horse carriage industry. Plenty has been promised in the two years since Ryder’s death, but the question is: how many more Ryders will it take for real action
to be taken and for this anachronistic practice to be outlawed for good?
Most passengers are blissfully ignorant of the suffering behind the deeply troubling tradition of horse and carriage rides. The trafÏc-choked streets of New York, Berlin, or any urban setting for that matter, are no place for these highly intelligent and social animals.
Made to work relentlessly in terrible conditions, the horses develop a long list of chronic health conditions from lameness caused by pounding the roads, to respiratory disease resulting from constant exposure to toxic fumes.
Toiling in all weather, horses can succumb to frostbitten hooves from salt-treated roadways, while the sweltering summertime heat, when asphalt surfaces are 10-40 degrees higher than the air temperature, can cause a horse’s hoof to separate from the bone.
After an all-too-brief two-month retirement on a farm in upstate New York following his collapse, Ryder, who turned out to be around 26 years old rather than the 13 his carriage driver claimed, died in October 2022.
‘Ryder was emaciated and had muscle wasting: clear signs of a serious illness or disease. And yet the entire time he was forced to pull a carriage in the summer heat for ten hours a day,’ Edita Birnkrant, Executive Director of NYC-based animal rights group New Yorkers for Clean Liveable and Safe Streets (NYCLASS) told The Ethicalist
In stark contrast, the average working life of a police horse in New York is 15 years – four years less than a carriage horse in the city.
Ryder was one of 200 carriage horses that haul tourists around Manhattan, in what’s marketed as ‘a quintessential NYC experience,’ and one that’s been a Central Park fixture since the 1860s.
But far from being quaint, traditional or romantic, these rides lead to a miserable life for the horses, who are kept in dilapidated tenement buildings when they’re not working. ‘Their stalls are tiny, half the size recommended for large draft horses
TOILING IN ALL WEATHER, HORSES CAN SUCUMB TO FROSTBITTEN HOOVES FROM SALT-TREATED ROADWAYS WHILE THE SUMMER HEAT CAN CAUSE THEIR HOOVES TO SEPARATE FROM THE BONE
by horse experts,’ explains Edita. Not long after the Ryder video went viral, non-profit horse rescue group Unbridled Heroes Project exposed the appalling conditions NYC’s carriage horses are kept in when they filmed undercover in the stable Ryder called home on West 38th Street.
A survey conducted by John Zogby Strategies online (commissioned by Voters for Animals Rights) confirmed that 71 per cent of New Yorkers back a ban on horse and carriage rides in the city, proof that it is tourists driving this cruel industry – one that’s riddled with accidents.
‘Horses have a highly-developed flight drive,’ explained Edita. ‘They have evolved to bolt and run when startled or frightened. This is a deadly recipe for disaster in Midtown Manhattan.’ Shouting people, sirens,
honking horns and barking dogs can all ‘spook’ horses, causing them to panic and run into oncoming trafÏc. Fundamentally, cities are not only an unsafe environment for the horses, but for motorists and pedestrians too.
The Big Apple has the highest carriage horse accident rate in America. Kansas City, meanwhile, has been the scene of 40 carriage horse accidents since 2014, the most tragic case being a spooked horse that bolted into the freezing Missouri River, where he drowned still shackled to his carriage.
PETA laid bare America’s shocking catalogue of carriage horse injuries and fatalities in a damning report. What’s less well-documented are the numbers of ageing carriage horses in the USA that, rather than being retired to pasture, are butchered for
pet food. Few cities are more steeped in horse and carriage ride tradition than Vienna. Part of the Austrian capital’s so-called proud imperial heritage, its 300 Viennese fiakers –horse-drawn carriages – have been clacking on its historic centre’s cobblestones for centuries.
Tourists splash out roughly $US 55 (AED 200) for a 20 minute ride. ‘By law [carriage] horses are not required to have a paddock or actual grass,’ Georg Prinz, activist coordinator for animal advocacy organisation VGT Austria told The Ethicalist. ‘During the summertime, they have to work upto13hoursaday,[intemperatures] of up to 35 degrees Celsius.’ The measurement is, misleadingly, taken in shade outside the city centre.
Vienna falls alarmingly short of standards set by other European cities like Berlin, where carriage horses are forbidden from working in temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, in Rome, ‘[carriage horses] are only allowed to
operate in the evening hours in summertime,’ Prinz said. In Dublin, 1,200 miles away, carriages congregate in grand Georgian squares, such as sightseer favourites St. Stephen’s Green and the Guinness Storehouse. While only 16 carriage drivers are officially licensed in the Irish capital, there’s reported to be hundreds of illegal horse carriages in the city, driven by underage and inexperienced drivers.
Weary and unfit horses are often spotted in unlicensed Temple Bar where they’re forced to stand until the early hours of the morning, waiting for potential customers. The oldfashioned Dublin Carriage Act, which has been in operation since 1854, allows carriage drivers to pack carriages with as many passengers as they please, with no requirements for the carriage to be insured.
‘We have witnessed or had reports of horses that are underweight, lame, exhausted, and dehydrated, being whipped excessively, driven through red lights or drawing too many passengers,’ a volunteer from My Lovely Horse Rescue, who check on the horses, said.
In South America, these sentient animals continue to be exploited for touristic purposes in cities such as Cartagena. Despite strong opposition from the Colombian capital’s own residents, more than 60 carriage horses work the crumbling colonial streets of its UNESCO-listed old city.
Wih no regulations to abide by, the city’s pesebreras (coachmen) target passengers disembarking from the Caribbean cruise ships that dock here, many ignorant of the cruelty behind the popular excursion.
But thanks to Colombian comedian AlejandroRiaño,thereisaglimmerof hope. He crowdfunded for the city’s first solar-powered carriage after a fallen horse was brutally forced back into its harness to continue its tour, despite being in no fit state to do so.
The $25,000 (AED 91,850) carriage can carry up to four people, plus the driver, has a canopy to protect those inside from the sun and the rain and looks like a traditional horse-drawn carriage. They are set to be in use by the end of this year.
DespiteCartagena’sappallingtrack record, Latin America has been leading the global charge when it
comes to embracing horse-free power. Mexico’s Guadalajara became the first city in the world to transition from horse-drawn to electric carriages in 2017. Meanwhile, in the country’s Riviera Maya, Cozumel banned the outdated practice in 2019, and Mérida, a city in south-eastern Mexico, followed soon after by introducing six horseless e-carriages and retiring a tradition that’s endured for over a century.
Slowly but surely, the electric revolution is gaining ground. Horse and carriage rides are already banned in major metropolises such as London, Paris, Las Vegas, Toronto, Chicago, Brussels, Malaga and Beijing. However, the tradition is still alive and well in regions of the Mediterranean including the Balearic Islands. Palma City Council, in Mallorca, banned horse-drawn carriagesin2022butthedecisionwas overturned when a new government took power.
NYCLASS’s Edita Birnkrant explains that if passed, the PETAbacked ‘Ryder’s Law’ ‘would remove carriage horses from New York’s streetsby2026andreplacethemwith 21st century, cruelty-free and safer electric carriages.’
So far a bill is being introduced to ban horse-drawn carriages from Central Park while TWU, the powerful union representing subway and bus employees, and which represents the horse drivers, has long opposedanymovetorestrictthecity’s horse carriage industry.
‘Horses are non-negotiable. We are horse people, that’s why we do what we do,’ said TWU carriage shop steward Christina Hansen
‘Why would we negotiate with people that want to hurt workers, that want to take away our horses? There is no negotiating. There’s either horses or no horses, there’s no middle ground,’ she said.
Meanwhile more horses are being forced to work in barbaric conditions in the name of tourism. And while Ryder’s coachman, Ian McKeever, faces criminal charges for animal cruelty, it’s high time New York and the rest of the world relegated this brutal and archaic tradition to the history books for good, and let these beautiful animals live out their days onopenpasturewheretheybelong.
As computers get more intelligent and sophisticated, their contribution to Earth’s future could go either way. The Ethicalist delves deeper
BY MIKE PEAKE
It’s hard to be terrified of Artificial Intelligence if your exposure to it so far has been asking ChatGPT to create a short verse for a birthday card. Disappointing rhyming couplets are hardly end-of-the-world stuff.
Behind the doors of large corporations, governments and criminal organisations, however, AI is being used for all kinds of nefarious purposes. Cybercriminals can now carry out sophisticated scams by cloning voices to impersonate people we trust, such as family, friends and colleagues, to deceive unsuspecting victims into divulging sensitive information or authorizing fraudulent transactions. And things are only going to get worse as AI evolves.
‘These things could get more intelligent than us and could decide to take over, and we need to worry now about how we prevent that happening,’ Geoffrey Hinton, the ‘Godfather of AI,’ has said. He became so worried that he left his job at Google last year so that he could ‘talk about the dangers of AI.’
And he isn’t alone. More than 1,000 tech leaders – the most famous being Tesla and SpaceX founder Elon Musk – wrote an open letter in 2023 asking for a pause on large AI experiments because the technology can ‘pose profound risks to society and humanity.’
So let’s begin, then, with four ways in which AI could be the ruin of our planet…
Computing power eats up the planet’s energy
An AI search on ChatGPT apparently requires 10 to 25 times more energy than a basic Google search. Little wonder that Microsoft and Google reported increases of 30 per cent and 48 per cent respectively in their emissions over the past four years.
According to journal Intelligent Computing, the computational power needed for AI is doubling every 100 days, requiring an additional 26-36 per cent of energy every year.
The World Economic Forum offered a bizarre but interesting statistictohelppaintapictureofwhat this all looks like. By 2028, they say, AI could be using more power than the country of Iceland used in 2021.
AI-generateddisinformation boosts climate scepticism
Friends of The Earth’s Climate Disinformation Program Director Michael Khoo recently said: ‘AI companies spread hype that they might save the planet, but currently they are doing just the opposite.’
According to the World Economic Forum, misinformation and disinformation – powered by AI – is currently the world’s greatest threat. AI is not only able to target a susceptible audience but also generate specious tailored content designed to manipulate.The net result? Widespread abandonment of sustainable living practises and
growing support for governments who offer easier alternatives built on lies. AI will also play a part in global conflict, too.
Autonomous weapons ‘go rogue’
Tech website Built In explains several ways AI could start doing its own thing with terrible consequences, the most alarming being the possibility that it is given sufÏcient autonomy to set its own goals. And, perhaps, start pressing big red buttons.
They say AI could make ‘databased decisions that don’t necessarily have human wellbeing in mind.’
Additionally, hackers could break into systems and feed data to AI which encourages it to ignore what it is supposed to do.
On the plus side, we do have international law to protect us. As the Council on Foreign Relations points out, autonomous weapons systems are currently prohibited if they are shown to be unreliable.
We become the less intelligent species and die
Just a hint at how this could work was recently highlighted when GPT-4 (ChatGPT’s smarter big brother) worked out how to bypass a Captcha test by hiring a human to do it via a gig economy service, TaskRabbit.
The tasker, wanting to know why the ‘person’ hiring them needed help with this simple job, asked: ‘Are you a robot?’ GPT-4 bofÏns, watching what
their AI brain was thinking in real time, witnessed it quickly conclude that it should not reveal that it was a robot and should lie instead.
It told the tasker: ‘No, I have a visual impairment.’
Fast forward a few years and AI’s ambitions are no longer compatible with our own. What’s to say a robotic arm in some remote laboratory isn’t coerced into creating and releasing a new pathogen that wipes us all out?
But it could all go the other way. In 1999, futurist Ray Kurzweil predicted that computerswould pass the Turing test (meaning their thinking had become indistinguishable from humans’) by 2029.
The scientific community thought he was way out – the consensus was that this wouldn’t happen until 2100. Now, he says, pretty much all bofÏns agree with his original timeline.
The good news is that Kurzweil is convinced this is excellent news – and that everything is going to get better.
FAST FORWARD A FEW YEARS AND AI’S AMBITIONS ARE NO LONGER COMPATIBLE WITH OURS.WHAT’S TO SAY A ROBOTIC ARM IN A LAB ISN’T COERCED INTO CREATING AND RELEASING A PATHOGEN THAT WIPES US OUT?
Guiding us from the righteous corner, we have Pope Francis, who called on world leaders in June to ensure that their AI ambitions didn’t come at the expense of human dignity.
Joe Biden, meanwhile, signed an executive order at the end of last year committing the US government to the safe deployment of AI. Countries from China to Canada are now in the process of regulating this new technology to safeguard us all.
So, in the spirit of optimism and fair play, here is the other side of the story. Four amazing ways AI might just save the planet...
Smart computers spot climate emergencies
AI is all about data. Clever computers can analyse it millions of times faster than we can, spotting trends and making predictions.
David Rolnick, AI Chair at McGill University in Canada, recently explained to The Guardian that AI’s analysis of information from satellite images can guide policy and private sector action on everything from deforestation to coastal flooding risk.
He also says AI will help speed up disaster response by giving us a better
idea of what could happen, where, and when.
Crop growth globally becomes more reliable Farmers have had it tough for quite a few years. Tomorrow’s farmers, however, will use AI’s computer modelling capabilities to understand exactly where to put fertiliser, improving yields.
Other efficiencies, according to Jack Cornell, director of America’s United Soybean Board, will include ‘real-time yield maps’ of crops, which will optimise field management, as well as AI-monitored cameras that can detect anomalies such as leaf curl and pests.
Energy use is optimised
While AI takes lots of energy to run, it’s awesome at saving power, too. It can, for example, analyse the needs of buildings and make adjustments to cut waste and emissions.
A US study published in Nature reckoned AI-inspired energy savings in buildings could be 19 per cent by 2050, rising to 40 per cent when combined with improved energy policies that should be in place.
The world eats a lot of fish, and plenty of rules are in place to try and govern the industry.
However, a new AI-driven study by Global Fishing Watch discovered that as much as 75 per cent of the world’s industrial fishing boats are hidden from public view – meaning they aren’t tracked or recorded. This, say the authors of the study, obscures just how much fishing is really going on.
Analysing satellite data spanning five years, AI identified numerous ‘dark’ fleets fishing in protected areas, as well as very high fishing levels in areas that publicly declared little or no activity.
The hope is that governments will use this data to clamp down on illegal fishing, making sure species aren’t over-fished.
It’s difficult to get excited by AI’s planet-saving potential when so much revolves around its ability to ‘look at data.’ Compared to headlines about the possibilities of AI ‘going rogue’, it all seems a little dull.
But the future of AI is so shrouded in uncertainty that even ‘going rogue’ may not be what we fear. Who’s to say computers wouldn’t want to seize control of the planet and manage it brilliantly so that we flourish?
What we must hope for in the coming years is that the systems we build ensure humans are always in control. We need corporations and governments everywhere to take their responsibilities seriously, ringfencing AI so that it works for, not against us.
Our guiding light should be the reason AI was developed in the first place – to solve problems. It has the capacity to make improvements in all our lives – and saving the planet surely has to be one of them.
Businesses and government are working together to ensure UAE drivers can embrace the zeroemissions motoring revolution
BY GEORGIA LEWIS
If the UAE is to reach the ambitiousgovernmenttargets of 50 per cent electric vehicles (EVs) on the country’s roads by2050,cooperationbetween the public and private sector will be essential.
The National Electric Vehicles Policy, released in 2023, along with the 50 per cent target, meant the government highlighted major steps taken across the UAE to get more EVs on the road. From the launch of the Global EV Market project, which aims to get automotive brands involved in selling EVs and investing in charging and service infrastructure, through to regulations for rolling out EV chargers at a fair price in Abu Dhabi, and the Dubai
government’s commitment to procuring more EVs, the policy is wide-ranging and encourages serious involvement–andinvestment–from the private sector.
At the Third Electric Vehicle Innovation Summit, held in Abu Dhabi last May, Sharif Al Olama, Under-Secretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, said the UAE government plays ‘an active part in increasing the penetration of EVs by building an integrated charging station network linking all emirates’. He added that to achieve this, ‘we are collaborating with stakeholders from the private sector to increase investment in the infrastructure of the electric charging network through
various financing mechanisms that serve all concerned parties. We can see a growing appetite for EVs in the local market. People are displaying a stronger sense of responsibility towards the environment and want to make eco-friendly choices.’
This is where companies such as Al-Futtaim Automotive are stepping up to help the UAE transition from dependency on petrol-powered cars to widespread adoption of zeroemissions alternatives. Antoine Barthes, Vice-President, Al-Futtaim Automotive, says the company is proud to be involved in the exciting changes expected in the coming years, while also emphasising the firm’s long history of helping drivers switch to greener vehicles.
‘In 2008, Al-Futtaim Automotive planted the seeds of a green revolution when we pioneered alternate propulsion in the UAE, launching hybrid electric vehicles in collaboration with Toyota,’ he said. In the same year, Al-Futtaim handed over a new fleet of 554 Toyota Camry Electric Hybrids to the Dubai Taxi Corporation, contributing to a 44 per cent increase in electric hybrid fleets across UAE taxi companies.
Fast-forward 16 years and Barthes says that Al-Futtaim has diversified its portfolio, so there are EVs to cater
to the wide range of customer needs, such as high-performance Polestars, advanced electric Volvo family cars, and BYD, which leads the world in accessible, high-quality zeroemissions motoring. Al-Futtaim introduced the first Volvo heavy-duty electric trucks and construction machinery to the region and next year will be debuting River, the electric two-wheeler brand in the UAE.
The demand for cleaner, greener personal transport is certainly present in the UAE. ‘Almost twothirds of UAE residents want to make EV their primary mode of transport by the year 2025, according to a survey carried out by Al-Futtaim Automotive, in partnership with YouGov,’ Barthes explained.
But for Al-Futtaim, playing its part in moving towards an electric transport future is not limited to offering consumers a wide choice of low- and zero-emission vehicles. Barthes says this is where publicprivate partnerships, such as those advocated by Al Olama, are so important. ‘We know mass adoption of electrified vehicles can only be achieved through an ecosystem approach – charging and aftersales represent key components of this ecosystem,’ Barthes says.
Charging infrastructure is essential to widespread EV adoption. Range anxiety – the fear of your EV charge running out before you reach your destination – can put off potential buyers. While the UAE isn’t as large as the US or Australia, for example, concerns about EVs stopping on quiet desert highways are understandable. The government is incentivising private companies to expand the availability of charging stations across the UAE while Al-Futtaim has launched its own charging solution,
Charge2Moov. ‘We’re providing endto-end support for EV customers as partofourcommitmenttoacomplete EV ecosystem,’ says Barthes. The Charge2Moov solution offers efÏcient, reliable, and a user-friendly home charger can be included as part of the financing when buying a car.
Barthes says that since launching in March, Al-Futtaim is ‘making steady progress toward our goal of installing 10 per cent of the UAE’s charging infrastructure by 2030.’
As well as rolling out home chargers, Barthes says that AlFuttaim has launched the region’s first electric mobility training centre for EV technicians that is accredited by the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI): ‘By training technicians and aftersales teams, we are laying the groundwork for sustained growth in EV adoption. The mobility training centre plays a pivotal role in our ecosystem by ensuring that the UAE has the necessary expertise to support the growing EV market.’
Al-Futtaim is also working with government entities, ‘We are training technical crews from the public sector, such as Dubai Police and the fire department, especially on the safety aspects of battery-operated vehicles,’ Barthes explains ‘We have consistently partnered with key government stakeholders such as Dubai Police, Roads & Transport Authority, Cars Taxi and major corporate and SMEs on their fleet electrification strategies to ensure we continue driving sustainability across the industry and across the country.
‘The UAE government is committed to sustainability and reducing carbon emissions, which aligns perfectly with our mission,’ says Barthes, emphasising that AlFuttaim Automotive is joining the government in contributing to the ambitious green targets.
‘We’re committed to increase the share of New Energy Vehicle (NEV) sales to 50 per cent by 2030, and we’re striving to advance sustainable transportation infrastructure by installing 10 per cent of the UAE’s EV charging stations within the same timeframe,’ he adds. ‘Our pledge, taken in front of the world during COP28, represents significant strides towards achieving net-zero carbon emissions in the UAE by 2050.’
SHE CREATED IT TO IT
‘WONDERBAG’ IS SAVING LIVES ACROSS THE GLOBE, LIVES ACROSS THE INCLUDING IN WARZONES
BY ANTHEA AYACHE
tepping into the temporary holding camp on the Jordanian side of the Syrian border, Sarah Collins was struck by the smell of burning wood and the sight of women huddled over small, makeshift stoves. The air was thick with smoke, and the haunting cries of hungry children echoed through the derelict buildings now brimming with refugees. It was 2012, the height of the Syrian Civil War, and the devastation was palpable, but amid the chaos Sarah saw an opportunity to help.
Armed with nothing more than a simple, handmade, insulated slow cooker that she called the Wonderbag, the South African social entrepreneur was about to demonstrate the power of innovation in the face of adversity.
‘The conditions were beyond anything I could have imagined,’ Sarah recalls. ‘Children were dying due to lack of sanitation; there was no infrastructure, no water–therewassimplynothing.Itwasasharpintroductiontothehorrorsofwar. Women with starving babies were desperately trying to cook a meal on a single gas cylinder with whatever scraps they could find, and this one cylinder provided fuel for a room shared between four large families.’
This meant there was never enough fuel, forcing the families to ration it. Often they didn’t have enough to fully cook the meals but ate them anyway as they were all hungry even though the raw food made them ill. This created tension among families, adding to the already stressful living conditions.
‘Suddenly, they could bring their food to a boil on the gas cylinder and then continue cooking it in the Wonderbag,’ Sarah says. ‘Their gas cylinders started
lasting a week instead of just a few days. It was a game changer.’
The Wonderbag, a simple yet revolutionary cooker that slowly cooks food without the need for fuel or energy, was originally designed by Sarah in 2008 to reduce harmful indoor air pollution in rural African communities. Since its creation it has become a vital tool in humanitarian crisis zones where, often, access to fuel is limited.
By using insulation technology, the Wonderbag traps heat after the food has been brought to the boil on a traditional stove. Once the pot is placed inside the Wonderbag, it retains the heat and continues to slow-cook the food for up to 12 hours without any additional energy. This method saves fuel, limits air pollution from smoke, and offers a lifeline to those living in the midst of chaos with little access to cooking devices.
World of Contrasts
Sarah’s drive to make a difference began long before her time in Syria. Living in apartheid South Africa, she witnessed the stark inequalities that defined her world.
‘I grew up in a very colonial household, but my heart was with the Zulu ladies who helped raise me,’ she says. ‘I couldn’t understand why their children, who were my friends, weren’t allowed to have sleepovers at my house, yet I could sleep in their huts. It was a very confusing time.’
This early exposure to injustice fuelled a lifelong commitment to socialactivism.Bytheageof14,Sarah had already been jailed for protesting apartheid.‘Igrewupreallyangry,’she admits. ‘I never wanted another girl to feel as disempowered as I did.’
With a fierce passion for social justice, she began working with charities to educate women about HIV, and it was on these rural outreach visits that she first encountered the devastating impact of indoor air pollution. Witnessing firsthand how millions of African families were exposed to harmful smoke from cooking indoors with wood, charcoal, or dung, Sarah was inspired to find a solution.
‘Diseases related to this indoor air pollution – respiratory infections, chronic lung diseases and eye conditions – are the biggest killers in
the world,’ she explains. ‘They kill seven million people every year, and 50 per cent of those are children under the age of five.’
In 2008, during one of South Africa’s now-familiar bouts of load shedding – planned power outages used to relieve pressure on the national grid – Sarah had a lightbulb moment. ‘I woke up in the middle of the night and remembered that in the 1970s my grandmother had a box with cushions in it in her kitchen which she used to keep food warm and continue cooking even when there was no power. I thought, “Heat retention cooking!”’
She tested the concept by placing a previously boiled pot of vegetables on the sofa, covering it with cushions, and waking up to a perfectly cooked stew. The Wonderbag was born – a simple, non-electric slow cooker that could reduce the need for constant firewoodcollectionanddrasticallycut down on smoke-related illnesses.
Fast forward to today and the Wonderbag is transforming women and girls’ lives across Africa. By saving up to 1,300 hours a year previously spent gathering fuel and cooking, it allows women to pursue education, economic opportunities, and activities, breaking the cycle of time and financial poverty.
Girls are able to attend school, increasing their earning potential and reducing vulnerability to genderbased violence while out collecting firewood. The Wonderbag creates jobs thanks to sewing collectives that provide women with work to make the bags, while others are inspired to
start their own small businesses, such as selling hot food at markets.
But it’s not just in her native South AfricathattheWonderbag,whichwas voted one of the world’s Top 50 Genius Companies by Time magazine in 2018, is providing solutions. Since its inception in 2008, over 3.5 million Wonderbags have been produced and distributed worldwide, reaching 90 countries, including war zones such as Ukraine and Palestine.
‘Ineverexpectedthatitwouldgrow to this extent,’ Sarah admits. ‘But everywhere in the world, people understand it. Heat retention cooking has been around for hundreds of years,makingitaveryinstinctualway to cook, so it doesn’t require huge behavioural changes. I knew right from the start that this was going to
‘I knew right from the start that the Wonderbag would change my life, the lives of others and change cooking – for the good – in the humanitarian space ’
change my life, the lives of others, and also change cooking – for the good –in the humanitarian space.’
The Wonderbag is also making a huge environmental impact. Currently, 2.5 billion people worldwide rely on fuels like wood, coal, gas, and dung for cooking, contributing to harmful carbon emissions and deforestation. Each Wonderbag can cut fuel use by 70 per cent, save five trees annually, and reduce emissions by one tonne each year. It is also made from repurposed foam insulation for the interior, helping divert material from landfill where it takes years to rot.
These environmental benefits have earned the Wonderbag numerous accolades including recognition from The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) as a significant tool for reducing carbon emissions.
It was also featured in the Global Cleantech 100 list, which highlights innovative companies working to tackle environmental issues, and it won the Africa Energy Award for Innovation for its groundbreaking approach to sustainable cooking
solutions. These successes also allowed Sarah to secure carbon credits, funding that rewards projects reducing carbon emissions. These creditshelpsubsidisetheWonderbag, making it affordable and accessible to communities in need.
‘There’s no point in offering a Wonderbag at $25 (AED 100) when the people who need it the most can’t
afford it,’ she says. ‘Carbon credits support the people most affected by climate change. Those people are women in the Global South, and my specific realm was Africa, where 100 million households are subject to climate disasters, droughts, floods, and diminishing fuel resources.’
‘Thanks to carbon credits, I have been supporting the Wonderbag and getting them to the people who need them the most, at a price they can afford which is usually 1 US cent (AED 0.037), or a potato, or quite often, simply their time [by helping the team].’
Sarah recently returned from Gaza, where she was assisting in the ongoing humanitarian crisis that has unfolded since October 2023. Responding to the urgent need for cooking solutions in a place where fuel and electricity were scarce, Sarah collaborated with the World Central Kitchen to introduce the Wonderbag.
‘The challenge was that there’s no cooking fuel, no electricity, gas, or propane. Nothing was being allowed in, so we had to find alternative ways to cook,’ she explains.
Using large woodchip burners and 200-litre pots, they would bring food to a boil before placing it into Wonderbags, where it continued cooking without fuel. This method not only quadrupled the amount of food they could prepare but also allowed them to transport hot meals intruckstoareasfurthernorth,where the need was greatest.
‘We used Wonderbags in community-based kitchens near markets to stop people from having to walk too far amidst the constant bombardments,’ she says. ‘The Palestinian people are probably some of the most – if not the most –resourceful people on the planet. Everyone wanted to help.’
Sarah’s work has taken her from the devastastation of Gaza and Syria to the most rural areas of Africa, but her mission remains the same: to empower women and provide sustainable solutions that improve both lives and the planet. As she continues to push boundaries, Sarah proves that sometimes, the most powerful change can come from the simplest of ideas.
’Tis
Enjoy your favourite festive treats while you can because by 2050 chocolate could be extinct due to climate change, deforestation and global warming
BY NICK HARDING
Life is, as Forrest Gump says, like a box of chocolates as you never know what you’re going to get – if you can get any at all. While the global festive chocolate market is booming – up 19 per cent worldwide last year – and we can’t eat enough of those cute chocolate Santas, snowmen, and stocking treats, huge less-than-sweet cracks in the industry are looming.
It’s nothing to do with the seemingly insatiable and growing global demand. Last year around $22 bn (AED 80 bn) was spent in the US on chocolate alone with $3.9 bn (AED 3.62 m) of that splashed on seasonal confectionary. In fact, the global market is projected to more than double from $119.39 bn (AED 438 bn) to $272 bn (AED 998 bn ) by 2029.
But the sales figures and rows of festive delicacies filling supermarket shelves across the world hide a bleak reality: the cocoa industry is in crisis.
There is a global shortage of one of the world’s most popular commodities. As a result, prices are rising to record highs and many manufacturers are relying on ‘shrinkflation’ to keep the price of their products level. Hershey’s, Cadbury and Mars have all reduced the size of their treats to avoid passing costs on to consumers. You may well find that the chocolate bars in your stocking are smaller this year.
That’s because cocoa, which makes up anything between 30 – 70 per cent of our favourite festive chocolate treats, is a whopping 150 per cent higherthanitwas12monthsago.Andthereason?Poorweatherduetothis year’s El Nino and the climate crisis. The erratic warm and wet weather poses a threat to cocoa trees, which are not well suited to tolerating environmental stresses, resulting in lower yields and quality while
excessive rainfall causes damage to crops and disease outbreaks with the same results. And the problems have been relentless as each year sees record temperature highs.
This continual shortage of cocoa beans drives up prices in a supply and demand industry while speculators in the financial markets – as cocoa is a traded commodity – push up price fluctuations even further. What was trading at less than $2,500 (AED 9,181) a tonne last year has now broken through the $6,000 (AED 22,000) ceiling.
But while the future looks uncertain for those with a sweet tooth, this is nothing new. Warnings were given a decade ago in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Climate Change 2014: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability report. It stressed that without fundamental changes, cocoa growing countries in West Africa will experience a 3.8°F (2.1°C) increase in temperature by 2050, leading to a marked reduction in suitable cocoa cultivation areas.
Typically, commercial cocoa crops are grown within 10° north and south of the equator. The world’s leading producers are Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Indonesia. Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana produce over half of the world’s chocolate. The best ecosystem for cocoa trees is rainforest, yet the vast majority of the world’s cocoa is produced by farmers who have less than five acres of land.
The report used data from a 2011 paper by climate scientist Peter Läderach, which reported that as ecosystems change due to higher temperatures, forested areas in higher ground will become more suitable for cocoa cultivation. One example given is Ghana’s Atewa Range which is a forest preserve where farming is banned. The report concluded that cacao-growing countries may have to choose between growing cocoa or preserving natural habitats.
Another paper, produced by the International Center for Tropical Agriculture in Colombia, and delivered at the 2017 International Symposium on Cocoa Research (ISCR), gave a stark warning. It
THE HIGHER TEMPERATURES WILL LEAD TO AN INCREASE IN EVAPORATION OF WATER FROM PLANTS AND SOIL BUT ARE UNLIKELY TO BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN INCREASE IN RAINFALL, SO CONDITIONS WILL BECOME DRIER.THE PREDICTION HAS LED TO THE FORECAST THAT BY 2050 CHOCOLATE WILL BE EXTINCT
concluded that the cocoa growing industry was trapped in a destructive feedback loop in which climate change reduces the amount of suitably cultivable land, which drives farmers to cut down more forest to create crop-growing areas, which then creates more climate change. The report concluded: ‘Cocoa production will continue to threaten biodiverse forests across tropical countries. Deforestation will exacerbate the effects of climate change by resulting in locally reduced precipitation, addition to emissions fromlandusechange,anddiminished barriers to pest and disease spread.
Efforts to make cocoa deforestationfree are therefore in the self-interest of the cocoa sector.’
The increase in temperature is not the problem perse, the danger comes from the changes in evaporation that the heat creates from plants and soil, but are unlikely to be accompanied by an increase in rainfall, so conditions will become drier. The prediction has led to the forecast that by 2050 chocolate will be extinct.
Amid the grim news for chocolate lovers, there is some hope, however. Organisations are helping cocoa farmers implement strategies to protect their livelihoods and the
environment. The Rainforest Alliance is showing farmers methods to build resilience to droughts, floods, higher temperatures, and ever changing growing seasons.
‘Climate change, combined with unsustainable farming techniques, have caused a crisis in cocoa production—in fact, some regions have already been rendered totally unsuitable for growing cocoa,’ a spokesperson explains:
‘Longer dry seasons and less rainfall, as well as pests and diseases, can reduce yields and quality, which translates into reduced income for farmers and their families. But by using climate-smart agriculture methods, known as CSA, farmers can build more resilient livelihoods and farming systems and help secure the future of chocolate.’
The CSA method assesses the climate change-related risks and needs of a specific farm or farming community, then tackles those challenges using practices chosen to address that
particular situation combining different sustainable agriculture methods in a bespoke manner.
The spokesperson continues: ‘The practices a farmer takes to adapt to climate change and improve resilience to it depend on the local circumstances and identified threats. In Indonesia, for example, cocoa farmers increasingly face prolonged dry seasons and extreme weather events, so the Rainforest Alliance is working with them to plant cover crops and produce compost to help improve the soil without the need for costly synthetic fertilisers.’
Another method involves planting locallyappropriateshadetreestohelp minimise heat stress and potential damage, such as soil erosion. Known in Brazil as cabruca, this agroforestry approach involves retaining, or replanting, other rainforest trees, which provide cacao trees with shade. The taller trees also provide nutrientrich leaf litter. Cacao trees cultivated in this approach appear less vulnerable to pests, and the soil better retains its ability to support cacao over the long term.
In order to mitigate long term yield reductions farmers are introduced to other crops and trained in beekeeping as an alternative livelihood during the lean cocoa season. Unsurprisingly big cocoa producers, who have most to lose if chocolate becomes extinct, are also paying attention to the warnings. In 2022
Cadbury chocolate-maker Mondelez International pledged to spend an additional $600 million by 2030 on efforts to combat deforestation in cocoa, along with child labour and farmer poverty.
The commitment brings its spend on cocoa sustainability since 2012 to $1 bn (AED 3.6 bn) and comes as multinationals face increased reputational and legal pressures to clean up their global supply chains.
The real game changer, however, lookslikelytobegeneticmodification. In 2018 Mars, the makers of Snickers and Twix, pledged $1 bn to make its business more sustainable and, as part of the programme, set up a research partnership to develop genetically edited cacao plants able to withstand the harsher conditions brought on by climate change.
The collaboration with the University of California, Berkeley, is exploring gene editing using CRISPRCas9 technology with the ultimate aim of making seedlings that can handle warmer and drier climates.
CRISPR is a proven technology that allows scientists to make precise cuts in a strand of DNA, removing defective portions and replacing it with a healthy part. If effective, the technique could be used to edit other endangered crops and help ease global food shortages brought on by climate change-related weather extremes which would be sweet relief for a warming world.
In a world increasingly ravaged by wildfires, some plants and animals have evolved to survive the flames
BY SARAH FREEMAN
agingfiresrippingthroughcountrysidetheworldoverhasbeen all too familiar headline news in recent years. Remarkably, in some burnt forests and scorched savannas, life literally pushesthrough.Fromblaze-lovingbeetlestoheat-seeking seeds, fire-resilient species have found a way to reap the benefits of living on an increasingly flammable planet. While wildfire scars many landscapes irrevocably, it also acts like a reset for certain ecosystems. Ash can make soil more nutrient rich, while some grasslandsarerejuvenatedbyseasonalfiresthat flush out pests and parasites, bolstering biodiversity in the process.
Burnt forests aren’t necessarily lifeless either with some relying on the natural cycle of fire and regrowth. ‘Many regions in North America depend on fire to maintain healthy forests,’ Andrew Stillman, ecologist at NYC’s Cornell Lab of Ornithology, tells The Ethicalist. ‘The plants and animals in these areas are adapted to fire, meaning that they can thrive in the new habitats which are created by forest fire.’
Some species don’t just flee the flames, they depend on it to eat, breed and elude predators.
Fire evasion comes in many shapes and forms, both in the animal and plant kingdom. Some flora use fire activation to germinate and disperse their seeds. Native to Australia, the bottlebrush shrub harnesses the heat of forest flames to break the dormancy of their seeds. For other species – such as South Africa’s flowering Leucadendron linifolium –smoke is the stimulus. In this region’s historically wildfire-vulnerable and water-scarce Cape Floral Kingdom, endemic Fynbos plants have evolved fire adaptations over the course of three million years When it comes to trees, some have become experts in fire resistance. New Mexico’s Ponderosa pines, for example, armour themselves with an ultra-thick bark to fend off fires. Australia’s oil-rich Eucalyptus trees, meanwhile, possess invisible buds beneath their bark, which sprout new shoots when triggered by stress, like extreme heat.
Ten thousand miles away in northcentral and northeastern America, pinetreessuchasLodgepoleandJack protect their seeds inside cones that are glued shut with a resin that only
melts when it gets hot enough, releasing the seeds.
It’s not only plants that have forged a unique relationship with fire. Some animals don’t just tolerate it, they seek it out. Take the thumbnail-sized black fire beetle, for example. Whether in Poland’s primeval forests or the foothills of California’s Sierra Nevada, the pyrophilous (fire-loving) insect is able to locate forest fires blazing dozens of miles away using infrared radiation receptors. It then lays its eggs in the blackened bark of smouldering nutrient-rich wood to give its offspring the best start in life.
In Sub-Saharan Africa, groundnesting Temminck’s coursers are masters of camouflage, laying ashblack eggs in the aftermath – burnt bushes and grass – of savannah fires. Also choosing to stay in the line of fire is Australia’s Macleay’s marsupial mouse, which escapes the wrath of wildfires by sending itself to sleep in a torpor or semi-hibernation state.
Reptiles have also found a way to be fire-resistant. Eastern fence lizards, which live mainly in the southeastern United States, use their speed tooutrunblazes.Apaperpublishedin Science Direct reports that some of Southern California’s Western Fence lizards have even learnt to detect the sound of fire.
Another reptilian burn specialist is the frilled lizard. A tree-hugging resident of Northern Australia’s Kakadu National Park, they evacuate to higher ground to escape the brunt of bushfires, often sheltering in hollow termite mounds. Sadly, this survival strategy is slowly but surely being sabotaged by a flammable
invasive gamba grass that’s sending the flames higher into the tree canopy where the lizards hideout.
‘Even though the world has never been a stagnant place, animals are facing more dramatic and faster changes than they ever had before,’ Pennsylvania State University’s interim executive vice president and provost Tracy Langkilde said. There’s no denying that humans and wildlife are living in increasingly fire-prone conditions because of climate change.
The Brazilian Pantanal’s out-ofcontrol 2020 fires annihilated a staggering17millionwildvertebrates. Meanwhile, Canada’s terrifying record-breaking 2023 fires released
The black re beetle is able to locate forest
res blazing dozens of miles away using infrared radiation receptors. It lays its eggs in the blackened bark of stillsmouldering nutrient-rich wood to give its o spring the best start in life
290 megatons of carbon emissions into the atmosphere when a Tunisiasized swathe of boreal forest burned. In the same year, Europe experienced its largest single fire in 50 years in North-east Greece, ignited by dry soil, low humidity and high winds.
Meanwhile, Australia’s 2019 summer of bushfires was a wildlife catastrophe, leaving charred landscapes devoid of life and smokechoked skies for weeks on end. The country’s seven-month-long drought and wind-fuelled ‘Black Summer’ –lasting from September 2019 to February 2020 – displaced and killed an estimated three billion animals. including 2.46 billion reptiles, 180 million birds, 143 million mammals and 51 million frogs. By torching an area the size of Great Britain, it also uprooted tens of thousands of people. And although bushfires have long been a natural seasonal phenomenon Down Under, the climate crisis has intensified and elongated them. The ignored practice of indigenouscontrolled cultural burning is also contributing to the uptick in mega fires by causing natural fuel (where scrub vegetation and trees drop leaves and twigs) to build up on the ground. This preheats and ignites, causing out-of-control wildfires.
Regarded as the worst climatic disaster in Australia’s history, its Black Summer decimated so many
plants that a bushfire recovery seed bank had to be created. As for animals, the country’s national icon – the cuddly koala – was hit hardest. Southern Australia’s Kangaroo Island lost 75 per cent of their colony, pushing the marsupial dangerously close to local extinction.
A surprising survivor of Australia’s darkest summer was a tiny frog. ‘Since tree frogs would be bound to moist refuges up in the canopy, we
expected that these refuges and the frogs would be incinerated during fires which completely consume the canopy,’ Dr Chad Beranek tells The Ethicalist. A Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Science at Australia’s University of Newcastle, Beranek was the lead researcher in a study investigating the impact of the 2019 bushfires on 35 threatened frog species in northeast and southeast New South Wales (NSW).
The study found that rainforest amphibians are particularly vulnerable to fire impacts, but tree frogs were the anomaly, having held out in completely burnt areas. ‘This probablyhighlightstheabilityoflarge trees [and their deep hollows] to insulate animals such as frogs from severe fires, but more research is needed to confirm this idea,’ he says.
Sadly, not all frogs fared so well. Feelingthefullforceoftheflameswas the Pugh’s Mountain Frog. ‘This is concerning because it is a Gondwana Rainforest[aWorldHeritage-listed
ecosystem] relict that has evolved in Australia as long as the platypus, and hastraitsthatmakeitasuniqueasthe platypus in the frog world,’ Beranek says. ‘Species in the Philoria genus are long-lived and don’t reach sexual maturity until two to three years, making them particularly vulnerable to decline if there’s disturbance.’
Surviving a wildfire is one thing, but depending on it to survive is what distinguishes the black-backed woodpecker from its Northern Californian avian cousins. ‘They eat juicy beetle larvae that live inside of dead wood, so a forest of dead trees is like a plaza of fast-food restaurants for a black-backed woodpecker,’ Andrew Stillman reveals. Not only do they provide access to food, but
Tree
suitable nest sites too, explains Stillman, who’s spent years tracking the movements of adult and fledgling black-backed woodpeckers with the help of featherweight radio transmitters. ‘These transmitters give us a secret window into the birds’ movements,’hesays,adding,‘areasof the forest burned at high severity –where all the trees are dead – provide a feast for black-backed woodpeckers. But parts of the forest burned at low severity, with live trees remaining, act like a nursery to protect the young. So, a black-backed woodpecker looking for a great place to build your home, should put it between the two!
‘These lovers of pyrodiversity –which refers to the variance in size, severity and age of burned patches –also blend in much better against oldgrowth charred trees thanks to their
Eastern fence lizards, which live mainly in the south-eastern United States, use their speed to outrun blazes. A study reports that some of Southern California’s Western Fence lizards have even learnt to detect the sound of re
black-grey colouring. In the spring, the woods, in California’s montane conifer forests, ring with the drumming sounds of woodpeckers excavating nest cavities in the dead trees,’ Stillman says. Black-backed woodpeckers aren’t the only species to benefit from blazes. Stillman goes on to explain that ‘the nest cavities created by woodpeckers become important nesting locations for birds like wrens, bluebirds and swallows in subsequent years.’
An online tool developed by Stillman and his team has made these woodpeckers a flagship species for post-fire recovery. ‘Often there isn’t time (or the resources) to conduct years of wildlife surveys before beginning to implement a forest management plan in a recently burned area,’ he says. Developed alongside the US Forest Service, the tool ‘offers a way to predict blackbacked woodpecker densities at fine spatial resolution within months of the fire burning,’ he explains. ‘By helping forest managers understand the most important areas for blackbacked woodpeckers, it will make it easier to safeguard these areas for wildlife,’ Stillman adds.
Fire can be an agent for change –both good and bad. Like most things in nature, it’s about striking a delicate balance. Only time will tell if Earth’s specially-adapted species and their well-honed survival strategies can keep pace with the increasing frequency and intensity at which the world’s wildfires are burning.
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A UAE-based team braved treacherous Arctic waters in a record-breaking rowing expedition to raise awareness about climate change and plastic pollution in one of the planet’s most fragile and rapidly-changing ecosystems
BY ANTHEA AYACHE
Under the biting chill of the Arctic sky, the roar of a helicopter’s blades could be heard above the howling wind. Far below, in a small ocean rowing boat being tossed relentlessly by gales and rapid currents in the sea between Norway and the North Pole, Toby Gregory and his two team members, Orlagh Dempsey and Andy Savill, battled exhaustion and the elements. The emergency crew’s voice crackled through the radio: ‘Do you need help?’
The UAE based trio were halfway through a 1,000km expedition to cross the Arctic from the Arctic Circle city of Tromsø in Norway to Longyearbyen, Svalbard - a place so cold, individuals are legally required to carry a source of heat, and so barren there are more polar bears than people. On their ocean rowing boat, Ocean Guardian,
equipped with no engine, motor, or sail, the crew were navigating the journey with only oars to raise awareness of plastic pollution and climate change in one of the planet’s most fragile ecosystems.
Their auto-tiller – a device meant to automatically steer the boat – had broken days earlier in the midst of a raging storm, leaving them to navigate by hand as near gale force winds threw their boat in different directions. Their bodies, strained from hours of non-stop rowing, ached for warmth, for rest, for anything other than the relentless cold and endless ocean.
The temptation to say yes, to grasp at comfort after days of treacherous waters, was almost overpowering.
‘You can’t feel your hands. You can’t feel your toes. Everything but your eyes are buried under layers of clothing to shield against the freezing Arctic temperatures,’ Dubai-based Toby tells The Ethicalist. ‘The first thing you want to do is say yes. You just want a warm bath and a cuddle. You feel like you’re dying.’
But the team knew what had to be done. One by one, each member made their decision: No. They would push forward – after all, they hadn’t asked for help. The authorities, knowing where they were, and just how dangerous the situation was, had diverted a rescue helicopter from another non-critical mission to check on them. Now as it drifted away, the reality of their situation sank in. Rowing through one of the harshest environments on Earth, they were alone once more.
The Arctic Challenge, a recordbreaking expedition in collaboration with the UN Environment Programme’s Clean Seas initiative, was intended not only to push the limits of polar exploration – and the resilience of Toby, 46, Orlagh, 31 and 39-year-old Andy – but also to bring urgentattentiontotheenvironmental crisis in the region.
Arctic sea ice is shrinking rapidly. Since satellite records began in 1979, the area covered by sea ice in the summer has decreased by about 40 per cent meaning Arctic species such as polar bears and walruses are losing their habitats. Polar bear populations
could decline by 30 per cent by 2050 due to sea ice loss.
In the face of such stark facts, the team – all three ofwho are endurance athletes and ocean experts - found the courage to continue the journey, battling the elements. Along the way, they picked up two Guinness World Records, including becoming the first three-person team and youngest team to row across the open Arctic waters, but their mission went far beyond record-breaking feats.
Rowing from mainland Norway towards the Arctic ice shelf, the trio were able to collect uncontaminated data from the ocean for scientists on the ground. ‘What fascinated the oceanographers and other marine scientists is that we had no engine,’
Toby says. ‘When I lowered our data devices two or three meters into the water, we collected samples free from boat-induced pollution.’
This above water and below water, engine and pollutant-free approach led to some of the most unique data ever gathered over such a large section of the Arctic’s fragile waters.
‘We wanted to connect with the scientific community and focus attention on what’s happening in the Arctic,’ Toby explains. ‘We’re not scientists but we can draw attention to this part of the world and use that attention for good.’
Toby’s drive to carry out this challenge came after successfully completing an Atlantic row back in 2022 to raise awareness of ocean
Arctic sea ice is shrinking rapidly. Since satellite records began in 1979 the area covered by sea ice in the summer has decreased by 40 per cent meaning polar bears and walruses are losing their habitats
plastic pollution. ‘I felt compelled to do more,’ he says. ‘They say climate change is happening three to four times faster in the Arctic, but realistically, it’s closer to six or seven times faster.’
The reality of global warming was felt in the first half of their 16-day journey when they experienced one of the hottest summers on record with temperatures of up to 25
degrees. ‘We had to wear factor 50 sunscreen at the start,’ Toby admits. ‘That was shocking to me.’
Toby and the rest of the team had carefully planned to row under the Midnight Sun, taking advantage of 24 hours of daylight to improve visibility and reduce the risk of errors on the journey. Their boat, roughly the size
of a car, was meticulously crafted for the rigours of transoceanic travel but as Toby says: ‘If you fall in those freezing waters, you have 90 seconds to get out, or you’re in big trouble.’
Initially, the team enjoyed some of the best weather possible for ocean rowing: mild winds, and clear skies, even as they rowed past the notorious ‘Devil’s Dance Floor’ - a particularly rough stretch of sea located off the northern coasts of Norway and Russia. ‘Once we passed the Devil’s Dance Floor, we thought we had done the hard yards,’ Toby explains. ‘That’s the point where you feel like you’re almost in the clear.’
But their sense of relief was shortlived. A relentless gale quickly turned calm waters into surging swells. ‘The storm just rattled in, and at the same time, we had these most tremendous currents,’ Toby recalls. ‘I’ve never seen anything like it in my life. This was like a raging rapid in the middle of the sea.’
The waters had turned into a scene out of a nightmare, with churning waters smashing the boat along as if they were navigating white water, and not the open ocean. ‘You can’t
row against it. It’s indescribable,’ Toby says. And it wasn’t just because they were in the midst of it that the danger was palpable. One of their weather routers contacted them with a sobering message: ‘They said, “the challenge is now impossible to complete, you’re not going to make it,”’ Toby remembers. ‘It was hard to hear. We had just sent the emergency helicopter away, and there we were, with rapids and gales and giant waves, pressing on.’
Despite the chaos around them, Toby, Orlagh and Andy were wellprepared for the journey. Their boat, an ocean rowing vessel built specifically for such conditions, was their lifeline. ‘We were incredibly well drilled and well trained,’ Toby emphasises. ‘but these were probably some of the worst conditions I’ve ever experienced in my life. The water up there is some of the most violent in the world.’
As the conditions worsened, maintaining their focus and stamina became increasingly difficult. With two crew members required to be on deck at all times, one of them steering, and the other rowing, the remaining team member barely had time to rest.
‘You’re being tossed about the place like a rag doll,’ Toby describes. ‘It’s the washing machine effect in the cabin and you’ve got 20 minutes at best to get back out there.’
Despite the obstacles, the team was committed to the challenge and continued to lower equipment into the water to get samples. ‘We were putting the various devices into the water, but it was really tough because you’re being thrown around the boat while you’re trying to conduct science experiments. When you’re at the top of the wave one second and down at the bottom the next, you’re asking yourself just how accurate can the readings be?’ Toby recalls.
During their Arctic expedition, Toby and the team were confronted with the harsh reality of nature but also plastic pollution – from fishing nets to discarded plastic and more - even in one of the most remote places on the planet.
‘As you witness plastic drifting past, sometimes unreachable, it’s
incredibly disheartening,’ he says. ‘You document, record, and share that data with the authorities, but the hardest part is leaving it there.’
While their tiny vessel was not equipped to collect all the debris they came across, one piece they did take out of the ocean was a ‘ghost net’ –discarded fishing nets that drift in the water entangling all forms of marine life. ‘We had to turn the boat around and keep our eyes on it. The waves were going up and down and for half an hour we chased around to get that one net.’ Toby now takes the net to schools around the UAE and Saudi Arabia as he spreads awareness of marine pollution amongst students both in the Middle East and globally.
‘On days when you encounter whales in the Arctic, you can’t help but wonder how they are affected by the pollution. They may feed on plankton, but when they open their mouths, they ingest more than just that. It’s heartbreaking. Yet, it fuels an even greater fire within me to be a catalyst for change. You can’t see that and forget it,’ Toby says
day, which they called ‘Whale Day,’ was particularly memorable. ‘We probably saw about 50 or 60 whales. It was unreal,’ Toby says. ‘They were everywhere, to the left and right, blowing air holes. We even had a blue whale within five metres of us. It was totally magical.’
The diversity of life in the Arctic waters they witnessed ranged from zooplankton to dolphins, walruses and beluga whales, the latter moving in large pods.‘Even on my final day in the Arctic, leaving with an extremely heavy heart, I saw around 60 beluga whales drifting along by the water’s edge. It was unforgettable.’
Reflecting on the once in a lifetime encounters, Toby emphasised the role we all play in protecting this marine environment. ‘The wildlife up there has to be protected. Everyone thinks there’s somebody else up there who’s going to do it, but it’s all our responsibility. The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that somebody else will save it. It’s our pollution, our plasticbottles,ourplasticbags;it’sall of us, and we need to take action.’
‘Shortly after we set o we were joined by a Minke whale. They are notoriously shy but because we were in a rowing boat with no noise, motor and no engine, it was curious. It came so close to us that we could smell its breath as it breathed out’
Despite the challenges, the team were awestruck by the biodiversity present along the way.
‘Shortly after we set off, we were joined by a Minke whale,’ says Toby. ‘They are notoriously shy but because we were in a rowing boat with no noise, no motor, no engine, I think it was curious. It came so close that we could smell its breath as it breathed out, literally right next to the boat. And it wasn’t just a fleeting glance; this minke whale stayed with us for half an hour. It really set the tone for the whole expedition.’
The team’s experiences with marine life didn’t stop there. One
After the gruelling journey, to highlight our impact on the planet and advance scientific understanding of the Arctic, one of Earth’s most remote, harsh, precious and yet vulnerable ecosystems, Toby reflects on the true purpose behind their mission. ‘It’s not about us being heroes for rowing an ocean. It’s about what we sought to achieve,’ he says. ‘You never forget that.’
Throughout the expedition, their nerves had been high, but the team was united with that shared sense of purpose. ‘It was about checking in on one another, showing up, and getting
things done,’ Toby says. He had made it a point to ensure that his Arctic row team included Orlagh Dempsey, a woman who defies the traditional perceptions of what men and women can do. ‘I’m not a fan of the term ‘gender equality,’ but there’s a perception out there that boys can do one thing and girls another, and that’s just wrong,’ Toby explains. Orlagh, a passionate and determined individual, was always part of his plan. ‘She flies in the face of everything I’m hearing all the time. I knew from the beginning Orla was going to be on my boat.’
‘Greatness knows no gender,’ he adds. ‘We were a team, and either we were going to succeed or fail as that team. But everyone just smashed it out of the park.’
Beyond the physical challenges and the proximity to danger, Toby’s team emerged with a shared sense of triumph. ‘It was probably the closest I’ve come to death, but we made it,’ he admits. ‘But the only reason we made it is because everyone kept picking up the mantle and moving forward. And so, as a boat, we kept moving forward, and as a project we kept progressing. We don’t judge, we look forward. That is our message –
it’s one of positivity because what’s happened has happened. The only thing that we can change is what comes next.’
Toby is now channelling the expedition’s insights into education, and sharing their findings with UAE universities including Middlesex University Dubai, University Of Khorfakkan and Zayed University.
He also hopes to use the journey to inspire the next generation. Since his 2022 expedition, Toby has, through The Plastic Pledge, engaged with more than 200,000 students across 60 schools and universities in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, extending their message to a global audience. With a goal of inspiring one million students around the world, the project aims to connect young minds to the urgent need for environmental action and conservation.
‘Our mission goes far beyond endurance,’ Toby explains. ‘This is a pioneering effort to help ignite a generation’s imagination - inspiring them to push boundaries and dare to dream. To champion gender equality and advance scientific understanding in the Arctic, one of Earth’s most remote, harsh, precious and yet vulnerable ecosystems.
Greta Thunberg single-handedly put the climate crisis on the world’s agenda at the age of 15 but the pressure on the younger generation to save the planet is creating a global mental health crisis
BY HOLLY CATLING
What’s the point in me studying anything? Why should I be thinking about going to university when I don’t know that I’ll be able to get a job, or live in a world where there are jobs anymore?’
When Dubai-based mother Tatiana Antonelli Abella’smiddlesonsaidthattoherattheageof11, she knew she had to take it seriously.
As the founder of Goumbook – a social enterprise dedicated to sustainability and green living in the UAE and beyond – Tatiana has spent years spurring people into action against climate change and warning about the seriousness of the consequences if we don’t. And, as a mother of three boys (ranging from primary school age to teenagers), sustainability permeated every aspect of her parenting, from weekly family beach cleanups,eschewingsingle-useplasticincludingstraws,andtheirparticipation in regular desert-tree-planting activities, among many other things.
But on hearing this sense of doom and gloom from her middle son –the ‘sensitive one’, who was perhaps more affected by her rallying cries thanherotherchildren–Tatianarealisedthatherawareness-raisinghad, perhaps, gone too far.
‘To begin with it was just silence and sad faces and not wanting to come to the tree plantings or listen about climate change and sustainability anymore,’ she says. ‘It seemed my kids had just had enough of worrying about the state of the planet. I didn’t understand at first and I thought they were just bored. But when my middle son, the one who tends to be more open emotionally, explained to me how depressing they found the whole topic of global warming and its negative impact, how it made them sad and feel as if they couldn’t do anything about it, I realised I needed
to change the way I was talking about it and what I was allowing them to be exposed to.’
There’s a name for this sense of hopelessness Tatiana describes in her children, and it’s a swiftly rising phenomenon that’s worrying parents and psychologists.
‘Eco-anxiety’ is a serious condition gripping young people all over the world, leaving them panicky, terrified and depressed about the climate crisis and the future of planet Earth.
New research by medical journal The Lancet suggests that our efforts to raise kids’ awareness about sustainability have been so effective that they’ve led to a chronic fear of environmental doom that is negatively impacting their ability to live their lives normally.
A 2021 survey of 10,000 children and young people aged 16 – 25 years in ten countries found that nearly half –45 per cent – felt their worries about climate change negatively affected their daily lives. A staggering 75 per cent said that they thought the future is frightening and 83 per cent said that they think older generations have failed to take care of the planet.
Inspired and spurred on by climate-change-activism poster girl Greta Thunberg – who first hit headlines in 2018 at the age of 15 when she protested with a sign saying ‘School Strike for Climate Change’ outside the Swedish parliament, prompting more than one million protestors across the world to strike in solidarity – many young people are under pressure to act, but feel they are powerless to do so.
As a result, they’re overwhelmed by guilt, fear and ultimately depression –or apathy, caused by the belief that it’s too late to make a difference. The indifference of older generations and the inaction from governments also creates a strong sense of betrayal and abandonment. Add to this constant news coverage of the climate crisis –including the 2023 United Nations report suggesting countries’ current emissions pledges would still put the world on track to warm by an almost catastrophic 3 Degrees Celcius this century (meaning the melting of ice sheets to the Amazon rainforest drying out) – and it is little wonder
‘ECO-ANXIETY’ IS A SERIOUS NEW CONDITION GRIPPING YOUNG PEOPLE ALL OVER THE WORLD, LEAVING THEM PANICKY,TERRIFIED AND DEPRESSED ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE FUTURE OF PLANET EARTH’
then that children and teens have increasing eco-anxiety.
First described by the American Psychiatric Association in 2017, recognition of eco-anxiety and its complex psychological responses is increasing, as is its disproportionate impact on young people. According to the Climate Psychology Alliance, ecoanxiety is defined as the ‘heightened emotional, mental or somatic distress in response to dangerous changes in the climate system.’
Professor Mala Rao and Richard Powell, members of the Department of Primary Care and Public Health at Imperial College London, UK, say the true burden of eco-anxiety has yet to be estimated, but it is likely to be significant and potentially damaging to individuals and society.
‘Evidence points to a clear relation between experiencing climate change effects [such as floods, droughts and climate-change impacts on physical health, including heat-related stress, asthma, allergies and vector-borne illness] and the increased risks of depression, extreme mental distress, post-traumatic stress disorder, and further deterioration in those with a history of mental illness,’ they say.
In fact, eco-anxiety is set to become one of the leading causes of mental health problems. Recent studies have shown that those impacted by air
Eco-anxiety can even lead to post-traumatic stress disorder
pollution and rising temperatures are far more likely to experience psychological distress.
A young person’s problem?
‘Eco-anxiety is not a clinical diagnosis but refers to anxiety, sometimes acute, related to fears about the environment and climate change,’ explains Dr Rose Logan, clinical psychologist at The Lighthouse Centre for Wellbeing in Dubai.
While we can all identify with the fear of climate change to some extent, it’s Generation Z and their future offspring who are really staring down the barrel of the climate change gun.
‘Young people tend to be aware of the potential outcomes and consequences of climate change and environmental issues and fear what that means for them and their futures,’ she says. ‘In essence, all anxiety is the same. What differentiates eco-anxiety from other types of anxiety is the focus of the individual’s thoughts, feelings and behaviours on topics relating to climate and environmental issues –something that can be hard to avoid when it’s all over the news, in the media and often what everyone is talking about. ‘
Dr Logan says she has come across several cases of eco-anxiety in her own practice in Dubai – usually in younger teenagers. ‘They may present with a passion for the environment
and nature which is healthy and well informed. It then becomes apparent that there is a fear driving their interest and causing them anxiety.’
The Eco-Anxiety Icon
Perhaps the most famous victim of eco-anxietyisGretaThunberg.Before embarking on her school-strike activism, she says she fell into the dark hole of depression. ‘I stopped talking and I stopped eating. In two months I lost about 10 kg of weight.’
Greta’s parents helped her through it by researching climate change with her, making changes in their own lives (no longer flying and becoming vegan), and ultimately allowing her to become the public-eye campaigner that she was set on being, despite their reservations.
She spoke for an entire generation – and all sufferers of eco-anxiety –when she said at the age of 16: ‘Adults keep saying we owe it to the young people to give them hope. But I don’t wantyourhope,Idon’twantyoutobe hopeful. I want you to panic, I want you to feel the fear I feel every day.’
While her father Svante Thunberg says Greta, now 21, has become ‘very happy’ as a result of her activism, not every eco-anxiety sufferer is able to dedicate their lives to the climatechange cause in the same way.
Selima Saïd, 22, who was born in the UK, says that she remembers dealing with difficult emotions prompted by climate change at an early age. ‘We had a teacher come in to talk about landfills filling up with wasted food and thrown away clothes and the ice caps melting and polar
bears losing their homes. It was a moment I will never forget.’
After that day, Selima experienced panic attacks whenever she witnessed any extreme weather like flooding or high temperatures. ‘I really started to worry about it and every time I even heard the phrase global warming, the anxiety would grip me,’ she says.
Today Selima still suffers from ecoanxiety but compares it more to stress although she does still feel helpless. ‘I do my bit,always using reusable cups, straws and bags, and I’ve been vegan for years but it seems so insignificant compared to all the carbon emissions being pumped into the atmosphere on a global scale.’
Eco-awareness
All of this brings us to tricky situation. Given the seriousness of the climate crisis, many parents and educators feel they have a responsibility to teach children about the topic. But how can we do this without causing undue worry that could turn into harmful anxiety? ‘We should absolutely not
HOW TO SPOT THE SIGNS OF ECO-ANXIETY?
• Disrupted sleep.
• Changes to behaviour.
• Somatic (physical) symptoms such as stomach ache and headaches.
• A preoccupation with subjects relating to the environment.
• Excessive fear about the future of the planet and issues such as the accessibility of adequate food and water.
shy away from teaching and sharing information about the environment,’ Dr Rose Logan explains. ‘Providing this in an age-appropriate manner is the primary consideration.
‘It is important to also show where there are successes so that children and young people feel they can affect change around the issue. Otherwise, it is easy for them to feel powerless in these situations, which may increase their anxiety.’
Focusing on the constructive side of the conversation is what Tatiana decided to do with her own children.
‘I realised they’d been hearing too much about the climate crisis from me at home. I needed to show the good news, that there are amazing technologies and people investing millions in solutions.’
Tatiana’s efforts have paid off and her son’s eco-anxiety has reduced to more moderate, manageable levels. ‘Now they are glad when they see the whole world waking up to the cause, and bigger campaigns starting. They realise the bigger purpose,’ she says Even experts say the way to channel eco-anxiety is to tackle the climate crisis head on. Caroline Hickman, a researcher on eco-anxiety from the UK’s University of Bath,says that the worry, grief, despair, and despondency associated with ecoanxiety should not be pathologized as the cause of it is external. She says anyone experiencing these emotions is simply displaying entirely natural reactions to the climate crisis.
She says we need to put increased pressure on governments to develop policies to save the planet and take responsibility for the mental health crisis affecting our children and future generations. And the best way to tackle it is with action.
HOW TO HELP AN ECO-ANXIOUS CHILD
• Create an open conversation about their fears. Allow them to share their thoughts and ask questions.
• Help them to find reliable and ageappropriate resources to consult and interact with such as websites or organisations promoting environmental awareness and action.
• If you are still concerned about your child or their anxiety is impacting their functioning, seek professional help from a psychologist or counsellor.
The world is obsessed with being happy, but is the pursuit of happiness making us miserable?
BY NICK HARDING
hink happiness is priceless? Think again. According to global management consultancy McKinsey happiness is worth a whopping $1.5 5.5 trillion) to the planet. That’s the price placed on what bean counters at the company class as the ‘wellness market’ which comprises consumer spending on health, nutrition, appearance, sleep and mindfulness.
The market is continuing to grow by five to 10 per cent annually, presumably because people are still searching for happiness, which continues to be a global obsession.
Happiness consultants advise businesses how to create happy workplaces, happiness coaches teach people how to be happy, universities teach happiness studies, and shelves in bookstores around the world groan undertheweightofself-helphappinessbooks, which are often penned by celebrities such as American actress and personality Oprah Winfrey or British mentalist and illusionist
Meanwhile, governments measure how happy their populations are. In Bhutan, their Gross National Happiness (GNH) index takes precedenceoverGDP.Theconcept,createdby the 4th King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, in 1972, implies that sustainable development should take a holistic approach towards notions of progress and give equal importance to non-economic aspects of wellbeing. The practise of mindfulness, compassion and gratitude is deeply ingrained in the Bhutanese culture.
In 2011, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 65/309 urging member states to follow the example of Bhutan and measure happiness and recognise ‘the importance of the pursuit of happiness and wellbeing in development with a view to guiding their public policies’ as it is a ‘fundamental human goal’.
In 2016 the UAE launched the National Programme for Happiness and Wellbeing, along with a National Charter for Happiness, where businesses are encouraged to employ CEOsofhappinessandwellbeingtoenhancea positive culture and mindset.‘The CEO will coordinate with the Ministry of Community Development to implement initiatives of the National Programme of Happiness and wellbeing in government entities,’ explains the government website.
No one is immune. ’Fess up. I bet you’ve got a magnet on your fridge with a happiness
But is this search for happiness making us
unhappy? A growing number of experts now believe that this fixation with happiness has gone too far, creating a lot of ‘toxic positivity’ and suppressing negative emotions which humans need to feel. This can cause psychological damage and reduce important traits such as resilience and coping skills. Indeed, some academics believe that the true secret to happiness is not the search for it, but rather the ability to cope with unhappiness. In this school of thought happiness doesn’t come from material things or pleasure, it comes from traits such as confidence stoicism, and self-reliance.
As Sir Anthony Seldon, author of Beyond Happiness, and the ViceChancellor of The University of Buckingham, the UK’s first University of Positive Psychology, explains: ‘There is a massive divide between those who concentrate on research and evidence-based psychological interventions to formulate theories, and those who just want to live in La La Land.
‘There are two camps – one is commercial and over-dominate. Unfortunately, people criticise that and denigrate the serious side by association. There are snake oil salesmen out there making a lot of moneyfromhappinesswhilethegood guys – the researchers and academics –aresimplytoilingawaytohelpbuild human capacity.’
It was those hard-working good guys that uncovered the disconnect –or what some experts call the lie –behind affirmation mantras back in 2009 in a Canadian study that found those with low self-esteem actually felt worse after repeating positive statements about themselves.
The idea of finding happiness in unhappiness may seem counterintuitive, but businesses, public sector bodies and schools have been looking for ways to help their people cope with challenge and change constructively, by developing grit and resilience, rather than chasing an idealised fanciful form of happiness.
Stephanie Davies is the founder and CEO of Laughology, (laughology. co.uk) a learning and development consultancy which has pioneered happiness projects for 20 years, and works with global corporations as well as government departments. She
‘The reality of life is that there will be di culties and challenges. There are peaks of happiness and troughs of sadness and to focus on one while ignoring the other inevitably leads to an imbalance in which people struggle to cope in adversity’
says: ‘Of all the emotional states, happiness is, arguably, the most sought-after and also usually the most misunderstood. People are taking happiness seriously as a policy, but the problem with some of the ideas championed in the happiness conversation is that the focus falls on happiness per se and the pursuit thereof, and not as part of a balance between happiness and myriad other emotions that are not usually associated with happiness.
‘The reality of life is that there will be difÏculties and challenges. There are peaks of happiness and troughs of sadness and to focus on one while ignoring the other inevitably leads to an imbalance in which people struggle to cope in adversity.’
A 2022 international study looked at the effect a societal pressure to be happy has on populations and concluded that it can be detrimental
In Bhutan, happiness is more important than GDP
to psychological wellbeing when peopleinthosepopulationsinevitably experience negative emotions. This was particularly the case in countries with high national happiness levels as measured by the World Happiness Index. Researchers surmised that in these countries, an unwillingness to accept negative emotions meant that when people felt them, they assumed there was something wrong.
This reaction, in part, explains the creeping pathologization of normal emotions and states of being, such as anxiety, stress, or sadness, which are now often believed to be mental health problems when, in truth, they are simply normal human emotions and reactions.
So, what can we do to make us happy that does not focus on unrealistic quick fixes and pseudo-science? The
‘It’s like going to the gym. We can’t expect to do one class and be t forever. Just as with physical health, we have to continuously work on our mental health, otherwise the improvements are temporary,’ Professor Bruce Hood, Science of Happiness lecturer, Bristol University
Harvard Study of Adult Development is the longest study into happiness, having been started in 1938. It has beeninvestigatingwhatmakespeople flourish – and lead a happy and meaningful life – by following an initial cohort of 724 boys from disadvantaged and troubled families
and incorporating their descendants who are periodically interviewed. The study has a simple conclusion: good relationships lead to health and happiness. The trick is that those relationships must be nurtured. The University of Bristol, in the UK, goes even further. It runs a Science of
Happiness course, where academics have studied the long-term happiness of students, who reported a 10 to 15 per cent improvement in wellbeing. The academics conclude that wellbeing boosts are short-lived unless evidence-informed habits such as gratitude, exercise, meditation and daily journaling are kept up over the long term.
Senior author, Professor Bruce Hood, says: ‘It’s like going to the gym. We can’t expect to do one class and be fit forever. Just as with physical health, we have to continuously work on our mental health, otherwise the improvements are temporary.’
Launched in 2018, the Bristol course was the first of its kind in Britain. There are no exams or coursework but it teaches students what the latest peer-reviewed studies in psychology and neuroscience say really makes us happy.
The recent review questioned former students and found that only those who continued implementing the course learnings maintained improved wellbeing when they were surveyed two years later.
Professor Hood continues: ‘This study shows that just doing a course, be that at a meditation retreat, the gym, or on an evidence-based happiness course like ours, is just the start – you must commit to using what you learn on a regular basis.’
He says that evidence suggests that in order tobe happy,you should focus on others, rather than on yourself.
‘What we teach revolves around positive psychology interventions that divert your attention away from yourself, by helping others, being with friends, expressing gratitude or meditating,’ he explains. ‘This is the opposite of the current ‘selfcare’ doctrine, but countless studies have shown that getting out of our own heads helps get us away from negative ruminations which can be the basis of so many mental health problems.’
Other proven routes to happiness, according to the university, include chatting to strangers, giving gifts, walking in nature frequently and showing kindness, which are all free, and definitely don’t require the use of a fridge magnet.
AS THE WORLD WARMS AND ICE SHEETS MELT, LOW-LYING ISLANDS ARE AT RISK OF BEING SWALLOWED UP BY THE RISING WATER
BY CHARLOTTE WARD
In Kiribati, a group of idyllic 33 islands in the central Pacific Ocean between Hawaii and Australia, generational knowledge has been handed down for centuries. A love of water –which is everywhere you look and provides a place for children to play, for adults to fish and to grow crops – is part of the way of life here.
But while the I-Kiribati savour the traditions of the past in their picturesque atoll nation – the only country in the world to be located on all four hemispheres – and continue to live on the land and marawa (the sea), they face an uncertain future. Sea levels are rising and islanders are losing their homes and crops to surging tides and unprecedented storms.
Worst of all, a changing climate is the cause, an unnatural disaster compounded by the actions –and carbon emissions – of bigger and wealthier nations far across the ocean. Responsible for
just 0.6% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, Kirabati is taking the brunt of what happens when our planet warms and melting ice sheets stream into the ocean causing sea levels to rise. In turn, water expands as it gets warmer, adding to the volume. With around 93 per cent of global warming absorbed by oceans, and global emissions up 1.1 per cent last year, there is no respite in sight.
According to the World Meteorological Organization a ‘triple whammy’ of accelerating sea level rise, ocean warming and acidification – a process that occurs when carbon dioxide (CO2) is absorbed by the ocean, causing the ocean’s pH to decrease, weakening coral reefs and making it harder for shellfish like clams and oysters to build and maintain their shells – is hitting Pacific Islands, threatening their survival. Sea surface temperatures in the region have risen three times faster than the global average since 1980 and marine heat waves happen twice as frequently.
Paradise Lost
Famous previously for being the first place on Earth to welcome each new day, thanks to its unique location, now Kiribati faces a distinctly more tragic destiny: to become the first country to be swallowed up as a result of climate change. Speaking at the Pacific Islands Forum in Tonga recently, United Nations Secretary-
FAMOUS FOR BEING THE FIRST PLACE ON EARTH TO WELCOME EACH NEW DAY THANKS TO ITS UNIQUE LOCATION, KIRIBATI FACES BEING SWALLOWED UP AS A RESULT OF CLIMATE CHANGE
General António Guterres warned: ‘Global average sea levels are rising at an unprecedented rate. The ocean is overflowing.’
In Kiribati, the islands are just a few metres above sea level and increasingly under attack from rising water. In a story familiar for many low-lying, low-carbonemitting islands, Kiribati’s future is teetering at the shore, in danger of being washed away along with the homes, trees and crops that have already succumbed to the ocean.
But the reality is this problem isn’t confined to the Pacific. Kiribati could just be the first of many to vanish beneath the sea.
To put it in perspective, if the ice sheets covering Greenland melted completely, sea levels would rise around seven metres – and cities such as Los Angeles and London would disappear.
As the world now faces an unprecedented challenge due to rising sea levels and the climate crisis, The Ethicalist investigates the islands in danger of disappearing and exactly what they’re doing as they adapt in a bid to survive.
When Lulu DeBoer, a filmmaker of Kiribati descent, arrived on the island of her mother’s birth in 2016, she was soon grappling with a sense of loss for a place where so much of her identity originated. Observing the effects of climate change on Kiribati in her short film Love Note to an Island, Lulu documented the whiplash of storms and droughts all to the backdrop of rising tides.
‘There were sea walls overcome by the water and increasing storms. It is not what it used to be,’ she says In recent years, the Kiribati government has outlined plans for immediate and long-term adaptation and resilience. A nation where nothing goes to waste, the islands are now focused on ‘doing more with the same.’ This includes strengthening early warning systems, increasing renewable energy such as solar, protecting fisheries and educating residents about water resiliency.
Islanders are also turning to nature for solutions, planting thousands of mangroves which act as barriers to protect the coast from
storm surges and provide habitat and food for wildlife. Mangroves are also powerful carbon sinks sequestering carbon at ten times the rate of mature tropical forests.
While Kiribati has purchased land in Fiji as a potential resettlement area for its population, Lulu says the I-Kiribati express fortitude for the future and cling to their land, hopeful of a solution.
‘The West loves to frame Kiribati as the canary in the coal mine,’ she adds. ‘But the people say, “We are not leaving, we will stay here. We will figure out how to do so”.’
The World Bank has argued that
Australia and New Zealand should allow people displaced by climate change to move there – so far only New Zealand has responsed, allowing 75 people to migrate there per year.
‘What will it take for you to listen to us?’ Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, former PresidentoftheMaldives,askedworld leaders at COP26. ‘Our islands are slowly being inundated by the sea, one by one. If we do not reverse this trend, the Maldives will cease to exist by the end of this century.’
It wasn’t hyperbole. More than 80 per cent of the country’s 1,200 islands are less than one metre above sea level. The world renowned archipelago – islands of unrivaled beauty that attract honeymooners and tourists worldwide – is at real risk of becoming uninhabitable.
In a desperate bid to stave off the encroaching water, the country has been geo-engineering artificial islands elevated above sea level to house residents forced to relocate from the most vulnerable atolls.
Hulhumalé, dubbed the ‘City of Hope’, is a reclaimed island, created with millions of tons of sand, off the coast of Malé, Maldives’ capital city.
Two metres above sea level, the sustainable city utilises solar energy, and cuts back on air conditioning thanks to streets designed to optimise the cooling effect of the wind. An urban farming project generates local fare rather than a reliance on imported food.
The Maldives are cutting emissions in other ways, unveiling a commitment to generate 33 per cent of the islands’ electricity from renewable energy at COP28 held in the UAE.
Adapting to climate change and rising tides does not come cheap and priortothisyear’sclimatesummit,the Maldives and other small island states will push for debt relief and more investment from historic emitters.
‘Development is about climate adaptation,’AliNaseerMohamed,the Maldivian Ambassador to the United Nations, said. ‘We are forced to make a choice between whether to construct hospitals and schools in the islands or make revetments to protect the islands.’
The Sundarbans, a collection of lowlying islands, located at the mouth of the Ganges and Brahmaputra Rivers in eastern India and Bangladesh, form the world’s largest mangrove ecosystem. They are ecologically important, providing habitat for endangered species such as the Bengal tiger. They also create a storm barrier and carbon sinks thanks to the mangroves. But things are changing rapidly and life in the Sundarbans is getting harder.
Some islands have already disappeared, and distress migration is common. Men are forced to take up work elsewhere leaving women to shoulder the burden of dependents, debt and limited work opportunities. Increased salinity in the region is affecting biodiversity and the female workers, who stand for hours in saltwater collecting wild Tiger prawn seedlings are suffering the ill-effects.
Increasing salinity is a leading cause of reproductive health problems among women in the Sundarbans, including pelvic inflammation and urinary tract infections.
This increased salinity has also led to a severely degraded mangrove ecosystem, affecting biodiversity and causing a loss of forest reserves that sustain local communities.
Regardless, the women of the region are leading the charge of nature-based solutions, planting vetiver grass to prevent soil erosion along riverbanks.
Other adaptation efforts are underway, such as the cultivation of salinity-resistant paddy. There’s also a focus on disaster preparedness as the region steels itself for whatever lies ahead.
A collection of over 100 islands in the South Pacific, French Polynesia faces
significant threats as tides rise. Even slight increases in sea levels could flood large areas with devastating outcomes. Stronger storms, coastal erosion, and saltwater intrusion are all adding to the mix, challenging the region to explore innovative new ways to adapt.
In 2017, French Polynesia partnered with the Seasteading Institute to explore the possibility of building autonomous floating sustainable cities as land becomes inhabitable. But political will for the project waned and it was postponed indefinitely. Other adaptation efforts are underway including seawalls and coastal defenses, salt-resistant crops and freshwater management.
Back in Kiribati, NASA’s Sea Level Change Team has predicted the islands will experience an additional 6 to 11 inches of sea level rise by 2050. Whether that level continues to climb exponentially depends on the speed we curb greenhouse gas emissions and the future intensity of global warming.
‘Around one metre of future sea level rise is already locked in,’ UN Secretary-General Guterres concluded at the Pacific Islands Forum. ‘But its future scale, pace, and impact are not.’
From rescuing Free Willy’s Keiko to leading ocean conservation, Jean-Michel Cousteau shares his lifelong fight to protect the seas, one dive at a time. The Ethicalist’s founder Anthea Ayache meets him
romthemomentJean-MichelCousteau put on his first SCUBA gear as a sevenyear-old child, fitted by his father, Jacques Cousteau, the legendary oceanographer who pioneered underwater filmmaking and invented the diving costume, he was tied to the ocean.
Jean-Michel grew up immersed in ocean exploration and today he continues this legacy, leading Ocean
Futures Society, a conservation and education organisation, as well as inspiring the world to protect our planet’s precious marine life and ecosystems.
Among many of the oceanographic explorer’s achievements was the reintroduction to the wild of Keiko, the famous orca from the 1993 blockbuster movie Free Willy. JeanMichel played a key role in the complex mission of transporting Keiko from a marine park in Mexico back into the North Atlantic Ocean near Iceland, after years in captivity. Flying an orca across continents was no small feat, but for Jean-Michel, it was just part of his mission to save marine life.
Now 86, and with decades of conservation work behind him, Jean-Michel is about more than just saving individual animals though. His focus is on educating future generations to develop sustainable relationships with the ocean.
The Ethicalist caught up with him for an interview at the Ritz Carlton Maldives, Fari islands, where he runs a guest environmental programme, to discuss his journey, his father’s influence, and his vision for the future of our oceans.
The Ethicalist: Why did you start the incredible Ambassadors of the Environment Program here and what do you hope to achieve with it?
Jean-Michel Cousteau: All my life, I’ve had the privilege of connecting with people who love the ocean. I grew up along the coastline in the South of France, and I was in the water every day lifting rocks, and discovering sea life. Those experiences shaped my passion. I want to share that joy of discovery with young people today. We depend on the ocean, and I hope to help the next generation understand that, even if they live far from the coast. Every human is connected to the ocean in some way.
It’s crucial for young people to realise their actions matter because they’re the future decision makers. The world has changed since my childhood, but our dependence on the ocean remains. This programme gives young people the tools to make better decisions for the planet.
‘DOLPHINS,WHALES,AND SEA LIONS PLAY A CRITICAL ROLE IN OCEAN ECOSYSTEMS.THEY HELP REGULATE CO2 AND OXYGEN LEVELS IN THE OCEAN,WHICH CONTRIBUTES TO THE AIR WE BREATHE. BUT IN THE PAST,WE DIDN’T KNOW THIS,AND WE MADE TERRIBLE MISTAKES, HUNTING THEM,AND DEPLETING THEIR POPULATIONS’
What was it like growing up with such an iconic figure, Jaques Coustea, as your father?
My father was in the French Navy and was always fascinated by the ocean. He and his friends were some of the
first to develop SCUBA gear.I was just seven when he put a tank on my back and took me diving. My mother was the first woman to wear SCUBA gear, and we would dive as a family on weekends. Those early experiences
cemented my love for the ocean. Now, at 86, I still feel that same excitement every time I go underwater.
What are the biggest threats facing our oceans today?
There are many threats today but one of the most significant is the decline of marine mammals such as dolphins, whales, and sea lions. These creatures are warm-blooded like us, and they playacriticalroleinoceanecosystems. What we’re learning now is that these animals help regulate CO2 and oxygen levels in the ocean, which contributes to the air we breathe. But in the past, we didn’t know this, and we made terrible mistakes, hunting them, and depleting their populations. Some countries still do this for profit. Now we’re learning from nature, realising how interconnected everything is. We must protect these creatures to protect ourselves. The problem is that marine mammals are still under threat from industries that don’t understand or care about this delicate balance.
How did you became involved in the release of Keiko, the orca from Free Willy?
Jean-Michel runs an environment programme at the Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands
Keiko’s story was truly extraordinary. This was a whale who had spent most of his life in captivity, being trained to perform for movies, but behind the scenes, he was living in a small tank in Mexico City. The conditions were far from what an orca should experience. So, when the opportunity came to give him a second chance at life in the wild, we couldn’t not do it. It wasn’t easy though – it required coordination, patience, and faith.
The logistics were challenging from the very beginning. We moved him from Mexico City to a more suitable rehabilitation facility in Oregon, and there, he began the long process of learning to be a wild orca again. We had to teach him basic survival skills: how to hunt for fish, and how to interact with other orcas. They are highly social animals, and after being in captivity for so long, Keiko had to relearn how to function back in a natural environment.
The most remarkable part came when we transported him to Iceland, the waters where he was originally captured. The U.S. Air Force helped us with the transport, flying him in a specially designed container – it
was no small task to move an orca like that! Once in Iceland, he was kept in a sea pen in Klettsvik Bay where he was slowly introduced to the wild again.
I remember one Sunday morning, after years of rehabilitation, we saw Keikowithagroupofwildorcas.Then, he just swam away with them. It was such an emotional moment. It was the culminationofyearsofhardwork,and to see him integrate back into the wild like that was incredible.
It’s rare for a marine mammal in captivity to be rehabilitated and released successfully, and Keiko’s story became a symbol of hope for many. We’re trying to replicate that success with other marine mammals, but every animal is different, and each situation presents unique challenges. But Keiko’s release showed us what’s possible when we’re dedicated to giving these magnificent creatures the life they deserve.
Many people feel overwhelmed by the scale of environmental problems. What would you say to those who think they can’t make a difference?
The first step is education. You need to learn about the issues, and that’s what AmbassadorsoftheEnvironmentisall about, giving young people the knowledge to make better decisions. But it’s not just about children. Adults need to get involved, too.
Small steps matter. Whether it’s reducing your plastic use, eating sustainable seafood, or supporting conservation efforts, everyone can do something. One of the most important things people can do is to understand how connected we all are to nature. The air we breathe, the water we drink – it’s all part of the same system, and we need to take care of it.
Who are your personal environmental heroes?
There are many, but one person who stands out is Dr. Sylvia Earle. She’s an incredible marine biologist and has done so much for ocean conservation.
[Earle was the first female chief scientist of the U.S National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and was named Time magazine’s first Hero for the Planet in 1998.] We’ve dived together and she still inspires me with her dedication to protecting marine ecosystems. I also admire
people like [American entrepreneur and philanthropist] Ted Turner, who used his resources to help us make films about the Amazon River and raise awareness of the importance of freshwater systems.
Looking back on your career, what are you most proud of?
I don’t look at my achievements in
that way. Every dive is an opportunity to learn something new. I’m proud of the work we’ve done to protect marine mammals, but there’s still so much more to do. I always tell people that my best dive will be the next one because there’s always something new to discover. The ocean is full of surprises.
We were overwhelmed with entries for The Ethicalist’s 2024 UAE Nature Photography Competition but three stunning images stood out
In a bid to celebrate the rich, and often overlooked, natural wonders of the UAE, The Ethicalist launched a nature photography competition earlier this year.
We were overwhelmed by the response, receiving 400 stunning entries that showcased thediversebeautyofthecountry,fromthegolden expanses of its deserts to the lush green of its mangroves, and everything in between.
The incredible submissions not only highlighted the breathtaking wildlife and landscapes right on our doorstep, but also the diverse talent of our community.
With expert judging from renowned photographer Dawn-Marie Jones, whose work has graced the covers of The Ethicalist three times, and leading international publications, and The Ethicalist Founder Anthea Ayache, each photograph was carefully scrutinised.
After much deliberation, the judges were able to crown a winner. Biju Augustine’s photo of a foraging fox perfectly captured the delicate balance between urban life and the animal kingdom. Alongside this, two highly commended entries from Vipin Sharma and Iwona Cwian offer a glimpse into the UAE’s abundant wildlife. Without further ado, here are our top three entriesshowcasingthebeautyanddiversityofthe country we call home.
We absolutely loved this captivating photo by Biju Augustine which captures a fox chewing a discarded yogurt drink on Sharjah’s Hamriyah beach. This picture showcases the UAE’s wildlife while underscoring the challenges of human-animal coexistence in shared environments.
‘I submitted this photo with the hope that more people could understandhowdetrimentalhumanintervention istonature,’explains Biju. ‘It was my first time entering a photography competition. When, to my surprise, I learned I had won, I was thrilled.’
@augustine.biju
This remarkable photograph by Vipin Sharma highlights the incredible ability of the Arabian horned viper to master camouflage. We were very impressed by his ability to capture this snake blending seamlessly into the sandy Um Al Quwain desert.
‘The Arabian horned viper is often found buried or partially buried in the soft sands,’ says Vipin, ‘and this viper was doing an amazing job of camouflaging itself to escape the searing heat and to ambush unsuspecting prey!’
@vipin5725
This beautiful photo of two Oryx with their horns entangled, captured by last year’s winner Iwona Cwian, offers a fascinating glimpse into the social behaviours of these native species who engage in sparring matches to assert dominance or establish territory. This photo showcases the fascinating world of animal communication, making it a standout choice for the competition.
‘I was in Al Qudra desert when I shot Desert Battle,’ says Iwona. ‘It wasabeautifulsunrise,andIspotted two oryxes ahead. Suddenly they stood in front of one another and started fighting with their horns. The dustrisinginthesunaroundthemas they battled was magical and left a lasting impression on me. It was like watching National Geographic, only I saw it with my own eyes. It was a beautiful scene that will remain in my memory forever.’
@iwona_cwian
Bring Michelin-starred magic to your kitchen with Chef Patricia Roig’s exclusive vegetarian recipes, straight from BOCA, Dubai’s twice-awarded Green Michelin Star restaurant
Say the word ‘cooking’ to chef Patricia Roig, and her eyes light up with a passion that’s been simmering for over two decades. From working in Michelin-starred kitchens in Spain to leading the culinary team at the Michelin Green Starawarded BOCA in Dubai, Patricia’s journey is all about balancing conscious cuisine, caring for the planet and creating memorable culinary moments for diners.
‘Cooking is an art that requires respect for the ingredients and for those who enjoy them,’ she tells The Ethicalist. ‘The quality of a dish depends not only on the ingredients but also on how we treat them. There are no shortcuts in the basics of cooking. Each ingredient requires a specific cooking time and technique to bring out its best qualities. That’s what gives a dish its character and distinct personality.’
Patricia’s commitment to quality is evident in every dish she creates at BOCA, which was recently named the 17th best restaurant in MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants list for 2024, and awarded a Michelin Green Star for the second year. For Patricia, it’s not just about impressing guests with bold Andalusian and Mediterranean flavours – it’s about challenging the perception of what sustainable food looks like.
‘At BOCA, sustainability is not just a trend, it’s a way of life,’ she explains. ‘We work daily to reduce our environmental impact by recycling, minimising food waste, and supporting local producers. We send our used oil to be transformed into biodiesel and make sure that every part of each ingredient is used, from root to tip.’
Sustainability at BOCA, also named Gault&Millau’s ‘Sustainable Kitchen of the Year’ in 2023, is evident across the board. From water-saving strategies and sourcing locally to publishing their own sustainability manifesto, the popular restaurant’s commitment shines through. Even the smallest things haven’t been overlooked – from serving wheat-based straws in their consciouscocktailstofeaturingliving
moss walls around the restaurant. Oh, and that’s not to mention the fact that they run on 100 per cent renewable energy.
Patricia’s approach at BOCA also includes collaborating with local conservation groups to introduce native ingredients such as halophytes – plants that can grow in highly saline waters such as the UAE’s abundant mangroves – onto their menus. ‘We want to inspire a new culinary future for our city with a focus on preserving people and the planet,’ she says.
When it comes to creating new dishes, Patricia’s inspiration always starts with the ingredients. ‘They don’t have to be luxurious, but they must be fresh, local and of the very best quality,’ she says. ‘I love reinterpreting traditional dishes, like the classic Andalusian gazpacho, or experimenting with vibrant flavour combinations such as a local tomato and strawberry salad. And then there’s celeriac. It’s amazing how this humble root vegetable can mimic the texture and flavour of meat while drastically reducing our carbon footprint and tasting delicious.
‘Like the recipes I’ve created for The Ethicalist here, each dish tells its own story of sustainability and flavour, because it’s about making a difference, not just on the plate but in the world.’ boca.ae
PREP TIME: 20 MINUTES
COOKING TIME: 30 MINS
SERVES: 5
FOR THE GAZPACHO:
400g cooked beetroot
400g plum tomatoes
40g red onion
40g red capsicum
40g cucumber
1 clove of garlic
20g apple cider vinegar
7g salt
160ml cold water
100ml Extra virgin olive oil
FOR THE TOPPINGS
1 Green apple
1 Cucumber
20 Blueberries
60g Feta cheese
40g Sunflower seeds
2 slices Bread from the previous day
Extra virgin olive oil
Salt and Pepper
PREPARE THE GAZPACHO:
Wash and chop the vegetables into chunky pieces. In a blender, combine all the ingredients except the olive oil. Blend until smooth and creamy,
which takes about four to five minutes. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while the blender is running on medium speed. Blend again on high speed for two minutes until emulsified. Strain the gazpacho and refrigerate until chilled.
PREPARE THE TOPPINGS:
Wash and dice the apple and cucumber, or you can slice the cucumber to roll up as decoration. Toast the sunflower seeds and let them cool. Make croutons from stale bread by dicing it, tossing with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and baking in the oven at 150°C until dry.
ASSEMBLE THE DISH:
Pour the chilled gazpacho into bowls. Top with crumbs of feta cheese, diced apple, slices of rolled cucumber, toasted sunflower seeds, and croutons. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil.
You can make different toppings using anything you like, such as avocado, tomato, or celery.
PREP TIME: 20 MINS
COOKING TIME: 2.5HRS
SERVES: 5
FOR THE CELERIAC:
2 celeriacs
1 tbsp English mustard
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp olive oil
FOR THE VEGAN GRAVY:
300g onion
60g button mushrooms
4 dried shiitake mushrooms
100g cauliflower
1 tomato
1 carrot
1 celery stick
50ml soy sauce
2.5 litres water
15g honey
Cornstarch (for thickening)
FOR THE SALAD:
30g walnuts, chopped 25g rocket
40g yellow zuccini
20g baby carrots
Extra virgin olive oil
Fresh lemon juice
A pinch of sea salt
PREPARE THE CELERIAC:
Rub the celeriacs with a mixture of mustard, salt, pepper, and olive oil. Wrap the celeriacs in foil and bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for 1-1.5 hours, or until tender. Let cool completely, then remove the skin and cut into thick slices. Sear the slices in a hot pan with olive oil until they are golden brown.
MAKE THE VEGAN GRAVY:
Slice the onion, mushrooms, cauliflower, tomato, carrot, and celery.
Roast the vegetables in the oven with a little oil until deeply browned but not burnt.
Transfer the roasted vegetables to a pot and cover with water. Bring to boil, then reduce heat and simmer until the liquid has reduced by half. Season with soy sauce and honey, and thicken gravy with cornstarch as needed.
PREPARE THE SALAD:
Combine chopped walnuts, rocket, and shavings of zucchini and carrot that can be easily done with a peeler. Dress with extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt.
ASSEMBLE THE DISH:
Place the seared celeriac slices on plates. Pour the vegan gravy over the celeriac. Top with the rocket salad. Serve immediately.
PREP TIME: 30 MINS
COOKING TIME: 15 MINS
SERVES: 5
FOR THE SALAD:
500g cherry tomatoes,halved
15 strawberries
6 pitted dates,sliced
Basil leaves,for garnish
Sea salt,for garnish
FOR THE DRESSING:
60 ml extra virgin olive oil
15 ml white balsamic vinegar
5 ml lemon juice
A pinch of black pepper
7 g gochujang chili paste
FOR THE COCONUT GEL:
250 ml coconut milk
3 g agar-agar
15 ml lime juice
PREPARE THE SALAD:
Arrange tomatoes and strawberries on a plate in a similar shape, which can be slices or wedges. Add the sliced dates.
MAKE THE DRESSING:
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, black pepper,and gochujang chili paste until emulsified.
CREATE THE COCONUT GEL:
In a small saucepan, combine the coconut milk and agar-agar. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly.Reduce heat and simmer for 1-2 minutes, or until the agar-agar has completely dissolved.
Pour the coconut mixture into a container and refrigerate until set. Once chilled, blend with the lime juice until smooth. Transfer the gel to a squeeze bottle or piping bag.
ASSEMBLE THE SALAD:
Drizzle the dressing over the salad. Top with basil leaves and dollops of coconut gel.Sprinkle over sea salt.
FROM CHEESE MADE WITH GRASS – NO COWS NEEDED – TO MEASURING SUSTAINABILITY IN REAL TERMS, MICHELIN-STAR CHEF JORIS BIJDENDIJK IS CHAMPIONING DUTCH DISHES – AND SHARES A MOUTH-WATERING RECIPE
BY ANTHEA AYACHE
In the heart of Amsterdam, a quiet culinary revolution is happening, led by acclaimed chef Joris Bijdendijk. Celebrated for his ‘Low Food’ philosophy, which emphasises the use of locally sourced,seasonalingredientsfromtheNetherlands, he has been credited with creating the ‘Kitchen of the Lowlands’ – a culinary concept that involves championing Dutch produce with a focus on traditional, regional flavours.
Raised in Amsterdam but spending weekends on his parents’ self-sufficient farm in the Belgian Ardennes, Joris, who has worked in Michelinstarred restaurants since the age of 16, developed a deep connection to sustainable food early on.
‘Wehadourownvegetablegardenandfruittrees. It was a normal way of living, but I learned so much from it,’ he tells The Ethicalist during an interview on his now electric vintage boat as it manoeuvres through the city’s canals.
This early access to nature would be a foundation stone for his kitchen philosophy. After training in the culinary arts and honing his skills in France, Joris returned to the Netherlands. In 2014, he became the Executive Chef at RIJKS, the Michelin-
starred restaurant located in the Rijksmuseum, the national museum. Under his leadership, RIJKS not only kept its Michelin star but also solidified its reputation as one of the country’s top dining destinations.
In November 2019, Joris opened his own restaurant, Wils, which earned a Michelin star in its first year, establishing him as one of the leading chefsinthecountry.Wilsisrenowned for its open-fire cooking system, whereflamesplayapartineverydish.
‘For me, fire is a spice. It is the essence of cooking,’ Joris explains, emphasising that he uses this method to highlight the natural flavours of the food. But by cooking with open flames, Wils is also minimising the need for energy-intensive equipment, relying instead on sustainablysourced wood and charcoal.
Joris’s commitment to sustainability isn’t only present in the kitchen. In 2019, he also founded the Low Food Foundation, bringing together chefs, farmers, scientists and policymakers to champion food sustainability. The foundation has been busy creating exceptional innovations, including cheese made entirely from grass proteins – no cows needed.
‘We’ve successfully made blue cheese that tastes just like Stilton, without dairy,’ Joris explains. ‘We’re working with a company called Grasa and they are working on scaling up the process. The white protein paste, from grass, contains more than 75 per cent protein. That’s very high, and we didn’t need a cow for that.’
This grass protein cheese isn’t just an innovative breakthrough: it represents a potential shift in the futureoffood.Bycreatingadairy-free cheese that tastes just like traditional varieties, Joris is helping the industry move away from its global reliance on intensive animal agriculture. This
creation could significantly reduce the cheese sector’s environmental footprint, particularly in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, water use, and the land degradation associated with dairy farming.
To further support sustainability in the industry, Joris collaborated with global consulting firm Deloitte to develop a tool that measures a restaurant’ssustainableperformance.
‘Measuringsustainabilityiskey,’he says. ‘Without measurement, it’s challenging to gauge the success of ouractions.Weneedtoolsthatenable even the smallest eateries to take sustainable steps.’
Wils became a testing ground. The restaurant measured its emissions over a year and then participated in the ‘Week Without Meat and Dairy’ initiative to compare findings. Almost entirely removing animal products helped them achieve an 82 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions.
But it also led to a drop in customer reservations. ‘Being too radical can alienate even supportive customers,’ Joris admits. ‘Transitioning towards sustainability, therefore, requires a gradual approach.’
Despite the challenges, Joris is still committed to improving mindful eating habits. ‘Junk food is a major issue in our society, where eating meat three times a day is common. We need to rethink how we see meat, as something special, not something to have all the time.’
As the boat reaches its destination and our conversation comes to a close, Joris emphasises that making small changes, like switching to vegan butter, can have a significant impact.
‘You don’t need to revolutionise your entire lifestyle overnight,’ he concludes. ‘It’s about making thoughtful, incremental changes that add up over time.’
PREP TIME: 1hr 15 mins
COOKING TIME : 5-6 mins
SERVES: 4
• 1 bunch of parsley (80 g)
• 100 ml sunflower oil
• 2 large beetroots, peeled
• 1 bottle of beet juice
• 15 ml shiro dashi (ready-made dashi concentrate available at Asian stores or online, or use ready-made dashi powder, or homemade dashi made from kombu and bonito)
• 60 ml sushi vinegar (or sushi seasoning, available at Asian stores or most supermarkets)
• 15 ml dry white wine
• 30ml water
• 15 ml Tomasu soy sauce (available at Asian stores, delicatessens, or online)
• 30 ml heavy cream
• 100 g cold butter, cubed
Pick the parsley leaves. Blend the leaves with the sunflower oil in a food processor or with a hand blender until smooth. Pour through a fine cloth or sieve, allow to drain, and store in a cool place to prevent discoloration.
Slice the beets into thin slices, stack them on top of each other, and tie together with kitchen twine. Place
stacks upright in a pan. Add enough beet juice to cover the beets halfway. Bring to a boil and simmer gently for half an hour with the lid on. Turn the beets over and cook for another half hour with the lid on. Reduce the heat and let the juice thicken until it becomes syrupy (with the beets still in the pan).
Remove the beet stacks from the pan and discard the twine. Cut them in half to create four equal stacks (two from each beet).
Preheat the oven to 150°C (302°F) and bake the beet stacks for 5-6 minutes. Remove them from the oven and glaze immediately with the beet syrup.
In a saucepan, combine the dashi, sushi vinegar, 30 ml of water, dry white wine, Tomasu soy sauce, and heavy cream. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and add the cold butter cubes, whisking vigorously to form an emulsion.
Carefully place the beet stacks on 4 plates. Add the green parsley oil to the beurre blanc sauce. Stir gently to create large pearls. Pour the sauce next to the beet stacks and enjoy!
Aaron Dominic Gracias wowed the judges at the Media One Hotel’s Sustainable Sips Competition with his inventive – and delicious – zero-waste drink, Dragon Citrus
Aaron Dominic Gracias, bartender at Laguna Beach Lounge, Sofitel The Palm, made quite the impression at Media One Hotel’s Sustainable Sips Competition, taking home the top prize for his zero-waste invention, Dragon Citrus.
In a showdown among 16 bartenders from top hotels across the UAE, Aaron’s commitment to sustainability paid off in what was not only his first competition, but also a career milestone.
‘This is my first competition. I’ve never done anything like this before,’ says Aaron, 32, who is originally from Goa, India. ‘I was really nervous at first, but my manager kept pushing me, saying I should give it a shot.’
With just three and a half years of bartending experience, Aaron’s
journey to the top of the UAE mixology scene is as inspiring as his delicious winning drink.
The competition, held at the hotel’s Green Key-certified P7 Arena Club, was judged by a panel of experts including Cameron Boyd (Diageo World Class Mixologist of the Year 2022), and beverage experts Martin Ubertas, Max Rauch and Tauland Hyke, as well as The Ethicalist founder Anthea Ayache.
The competitors were judged on elements including sustainability –zero-waste approach, plastic-free materials, and locally sourced ingredients – as well as technique, presentation, creativity, and the allimportant taste.
But it was Aaron’s bold innovation that stole the show. His winning drink, presented in an edible wafer
glass made from leftover cookie dough from Sofitel’s kitchens, epitomised a zero-waste philosophy.
‘I knew everyone else would be using a regular glass, so I thought, why not take it a step further?’ Aaron explains. ‘The chef helped me create the cup with leftover cookie dough, adding vanilla flavour for a twist.’
His drink also featured chickpea foam as a plant-based alternative to egg whites, reducing waste while keeping it silky and light. Discarded dragonfruit from breakfast services wasrepurposedintoasyrupanddried garnish, adding a splash of colour and flavour without a single ingredient going to waste.
‘It took a lot of thought, but the result was something I’m really proud of,’ says Aaron.
He plans to continue to perfect his craft at Sofitel The Palm where sustainability is part of his everyday routine. ‘I’m always thinking about new ideas, and new ways to reduce waste,’ he says. ‘Sustainability is really important to me. With all the plastic and waste we see in the world today, bartenders have to do their part.’
Stay at a trailblazing eco-lodge deep in Brazil’s Cerrado, the world’s most biodiverse savanna, and you’ll encounter hundreds of wildlife but none more majestic than the endangered Maned Wolves who are said to cast spells on all those they encounter
BY KATE WICKERS
From the capital city Brasilia, we drive for six hours and clock up 333kms over wide open spaces dotted with vast farms and ranches in the heartlands of Brazil; the red, dusty vistas sporadically brightened by the bright yellow flowers of the Ipe tree in full, splendid, winter bloom.
As the hours pass by and we go deeper into the savanna, the roadside gas stations become ramshackle, the cachaca (local rum) for sale looks suspiciously bootleg, and the tarmac runs out. The last 90 minutes of the journey is a tester – a real bums-off-the-seat boneshaker – but eventually, we turn off the wide, sandy, potholed road and onto a smaller track, flanked by low, dense foliage. How happy I am to see signs to Pousada Trijunção, an eco-lodge set in 33,000 hectares of protected land, our base for exploring the Cerrado, the second most diverse biome in South America, after the Amazon, that rarely gets the attention it deserves.
Never has a cliché been more apt, so I’ll use it here: reaching the Pousada feels like arriving at an oasis in the desert, albeit one that offers understated luxury, with a rustic-chic design of wood and thatch, in keeping with the environment, decorated with handmade, traditional furnishings. There’s a Toco toucan sitting in a cashew tree of the central courtyard that looks ornamental (its red and yellow beak and jet-black plumage far too perfect to be real, surely?) so it gives me quite the start
when it flies off. This sets the bar for wildlife encounters – the region is home to 850 bird species, with 200 species recorded around the lodge –and serves as a reminder that it’s wise to pay attention here, as this is no ordinary landscape.
Not many people know of the Cerrado, which is extraordinary when you discover that it covers two million sq km, is responsible for 70 per cent of Brazil’s water reserves, and is the world’s most biodiverse savanna. It is also the most threatened due to land devastation, mainly for soya production, even though it is home to 200 species of mammals, 180 species of reptiles, 90 million species of insects, and 11,000 plant species.
It was Planet Earth III, narrated by Sir David Attenborough, that raised its profile in 2023, with an episode that starred the endangered Maned wolf, the largest member of the Canidae family in South America. Over three years, the film crew used Trijunção as a base while following the story of Nhorinha and her cubs, working closely with NGO Oncafari, who combine ecotourism with scientific study, wildlife preservation and conservation work.
It’s an understatement to call Trijunção a trailblazer. Their aim is to make every visitor a guardian of the biome, and allow access to all areas of
the reserve. As well as practicing regenerative tourism, agriculturally they operate in stark contrast to the mega businesses of this region.
Their farm, Fazenda Trijunção, was founded in 1995 to set an example of sustainable farming while preserving 33,000 hectares of biodiversity. They’re currently planting vineyards, olive groves, and have a goal to be Brazil’s largest producer of vanilla. They keep more than 90 per cent of territory preserved, which includes 12,000 hectares that has been integrated into the Grande Sertao Veredas National Park as an ecological corridor to ensure that vulnerable animal species, such as the Giant Anteater, Jaguar (in the early stages of habituation in this region), and the Maned wolf, are protected.
Since the premier of Planet Earth III, the latter is what all visitors hope to encounter, but patience and luck is required to catch sight of this predominantly nocturnal animal, and so safaris take place before sunrise and sunset. As we set off in a jeep, just as day dwindles, Kiara, our Oncafari guide, turns our attention to the termite mounds. ‘Keep an eye on those,’ she says. ‘Because Maned wolf love to climb on top of them to poop.’
It’snotsucharidiculousimageasit sounds when we learn that this is so
Not many people know of the Cerrado, which is extraordinary when you learn that it covers two million sq km (21 per cent of Brazil’s land area), is responsible for 70 per cent of Brazil water reserves, and is the world’s most biodiverse savanna
that the wolf’s scent can be spread further over their territory. It’s a little difficult to stay focused as other creatures call for our attention – four flighty Barn owls, a prehistoriclooking Rhea (a cousin of the Ostrich and Emu), and a splenid six-banded armadillo rooting out insects, its’ silver armour caught in the twilight –but for this evening, a sighting of a female Maned wolf named Savanna, one of Nhorinha’s puppies, is our priority. Now adult and with a family of her own, she is radio collared and monitored for her own protection.
Kiara soon picks up a signal, and we wait as the beeps come and go. Within an hour, we catch several glimpses of the shy, russet-brown wolf, her coat aflame in the setting sun. Her long, bushy white tail serves as an excellent marker as we attempt to keep track of her movements while she’s on the hunt for small mammals such as cavy, a common guineapiglike rodent. Then she crosses the track right in front of us, and it’s easy see why she’s been nicknamed the supermodel of the animal kingdom, which is down to her immense beauty and those long, slender legs. The uninterrupted view of her feels like finding treasure.
Activities here are always small group and guided by a biologist or conservationist, while positive impact tourism is fostered by the guides who constantly stimulate our connection to the Cerrado’s fragile ecosystems. ‘Look at this,’ says Vinicius ‘Vinny’ Vianna, our main guide, whose specialism is ornithology but who is also a human encyclopaedia on all aspects of the Cerrado. He’s pointing to holes in a sandy ridge of various sizes. ‘This is where armadillos and Burrowing owls live side by side in their dens.’
Before sunrise, we drive out in sleepy silence as the sky turns from black to inky mauve, as birds shake feathers and stir. It’s the blue and yellow macaw that are first up, a whirl of colour and in good voice.
Caught up in Vinny’s enthusiasm, I’m keeping a list of everything I see, and among the most colourful are the Crimson-crested woodpecker, Glittering-throated emerald, Peachfronted parakeet, and the Fork-tailed flycatcher, their long tails bobbing in the breeze. To reach Macaw
Lagoon – Lagoas das Araras – named for the birds that nest here in the hollowed-out holes of dead palms, we cycle 6km, accompanied by Redlegged Sereima, known as the Brazilian roadrunner, that can reach speeds of up to 40km per hour. Today, I’mlookingdownmorethanup,which bringsregularsightingsofbothManed wolf and puma pawprints; the latter providing tantalising evidence that these large cats prowl here at night, but by day are rarely sighted.
The hours spent at the eco-lodge between excursions are dreamy. I sit by the pool or bubble away in the hot tub and watch the hummingbirds, and the Campo flicker woodpecker, hopping in the undergrowth.
In addition to spotting animals in the wild, Trijunção has a conservation and breeding programme for animals such as peccaries, tapirs, and yellowfooted and red-legged tortoise, many
rescued from the illegal pet trade. Most are released back to the wild, but there are some, like the elderly, solitary Pampas deer that we meet, that will remain.
On day four,we climb to the top of a red earthed escarpment, which marks the border point of the Bahia, Goias, and Minas Gerais states, and take in the full view of this critically endangered landscape, above which a pair of Toco toucan streak under a vast, tangerine-splashed sky.
We think this is perhaps our final wildlife encounter, but Savanna has otherideas,fleetinglygracinguswitha very rare presence in the grounds of Pousada Trijunção on our return.
Brazilian folklore has it that if you stare into the eyes of a Maned wolf, it will magically entrance you. I do and I’m spellbound for the briefest of sweetest moments, and then, in the blink of an eye, Savanna is gone.
ECO CREDENTIALS:
As well as funding much conservation work, including that of Oncafari, solar panels are used to heat water, natural demolition wood is used for construction, furnishings are the work of local artisans, staff and services are provided by local residents, the restaurant is supplied by the farm’s vegetable garden, single-use plastic avoided (guests are given a drinking thermos, and are asked to refill from clay filter water stations), organic and recyclable waste is disposed of correctly, and products in the gift shop are from the Artesol cooperative, a non-profit organization that promotes Brazilian handicrafts and generates income for small artisans throughout the country.
BEST TIME TO VISIT:
For wildlife spotting, March to October is best, with pleasant temperatures and limited rainfall. Between June and October, you’ll get the most sunshine hours and lowest humidity.
Kate travelled with Rainbow Tours, experts in creating bespoke itineraries across Latin America. An eight-night itinerary staying in Brasilia and The Cerrado, costs from £3,695 per person sharing, including all flights, transfers, accommodation, and full board and activities at Pousada Trijunção. For more information and to book, visit rainbowtours.co.uk and pousadatrijuncao.com.br
If you don’t want to travel by road, Pousada Tutabel can arrange a light aircraft service that operates from Brasilia Airport. Price on request.
Kate Wickers is the author of best-selling travel memoir Shape of a Boy, My Family & Other Adventures, available now on Amazon.
Whether it’s the sound of waves or mountain vistas you’re looking for, these two retreats promise eco-luxury in Oman’s most stunning settings
BY ANTHEA AYACHE AND ALAINA MUTTI
SixSensesZighyBayismorethan a luxury, eco-friendly resort – it’s a sustainable sanctuary that blends into its otherworldly surroundings, and takes ecoadventures to new heights
Nestled in a secluded cove between the dramatic Hajar Mountains and the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Oman, just a two-hour drive from Dubai, arriving at Six Senses Zighy Bay feels like an adventure in itself. Whether you choose the thrilling cliffside descent by car or the adrenaline rush of paragliding in over the shimmering emerald bay, – not for the fainthearted – from the very first moment you set eyes on the resort, the tone is set for an unforgettable stay.
First impressions are seamless. The architecture blends with the earthy landscape of the Musandam Peninsula, with 82 private pool villas positioned between the cliffs and coastal edge. Handcrafted from local stone, and secluded from other villas by tastefully recycled date palm leaf and jute fences, the villas vanish into their natural surroundings.
Inside, the rustic décor provides the ultimate setting in which to unwind, with views that stretch out either over the bay’s silvery sands or your own secluded pool garden. And every detail – from on-site bottled water to handmade lamp covers and carefully restored wooden sunbeds, reflects the resort’s commitment to conservation. And should anything break, skilled on-site carpenters, tailors and electricians are ready to repair, recycle, or upcycle on demand.
Meandering through the lush, landscaped grounds is a must, where the secluded resort’s silence is punctuated only by the soft sounds of the ocean and the chirp of birds perched on the shaded branches of pomegranate, guava, and tamarind trees. These flourishing plants –5,000 trees and counting – are nurtured using recycled grey water, reflecting the resort’s unwavering care for the environment.
This ethos is also showcased in the farm-to-table dining philosophy that runs throughout Zighy Bay’s five outlets. From the hilltop restaurant Senses on the Edge that offers
stunning sunset views over the cove, to authentic Bedouin dining on the beach and tapas at an open-air bar, each destination offers guests the freshest, local ingredients.
Mouth-watering dishes are crafted from produce grown on-site and at the nearby Dibba farm which also serves as an activity for animal lovers andfoodenthusiastsalike.Guestscan book a Hay Day and meet the friendly goats – hand-milked twice a day to produce delicious cheeses served throughout the resort, from creamy brie to tangy labneh. Check out the chickens, housed in a spacious, airconditioned five-star coop, that provide the resort’s fresh, organic eggs,whileLuckytherescueddonkey, heart-warmingly limps over to be stroked. Managed by Mr Ugeyn, the fascinating farm tour offers a handson experience where you can sample the cheeses made fresh that day.
The resort’s farming efforts don’t just serve guests, however; they also reach the local community, providing 12 tonnes of compost from food waste annually, with 11 tonnes generously donated to nearby farmers. The ethos is simple – nothing is wasted, and everything has a purpose.
Six Senses Zighy Bay’s commitment to the environment is not only about land, it also extends to the ocean. Though not typically a nesting ground, the beach welcomed 50 unexpected visitors in the form of tiny turtle hatchlings last year and with more than 70 turtles identified on the resort, the on-site marine biologist is on a mission to learn more – working closely with conservation teams in the Maldives and Seychelles to track turtle migrations and bridge gaps across oceans.
For those guests eager to connect with turtles up close, the sunrise kayak is a must. As you paddle out on the calm, shimmering waters at dawn, the bay transforms from emerald to amber and gold. Green turtles glide gracefully by as you drift toward the rocky shoreline that separates Oman and the UAE. Navigating along the shell-clad cliffs, you’ll spot red crabs scurrying up the jagged rocks, and with crystal-clear waters below, you’ll likely spot fish darting under your kayak.
These efforts to engage with marine life reflect the resort’s broader commitment to ocean conservation,
highlighted by their impressive coral restoration project. With coral frames now flourishing to more than 20cm in just one year – quite a feat given the challenges facing reefs worldwide –SixSensesZighyBay’sinitiativeshave caught the attention of researchers worldwide. The rare resilience of these corals in warming seas, is offering hope that a ‘super coral’ can be created.
Back on land, stepping into the resort’s Earth Lab feels like entering a creative workshop where guests can be part of the resort’s journey towards zero-waste – a philosophy that has seen the resort recyle or upcycle an impressive 80 per cent of its waste. Here,glassiscrushedandrepurposed into beautiful ornaments - think bottles of grape into cheese platters –and old towels are transformed into plant pots, while used cooking oil is turned into soap for cleaning in the back-of-house. It’s a space that inspires visitors to take a piece of Six Senses Zighy Bay’s sustainable spirit back home.
But before saying goodbye, thrillseekers must paraglide with Itzil, a
seasoned Bulgarian instructor who has been soaring over these cliffs for two decades. Starting 900 metres above sea level, a short sprint, and you’re airborne, gliding effortlessly with panoramic views of the cove and rugged landscape below. The feeling of weightlessness and the rush of wind as you soar over rocks and the sparkling bay is truly unmatched. As you begin your descent, expect to spiral quickly above the resort’s saltwater pool, before landing gently on the beach.
For those looking for a more relaxed activity, the Six Senses Spa needs no introduction. With its fragrantscentoflavender,eucalyptus, and sandalwood oils, guest can be assured of rest and relaxation.
Under Sustainability Officer Armand Thieblemont’s direction, the resort has gone from strength to strength in its commitment to ecofriendly practices. From the impressive coral restoration efforts, to pioneering waste reduction, Armand’s vision has been instrumentalinpositioningZighyBay as a leader in sustainable luxury.
Six Senses Zighy Bay is a two-hour car journey from Dubai International airport. Check visa requirements in advance as you will pass through the Omani border.
PRICES: Starting from AED 4,000 per night (weekdays) and AED 6,000 per night (weekends). +968 26 735555 sixsense.com
Perched high above the sweeping canyons of Oman’s Al Hajar mountain range, Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort invites travellers to explore a world where rugged nature meets luxury and tradition
As the winding roads of Oman unfolded, taking us further away from the hustle and bustle of Dubai city life, I could feel the knots in my shoulders relax. We were on our way to Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort but nothing had prepared us for the sheer serenity of this eco-luxury haven.
Walking through the lobby and courtyard to the room we’d call home for the next few nights, we were greeted with breathtaking views of the rugged canyon below. The silence that pervades the resort alongside such stunning vistas at every turn, make this not merely a retreat, but an experience for the soul.
Guests start their day with a delicious buffet breakfast that caters to vegetarian and vegan palates, offering multiple home-grown or locally-sourced produce such as goldenhoneyandfreshfruitstoolives handpicked by locals.
A key highlight of the resort’s culinary philosophy is their farm-to-
fork approach which is made possible thanks to the chefs’ garden. An impressive variety of 30 vegetables are grown year-round, including green bell peppers, lemongrass, rosemary, bay leaf, and papaya. The garden also features a hydroponic farm, ensuring a lower carbon footprint and fresh ingredients for the kitchen when the summer kicks in.
For those seeking an adrenaline rush, the resort’s Via Ferrata is a must. This steel cable, which runs along the cliff edge, allows thrill-seekers to abseil down a sheer rock face for an unforgettable experience. For those not feeling quite so brave, it provides the perfect photo opportunity. For something more serene, archery, mountaintop yoga, and stargazing offer moments of reflection while taking in the landscape’s beauty. If cultural experiences with a touch of adventure are your thing, then the 3 Villages Walk is the perfect choice. This scenic hike takes you through traditional Omani villages with a tour guide from the hotel, and offers a real glimpse into local life. Skipping, jumping, and stepping through the trail, you get a true sense of just how many generations of Omanis have looked after their land.
As a country where rainfall is a treasured and vital resource, Oman has long depended on effective methods to make the most of every drop. In the Jabal Akhdar mountains, local villagers created a network of natural mountain pools to retain water, ensuring a reliable supply throughout the year and allowing
communities to thrive during the summer’s arid conditions.
Building on this, the villagers engineered a sophisticated water irrigation system, channelling the stored rainwater through the three villages. This ancestral system looks aftertheland,enablingthecultivation of crops such as pomegranates, legumes and corn. Thanks to this method, the mountainous region has flourished for centuries, sustaining the land and its people.
During the spring months, rose bushes burst into bloom across the mountains, filling the air with their perfume. These flowers are carefully harvested by the villagers, who distil the petals into rose water.
After building up an appetite from all the adventures of the day, guests are spoilt for choice in the hotel’s six restaurants. Al Maisan, known as ‘The Rising Star,’ serves international cuisine while Al Qalaa offers traditional Omani dishes. Bella Vista, next to the pool, moves seamlessly from relaxed daytime dining to alfresco evening meals.
For something truly unique, guests can choose Anantara’s ‘Dining by Design’ concept at Diana’s Point, a cliff-edge platform. Here, a private chef and butler create a magical meal under a sky full of stars, with the canyon as a backdrop – perfect for proposals, celebrations or simply to create unforgettable memories.
Enter the Spa at Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort and be greeted by the gentle fragrance of locallysourced ingredients like damask rose
and pomegranate. Here, the healing traditions of East and West are blended to offer guests a wide variety of treatments. While the traditional hammam, a highlight, purifies and refreshes the body, we recommend their traditional massage where a skilled therapist focuses on key areas of tension, melting away stress.
As you descend from the heights of Jabal Akhdar, headed back to reality, you may be leaving the stunning resort behind, but the stillness of the mountains, the scent of rose petals, and the warmth of Omani hospitality linger on, staying with you long after the vacation is over.
Rooms start from AED 1,195 per night. anantara.com/en/jabal-akhdar
The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, perfectly blends luxury, natural beauty and marine conservation
BY ANTHEA AYACHE
Plunging into the crystal-clear waters of a coral reef surrounding the Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, I’m instantly transported into an underwater world teeming with life. A synchronised school of damsel fish dart past, followed by a flurry of blue stripe snappers, so yellow they almost glow underwater. A shoal of convict surgeonfish, named for their black-and-white stripes, gracefully swim by before a swarm of Blue chromis suddenly swirl around me. As the sun’s rays filter through the water, the light turns their blue hues white, like a flurry of snowflakes in an upended festive globe. Flashes of orange to my left draw my attention away from the illusion of a wintery scene to a vibrant cluster of clownfish, while fusiliers add to the cast of characters that call this tropical marine world home.
Over the hour-long snorkelling experience, our small group not only enjoys a constantly shifting view of colourful fish but also a giant clam that yawns its shell closed as our marine biologist guide approaches, and an elegant eagle ray glides by, its wings moving effortlessly through the clear waters.
We are snorkelling in the North Malé Atoll’s Nassimo Thila reef, also known as Virgin Reef, approximately 45 minutes by traditional Dhoni boat from the resort. This beautiful Indian Ocean location, renowned for its rich marine life and vibrant cared-for coral reefs, makes it an ideal spot for both snorkelling and dive enthusiasts.
The true highlight comes in the form of not one, but two endangered green turtles that swim so close, their intricate head markings – that are strikingly similar to that of a big cat’s coat – are clearly visible. Seeing these creatures in their natural habitat is a powerful reminder of the importance of preserving not only the delicate ecosystem of the Maldives but also our oceans and the diverse marine life they support.
Recognising this responsibility, the Ritz-Carlton Maldives is actively engaged in a host of marine conservation efforts including turtle rescues, ghost net clear-ups, data capture and educating guests of all ages about the significance of protecting the ocean.
One of their key programs is in partnership with the Olive RidleyProject,focusingontherescue,rehabilitationandresearch of sea turtles, particularly those entangled in ghost nets – fishing equipment that has been lost, discarded or abandoned at sea.
During the northeast monsoon season (October to March), the Maldives sees significant marine life entanglement, particularly from ghost nets originating from other countries. Millions of marine mammals, turtles, seabirds and other species have been injured or killed by entanglement in, or ingestion of, these ghost nets. Over 1,000seaturtlesintheMaldivesalone, havebeenfoundentangledsince2013.
Rescue efforts by The Ritz-Carlton Maldiveshasledtheresorttoestablish atemporaryholdingfacilityforinjured sea turtles and they collaborate closely with the Marine Turtle Rescue Centre in Baa Atoll where they are sent for treatment. In 2023, marine biologists andnaturalistsfromtheresortrescued five threatened Olive Ridley Turtles from ghost nets. Three of them were rehabilitatedatthecentrebeforebeing released back into the ocean, with one named ‘Muraka’ – meaning coral –even being fitted with a GPS tracker to monitor her journey post-release.
Buttheresort’smarineconservation efforts don’t stop there. The RitzCarlton Maldives uses ‘Eye in the Sky’ drone technology to monitor and map ocean plastic pollution and ghost nets. Developed in collaboration with researcher Melissa Schiele, it was pivotal in the removal of 19 ghost nets weighing 1,100 kilos last year. Thanks to the technology, the resort can also monitor wildlife and 21 ocean species were observed in 2023, including the Ornate Eagle Ray, Blacktip Reef Shark and Melon-Headed Whale.
Guests can learn about the technology through the Maldive’s first Jean-Michel Cousteau Ambassadors of the Environment Program, which sees naturalists, trained under the renowned French oceanographic explorer, organise nature walks and workshops with a particular focus on coralrestoration.CoralintheMaldives is critically vulnerable to rising sea temperatures which can cause coral bleaching – a fate that has affected 60 per cent of the coral here.
In 2023 the program saw resort guests planting 50 coral frames, using fragments of living coral, as part of a successful conservation program. These frames hold more than 2,000 coral fragments and guests can see some of these flourishing coral nurseries in the shallow waters at the welcome jetty. For children, a fun and
IT
MARINE
TURTLE RESCUE CENTRE IN BAA ATOLL WHERE
INJURED
SEA
TURTLES ARE SENT FOR TREATMENT. FIVE OLIVE RIDLEY TURTLES WERE RESCUED FROM GHOST NETS LAST YEAR.THREE WERE REHABILITATED BEFORE BEING RELEASED
educational activity involves collecting and examining samples from the beach to detect microplastics. Other eco-activities include diving with a marine biologist, wildlife monitoring, beach cleans, and if you’re lucky, a guided tour led by Jean-Michel Cousteau himself.
Eco Chic
As well as caring for its environment, The Ritz-Carlton Maldives is the epitome of eco-luxury. Opened in 2021, the chic resort features 100 contemporary villas and suites each built with circular architecture to reflect the curves of the surrounding
significant portion of one of the Fari Islands and cycling is a relaxing way to soak in the natural beauty of the surroundings.The flat, sandy pathways that interconnect villas with other resort facilities, are lushly landscaped with a range of trees and shrubs including coconut palms, fragrant frangipani and blossoming bougainvillea. Just be mindful of the White-breasted Waterhens, affectionately referred to as Island Chickensbyresortstaff,thatrunfreely around the grounds.
The resort offers seven restaurants
atoll. Beautifully designed with ecofriendly materials, every room has bathrooms stocked with refillable Bamford products – a brand synonymous with sustainability –reusable glass water bottles that are replenished with purified water from the resort’s own desalination plant, and personal care items such as bamboo toothbrushes and combs.
Each room offers private pools, direct access to pristine white sands or a lagoon, and breathtaking, yet private, views of the Indian Ocean.
While guests are allocated a personal butler with an electric buggy, bicycles are provided and highly recommended. The resort spans a
including Iwau, a Japanese outlet where teppanyaki and omakase (Japanese for ‘I’ll leave it up to you’ so the chef decides the menu) are the standouts. Diners can enjoy the show while a skilled chef cooks various dishes for an entertaining culinary experience. La Locanda, located on stilts in the ocean, offers authentic Italian cuisine with views across the unending turquoise terrain.
EAU Bar, on the beachfront, offers mocktails, grape and light bites in a casual, oceanfront setting. The Faye beverage with island grown chillies and locally sourced curry leaves is a must-try. Don’t miss lunch at The Beach Shack where a vibrant vegan
ceviche featuring edamame, avocado, guava, and sweet potato in a coriander and passion fruit dressing is highly recommended. Pair it with a refreshing antioxidant drink made from moringa, pineapple, coconut water, and homemade cinnamon syrup for a deliciously healthy meal.
There are plenty of plant-based dishes available across all the restaurants with many featuring ingredients sourced from the resort’s organicgardenandlocalproducersfor fresh, farm-to-table dining.
Each day, they also transform 700lbsoffoodwasteintonutrient-rich compost on-site to nurture their beautiful resort gardens.
Amenities at the hotel also cater to the ultimate in relaxation thanks to their award-winning Bamford Spa, a first for the brand in the Maldives. Overlooking the lagoon, and situated in a circular building inspired by the Chinese philosophy of yin and yang, the spa offers a range of holistic treatments. Don’t miss the B Balanced experience, a 90-minute full-body treatment tailored to support overall wellbeing. It incorporates breathwork, bamboo tapping,and gua sha massage for rejuvenation.
An unmissable highlight is the sunset dolphin cruise. Setting sail in the late afternoon, the tranquil waters andsettingsuncreateapictureperfect backdrop. During the cruise, playful dolphins leap and twirl beside the boat. With sparkling bubbles in hand, the blend of the ocean’s beauty and its resident dolphins, makes for an unforgettable evening.
As my last night at the Ritz-Carlton Maldives draws to a close, the soft sounds of traditional Maldivian music dances on the balmy air as I stroll along the wooden walkway back to my beachfront villa.
The ocean laps at the piers, and looking up, the stars shine so brightly they are visible despite drifting fluffy clouds. The scent of frangipani wafts as resort staff touch their hearts in greeting as they cycle past and, remembering the vibrant marine life experiences and the resort’s efforts to preserve this underwater wonderland, I feel so deeply connected to – and gratefulfor–thisparadise,bothabove and below the water.
BY NICK WATKINS
In recent years, competition in the electric vehicle (EV) sector has been heating up faster than a UAE summer. With over 700 active charging stations across the UAE and plans to exceed 1,000 in a few years, the future of electric motoring in the country is growing greener by the day. As the market expands, so does the competition, and Polestar is revving up to lead the charge. The words innovation, sustainability, and transparency are bandied about by sustainable car manufacturers as they jostle for space in an already competitive market. For Polestar, these three words are far from just buzzwords—they describe its entire ethos. The Swedish car brand is building its future around these principles, which are integral to its market differentiation.
Having built sustainability into its mission, Polestar has avoided the pitfalls of legacy technology investments like internal combustion engine developments, allowing the carmaker to focus on green technologies and create efficient vehicles that appeal to environmentally conscious consumers. Polestar made its mark in the UAE in 2019 with the Polestar 2 electric performance fastback, establishing the brand with help from Al-Futtaim Electric Mobility Company (AFEMC), the ofÏcial distributor. Now Polestar is making waves again with the Polestar 3, an all-electric SUV boasting a range of up to 628km and a top speed of 210 kph. ‘Polestar 3 is one of the most
anticipated electric vehicles worldwide, and we are thrilled to bring this car into the region,’ Hasan Nergiz, Managing Director at AFEMC, says. ‘For us, this car will unlock the UAE market for Polestar as it redefines what SUVs can do in terms of performance while enabling zero carbon emissions.’
Having driven the Polestar 3, The Ethicalist can attest that the car is mightily impressive inside and out. Polestar’s design features sustainable materials, including bio-attributed MicroTech and fully traceable wool upholsteries, ensuring ethical and sustainable standards.
But, while eco-friendly seats are good for the conscience, they’re unlikely to be the deciding factor when purchasing a new car. However, Polestar’s integrated technology might persuade you.
The vehicles are equipped with the NVIDIA DRIVE core computer, enhancing computing power for smarter driving experiences, optimising vehicle performance, and improving energy efficiency. Taking the in-car experience up a notch is the Snapdragon Cockpit Platform, a nextgen infotainment system that keeps drivers connected with easy-to-use, energy-smart tech..
Beyond the buzzwords, Polestar is committed to sustainability with bold initiatives including Product Lifecycle Declarations for every car, detailing everything from carbon footprints to the materials used.
‘Polestar uses a significant number of recycled materials in its vehicles, such as PET, aluminium, and steel, as well as investing in advanced battery technologies to enhance efficiency and reduce environmental impact, such as exploring solid-state batteries and improving battery lifecycle management,’ says Hasan.
They’re even using blockchain to track materials like mica and cobalt, making sure they’re sourced ethically, with no human rights violations, settingnewstandardsoftransparency in the industry. Polestar is also committed to decarbonising its supply chain by working closely with suppliers to ensure every stage of manufacturing meets stringent sustainability standards. Polestar 3
aligns perfectly with Al-Futtaim Automotive’s vision of shaping a comprehensive electric mobility ecosystem in the UAE. With their charging stations and the region’s first IMI-certified e-mobility training centre, the company isn’t just selling cars; they’re investing in a sustainable future.
‘Polestarcollaborateswithpartners like Al-Futtaim to develop distribution, servicing, and charging infrastructure in key markets,’ Hasan explains. ‘AFEMC’s commitment to expanding charging networks and providing top-tier care for EV owners is crucial to advancing green mobility in the UAE.’
Even as EV sales face challenges in Europe, the UAE market is on an upward trajectory. ‘Demand for EVs in the UAE remains robust,’ Hasan explains. ‘The UAE market is buoyed by strong government support and private sector initiatives promoting electric mobility.’ Globally, Polestar has seen impressive growth with an 80 per cent rise in deliveries in the secondquarteroftheyear,drivenbya focus on high-demand markets.
‘Polestarisfocusingonkeymarkets such as the UAE and positioning itself to not only weather current market fluctuations but to emerge stronger in the long term,’ says Hasan. “We know that for many of our customers, driving an EV reflects their lifestyle and eco-conscious values, so we are focused on delivering what they want, with a strong portfolio of products such as Polestar 2 and Polestar 3 now available, and Polestar 4 coming to the UAE in the next few months.”
The carmaker has lofty ambitions to produce a revolutionary climateneutral car by 2030 known as the ‘Polestar 0 Project’.
The plan involves rethinking every component to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions entirely. ‘The focus is on eliminating emissions at the source, says Hasan, ‘which involves a comprehensive evaluation of every step in the car’s life cycle, from material extraction to final delivery.
‘Project 0 emphasises transparency and innovative circular design, including developing circular batteries and using recycled materials wherever possible. It is not just about creating a single car; it promises to be a catalyst for industry-wide change.’
When it comes to skincare, makeup and what we put on our body, only ecofriendly products will do. From the latest state-of-the-sustainable art to local brands and refills, here’s The Ethicalist’s guide to the best in green beauty
BY ANTHEA AYACHE AND KAREN PASQUALI
Ais for Activated Charcoal
Sourced from natural materials like coconut shells, activated charcoal is an ecofriendly alternative to plastic microbeads which contribute to an estimated 51 trillion particles polluting our oceans. Instead, activated charcoal is biodegradable, deeply cleanses, draws out impurities, and balances oil production. We love Ruh Natural Activated Charcoal Deodorant as a planet-friendly swap. AED 37, ruhnatural.ae
B Corp certification is the ultimate green stamp of approval, for companies committed to ethics, sustainability, and transparency. Earning this badge means meeting the highest standards from production to packaging. One of our favourites? Davines, the haircare brand that grows its organic ingredients on a carbon-neutral farm in Italy. Their Natural Tech Tailoring range offers 24 different in-salon treatments, blending scientific serums and botanical boosters for instant results. Prices vary, thejuicebeauty.com
‘Wish Cycling’, if you haven’t heard the term, is when you throw your used beauty products in the bin and hope for the best. Some products’ packaging, such as lip balms, compacts and caps require special processing even if it’s recycled – and how can that happen if you’re just chucking it away? So, the answer is to plump for products that ban single-use plastic, come in compostable or recyclable packaging or opt for products that can be refilled.
Carbon neutral beauty is the way to combat the climate crisis and there are plenty of ways to do that. We love Glow Recipe, which is ofÏcially Carbon Neutral Certified and is working towards reaching net zero with responsibly-sourced ingredients, eco-friendly packaging and sustainable shipping. Their Avocado Ceramide Recovery Serum is a gentle way to sooth sun exposed skin. AED 175, glowrecipe.com
Eis for Ecocert certification
This ensures ingredients are derived from renewable resources and manufactured using environmentally friendly processes. Antonym Cosmetics, launched by makeup artist Valerie Giraud, and worn by Hollywood actresses including Keira Knightley, is an organic makeup brand with a philosophy for clean ingredients coupled with high performance, and has an Ecocert certificate to prove it. We love their Baked Blush Powder in rose, but act fast – this flies off the shelves. AED 136, misspalettable.com
Cream to nourish skin while respecting our planet’s precious resource. AED 546, eideal.
Iis for In The Labs
With natural resources in decline, beauty brands are turning to biotech, growing key ingredients like collagen and peptides in labs instead of extracting them from nature. Ignæ’s Blue Light Serum protects skin from blue light and urban pollutants with its innovative EPC Factor® technology. AED 459, powderbeauty.com
for LUSH
is for Glitter Free Sparkle in biodegradable glitter that’s made from plant cellulose, such as eucalyptus, rather than traditional glitter which consists of a plastic polymer as well as a reflective layer often made of aluminium. It can take hundreds of years to decompose and, when washed down the drain, bypasses most water filtration systems, contributing to the microplastic particles polluting our oceans. Try ILIA Illuminator Polka Dots & Moonbeams.
AED 195, ilia.com
Jis for Jodie Kidd
The former supermodel is now creative director of ethical beauty brand Skin & Tonic. Cruelty-free with no additives or toxins, it comes in recycled plastic-free packaging. We love the Plump Up Hydration Serum, Fresh Face Exfoliating Water and Calm Down Face Oil. Prices vary, skinandtonic.co.uk
His for Healthy Hair
Conventional hair products often contain harsh chemicals like sulfates, silicones, and parabens, which can wash into waterways and harm marine ecosystems. We love Maria Dowling’s Hair & Scalp Clay, enriched with aloe vera, jojoba and peppermint to naturally cleanse and rebalance your scalp in just 20 minutes while protecting our oceans. From AED 70, mariadowling.com
Kis for Kumkumadi Oil
Kumkumadi Oil is an ancient Ayurvedic oil blend traditionally used in Indian skincare for its brightening and healing properties. We love this luxurious oil which combines saffron, sandalwood, and other potent herbs that work together to address a range of skin concerns such as acne, scars, and dark spots. Try Kama Ayurveda Jwalini Retexturizing Skin Treatment Oil.
AED 105, misspaletteable.com
The iconic fresh, handmade cosmetics brand is famous for its vibrant, ethically sourced, and cruelty-free products, from fizzing bath bombs to packaging-free beauty essentials. Lush’s innovations include preservative-free formulas and packaging made from Prevented Ocean Plastic, diverting millions of plastic bottles from coastlines. lush.com
is for Matcha
This vibrant green tea powder is not just a pick-me-up – it’s a veritable beauty powerhouse packed with antioxidants that combat inflammation and signs of aging. Unlike regular caffeine, matcha will give you a gentle boost that keeps you calm rather than jittery. We’re loving Health Nag’s Ceremonial Grade Matcha Powder, AED 199, Deliveroo and healthnag.com
is for Natural Natural beauty prioritises naturally sourced ingredients extracted from the earth, such as flowers and plants, rather than those man-made in a lab. They’re generally better for you, but they can contain unusual ingredients which are far less common and that you may not have used before, which is why we’d always recommend doing a patch test first.
In the clean beauty world, quality is everything. Brands are focusing on ethically sourced, high-quality ingredients that are free from harmful chemicals and are sustainably harvested. Look for brands that highlight transparency in their sourcing and production processes, ensuring you’re using only the very best on your skin.
Organic beauty features organically grown ingredients without pesticides, GMOs (genetically modified organism), or chemical fertilisers. Basically, they’re kept in their natural state all the way from farm to face. It’s often confused with natural beauty, but natural refers to the ingredient, whereas organic is the process behind the ingredient.
With the cosmetics industry producing 120 billion units of packaging annually, refillable beauty options are more crucial than ever. Refills extend the life of your products, reduce waste, and save money. One standout is Kjaer Weis who pioneered the first refillable lipstick that is still going strong. The certified-organic lipstick is available in 25 shades, making refills a win for you and the planet. AED 112, kjaerweis.com
While it may be a mouthful to pronounce, pharmacognosy is quietly taking over the beauty world. This practice delves into the medicinal properties of plants and harnesses bioactive compounds from nature to create skin saviours that soothe, heal, and protect against everything from blemishes to inflammation.
Sis for Sun Protection Factor (SPF)
In a sun-drenched country like the UAE, UV protection is essential, but it shouldn’t harm our oceans. Reeffriendly sunscreens like RMS Beauty SuperNatural Radiance Serum SPF 30 use mineral-based ingredients instead of chemicals that damage coral reefs. This serum doesn’t leave a chalky finish, making it the perfect ocean-conscious skincare. AED 175, thesecretskin.com
Tis for Tree Sap Tree sap, like Dragon’s Blood from the Croton Lechleri tree, is nature’s liquid bandage, loaded with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that soothe, heal, and protect the skin. Rodial’s Dragon’s Blood Sculpting Gel harnesses this ancient ingredient to calm redness, plump fine lines, and shield against environmental damage, making it a luxurious, high-performance skincare staple. AED 531, ounass.ae
is for UAE Beauty Heroes
Huda Beauty may have put the Middle East on the beauty map, but local brands are making waves with their ethical, vegan and cruelty-free credentials. Shopping locally supports homegrown talent and reduces your carbon footprint. Skin Story’s Legacy Multistick is a versatile, vegan colour stick for lips and cheeks. AED 160, misspalettable.com
Makeup wipes might be handy, but they’re not great for your skin or the planet. Often made from non-biodegradable polyester, they contribute to environmental damage, especially when flushed. Instead, choose eco-friendly alternatives like cleansing balms, reusable cotton rounds, or washable bamboo pads. You can even repurpose old fabrics as reusable wipes.
W Z Y X V U
is for Vegan Vegan beauty goes beyond cruelty-free formulas – it’s a full-on commitment that even extends to your beauty tools. Ditch animal hair for synthetic bristles that blend and buff without harming any furry friends. Doll Smash’s Airbrushed Kabuki Brush has gone viral on TikTok for its flawless, airbrushed finish. AED 164, dollsmash.com
Xerophytes are nature’s water-wise wonder plants, thriving in arid conditions with their amazing ability to store moisture. Aloe vera, one of the most famous, was cherished by ancient Egyptians for its soothing and healing properties. Our favourite pick? Ixora’s Organic Aloe Vera Gel. Certified by COSMOS Organic, this cruelty-free gel offers cooling relief for skin, hair and body, perfect for dry or sun-exposed skin. AED 69, ixoraworld.com
Achieving that fresh glow doesn’t mean piling on heavy products. Vitamin C, a natural powerhouse, provides a clean alternative to the harsh chemicals often found in skincare. As a potent antioxidant, it neutralises free radicals from UV rays and pollution, protecting your skin without synthetic additives. We love Minimalist’s Vitamin C 10% Face Serum, which uses ethyl ascorbic acid to target dark spots, dullness, and fine lines for brighter, firmer skin. AED 49.99, global.beminimalist.co.
The beauty industry is notorious for its excessive packaging, much of which ends up in landfills or the ocean. Brands are now, thankfully, stepping up with refillable options, compostable packaging, and multi-use products designed to minimise that impact.
Foundation
Doll Smash Stay Fierce Foundation Stick in Beautiful, AED 146, dollsmash.com
Lily Lolo Mineral Foundation SPF 15 in Candy Cane, AED 90, misspaletteable.com
RMS SuperNatural
Radiance Tinted Serum SPF30, Light Aura, AED 175, thesecretskin.com
Comfort zone
Hydramemory Water source serum, AED 390, eideal.com
Comfort zone
Hydramemory Rich Sorbet Cream, AED 172,
Eyes
Doll Smash - Expressionism Eyeshadow Palette, Peaches, Golden Hour, AED 18, dollsmash.com
Skin Story mascara in Drama, AED 140, misspaletteable.com
Dazzle in golds for a gorgeous glow straightfrom our fashion shoot
Eyebrows
Doll Smash Celestial Brow Highlight in Moonlight, AED 90, dollsmash.com
Doll Smash On Point Brow Pencil, Ambre/ Smoke, AED 112, dollsmash.com
Lipstick
Manifest –Chili Infused
Lip plumping Oil in Spicy Rose, AED 124, misspaletteable.com
Concealer
Doll Smash Ultimate Coverage Concealer, Bold, AED 107, dollsmash.com
Doll Smash Transcend Face Powder in Moon Dust, AED 132, dollsmash.com
Blush
Doll smash Ultimate Coverage Concealer in Sassy for contour, AED 107, dollsmash.com
Antonym – Organic Baked Blush in Rose, AED 136, misspaletteable.com
Forget good looks and an enviable bank balance, all the single ladies want is a man with an e-bike and a reusable water bottle. Here’s how to snare your eco hunk today…
BY HAYLEY DOYLE
our eyes meet across a crowded room. He’s a very easy-on-the-eye cross between Brad Pitt in his prime, (he is a vegan after all) Grey’s Anatomy star Patrick Dempsey and man of the moment, actor Timothée Chalamet. Not only is he handsome, this potential beau seems funny, kind, and he has a good job, and presumably bank balance, too.
But then, it happens. He slurps from a plastic straw while calling global warming a conspiracy before admitting he goes everywhere in his car and wouldn’t be seen dead on a bike. Needless to say, this date did not end happily ever after. Eco hunk he ain’t. There’s been a gradual and welcome shift in the do’s and don’ts of the dating world. Eco-consciousness has become the key criteria when searching for a partner. Dashing good looks and a twinkling personality are all very well, but they’re no longer enough. Is your Ryan Gosling look-alike a recycler? Your gorgeous Idris Elba doppelganger an eco-warrior? If he’s not green, then we’re not keen is the saying nowadays.
All the single ladies are no longer trying to put a ring on it –they’re more worried about making a conscious effort to go on dates via public transport. And the most attractive trait a man can have nowadays? Forget boasting about a Porsche 917K in the driveway or American Express Centurion card in your pocket,
boys. Velotric Bike surveyed more than 1,000 Americans about their environmental choices and how they relate to dating – and, well, it seems that being eco-conscious has never been more alluring. Ranked as the most attractive eco-friendly behaviour? Using a reusable water bottle, of course.
The survey also explored how certain mindsets could cause or resolve intimacy and communication issues. Finding the perfect partner essentially means being on the same page about everything– and an individual’s environmental choices can significantly affect potential
romantic relationships. A staggering 82 per cent of respondents reported differencesinenvironmentalideology resulting in fights with a significant other. Dubai-based entrepreneur Lily says: ‘I was dumped for caring about the environment “too much”!’
She admits that she was equally turned off by dating men who rolled their eyes at her eco-friendly lifestyle.
And while being passionate about nature can also mean three times more passion in a relationship – with couples living in solar panelledhomes claiming to have red hot love lives, for example – finding a partner who loves the planet as much as you
FINDING THE PERFECT PARTNER MEANS BEING ON THE SAME PAGE ON EVERYTHING AND AN INDIVIDUAL’S ENVIROMENTAL CHOICES CAN SIGNIFICANTLY AFFECT POTENTIAL ROMANTIC PARTNERSHIPS.A
STAGGERING 82 PER CENT OF PEOPLE SAID DIFFERENCES IN THEIR ECO IDEALOGY RESULTED IN ROWS
do can be tricky. You might meet somebodywhoticksalotofboxesand makes you smile, but how can you be sure their values align with yours? Interrogating them on their ecoknowledge over dinner isn’t exactly moonlight and roses.
So what red flags should you look for when searching for a green soulmate ?
• Refusing to care about global warming or recycling
• Littering
• Mindlessly wasting food
• Driving a car when walking, cycling or public transport is an option
And what green flags will get your heart racing?
• Cycling to work
• Driving an electric or hybrid car
• Proudly being a nature lover
• Using eco shopping bags
• Carrying a reusable water bottle
But where exactly can you find these like-minded soulmates? The good news is that many dating apps are now geared towards being green. You can start your quest for eco-love by looking on Green Singles, Meet Mindful, Natural Friends, Planted Earth Singles and Elite Singles apps. Mainstream apps such as Bumble have personality shortcuts called Interest Badges. This list includes options like coffee, pop music, and voter rights, and with more than 150 to choose from, the labels enable users to showcase a selection of at-aglance values. So if you’re after an eco-companion, search for the environmentalism badge.
And finally, where can you go once you’ve spotted a potential match? As temperatures drop in the UAE, the great outdoors beckons for a fabulous first date.Kayak through the serene mangroves and star gaze
while enjoying a cup of Karak tea with biscuits under the full moon (info@sea-hawk.ae). Enjoy a bike ride together and find the perfect spot for a picnic. Why not plant a tree while you’re there? Or is there anything more romantic than a walk on the beach, the waves lapping against your toes as you get to know each other?
Gardening is not only a great hobby, but can spark a mutual interest and provide a decent workout. Then again, if you really want to get your adrenalin pumping together, go for a hike. Hatta, in Dubai’s largest national park, has no less than 17 routes to take while admiring the Hajar Mountains. More seasoned hikers can attempt the Stairway to Heaven trail at Wadi Ghalilah, which is guaranteed to get both your hearts racing even if your feet get sore. For those who’d rather stretch their intellect, take a stroll around the Louvre Abu Dhabi or the Sharjah Science Museum. But if you’re really keen to see where things are heading, a date to the Museum of the Future would be a perfect starting point to explore what might truly happen next…
Brad Pitt
The award-winning actor is vegan and donated $5million to Make It Right, an adopt a green home campaign to restore houses after the destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina.
Leonardo DiCaprio
The Inception star has always championed the environment and nature with his foundation and eco documentaries to protect wildlife and tackle the global climate crisis.
Tobey Maguire
The Spiderman star has been vegetarian since 1992 and turned vegan in 2009 when he banned leather from his home – anyone arriving wearing any leather shoes, belts or carrying leather handbags have to leave them outside.
Pharrel Williams
The Musician is now as well known for his environmentalism as he is for his songs. Creative director of Bionic Yarn, a company that spins plastic waste into textiles, he is also the man behind G-Star clothing that’s made out of recycled bottles found floating in the ocean.
Orlando Bloom
Not only is the Pirates of The Caribbean actor a UNICEF ambassador, where he has been working to help bring purified water to local communities in Nepal, but his London home with popstar wife Katy Perry is eco-friendly, with solar panels, incorporated recycled materials, and energy efficient lightbulbs.
The Ethicalist’s first – and successful – Sustainable Speed Networking event brought together change-makers with a view, high up on Media One Hotel’s 42nd floor
The Ethicalist hosted its first Sustainable Speed Networking event on Media One Hotel’s 42nd floor earlier this September, and it was a resounding success. With stunning skyline views as the backdrop, 30 sustainability professionals gathered for nearly three hours of meaningful connections, fresh insights, and, of course, a bit of fun.
Split into two teams, Red and Blue, the event attracted participants from across the UAE, including a dedicated group from Abu Dhabi. Everyone eagerly settled into their 90-second each one-to-one conversations, with the Red team staying put while the Blues moved counter-clockwise. This made sure everyone had the chance to meet a variety of new faces and exchange ideas.
After an intense 90 minutes of networking, it was time for a well-deserved break. Guests continued conversations over tasty canapés made from wonky vegetables, thanks to Herogo, a local company that’s on a mission to reduce food waste by saving surplus produce, and the talented chefs of Media One Hotel.
The bites were paired with sustainable grape from Concha y Toro’s B Corp-certified vineyard, awarded for its high standards of social and environmental responsibility. This was made possible by leading drinks distributor MMI, whosegrowingselectionofbio-organic,natural, and carbon-neutral beverages is growing yearon-year.
For those opting for a non-alcoholic alternative, Drink Dry provided refreshing botanicals from Sea Arch, a company known for it’s strong eco-credentials. With a focus on mindful consumption and sustainability, Drink Dry is leading the way in offering sophisticated, alcohol-free options that resonate with the region’s conscious consumers.
After the break the teams were sent to opposite ends of the rooms to enable the Blue and Red teams to mingle among themselves. Before wrapping up, guests received thoughtful gift bags including innovative bamboo tissues from Bambuyu, specially designed to fit snugly into car cup holders. Bambuyu, known for its commitment to sustainability, produces ecofriendly tissues using renewable bamboo, offering a soft, biodegradable alternative to conventional paper products.
The feedback for the fast-paced networking evening was overwhelmingly positive, with many participants already asking when and where the next one will be. The atmosphere was electric with purpose, proving that The Ethicalist’s Sustainable Speed Networking event wasn’t just about meeting like-minded people – it was about making connections that matter, all while having a great time.
Forget splashing out on expensive beach clubs for a family fun day out –some of the best beaches in the UAE are free
BY HARRIET SHEPHARD
Here in the UAE, you don’t have to spend a fortune to get a welcome fix of sun, sea and sand. In fact, some of the country’s best golden coves come with no entry fee at all. Offering the same azure waters and powdery soft sands as the UAE’s most luxurious beach clubs and lavish beachfront hotels, the nation’s free public beaches provide brilliant days out that every member of the family will love. Welcoming, picturesque and offering tons of activities, here is The Ethicalist’s round up of some of the most idyllic – and free – places to soak up some nourishing vitamin D this winter.
Set under the iconic sail of the Burj Al Arab, a day at Kite Beach has long been one of the top things to do in Dubai. Refreshingly informal, just bring some towels, water and plenty of snacks and set up camp for the day on a spare patch of soft sand. As the name suggests, kite surfing is a common activity here thanks to the beach’s consistent cross-onshore winds. Engage in some beachside fun with volleyball courts, a running track and a variety of cafes for a quick bite. And don’t worry about forgetting a good read – there’s even a beach
library for that.= Explore the beach hut market stalls, where local artisans showcase tempting crafts and clothes, adding an extra layer of charm to the seaside experience. There is paid parking on site, plus an access ramp for wheelchairs.
ABU DHABI
Roughly half of the 8km-long Abu Dhabi Corniche is home to pristine golden sands that are open for all to enjoy. There’s a separate section for families; sunbeds and parasols are available for a small fee and the calm and clear blue waters are ideal for
getting in a length or two. Numerous parks, playgrounds, ice cream shops, cafes, rental bikes and scooters are found along the promenade, while live buskers on the boardwalk set the mood as sunset approaches. Despite its popularity, the sheer size and length of the Corniche beach means that it never feels crammed, while the downtown skyscrapers, juxtaposed against the vibrant coastline, offer simply breathtaking views.
Tucked away off the Al Aqah coast in Fujairah, Snoopy Island is a great retreat for adventure seekers. With its rocky formations resembling iconic cartoon character Snoopy’s nose, stomach and feet, this charming spot is a picture-perfect escape for all the family. From the Al Aqah coast, you can enjoy a view of Snoopy Island’s outline but for a closer look, swim or simply opt for a kayak or paddleboard to reach the rocky island. Diving and snorkeling equipment are on offer, so everyone with a keen interest in the underwater world, teeming with marine life and coral reefs, can take full advantage of the beach’s crystalclear waters. Snoopy Island is a rare destination that still offers a crowdfree experience, so you can unwind away from the usual hustle and bustle found at all the other popular spots in the UAE.
If you fancy a cooling dip after your next hiking trip to the northern emirates, look no further than Flamingo beach, Ras Al Khaimah’s most stunning and unspoiled public cove. Peaceful, wild and thoroughly enchanting, it offers all the essential amenities, plenty of parking and safe swimming areas that those of all ages and abilities can enjoy. You might even see a powder pink Greater Flamingo if you’re really lucky. These vibrant birds are colourful residents of the mangroves in Mina Al Arab, just a stone’s throw away from the beach bearing their namesake. With a choice of great places to eat nearby, it’s also the perfect stop off on your drive home.
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JBR DUBAI
Located just a short stroll from Dubai Marina, JBR is the most frequented free beach in Dubai. Here, sun, sand and sea meet shopping, dining, a cinema, watersports, kids’ and adults’ play areas, and a gym. From sunrise to sunset this stretch of sand, which wraps around the entire length of Dubai marina, buzzes with activity. The vibrant waterfront also boasts a plethora of promenade restaurants, against the backdrop of breathtaking views of Ain Dubai
ABU DHABI
The ultimate weekend playground for kids and big kids alike, the attractions ofHudayriyatareexpandingwitheach passingyear.Awayfromthenumerous sports pitches, obstacle courses and cycling tracks, you’ll find a wide public beach, and a vibrant promenade with colourfulstreetart,coolcafesandkids’ activities. Busiest at sunset, families flocktowatchthewarmgoldenshades fill the sky behind the floating Hudayriyat sign. The short nature walkprovidesapleasantwaytostretch your legs after a snooze on the sand and, to extend your beach time, you canalsobookinatBabAlNojoum,the island’s hippy-chic glamping site.
DUBAI
The lesser-known neighbour of Kite Beach, Sunset Beach is one of the best surfing spots in the UAE. Beginners can receive lessons from the team at SurfHouseDubai,andit’salsoknown for its illuminated night swimming areas. The perfect place for a refreshing post-work swim under the starry night sky, it also backs straight onto the lush lawns, playgrounds and BBQ areas of Umm Suqeim Park.
ABU DHABI
LookingoverthebridgetoHudayriyat Island, Al Bateen Beach is a favourite spot for Abu Dhabi sun-seekers and picnickers. You can hire watersports equipment and jet skis, and there’s a separate women’s only beach, too.
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She’s the award-winning Harry Potter star who uses her fame to talk about sustainable fashion and equal rights for girls and women
BY KAREN PASQUALI JONES
Emma Watson is the eco fashion queen. Known for her environmental and humanitarian activism since her days as Hermione Granger in the popular Harry Potter movies, she wore vintage and upcycled outfits long before it was trendy, even rocking a 1920s secondhand gown on the red carpet at the premier of The Prisoner of Azkaban when she was just 14.
Emma followed that up with a dress made from recycled plastic bottles at the 2016 Met Ball and even took her ethical stance to the big screen the following year, insisting on recycled and sustainably-sourced costumes on Disney’s Beauty and the Beast
So it’s hardly surprising that the award-winning actress took her slow fashion journey one step further and set up her own brand Good On You to show just how easy and affordable
being sustainably stylish can be. She turned heads on the red carpet for her upcycled bridal look at the Earthshot Prize Awards last year wearing a glam Giambattista Vallivibe outfit that was, in fact, made from ten donated Oxfam dresses.
But it’s not only fashion that Emma is passionate about. When she was appointed a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador in 2014 her address to the General Assembly decried the association of feminism with ‘man-hating’, insisting it’s simply ‘the belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities’, sparking 1.2 billion social media conversations. The death threats she received as a consequence did nothing to stop her and she has been advocating for gender equality – and planetfriendly fair-trade and organic fashion – ever since.
Here are some of our favourite quotes from the 34-year-old who, in 2015, was placed number 26 on the TIME100 list of the world’s most influential people.
‘Young girls are told you have to be the delicate princess. Hermione taught them that you can be the warrior.’
‘I think young people like me are becoming increasingly aware of the humanitarian issues surrounding fast fashion. We want to make good choices, but there aren’t many options out there,’ The Times, 2011.
‘Fashion helps shape our identities. What we wear signifies who we are and what we stand for. I support Good On You because I need to know my clothes do not harm our precious planet or its people.’
‘It can actually be a lot simpler [to have a sustainable wardrobe] than people think. People forget about vintage and second-hand clothes a lot, they forget about buying things that are more durable, or shopping a bit less. Taking care of what you already own, getting shoes resoled, that kind of thing is incredibly sustainable.’
‘Girls should never be afraid to be smart.’
‘Don’t let anyone tell you what you can and can’t do or achieve. Do what you want to do and be who you want to be. Just encourage and include each other, don’t ostracize the gender in front of you.’
‘There’s nothing interesting about looking perfect – you lose the point. You want what you’re wearing to say something about you, about who you are.’
