The Ethicalist Issue 4: January to June 2025

A Luxury Beachfront Escape

Boasting one of the destination’s most enviable settings, Anantara Mina Al Arab Ras Al Khaimah Resort sits on a private peninsula of golden sands, overlooking a mangrove lagoon and the open ocean. Bask in the emirate’s first overwater villas. Savour global flavours with exquisite dining experiences. Embark on sea adventures or cocoon yourself in spa tranquility.

Welcome to

ETHICALIST THE

THE

UAE’S FIRST SUSTAINABLE LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE.

I

t’s a surprising meeting of minds but what do Kim Kardashian, Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg, former PayPal CEO Peter Thiel and Bill Gates have in common? They’re all said to be the proud owners of luxury underground bunkers at their homes, stocked with enough food to last them a year.

They’re not the only ones. Prepping, as it is known, has gone mainstream with millions globally rushing to binge-buy buckets of apocalypse pasta at $80 (AED 293) a go, along with dinners with a 25 year shelf life.

It’s an industry due to reach $2.5 bn (AED 9.3 bn) in the US alone by 2030 with more and more people stockpiling tins of sardines (eugh!) in their garages in case of another pandemic, civil war, natural disasters or AI taking over the planet. But is it just a security blanket for the paranoid or a lifestyle choice for those who long to belong? Join the debate on page 30 to decide whether a year’s worth of canned baked beans, water and toilet rolls will really save us.

Perhaps another kind of food will be on the menu in the future. Fancy a portion of jellyfish and fries, air-grown bacteria or the leaves of a Mexican shrub that have to be cooked because they’re highly toxic raw?

Experts believe we’ll be eating different food in the future.

Fancy a portion of jellyfish, airgrown bacteria or the leaves of a shrub that are highly toxic raw?

That’s what experts believe will be for dinner in 100 years’ as the climate crisis and changing weather patterns make certain food extinct. Coffee could be an early casualty (page 40) while scientists work hard to find alternatives to feed the growing global population. Discover which ingredients could be making their way onto a plate near you in the future on page 16. In this issue we honour some of the incredible and selfless people battling to make a difference for humankind and the planet. From the siblings in Bali who’ve made it their mission to clean up all the rivers there to stop plastic pollution reaching the sea (pg 20) to the indigenous communities, environmentalists and journalists putting their lives at risk to save the Amazon (pg 12) through to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Kenya rescuing baby elephants who’ve been orphaned (pg 6), it’s humbling to see their devotion.

We celebrate love, too. From advice on meeting The One who shares the same values on page 112 to planning an eco-wedding that is as stylish as it is sustainable (pg 66), we’re championing romance. We also highlight gorgeous new looks in our fashion shoot, Back To Nature, featuring Middle Eastern designers and fine ethical jewellery on page 48 – we’re sure there’s plenty you’ll fall for at first sight.

Until the next issue,

Anthea and Karen

EDITORIAL

Anthea Ayache, Founder anthea@ethicalistmag.com

Karen Pasquali Jones, Editor-in-Chief karen@ethicalistmag.com

Juan Geel, Creative Director

Advertising Anthea Ayache, Founder anthea@ethicalistmag.com

Distribution Alaina Mutti, Marketing Manager alaina@ethicalistmag.com

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No part of this magazine may be copied, transmitted or distributed without the express written consent of The Ethicalist.

Printed in the UAE on FSC certified wood-free paper with chemical-free soybean ink. FSC certification ensures that paper products have been sourced from forests that are managed with strict environmental, social and economic standards.

by

RAK CERAMICS

PRE-CONSUMER PORCELAINRECYCLEDTILES

RAK Ceramics’ Re-Use series embodies the brand’s commitment to sustainability, featuring collections that reflect an environmentally conscious production approach guided by stringent sustainability standards. The ecodesign of Re-Use tiles is an ongoing process that continuously regenerates materials, setting new benchmarks for minimizing resource consumption through the continuous refinement of production methods.

The Re-Use series introduces Re-Use Quartz and Re-Use Mineral, the world’s first sustainable porcelain tiles made entirely from 100% pre-consumer recycled material. These groundbreaking products mark a significant milestone in RAK Ceramics’ sustainability journey, reinforcing its dedication to environmental stewardship and innovative manufacturing.

Re-Use Quartz, developed through extensive research and development, is crafted using recycled materials sourced from various manufacturing processes. This innovation underscores the company’s commitment to circularity, transforming waste into high-quality, sustainable products that meet the same exacting standards of quality and performance as its premium offerings. By reducing reliance on new raw materials, RAK Ceramics conserves natural resources, minimizes waste, and significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions, further advancing its mission towards a more sustainable future.

The Big Rescue of Tiny Giants

In Kenya’s Masai Mara the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is battling to save baby elephants who have been orphaned by poaching, habitat loss or the climate crisis.

The Future Of Food

Fancy a portion of jellyfish with a side order of air-grown bacteria and the leaves of a Mexican shrub that have to be cooked because they’re highly toxic raw? It’s what could be for dinner in 100 years.

How To Cope With Gobal Turmoil

Do you have Headline Stress Disorder from 24/7 news coverage?

The Rise of Prepping

Meet the Preppers who believe an underground bunker or garage stockpiled with tinned sardines and baked beans will save us.

Back To Nature

Let’s go outside in sustainable Middle Eastern designer outfits and fine, ethical jewellery for al fresco glamour.

PLUS

20 River Rescuers

Meet the siblings cleaning up the waterways of Bali and beyond.

26 Wet & Wild

Will these wet and wild markets cause the next global pandemic?

40 Is a Coffee Catastrophe Brewing? As coffee consumption continues to rise, could climate change – which is destroying crops around the world – mean the end for your Cappuccino?

44 Back From The Brink From critically endangered to thriving: conservation success stories.

58 Seeing Is No Longer Believing How can we trust anything we witness in a deepfake world?

62 The Dark Side Of Denim Ditch dirty denim made using toxic chemicals that pollute the Earth – nowadays you can eat your jeans instead of greens.

106

Be A Goldfish

Discover how to forgive the 50 mistakes we all make every day from the happiest animal on Earth – the humble goldfish.

66 Say ‘I do’ To An Eco-Wedding Celebrate your love for the planet as well as your partner with biodegradable confetti, vintage décor and a pre-loved dress.

72 Plant Party Power

Delicious vegan recipes from Akira Back at W Hotel – The Palm in Dubai.

74 From Waterfalls to Wolves

Exploring Germany’s Southern Black Forest with its lakes and return of its native species.

80 Holiday Like A Star? You Cannes! We check into the five-star sustainable hotel all the stars love on the French Riviera.

88 Stay Close

Dreamy staycations right on your doorstep.

92 Peace. Mediate. Be Cave meditation and botanical tours are all part of an eco-luxury trip to Bali.

96 Breaking The Fall

The truth about hair loss and how to treat it.

101 Get The Look

Recreate the makeup from our fashion shoot at home.

102 Jet Set, Ready, Go! The best beauty travel essentials.

110 Brief Encounters

Our Speedy Networking and Clothes Swap Party events.

112 When I Fall In (Eco) Love How to find the perfect Mr Green.

116 Eco Icon Joaquin Phoenix

The Joker who wants to save the planet.

Hakuna Matata Face-to-face with red colobus monkeys on the idyllic island of Zanzibar.

Photography: Sheldrick Wildlife Trust / Erika Hobart

iny Giants The big rescue of T

Across Africa, elephants are fighting a battle for survival against poaching, habitat loss and climate change. Yet one organisation, the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Kenya, is paving the way for recovery, one orphan at a time. Anthea Ayache visited the sanctuary to learn more...

n the heart of Kenya’s Maasai Mara, a vast wilderness where elephants roam the open savannahs, volcanic hills rise dramatically, and rivers carve their way through rugged landscapes, an elephant calf is preparing to fight for survival. The air is abuzz with the hum of life from hundreds of species, but at just 15 months old, Olomunyak stands outnumbered and helpless in the wilderness, surrounded by a pride of opportunistic lions. Their hungry eyes fixed on the orphan, the calf is shielded only by the bravery of a solitary bull elephant standing guard against the predators. The fact this young calf’s mother is absent suggests she likely fell victim to one of many threats facing elephants today from poaching to humanwildlife conflict. Without her, Olomunyak has little chance; a calf that young is entirely dependent on its mother’s milk requiring around 24 litres a day. Thankfully, fortune proves to be on his side, and the baby elephant is spotted and rescued by the

Mara Elephant Project (MEP) and the Olare Motorogi Conservancy (OMC) who swiftly notify the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Nairobi – world leaders in the rescue and rewilding of orphaned elephants.

The story of Olomunyak – which means ‘the lucky one’ in the local Maa dialect – is not an isolated one. Baby elephants are often separated from their herds due to poaching, humanwildlife conflict, natural causes, predators, separation during migrations or barriers such as roads and fences. But their individual stories reflect a much larger crisis: Africa’s elephants are fighting for survival on an unprecedented scale.

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Savanna (Bush) elephant is listed as Endangered, and the Forest elephant as Critically Endangered. Over the past century, Africa’s

OVER THE PAST CENTURY AFRICA’S ELEPHANT POPULATION HAS PLUMMETED FROM AN ESTIMATED 10 MILLION TO JUST 415,000. WITHOUT URGENT ACTION IT IS PREDICTED THAT THEY WILL BE EXTINCT WITHIN THE NEXT 20 YEARS

elephant population has plummeted from an estimated 10 million to just 415,000. Without urgent action, it is predicted that they could go extinct within the next two decades.

Kenya is home to a significant portion of these remaining elephants, but the threats they face are daunting. Poaching for ivory remains a persistent issue despite global bans. Research by the World Elephant Day initiative suggests that approximately 100 African elephants are killed every day for their ivory, meat and other body parts. Climate change is also exacerbating the problem, leading to

prolonged droughts that force the world’s largest living land animal to venture into human settlements in search of water and food, often with tragic consequences.

‘Human-wildlife conflict is one of the greatest threats to conservation today,‘ Angela Sheldrick, who runs the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust tells The Ethicalist. ‘The historical rangelands of elephants are steadily shrinking due to the spread of the human footprint and the absence of land use policies being enacted. As a result, elephants are the most common victims of human-wildlife conflict. In

Photography:

Sheldrick Wildlife Trust / Erika Hobart

the dry season, particularly in times of drought, they venture off protected areas and onto community land, tempted by an accessible meal. These excursions can have devastating implications: a single elephant can decimate a farmer’s crops in a night, while run-ins with humans can have fatal results for both parties.’

A Beacon of Hope

In the midst of this crisis, the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust has become a leader in elephant conservation. Founded in 1977 by Angela’s mother Dame Daphne Sheldrick in memory of her late husband, David, a prominent naturalist and founding warden of Kenya’s Tsavo National Park, the non-profit trust is globally recognised for its pioneering orphan elephant rescue and rehabilitation. To date, it has reintroduced more than 320 orphaned elephants into the wild, with many becoming mothers themselves – proof of its success.

As well as looking after the baby elephants, the Trust undertakes initiatives to safeguard Kenya’s wildlife. Working in partnership with the Kenya Wildlife Service, their antipoaching teams, with highly-trained rangers and dogs, patrol protected areas to prevent ivory poaching and bushmeat hunting. The Trust also has

mobile veterinary units, which provide care to injured wildlife, from elephants wounded by snares to lions suffering from human-wildlife conflicts. Beyond direct animal protection, the community outreach program works to educate and engage local communities, promoting coexistence with wildlife through initiatives like beekeeping, tree planting, and education scholarships.

‘Successful conservation and community engagement go hand-inhand,’ explains Angela. ‘Over a third of rural-dwelling Kenyans live below the poverty line. As they struggle to make ends meet, conservation efforts fall low on their list of priorities. Many have a complicated relationship with wildlife, viewing elephants and other creatures as threats to their lives and livelihoods. Just as we are invested in the long-term welfare of Kenya’s wildlife, we are equally committed to their human neighbours, too.’

Rebuilding Trust

At the heart of their mission, however, is the rescue and rehabilitation of orphaned elephants.

Edwin Lusichi, Head Keeper at the Trust’s Nairobi Nursery, tells us that the process begins the moment an orphan is found without its herd. ‘We never know how long a baby elephant has been alone, and most are found in a critical state – weak, dehydrated, and often on the verge of collapse.

‘If we were to transport them by road, which can take up to two days, many wouldn’t survive the journey. That’s why we act fast, flying to the nearest airstrip and bringing them back with us by plane or helicopter to the Nairobi Nursery as quickly as

possible. Their survival depends on it.’ Upon arrival, the calves are given urgent medical attention. ‘Most come in a very poor condition,’ Edwin says. ‘We start off with IV fluids, antibiotics and tests to diagnose their condition. But beyond the physical care, we need to gain their trust. These elephants come in viewing humans as enemies because, in the wild, we’ve been the ones hurting them.’

At the nursery, each calf is assigned a team of keepers who provide roundthe-clock care on a rotational basis. This includes bottle feeding and, crucially, companionship. Elephants are highly social animals, and the absence of a herd can be devastating. Many calves enter a long period of grieving for their lost loved ones, which can even be fatal.

Of the 22 young elephants currently at the nursery, 14 require companionship throughout the night from one of the 28 keepers. ‘Our keepers sleep [on raised bunk beds] in the stockades with the calves,’ Edwin says. ‘They need feeding every few hours and a constant presence, just like they’d have in the wild.’

While the nursery provides a haven for young calves during their most vulnerable years, once the elephants are healthy and old enough – usually aged three – they are transferred to one of the three rehabilitation centres in Tsavo East National Park and Chyulu Hills National Park, where over 100 elephants are being slowly reintroduced to the wild.

Released in groups of three to preserve social bonds, they are lodged in open stockades that allow them to gradually reacclimatise to the wild. ‘It’s a five-year process,’ Edwin says. ‘The elephants decide when they’re

Photography:

© Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

where keepers bottle feed the baby elephants before they play or enjoy the occasional mud bath. While guests are not allowed to feed the calves – an intentional decision to ensure keepers build the essential bonds of trust – there’s still plenty of fun interaction on the orphans’ terms. Young elephants romp around like toddlers and often gambol over, offering their wet trunks or enjoying a gentle scratch of their rough, wrinkly backs. Meanwhile, Edwin tells the stories behind each orphan, from rescue to rehabilitation, including Olomunyak who obliviously chews a leafy acacia branch nearby.

ready. Some form ties with wild herds quickly, others take their time.

‘When that happens, they naturally stop returning to our units,’ he adds. ‘They choose to stay with their new families, and we respect that. We don’t track or microchip them, because we don’t want to interfere with their natural way of life. We just ensure that they join a herd and then let nature do its thing.’

One of the Trust’s proudest achievements is the birth of 70 calves in the wild to former orphans. ‘Some of the mothers we’ve reintroduced to the wild have returned to show their

keepers their newborn calves,’ Edwin smiles. ‘Because elephants never forget a friend.’

Mischievous Encounters

The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust plays a critical role in safeguarding Kenya’s elephants and offers a unique opportunity for people to connect with conservation while supporting their work. ‘Every adoption, every donation, every visit to our nursery helps us rescue another orphan and save another life,’ Edwin explains. Visitors to the Nairobi Nursery can attend morning feeding sessions

Vistoria can also ‘adopt’ one of the elephants, for a minimum of $50 a year but if you foster Olomunyak, you may find he’s disappeared back to his quarters. The 22-month-old loves to sneak back to his room. He stands near his keepers, pretending to be engrossed in listening to Edwin’s stories, before gradually stepping away and making a final sprint to the compound. ‘This party trick comes out when we least expect it,’ Edwin laughs, ‘so we always have to catch him in the tiptoeing phase!’

Perhaps it’s this young calf’s harrowing start to life that makes him treasure the comfort and security of his stable. However, today he is thriving, bonding with other orphans and beginning his journey towards a new life in the wild. Thanks to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, Olomunyak will always have a family to support him and a safe place to call home.

As the sun sets over the nursery, a herd of baby elephants trundle in line past the red, muddy watering hole, following their green-coated keepers back to their sleeping quarters, a poignant reminder of what’s at stake.

These magnificent creatures are more than just icons of Africa; they are a keystone species. Their loss would have profound consequences, not only for biodiversity but for ecosystems, economies and human well-being. Ultimately, if we lose such an intelligent and socially complex animal, it would be a stark reminder of our failure to protect the planet.

But, as Edwin puts it: ‘We can’t change the past, but we can shape the future. And every elephant saved is a step in the right direction.’

The keepers stay with the baby elephants 24/7 to care for them

The elephants decide when they’re ready to leave the Trust

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Across the Amazon environmental journalists, activists and Indigenous communities are risking their lives to defend one of the last wild places on Earth

BY ANTHEA AYACHE

OOn June 5, 2022 in the dense and untamed forest of the Javari Valley, a remote region in the Brazilian Amazon and home to the largest number of uncontacted Indigenous tribes in the world, British journalist Dom Phillips and Brazilian indigenous expert Bruno Pereira set out on a research mission. The pair were investigating illegal fishing gangs who were poaching endangered species such as the highly soughtafter pirarucu, and broader environmental degradations including illegal logging and mining which were ravaging one of the most critically biodiverse areas on Earth.

Their journey was part of their work for a book on rainforest conservation and the escalating threats facing the Amazon, a mission that would tragically cost them their lives. Ambushed by criminals involved in illegal fishing, they were executed, and their bodies buried in a shallow grave near Atalaia do Norte, close to the Peruvian border. The reports of the men’s dissapearance, subsequent ten day search and ultimate murder sent shockwaves across the globe. The case focused the world’s attention on the deadly risks faced by those who confront environmental crimes and stand up for the planet’s most vulnerable ecosystems.

Sadly, their story is far from unique. In 2023, at least 196 land and environmental defenders were murdered worldwide, with hundreds more harassed, threatened, or silenced. Among them Eduardo Mendúa, an indigenous leader in Ecuador, who was gunned down in the garden of his home for opposing oil drilling on his ancestral land. An autopsy revealed he was shot 12 times. His murder remains unsolved.

These killings are all part of a relentless war on the brave and selfless protectors of our planet: Indigenous communities, journalists, and activists working on the frontlines of world environmental crises.

Photography: Oliver Jornblihtt / Mídia Ninja

Indigenous Activists

The Amazon rainforest – which spans nine South American countries, houses one-third of the Earth’s plant and animal species, and produces onefifth of all its flowing fresh water – is home to approximately 2.7 million Indigenous people. These communities collectively inhabit more than 3,000 Indigenous territories, which cover around 35 per cent of the Amazon Basin.

Yet these vital Indigenous lands are under constant threat. Illegal logging, mining, and agricultural expansion encroach on their territories, with devastating consequences for both the environment and the communities who call it home.

Nemo Guiquita, an Indigenous Waorani leader, who is also Director of Women and Health for the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of the Ecuadorian Amazon, or CONFENIAE, says her community faces mounting dangers trying to protect their land. ‘We are constantly under attack by mining companies, oil extractors, illegal loggers and even our own government. We defend our land, and for that, we are criminalised, imprisoned, and sometimes killed,’ she says.

The fight against deforestation is not just about protecting land, it is also about safeguarding identity, culture, and their heritage.

‘The forest is not just land to us,’ Nemo says, ‘it is knowledge, medicine, and spirit. When the trees fall, so do our traditions. Deforestation destroys sacred sites and can break spiritual

connections with the Omere, which is our nature, and is always present in dreams when we sleep.’

Laura Yawanawá, the Executive Director of Yawanawá Sociocultural Association in Brazil, an organisation that protects almost 200,000 hectares of rainforest in Acre state, 99 per cent of which is left untouched for biodiversity – shares similar concerns.

‘Our forest is everything: our school, our supermarket, our faith. All our knowledge comes from nature,’ she says. ‘Everything we know comes from the animals and the plants. That is why we protect it. Yet we are constantly under pressure to use destructive economic ways that they call progress. We refuse. We are building a different way of life where we can preserve our traditions and this beautiful forest.’

Trying to preserve their ancestral lands is an immense challenge as powerful industries continue to exploit the Amazon for profit. The Amazon rainforest, often referred to as the ‘lungs of the planet’, has long been under siege from deforestation. In 2021 alone, 1.3 million hectares of forest were lost, largely due to agricultural expansion, including cattle ranching and soy farming. Over the past five decades, around 20 per cent of the Amazon has been lost.

However, recent years have brought a positive shift. In 2023, the Brazilian Amazon saw an almost 50 per cent decline in deforestation according to data from national space agency Inpe, and in 2024, it reached a nine year low, a sign that conservation efforts and Indigenous leadership are having an

impact. ‘We defend our rivers, our forests, and our sacred places because they are life. Without them, we cannot exist,’ Nemo says.

While deforestation rates may have declined in recent years, its impact on climate change continues to be severe. Unpredictable droughts, floods, and the drying up of rivers are increasingly disrupting traditional ways of life.

In 2024, the Amazon faced its most severe drought on record, leaving rivers parched and lifelines like fishing and transportation in disarray. Dead fish lined riverbanks while wildfires consumed over 30 million hectares of wilderness – an area larger than Italy.

‘A few years ago, unexpected floods destroyed our crops and livestock, bringing new diseases and infections we had never seen before,’ says Laura. ‘The dry seasons are lasting longer now. This year was catastrophic, our river dried up so much that we found dead fish for the first time in Yawanawá history. It felt like the end of the world.’

Climate Journalists

While indigenous activists defend their ancestral lands, climate journalists risk their lives to bring these battles to light. In regions plagued by environmental exploitation and corruption, journalists who expose ecological crimes often face harassment, violence, and even death.

‘Journalists in Latin America who report on climate and environmental issues face the threat of murder, violence, arrest, online harassment and legal attacks,’ says Cristina Zahar Eggers of the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). ‘This can come from organised crime, private companies and governments, all focused on exploring national resources in public or protected areas, including Indigenous territories.’

The dangers are stark. Manuel Calloquispe, a journalist covering illegal mining in the Madre de Dios region in Peru, faced death threats from criminal groups profiting from environmental destruction. And in Guatemala, Quimy de León, who reported on the impacts of extractive industries, endured online harassment campaigns aimed at silencing her.

These are not isolated incidents but part of a growing trend of intimidation on reporters who cover environmental

Activists risk their lives for the environment

issues. Between 2009 - 2023, at least 749 journalists and news outlets were targeted with murder, physical violence, arrest, online harassment, or legal attacks, according to UNESCO.

The problem is exacerbated by systemic failures. Governments often fail to protect journalists, and in some cases, they actively suppress their work. ‘Investigating illegal mining, phishing and logging, drug trafficking, biodiversity piracy, and deforestation can be very dangerous, especially for journalists based in the territories and unprotected,’ explains Cristina.

‘Environmental coverage often intersects with economic interests, criminal activities, and corruption, placing local reporters and their families at grave risk. When selfcensorship is not enough, journalists have to flee to avoid being killed.’

To counter these challenges, CPJ launched the Climate Crisis Journalist Protection Initiative, aimed at providing safety training, digital security resources and emergency funding to journalists on the frontline.

‘Our goal is to ensure that journalists reporting on the climate crisis can do so without fear,’ Cristina says.

Without the vital work of climate journalists, stories of environmental destruction, corruption, and human rights abuses would go untold.

‘Environmental journalism often involves pursuing stories that confront powerful interests, exposing and holding dangerous actors to account, Cristinasays. ‘With these risks poised to increase in years to come as climate change worsens, there is a dire need to

‘THE FOREST IS NOT JUST LAND TO US. IT IS KNOWLEDGE, MEDICINE, AND SPIRIT. WHEN THE TREES FALL, SO DO OUR TRADITIONS’ - NEMO GUIQUITA, INDIGENOUS WAORANI LEADER

support journalists working on the frontlines, particularly the local and Indigenous journalists at highest risk.’

Despite the dangers, victories are achieved, including the case of Yasuní National Park in Ecuador, one of the most biodiverse places on Earth. A vast 3,800sq mile rainforest, Yasuní is home to giant otters, armadillos, jaguars, Amazon river dolphins, more than 600 bird species, and 140 types of frogs and toads. In a single hectare, Yasuní has 100,000 different species of insects – roughly equivalent to the total number of insect species found in North America.

But beneath this ecological treasure lies over a billion barrels of lucrative crude oil, attracting relentless interest from extractive industries. For years, Indigenous groups, including the Waorani people led by activists like Nemo, and in collaboration with NGOs including Amazon Watch, fought to keep oil companies out of Yasuní. Their struggle culminated in a referendum where Ecuadorians voted to permanently ban oil drilling in a key area of the park, a landmark victory for both Indigenous sovereignty and environmental protection.

‘The government wouldn’t stop oil drilling, so the people did,’ says Nemo. ‘Ecuadorians voted to remove the oil

companies from Yasuní National Park – our ancestral land. It was a victory, but one we had to fight for every step of the way.’

The batte to protect the planet comes with extraordinary risks for those who stand at the forefront. Their courage ensures that ecosystems are preserved, cultures safeguarded, and powerful entities held accountable. But the world must rally behind them, demanding stronger legal protections and supporting organisations like Amazon Watch and CPJ. As Nemo poignantly states: ‘Our resistance is not just for us, it is for the world. The Amazon is the lungs of the planet, and we are its guardians.’

Yasuni is home to giant otters, juaguars and river dolphins

THE FOODS OF TOMORROW:

A WHAT DINNER WILL LOOK LIKE IN 100 YEARS

Jellyfish, air-grown bacteria, lab burgers, thistles and the leaves of a Mexican shrub that must be cooked because they’re so toxic raw, will all be on the menu in years

to

come as we battle to feed the world’s growing population

BY NICK HARDING

ir-fried jellyfish with a side of seaweed and some airgrown bacteria anyone?

It may sound gross now, but according to London’s Natural History Museum, in 100 years’ your grandkids will likely be chowing down on this dish, along with a range of other culinary delights that include burgers made from a matrix of lab-grown muscle cells, slices of processed insect protein and cactus salad. Nom, nom

While photos of this food of the future are unlikely to get you many likes on Instagram, there are several benefits –mainly that it will be sustainable, abundant and nutritious.

According to a report by the museum:

‘Current farming, fishing and industrial practices are having a negative impact on nature, and the way we eat needs to become much more sustainable.’

It predicts that jellyfish, chips and cactus salad could become a regular on western menus in the next 20 years as an answer to depleting fish stocks and as a way to manage this proliferating species.

The report explains that jellyfish are low in calories and fat and high in protein and antioxidants. ‘Fresh jellyfish have a delicate, salty flavour and a slightly chewy body ,’ it says. ‘ When dried, jellyfish look firm but give away to a soft feel on the tongue, making it a great alternative to crisps.’ There are 25 species of edible jellyfish in the world, the report goes on, many of which are consumed in Asian countries.

Likewise, seaweed is also an ingredient that’s prized for its nutritious profile and likely to become more widespread in western diets, particularly as more than a third of the world’s soil is degraded, which will impact crop yields in the future.

Feed The World

Indeed, the search for the food of tomorrow is one of the vital challenges facing mankind. The global population is projected to reach nearly 10 billion by 2050 – that’s a lot of mouths to feed. And the need for sustainable and abundant sources of nutrition will become more acute as incomes increase across the developing world. According to a 2019 report by the World Resources Institute, overall food demand is on course to increase by more than 50 per cent, and demand for animal-based foods by

nearly 70 per cent because, it explains, as societies become more wealthy, they tend to favour Western-style meat-heavy diets.

At current levels, the global food production industry will be unable to keep up with demand without profound changes. Even today, when agriculture already uses almost half of the world’s vegetated land, hundreds of millions of people remain hungry. It was estimated that more than 700 million people faced hunger in 2023, around nine per cent of the world’s population. That number is expected to increase with global warming, which creates a devastating feedback loop whereby current agricultural practices – that generate a quarter of annual greenhouse gas emissions –intensify to meet demand, creating more extreme weather events, and more hunger.

Researchers at the World Resources Institute (WRI) estimate that by 2050 there will be a 7,400 trillion calorie deficit between the amount of food produced at 2010 levels, and the amount needed to feed the world’s population. If nothing changes, an extra 593 million hectares of agricultural land will be needed to fill this ‘food gap’, an area twice the size of India. The WRI calls for increased efficiency of natural resource use as the single most important step toward meeting both food production and environmental goals.

It bleakly states: ‘If today’s levels of production efficiency were to remain constant through to 2050, then feeding the planet would entail clearing most of the world’s remaining forests, wiping out thousands more species, and releasing enough greenhouse gas emissions to exceed the 1.5°C and 2°C warming targets enshrined in the Paris Agreement –even if emissions from all other human activities were entirely eliminated.’ Clearly, the status quo is notan option.

Hungry For Change

Recommendations such as reducing food loss and waste, and shifting the diets of high meat consumers toward plant-based foods, are already slowly catching on globally. According to the United Nations, a fifth of the world’s food was wasted in 2022. It launched its voluntary food waste reduction goal in 2015. The UK, which is a signatory,

AGRICULTURE ALREADY USES ALMOST HALF OF THE WORLD’S VEGETATED LAND BUT HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF PEOPLE REMAIN HUNGRY. IT WAS ESTIMATED THAT MORE THAN 700 MILLION PEOPLE FACED HUNGER IN 2023, AROUND NINE PER CENT OF THE WORLD’S POPULATION, AND 150 MILLION MORE THAN IN 2019. THAT NUMBER IS EXPECTED TO INCREASE WITH GLOBAL WARMING

managed an 18 per cent reduction between 2007 and 2021. And meat consumption is declining across Europe. Even North America and Oceania, which historically have strongly preferred beef, are expected to see significant decreases in per capita consumption.

The WRI recommends other measures to fill the food gap, such as avoiding any further expansion of biofuel production and improving women’s access to education and healthcare in Africa to accelerate voluntary reductions in fertility levels.

Still, these measures won’t be enough. Scientific developments and dietary changes will have to happen too, which is why the WRI calls for large increases in research and development funding, and flexible regulations to encourage private industry to develop and market new food and agricultural technologies. As examples of measures to help fill the gap, it cites additives that reduce methane emissions from cattle, improved fertilizers, organic sprays

that preserve fresh food for longer and plant-based beef substitutes.

In 2022, researchers at Kew Botanic Gardens in London pointed out that currently we rely on just 15 crops to provide 90 per cent of our energy intake. They identified several plant species likely to play a bigger role in diets of the future, including cacti and seaweed. There are more than 1,500 species of cacti, many of them edible. They’re already a staple in Latin America, where they are grilled and served with eggs or in salads and tacos.

According to the Kew report, porridge oats could be replaced with fonio, a grass species native to the savannas of West Africa which tolerates dry conditions. Other plants which could become cupboard staples include Akkoub, a thistle-like plant from the eastern Mediterranean and Middle East; pandanus, a smalltrunked tree that produces large, segmented fruit similar to pineapple which can be eaten raw or cooked, and chaya, a large, fast-growing leafy shrub native to the Yucatan Peninsula of

Southern Mexico which is rich in protein, vitamins, calcium and iron but which must be cooked, as the leaves are highly toxic when raw. Thankfully, a lot of high-tech food will be familiar. Scientists are looking to harness the abilities of legume plants such as peas and beans, which host bacteria in their roots that convert nitrogen in the air into chemicals that plants can use. This could lead to selffertilizing crops which enrich the soil they are planted in and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions caused by the manufacture and use of fertilizers.

Food From Thin Air

The most exciting developments are happening at the bleeding edge of science where developers are creating food from air. A Finnish company, Solar Foods, became the first to produce food using electricity to split water into oxygen and hydrogen, then feeding the latter (along with carbon dioxide captured from the company’s ventilation system) to single-cell organisms, similar to yeast used in baking, that use it as their main food source. These microbes are grown in a vat in a solution containing other minerals needed by cells, such as iron, magnesium, calcium and phosphorus. They are then killed by a pasteurisation process and dried with hot air. The resulting protein-rich powder, called Solein, can be used in food. Compared with producing the same amount of plant proteins, Solar Foods claims producing Solein results in a fifth less CO2 emitted, while

requiring a 20th of the land and 100th of the water. It is already approved for use in Singapore where last year a restaurant created a Solein chocolate gelato, replacing dairy milk.

For manufacturers, such a novel protein might have an advantage over cultured meat, which is grown in a lab and then made into products, because it’s cheaper to produce. But cultured meat, which is forecast to be one of the most widely eaten foods of the future, may prove more popular with consumers, as it is made from the same muscle cells as normal meat, so it tastes better in a bun than air-dried bacteria, or a jellyfish for that matter.

What Else Will Be On The Menu?

As chocolate, coffee, seafood and grapes all become scarce or extinct because of the climate crisis, humans will be tasting new and unpredictable flavours. Here’s what could be on the menu in the future:

Insects – especially ants and grasshoppers – will be turned into burgers. Rich in protein, mineral and vitamins as well as fibre, insects are already eaten in Asia and Africa, where fried crickets, maguey worms and caterpillars are all consumed as delicacies. Insects need significantly less space, water and energy, emit fewer greenhouse gases, and can be fed on unwanted fruit and veg. They can be ground up into flour, paste, or made

into multiple dishes including snack bars.

Hydroponic vegetables and vegan sushi. The future of food is already being tackled by many countries after the United Nations launched its Zero Hunger by 2030 goal, which includes food waste prevention and regenerative agriculture. Growing plants without using soil, and feeding them on mineral nutrient salts dissolved in water, means

vegetables can be grown in living walls, roof gardens and on balconies.

Personalised Nutrition will be based around genetic make-up, the individual’s environment and lifestyle habits and an app will determine the food needed for optimum health.

Cell-grown cheese and 3D printed tortilla chips will all be common place.

Rescuers River

Indonesia has some of the world’s most polluted waterways, but the Bencheghib siblings, armed with trash barriers and community spirit, have made it their mission to turn the tide on the country’s plastic crisis

BY ANTHEA AYACHE

Sam Bencheghib wades chest deep through a Bali river and is soon surrounded – not by the cool, refreshing flow of water, but a suffocating sea of plastic. Bottles, bags, pots, pouches and a plethora of unidentifiable debris sit stagnating around him. It’s a sight – and smell – that would dishearten, if not disgust, most but for Sam, 27, and his older brother Gary, 29, and sister Kelly, 31, the island’s pollution problem has become their life purpose. It’s an ambitious goal: to stop Indonesia’s plastic waste from reaching the ocean.

The archipelago’s turquoise waters and lush landscapes have long made it a popular tourist destination, but Indonesia’s natural beauty is slowly being eroded by a tidal wave of man-made waste. According to a 2024 study published in Nature , the country ranks third as the world’s largest contributor to plastic pollution producing 3.4 million tonnes of plastic waste annually. Even worse, in addition to its own, thousands of tonnes more plastic debris are also brought into the country from countries including the Netherlands and Japan, despite a ban imposed in 2019.

Disposed of improperly, much of it ends up in the sea and rivers with Indonesia’s Ministry of Environment and Forestry confirming that as of 2020, 59 per cent of the country’s rivers were classified as heavily polluted. In 2050, it’s suggested that if our pollution crisis continues unabated, there will be more plastics than fish in the world’s oceans and more than 80 per cent of it ends up there from rivers and streams.

With more than 17,000 islands, Indonesia’s geography makes waste management efforts complicated. The vast distances, regional differences, and a largely informal waste sector make tackling plastic pollution a monumental challenge. The visible impact, however, is undeniable: rivers

choked with debris and beaches littered with plastic. It’s a crisis that threatens marine life, tourism, and the livelihoods of Indonesians who rely on clean waterways.

Reclaiming Rivers

In the midst of this environmental emergency, Sungai Watch, a Balibased charity founded in 2020 by the Bencheghib siblings, has emerged as a beacon of hope. The organisation specialises in installing trash barriers – floating devices that intercept river waste before it reaches the ocean – as well as operating a collection, sorting and up-cycling system to tackle plastic pollution. In just four years, they have removed three million kilos of plastic from Bali and East Java’s waterways. Born in France but raised on the beaches of Bali, the trio witnessed the plastic problem from an early age. ‘Having lived in Indonesia for 20 years, we’ve seen firsthand how the absence of a proper waste management infrastructure devastates the environment –polluting rivers, beaches, mangroves, and coral reefs.’ Sam says.

In 2017, Gary and Sam undertook a two-week expedition down the Citarum River in West Java, one of the world’s most polluted, using kayaks made from plastic bottles. Social media videos of them paddling through masses of plastic highlighted the plight of the 15 million people living along the river, and sparked governmental action. An emergency cleanup by Indonesia’s environment ministry and a rehabilitation plan were announced.

Inspired by the impact, the siblings founded Sungai Watch – sungai means ‘river’ in Indonesian – with the mission to stop plastic from reaching the ocean.

‘We were fed up of seeing bigger and bigger plastic waves wash up on Bali’s beaches every year and when we realised that most of the plastic in the ocean comes from rivers, we took it upon ourselves to figure how to stop plastic from getting into the ocean in the first place,’ Sam explains.

By focusing on river mouths and highly polluted river systems, they’ve tackled the plastic crisis at its source. However, their strategy has evolved over time. ‘Initially, we chose to focus on disaster relief efforts by cleaning

Before and after cleaning a local river of plastic

River Warriors collect three tons of plastic each day

The siblings have removed 3m kilos of plastic from Bali’s rivers

‘PLASTIC POLLUTION IS TOO BIG OF A PROBLEM TO “CLEAN UP.” OUR GOAL IS TO MAKE LOCAL COMMUNITIES FEEL PROUD OF THEIR RIVERS AND BY WORKING TOGETHER WE CAN CREATE SYSTEMIC CHANGE UPSTREAM’

rivers in dire need of help, starting with river mouths and the most polluted rivers in Indonesia, before plastic could reach the ocean,’ Sam explains. ‘However, over time we have been shifting our efforts upstream, to make sure that plastic doesn’t even reach the rivers.’

While the scale of their work is staggering, – their team of 119 fulltime River Warriors collect three tons of river plastic and debris every day –by collaborating closely with local communities they’re ensuring that the fight isn’t just a top-down initiative. Weekly volunteer cleanups in local communities bring together people of all ages, while educational programs in classrooms and villages promote positive waste management behaviours in communities where it is often undervalued. Historically, in many parts of Indonesia, household items like utensils, food wrappers, and containers were made from natural materials such as bamboo, banana leaves, or coconut shells. These materials would naturally biodegrade when discarded. This traditional practice led to a ‘throwaway’ behaviour that was sustainable for centuries in a preplastic world.

However, with the introduction of modern materials such as plastic, this behaviour has persisted, but the environmental consequences have dramatically changed. Unlike bamboo or banana leaves, plastic does not biodegrade and instead accumulates in the environment, creating widespread pollution.

‘We believe that to see long-term tangible change we need to instil habits in communities directly,’ Sam says. ‘Plastic pollution is too big of a problem to “clean up.” Our goal is to make local communities feel proud of their rivers and by working together, we can create systemic change.

Indonesia has some of the world’s most polluted rivers

‘It’s also especially rewarding when the community comes together to help clean the waterways. We’ve hosted a few cleanups where we have called for help, and literally thousands of volunteers have shown up.’

Tackling plastic pollution is no small feat. The work is physically demanding, requiring long hours in harsh conditions, often in waterways so clogged with waste that the water is barely visible. ‘Every cleanup we

Residents of all ages get involved with cleanups

‘EVERY CLEANUP WE ORGANISE IN A RIVER WHERE THE PLASTIC COVERAGE IS SO SEVERE YOU CAN’T EVEN SEE THE WATER IS INCREDIBLY REWARDING. WE START FEELING LIKE WE’RE WITNESSING THE END OF THE WORLD. BUT THROUGH TEAMWORK AND HOURS AND HOURS OF HARD WORK, WE MANAGE TO COMPLETELY RESTORE NATURAL ECOSYSTEMS’

organise in a river where the plastic coverage is so severe you can’t even see the water is a bit overwhelming at first,’ Sam admits. ‘We start feeling like we’re witnessing the end of the world. But through teamwork and hours and hours of hard work, we manage to completely restore natural ecosystems.’ In 2023, the vital nonprofit organisation, which is funded through a combination of donations, sponsorships, and partnerships, managed to clean 380 rivers across Bali and Java, pulling out everything from nappies and cables to more surprising finds, such as ukuleles.

‘We have found everything in the rivers,’ says Sam. ‘You name it, we have probably picked it out…. fridges, mattresses, wallets (with money inside), children’s toys, dead animals, every type of trash you can think of.’

Trash to Tables

After being intercepted by the trash barriers, the waste – a third of which is plastic bags – is transported to their sorting centres. Recyclable materials

are sent to local recycling facilities, while non-recyclables are disposed of responsibly. Organic waste is often composted to reduce the amount of material that ends up in landfill.

In March 2024, the siblings also launched Sungai Design, an online e-commerce platform that transforms river waste, primarily the plastic bags, into contemporary furniture. Ten thousand kilos of bags have been used to create stools, chairs and tables.

Sungai Design’s furniture is crafted through collaborations with various designers, notably the Ombak lounge chair, made from 2,000 plastic bags and with a price tag of $960, which was designed in partnership with American designer Mike Russek. This circular approach not only reduces waste but also provides sustainable funding for the siblings’ operations.

‘After cleaning rivers for four years, we asked ourselves: what if we could up-cycle every piece of trash out there that’s sitting in a river, and turn it into a cool, practical product that replaces new, virgin materials?’ Sam says.

‘And what if we could take everything that’s sitting in a landfill and convert it into products? And with the funds generated, clean even more rivers and fix the plastic pollution crisis?’

Visible Results

The impact of Sungai Watch’s work is tangible. Rivers once choked with plastic now flow freely, thanks to the tireless efforts of volunteers and staff. Yet, as Sam points out, their work is just a drop in the proverbial ocean compared to the scale of the problem. Despite efforts by change makers like Sungai Watch, the plastic crisis continues to grow at an alarming rate. The plastic manufacturing industry has expanded, producing 400 million tonnes of plastic globally every year, much of which ends up in landfill. Consumer usage, driven by a lifestyle centred around convenience, has also surged, fuelling the demand for single-use plastics.

‘To see real progress, we need to scale up dramatically, raising huge amounts of funding to deploy more trash barriers, clean up more rivers, and build efficient sorting centres,’ Sam admits. ‘The only way to fight an industry this big is to match their scale with larger and more efficient collection infrastructure.’

This year the organisation plans to expand to Jakarta, with the goal of removing one million kilos of plastic annually. It’s an ambitious target, but one they hope to surpass. ‘We need to operate with extreme urgency,’ says Sam. ‘Only then do we stand a chance at fixing plastic pollution.’

The Ombak lounge chair was made using 2,000 plastic bags

The team have found everything from nappies to ukeleles in rivers

WET &

WILL THESE MARKETS CAUSE THE NEXT GLOBAL PANDEMIC?

Covid-19 may be a distant memory, but wildlife markets remain a threat to the welfare of animals and us, writes Sarah Freeman

Agloveless vendor fillets a wriggling eel on a countertop already streaked with blood as motionless caged tortoises are stacked beneath live rabbits just metres away. Even though Singapore is one of the world’s most heavily regulated countries, this was the everyday scene in one of its bustling Chinatown markets witnessed on a visit in February 2020 before most of us had ever uttered the words ‘pandemic’ or ‘zoonotic disease’.

Three thousand miles away in Eastern China, Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market in Wuhan, the presumed early epicentre of the Covid-19 outbreak, had already been shuttered for a month.

Despite the name, it wasn’t just seafood but endangered pangolins, along with snakes and beavers, on sale to eat in its ‘wild animal’ section. As well as being inhumane, this mixing of different species in close quarters is a breeding ground for the transmission of deadly diseases from animal-to-animal and animal-to-human.

‘The blood, excrement and other bodily fluids can easily get on sellers’ and customers’ shoes and be tracked into people’s homes,’ Amruta Ubale, Animal Equality’s Executive Director in India, tells The Ethicalist

A crisis of our own making, as well as being a worldwide wake-up call to humanity, the Covid-19 pandemic put the global wildlife trade firmly in the spotlight, since many of the markets’ caged animals are also illegally trafficked and endangered.

But how much has changed? With a worrying surge in ‘walking pneumonia’ – a persistent respiratory infection – across America and a recent deadly monkeypox outbreak in Central Africa, The Ethicalist asks: is history about to repeat itself in the post-Covid era?

Animals captured and sold in wildlife markets are confined to cramped and filthy cages that are cesspools of disease and dispair

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 75 per cent of emerging infectious diseases spread to humans originate in animals. In Huahan Market, Yelp listed a single stall selling 100 species including live peacocks and civets: a racoon-faced mammal that’s also a Chinese delicacy served up in a pricey soup. WHO claims a civet was to blame for China’s 2002 outbreak of SARS which killed 800 people. An ‘intermediate host animal’, it was likely infected by a bat. These furry winged creatures are responsible for carrying a raft of viruses such as rabies, with zoonotic diseases, which jump from animal-tohuman, including both Ebola and Monkeypox, being traced back to bats.

While many scientists back the theory that the coronavirus began in bats, the infected animal that transmitted it to a human remains a mystery. What remains certain is that markets like Wuhan’s play host to thousands of people and caged animals – both wild and domesticated – which wouldn’t normally cohabit the same space.

Huahan Market was misleadingly called a wet market, saddling these safe and legal trading places with the words ‘global pandemic’ forever. Found across the world from Sweden to Sydney, wet markets literally take their name from their hosed-down floors and melting ice which keeps

food such as fish, fresh. Millions of people depend on them daily to buy food at affordable prices. A lifeline for communities, wet markets are also an important source of livelihood and culturally significant.

Markets like Huanan are, in fact, wildlife markets, which, as well as selling and slaughtering live animals on site, peddle non-domesticated wild species both dead and alive, making them a channel for the legal and illegal trade in animals. Researchers at Princeton University have called for better classification of wet markets, so that they are clearly distinguishable from their wildlife market cousins, which pose a threat to global public health as well as biodiversity.

Caged and Afraid

Wildlife captured and sold in wildlife markets are typically confined to cramped and filthy cages that are cesspools of disease and despair. Panicked, dehydrated, hungry and often injured, the animals suffer unimaginable cruelty while awaiting their fate. ‘They experience high levels of stress due to overcrowding and unhygienic conditions which weakens their immune system making them more susceptible to infections,’ Ubale says. Wild species are even more vulnerable to shedding dangerous viruses as they’re not used to being in captivity. Undercover investigations

by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) reveal horrifying realities. In Bangkok’s Khlong Toei Market, PETA uncovered bags of live frogs squashed up against the bodies of slaughtered ones. Meanwhile, chickens with open wounds bound to other birds, faeces-encrusted cages and caracal cats – a medium lynx-like wild cat – with no space to turn around, remain common sightings across Asia’s wildlife markets.

More than 2,500 miles away in India, animals destined for wildlife markets are made to travel for hours crammed in small cages without food or water. Ubale says: ‘These cages are often stacked on top of each other leaving animals at the bottom exposed to urine, faeces and other waste from the animals above. They are stressed from the loud noises and witnessing the slaughter of other animals.’

On the idyllic Indonesian island of Bali, so-called bird markets have been found to peddle flightless creatures, too. PETA exposed a trader selling primates including a slow loris – a

Undercover investigations reveal stomachchurning realities

Photography: Animal Equality.

protected species that’s critically endangered in Indonesia – ‘off the books’ in Bali’s Satria bird market in 2023, with the same shop reportedly selling monkeys the previous year. The sale of high-risk species like pangolin and turtle for traditional medicine, human consumption and luxury products doesn’t just happen behind closed doors. Wildlife markets are also fuelling the illegal capture and trade in exotic animals – which is valued at $73 bn ( AED 268 bn) annually, pushing already endangered species closer to the edge of extinction.

Justice for Dogs

It’s not only wild animals but pets that are subjected to unimaginable cruelty in the wildlife markets of Indonesia’s North Sulawesi Province. One of the most brutal and bloody is Tomohon which has been in business for over a century. Here, rats, bats and pythons are butchered alongside live animals. Aside from the public health risks, Tomohon practices extreme animal brutality, though the sale of cat and

dog meat was outlawed as part of an historic agreement made in July 2023 between traders and animal welfare campaigners, ending decades of animal mistreatment to man’s best friend, who were bludgeoned and blow-torched alive in the market.

Ninety per cent of Northern Sulawesi’s dogs on sale are believed to be stolen pets. The fact that this province has one of the highest numbers of human deaths from rabies in the country is no coincidence. There’s a proven link between the dog meat trade and the transmission of deadly rabies that’s sadly endemic in 25 out of 34 of Indonesia’s provinces. Co-founder of Change For Animals Foundation, Lola Webber, says: ‘With over 200 markets selling dogs and cats for meat in North Sulawesi alone, the scale of the problem is potentially catastrophic for Indonesia’s attempts to eliminate rabies.’

One of the biggest challenges is shifting attitudes towards traditional medicine with some Sulawesi natives believing that dog leg soup cures dengue fever – a sometimes fatal mosquito-borne illness – in children. Locals also have an appetite for bats, one of the highest-risk species for emerging infectious diseases.

A study published by Harvard University reported that more than a million bats are sold in Sulawesi markets each year, served skewered or in a coconut milk curry. Vulnerable Flying foxes, a type of megabat, are considered a delicacy, too.

Bird Flu and ‘The Big Apple’ Asia’s live bird markets are hotbeds for harmful pathogens particularly when, unsurprisingly, it comes to bird

flu. Research published by scientific journal Nature Communications found that one in ten birds arriving at live bird markets are already exposed to a zoonotic strain of the avian influenza virus known as H9N2. The speed at which it can spread is terrifying, with nine out of ten healthy chickens entering a live bird market becoming infected within 24-hours. The takeaway from the study was that pandemic prevention strategies must be rolled-out before poultry even enters a wildlife market.

The cruel caging of birds doesn’t only happen in Asia. Better known for its iconic skyline, New York has the largest number of live bird markets in America according to Humane Society International (HSI). In 2022 and 2023, avian flu was found in several of NYC’s state-licensed live animal markets. Sadly, the story doesn’t end there. Spread across five boroughs are storefront slaughterhouses, where penned animals including ducks, guinea fowl, rabbits, cows, goats and sheep are killed on site at the request of paying customers. A visit to one in January 2024 by Bob Holden left the New York lawmaker appalled. ‘The conditions are barbaric,’ he said. ‘All the animals are packed in. We saw birds with open sores and we saw sick and dead birds in the cages.’

There’s little doubt that wildlife markets pose a risk to both human health and biodiversity at large. But the misplaced fear around all wet markets speaks more about the western world’s disconnection with the source of our food than anything else. So, what is the solution to preventing the next global pandemic?

Stopping deadly viruses jumping from animals-to-humans in the first place is key. But breaking the chain of disease transmission is no easy task, with deforestation, intensive farming and urbanisation driving humans closer to wildlife than ever before. By reducing our encroachment on wildlife habitats, better regulating the trade of exotic animals and shuttering wildlife markets, we may just have a fighting chance.

Whilst there isn’t a silver bullet for easily averting another world health emergency, there’s no question that taking care of our planet and the animal kingdom is a very good place to start.

Wildlife markets push endangered species closer to extinction

BE PREPARED FOR

THE RISE OF THE PREPPERS

Will a garage stockpiled with a year’s worth of tinned sardines, baked beans, water and toilet rolls really save us in an Armageddon-style scenario or is the rise of prepping the first step to apocalyptic madness?

BY MIKE PEAKE

Since the dawn of time – or actually the moment we discovered the means of preserving certain foods by methods such as salting and pickling – humans have been drawn to the potentially lifesaving idea of hoarding supplies of essential items for a rainy day. Well, more specifically, a bad day. A very bad day.

Right now almost 20 million Americans, one in five Brits and a rising number globally, are cruising the aisles of supermarkets binge-buying buckets of $80 (AED 293) apocalypse pasta and other dinners with a 25-year-shelf life ready for a cataclysm.

Many are building bunkers, stockpiling at least a year’s worth of tinned and powdered goods along with seeds to grow their own food, and water filtration and purifier systems in case of another pandemic, nuclear detonation, civil war or AI taking over the planet.

And while 51 per cent of Americans are prepared for a disaster, according to a 2023 survey by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema), plenty think bunkering down isn’t enough and have booked themselves a place at a survivalist retreat.

But it’s far from luxury. In rural Colorado, an outpost of Fortitude Ranch, a network of such retreats, the rooms are furnished with bare mattresses, sacks of rice, canned tuna, boxes of Pop Tarts, mountains of toilet paper, coffee, batteries, a PlayStation, Dan Brown novels, and boots designed to protect against poisonous snake bites.

Welcome to the world of prepping: a rapidly growing industry that is due to reach $2.46 bn (AED 9.34 bn) in the US alone by 2030. It’s not just a security measure either –prepping is a lifestyle choice, with the purchases providing identity as much as it allays fears of ‘the event’.

Prepping spikes are often inspired by war because anticipated or actual scarcity encourages the sensible

and nervous alike to double up on stocks of things they may soon run out of.

The golden age of prepping was arguably the Cold War when millions of Americans thought there was a more than reasonable chance of a Soviet missile landing on their lawn.

Then came Y2K – the non-event of the millennium – and, more importantly, and recently, Covid. Suddenly, an idea that had started to lose momentum amongst all but new world-order fantasists was back on everyone’s radar.

Global political and environmental tensions of the past few years – the Doomsday Clock is now set at just 90 seconds to midnight – have further heightened the sense that a disaster may be just around the corner. And even the clock’s operators, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, who monitor the combined risks of climate disaster, nuclear annihilation, biological threat and ‘disruptive’ technologies, say that we’ve never been closer to ‘global catastrophic destruction.’

Prepping, then, is not just for the deeply paranoid.

PREPPING GETS TRENDY

According to The Times newspaper, the kings of modern prepping are US citizens: ‘whole communities of offgrid disaster-ready preppers with guns and armour-plated “apocalypse vehicles”.’

But that belies the truth. Prepping has gone mainstream.

Kim Kardashian, Mark Zuckerberg, former PayPal CEO Peter Thiel and Bill Gates are all rumoured to have fancy underground (well-stocked) bunkers at their homes.

The Hollywood Reporter recently quoted Ron Hubbard of Texas-based Atlas Survival Shelters, who said: ‘It seems like the phone hasn’t stopped ringing. World War III seems like it’s coming.’ Hubbard is currently working on a $7.5 mn (AED 27, 5 mn) bunker for a client in Oklahoma.

In mid-2024, the UK’s then Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden launched Prepare, a website that implored Brits to start stashing supplies of non-perishable foods, bottled water and wind-up torches in case of an emergency.

And TikTok preppers abound. The TikTok Prepper Community has 19

Kim Kardashian, Mark Zuckerberg, former PayPal CEO Peter Thiel and Bill Gates are all rumoured to have fancy well-stocked bunkers

million posts and extols the virtues of everything from collecting seeds to stocking a prepper pantry. It also showcases gadgets, including the Anker Solix F3800, a solar-powered electric generator that’s yours for just $3,000 (AED 11,000).

Even National Geographic has declared that prepping has gone mainstream – and they should know, as they have a TV show called Doomsday Preppers

‘In a public imagination fuelled by reality TV,’ they write, ‘preppers are lonely survivalists, members of fanatical religious groups, or even wealthy Silicon Valley moguls .’ In reality, they say, preppers range from

Prepare Website’s Emergency Kit

• Battery or wind-up torch

• Portable power bank

• Battery or wind-up radio - to get updates during a power cut

• Spare batteries - for torches, radio and any medical equipment

• First aid kit - waterproof plasters, bandages, thermometer, antiseptic, eyewash, sterile dressings and gloves, medical tape and tweezers

‘New Yorkers with extra boxes of canned goods squeezed into their studio apartments to wilderness experts with fully stocked bunkers.’

PREPARED FOR… WHAT, EXACTLY?

It’s not so much a zombie apocalypse that preppers are getting ready for –it’s something far more mundane and realistic. Among the Doomsdaymongers’ top concerns are: Natural disasters – such as floods, fires, and hurricanes. At the extreme end of the spectrum are asteroid and meteor strikes, plus ‘mega quakes’ that wobble the whole planet. Pandemics – Covid 2.0. Fool us once, but you won’t fool us again.

• Hand sanitiser and wet wipes

• Bottled water - minimum of 2.5-3 litres of drinking water per person per day. 10 litres per person per day to be comfortable, for cooking and hygiene. More may be needed for baby formula, medical devices and pets

• Non-perishable food - tinned food, fruit, vegetables (and a tin opener), pet food

• Baby supplies - nappies and formula prepare.campaign.gov.uk

Political instability – what’s to say someone won’t seize power and force ‘your kind of people’ underground?

Technology – there’s a growing fear that critical tech infrastructure is vulnerable. A loss of payment processing systems, the internet, or the power to your property could make that metric tonne of Pringles or stack of sardine cans in the basement seem like a masterstroke. Anarchy – social uprisings are feared by many. OK, by some. Food shortages – climate change, pests and new parasites could change the world’s larder as we know it End-of-the-world-itis – the very idea of prepping and going off-grid is appealing to anyone who’s lost faith in the social systems they once relied on.

GETTING WORRIED YET?

Chris Turpin, the CEO of the Be Prepared Expo (and no, it’s nothing to do with the Scouts) is stoic. ‘Preparedness helps you from eating your neighbour,’ he said.

Presumably stockpiling those Costco buckets of pasta will prevent that. Or why not try one of Amazon’s ‘emergency food kits’ – a snip at £169.99 ( AED 740, 209) for 60 servings of breakfast, lunch and dinner or £589.85 (AED 2,721) for a family bucket.

Currently, more than 3,000 a month are being snapped up by British preppers. And they’re being

metaphorically patted on the back for it. As columnist Eva Wiseman writes in The Guardian: ‘While hoarding is seen as pathological, prepping instead is understood as a kind of activism. The impulse to prep belong in the wellness sphere – stockpiling tins of sardines is not so far removed from applying moisturisers or breathing deeply.

‘They both provide a sense of control amid the chaos. Because an emergency food kit is not just a supply of meals for when the power goes out. It’s also a bucket of dread, each catastrophe neatly stacked and packaged in a way that helps us appreciate the distinction maybe between what we really want and what we really need.’

Political scientists Robert Kirsch and Emily Ray are no nearer to the psychology behind the prepping phenomenon even though they’ve investigated it for their book Be Prepared: Doomsday Prepping in the United States (2024) . ‘We have no idea if preppers truly believe the end is near, are merely hedging their bets, or if it helps them cope with some underlying trauma,’ they admit.

But what we do know is that the amount of preppers has doubled in the last eight years and will continue to do so.

ARE YOU PREPARED?

When deciding if prepping is right for you, you should take a moment to weigh up two things:

1 The horror of being ‘I told you so’ by a neighbour whose 12,000 packets of air-dried beef now make your mouth water because all you held back for Armageddon was a Snickers. (For the vegetarians and vegans among us be prepared to go hungry. Aside from cans of baked beans (nom nom) and green beans (euugh) there’s not much in the way of tinned food for us.

2. The fact that prepping is a timeconsuming pursuit.

Going all-in means you will miss out on other things. Such as getting on with and enjoying everyday life. Or visiting far-flung corners of the world, where you’ll be many miles from the ‘security blanket’ you’ve created in your garage.

So, how about a compromise? If you have the space, why not borrow our forefathers’ ‘rainy day’ logic and stock up on a dozen bottles of water

and enough food for a week. That’s not crazy. In fact, it seems rather sensible.

ENVIRONMENTALIST’S INSPIRATION?

While it’s easy to dismiss prepping as the domain of those people you’d give a wide berth to in the street, here’s an alternative viewpoint: what if the whole idea of prepping really speaks to the environmentalist in you?

Perhaps it’s a golden opportunity to learn how to make your own clothes, to find new uses for items that were destined for the garbage dump, or to grow things in the garden that will fill an empty tummy instead of just attracting ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ from the begonia-loving couple next door.

Self-sufficiency removes you from fast fashion, fast food, excessive energy consumption, and waste.

So, as weird as it sounds, prepping might just help you become the environmentalist you always dreamed of. Embracing prepping – really finding ways to get a kick out of it and have fun – means you’re not just preparing for the worst, you might get to live your best life. And the planet benefits, too.

But who are we to influence you? You do you. That said, if you do go down the prepping route, would you mind stocking up on an extra one of everything for us? Just in case.

True Preppers’ Stock Pantry List

• Water – more important than food (you can’t survive long without water), you’ll need 1-2 gallons per person for each day.

• Canned Food – extremely easy to store and cheap, this is always our go-to suggestion for starting out and it will always be part of your food storage plan. The top 10 canned foods to store are: diced tomatoes, corn, green beans, baked beans, tuna in oil, chilli with beans, roast beef, beef stew, chicken breast, and sardines.

• Energy Bars or Granola Bars

• Peanut Butter and Other Nut Butter

• Crackers, Chips, and Other Pantry Snacks

• Dried Fruits – dry using a dehydrator or freeze dryer.

• Nuts

• Powdered Milk – versatile and high-density protein is easy to store.

• Oatmeal or Cereal

• Jams and Jellies

• Baby Formula – if you have a little one, plan ahead. In a pinch, you can make your own baby formula. Combine and mix 12 oz evaporated milk, 18 oz boiled water

• and 2 tbsp corn syrup (or sugar)

• Pet Food – it’s easy enough to stock a little extra food for your pets. Many pet foods have long shelf lives. trueprepper.com

HOW TO COPE WITH GLOBAL TURMOIL

Watching 24/7 war coverage, global news bulletins and social media commentary on natural disasters, famine and the climate crisis has led to a worldwide rise in headline anxiety and stress disorder. Here’s how to overcome it

BY CHRISTINE FIELDHOUSE

Settling down on the sofa with a coffee, Anna switches on the TV to watch the news. Once again, it’s footage of catastrophe after catastrophe. On the screen there are graphic images of young children, their faces burnt, their limbs broken, or hanging off. They’re being stretchered to hospitals where there are neither beds nor staff.

Next up, it’s famine. Then there are floods and mudslides, killing scores of people who began that morning thinking it was just another ordinary day.

‘It seems that everywhere I look there’s a disaster and hopelessness,’ says Anna, 49, who has two teenage sons. ‘I feel constantly sick. I don’t know when or how it will all end.

‘It’s like I feel the pain of every man and woman, and every mother and father that I see on my TV screen. I try and imagine how those people cope, how they carry on, and what their days and nights must be like.

‘At times, I feel like it’s all tearing me apart, yet I’ve no right to feel like that because at the moment I’m safe, healthy and

warm. It’s crazy. But I might as well be at the centre of it all because I live every disaster in my head anyway.’

Anna, an accounts executive in Dubai, isn’t alone. She’s experiencing what many of us feel as we witness horrors unfolding before our eyes. We can’t help but feel empathy and compassion for the people whose lives are being wrecked; horror that human beings can treat each other this way, and – for some - even guilt that we’re in our cosy homes, while others are suffering such atrocities.

Dubai-based life coach Amanda Davies explains: ‘When we see turmoil, like the current situations happening in Palestine, Lebanon and Ukraine, it brings up so many emotions. Some people have lost loved ones, others are displaced and even those without personal ties feel sympathy and trauma.

‘There’s often grief and sadness when we see innocent lives lost and entire communities destroyed. Then there’s anger and frustration at the injustice, the needless violence and the lack of meaningful action to stop these atrocities happening.

‘It’s also extremely common to feel fear and anxiety, and to worry about the uncertainty and unpredictability of the situation, what might happen next and how this could escalate.

‘It means we experience a crushing sense of helplessness, confusion and disbelief, and are left questioning humanity’s moral compass and how this could happen.’

Psychologists even have different terms for this new phenomenon: headline anxiety or headline stress disorder. Don Grant, PhD, an LAbased psychologist, describes it as ‘media saturation overload’ which is a direct result of the ‘steady drumbeat of headlines and related social media commentary without pause’.

The 24/7 headlines around the pandemic, racial injustice, election controversy, climate change, cost-ofliving crisis, terrorism, political uncertainty, natural disasters and wars around the world can all lead to stress for many people.

‘They may have just read about an animal on the verge of extinction or the latest update on the melting polar ice caps,’ says Grant. ‘They may not even recognise at first that the news has affected their mood. But they’re

‘Some people replay world events in their minds. It’s like they’re living out the crisis and while this shows a deep sense of empathy, it can lead to anxiety, stress, fear and burn out’

Non-stop news bulletins about disasters can cause anxiety

‘When we watch the news it feels as if we are right there living it, whether it’s famine, flooding, conflict or climate change disasters. Reporters are on the front line so we see these horrors first-hand’

perseverating on it—it’s really bothering them.’

But why do we think the world is in turmoil now - more so than at any other time in our lives? The climate crisis is playing its part in natural disasters, but sometimes it feels, everywhere we turn there’s conflict. While the psychologists’ terms are newer, the psychological strain of living through and absorbing dismal news is by no means confined to recent years.

UK-based coach Phil Olley, author of Reflections from the White Tunnel (FCM Publishing), says it’s all down to our perception of the world we live in.

‘The world has always been in turmoil,’ Phil explains. ‘You just have to look at the end of the Roman Empire in Britain to recognise that. Today our 24-hour news reels exist on turmoil. Advertising is designed to unsettle us – the media sells us turmoil so they can sell us a solution. It’s all part of the complexity of the way in which the world works.

‘The difference now is that we have journalists embedded on the front line or in the refugee camps. We see these horrors first-hand. When we watch the news, it feels like we’re right there living it, whether it’s famine, flooding,

conflict or climate change disasters.’ MIND, a UK mental health charity, agrees. ‘Some news highlights a difficult reality like the existence of racism, poverty, and myriad other kinds of inequality,’ a spokesperson says. ‘Coverage can seem constant through 24-hour TV, websites and social media. And for many of us these issues aren’t only in the headlines –they impact our daily lives.

But why do some people view these tragedies with indifference, while others, like Anna and many of us, live and breathe them, dreading the next bulletin but unable to look away?

‘Some people have a sense of detachment or indifference because the events aren’t directly affecting them,’ Amanda explains.

‘Others get completely absorbed. They pore over the news, follow social media updates obsessively, talk about world events endlessly and even replay events in their minds. It’s like they’re living out the crisis secondhand, and while this shows a deep sense of empathy, it can lead to anxiety, stress, fear and, in some cases, emotional breakdown or even burnout.‘Being overly exposed to distressing news, especially images of dead, starving, bloodied or bombed

people, can lead to more serious mental health issues.

‘There is no right way to react. Our coping mechanisms vary but the key is to identify and acknowledge these very real emotions, find healthy ways to process them and then channel them into something constructive.

There is no right way to react to distressing news, say experts

‘Your ability to feel this deeply is actually a gift. It’s part of what drives compassion and change. When you approach world events with balance, you can care and contribute without burning yourself out or becoming numb. Ultimately, it’s about staying connected to the world – and events unfolding – with compassion, while maintaining your own stability.’

So how can we shift our perspective, so we can cope better with presentday events? Here are our experts’ top tips to coping with world turmoil:

Watch What You Watch

Keeping up with current affairs is vital, but watching the TV news round the clock can become unhealthy, warns Phil.

‘Deep within you, you’ll know when you’ve watched enough news,’ he says. ‘There comes a point when you’re up to date. As soon as it’s starting to agitate you, switch it off.’

And Amanda urges us to pay particular attention to where we get our information from.

‘Choose reliable sources and don’t chase sensationalist headlines,’ she says. ‘Focus on understanding the bigger picture rather than getting lost in every update. Some media often highlight the worst, which can be frightening and can distort how we see the world. It’s vital you look for stories of resilience, progress and hope to help you stay grounded.’

Do Your Bit

Find a cause that really concerns you, then think creatively about how you can help, urges Phil.

‘If you’re heartbroken every time you see footage of children dying of famine, find a charity you can help,’ he says. ‘You could, of course, join an organisation and go out to Africa, but you could also contribute to or work in a local foodbank, help in a soup kitchen or cook lunch for homeless people in your area.

‘You don’t have to travel halfway across the world. Look at your own

community. There may be a group that needs your help or a forestry project that could use extra hands. Instead of rushing past homeless people without making eye contact, sit down with them and hear their story. It’s another way of giving.’

Start And End Each Day With A Positive

Adopt an attitude of gratitude every morning and evening, advises Phil.

‘Each morning, write down three things you’re grateful for, whether that’s a cup of tea and a slice of cake, having the best parents or going to bed at night without the fear of your home being bombed,’ he says.

‘Then, before you go to sleep, write down the most positive things that have happened to you that day. This isn’t about being Pollyanna. War is sad, death is sad, but if you do this, you’ll create a positive filter, through which you see the world.’

Up Your Self-Care

It’s crucial, not selfish, to take care of yourself when times are tough, explains Amanda.

‘Make sure you have a healthy diet, and get enough exercise and sleep,’ she says. ‘Spend time with your friends, family and pets. It will restore your energy and keep you resilient. Be kind to yourself and recognise that feeling sad, worried, anxious or even helpless shows your empathy, humanity and connection to others. Don’t judge yourself for caring. It’s a deeply human response.

‘If you need to talk to a counsellor about your anxiety, or lean on your loved ones and community when things get overwhelming, then do so.’

Find Some Joy

It’s easy to become embroiled in misery, but life is a gift, and we must embrace it, says Phil.

‘Find something that makes the world seem like a better place,’ he suggests. ‘If you love singing, join a choir. Go dancing or join an amateur dramatics group – anything that uplifts your spirits and makes you feel happy and at one with the world.

‘Get out into nature. It’s a positive syringe full of goodness and can quickly and easily connect us to a broader and wider world. Seeing the vast expanse of nature out there can

‘Small, practical actions like litter picking, a beach clean, donating to a food bank, and joining a local cause can help channel your concerns or anxiety into something positive’

broaden our horizons so every day sit in your garden, go for a walk in the countryside or stroll round a park. It helps you to decompress and will shift your perspective.’

Know Your Spheres Of Influence

Become aware of what you can and can’t influence in your life and discover your spheres of influence, advises Phil.

‘Imagine you’re standing in the middle of a circle,’ he says. ‘The inner part contains the things that are within your control, things you can contribute to, and this is the area on which you should focus, even if it’s as simple as going for a run. Outside the circle are the things you can’t control, such as floods, conflicts and disasters.’

Amanda adds: ‘Instead of getting lost in the enormity of the problem, think about small, meaningful actions you can take.

‘Practical actions like litter picking, beach cleaning, donating to charity or a foodbank, joining a local cause and supporting people emotionally can all help channel your concerns into something positive.’

Do You Have Headline Anxiety?

Symptoms of dealing with news coverage or world turmoil can leave many of us:

• Anxious or worried about what an event means for us, or our loved ones

• Overwhelmed or stressed –especially when an event is dominating the news

• Angry or frustrated – for example about an injustice

• Sad or upset

• Afraid or feeling unsafe

• Hopeless or powerless about a situation we can’t control

• Confused about what’s happening, and who we can trust

• Pressured to always stay informed - and guilty when we can’t

• Traumatised – as seeing other people experiencing violence or grief can bring up painful feelings and

traumatic memories from our own lives

• Isolated, conflicted or suspicious of others – especially those who hold opinions you don’t share

• Unable to enjoy any media – feeling you can’t use your TV or phone to help you relax any more

• Unable to switch off or stop scrolling – even though it might be making us feel worse

• Unsure how to talk about what’s happening – especially to younger children

Source: MIND www. mind.org.uk

For more information on Amanda Davies go to pinnaclesuccess.coach and Phil Olley’s website is philolley.com

IS A COFFEE CATASTROPHE BREWING?

BY NICK HARDING

COFFEE CONSUMPTION CONTINUES TO CLIMB GLOBALLY BUT COULD CLIMATE CHANGE MEAN THE END FOR YOUR CAPPUCCINO? C

offee is the world’s favourite hot drink, and second only as the global refreshment of choice to water. Whether yours is an Americano, Flat White, Macchiato, Cappuccino, Espresso or cheeky Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino, more than 2.25 billion cups are consumed globally each day. In fact, 87 per cent of Americans claim to be ‘obsessed’ with the stuff, with most drinking on average three and a half cups per day.

Not only is it delicious, packed with flavour, and caffeine for a morning pick-me-up, but it’s also an intrinsic part of myriad cultures and societies around the world. ‘Fancy a coffee?’ is the epitome of bonding, dating, hanging out with friends, family and colleagues at work, home, in cafes and coffee shops.

And that’s the reason why Starbucks and Costa Coffee are taking over the world, with the former boasting more than 40,000 stores globally and the latter opening its doors in 31 countries. Costa has so much potential, according to the Coca-Cola Company – whose mission is to ‘refresh the world’ – that it bought it in January 2019 for $4.9 bn (AED 17.99 bn) to extend its global reach.

Starbucks has even been attributed to making coffee one of the greatest commercial success stories of the past 40 years, with the ubiquitous US coffee chain being the driving force behind the ‘second wave’ of coffee culture, when consumers were presented with more diverse coffee drinks and flavour experiences.

Coffee consumption has been steadily growing over the past decade, with 177 million 60kg bags of beans consumed from 2023-2024 and the demand is only getting greater.

‘People forget that coffee is a drug, a legal drug,’ says Brian Phillips, who sources beans for Anthem Coffee Imports in Kansas City, America. ‘Coffee consumption is not slowing down by any means.’

The global coffee market was estimated at $223.78 bn (AED 820,842 bn) in 2023, the latest available figures, and is expected to grow more than five per cent by 2030, according to Grand View Research, a top

US-based market research company. Already almost every main mall from Abu Dhabi to Delhi has a coffee chain in it and the ‘third wave’ is underway, signified by hipsters with hand grinders and coffee connoisseurship, where beans are ethically sourced from farms instead of countries for their flavour profiles.

Climate Crisis Threat

This inexorable rise from jars of insipid instant to a Nespresso in every middle-class kitchen is under threat, however. Coffee’s global domination could be stopped by climate change. Trouble could, in short, be brewing with a coffee drought on the horizon.

Coffee grows in the Tropics and there are 129 species of coffee tree. Despite this 99 per cent of the coffee we drink comes from either the coffea arabica or coffea canephora plants.

The latter produces Robusta beans and is hardy, whereas arabica is much more sensitive to climatic conditions and produces Arabica beans, which have a superior flavour profile and account for around 70 per cent of the coffee consumed globally.

Arabica grows along the Coffee Belt, which forms an imaginary loop around the planet from Central America to Papua New Guinea and Australia in the Pacific Ocean.

It requires between 1,400 - 2,000 mm annual rainfall and grows 1,000 - 2,800 metres above sea level, with the highest quality coffees cultivated at high altitudes. Temperatures need to be between 18°C - 21°C. It can tolerate temperatures up to 24°C but higher temperatures affect yields.

It’s these very specific conditions that means the king of beans becomes harder to cultivate when the climate becomes unpredictable. Indeed, for the last decade a series of inclement weather events have had a dramatic impact on the coffee in your cup.

Brazil is by far the biggest grower of Arabica, which goes into most roasted or ground coffee, and farmers faced one of the worst droughts on record in 2024 with nearly 60 per cent of the region under stress. El Niño as well as the climate crisis were blamed for ramping up temperatures in South America, which exacerbated dryness throughout the region, but rampant deforestation over the past decades in Brazil has also helped to alter rainfall

patterns and the amount of moisture the ground can absorb.

By the time it rained in Brazil the drought damage was irreversible, which, it’s feared, will also affect this year’s crop.

Brazil is not alone. Vietnam, the top grower of Robusta beans, often used in instant coffee, faced a severe drought last year, too, followed by torrential rains. It’s this species of coffee that is particularly vulnerable to climate shocks and grows best in shady, moist environments. But a 2022 study discovered that climatecrisis-induced higher temperatures could push Vietnam out of coffee’s climatic ‘sweet spot’ altogether.

The shifting weather patterns in these coffee growing regions meant the price of Arabica shot up by 70 per cent while Robusta doubled in price.

Coffee is the world’s second most traded commodity by volume, after crude oil, and is becoming more popular, while the climate crisis means stocks being held by producers and roasters around the world are low. In December, the Arabica prices on the futures market surpassed the previous 1977 record of £3.35 (AED 14.98) per lb.

Many coffee companies have absorbed the higher costs, and coffee sales are still growing by three per cent, but coffee is predicted to get a lot more expensive this year. Farmers and those who rely on coffee crops for their livelihoods will also be affected.

‘This has been taking shape in many forms over the last decade, from the increased extremity of weather events such as droughts and cyclones, to the outbreak of fungal diseases such as coffee leaf rust, which affected half of Central America’s growing regions in 2012,’ says Tom Haigh, Head of Marketing and Sustainability at UK-based global coffee trader DR Wakefield.

‘From recent origin visits, we’ve heard directly from producers that seasonal weather patterns are increasingly unpredictable due to climate change, which makes producing coffee difficult.

‘These extreme events also have a large impact on people as well as the landscape. They may contribute to the migration of those seeking security, resulting in a need for more workers and pickers in some areas.

It’s hard to say which regions are most affected due to the number of partners we work with and the complexities of the planet’s systems. Still, we’ll likely see this in areas across all coffee-producing origins.’

Coffee Drought

The effects of climate change on coffee production are complex and multifaceted. Not only do factors such as higher temperatures, droughts and floods affect yields directly, they can also increase the risk of pest and disease outbreaks or force growers to seek land at higher altitudes, which in turn leads to deforestation.

They also affect the maturation of coffee cherries and the development

growth without deforestation, which in turn fuels the climate crisis.

Drought Resistant Coffee

To mitigate the impact of climate change on coffee production, growers are being advised to use trees to keep plants cooler, improve soil quality, and select coffee varieties that are more resistant to heat and drought. Efforts to develop new coffee varieties that are better adapted to changing climate conditions are also ongoing.

‘As coffee cultivation changes with the planetary crisis, coffee’s taste may change too,’ says Tom. ‘Much work is being done in coffee genetics and climate resilience. These may unlock new understanding in this area and

Coffee is the world’s second most traded commodity by volume after crude oil while the climate crisis means that global stocks are low

of the beans inside. If conditions become too hot or dry, the beans mature too quickly, resulting in a lower-quality product. Any changes in precipitation patterns affect the timing and duration of the harvest.

While some regions may benefit from increased temperatures and longer growing seasons, many areas are likely to experience decreased productivity and lower quality.

‘Research suggests we will see a significant change in land use as the world warms,’ says Tom. ‘Even if we limit global warming to 1.6°C, the regions currently suited for growing coffee could decline by over 50 per cent by 2050 as the minimum altitude for growing coffee rises.

‘A 2022 study suggests that four out of the top five coffee-producing countries, Brazil, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Colombia, will see a significant decrease in size in the area available for coffee production, while other countries, such as the US, Argentina, Uruguay and China, may see an increase in suitability.’

The study also identified areas in Asia, East Africa, and South America that could benefit from changing conditions, but warned that many of them don’t have the infrastructure or space to support widespread coffee

create brand new tastes in coffee,’ adds Tom. ‘There’s also the prospect of coffee species that are more climate-resilient than Arabica.’

While 99 per cent of coffee still only comes from two varieties, a species recently rediscovered in Sierra Leone, Coffea Stenophylla, has the industry excited as it can be grown at higher temperatures yet demonstrates similar sensory qualities to Arabica.

Some businesses are even trying to replace the coffee bean entirely with chickpea brews and barley javas popping up, but they’re unlikely to ever become mainstream.

Instead Starbucks, which buys three per cent of the world’s coffee supplies, is getting in on the action to try to grow at least some of its own coffee beans by buying two farms in Guatemala and Costa Rica.

Lavazza, the European coffee roaster, has invested more than $1.5 million (AED 5.509 million) to revive Cuba’s coffee industry.

The future of coffee production is uncertain, but it is unlikely that coffee plants will become extinct. However, the industry needs to adapt to the changing climate to ensure the longterm future of coffee production and the continued supply of your delicious morning brew.

BACK FROM THE BRINK

It’s all too easy to let climate anxiety and Earth’s sixth mass extinction get the better of us but there are plenty of wildlife wins to celebrate. From coral spawning in Cambodia, bringing back a bird from extinction – and guiding it on a new migratory route with planes because of climate change – through to spotting a family of the world’s rarest feline species and even recognising whales as people, The Ethicalist celebrates the pioneering projects and dedicated people behind the latest incredible conservation success stories

BY SARAH FREEMAN

1 BORNEAN CLOUDED LEOPARD FAMILY SPOTTED FOR FIRST TIME

Better known for its tree-swinging orangutans and long-nosed proboscis monkeys, the tropical island of Borneo is also home to one of the world’s rarest feline species.

Endangered and elusive, Bornean clouded leopards weren’t identified as a sub species until 2007, despite diverging from the mainland population some 1.4 million years ago.

Mystery continues to surround these top predators and important ecosystem engineers, making the first-of-its-kind video of a mother and her two offspring on their native soil even more thrilling.

The family were filmed roaming in Tanjung Puting National Park, which is home to the world’s largest wild orangutan population, last April, thanks to camera traps set by UK-founded non-profit Orangutan Foundation.

According to globalconservation.org these remarkable cats face a double whammy of deforestation and commercial poaching. Conservationists are calling this sighting very promising since it proves the endangered species is successfully breeding.

2 ENDANGERED LEMURS GET TO MOVE IT, MOVE IT BACK TO MADAGASCAR

Distinguished by their bright orange eyes and black and white-striped tails, ring-tailed lemurs are synonymous with their Indian Ocean Island home as well as the popular Disney movie of the same name. And they’re at the centre of what’s been dubbed the largest return of trafficked species in Madagascar’s history and a victory in the fight against wildlife crime.

A thousand highly-endangered lemurs and tortoises were repatriated last December after being illegally smuggled out of the country seven months earlier. In a remarkable story of survival against the odds, the wild animals endured an exhausting journey being shipped to Indonesia and across the Malacca Strait on speedboat, before travelling overland to Thailand, a known wildlife trafficking hub.

All endemic and endangered, among the species were 31 brown lemurs, 16 ring-tailed lemurs, and 759 critically endangered spider tortoises. The animals are being rehabilitated in protected Madagascan nature reserves before being fully released into the wild.

3

CORAL SPAWNING IN CAMBODIA CAUGHT ON CAMERA

Members of Fauna & Flora’s Cambodia team witnessed the South East Asian country’s first-ever coral spawning in the Gulf of Thailand.

Described as one of nature’s most spectacular events, thousands of sperm and eggs from coral reef colonies were released in pearl-sized balls, transforming the ocean into a magical upside-down snow globe.

An annual event occurring only at night and guided by moon phases and tides, spawning is a sign of stellar reef health since corals don’t reproduce under extreme pressures like climate change. Rising sea temperatures in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans have caused bleaching-level thermal stress, leaving corals ghostly white and vulnerable to disease in 75 per cent of the world’s coral reefs according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Globally, coral reefs have declined by half since the 1950s, so Cambodia’s spawning event last March is heartening news, particularly as the country boasts many of the planet’s rarest and most beautiful corals.

4 T HE ONCE-EXTINCT NORTHERN BALD IBIS IS FLYING HIGH

Last year marked a milestone for a project that’s literally raised hopes for the formerly extinct northern bald ibis in European skies.

A once common sight in North Africa, the Arabian Peninsula and most of Europe, the migratory species was driven to extinction in Central Europe by habitat loss and hunting for their meat and feathers in the 17th century. It’s taken over two decades of dedicated conservation efforts to take their population from zero to 300 with the help of scientists-turnedfoster parents. Hand-raised by surrogate human mums at Vienna Zoo, once mature, the birds are guided by a microlight aircraft on their ancestor’s migration path from Austria to Italy via the Alps. Their latest journey (number 17!) to their wintering grounds is

bittersweet, with climate change forcing the 36-strong flock to take a longer route to Spain; adding 186 miles to the 1,550-mile-long journey.

Despite the challenges, 2024 saw the northern bald ibis downgraded from critically endangered to endangered by the IUCN, inspiring faith in this pioneering project and dedicated team.

5 NEW ZEALAND RECOGNISES WHALES AS A ‘LIVING ENTITY’

In a historic leap for cetaceans, Pacific Indigenous leaders in Tahiti, New Zealand and the Cook Islands have recognised whales (tohorā) as ‘legal persons’ with the ability to thrive

alongside humanity. The landmark treaty, called He Whakaputanga Moana (Declaration of the Ocean), will give these magnificent marine mammals inherent rights like freedom of movement and a healthy environment ‘free from pollution, unsustainable fishing practices, ship strikes and climate change.’

Critical to the wider marine life web, whales are regarded as sacred by Polynesian people.Humpbacks are considered ancestors to the Māori, who’ve already acquired the same legal rights as human beings for some of New Zealand’s rivers, parks and even mountains.

Conservationists are hopeful this treaty will strengthen protection for the gentle giants by recognising their sentience and ecological importance.

6 CANADA LAUNCHES A LANDMARK MONARCH BUTTERFLY PROGRAMME

Best known for their marathon twoway annual migration from North America to Mexico’s mountains, these orange-red winged butterflies aren’t just pretty – they’re pollinators that are critical for food security.

Classified as endangerd, monarchs’ global population is in peril due to climate change and destruction of habitat across their migratory paths and breeding grounds.

In 2024 the Canadian Government poured $623,000 into protecting breeding colonies in Southern Ontario, a province plentiful in milkweed - the monarch caterpillars’ sole food source.

As part of their conservation efforts to build habitat connectivity, new ‘urban’ meadows are being created in the city of Richmond Hill and native seeds are being planted in southern Ontario’s Carolinian ecoregion.

7 RARE WILD HORSES ARE RETURNED TO THEIR HOMELAND OF KAZAKHSTAN

After a 200-year-absence, some of the world’s last truly wild horses are galloping free in Kazakhstan. The small and stocky Przewalski horses have been reintroduced to the Golden Steppe, a 500 sq mile habitat of grass and wetlands where they once roamed for millennia.

Six mares and a stallion were transported in army planes from Prague and Berlin Zoos to central Kazakhstan last June as part of a decades-in-the-making rewilding project. It’s hoped that the planet’s last surviving wild breed of neverdomesticated-horses will help restore the steppe’s ecosystem and preserve its unique biodiversity in a number of different ways.

The combined impact of digging, grazing and fertilizing the landscape should increase the number of plant species growing there and also help fireproof the steppe. The release of 40 more horses to their natural habitat is scheduled in the next five years.

Back to Nature

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STYLIST: GEMMA M JONES

HMUA: JEAN KAIROUZ

MODEL: KLAUDIA P AT MMG

ASSISTANTS: JAY AND AUDREY

Since first appearing in 2017, deepfakes have become commonplace and are now so convincing that millions have been hoodwinked. The Ethicalist investigates how an explosion of AI-generated images and videos spells bad news for the planet

BY MIKE PEAKE

What was ‘the moment’ for you? Was it the clip of Greta Thunberg on the BBC, whose words were changed by AI to make it appear that she was imploring the world’s warmakers to start using vegan grenades and sustainable battle tanks?

Or perhaps it was the TikTok ‘footage’ of some burly, bearded fishermen-types rescuing a young polar bear as it clung to the side of their ship? And then cuddling the fluffy cub while it ‘smiled’ like a loveable labrador?

If you’ve not yet had ‘the moment’ – also known as that horrible sinking feeling when you realise you’ve been conned by something created with AI – it’s coming.

Because this is the era of deepfakes, where nothing is quite as it seems. And the ‘truth’ about the planet, the environment and anything else we care about is up for grabs.

A best-case scenario may be that millions of people get to see hauntingly beautiful, but completely made-up, footage of wistful wombats or dancing dromedaries and change their behaviour for the better.

But that’s probably not going to be the reality. That’s far more likely to be political obfuscation, awkward truths being airbrushed out, and facts being distorted to the point where you have absolutely no idea what to believe any more.

Obama to ‘Oh No!’

If ‘your moment’ was back in 2017, when researchers at the University of Washington created a video of Barack Obama saying things he never actually said, then you were ahead of the curve.

This clip is thought to be the first time the world was introduced to the concept of deepfakes. And even back then, its creators appeared to recognise that they’d let the genie out of the bottle.

‘Every technology can be used in a negative way,’ cautioned Professor Ira Kemelmacher-Shlizerman, one of the researchers who created the video. ‘And so, we all should work towards making sure it’s not going to happen.’

Yeah. Good luck with that.

Fast-forward just one year, and the Flemish Socialist party posted a doctored video of Donald Trump telling Belgium to immediately pull out of the Paris Agreement.

While millions saw it, few will have been fooled by this digital nightmare because the AI rendering of the President’s mouth was so poor. In fact, the clip felt more like a deranged art school first year project than the sophisticated deepfakes of today.

And that’s the issue: deepfakes are getting better. Much better.

An August 2023 study by UCL found that over a quarter of respondents across all age groups were unable to identify whether climate change-related deepfake videos were fake or not.

In a more recent test of 1,300 Americans, participants could only spot AI-generated images, video, audio or audiovisual content 51 per cent of the time. That means almost half of the people taking part believed what they were watching. And that can only be bad for the planet.

Echo Chamber Deepfakes

Many people today consume media that resonates with their viewpoint.

We’ve all heard of the echo chamber. Now deepfakes make it easier for people seeking to influence those within that echo chamber to receive content that will reinforce what they already believe.

Let’s say someone doubts that fossil fuels are behind global warming. A petroleum company or pro-fossil fuel activists could easily

While deepfakes can be used positively such as David Beckham speaking nine languages for Malaria No More, the opposite is likely

reinforce this viewpoint by disseminating a deepfake video of US policitican Al Gore denouncing everything he’d said in his movie, An Inconvenient Truth, aimed at alerting us to an increasing planetary emergency due to global warming.

Far-fetched? Maybe not. Factchecking expert Syed Nazakat of DataLEADS points out that ‘the fossil fuel industry is one of the key players in spreading climate misinformation.’

How about you want to influence someone who isn’t entirely convinced that the population of jaguars in the Amazon rainforest is under threat?

(FYI: it is).

It wouldn’t take a huge leap of imagination – or bag of money – for someone with a vested interest in wiping out the jaguars’ habitat, such as a logging corporation, to create persuasive fake footage. Take your pick: exclusive, aerial infra-red shots showing hundreds of the beasts prowling a small area? Or how about manipulated photos showing scores of attacks on livestock and humans?

It’s been said that the bigger the deception, the more people will believe it. Deepfake video and imagemaking software is the toolkit the world’s liars have been dreaming of.

Liar’s Dividend

While deepfakes can be used in a positive way – as was the case in the 2019 health campaign by Malaria No

More, which featured AI-generated footage of David Beckham speaking in nine languages to help eradicate the disease – the opposite is more likely. Environmental, ecological and sustainability issues are easy targets. As a recent report by the Stockholm University Resilience Centre stated AI has the potential to create ‘a perfect storm of climate misinformation.’

For example, the European Digital Media Observatory’s (EDMO) factchecking network has noted a big increase in inaccurate claims that wind farms harm animals and the environment. Deepfakes present a golden opportunity to ‘prove’ this.

Annoyingly, the more we acknowledge the existence of this digital sleight of hand, the more we provide politicians with something known as the ‘liar’s dividend’.

It’s a kind of ugly bonus for untrustworthy people who now have carte blanche to state that something they were recorded saying or doing in the past is phoney.

By leveraging our awareness of deepfakes, they can easily cast doubt over things they’d rather not have said or done.

Truth Seekers

So, how do we deal with all this in a world of deepfakery? Should we revert to printed media? Smoke signals? Remember to look away whenever an image or video appears

It’s been said the bigger the deception, the more people will believe it. Deepfake video is the toolkit the world’s liars have been waiting for

on our screens? Hopefully not. Reputable news organisations are on top of the deepfake phenomenon and are at pains not to spread fictitious or doctored material.

Among the tools available to professionals are Intel’s FakeCatcher, which looks for colour changes in video pixels that indicate blood flow – something AI-generated images struggle with. It also checks for unnatural eye movement.

This and other software solutions are fuelling something of a deepfake detection gold rush. Pindrop, a deepfake voice detection tool, recently secured a $100m ( AED 367m) loan. By 2030, the deepfake sector – fuelled mainly by detection software – is expected to grow from $500m (AED 1.836,375m) to $5 bn (AED 18 bn).

We can even get in on the act at home. An assortment of free deepfake video detection tools are now available, affording anyone with a suspect video a chance to check it. Not that they’re particularly advanced or reliable yet.

We tried two – TrueMedia.org and Deepware Scanner – both of which scan video from social media URLs

The first site flagged up our heartwarming TikTok fishermenwith-polar-bear-video as ‘uncertain’ (hardly a damning verdict), while the latter fell at the first hurdle because it can only handle videos from Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.

Two static image detection tools we tried fared little better. A screengrab

of our polar bear tearjerker notched up an AI probability score of just three per cent. The sad truth is that much of the time, using our own eyes and ears is the best way to judge if what we’re being presented with is real or not.

If something seems suspicious or too good to be true, give it some further attention.

And if your friends are shooting down an eco or environmental claim you’ve made because of a video they’ve seen, watch it together to see if everything stacks up.

Then paste the title of the clip along with +deepfake into Google to see if you’re onto something.

Warning signs of deepfakery, according to the Charity Excellence Framework, include:

• Unnatural facial features

• Inconsistent lighting and shadows

• Blurry or distorted areas

• Unnatural movements

• Odd backgrounds

• Lack of detail

To this list, The Guardian adds ‘oddness around the mouth or chin, ‘strange elements of speech,’ along with ‘inconsistency between the face and body’.

As most of us are increasingly aware, diligence when it comes to the media we consume is now pretty much obligatory – never more so than when it comes to important environmental issues.

‘The world continues to face an environmental crisis compounded by an information crisis,’ says Jennie King, who is Director of Climate Disinformation Research and Policy at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD), a group of independent, nonprofit organisations dedicated to safeguarding human rights and reversing polarisation, extremism and disinformation worldwide.

‘We must recognise the threat of mis- and disinformation for what it is – a barrier to cohesion, to action, and to a liveable future for all,’ she says.

She’s right. And we should loudly and confidently call out anyone we catch trying to pull the wool over our eyes. Even if it’s soft, fluffy wool that resembles the fur of a just-rescued (fake) polar bear.

THE DARK SIDE OF DENIM

Switch your jeans for a planet-friendly pair that aren’t made using toxic chemicals which pollute entire communities’ drinking water and can even cause birth defects

BY JOSH SIMS AND KAREN PASQUALI JONES

ctress Joan Collins declared in Vogue that wearing jeans ‘is tragic’ – and she’s right. It’s not that the Dynasty star, who will be 92 this year, is correct about the world’s most popular sartorial choice – the average woman owns seven pairs. ‘I hate jeans. I hate them, they’re so unflattering,’ she insisted. ‘And I hate jeans with holes in the knees, or holes anywhere. I like to be comfortable but I want to be elegant, too.’

The truth is jeans are, unquestionably, the planet’s single most widely-worn garment – and the worst for its health. Discounting Dame Joan’s dislike of them, 3.1 billion pairs of jeans are sold globally each year. It’s an industry worth $64.5 bn annually –with sales of denim worth $17.3 bn in the US alone– and is expected to reach between $95 - $148 bn worldwide by 2030.

But jeans are also one of most hazardous garments on Earth. Denim is, quite literally, a dirty business.

To make a single pair up to 7,000 litres of water are needed to grow the cotton (around 54 full bathtubs), which is also drenched in pesticides. The fibres are stained that iconic indigo using toxic dyes, the yarn is bathed in oil to smooth it, starch is used to make it stronger – and hazardous chemicals are used to give the finished jeans that ‘lived in’ feel.

But denim’s bad rap goes beyond the use of cotton – one of the world’s thirstiest crops. Cotton production uses 2.7 per cent of the world’s arable land but 10 per cent of all pesticides, plus 25 per cent of insecticides, to prevent crop failure, and the toxic

chemicals have major health impacts on the workers, communities and ecosystems that receive excess run-off from farms. These chemicals also pollute rivers used for drinking water and bathing, and can even lead to a nine per cent higher incident of serious birth defects in the farmers’ children, a study by the University of California discovered.

Organic cotton doesn’t use pesticides but it’s harder to get hold of, to weave, it’s fuzzy and not as hard-wearing – all factors the general market hasn’t tolerated that well.

Textile dyeing is the second largest polluter of fresh water globally even though we’re simultaneously facing a freshwater scarcity. Billions around the world don’t have access to safe water though they may own several pairs of jeans.

Filthy Business

The real impact of denim is more specific, however, particularly when manufacturers aim for the pre-aged style so in demand. Bleaching, stonewashing and sandblasting – banned in 2004 after being linked to lung cancer among its workers but still in frequent use in some Far Eastern manufacturing – are all chemically intensive processes.

The synthetic indigo dyes (very few makers use natural indigo as the results are light and uneven) are derived from coal tar and other chemicals and are slow to decompose. If the old dye isn’t recycled, and is dumped in waterways, as happens in developing countries, it can contain lead and mercury. Farmers in those regions often complain about sterile soil and chemically burnt seedlings.

‘The big problem is the chemicals – and it’s a problem most people don’t know about,’ suggests Peter Schuitema, the owner of Dutch sustainable fashion brand Kuyichi. ‘We love jeans – the indigo colour, how it fades. But denim starts out white, and only through a lot of dyeing does it become that colour. And then only through the harshest treatments does it get to look a few years old. There are ways to do it better. But the fact is that chemicals are easier.’ There are choices: you can use pumice stone and a lot of water –up to 45 litres per pair – to age denim, or sun lamps to fade it but that’s

energy intensive. As Renzo Rosso, founder of Diesel and pioneer of the distressed look, has noted: ‘you can do a lot with Black & Decker tools too’. But this is labour intensive and expensive – the vast majority of jeans are bought retail at well under US$50 (AED 183). A pair of Diesel jeans start at around three times that.

Phil Wildbore, founder of Monkee Genes, a British denim brand and one of the first to use organic cotton, says customers are now open to paying more for eco-friendly jeans. We have a motto for our jeans: “No blood, no sweat, no tears”,’ he says. ‘And I used to jokingly add “and no money”. But attitudes are changing fast. Eco standards are now something more people are looking for in their jeans.’

He does agree though that demand for the vintage look is problematic. ‘The recent trend for dark, raw denim has been great – raw denim requires relatively little washing and so uses less energy too,’ he says.‘But the fact is that if you want a pair of jeans to look old from the start, it won’t look convincing without the use of chemicals. The results achievable by other methods just don’t look right.’

Innovative methods are advancing, thanks to recent experimentation by the mills and laundries that supply many of the major brands. Candiani has devised Indigo Juice, a technique that fixes the indigo dye to just the surface of the yarn – saving energy and water, and N-Denim, where the denim is, after dyeing, exposed first to nitrogen and then to oxygen (it’s oxidation that turns jeans that dark

shade of blue), meaning denim only needs two dips in the dye vat instead of the industry standard of seven. Indeed, it seems that to create an aged look, the industry is using the most advanced science, too. Francois Girbaud, a pioneer in denim design through his company Marithe & Francois Girbaud, and the man often co-credited with the invention of stone washing during the 1970s, has worked with Spanish company Jeanologica to develop a system

Amber Valletta in a denim designer dress that can become fertiliser

Supermodel Amber Valletta advocates eating your jeans and not greens after serving pasta with tomatoes grown in compostable denim

called WattWash that uses lasers to create the effects once achieved by manual manipulation and abrasives. ‘I’m a kind of criminal in a way,’ he says, given his historic contribution to the environmentally-unfriendly nature of much denim. ‘But though I’m partly responsible for [the industry’s use of chemicals], now I’m finding ways to age jeans sustainably.’

Long-Life Jeans

Of course, the situation could be considerably mitigated if we took a different approach to making our jeans look old: by buying better (or vintage) and wearing them for longer.

Eliina Brinkberg, the climate and environmental manager for Swedish denim brand Nudie, says the real problem is that jeans have become as much a product of the fast fashion industry as a style staple.

In contrast, Nudie has encouraged consumers to see their jeans as a lifelong product by opening 17 repair shops internationally, with more to come. Take your Nudie jeans in and any rips or holes will be fixed free of charge. ‘Denim is a chemicals-based industry and will continue to be so for some time to come, but we have to look to all possible ways of working around them,’ she says. ‘Brands have to do more to raise awareness among

consumers. They have to choose to work only with those suppliers whose technology is up to date - with water treatment or with closed systems, for example. Naturally, that sort of decision will have an impact on the cost of jeans. Cheap jeans just can’t be sustainable. It pays to remember that there’s no way a €50 (AED 183) pair of jeans is environmentally-friendly’.

Clean Denim

One way to raise awareness about sustainable jeans is with star power. Eco brands are beloved by celebrities who wear their jeans on and off the red carpet. Rihanna struts her stuff in sustainable denim from Slvrlake while actress Sydney Sweeney wears upcycled Miu Miu denim. Gigi Hadid loves her carbon-neutral Reformation jeans made from organic cotton and Tencel ecological fibre.

But perhaps the most interesting is the bespoke Triarchy denim tuxedo dress supermodel Amber Valletta wore to the Green Carpet Fashion Awards last year, created with Candiani Denim’s Coreva denim that can be cut up and used as fertiliser.

At the event, Amber invited guests to eat their jeans instead of greens as they were served pasta with tomatoes grown using the cut-up remnants of the world’s first biodegradable and

compostable stretch denim. Amber is the muse of Triarchy, founded in 2018 by Adam Taubenfligel and his siblings who wanted to create a planet-friendly stretch denim.

‘To date, every pair of stretch jeans ever made has used crude oil-based plastics,’ Taubenfligel told Vogue ‘The garment sheds microplastics throughout its life and takes over 200 years to degrade, leaching toxins into the soil in the process.’

Developed in collaboration with their denim mill partner, Triarchy’s exclusive stretch replaces plastic with natural rubber. The jeans can fully biodegrade in less than two years, enriching the soil as they break down.

The supermodel, who has posed in denim for everyone from Calvin Klein to Annie Leibovitz, is such a fan she has collaborated with the brand to create the Amber Valletta Edit. ‘Their approach to creating one of fashion’s most popular items focuses on making it better for both people and the planet,’ she says.

Her curation includes the brand’s Onassis, Fonda, and Keaton jeans in a variety of responsible washes ranging from off-white to medium indigo, and dark denim. ‘My favourite Triarchy jeans are the high-waisted, slight stretch, wide-leg Onassis jeans,’ she says. Now we can all follow suit and wear our jeans, then eat them –something, surely, even Dame Joan would have to applaud.

Eco brands to consider

Nudie – for its now all-organic cotton collections and repair service. nudiejeans.com

Monkee Genes – the first denim brand to gain both Global Organic Textile Standards and Soil Association certification. monkeegenes.com

Levi’s – for its Water Less line. levi.com

Kuyichi – leader in using recycled denim, reducing the need for textiles manufacturing. kuyichi.com

G-Star – big on the use of recycled and organic cotton. g-star.com

Mud Jeans – pioneers of a system by which you can lease jeans, recycling them for you later. mudjeans.eu

Dunesi – a UAE brand that creates small batch seasonless pieces from preloved denim fabrics. dunesi.com

Say ‘I Do’ To An Eco Wedding

CELEBRATE YOUR LOVE FOR THE PLANET AS WELL AS YOUR PARTNER ON THE BIG DAY WITH THESE SIMPLE BUT SUSTAINABLE IDEAS

BY HAYLEY DOYLE

He’s taken you to your favourite vegan restaurant and is now kneeling – very carefully so as not to crease his eco-designer white Reformation jeans – and holding up a stunning lab diamond solitaire. You don’t hesitate in saying yes – this is your soulmate, after all.

But while you can’t wait to sashay down the aisle to become his wife, you also need to make another commitment on the Big Day –to the planet.

Food waste, plastic packaging and singleuse decorations, not to mention all the guests travelling from far and wide, can make

weddings pretty wasteful events. So the real question is do you want to be mindful of the planet for your nuptials and have an eco wedding?

‘I do!’

While most of us pride ourselves in caring about recycling, reducing waste and lowering our carbon footprint in our everyday lives, the excitement of planning a wedding can cause its (vast) impact on the environment to be overlooked. An average wedding produces the same amount of CO2 emissions as five people would in an entire year, according to research. In the US, where flying is more common, the average carbon footprint of a wedding amounts to around 56 metric tons (61 tons) of CO2 – the equivalent cost of 312 trees in carbon emissions. Plus there’s all the waste – around 181.44 kgs on average –that’s a lot of single use items.

In terms of decor, you might not realise just how much of a negative impact traditional inclusions have. Balloons are often made of materials that don’t break down and pose a serious choking hazard for wildlife. Confetti may be small, but it can have big consequences. Traditional confetti is made of PVC and other plastics which, according to experts, can take 1,000 years to break down. It isn’t just polluting the environment either, it’s also harming wildlife. When animals eat it, the tiny pieces of plastic collect in their stomach and can cause them to die of starvation. It can also end up in rivers and oceans, harming marine life.

Opting for exotic flowers rather than seasonal ones means they have to arrive from afar, resulting in a higher level of CO2 emissions, not to mention the use of potentially harmful chemical fertilisers to grow them which can pollute the soil. Why not go for flowers from your own garden on the Big Day or choose a local florist that uses seasonal, fieldgrown flowers wherever possible? Pick arrangements that don’t need floral plastic foam, and use lots of foliage. Making it a feature will give your floral decorations volume and impact. Lots of foliage at a summer wedding keeps things cool and shows off your green credentials.

Everyone wants their perfect day to be, well, perfect, and you can have

The average wedding produces the same carbon emissions in one day as five people would in an entire year, according to research

all the frills and a clear conscience. There are endless ways to get creative and with a little bit of help, you can embody an Eco bride rather than Bridezilla! Here’s how to get started on hosting a sustainable, ethical wedding.

Be Mindful When Choosing a Venue

Try to book a place closest to the majority of your guest list. Can you have the ceremony, dinner and dancing all on one site? Check if the venue gets its energy from renewable sources, uses biogradable materials and recycles. Encourage your guests to carpool or hire a shuttle service to take everybody together. Choose a location with natural beauty for the backdrop of your photos rather than artificial decor. Beach weddings on the breathtaking coast across the UAE have become increasingly

popular. A gentle sea breeze, the backdrop whoosh of the waves and golden sunset hues for the reception dinner create a magical atmosphere that can’t be replicated in traditional indoor venues. For more information on eco-friendly beach weddings in the UAE, visit jannatevents.com.

Pre-loved is Forever Loved

‘As a society, we are raising our consciousness of where our clothes come from and where our clothes go when we are done with them,’ says Alexis Novak, owner of Tab Vintage in Los Angeles. Fashion is over consumed and wedding outfits rarely make a second outing, making them wasteful and expensive. Buying a second hand wedding dress means you can search for a vintage classic or get the exact style of your dreams for a fraction of the price. Why break the bank for something you will only

ever wear once? Preloved Wedding Dresses in Dubai, owned by Hadir El Meligui, ships internationally and has more than 100k followers on Instagram. Check out the gorgeous wedding section at Dress Come True (dresscometrue.com) for stylish and sustainable garments. Or, rent a chic designer dress from designer-24. com/bridal-gowns. You’ll be saving the planet and your pocket.

Top to Toe Eco-Conscious

Rather than deciding to dress your bridesmaids or the groomsmen in identical outfits, give them a colour pallet so they can choose their own clothes. This will avoid wasteful consuming and give your favourite people an incentive to get something they will wear again and again. When it comes to shoes, why not ask them to wear a pair they already own or buy a style they can use after the

wedding? Many brides are opting for trainers under their floor-length dresses – throbbing feet are just not worth it. Ask your chief bridesmaid to keep some touch-up cosmetics in her purse. Just double check they’re eco-friendly and cruelty-free brands.

Keep It Small

Lower carbon footprints with a smaller wedding. You’ll be able to enjoy quality time with fewer people, meaning there’s less pressure to spread yourself around a crowded room. It’s worth remembering that a wedding is not about ‘everybody’ on the day but just two people: the bride and groom. A small wedding allows you the opportunity to soak in the moments more deeply and gives you flexibility on locations and expenses.

Reuse, Reduce and Recycle

Thrift your decor. Buy second hand on pre-loved platforms such as Dubizzle or Facebook Marketplace to find the perfect style for your wedding. Use lots of coconut candles to save energy and create an intimate atmosphere. Frame old photographs of you and your partner (and guests) and hang them around the venue. Single-use flower arrangements aren’t good for the environment, but potted plants are a beautiful, and sustainable alternative. Double check that your venue recycles and only works with reusable cutlery, crockery and glasses. Everybody loves a wedding favour too, but it has become far too common for novelty moments to become landfill. Pop a little succulent plant beside the place names on tables. Give edible gifts such as vegan chocolates. If you want to provide a keepsake, how about a personalised reusable water bottle or tote bag?

Plant-based Party Food

If you and your partner regularly eat a plant-based diet, a wedding menu that reflects your dietary preference is staying true to yourselves. While it’s common to take guests’ dietary needs into account, not much thought is given to where our food comes from and how it arrives on the plate. Consider a vegan menu using a local caterer or restaurant to support businesses on your doorstep. Offer delicious canapés of sun-dried

Use lots of candles to save energy and create an intimate atmosphere and hang photographs in vintage frames as decor

tomato and basil arancini balls, spinach and artichoke cups and roasted cauliflower tacos. Wild & The Moon, based in Alserkal Avenue and Downtown Dubai, are completely plant-based with hormone-free and cruelty-free products. They offer catering for weddings using, local, seasonal, organic and ethically sourced ingredients, promoting

biodiversity. (wildandthemoon.ae/ catering/) Remember to check the venue’s food waste policy before making a booking.

And no wedding is complete without a cake. Check out Lucuma in Dubai for delicious and beautiful handmade vegan wedding cakes or the delightful array of options at Sugaholic. sugaholic.com/vegan

Plant PartyPower

Impress guests with Michelinworthy vegan dishes from Giovanni Ledon, Chef de Cuisine at Akira Back, W Dubai – The Palm, known for innovative interpretations of Japanese and Korean cuisine

Eggplant Miso

FOR THE DEN MISO SAUCE:

• 1/2 cup (120ml) mirin

• 1/2 cup (120ml) water

• 3/4 cup (150g) caster sugar

• 1 cup (240ml) white miso (shiro miso)

In a saucepan, combine the mirin and water. Bring to a boil. Add sugar, stirring constantly until dissolved. Gradually stir in the miso paste. Reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring frequently, until caramelised and deep brown. Transfer to a bowl and cool before use.

FOR THE PICKLED LOTUS ROOT:

• 1 small beetroot, peeled and diced

• 1 cup (240ml) rice vinegar

• 1/2 cup (100g) sugar

• 1 medium lotus root, peeled and sliced into 1/4-inch (1/2 cm) slices.

In a small saucepan, combine beetroot, rice vinegar, and sugar. Bring to a boil. Add the sliced lotus root, mix, and cover with a lid. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one month

FOR THE EGGPLANT :

• 1 medium eggplant, peeled and halved

• 1 tbsp avocado oil

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1/4 tsp black pepper

• 2 tbsp den miso sauce

• 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds

• 2 slices pickled lotus root

• Edible flowers (for garnish)

Preheat a broiler or air fryer to the highest temperature. Brush the eggplant with avocado oil and season with salt and pepper. Broil or air-fry, turning frequently, until tender and easily pierced with a knife. Remove from heat and coat with den miso sauce. Return to the broiler until the sauce caramelizes. Plate the eggplant, sprinkle with sesame seeds, and top with pickled lotus root and edible flowers. Serve warm.

Boom Shroom Roll

FOR THE MUSHROOM REDUCTION:

• 4 cups (960ml) water

• 2 cups (500g) shiitake mushrooms, whole or halved

• 1 1/4 cups (300ml) soy sauce

• 1 1/4 cups (300ml) mirin

In a saucepan, bring water and shiitake mushrooms to a boil. Simmer until the liquid reduces by 80 per cent. Add soy sauce and mirin, then continue reducing until the mixture reaches a thick consistency. Remove the mushrooms and let them cool. Set aside the sauce for later use.

FOR THE TEMPURA SHISO LEAF:

• 1 shiso leaf

• Tempura batter (store bought or homemade)

Dip one side of the shiso leaf in the tempura batter. Fry in hot oil until crispy. Drain on paper towels.

FOR THE TENKASU (TEMPURA FLAKES)

• 1/2 cup (60g) all-purpose flour

• 1/2 tsp baking powder

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 1/2 cup (120ml) ice-cold water

• Vegetable oil for frying

In a small bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add ice-cold water while stirring until a loose batter forms. Heat vegetable oil in a pan to 350°F (175°C). Drizzle small drops of batter into the hot oil using chopsticks or a spoon. Fry until crispy and lightly golden, then

Crispy Asparagus

FOR THE VEGAN TOSAZU DRESSING

• 1/3 cup (75ml) rice vinegar

• 3 1/2 tbsp (50ml) soy sauce

remove and drain on paper towels. Let them cool and store in an airtight container.

FOR THE NORI TENKASU:

• 1/2 cup (100g) tempura flakes (tenkasu)

• 1 tsp (5g) ao nori (dried green seaweed)

Mix tempura flakes with ao nori in a bowl. Set aside.

BOOM SHROOM ROLL:

• 2 cups (400g) sushi rice, cooked

• 2 sheets nori (cut in half)

• 1/2 cup (60g) grilled asparagus, sliced

• 1/2 cup (60g) grilled baby corn, sliced

• 1 1/2 cups (150g) braised shiitake mushrooms (from the reduction)

• 1/2 cup (50g) nori tenkasu

• 1/4 cup (60ml) mushroom reduction sauce

• 1 tempura shiso leaf

Assembly:

Lay a half-sheet of nori on a bamboo sushi mat.

Spread an even layer of sushi rice over the nori.

Place grilled asparagus, baby corn, and the braised shiitake mushrooms in the centre.

Roll tightly in an uramaki (inside-out roll) style. Coat the roll with the nori tenkasu mixture.

Slice into 8 equal pieces and top each with extra tenkasu. Place the tempura shiso leaf on top before serving.

• 1 tbsp (4g) dried shiitake mushrooms, thinly sliced

In a small saucepan, combine rice vinegar and soy sauce. Bring to a simmer. Add the dried shiitake mushrooms and let cool to room temperature. Strain through a fine mesh sieve and refrigerate until ready to use.

CRISPY ASPARAGUS

• 8 asparagus spears, trimmed and peeled

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 1/8 tsp black pepper

• 1 tsp olive oil

• 1 tsp (1g) rayu garlic oroshi (spicy grated garlic sauce)

• 2 tbsp (5g) crispy onions

• 1 tbsp (3g) crispy shiitake mushrooms

• 2 tbsp (7g) sliced spring onions

Season asparagus with salt, pepper, and a light drizzle of olive oil. Grill over high heat until lightly charred, then let cool. Arrange asparagus on a plate and top each spear with a bit of rayu garlic oroshi. Drizzle the vegan tosazu dressing around the asparagus. Sprinkle crispy onions, crispy shiitake, and spring onions on top. Serve immediately.

Akira Back is on the 5th floor of the W Hotel – The Palm.

W From Waterfalls To Wolves

With its mystical lakes, towering trees, and the return of native species like the wolf, Germany’s Southern Black Forest is truly living up to its motto ‘let nature be nature’

BY ANTHEA AYACHE

Walking towards Feldsee Lake in the heart of Germany’s Southern Black Forest, feels like stepping into a story book. The woodland trail crunches beneath my feet as a tapestry of burnt orange, gold, and rustcoloured leaves rustle and scatter across the forest floor.

Treading carefully over broken twigs and the soft remains of autumn, I gaze up at oak, beech, and maple trees stretching overhead, their branches forming a canopy that drips softly under the persistent drizzle. The air is cool and damp, carrying the scent of wet leaves and moss.

And then, we reach our destination: a shimmering mirror of silver and green reflecting the bordering fir trees that rise into the morning mist. Low-hanging clouds cling to the peaks of the surrounding mountain range adding to this already ethereal landscape. I can’t speak. My tour guide Claudia and I are the only witnesses to this

beauty and we do so in silence; the spell broken only by the call of birds, creaking of trees and gentle patter of rain on overhead leaves. Time stops as we take in a sensation that comes only by being truly present in nature.

I don’t know how long we stand there, drinking it all in, but finally, satiated, we walk on to the nearby Raimartihof, the region’s oldest restaurant, nestled in the surrounding forest. Dating back to 1710 and familyrun for seven generations – now by the very welcoming Stephanie and her mother Claudia - the Raimartihof is as much a cultural experience as it is a culinary one. Entering the traditional

interior, we’re greeted by the warmth of an enormous stove, and nostalgic decor of lace curtains and tartan hearts dangling from low-hanging lamp shades over chequered tablecloths. We’re ushered to the Stammtisch table, reserved for honoured guests, and lean back on the side of the warm stove and soak in the homely atmosphere while drying off.

The meal reflects the heart of the Black Forest: hearty and delicious. We start with pancake soup in a vegetable broth, followed by a traditional dish of Bibeleskäes, cottage cheese sprinkled with red onion, spring onion, paprika, and cumin seeds, and paired with

perfectly crispy fried potatoes. We wash it down with water from the local spring, though, for a little pick-me-up before the adventure continues, guests can try the warming homemade elderflower digestif.

CHASING WATERFALLS

The Southern Black Forest is filled with countless ways to immerse yourself in nature and most of them include stunning vistas. To see Feldsee Lake from above, one of the best ways is by riding the Feldbergbahn cable car, which, in just eight minutes, takes us to the top of Feldberg Mountain, the

The Southern Black Forest has countless stunning vistas

catch a glimpse of the Swiss Alps. Once at the top, a range of hiking trails are on offer for walkers or enjoy the iconic Feldberg Tower, which has sweeping views of the surrounding landscape. On a ‘good winter’, when it snows heavily, the area offers 60 km of ski slopes and 100 km of alpine crosscountry skiing. But, due to climate warming, the last year for skiing in the area was 2021.

A few miles away, the Black Forest Line suspension bridge is a must-see. Constructed just two years ago, this 450m-long steel suspension bridge

THE TRUE SHOWSTOPPER LIES BENEATH MY FEET, GENTLY SWAYING ON THE BRIDGE: THE TODTNAU WATERFALL. CASCADING DOWN THE RUGGED CLIFFS, IT SENDS A MISTY SPRAY INTO THE AIR, MAKING MINI RAINBOWS

highest peak in the BadenWürttemberg region at 1,493 metres. As we head up the vertiginous stretch, with a vertical rise of 175 metres, we’re rewarded with spectacular panoramic views that stretch 3,000 km out to the horizon. On a clear day, you can even

sits 200 metres above the valley, where a patchwork of forest, fields, and farmland roll endlessly into the distance. But the true showstopper lies beneath my feet, gently swaying on the bridge: the Todtnau Waterfall. Cascading down the rugged cliffs, it

sends a misty spray into the air, making mini rainbows from the little sunlight that peeks through the clouds. For those who don’t feel the draw of a softly swinging suspension bridge, the mouth of the waterfall is a short hike away. On a sunny day there are double sunbeds where you can lie and listen to the power of the water crashing all around you.

Afterwards, we continue on the Wasserfallsteig hiking trail, a walk of zig-zagging bridges where the river gets thinner and chamois antelope are likely to come and say hello.

In this slice of natural beauty, a visit to Lake Schluchsee – the largest lake in the entire Black Forest – can’t be missed. While boat tours, sailing school, and canoe and SUP rental are just some of the water sports options you can experience, we opt to cycle around the lake.

With the gentle hum of the e-bike, my knowledgeable guide Mathias and I glide through the 18 km route that weaves beside the lake as the surrounding forest comes alive with hues of rich red, gold, and yellow mixed with the forest green of spruce trees. Today, thanks to conservation efforts, you may hear the call of the native Capercaillie – a large forestdwelling grouse – or even catch a

The suspension bridge sits above a patchwork of forest and fields

glimpse of one. There are only 200 living in the area after habitat loss and hunting almost pushed them to extinction. But locals have been diligently planting bilberry bushes, a key food source on which they depend, to encourage their numbers to grow.

Half way through the tour, we stop at the famous Unterkrummenhof, an 18th century inn. Once a farm where woodcutters lived, now it’s an invitation to relax with a slice of Black Forest Gateaux and a drink while taking in the panoramic views.

BRINGING BACK THE WOLVES

For years, the Black Forest has been working to restore its biodiversity, and the reintroduction of wolves is a true example of this effort. Once native to this area, wolves were driven to extinction over a century ago due to hunting, loss of prey and habitat degradation. However, thanks to successful rewilding efforts, the wolves are slowly making their way back to the forest, where recently, a family with cubs was spotted in the

wild. There are believed to be a total of 20 now living here.

Wolves, as apex predators, are key to maintaining the health of their environment. By regulating herbivore populations, such as deer, they prevent overgrazing and allow for the regeneration of plant species, ensuring biodiversity thrives. Their return is not without challenges, however. Conflicts with local farming communities have arisen, mostly over their livestock.

Germany’s southern Black Forest is a patchwork of pastures and forests that’s been shaped by pastoral farming for generations. Grazing animals such as cattle, sheep and goats play a role in maintaining this by feeding on a variety of plants, stopping any one species from taking over. Without them fir and pine trees could slowly reclaim the land, turning the open meadows back into a dense ‘black’ forest.

As the wolf population slowly returns, the balance between wildlife and farming must be addressed and effective solutions sought. Non-lethal methods such as electric fences and guard dogs are being tested to protect livestock without harming the wolves. There are also talks about compensation for livestock lost to wolves, helping to ease tension with local farmers.

Lake Schluchsee is a must-visit

WOLVES ARE KEY TO MAINTAINING THE HEALTH OF THEIR ENVIRONMENT. BY REGULATING HERBIVORE ANIMALS SUCH AS DEER THEY PREVENT OVERGRAZING AND ALLOW FOR THE REGENERATION OF PLANT SPECIES, ENSURING BIODIVERSITY THRIVES

STAY STEEPED IN HISTORY

After a day of exploring the stunning landscapes, immersing myself in nature, and witnessing conservation efforts firsthand, the perfect place to unwind is the Parkhotel Adler located in Hinterzarten.

Located in the heart of the Black Forest, this traditional hotel extends over an area of 70,000m2, with just 64 rooms and suites. These include tastefully designed rooms in the Black Forest House, a listed building which dates back to 1639.

The hotel is known in the area for its focus on sustainability through growing and locally sourcing food, powering the hotel entirely from renewable energy, only using natural cleaning products throughout the property and the promotion of outdoor eco-friendly activities. What truly sets the Parkhotel Adler apart is

its perfect location. The traditional hotel is an ideal base for exploring Southern Germany’s hiking and cycling trails with many accessible directly from the hotel grounds. After a day of outdoor adventures in the Black Forest, guests can unwind in the hotel’s spa which offers a variety of therapeutic experiences, including the aroma soft sauna, where scents like mint, eucalyptus and citrus help clear your mind, and promote well-being. The red-hot earth sauna features a central open fire and special kelo wood for a deep-cleansing experience. Finish with a steam bath or lounging by the pool. Whether it’s savouring a vegetarian meal, hearing the call of a capercaillie, or simply breathing in the fresh forest air, this part of Germany offers an invitation to slow down and connect. It’s a place where the wild still thrives, and the message is very simple: Let Nature be Nature.

Holiday Like A Star?

Yes You Cannes!

Rub shoulders with film royalty at the glamorous and sustainable Hôtel Barrière Le Majestic on the Côte d’Azur with its Michelin-starred cuisine, elite beach club, Mediterranean views and glitzy Film Festival

BY KAREN PASQUALI JONES

Hollywood stars Matthew McConaughey, Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro make it their luxurious base whenever they’re in the city. French actor Alain Delon shot a film here in the ’60s, and everybody who’s anybody from Brad Pitt to Eva Longoria, Kate Beckinsale, Benicio del Toro and Zac Efron stay here during the Cannes Film Festival.

Welcome to Hôtel Barrière Le Majestic, a fivestar palace on the Côte D’Azur where a fleet of Porsches, Ferraris and Aston Martins lined up outside the red awnings make it clear this is the place to rub shoulders with the very rich and famous.

Throw in the swimming pool at the front of the hotel – well, you want to be seen , don’t you? – most incredible views of the Mediterranean from the swanky suites, a private beach, Michelinstar cuisine, and Le Majestic, as it’s known locally, is an address on the French Riviera with plenty of ooh la la

It’s also my home-away-from home for the next three days and I plan to make the most of it. Getting a room here is an impossible dream for us mere mortals, after all. Usually, it’s wall-to-wall celebrities staying here whose ‘people’ have booked out the 23 individually designed suites and 305 rooms months in advance for the Film Festival in May.

In fact, it’s so hard to get a room here that when Hollywood legend Paul Newman showed up last-minute for the 1983 festival without a booking, the late hotel owner Lucien Barrière put him up in his private apartment.

Luckily, my room is ready and so beautiful it makes me gasp as I walk in. The marbled bathroom is bigger than most people’s living rooms and comes complete with Guerlain Eau Imperiale

products and even a small bottle of the hotel’s signature Barrière Fugue a Paris scent. Within seconds I’ve spritzed, sprayed and soaked myself in the spicy fragrance. ‘It smells like money,’ I laugh to myself.

I walk over to the bed – one of the biggest I’ve ever seen – and the view is straight out of one of those films they show at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrés just up the road.

Overlooking the ocean, in prime position on the Croisette, the hotel epitomes the glitz and glamour of Cannes. Built during the Roaring Twenties, the Art Deco palace became the meeting spot for international film stars, directors and media visiting the festival after it premiered in 1946.

Le Majestic has been associated with les montée des marches – redcarpet premieres – ever since and while it’s impossible to wheedle anything out of the very discreet staff, the hallways boast more than 2,500 photos of Tinseltown’s finest who have been guests here. From JeanPaul Belmondo to Nicole Kidman and Kristin Scott Thomas, countless stars have gathered in the lobby before leaving to greet a sea of flashbulbs and excited fans.

Le Majestic is as sustainable as it is stylish with Green Globe certification which is awarded to travel companies

with an unwavering commitment to sustainable development, respect for cultural heritage and environmental preservation. Cannes is a green city after being certified as a Sustainable and Innovative destination.

But it’s not just lip service at the hotel with the usual ‘let us know if you want to keep your towels and not have your bed linen changed’ policy. Le Majestic has banned single-use plastics, it tracks and reduces its energy use every month and has a supplier ethics charter to check the values and practises of its entire supply chain.

There is a chefs’ kitchen garden on the roof, along with a bee hive, with around 60,000 bees to produce honey. I’ve just arrived from Nice airport and am expected downstairs at Fouquet’s for lunch. The menu at the Cannes version of the Parisian brasserie-style restaurant was designed by three Michelin-star chef Pierre Gagnaire who uses locally sourced, and organic ingredients. This responsible catering focuses on short supply chains and seasonal products from the area meaning everything is fresh and most guests will have travelled further than their food. With vegetarian dishes such as stracciatella aux pignons, velouté de courgettes a menthe (a mint zucchini soup with pine nuts and cheese), and salade croisette (lamb’s lettuce with black truffle, button mushrooms, parmesan and grilled country bread) I’m in foodie paradise. The tables are covered with crisp white tablecloths, the waiters are extraordinary, and I’m getting whiplash trying to strain to see if any stars are in this afternoon.

LE MAJESTIC HAS BANNED ALL SINGLE-USE PLASTIC, TRACKS AND REDUCES ITS ENERGY USE AND HAS AN ETHICS CHARTER FOR ITS ENTIRE SUPPLY CHAIN

Sadly, the only celebrities I get to rub shoulders with today are the photos on the walls but there’s always the view overlooking the pool to keep me entertained, and the mouthwatering dishes that look like art on a plate and are bursting with flavour. Next stop is the hotel’s Spa Diane Barriere for a massage using either Kos or Biologique Recherche luxury products. I leave an hour later feeling relaxed while my skin is glowing. Now all I have to do is get ready for this evening: dinner courtesy of Pierre Gagnaire again. This time I opt for

Feta rotie (roasted feta cheese with beetroot and nuts) followed by pois chiches (chickpeas, red peppers and crushed tomatoes) and finish off with crepe Suzette. How do all the stars that stay here manage to fit into their red-carpet outfits?

Luckily after a healthy breakfast (lots of fruit, and only one freshly baked croissant!) we walk off the calories with a stroll into the centre of Cannes to Forville Market.

Selling everything from olives to cheese, and fruit and vegetables, the place is bustling with locals and tourists all eager to buy the freshest produce while taking in the sunshine and fresh sea air.

It’s this coastal climate that put Cannes on the map long before it was a mecca for celebrities. The chancellor of England, Lord Brougham, settled here in 1834 as one of his daughters was sick. Back then, people would traditionally travel to Italy for medicine and to recuperate but there was a cholera outbreak and so he stayed at the pretty French fishing village instead. Aristocracy from all over Europe followed and bought holiday homes here, making Cannes the place to see and be seen.

It wasn’t until 1923 that Henri Ruhl came up with the idea to build a hotel on the promenade, and commissioned architect Théo Petit to create it. The hotel opened in 1926 and Francois Andre took over with his nephew Lucien Barrière. The rest, as they say, is history.

Apart from a brief stint as a military hospital during World War II and an expansion from the original 150 rooms to the current 305, Le Majestic has been a timeless icon on the Croisette. Over almost a century guests have walked up the Carrara marble-covered staircases, and

admired the reception rooms decorated by renowned painter Francis Di Signori.

Now the guestrooms and suites have been renovated by architect and interior designer Isabelle Stanislas who, inspired by the 1930s, has revisited the Art Deco era to cleverly combine contemporary chic with classic luxury.

As well as using touches of blue and orange, evocative of the shimmering Mediterranean, Isabelle has created bespoke furniture with graphic motifs and geometry to bring a bold, yet modern touch.

The suites have always been showstopping. The Majestic Suite is a lavish 650-sq ft apartment with two huge bedrooms, a home cinema, gym,

barber’s chair, private elevator, 11m swimming pool on the terrace as well as unparalleled views of the sea, and down to the famous steps of the Film Festival and the Lérins Islands.

At 45,000 euros per night, it’s known as the most sumptuous suite in Europe and is booked out a year in advance for the festival with celebrities and Middle Eastern clients keen to snap it up.

For those who like Parisian chic the Christian Dior Suite is the place to stay. At 4,250sq ft, and with a price tag of 30,000 euros per night, the sixth-floor suite is inspired by Dior’s Paris headquarters. I almost squeal when I spot a signed original design framed on the wall.

The Riviera Suite is my favourite as it has a nautical theme and a large outdoor area that’s an ode to the sea. As well as the crisp navy, and white coastal décor, it also offers panoramic views of the ocean and is a ‘snip’ at 25,000 euros per night.

I wouldn’t say no to sleeping in the suites that have hosted the likes of actors Harrison Ford, Michael Douglas and Pierce Brosnan, but I’m rather attached to my room now. After languishing in the tub and using all those Guerlain products, I head downstairs for drinks and dinner.

The next day is my last. There’s just time for a Kos facial at the spa and lunch at BFire By Mauro Colagreco on Majestic’s private beach. The threeMichelin-star chef’s menu showcases seasonal products cooked over a wood fire. And with views over the golden sand and azure waves this is a restaurant that will have the stars flocking to try the á la carte dining in the restaurant or the beach menu from their sun loungers.

I feast on the sea view as I tuck into burrata with fresh figs and pistachios. I leave happy and still craning to see if any bona fide celebrities are part of the beautiful people on the beach. I don’t spot Brad, Leo or Matthew but at least I can say I’ve stayed at the sustainable hotel they call home every time they attend the Film Festival. Want to live like an A-lister even for a night? At Le Majestic you Cannes!

Staying There

A room at Hôtel Barrière Le Majestic costs from 269 euros per night. hotelsbarriere.com

Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio are regular guests

Hakuna Matata

Beyond the honeymooners’ dream of white sands and turquoise seas, the island of Zanzibar has flourishing coral reefs, endangered red colobus monkeys and a thriving spice heritage. Claire Wills has an unforgettable stay in an eco-luxe hideaway

It’s early morning in Jozani Forest, a protected biosphere reserve on the southeastern coast of Zanzibar, where subtle sounds stir the air – a rustle here, a chirp there. I try to walk quietly through the gnarled greenery of mahogany, neem and tamarind trees as my guide Mudrik moves up ahead silently. He stops suddenly, and presses his fingers to his lips as he looks skyward and listens for the sound of moving branches, a tell-tale sign of primates in the vicinity.

Excited, we follow the rustling that leads to a small clearing, where, among the branches, they appear in their dozens: a troop of endangered red colobus monkeys. Their tails, up to 30cms long, twist and turn, while the antics of their young send mango tree branches swaying as they leap from tree to tree, playing what can only be described as primate ‘tag’. They soon tire and withdraw to their mothers, waiting patiently in the wooded wings, for milk. The forest falls quiet again, the only sounds the song of exotic Fischer’s turaco birds and soft buzzing of crickets.

It’s a magical moment, made even more important because Zanzibar’s

native red colobus monkeys are threatened with extinction, according to the IUCN Red List. There are only 2,500 of these primates – the most endangered in Africa – remaining on the archipelago, and their existence is thanks to the conservation work carried out at Jozani National Park and other protected areas of Zanzibar, including Ngezi Forest Reserve.

While it seems world’s away from Zanzibar’s powdery white sands and turquoise waters, Jozani National Park, which also includes a sprawling mangrove forest due to its proximity to the shore, is a mere 20 minutes’ drive from the coast, and for any honeymooners visiting this tropical paradise – or indeed curious traveller like myself – it’s a must-see.

Zanzibar White Sand Luxury Villas & Spa

Leaving the forest and heading to Zanzibar White Sand Luxury Villas & Spa, the smell of cloves, cinnamon, and cardamom from local spice farms wafts through the jeep’s windows. The spice heritage in Zanzibar, often referred to as Spice Island, dates back more than 200 years and there are

multiple farm tours available for visitors. With the fragrance of spices dissipating, I arrive at Zanzibar White Sand Luxury Villas & Spa. Nestled on the pristine beaches of Paje, on the island’s southeastern coast, this resort was honoured last year with the World Travel Award as Tanzania’s Leading Boutique Hotel, and it is nothing short of a five-star paradise. From the moment I arrive, I don’t want to leave. The welcome is warm and the environment is green – the resort has more than 20,000 plants over four hectares of grounds – and serene. Everywhere I go I hear: ‘Pole pole’ (pronounced poh-leh poh-leh) a Swahili term which, I soon learn, means ‘slowly, slowly’ or ‘take it easy,’ reflecting the laid-back way of life that is central to the culture on the island.

The resort’s commitment to sustainability is apparent. Traditional Swahili architecture dots the property where Makuti-thatched buildings scatter the lush garden landscape. Communal areas blend seamlessly with nature thanks to beautifully designed natural open-air layouts, hand-made furniture, and traditional decor, all crafted from locally

THE

RED COLOBUS MONKEYS MOVE BETWEEN NEARBY RESORTS BUT, UNLIKE TYPICAL PRIMATES THAT BEG, STEAL AND PESTER, THIS TROOP, WITH THEIR WHITE STRIPE HAIRDOS, ARE KNOWN FOR THEIR RESERVED NATURE

sourced materials. As I walk towards to my beachfront villa – staff use e-scooters to traverse the grounds - a group of red colobus monkeys surprise me as they swiftly swing through a nearby Flame Tree, famously known as the Zanzibar Christmas Tree for its vibrant red flowers that bloom in December.

I’m informed that this troop frequently moves between nearby resorts, but unlike typical primates that beg, steal, and pester, these particular monkeys, with their endearing white stripe hairdos, are known for their reserved nature. It seems even the monkeys here embody the island’s Hakuna matata (‘no worries’) spirit.

The beachfront villas – four out of 11 are 100 per cent off-grid, powered by solar and wind energy alone – are designed to offer complete privacy with greenery such as sprawling mango trees, red flowering hibiscus

bushes, and golden trumpet plants forming natural screens between abodes. Each private space offers a secluded terrace, outdoor swimming pool and direct access to the azure ocean where shaded personal sun loungers await.

Within the private garden, hammocks are tied between trees to offer guests a chance to relax while gazing out at the stretch of silky, soft sand (combed daily by staff for any plastic debris washed up overnight), crystal clear turquoise sea, and white waves crashing in the distance on far off coral reefs.

If you can tear yourself away from the view, inside the villas there are thoughtful touches at every turn. From the elimination of single-use plastic in the multiple living spaces –a beachfront villa comes with lounge, spacious bedroom, rooftop terrace, and outdoor bathroom – to locally handmade seaweed soaps wrapped in

banana leaves, bamboo slippers, locally made Panama hats, and even banana leaf bins, these luxurious areas have been designed with ecoconscious luxury in mind.

Guests can also enjoy a basket of fresh local fruits and freshly ground local coffee or ethically sourced aromatic teas.

Flavours of Zanzibar

One of the best ways to experience Zanzibar’s culture is through its food, and Zanzibar White Sand Luxury Villas & Spa offers a fabulous menu to support this. Chefs source ingredients from their own organic garden and neighbouring sustainable farmers. The poolside African buffet dinner is

Starfish are sensitive and should never be touched

not to be missed. Guests can enjoy an array of local vegetarian curries including machiche (collard greens curry) and fried yam with chapati while being entertained by a talented trio playing the violin, accordion, Arabic zither and drums.

Breakfast includes an incredible selection of French pastries – this is a Relais & Chateaux resort after all (and their properties are often considered some of the best in the world) – with a range of homemade jams. Fresh local juices are served alongside an à la carte menu of organic, local eggs, all to be enjoyed in the stunning ocean front Beach Restaurant & Bar.

For sundowners there’s an elevated drinks menu including the spicy

passion fruit botanicals and tonic. A bold concoction, it’s infused with local scotch-bonnets, one of the world’s spiciest chillis. It’s delicious, but not for the faint-hearted.

Beneath the Shore

While the resort offers everything you could want in terms of relaxation, it also provides plenty of opportunities for adventure. The area is well known for kite surfing, attracting enthusiasts from around the world thanks to its pristine waters and steady winds. It’s also located near Paje village, where guests can shop for locally-made souvenirs or enjoy a drink at one of the friendly bars. The village is accessible by beach at low tide or by

using one of the hotel’s fun e-bikes. Just 20 minutes drive from the hotel by car, snorkelling at Michamvi offers a quick escape into Zanzibar’s underwater world. Dolphins can be spotted at the more popular Mnemba Island further north but this village is perfect for those short on time.

In the shallow waters, you can glide right alongside the coral reefs, but be careful not to accidentally touch this fragile underwater world. Brain coral thrives here, alongside soft green coral, tall sponges, and sea anemones where clownfish dart in and out of swaying tentacles. Giant clams show off luminous green mouths, and shoals of minute damselfish shimmer past like a whirlwind of sparkling snow. Dazzling butterflyfish flit by, joined by parrotfish, triggerfish, and convict fish. It’s like swimming in another world, with giant coral formations blooming like giant oyster mushrooms beneath you.

After an hour exploring the reefs, we board an awaiting boat where a platter of freshly prepared pineapple, mango, bananas, and watermelon are ready to refuel us before the next adventure: starfish spotting.

A short 15-minute ride further along the coast takes us to shallow, turquoise waters where the soft ocean floor is scattered with starfish in shades of vibrant red, orange, and yellow. These wonderful creatures, capable of living up to 50 years, move slowly – Pole pole – of course. While it’s tempting to pick them up for photos, which I witness multiple times, starfish are highly sensitive to human bacteria, particularly sunscreen, which causes them a great deal of harm. Removing these fragile creatures from the water to handle them can sadly prove fatal.

As the boat returns to shore, the water around us is a tapestry of chalky turquoise, emerald green and deep blue, darkened by coral reefs and underwater seagrass prairies.

I feel a tug of sadness at leaving this tropical paradise so soon. Zanzibar is a place where time seems to slow, where worries fade into powder soft sand, lapped by turquoise waves and the rustling of palm trees. Life here is unhurried and always lived with a smile. It’s easy to understand why, in Zanzibar, they live by the mantra Hakuna matata. I will return.

Zanzibar is a place where worries fade into powder soft sand

Stay Close

SKIP THE AIRPORT STRESS AND JET LAG – 2025 IS THE YEAR OF THE ECO-STAYCATION

BY HARRIET SHEPHARD

Blessed with crisp, sunny days, few places in the world have better weather than the UAE does right now. Why you’d want to be anywhere else is a mystery. Plus, while overseas travel can be a great adventure, it also comes with airport queues, jet lag and baggage restrictions, not to mention more harmful pollution, too.

In fact, flying is one of the most carbon-intensive activities, emitting roughly 100 times more CO2 per hour than a shared bus or train ride. Luckily, there are plenty of gorgeous places to holiday here. Whether you want a conservation adventure, cultural escape or romantic getaway, you can find it all within a few hours’ drive of your front door.

THE HISTORICAL ONE

Najd Al Meqsar, By Sharjah Collection

Sharjah

An extraordinary hotel made out of a converted ancient mountain village, Najd Al Meqsar is like a scene taken straight from a fairytale. Perched on the tip of a mountain overlooking Khor Fakkan, most of the century-old stone work has been preserved while the thatched ‘Kareen Houses’ are so idyllic it’s hard to believe it’s a real and functional hotel. An immersion into Emirati culture and history, the rooms are adorned with hand-woven rugs and wooden furniture while every window treats you to spectacular views of the surrounding forests and hills. The ultimate destination for history buffs, it’s an experience that’s far more memorable than any lavish chain hotel. sharjahcollection.ae

THE ROMANTIC ONE

Anantara Mina Al Arab

Ras Al Khaimah

Newly opened last year, Anantara Mina Al Arab is a masterclass in eco-luxury. Combining the best of beachside bliss and wild nature, its idyllic floating villas and bright blue waters wouldn’t look out of place in the Maldives. It’s carefully constructed from sustainable wood, and built in a way that doesn’t disturb or disrupt the surrounding mangrove lagoon. It’s about to get even better by opening its very own conservation and discovery centre, too. Offering bird watching, beach yoga, kayaking through the mangroves, and a private bay of golden sand, this is a dreamy spot for a romantic weekend with your special someone. And, if you become rather attached to this magnificent corner of Ras Al Khaimah during your stay, you can help protect it by donating to Anantara’s Dollar for Deeds mangrove planting scheme, and have your contribution matched by the brand, too. anantara.com

THE CONSERVATION ONE

Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island

Abu Dhabi

An entire island dedicated to a free-roaming wildlife reserve, Sir Bani Yas Island brings a taste of Africa to the UAE. Established in 1977 by His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Founding Father of the UAE, the sanctuary is home to three beautiful resorts by Anantara, along with more than 11,000 animals, including giraffes, cheetahs, serval cats and the largest herd of Arabian oryx in the world. The reserve works to breed and reintroduce endangered animals into the wild, and everything from the fishing village-inspired coastal accommodation, Al Yamm, to the safari-style villas, Al Sahel, is designed to blend in with the natural environment. Hiking through wadis, and snorkelling around vibrant coral reefs are just some of the island’s many other amazing activities, while seeing a gazelle or peacock striding past your private pool is a thrilling daily occurrence. anantara.com

THE DESERT ONE

Bab Al Nojoum

Liwa Al Bateen

Abu Dhabi

The novelty of sleeping out under the desert stars never gets old, and Bab Al Nojoum Liwa Al Bateen offers an irresistible blend of adventure and luxury. Committed to preserving Emirati culture, it’s a proudly ecofriendly desert resort that enforces strict zero-waste, zero-carbon and plastic-free policies, uses local ingredients, and ensures that all water is used responsibly. While less palatial than some of the UAE’s other desert resorts, the views over Liwa’s famously tall red-orange dunes are just as incredible. Every villa comes with a private pool, BBQ pit, and patio, while the onsite eco-activities include nature walks, date farm visits, stargazing, Bedouin bracelet making, and much more. babalnojoum.com

THE CULTURAL ONE

The Chedi Al Bait

Sharjah

Made out of converted traditional settlements (including the site of Sharjah’s first post office), The Chedi Al Bait is a moving tribute to the rich history of the UAE. Building on the emirate’s reputation as ‘The Cultural Capital of the Arab World’, the modern additions blend seamlessly with the original buildings. Widely awarded for its sustainability efforts, it produces its own clean water through the on-site water filtration system, and food waste is used as compost for the gardens. Located in the recently restored ‘Heart of Sharjah’ heritage zone, it’s just a stroll away from the winding alleyways of the treasure-filled souq, the Sharjah Heritage Museum, and many other interesting cultural attractions. ghmhotels.com

THE PARTY ONE

FIVE LUXE JBR

Dubai

Forget what you think you know about FIVE – the new FIVE LUXE JBR will surprise you in all the best ways. The latest addition to the FIVE Hotels and Resorts portfolio – a brand known for its Ibiza-style pool parties and ultra-glamorous ambiance – this stunning hotel is an unexpected trailblazer in sustainability. Not only is it entirely run on renewable energy, but it also has the highest LEED certification of any fivestar hotel across the globe. However, the new eco-friendly ethos doesn’t mean that the nightlife is any less lively. If you’re in the mood to let your hair down, this is the place for you. The mood around the hotel’s three shimmering pools is always buzzing with sets from big-name international DJs, while the fantastical Paradiso offers exceptional refreshments, spectacular skyline views, and sizzling vibes long into the night. fivehotelsandresorts.com

THE PEACEFUL ONE

Oberoi Al Zorah Ajman

Despite being less than an hour’s drive from Downtown Dubai, Al Zorah feels like it’s on a different planet. Nestled in one million sq metres of protected mangrove forest, it’s the perfect place to ground with nature, reset, and enjoy some much-needed peace and quiet. Rimmed by white sand, the surrounding natural lagoons are a nature-lover’s paradise. Home to more than 60 species of bird, colourful coral, and all kinds of marine life, exploring them by kayak is an essential part of any stay, as is visiting the sensational spa. A proudly Indian-owned brand, the Oberoi Group continuously gives back by partnering with SOS Children’s Villages, a nonprofit organisation that cares for parentless, homeless or abandoned children across India, and gives them the tools they need to take up careers in hospitality. oberoihotels.com

THE QUIRKY ONE

Media One Hotel

Dubai

Just a walk away from all the restaurants, bars, and bright lights of Dubai Marina, Media One Hotel is made for those who love staying in the heart of the action. Known for its cool, quirky and modern decor – think rooms covered in bright street art and a lobby complete with playful, scampering monkey lamps – it’s also home to plenty of lively dining outlets, including popular rooftop bar, Garden on 8. As sustainable as it is trendy, it recycles all food leftovers and used cooking oil, champions ‘wonky’ fruit and veg, runs community date harvesting projects, and with its Green Key certification is generally committed to lowering its carbon footprint and reducing waste. A great place for a car-free holiday, the free shuttle bus to JBR and the Marina adds even more convenience and ecofriendly points. mediaonehotel.com

Pause. Breathe. Be.

RAFFLES BALI IS A SANCTUARY WHERE NATURE AND STILLNESS TAKE CENTRE STAGE AND EVEN THE RAIN FEELS LIKE PART OF THE DESIGN

BY ANTHEA AYACHE

I’m sitting cross-legged in a cave in Bali, rain drumming against the jungle canopy outside, while water trickles down the mosscovered walls inside. I’m here for a one-onone guided meditation, which sounded like a great idea when I booked it. Inner peace, deep relaxation, maybe even some kind of profound awakening. Instead, I’m battling a mental avalanche of nonsense. Did I reply to that email? How many mosquito bites am I up to now? Did I leave my hair straighteners on? Riska, my instructor, a serene lady unbothered by my fidgeting, begins to chant while the hum from her singing bowl vibrates through the cavernous chamber.

At first, it adds to the chaos in my head, like a gong announcing my failure at mindfulness. But then something shifts. The hypnotic sound of the bowl, the rhythm of the rain, and the scent of damp stone seems to hush the incessant chatter of my thoughts. For the first time in what feels like forever, my thoughts begin to settle. I’m not overthinking. I’m just… here.

And that, I realise, is the magic of Raffles Bali. It’s not just about luxury, though

that’s here in abundance. It’s about the way the place makes you feel. Nestled in secluded jungle-clad cliffs, this is not just a resort, it’s a retreat designed to quiet the noise of everyday life and reconnect you with nature. The kind of place where time slows down, the air smells of frangipani and morning rain, and even the local cows seem to have mastered the art of the impossible. (Yes, cows. More on them later).

Raffles Bali is a hidden sanctuary of just 32 private villas dotted over 57 acres and positioned to face the ocean and Mount Agung, Bali’s most sacred volcano. Each is a secluded space you won’t want to leave, where native frangipani blossoms, heliconias and pandan leaves frame a private infinity pool that appears to spill over the edge of the jungle mountainside. A terrace with sun loungers, a shaded daybed made from locally crafted hardwood, and a dining table, offers countless ways to take in the tranquil views, while floor-to-ceiling windows inside let you enjoy the scenery from bed with your morning Sumatran coffee. Even the bathrooms – with their plastic-free amenities and locally-made hair and body oils –offer jungle views, while an outdoor shower allows you to privately soak in the natural surroundings.

Every detail in this Green Globe Certified-resort is rooted in tradition and sustainability. The beautiful grounds overflow with 110 species of plants – kept lush in the summer months thanks to a greywater irrigation system – while a natural river in the rainy season meanders

through the garden down to the secluded Jimbaran Bay below. Even the resort itself was built in 2020 with minimal disruption, keeping 60 per cent of the natural jungle intact and replanting the rest in local community areas. But, for all its commitment to nature, Raffles Bali remains effortlessly luxurious.

The open air Sanctuary Spa is a must-visit. Offering treatments surrounded by rainforest, where the rush of the river below mingles with the chirps of the resort’s birds and, during my stay anyway, the patter of rain on the wooden pavilion roof. The therapist works out tension I didn’t even realise I was carrying and at one point a fresh wave of rain sweeps through the valley. There’s something incredibly soothing about it.

Re-energised, I set off on a botanical tour, a journey through Raffles Bali’s plants, herbs, and spices. The organic herb garden –where apple and mango trees double as natural pest control – and small rosewood forest, where trees are planted for newlywed couples as a symbol of love, make the grounds purposeful as well as beautiful.

But nothing beats the super cows, the determined dairy herd from a neighbouring farm who have somehow mastered extreme hiking and scale the resort’s steep hills in search of fresh herbs. Their efforts have earned them the well-deserved nickname, and a sturdy wooden fence now stands between them and the chef’s prized produce. Back at Loloan Beach Bar & Grill, situated on the

oceanfront, the resort’s herbs are put to use in classes like jamu-making, where fragrant turmeric, galangal and tamarind are stirred together. Ikhsan, the head mixologist, explains that this traditional drink, that boosts vitality and health, was once reserved for royalty. In true Raffles Bali fashion, nothing goes to waste. The leftover jamu ingredients are transformed into the resort’s most sustainable mocktail, the Cepiring. As I create my concoction, I learn that last year the resort had a successful turtle release at the bay below after their eggs were discovered on the secluded beach, prompting the construction of a sustainable bamboo hatchery to safeguard them. I take a sip and a new tropical downpour sweeps over the bay, turning the horizon into a misty blur. It’s all strangely perfect.

The Culinary Journey

My first real introduction to the resort’s culinary philosophy comes at Rumari, its signature restaurant, ranked among Asia’s 100 Best and one of Bali’s top 25. From the moment I’m seated, my hands washed in Frangipani oil and handed a Bimantara – a welcome drink of Balinese botanicals, lemongrass cordial, pineapple juice, basil, and soda – I know the seven-course vegetarian tasting menu is going to be special. The food doesn’t disappoint – 80 per cent of ingredients come from Indonesian farmers, after all –with amuse-bouches that include a white beetroot bite with lemon dressing, a pomelo and tamarind gel

EVEN IN THE RAIN THIS PLACE IS PERFECT, A SANCTUARY WHERE MIST CLINGS TO THE JUNGLE, WAVES CRASH AGAINST CLIFFS AND EVERYTHING FEELS LIKE IT BELONGS EXACTLY AS IT IS

tartlet, a mushroom arancini with kaffir lime, and a spicy corn taco. The courses unfold with Indonesian ingredients galore: green chillies, jicama, and green mango with smoking ginger flower followed by a spicy Japanese egg custard with heirloom tomatoes and edible flowers. The main dish of mixed mushrooms, tomato salsa, and raw sambal wrapped in banana leaves, with a fragrant sauce of chilli, galangal, lemongrass, and ginger is even cooked over coconut husks instead of charcoal.

The next morning, Rumari’s thoughtful approach continues at breakfast. There’s no buffet –a rare move for a luxury resort – but instead, an à la carte menu with small portions to minimise food waste. Pastries, fruits, and yogurts are brought to the table, and the main dishes are ordered fresh. Just as I take my first sip of locally-sourced coffee, a tiny gecko perched on the railing chirps. It’s a sound that can only be described as a toy duck with a broken squeaker. I’m told it’s a common breakfast guest.

That evening, I opt for dining on my terrace while a thunder storm rolls across the horizon. With views stretching across the jungle towards

the sea under a sky turning hues of violet by lightning, I enjoy an extensive vegetarian menu, offering everything from grilled vegetable salad with feta to mie goreng sayur –street-food-style fried noodles packed with in-house farm vegetables. With the distant rumbling thunder, scent of the ocean in the air, and the hum of cicadas, there’s something intimate about dining alone in the open air –no clinking cutlery from neighbouring tables, no background chatter. Just the sound of the island at night and a meal that feels like it was prepared just for me.

Sipping my final cup of ginger and pandan leaf tea, I think back to the Secret Cave. How I’d arrived there, mind buzzing, and left feeling… different. More present. Even in the rain, this place is perfect, a sanctuary where mist clings to the jungle, waves crash noisily against the cliffs, and everything from meditation to jamumaking feels like it belongs exactly as it is. Whether you’re drinking the local elixirs overlooking the bay, sinking into an outdoor spa treatment with the jungle as your soundtrack, or just watching the rain trickle through the trees, Raffles Bali doesn’t just offer luxury. It reminds you how to be still enough to enjoy it.

BREAKING THE FALL:

The Truth About Hair Loss

HAIR NATURALLY FALLS OUT AS PART OF ITS GROWTH CYCLE BUT IF YOU’RE DEALING WITH A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF HAIR LOSS, IT’S TIME TO SIGNAL SOS - SAVE OUR STRANDS. WE SPEAK TO THE EXPERTS TO FIND OUT THE CAUSES AND HOW TO TREAT IT

BY NICKY COSSINS & ANTHEA AYACHE

There’s a moment of panic when you first notice it… strands of hair collecting on your clothes, clogging the shower drain, or scattering across the floor as you blow dry. At first, you brush it off – hair sheds, after all. But then it keeps happening. More hair, this time on your pillow, snagged in your comb, and you start to wonder: is this just seasonal shedding, or is something more serious happening?

Hair loss isn’t just about vanity, it’s deeply personal. It can shake confidence, alter self-perception, and, in some cases, signal underlying health issues. While genetics play a role, lifestyle factors can make the issue even more pronounced.

‘Hair loss is a process, not a sudden event,’ Lars Skjøth founder of Danish hair loss clinic Hårklinikken, who has spent three decades researching scalp health, tells The Ethicalist . ‘The most common cause of hair thinning is androgenetic alopecia, or hereditary hair loss. For some, this is barely noticeable, even into their seventies. For others, it starts in their mid to late teens. But what many don’t realise is that external factors like lifestyle, stress, scalp health, diet, and other environmental factors can all accelerate this process.

‘Someone who may have started losing it in their fifties might now see it happening at 30 due to external stressors.’

While shedding hair is more common than most people realise – by the age of 35,

approximately two thirds of men experience noticeable hair thinning and 40 per cent of women will have visible hair loss by the age of 40 – the reasons for consistently losing more than the normal 50 to 100 hairs a day is often more nuanced.

‘There are numerous factors contributing to hair loss, and it’s rarely a simple issue,’ says Dr. Maurizio Viel, a globally recognised plastic surgeon, stem cell therapy specialist, and founder of Dubai’s Cornerstone Clinic. ‘In most cases, it can be attributed to a combination of age, genetics, hormones, illness, and lifestyle. Stress, in particular, has become a significant trigger, alongside hormonal imbalances.’

Lars echoes this: ‘A high-pressure lifestyle can cause hormonal imbalances that contribute to increased shedding. In the UAE, the intense heat and constant air conditioning also take a toll on both the scalp and the hair. Air conditioning can cause dryness, while sun exposure damages the hair cuticle, making strands more brittle and prone to breakage.’

Nutritional quality is another oftenoverlooked factor. Since hair is primarily composed of keratin, a protein deficiency or a lack of key nutrients like iron, zinc, and vitamin D can contribute to thinning. ‘Those on vegetarian or vegan diets need to plan carefully to make sure there’s an adequate protein intake,’ Lars adds. ‘But if you’re mindful about including high-quality

Hårklinikken founder Lars Skjøth

Dr Maurizio Viel

plant-based proteins and essential nutrients, it is absolutely possible to maintain strong, healthy hair.’

Early Detection

While many fixate on the hair they’re losing, the strands coming through also reveal what’s happening beneath the surface. ‘It’s not just about how much hair you’re shedding; it’s about the quality of the hair that’s growing back,’ explains Lars. ‘Over time, the follicle shrinks, producing finer, more translucent hairs until it eventually stops growing hair altogether.’

Early detection is key to determine whether hair loss is temporary and treatable or part of a more complex, long-term condition that may require ongoing management rather than regrowth treatments. In the former cases, the issue is often reversible with the right intervention such as the treatments offered at Hårklinikken, that have helped 100,000 clients combat hair loss and thinning.

‘Some people may not be suitable candidates for our tailored treatment, particularly those with autoimmunerelated hair loss,’ Lars explains.

Because of this, accurate diagnosis is essential. ‘When a client comes in, we examine their scalp to assess their hair follicles,’ he says. ‘In some cases, we can see that although they have experienced temporary shedding, the new hair growing back is strong and healthy, meaning their hair cycle is simply returning to normal. In other cases, someone may say they’ve been thinning for a year or two, but when we examine their scalp, we can see the process has actually been happening for 20 years.

‘From there, we develop a tailored treatment program, which is refined continuously based on the response.’

This bespoke approach allows Lars to determine the best course of action, including the award-winning Hair Gain Extract treatment.

Just as Lars assesses each client’s needs, Dr. Maurizio follows a similar approach. Rather than offering a onesize-fits-all solution, he evaluates whether a patient’s condition makes them a suitable candidate for noninvasive stem cell therapy, that

extracts regenerative stem cells from your own fat tissue.

‘We assess whether the patient still has viable hair follicles. If they do, then stem cells can help regenerate hair growth,’ he says. ‘We extract the regenerative stem cells from a patient’s own fat tissue and send them to a state-of-the-art laboratory for processing. This process takes about two to three weeks, after which the stem cells are reinjected into the scalp over multiple sessions to stimulate natural hair growth.’

Collaboration between specialists is essential, Dr. Maurizio stresses.

‘We refer patients not only to dermatologists and trichologists –hair specialists - but also to hormone and gut health specialists. Hair loss is complex, and treatments should be holistic, not just business-driven.’

In fact, poor gut health can lead to inflammation, hormonal imbalances, and nutrient absorption issues, all of which can contribute to hair thinning.

Lars has spent 10 years developing a supplement to address these specific imbalances. ‘Our formula targets the root causes of hair thinning, supporting scalp health, stress reduction, and better nutrient absorption,’ he explains.

Launched a year ago, Lars has been astounded with the results. ‘In our trials, we saw a healthy woman in her mid-20s achieve in just 90 days what I would typically expect to take six months. I was genuinely shocked.’

While there’s no instant solution, experts agree that targeted treatments and addressing any underlying health concerns can dramatically improve outcomes. ‘Be skeptical of quick fixes, Hair loss is personal, and effective treatment needs to be tailored to the individual,’ Lars says.

For those noticing more strands in the shower, the best chance of success is early intervention, professional, consultation and a commitment to their long-term hair health.

Stem cell therapy at Cornerstone Clinic starts from AED 17,680. A consultation at Hårklinikken starts from AED 350 with tailored treatments priced separately.

‘WE REFER PATIENTS WITH HAIR LOSS NOT ONLY TO TRICHOLOGISTS BUT ALSO TO HORMONE AND GUT HEALTH SPECIALISTS’

The Ethicalist’s

Tried and Tested Hair Rescuers

Gua Sha Hair and Scalp Brush with Tetrapeptide and Ginseng Hair and Scalp Serum, AED 800

If you want to feel like 24K gold, try this gold-plated hair and scalp brush alongside the Tetrapeptide and Ginseng serum. With bristles that target pressure points, it can simultaneously detangle your tresses and massage your scalp, allowing the serum to be better absorbed. snowfoxskincare.ae

Hårklinikken Hair Supplement, AED 350

Backed by 10 years of research, these newly-launched hair supplements tackle the main causes of hair loss by increasing nutrient absorption, reducing feelings of stress, and revitalising the scalp for ultimate hair goals. hårklinikken.ae

Briogeo Scalp Revival Pre-Wash Oil AED 150

Breaking down impurities and product build-up, Briogeo Scalp Revival Pre-Wash Oil squeezes the very best out of your shampoo while feeding your scalp a cocktail of natural oils like tea tree, peppermint, and spearmint. cultbeauty.com

Virtue’s Recovery Shampoo and Conditioner AED 370

The award-winning duo runs on their patented Alpha Keratin 60ku®, which is identical to the protein found in human hair to repair and strengthen. Free from sulfates, parabens, and phthalates, they protect against heat damage and turn up the shine with baobab seed oil and grapefruit extract. sephora.me

Davines Energising Thickening Tonic AED 150

Like a shot of espresso for your scalp, this caffeineinfused tonic kickstarts blood flow to the hair follicles and increases the diameter of hair fibres from day one. But watch out, this parabens and sulfates-free solution comes with a ton of volume. eideal.com

Kathryn Jones Hair Karma Anti-Hair Fall Serum AED 138

Good things happen while you sleep with the Hair Karma Anti-Hair Fall Serum by Kathryn Jones. Hand-blended with natural oils and botanicals, massage into your scalp and leave overnight to work its magic. kjserums.com

Snowfox

AT EMIRATES BIO FARM.

Take your team on an immersive farm-to-table experience. Learn about sustainable farming practices and the journey of fresh, organic produce straight from our fields. After the tour, indulge in a wellness session with meditation under the open sky to refresh and recharge. Add a meaningful touch by planting a tree together, creating a lasting legacy that symbolises your commitment to sustainability. From nourishing, farm-fresh meals to dedicated event spaces, Emirates Bio Farm offers a truly revitalising experience for corporate groups looking to combine learning, team-building, and wellness.

Book your tickets at emiratesbiofarm.com For events drop us an email at events@emiratesbiofarm.com Contact us on: +971 55 385 7052

Ere Perez Carrot Colour Pot blush in Holy, Powder Beauty Official, AED 158

Lily Lolo Big Lash Mascara, Black, Miss Paletteable AED 86

Roén Beauty Kiss My Liquid Lip Balm in Lola, Powder Beauty Official, AED 95

For jewellery details please refer to p50.

Get the Look

Manasi 7 Strobelighter in Celestial, Powder Beauty Official, AED 189

Ere Perez: Jojoba Eye Pencil, in Jojoba Bronze, Powder Beauty Official, AED 132

Bloom every day with fresh, dewy skin, earthy tones and petal-soft lips inspired by nature

Antonym Cosmetics Certified Organic Quattro Eyeshadow, from Miss Paletteable, AED 147

19/99 Beauty Cream Contour Stick in Tea, Powder Beauty Official, AED 122

Ere Perez Rice Powder Blush in Bondi, Powder Beauty Official, AED 191

19/99 Beauty Precision Colour Pencil in Neutra, Powder Beauty Official AED 100

Jet Set, Ready, Go!

Makeup artist Nathalie Eleni, who has worked on the sets of Wonder Woman and Snow White and the Huntsman among many others, and counts Charlize Theron, Anya Taylor Joy and Downton Abbey’s Joanne Froggatt as clients, picks her favourite travel beauty bag essentials

Who says you can’t travel light while indulging in a beauty routine that prioritises both your skin and the planet? You don’t need an extra suitcase to look and feel your best while travelling and on vacation, you know. Embrace the luxe of simplicity with these hard-working minis – many of which are multifunctional – and let your beauty flourish, no matter where you are in the world.

This curated collection of travel essentials will ensure that minimalist makeup and streamlined skincare is easy to achieve, with natural and blendable formulations that are both skin and planet-friendly – and can all fit in your hand luggage.

Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40

A sheer, satin-finish serum that offers just the right amount of coverage so that skin appears fresh and vibrant, without feeling heavy, allowing natural beauty to shine through. A lightweight, breathable formula that is ideal for hot and humid climates.

AED Sephora, and Harvey Nichols Dubai

RMS Beauty ‘Un’ Cover-Up Concealer

This nifty pot is a must-have for any beauty enthusiast. With two shades at your disposal – one lighter for the under-eye area and another to match your skin tone – this versatile concealer doubles as a foundation touch-up to effortlessly cover blemishes and redness.

AED 165, 5.67g at Bloomingdale’s Dubai, and Ounass

REN Clean Skincare Evercalm Global Protection Day Cream

Designed for sensitive or hormonal skin, this lightweight moisturiser nurtures and protects against the elements. With its radiant finish, it’s the ultimate daily companion for glowing skin.

AED 220 at Sephora, and Bloomingdale’s Dubai

Revision Skincare

Intellishade TruPhysical.

Tara Harper Crème Blush – Flirty

A creamy colour burst that looks great on medium to dark skin tones and can be applied to lips for glam on-the-go. Full of nourishing ingredients, it can be dabbed on with your fingers for easy touch-ups.

AED 185; 4.5g at Ounass.ae

Truly a first 100 per cent mineral high-factor product with a tinted moisturiser formula, this is practically bursting with skincare ingredients, including a potent blend of antioxidants, and makes your skin absolutely glow. You will be hooked!

AED 437, available through an online consultation with me via getharley.com/clinician

Lisa Eldridge Rouge

Experience Refillable Lipstick

7

Tata Harper Hydrating Floral Mask

A luxurious treat for your skin, this hydrating mask replenishes moisture and can be applied mid-flight or as an overnight treatment. It’s a perfect way to restore your skin’s barrier while you dream of your next adventure.

Invest in a refillable lipstick case like this one which is a work of art that you’ll treasure for years to come. I say to clients to buy two: one for your day lipstick and one for evening.

AED 224.45 (plus postage) at Lisaeldridge.com

9

350 at Bloomingdale’s Dubai, and Ounass 6 8

bareMinerals

Maximist Mascara

Pamper your lashes with this conditioning mascara that prevents moisture loss, which can lead to brittle lashes and breakage, ensuring yours remain strong and healthy, even in the most challenging climates.

AED 100 for 10ml at Namshi.com and Sephora

RMS Beauty Living Luminizer Glow Quad Mini

For glass skin on-the-go, this handy little palette of luminescent tones can be used on eyes, lips, and cheeks. Vitamin E and coconut oil give an extra boost to your skin. AED 151 at rmsbeauty.com

Kosas Weightless Lip Colour, Beach House

Embrace a burst of colour without the weight. This lip colour glides on effortlessly, offering a soft and creamy pink hue while keeping your lips feeling light and beautifully nourished.

AED 135, 8g at Sephora, and Ounass

Beauty Cleanse Skincare Blue Elixir Bio Retinol

A next generation superfood skincare range with skin-fortifying ingredients that also works well as a hydrating and firming primer underneath daily makeup, making it a perfect travel choice for multitasking beauty. 108.95 (plus shipping) at beautycleanseskincare.com

BE A GOLDFISH!

Stop berating yourself for even the tiniest mistake and discover from the happiest animal on earth – the humble goldfish – how to move on and learn from the 50 errors we all make every day

BY CHRISTINE FIELDHOUSE

Jenni has been on a downward spiral for five days ever since her manager pointed out a mistake in a draft report she wrote for a major conference. The error was relatively minor and easily changed in time so the conference delegates never knew. But Jenni is still mortified.

‘I feel a deep sense of shame because that’s my job and that’s what I’m good at,’ says the 28-year-old marketing officer. ‘Well, at least it’s what I thought I was good at. Every time I remember that mistake, I want to cry. I should have spotted it before the head of department saw it. It’s just so embarrassing.

‘It’s not just at work that I’m miserable. My mood is low at home, too. I don’t want to go out and see people. I play the mistake over and over in my head. It has really affected me.’

Jenni isn’t alone. We all make mistakes. Research has showed that on average, people make up to five mistakes an hour –sometimes as many as 50 a day. They’re often the little things like hitting the snooze when you have an early train to catch, a typo in an email, losing a key or your credit card, or forgetting a Zoom call or dentist appointment. Over a lifetime, this equates to around 773,000 mistakes.

But whether it’s a minor faux pas like getting someone’s name wrong or a major one like crashing a car, we sometimes let our mistakes define who we are, and we forget about the hundreds of things we get right every day. So, it’s best to try and avoid

making mistakes at all costs – right? Not so, says Jasmine Navarro, a wellbeing expert, who believes mistakes are an inevitable part of life.

‘All mistakes hold incredible potential for growth, learning and building resilience,’ says Jasmine, who runs a coaching business –NAVA – between Dubai and the UK, teaching people how to have more confidence. ‘Mistakes are actions or decisions that deviate from our expectations or desired outcomes. They might stem from our poor judgement, a lack of information, or just simple human error. What determines a big mistake from a small one often lies in the ripple effect –how many people are involved, the emotional effect and the values or expectations linked to the situation.

‘Calling a client by the wrong name in a meeting may cause short-term embarrassment, but it’s a recoverable error with minimal long-term effects. But on the other hand, breaking someone’s trust with a betrayal can have deeply profound and longlasting implications.

‘From minor slip-ups to significant errors, how we handle mistakes can profoundly shape our confidence and emotional wellbeing.’

According to Rachael Alexander, a psycho-spiritual coach, who’s based in the UK, our whole perception around mistakes is shaped by social constrictions and our upbringing.

She points out that, as babies, we don’t even understand the concept of mistakes – they’re brought onto our radar by our parents and wider families, and at schools by teachers.

Rachael says: ‘It can be something as insignificant as the rule that you must wash a coffee pot after every use. If you were brought up by your parents to believe that you should wash it each time, and then one day you don’t wash it between uses, then you will consider that a mistake.

‘Likewise, if you were told off at school for getting a spelling wrong or losing a book, when that happens in your adult life, you’ll see it as a mistake, and you will feel the hurt and shame of the teacher’s red pen or telling off all over again.’

How we react to making a mistake varies considerably. While some people criticise themselves, others get defensive. Many, like Jenni, blow a

In an episode of award-winning comedy-drama Ted Lasso , the coach explains that goldfish are the happiest animals on earth because they only have a ten second memory and can bounce back from mistakes, so we should ‘be a goldfish’

small mistake out of proportion, imagining the drama that will unfold, and there are those who ruminate –they chew over the same mistake time and time again, beating themselves up for going on the holiday that got them into debt, breaking a diet, or getting a puppy they have no time to train or walk.

Rachael says: ‘We try to keep ourselves in purgatory. We tell ourselves we’re not good enough, we’re stupid, and we’re incapable. All those messages we had as children come back to haunt us as adults. We keep ourselves small, so we fit in, and we know what we’re dealing with.’

So how can we train ourselves first to put our heads above the parapet and not be afraid of making mistakes, and secondly, once we’ve messed up, to take our mistakes in our stride?

Well we can all follow the advice of fictional American college football coach Ted Lasso. In the award-

winning eponymous TV comedydrama, Ted heads to London to manage a struggling English Premier League football team where a defender, Sam Obisanya, beats himself up in training for not winning a tackle that leads to a goal from his club rival Jamie Tartt.

Seeing his star defender deflated, Coach Lasso, played by Jason Sudekis, and known for his positivity in the face of adversity, calls him over and tells Sam to ‘be a goldfish’. Lasso explains that goldfish are the happiest animals on earth because they have a ten second memory.

But is it that simple? Is a short memory the secret to bouncing back after we’ve got something wrong?

Studies have proven that goldfish actually have memories spanning weeks if not months, but what Lasso’s advice means is that we should move on from our mistakes rather than lingering on them, and that people

are defined by how they react to their mistakes, and not the mistakes themselves. Ultimately, it’s important to accept mistakes in any part of life and be able to move on quickly.

As Jasmine explains: ‘The true measure of resilience lies in not avoiding mistakes, but in how we choose to respond. By reframing errors as opportunities, apologising authentically, taking proactive steps to repair the damage and treating ourselves with compassion, we can turn setbacks into stepping stones towards growth.

‘Every mistake is a chance to learn, evolve and build a stronger, wiser version of yourself. With the right mindset and tools, you can bounce back from any misstep and move forward with confidence.’

So, how can we ‘be a goldfish’ and bounce back from our bloopers? Jasmine and Rachael share their expert tips:

Be kind to yourself

Recognise that everyone makes mistakes, whatever their age and status, so don’t criticise yourself harshly, suggests Jasmine.

‘Engage in calming activities like journaling or meditation to help process your emotions,’ she says. ‘Reflect on past successes to remind yourself of your strengths. When you practise self-compassion, you’ll reduce your stress and prevent a negative spiral of guilt and doubt. This will give you a clearer mindset for future challenges.’

Learn from the lesson

Instead of viewing your mistake as failure, see it as a chance to learn, urges Jasmine.

‘Reflect on what went wrong, and what you could do differently next time,’ she says. ‘Write down one positive lesson you’ve gained from the

experience. This shift in perspective helps you to focus on growth rather than blame.

Unpick beliefs

The first question to ask yourself when you feel you’ve messed up is have you really made a mistake, says Rachael. ‘You may well feel silly, and your partner might berate you for undertaking an expensive course in HR, only to discover that you don’t really want to work in personnel after all,’ she says. ‘But when you strip it back, you’ll see that it wasn’t a waste of time and money – it gave you a

valuable insight into what you don’t want and saved you from several years in a career you wouldn’t enjoy.’

Say a heartfelt sorry

If your mistake has affected others, offer a sincere apology, says Jasmine. ‘Avoid excuses and over explaining,’ she advises. ‘Instead, focus on acknowledging the impact and outlining your commitment to improvement. You might say: ‘I’m sorry for not meeting the deadline. I value your time and will ensure better planning in the future.’

‘A heartfelt apology shows accountability and respect. It fosters trust and repairs relationships.’

Look at the bigger picture

If you’ve dropped a clanger, ask yourself how important your action is in the grand scheme of things, says Rachael. ‘Instead of using your faux pas as a measure of your self-worth, look at your world and the bigger world to put your mistake into perspective. It might be a driving test you didn’t pass, a bill you forgot to pay, a file you misplaced or a flight you missed. To put it in context, if you were told you had just a few months left to live, would it really matter?’

Have a repair plan

Take practical steps to put things right, advises Jasmine.

‘Address the consequences of your mistake,’ she says. ‘If you submitted an inaccurate document, correct it immediately and communicate the changes clearly. Taking this action shows that you are solution-focused and reliable, and this will help to rebuild confidence from colleagues in your capabilities.’

Ban that word!

Get rid of the word ‘mistake’ and send it packing from your vocabulary, insists Rachael.

‘Then ask yourself how you would react if a friend told you they’d made the error you made,’ she says. ‘You wouldn’t tell the friend they’re stupid, incompetent and ignorant, would you? You’d be full of compassion and kindness, so treat yourself the same way as you’d treat your friend.’

rachael-alexander.com www.withnava.com

QUICK CHATS, BIG IMPACT

Our first Speed Networking event of the year was another night to remember, as the 42nd floor of the Green Key-certified Media

One Hotel buzzed with conversation between passionate changemakers. From start-ups to industry leaders, attendees shared ideas over refreshing alcohol-free botanical blends from Drink Dry and sustainable sips from Journey’s End - a solarpowered, carbon-negative vineyard that has planted over 10,500 spekboom plants to offset its footprint. Thirty participants had just three minutes to pitch their businesses to potential clients, customers, and collaborators. As the second event in our popular sustainable networking series, the evening proved once again that when like-minded people come together, real impact begins.

Second Time, Second-Hand

Following the success of our first event, The Ethicalist’s second Sustainable Clothes Swap brought together another group of eco-conscious fashion lovers. This time it took place on the scenic outdoor terrace of Lah Lah at Zabeel House The Greens by Jumeirah. Known for style as well as its ecocommitments, – the hotel has eliminated single-use plastic, offers biodegradable in-room amenities, and partners with local suppliers to reduce its carbon footprint – it was the perfect venue for a circular fashion event. Guests swapped pre-loved pieces, embraced circular fashion, and proved once again that great style doesn’t have to come at the expense of the planet. With a mix of high-end (Dolce & Gabbana, no less), vintage, and everyday essentials, every item found a new home. The Ethicalist’s second event once again highlighted that fashion can be both stylish and sustainable, one swap at a time.

When I Fall in Love (Eco)

He’s handsome, sporty, kind and you’re vibing but what if he eats rare steak three times a week, insists on drinking from a plastic (throwaway) bottle and doesn’t care about the climate crisis? Here’s how to find the perfect Mr Green without an ick in sight

BY HAYLEY DOYLE

When I fall in love it will be forever,’ the king of jazz, Nat King Cole, sang. But that’s only if the person you’ve fallen for shares the same values. Yes, he may look like an Adonis, have biceps bigger than your head and rescue kittens in his spare time from being a hospital cardiologist, but how can you truly love somebody if they don’t share your passion for the planet? Relationships can be hard work without resentment over recycling, after all.

And while bickering over him not buying pre-loved products for your birthday – or sipping from single-use plastic bottles – might start off as friendly banter, what happens if he doesn’t change? Falling for someone and then discovering that they don’t care for living a sustainable lifestyle could very soon see you falling out, potentially leaving you both heartbroken. Let’s face it, you’re not going to suddenly stop being concerned about the environment to keep the peace, are you?

A lack of love for the things that matter to you will inevitably cause one thing – The Ick. Yes, you may very well feel that he’s the best thing since Brad Pitt (a committed vegan as well as a talented actor), Leonardo DiCaprio (iconic environmentalist as well as an Oscar winner) or Pharrell Williams (eco-fashionista as well as superstar rapper) but if he throws a wrapper out of the car window when he thinks you’re not looking or insists on eating steak three times a week while you’re on a plant-based detox, that spark of attraction could soon

turn to disgust. And once you’ve felt even the slightest hint of an ick, or rumble of revulsion, it can easily grow, no matter how hot the attraction was from the beginning. Even an annoying emoji, or turn of phrase, can set it off. In fact, the ick can become so intense that you’ll want them out of your life quicker than you can say climate change. But, hey, it doesn’t need to come to that. All it takes is caution. And being prepared. Don’t rush into anything without reminding yourself that you’re looking for Mr Green. To find the (eco) love you’re seeking, you need to begin on the right path. Here’s how…

Where Do I Start?

In this day and age it can be obvious to start with dating apps. However, mindlessly swiping might as well be labelled ‘emotional landfill’. Can you filter to find what you’re seeking?

Green Singles (greensingles.com) is the largest and best online dating site for vegan and vegetarian dating. You’re bound to meet like-minded people who really care about animal rights, the environment and slow fashion as well as the planet. On here, thousands of life-long friendships, long-term relationships and marriages have been facilitated over the decades.

If apps aren’t for you, and you’ve been forcing yourself to hang out in busy bars or nightclubs in the hope you’ll meet The One, please stop. Sure, you’re up close and personal with other humans, but are they likeminded people? Probably not. Perhaps if you volunteer for a charity or organisation that you care about you’ll meet others who feel the same – and there’s bound to be some singles ready to mingle! Try an organised beach walk and trash clean-up to meet fellow eco-warriors. Joining a club is a sure fire way to find others on your wavelength, too. For keen cyclists, Cycle Safe Dubai (cyclesafedubai.com) runs plenty of coffee mornings and events for its welcoming community.

Where Should We Go?

So you’ve spotted an eco-hunk and he seems to like you, too. You want the first date to be fantastic with romance in the air, right? So forget

about going for an ice cream at the local parlour. There’s nothing remotely romantic about dabbing away salty caramel dripping down your chin with a paper napkin or using a plastic spoon.

In the cooler months, instead pick a pretty spot for a picnic such as Al Mamzar Beach Park where you can take along your own favourite or homemade zero-waste treats, eaten on eco-friendly plates, naturally. For more adventurous types, why not head over to Abu Dhabi’s coastal Mangrove National Park where you can go kayaking or paddle boarding. Spot herons, crabs and sea turtles,

while splashing around in crystalline waters, allowing a flame to ignite.

Browse The Farmers’ Market in Alserkal Avenue at weekends or go for dinner at a local vegan restaurant. Who needs dessert with the desert at your fingertips? Take a short drive away from the hustle and bustle and engage in stargazing together (OK, maybe with a HERE-O vegan donut to share…).

How Can We Take The Next Step (while minimising our carbon footprint)?

You’ve had lots of successful dates. There is chemistry! You’ve figured

LOVE, LIKE THE PLANET, NEEDS MAINTENANCE. COOK PLANT-BASED MEALS FOR ONE ANOTHER, AND GET USED TO SHOPPING AT SECONDHAND THRIFT STORES. HEAD INTO NATURE WHEN YOU WANT TO CHILL OUT TOGETHER AND HAVE FUN

out how to vibe together without draining each other’s – or the planet’s – energy, so you’re already halfway to creating a sustainable relationship. But, like the planet, love needs maintenance. Engage in cooking plant-based meals for one another. Get used to second-hand

shopping at thrift stores. Head into nature for when you want to chill out together. Are you both into the habit of composting, or biking instead of driving? Do you support local farms instead of rushing (in the car) to the supermarket? These shared efforts create a sense of unity and purpose

and you don’t have to agree on every single issue. Perhaps you’re more passionate about reducing your carbon footprint while your partner is more into supporting worthwhile causes. Find ways to support each other’s big-picture goals and be open -minded about what you can learn along the way.

Can We Experience EcoCelebrations Together?

Special milestones don’t have to be showered with balloons, tacky decorations and bags full of waste. They can offer an opportunity to be intentional and mindful. Forget a fancy getaway with a hefty carbon footprint (and price tag), and plan a local adventure or a staycation. Host a dinner party with farm-to-table dishes or go for a hike to discover breathtaking scenery. For gifts, find local handcrafted, upcycled, or secondhand presents that carry more meaning than mass-produced items. Why not upcycle a piece of furniture together? These thoughtful gestures show that you’re invested in a future where love and the planet can thrive side by side.

ECO ICON: Joaquin Phoenix

He’s the Oscar-winning star of The Joker who wants to save the planet

BY KAREN PASQUALI JONES

Born in Puerto Rico, Joaquin Phoenix made his name starring as Emperor Commodus in Gladiator , singer Johnny Cash in Walk The Line, and as the unhinged serial killer Arthur Fleck in The Joker, which earned him an Oscar. A vegan since the age of three, he celebrated his win with a tofu burger.

Joaquin, 50, narrated the hardhitting exposé on speciesism Earthlings in 2005 and is a committed animal rights activist, even protesting alongside Animal Equality in London in February 2020, dropping a 390 sq ft banner from Tower Bridge that read: ‘Factory farming is destroying our planet. Go vegan.’

He also starred in a two-minute film, Guardians of Life , playing a medic trying to save a patient whose flatlining vital signs represent the threat posed by climate change, deforestation and fires from Australia

to the Amazon. The Napolean who The New York Times named as one of the greatest actors in the 21st century – is dedicated to using his fame to draw attention to animal cruelty, injustice and human-induced global warming.

Two days after criticising the dairy industry in his Oscar speech, Joaquin rescued a cow and her calf from a California slaughterhouse. The pair, who he named Liberty and Indigo, now live peacefully at a farm animal sanctuary in America.

He has appeared in numerous campaigns for PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) featuring in a Times Square billboard eye-to-eye with a chicken. ‘We are all animals,’ it read.

Joaquin has also appeared in PETA ads calling for an end to the wool industry. He sported a vegan suit to expose the horrific conditions sheep raised for their wool endure. Here are some of his most heart-felt quotes…

‘I don’t want to cause pain to another living, empathetic creature. I don’t want to take its babies away from it, I don’t want to force it to be indoors, and fattened up just to be slaughtered. It is absurd and barbaric, and I don’t understand how you could witness that and not be affected by it.’

‘We are all hypocrites in some ways. The [film] industry does consume a lot of power and a lot of resources so the way to mitigate that for me is to maintain a vegan lifestyle.’

‘One way we can mitigate climate change is by adjusting our consumption and by going plantbased. This is an emergency. We have to do everything we can to try to cut down our impact on climate change. People are not in a panic in the way they should be. These are very dire times and so I felt like I had to do something. We have a personal responsibility to take action right now.’ Sky News

‘I’ve always had a hard time imposing my personal beliefs on others, I’ve never wanted to do that…but things are really dire right now and the evidence is overwhelming that there is an incontrovertible link between the meat and dairy industry and climate change.’

‘I think we’ve become very disconnected from the natural world. Many of us are guilty of an egocentric view, and we believe that we’re the centre of the universe. We go into the natural world and plunder it for its resources.’ Best Actor Speech, 92nd Academy Awards.

‘When you witness the horror that really happens behind closed doors and slaughterhouses to farm animals all over the world, it’s impossible not to be affected by it and to realise that we have to do something drastic to stop it.’

‘I think it’s something that people are waking up to, they realize that they cannot be protectors of the environment and not be vegan.’

ETHICALIST THE