Esirom Foundation

Eight Entities Get $160 Million in Grant Support from DBJ

Andrew Laidley — Thu, 26 Sep 2024 15:46:42 +0000

Eight medium-sized entities have received grants totalling $160 million to support their business ventures or innovations.

The support was provided by the Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ) under its Boosting Innovation, Growth and Entrepreneurship Ecosystems (BIGEE) Innovation Grant Fund, which is being implemented in collaboration with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

Each entity received $20 million to assist in the development and commercialisation of innovative products, services and processes and new business models.

The eight beneficiary companies, which represent the fourth cohort of BIGEE recipients, are Esirom Limited, Saddle Energy Limited, HDB Manufacturers & Distributors, Medical X-Ray Institute Limited, Sunshine Dialysis Centre Limited, Clubhouse Brewery, Adtelligent Limited and BookFusion Limited.

Speaking at the grant-signing ceremony at the DBJ’s Oxford Road location on Wednesday (September 25), the entity’s Managing Director (Acting), David Wan, explained that the Government and the IDB signed a US$25-million loan agreement in 2021 to build out a robust and sustained entrepreneurial system.

The IDB also negotiated and secured a non-reimbursable grant of US$8.2 million from the European Union (EU) to accompany this US$25-million loan, Mr. Wan informed.

Technical Coordinator of BIGEE, Lu’Shana Cheddesingh, noted that since its inception, the DBJ-BIGEE Innovation Grant Fund has supported 30 medium-sized firms to the tune of $400 million.

“In cohort one, we started with three, and they all did well with $14 million. We moved on to cohort two with eight projects. In cohort three, we did 11 projects and today we have another eight projects,” Ms. Cheddesingh noted.

She praised the diversity and innovation demonstrated by this year’s cohort of grant companies.

“You all bring something unique to the table, reflecting climate resilience, gender inclusiveness and, most importantly, strategic innovation. This variety truly exemplifies the forward-thinking spirit that Jamaica needs to thrive in an ever-evolving global landscape,” Ms. Cheddesingh said.

Underscoring the importance of innovation in driving economic growth and competitiveness, Chief of Operations at IDB, Lorenzo Escondeur, noted that “innovation is about creating jobs, improving the standard of living and ensuring that Jamaica remains competitive on the global stage”.

“Through innovation, we will increase productivity, reduce dependency on imported technologies and create homegrown solutions to our most critical challenge,” he added.

CEO of Adtelligent, Craig Powe, who is a two-time beneficiary of grant support from the DBJ, highlighted the transformative impact of the assistance on his business.

“Six years ago, I was part of one of the first IDB IGNITE (Innovation Grant from New Ideas to Entrepreneurship) programmes and I got a grant of $4 million. At that time, my revenue was $20 million and now I’m doing $90 million. Eighty per cent of people at Adtelligent earn over US$1,000 a month now. Before, the average monthly salary was $80,000,” shared Mr. Powe.

He expressed gratitude for the initial $4 million he received from DBJ.

“That grant allowed me to take off the capital expense of those equipment and gave me some breathing room, so for $20 million, I’m definitely going to change the game,” he said.

BIGEE aims to promote innovation and productivity among established micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) with high growth potential, to promote sustainable and disruptive growth in scalable startups, and to create sustainable pipeline of high-growth startups and a strong supporting ecosystem for entrepreneurship.

GoodHeart| Students’ creativity shines at Reggae Sumfest’s Upcycling Art Competition

Treya Picking — Sun, 11 Aug 2024 12:39:34 +0000

Since 2019, Reggae Sumfest has focused on climate-change and sustainability. This year, it launched the Jamaica Green Scholars Upcycling Art Competition with H&L Agro, Recycling Partners of Jamaica, and Esirom, following a beach cleanup to raise sustainability awareness among youths.

In its inaugural year, schools in western Jamaica were invited to create products from waste materials. The top four schools—Barrack’s Road Primary, Flanker’s Primary, St James Preparatory, and Heinz Simonitsch School—showcased their creations at the Esirom’s sustainability corner at Reggae Sumfest’s Family Fun Day. Visitors voted for their favourite project, and a panel from H&L Agro, Recycling Partners of Jamaica, Esirom, and Reggae Sumfest judged the designs based on provided criteria.

The entries included a chandelier that converts into two bedside lamps (St James Preparatory); a chair and lamp (Barrack’s Road Primary); a lamp, dress, mat, and hassock (Flanker’s Primary); and an irrigation system (Heinz Simonitsch School), all made from plastic bottles, cups, and other waste materials.

Khalia Hall, Esirom’s sustainability manager, emphasised the importance of creating durable and impactful products.

“There were a lot of categories including creativity and longevity, which was a big one for us judges because we didn’t want the students to just make something and throw it away after. We wanted it to be long-lasting. There was also a category of environmental impact and the use of various materials,” she said.

Heinz Simonitsch School won first place with their irrigation system. Barrack’s Road Primary took second with a chair made from Chubby bottles. Flanker’s Primary, with a dress and hassock, secured third. St James Preparatory’s chandelier earned fourth place.

Aron Gallimore, a student at Heinz Simonitsch, expressed excitement over their win, noting that sustainability is a key goal on their school’s vision board.

“This was our first time competing and we really tried to do our best. The irrigation system is a huge part of what we want to do, the foundation basically, and a precursor to the hydroponics system that we’re going to be creating at the school in September,” he said. “Our motto at the school is ‘changing average into amazing’, and we have students every day just stepping up and raising the bar.”

Barrack’s Road Primary focused on durability with their runner-up project. “We used Chubby bottles and binding wires to hold them together. When we were thinking about this project and sustainability, we thought whatever we created should be durable and protect the environment,” said Carlene Lumley, a teacher at the school.

The winning school received a personalized DIY green garden kit. All four schools also received prizes from KFC, Urban Development Corporation, Sunshine Snacks, Hospiten, Grace, and Pepsi.

Leeann Dunkley, Reggae Sumfest’s sustainability coordinator, praised the creativity and commitment of the participating schools, noting that the competition is a testament to the importance of engaging our youths in sustainability efforts.

Reggae Sumfest’s annual beach cleanup collects over 2,500 pounds of waste

Treya Picking — Mon, 24 Jun 2024 17:16:20 +0000

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica — Demonstrating remarkable community spirit and environmental dedication, Reggae Sumfest’s annual beach cleanup on June 15th resulted in the removal of over 2,500 pounds of waste from Catherine Hall and Fisherman’s beaches in Montego Bay, St James.

Now in its fourth staging, this coastal cleanup has become a vital component of the festival’s lead-up activities. Various stakeholders and sponsors joined forces to support Sumfest organisers in their unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability.

The cleanup effort successfully collected 1,475 pounds of plastic and over 1,100 pounds of other waste, including tyres, old clothes, and furniture, from both the beach line and the ocean beds.

Leeann Dunkley, coordinator of sustainability at Downsound Entertainment/Reggae Sumfest, is ecstatic the cleanup was able to be executed in the magnitude that it was as it highlights the crucial need for environmental efforts. She emphasised the importance of expanding their efforts, noting that adding another beach to this year’s cleanup highlights the team’s dedication to growth.

“Each year, our beach cleanup initiative grows in scope and impact, reinforcing our commitment to environmental sustainability and community involvement. Seeing the collective effort and the tangible difference we make is incredibly rewarding. This year’s addition of another beach to our cleanup efforts shows our dedication to continuous growth and our unwavering resolve to protect Jamaica’s beautiful coastline and our environment. Together, we’re making a significant impact and fostering a culture of environmental stewardship,” Dunkley stated.

Marcus Richards, managing director of the Hardware and Lumber Group (H&L), expressed pride in the project’s achievements over the years.

Marcus Richards, managing director of the Hardware and Lumber Group (H&L) with his team during Saturday’s beach cleanup excercise. (Photo: Contributed)

“This is a top-quality, feel-good event. The number of volunteers has grown significantly, and so has the amount of garbage collected. Joe (Bogdanovich) and the team should be exceptionally proud of what they’ve started and built,” he said.

Richards also highlighted the project’s status as a highly anticipated community event and praised its community-centred approach.

“So many people look forward to this clean-up each year as one of the official community kick-off events. One of the things that I take my hat off to Joe and the team for is that Sumfest is really a community-centred activity. Everything they do ploughs back into the community,” Richards added.

He further revealed plans to extend sustainability efforts to schools to create green spaces and support the development of young Jamaicans. “When it comes to corporate social responsibility, we focus on education, health care, and the environment. It’s important to engage youngsters early, and this year’s cleanup saw a great turnout of children.”

Deputy Mayor of Montego Bay, Dwight Crawford, commended the Sumfest organisers, underscoring the importance of educating future generations on environmental stewardship. “As the councillor for the area, this project is very dear to me. The support and growth over the years have been tremendous, and it’s heartening to see the community come together for such a vital cause,” he said.

Kimesha Campbell-Douglas, marketing officer at Recycling Partners of Jamaica (RPJ), praised the initiative’s impact. She noted the significant amount of plastic waste collected and emphasised the importance of public awareness in changing behaviours.

“Today, we collected 1,475 pounds of plastics alone. The impact of this project is far-reaching, and we are seeing positive changes in recycling behaviours. The numbers truly motivate us at RPJ to help in any way we can to get people to understand what this is actually doing to our environment,” she said.

Alex Morrissey, Director at Esirom, expressed his enthusiasm for collaborating with Reggae Sumfest on their sustainability mission. “Reggae Sumfest is deeply committed to sustainability, and that’s reflected in their efforts beyond the music festival. Today, we pulled fabric, strollers, and even a table from the ocean bed—items that should never be in our waters. It’s heartbreaking, but it motivates us to continue our work,” he said.

Morrissey, who received a special honour during the event, appreciated the recognition but emphasised that their efforts are driven by a desire to inspire others.

“We don’t do it for the recognition; we do it because it’s needed. We hope to inspire other businesses and Jamaicans to make an impact. You don’t need to be a multi-million-dollar company to make a difference,” he concluded.

This year’s cleanup was supported by sponsors and partners including Chesters Chicken, Sunshine Snacks, Wisynco, UDC, Magnum, Pepsi, Zoetry, Recycling Partners of Jamaica, Hardware and Lumber, Esirom, Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Gentle Care Ambulance Service, Grand Palladium, HEART Trust, Hospiten, Jill Stewart Montego Bay City Run, Project Star, Touchstone Ticketing, VIP Attractions, Maggi, Tortuga and Wisynco.

Beyond the Farm: How This Sustainable Protein Could Fight World Hunger

Samantha Channer — Tue, 21 May 2024 17:19:39 +0000

At the changeNOW conference 2024, the MAASH booth grabbed attention as it offers an alternative to traditional farming. MAASH is an EU approved filamentous fungi-strain called LoCylia® that is a high-quality protein ingredient.

MAASH is a finalised prototype that mimics the texture of meat. Its key impact is that its production is sustainable by emitting 95% fewer greenhouse gases, it utilises 99% less land space and consumes 90% less water in comparison to beef.

Let’s dive into how MAASH can use this feed and food protein ingredients for B2B partners and challenges in the alternative meat sector. We will also touch on how we can be more sustainable, on a smaller scale such as growing our own foods at home.

IMAGE

Food Insecurity: A Global Crisis

Food insecurity is unreliable access to safe and nutritious food for health and wellbeing. The number one cause is poverty. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) states that up to 783 million people face hunger in 2022.

The impact of food insecurity is malnutrition and all health implications beyond poor nutrition. The world’s population is trending to increase even more rapidly by 2050, and so it is imperative that new solutions are sustainable.

Food Security: Large Scale

LoCylia® is a protein for:

Fishes
Pets
Humans

It can be compared to Tempeh and Soy sauce, which are fermented products that have been enjoyed for many generations. It can be used to make chicken nuggets, sausages, burgers and whatever the food producers wish to utilize it for. They are currently looking for B2B Customers and there are opportunities on the market. The population is becoming more conscious of the issues in the meat industry, and so more people are opting for alternative meat options.

Reasons for Alternative Meat

Health Benefits
Hunger
Climate Change
Animal Suffering and Cruelty

Challenges for Alternative Meat

Cost: meat options are usually cheaper
Consumer acceptance: reluctance to switch or chose non-meat options

Despite the challenges, alternative meat is a great plus for the environment and a favorable high-quality option to address hunger and malnutrition. This is what ChangeNow is about, it is about “accelerating change… around the globe”.

Food Security: Small Scale

Get to know your local farmers
Cook at home
Diversifying meat alternatives
Grow your own food

Growing one’s own food at home is a key path to self-sufficiency. Not only does it save you money, it is more convenient, improves your health, connects you to the earth, and you know where your food comes from.

Grow your own food today

We may not all be able to be changemakers on a large scale but we can make a difference in our homes on a smaller scale. You can get started by:

Selecting a Space: backyard or garden pots
Checking sunlight availability: indoor or outdoor
Preparing soil & fertilisers
Selecting seeds: seasonal fruits, vegetables, herbs
Selecting water source: rain vs tap water
Gathering tools: shovel, gloves, fork

Making a small change can empower you and by extension, your community to combat food insecurity and the global food crisis.

10 Ways the Ocean Sustains Us (and How We Can Protect It)

Samantha Channer — Tue, 21 May 2024 17:10:23 +0000

In our oceans, when marine life is removed faster than they can reproduce and sustain the ecosystem this is overexploitation in simple terms. When we rely on resources like our ocean to sustain us, how do we not consider ocean conservation as a rule?

Lamya Essemlali, the president of Sea Shepherd France and an ocean activist shared some eye-opening perspectives in her talk about “Preserving and Protecting Our Oceans”. The key takeaways from ChangeNOW 2024 in Paris, France will be explored below.

Let’s review what Sea Shepherd does to conserve and protect the ocean, ten (10) ways the ocean sustains life and what humankind does to destroy it. You will learn more about how we can protect marine life and make a difference through volunteerism and service.

Who is Sea Shepherd France?

Sea Shepherd is a movement about protecting and conserving the oceans and all marine wildlife worldwide. They work to defend and enforce international conservation laws that are often disregarded. As quoted by Paul Watson, “If the ocean dies, we all die. Today, we may be considered extremists by some, but for future generations, we will be good ancestors”.

10 ways the ocean sustains life

Produces Oxygen
First Climate Regulation Machine
Largest Carbon Sink
Energy Source
Medicine Source
Food Source
Provides jobs and livelihood
Habitat for Marine Species
Source of Recreation
Economic & Trade Connections

The ocean covers 70% of the planet and provides 50% of the earth’s oxygen. The survival of humankind depends on the regulation of the ocean’s ecosystem. However, various human activities continue to contribute significantly to its destruction.

How are humankind destroying the oceans?

Overfishing
Destruction of Coral reefs
Marine Pollution
Urbanization
Climate change
Unsustainable Practices

About 80% of all debris found in the ocean is plastics.

We are all connected to the Ocean

Human choices directly influence the health of our ocean, from as small as improper waste disposal and consumerism to as large as industrial level activities. Since the ocean is downstream from everywhere, coming from anywhere, it needs protection.

Lamya spoke about trigger thinking. Trigger thoughts are those that cause emotional pain and allow us to perceive threats in our environment. This internal trigger must come from within an individual towards the reality of the ocean. She also mentioned that the reaction of persons tends to be one of fear, seeing the tasks ahead as scary, overwhelming and hopeless. However, she highlighted that there are tools to action that stems from the question, “What can you do?”

What can you do?

According to Lamya, the best person that can answer that question is you. In fact, you are the best person to answer that question. How can you use your service for a greater cause? She added that, “You must put your everyday life in harmony with what you feel”, “Do what brings you satisfaction”, “Money should not be a hindrance… raise funds” and last but not least, “Reconnecting people with nature… the ocean”.

This response had a moving effect, especially concerning the reconnecting with nature and the ocean part of it. Humans have lost touch with nature, so the decisions made daily are often out of touch with the consequences those actions have on the environment. The best solution is to reconnect with nature, reconnect with the ocean and make changes that do not bring harm to the ocean’s ecosystem.

Suggestions of things you can do:

Reduce your plastic footprint
Get involved in a worth cause
Make a donation or support a worthy cause
Plant seeds of change in people’s heart

Connect to an Ocean today

We should not justify the activities that destroy our oceans, but rather to justify why we must change our habits. By reconnecting with nature, we can answer the question, what can I do to help? What changes can I make ? How can I spread the word?

Ditch Disposables! How Europe’s New Reuse System is Revolutionizing Packaging (and How You Can Be Part of It)

Samantha Channer — Tue, 21 May 2024 16:22:05 +0000

New ERA is a solution-driven industry addressing the single-use packaging waste crisis in Europe. They have created a reuse system as a solution for creating a circular economy of packaging. A circular economy is the practice of reducing waste to a minimum, where items and products are reused.

Reuse in simple terms means to use something again. Reuse falls under the 3R hierarchy, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Reuse packaging offers a solution to multiple problems, including the increasing consumption of single-use plastics, the recycling gap, and the need to preserve Earth’s precious resources.

Let’s walk through why we should reuse, how reuse packaging works and its benefits to circularity. You will also learn more about how we can collaborate better in the circular economy and what the future may look like.

Why Reuse?

Single use disposable items have a high cost environmentally, economically and socially. Recycling has taken the lead in solving the plastic crisis, however, rates are regressing and have only perpetuated the linear economy. To solve this problem, reuse packaging offers a range of alternatives to single use.

The reuse of packaging materials for food ware or takeaways is a climate strategy offering multiple benefits such as,

Environmental: reduce CO2 emissions
Economical: Offers a new market beside Recycling
Social: New Job, New Industry

How does the reuse packaging strategy work?

This is a total collaborative system offering the collection, sorting, recycling and the redistribution of waste. The reuse packaging system, therefore, must be recyclable from design to concept. The design uses best industry practices and innovations which sets standards for the value chain. These are the key reuse and refill targets,

Takeaway solutions : reuse offer for food & drinks

Beverage solutions: includes take-back obligations
Retail solutions: space dedicated to refill stations

Berny

Bric A Vrac

Ecommerce & Transport Solutions: specific targets for grouped packaging

Boomerang

Hey Circle

Corplex

Collection & Washing Solutions

Bout’ à Bout‘

Eternity Systems

This infrastructure provides value by building an efficient, sustainable & convenient reuse system. It provides safe and available packaging for food and utilizes an extended product incentive scheme. Also, AI technology is emerging to influence higher sorting rates by detecting and influencing better sorting habits. Together all collaboration influences this circular economy.

Through the partnerships of businesses and key stakeholders, the higher the collaboration, then the higher the impact. This allows for more accessibility, harmonization of packaging and leads to increased competition against single-use production.

How can we collaborate better?

According to NewERA, we can collaborate better by,

Having an open mindset
Dialogue with key stakeholders
Improving the processes
Capacity tracking
Financial Investment

What does the future look like to you?

As the population continues to grow, how do we see the public spaces? What does the consumer journey look like? How do the homes of tomorrow appear?

The solution to the alternatives, requires a change of mindset in the way we consume. There is a need for more public awareness and education. To advertise and market the offers and practices of reuse packaging. To implement and or improve our waste management such as waste sorting for a cleaner environment.

If there is a robust alternative, would you say no to single-use plastics today?

Improve your consumer habits today

There is an alternative to single-use plastics, whether implemented or not. Reuse allows consumers to move away from linear economy to a circular economy concept. Circularity minimises waste output into our environment while allowing consumers to continue to enjoy the things they like. Since the benefits of consumerism doesn’t end with circularity, the change starts with you.

Perpetual

Citeo

Salada Foods cultivates literacy through garden learning

Treya Picking — Thu, 16 May 2024 05:34:23 +0000

Utilising the natural environment as a catalyst for learning, Salada Foods adopted a novel approach to literacy education by integrating garden activities into its activities for Read Across Jamaica Day on Tuesday, May 7.

The company, which is home of the renowned Jamaica Mountain Peak brand of coffees and teas, orchestrated an immersive literacy event at Jebb Memorial Basic School engaging children in three-dimensional learning.

Highlighting the untapped potential of outdoor spaces as educational resources, Tamii Brown, General Manager at Salada Foods said, “It offers endless opportunities for learning and exploration; as quickly as the students stepped out of the classrooms and into the schoolyard, we recognised how it ignited their curiosity and stimulated their imaginations.”

The activities kickstarted with Nadine Francis, quality assurance manager at Salada Foods, leading a captivating reading session with approximately 35 students between the ages of two and six, centred around a book of the Ready Steady Readers series titled, The Little Red Hen and the Wheat.

Following the story, Francis and the Salada Foods team facilitated a discussion with the little readers about their lessons learnt to encourage critical thinking.

In a momentous collaboration, Salada Foods and the ESIROM Foundation gifted Jebb Memorial Basic School with a raised garden plot, sparking excitement among the students and teachers alike. The hands-on learning opportunity is not only aimed at fostering literacy skills, said Brown, “but is meant to cultivate a deeper understanding of their natural environment. It was truly a pleasure for our team to watch all the little ones participate, and partake in the reading and gardening activities alongside our sustainability partners at ESIROM.”

“With the sun’s rise tomorrow, we hope to see a renewed passion for growth among the children at Jebb. Today, we’ve witnessed the joy students experience from reading about living things, to every stage of gardening – from preparing the plot, to planting and even nurturing the seedlings. We want the raised garden plot to enrich their curriculum,” Brown added.

Prior to the visit, the children were provided with fudge sticks to craft labels for a diverse array of plants including herbs like rosemary, thyme, basil, fruit trees and sunflowers. Some of these plants were placed into the planter as part of the activities.

According to Leonie Salmon Wong-Sue, Principal at the basic school, the addition of the garden will serve as a valuable resource for integrating literacy and even mathematics into experiential learning whilst meeting the learning and development requirement.

Wong Sue remarked, “Read Across Jamaica Day already provides a unique opportunity for our children to engage with books beyond the classroom curriculum, and today was certainly extra special with the playground and garden serving as a living classroom. Literacy should begin at home, from the moment a child can speak so by the time they transition into the school environment, they are ready for bigger activities but it isn’t always the case. These events always make that transition fun for all of us. We welcome the garden because it complements our curriculum for our four-year-olds who are learning about plants and farms.”

“We would love to be able to take the children outside to learn every day or at least twice for the week, but our school is in a noisy area. Nonetheless, it was a good learning experience and exposure for the children. In my role as principal, I have embraced Jebb Memorial as a historical institution, and I believe that when conceptualisers leave a legacy, it is our responsibility to nourish and build upon it. That’s what Salada Foods can expect our teachers and students to do with the garden,” added Wong-Sue, reflecting on her tenure as principal since 2014.

With approximately 48 students at Jebb Memorial Basic School, the garden initiative holds promise for transforming the way literacy is taught by the teaching body and experienced by the students. By harnessing the power of the outdoors, Salada Foods aims to cultivate a literate, environmentally-conscious generation. In addition to the reading and gardening activities, Salada Foods extended a sincere gesture of appreciation by presenting gifts to the devoted teachers and staff at the institution in anticipation of Teacher’s Day

ESIROM, Seprod partner to promote upcycling via edutainment game

Treya Picking — Tue, 07 May 2024 14:43:31 +0000

According to the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), Jamaica produces an average of 8,657 tonnes of solid waste daily.

The Alex Morrissey-led ESIROM Foundation decided to act by collaborating with Seprod to promote upcycling.

Through this partnership, the charitable environmental advocacy arm of the digital marketing agency is set to introduce an exciting new initiative to promote recycling and sustainability in efforts to alleviate much of the waste on the island.

Another feature of the partnership is both entities harness the power of innovation to address environmental concerns while engaging and educating children in a fun and interactive manner.

The key ingredient to this initiative is the creation of an edutainment game crafted from repurposed tetra packs – the containers for drinks by Seprod’s renowned brands, such as Eve’s Almond Milk, Serge Island Dairy, and Monster Milk – and recycled wood.

ESIROM Foundation Sustainability Manager Khalia Hall

Under the leadership of Khalia Hall, sustainability manager at ESIROM Foundation, the team innovated a new twist on the classic Tic Tac Toe game.

This unique version involves throwing ping pong balls into strategically placed holes on a wooden frame. The objective remains the same as the traditional Tic Tac Toe: achieve three balls in a row to win.

This game will provide users with a hands-on opportunity to play with recycled materials while they learn about the importance of recycling and environmental support.

The Tic Tac Toe-inspired ‘board game’ by the ESIROM Foundation team. (Photos: Contributed)According to Eve Brand Manager Daynah Parchment, the collaboration highlights Seprod’s commitment to supporting upcycling efforts in the country.

Stating that ‘…[they] are passionate about contributing to sustainable initiatives and want to do more’.

‘Partnering with ESIROM to create this innovative edutainment game aligns perfectly with our mission to impact the environment positively.’

ESIROM Foundation’s Sustainability Manager Khalia Hall, detailed the game’s educational aspect, stating that the ‘goal is to educate consumers on the importance of upcycling in a fun and engaging way.’

‘By creating this game, we aim to instill a sense of environmental responsibility and inspire future generations to take action.’

After creating the game, Seprod plans to donate it to the Edward Seaga Primary (formerly Denham Town Primary), with the hopes that this will encourage children to learn about recycling, more in a creative fun way.

The collaboration between ESIROM and Seprod is a combined commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. By leveraging creativity and cooperation, they pave the way for a greener, more sustainable future.

Netflix for the Planet: The WaterBear Streaming Platform

Treya Picking — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 22:16:52 +0000

Media plays a crucial role in shaping environmental awareness and inspiring action. Streaming platforms have become powerful tools for spreading knowledge and advocating for change. WaterBear, launched in 2020, is a unique platform unlike any other. It’s a “Netflix for the Planet” offering free, award-winning documentaries and films focused on environmental and humanitarian issues.

Inspiring Stories, Empowering Action

WaterBear goes beyond entertainment. Their tagline, “watch, connect, and take action,” reflects their mission to bridge the gap between awareness and action. By signing up for free, viewers can:

Explore a wide range of inspiring content: Discover documentaries and films that will educate, motivate, and spark environmental consciousness.
Support NGOs and partners: WaterBear collaborates with over 80 NGOs. Viewers can directly support these organizations through volunteering, donations, or signing petitions.
Take action in various ways: Spread awareness by sharing videos, discover sustainable products and travel options, or get involved with environmental causes – all with a simple click.

Sustainability Behind the Scenes

WaterBear’s commitment to the environment extends beyond the content they offer. They strive for sustainability in all aspects of their operations:

Albert Certification: They’re working towards Albert Certification, a prestigious standard for reducing the environmental impact of film production.
Internal Sustainability Practices: WaterBear implements sustainable practices in areas like travel, energy use, recycling, and waste reduction.
Sustainable Streaming: They utilize Vimeo’s streaming services, which leverage Akamai Technologies’ commitment to renewable energy and emission reduction.

WaterBear: Making a Difference

WaterBear has demonstrably impacted the streaming industry. They create positive change through powerful storytelling that compels viewers around the world to connect with nature and take action for a sustainable future. By combining exceptional content with actionable steps, WaterBear empowers individuals to become active participants in protecting our planet.

Join the movement and explore WaterBear today!

Diverse Solutions to Tackle Biodiversity Loss

Treya Picking — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 22:12:59 +0000

Climate change and biodiversity loss are two of the biggest challenges faced by the planet and society. Both of these issues are deeply interconnected, and acknowledging this is essential in developing effective strategies to tackle these challenges. With advancements in science and technology, we are constantly producing solutions to effectively monitor, conserve, and restore ecosystems. This can vary from traditional citizen science to using technologically advanced methods such as drones and eDNA.

At a recent biodiversity conference, exhibitors in the biodiversity industry presented a diverse range of solutions to tackle the biodiversity crisis in more ways than one.

Project Seagrass: Restoring Ocean Health

Project Seagrass is an international initiative that implements seagrass protection and restoration strategies with an innovative and socially inclusive approach. Seagrass meadows, also referred to as underwater gardens, are globally threatened. These habitats play a crucial role in keeping our oceans healthy and are full of life, providing refuge for marine life ranging from crustaceans, fish, manatees, and sea turtles. It’s simple, when we lose seagrass, we lose biodiversity and an important carbon sequester. Seagrass also helps to stabilize coastlines, produce oxygen, and they provide food security and support livelihoods.

Project Seagrass uses a multidisciplinary approach, which includes restoration, monitoring, outreach, research, and advocacy. This project, which is a decade old, has executed successful projects in over 10 countries and planted over one million seagrass seeds. One of their most notable achievements is launching a citizen science website and mobile app, Seagrass Spotter, which encourages people to record the presence of seagrass with photo evidence. This app has been used across 105 countries and assisted in scientific data collection.

Inverto Earth: Nature-Positive Business with Mangroves

Inverto Earth was born when two people while working on humanitarian drone systems decided to create their own version but with a biodiversity approach. Inverto helps businesses become nature positive by restoring mangroves in an effective way. It steers entities and individuals away from the typical ‘lazy’ approach, where an area is selected, and thousands of mangroves are planted and then forgotten in the hope that they will grow, which often results in failure.

Instead, Inverto connects businesses with local communities to plan, plant and monitor coastal ecosystems, which are 3×3 meters in size. It encourages the business to connect with nature, engage with communities and play an active role in the restoration activities. Inverto supports every step of the process and equips and trains the locals in the area to utilize drone technology and on the ground field techniques to monitor the restoration. The clients can then access this data and enhance their green profile. Since its start-up in 2022, Inverto Earth has conducted projects in Pakistan and the UAE and plans to start up projects in Australia and Indonesia. Their approach goes beyond simply restoring crucial mangrove habitats, as it also creates social benefits through alternative livelihoods and provides clients with a full picture on climate, biodiversity, and their social impact.

DNAIR: Biodiversity Monitoring with eDNA

Environmental DNA (eDNA) has recently emerged as a powerful tool for biodiversity monitoring, species detection, and research. It allows scientists to determine species presence in an area without directly observing them by collecting environmental samples and testing them for their DNA.

DNAIR is a company that has developed technology that enables biodiversity monitoring at an unprecedented scale using eDNA from the air. This technology targets businesses that want to assess their sustainability efforts and make informed decisions that can reduce negative impacts on the environment. As a relatively new company, they are still in the pilot stage and strongly believe that this technology can provide a large market opportunity for companies to invest in biodiversity protection.

A Multifaceted Approach to a Global Challenge

Project Seagrass, Inverto Earth, and DNAIR are three entities that offer diverse solutions to address the biodiversity crisis. Together they incorporate simple yet effective multifaceted strategies utilizing technology and human resources to protect both terrestrial and marine ecosystems, as well as encouraging corporate responsibility and accountability.