climate change – Esirom Foundation https://esiromfoundation.org Generating opportunities around sustainability Mon, 26 Aug 2024 21:16:31 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.2 https://esiromfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/cropped-cropped-esirom-found-32x32.png climate change – Esirom Foundation https://esiromfoundation.org 32 32 Beyond the Farm: How This Sustainable Protein Could Fight World Hunger https://esiromfoundation.org/beyond-the-farm-how-this-sustainable-protein-could-fight-world-hunger/ https://esiromfoundation.org/beyond-the-farm-how-this-sustainable-protein-could-fight-world-hunger/#respond Tue, 21 May 2024 17:19:39 +0000 https://esiromfoundation.org/?p=12420

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.

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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:

  1. Fishes
  2. Pets
  3. 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

  1. Health Benefits
  2. Hunger
  3. Climate Change
  4. Animal Suffering and Cruelty

Challenges for Alternative Meat

  1. Cost: meat options are usually cheaper
  2. 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

  1. Get to know your local farmers
  2. Cook at home
  3. Diversifying meat alternatives
  4. 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:

  1. Selecting a Space: backyard or garden pots
  2. Checking sunlight availability: indoor or outdoor
  3. Preparing soil & fertilisers
  4. Selecting seeds: seasonal fruits, vegetables, herbs
  5. Selecting water source: rain vs tap water
  6. 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.

]]> https://esiromfoundation.org/beyond-the-farm-how-this-sustainable-protein-could-fight-world-hunger/feed/ 0 10 Ways the Ocean Sustains Us (and How We Can Protect It) https://esiromfoundation.org/10-ways-the-ocean-sustains-us-and-how-we-can-protect-it/ https://esiromfoundation.org/10-ways-the-ocean-sustains-us-and-how-we-can-protect-it/#respond Tue, 21 May 2024 17:10:23 +0000 https://esiromfoundation.org/?p=12412 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

  1. Produces Oxygen
  2. First Climate Regulation Machine
  3. Largest Carbon Sink
  4. Energy Source
  5. Medicine Source
  6. Food Source
  7. Provides jobs and livelihood
  8. Habitat for Marine Species
  9. Source of Recreation
  10. 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?

  1. Overfishing
  2. Destruction of Coral reefs
  3. Marine Pollution
  4. Urbanization
  5. Climate change
  6. 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:

  1. Reduce your plastic footprint
  2. Get involved in a worth cause
  3. Make a donation or support a worthy cause
  4. 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?

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