Stemming World Hunger

Karuturi Global is a genuine change agent, committed to sustainability.  Its stated mission is: "To emerge as an integrated agri-products company servicing the world market through unmatched product, cost and quality advantages.” Today Karuturi Global is a large producer of cut roses, with an 8% share of the floriculture market. The company has businesses in Ethiopia, Kenya and India, producing around 555 million cut roses per year.

However Karuturi Global is now taking up agribusiness as its next ambition. It wishes to be recognized as a genuine change agent for global growth, prosperity, and cultural and economic transformation - to do whatever it can to help alleviate worldwide and African food shortages. Thus Karuturi was among the first foreign firms to acquire land from the Ethiopian and Kenyan governments – more than 300,000 hectares – to grow and produce maize, vegetables, grains, corn, palm oil, and sugarcane.

In Ethiopia, Karuturi Global's social welfare contributions have included distributing wool blankets to the poor and elderly in 2007 and 2008, contributing $75,000 towards the drinking water supply in Holetta and providing free food every week for two years to 100 needy people.

In Kenya, the company has provided healthcare services to locals, food to drought victims and infrastructure to the local police. Karuturi Global affirms that, "Our labour welfare measures in Kenya are having a positive impact on the lives of our Kenyan workers, their families and communities. Taking cue from the success of these measures, we are working on implementing the same in Ethiopia. We plan to provide schools, hospitals, housing and bus facilities to our workers in Ethiopia, along with our social welfare initiatives."

Karuturi also applies eco-friendly policies in its production chain, including using indigenous greenhouses, in-house power generation from biomass, rainwater harvesting, and environment-friendly fertilizers and chemicals. 

According to Karuturi Global, "Every small change counts. ... We do our utmost to conserve the environment and to ensure that our people and our communities grow with us."

Story Telling for a Cause

Tim Fitzhigham is a "multi-award winning comedian, explorer, quadruple world record holder, historian, archaeologist and author." According to a short biography from Tim himself, he is also "a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and Freeman of the City of London. Knighted by a foreign monarchy, he has entertained audiences world-wide with his fascinating, hilarious, moving tales of dreamy impacticalness - navigating the Channel in a Thomas Crapper bathtub, rowing a paper boat up the River Thames from source to Tower Bridge [160 miles],  running across deserts in armour, playing hopscotch up active volcanoes, or long distance Morris Dancing" [an English folk dance].

Tim is indeed extremely entertaining, and he has charisma enough for two. But he is also an incredible story teller, who uses story telling to raise awareness for environmental issues, among others. He believes that because stories convey emotions and make people feel, they can persuade listeners and even draw people towards a particular opinion better than facts can.

Tim's website is full of information on this unique and multi-faceted character.

Help Paul Nicklen Protect Our Environment

Photographer Paul Nicklen wants to connect people to the environment. His photos tell people what's happening in the Arctic and Antarctic. For instance, sea ice is disappearing, affecting polar bears, microorganisms and a host of other creatures and their food chain. With it, an entire ecosystem is disappearing. Yet one picture of a bear dying of starvation can change our perception of the effects of climate change and connect us to the problem, and the issues.

See Paul's amazing photos on his website and hear him talk on TED:

LifeGate: People, Planet, Profit

LifeGate puts the environment at the center of doing business. One of its projects, Impatto Zero (Zero Impact), which lowers carbon emissions through reforestation, has created over 20 million square meters of new forests since the Italian company was founded in 2000 by entrepreneur Marco Roveda. Another LifeGate activity is LifeGate Engineering, which advises residences, businesses and public services on renewable energy systems, while LifeGate Renewable Energy distributes the clean energy. Another business, LifeGate Ecojeans, makes organic cotton jeans.

LifeGate founder and president Marco Roveda started and then sold two companies at a young age, bringing him wealth, but he soon realized he was less interested in making money than in promoting quality-of-life principles and non-materialistic values. Thus he created LifeGate, which "offers a unique model for a new economy, where business has a conscience and people are aware of their actions, and how they affect others and the environment." LifeGate's website includes thousands of articles on health, the environment, natural foods, electric cars and a myriad of other subjects endorsing social and environmental awareness, and challenging readers to think about how their actions and acquisitions impact others and the planet.

From Outstanding Social Entrepreneurs 2010, the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship

Sustainability through Collaboration

Environmental protection and sustainable development are high on the agenda and the world is seeing initiatives at all levels by international and national bodies, governments and businesses to address the challenges ahead.

For many years, Alstom Power has recognized the importance of the environment in the power generation business and has positioned itself as a clean power provider. Alstom Power is pursuing a global sustainability strategy based on three pillars: management of the ecological, social and economic impact of offices and sites the company owns and operates; Alstom Power’s product footprint and the management of the ecological, social and economic impact of its products from “cradle to grave” (use of raw material, transport, erection, services and end of life of products); and customers’ efforts to produce clean power.

Providing clean power solutions to China
Alstom Power’s global strategy is then applied locally in line with individual national requirements. For instance, in planning the country’s economic and social development, the Chinese government has prioritized cutting carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP by 40-45% by 2020 (from 2005 levels).

Alstom Power is contributing to this goal by providing clean solutions in power generation and bringing the most advanced technologies to China. In the area of hydro, the company has fully localized its engineering and manufacturing capabilities over the last 15 years and transferred knowledge and technology to China. Around 28% of the hydro plants in China are now equipped with their technology. In nuclear, Alstom Power is working with partner Dongfang in that direction. With regard to coal, the company is developing Wuhan Boiler Company Ltd., one of the largest and most modern manufacturing sites in the world for efficient utility boilers. And Alstom Power is currently implementing a cooperation agreement with Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), the leading university in China on R&D in carbon capture and storage (CCS), for one of the most promising “new” technologies in the area of CCS. This new agreement builds upon already established agreements with HUST, to provide financial support to outstanding students and teachers.

Fighting climate change through energy efficiency
Energy efficiency in buildings is another means of reaching the Chinese government’s ambitious target. Amongst Alstom Power’s various industrial sites in China, Wuhan Boiler Company Ltd. stands out on a global level in terms of energy efficiency. The decision to construct a new manufacturing facility (210,000 m2) and a five-floor office building (15,000 m2) at Wuhan, allowing more than 1,100 persons on site at any time, provided a perfect opportunity for Alstom Power to reduce its environmental footprint. Various technical initiatives were taken to reduce the environmental impact of the site: detectors, solar-powered water heaters, etc.; system, recyclable wooden insulation panels, recyclable flooring and geothermal heat exchangers that use the earth’s constant subterranean temperature to warm or cool the air, etc.

It is expected that 6,000 tons of CO2 per year will be avoided as a direct result of these innovations.

Acting as a good corporate citizen
Naturally, Alstom Power is also emphasizing its service to the local communities. In support of the Chinese government’s decision to ban the distribution of free plastic bags, employees are actively involved in a project sponsored by the Alstom Foundation to raise environmental awareness by encouraging people to use eco-friendly green bags. The project has supported the manufacture of more than 43,000 durable cloth shopping bags. The Foundation also supports the Meili Mountains National Park Project to preserve the biodiversity of mountains at Yunnan Province. In addition, Alstom Power encourages employees to launch individual initiatives.

Alstom Power is proud of its achievements so far and is committed to continue supporting its customers, employees and the local communities in their sustainable development ambitions.

First published in the November 2010 edition of Sustain magazine by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development.

Enabling a Low-carbon Expo 2010 in Shanghai

Large-scale events are often a catalyst for sustainable urban development, improved infrastructure and increased investment. There is no better example than Expo 2010 in Shanghai. For the first time in the Expo’s history, the Shanghai edition was low-carbon, applying successful experiences in city development by using innovative "green" technologies in areas including building, transportation, energy supply and waste treatment. Sustainable companies like Siemens are a major driver behind this improvement.

Siemens is supplying more than 1 billion Euros worth of infrastructure for both the Expo and Shanghai. More than 40 Expo projects were built using Siemens technologies that improve energy efficiency without reducing quality or comfort. For example, Siemens technologies powered the "China Red" of the China Pavilion, not only creating a marvelous impression, but also reducing energy consumption by 50%. The Expo’s five permanent constructions featured the latest in Siemens building technology, thereby reducing energy consumption by 25% compared with conventional buildings. To ensure continuous and efficient power supply, especially during the peak summer season, Siemens installed energy-saving power distribution equipment.

In the "We Are the World" Pavilion, Siemens partnered with the Expo Bureau to bring visitors a vision of life in a low-carbon future. Visitors experienced innovative technologies, such as a facial recognition system used for easy home access, e-cars enabled by smart grids, a virtual workshop that helps achieve work-life balance, a tailored menu proposed by an intelligent home refrigerator, and remote diagnostic technologies showing easy healthcare solutions, just to name a few. Most of the technologies displayed are in the company’s R&D pipeline or are prototype applications.

About 90% of the total Expo-relevant business related to environmentally friendly products and solutions that aim to upgrade city infrastructure while bringing down carbon emissions. A highly efficient power plant using Siemens technology covers 30% of Shanghai’s energy demand, but uses more than 1 million tons less coal per year. One hundred environmentally friendly highspeed trains that use key Siemens components will ultimately transport passengers from Beijing to Shanghai in less than five hours. The terminal of the high-speed line in Shanghai serves as part of the Hongqiao Transportation Hub, where Siemens installed China’s largest parking management system.

By 2018, Siemens will supply infrastructure to more than 20 other major event host cities worldwide, including infrastructure for stable power grids, public mass transit and healthcare. Along with creating and preserving jobs, those projects will also improve visitors’ experiences and the quality of life in the cities in which they take place.

Article originally published in the November 2010 edition of Sustain, the magazine of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development.

In Fast-Growing Asia, New Attention on Quality Over Quantity

Automakers received an unexpected boost in August, when Asian sales surged thanks to variations on the American "cash for clunkers" scheme to encourage consumers to turn in old gas guzzlers and buy new, cleaner models. The US plan, you may recall, was designed in part to help rescue the American auto industry, but ended up doing more to boost sales of Japanese and Korean cars. So Tokyo decided in April to offer consumers rebates if they would also purchase new hybrid cars. And in June, China followed suit, offering even larger subsidies to consumers in five cities that bought more environmentally friendly cars.

More than just a plan to revive domestic auto sales, the moves are part of a broader shift among Asian policy makers from pursuing economic growth at all costs to promoting what is widely known as "green growth." Asian governments used to focus almost exclusively on GDP growth as the barometer of policy success, but as rapid development creates growing environmental and social stresses, more policy makers are focusing on how to make their economies better, and not just bigger. Fast-growing economies in which citizens face crippling pollution and destabilizing disparities in income aren't necessarily healthier economies. So governments are quickly bringing sustainable growth, once a rallying cry for non-governmental organizations, into the policy mainstream.

Harnessing the Earth's Resources Efficiently and Equitably

“Environmental issues have the power to unify groups with seemingly irreconcilable differences. Shared concerns about resources and conservation can help resolve even bitter conflicts.”
Environmental Scientist Saleem H. Ali believes “the environment itself can be a powerful force in resolving conflicts, even between groups who seem diametrically opposed over how the world’s limited resources should be used.” Moreover, Ali says natural resources can be a positive force in alleviating poverty. Read more about this remarkable “emerging explorer” who argues we can manage our desire for resources while safeguarding the environment and alleviating poverty!

Eco-tourism Builds Livelihoods and Bolsters Whale Shark Populations

Eco-tourism has changed everyone's life in Donsol, Philippines. It is helping build livelihoods for local residents while bolstering whale shark populations. CNN reports on this shift in nature's balance -- from destruction to preservation -- in this remote area:

"Welcome to Donsol, the home of the gentle giants," Alan Amanse says, smiling broadly at us as we awkwardly scramble onto the traditional fishing boat.

"We have something that must be followed; the rules about whale shark interaction."

He's delivered this speech countless times, but says he never tires of seeing newcomers' eager faces. Donsol in the province of Sorsogon, Philippines, was once a sleepy fishing village; now it buzzes with excited tourists who flock here for what many later describe as a life-changing experience -- swimming with the largest fish in the ocean, the whale shark.

I have to admit, I was filled with childish excitement I hadn't experienced in years.
"If I say 'Ok, let's rock and roll', it's time to get in the water; that's my magic word, 'rock and roll'," Alan tells us, perched on the edge of the boat, a devilish twinkle in his eyes.

He and the crew are experts at whale shark spotting, able to scan what to us looks like a blank horizon for signs of the sharks below the surface. Small boats filled with tourists dot the tricolor waters, the shoreline rolling hills of emerald green.

"Look, look right there," Alan points at what to me initially looks like nothing.

"Wow! Its huge, 3-meters-long, about 20 meters in front of us," I shrieked as I began to make out the dark shape moving alongside our boat.

We jumped in, but only just barely caught a glimpse of the whale shark before it disappeared into the depths of the ocean. I should note at this stage that, despite my initial reaction, 3 meters isn't a "huge" whale shark -- they can grow up to 20 meters in length.

In fact at 3 meters they are still considered young, and seeing small ones is a rarity we are told. The whale shark interactions are closely regulated; 6 tourists per boat, 1 boat per whale shark, and no more than 30 boats in the water at a time. Plus, we're briefed to swim 3 meters away from the head and body, 4 meters away from the tail -- one powerful inadvertent hit can cause serious damage.

We had a professional underwater cameraman, Rico, added on to our crew for the day. I envied his lung capacity, his ability to free dive for minutes alongside these majestic creatures, filming them from all angles while I gasped for air and struggled to keep up.

We end up spotting a total of four whale sharks, the last one huge and right underneath our boat. It stayed close to the surface as if bemused by the attention and splashing.

I managed to dive down and see its gentle eyes, upturned mouth formed into a permanent smile. All I could think was, "Wow". That short moment I had was special, as if nothing existed but me and this graceful animal.

Eco-tourism has changed everyone's life in Donsol. Alan tells us how he used to have to take on odd jobs -- driving a tricycle taxi, construction work, playing guitar at bars -- to make ends meet. Now he makes six times what he used to, enough money to put his two children through school, even university.

Like most people in these parts, Alan used to view whale sharks as pests, constantly getting caught up in fishing nets and overturning boats. He says they were also hunted by villagers from other areas.

"Before I am not thinking that we need to save the whale shark because we don't have an idea of the whale shark," he admits.

According to the World Wildlife Fund, whale sharks are coveted in many countries. Their meat can sell for up to $17 per kilo, their fins a staggering $800.

The attitude towards whale sharks here changed nearly overnight. Credited with helping to make that happen is Dave Duran, a charismatic, passionate cameraman turned diver. Twelve years ago he shot footage of the whale sharks and brought it to international spotlight, to the attention of the World Wildlife Fund, marine biologists and scientists.

Suddenly Donsol became a major research destination. Little is known about whale sharks, a major part of preserving the species is understanding their migratory routes and breeding habits. Within three months of Dave going public with his footage, the Philippine government issued a ban on fishing whale sharks.

"If we were just late for about a month or so the story would have been different," he tells us. "Maybe now we would be seeing whale sharks being slaughtered here, right on this beach."

Eco Solutions have covered many stories in the ongoing battle of preservation vs. destruction. Here the balance shifted in favor of nature. "It's just a matter of luck," Dave says. "We gave [the people of Donsol] some sort of hope that eco-tourism could work in Donsol and they believed it."

An Eco-friendly Family Adventure across the World

One CNN website editor's choice is "An eco-friendly family adventure across the world", the story of Dario Schworer, a 42-year-old climatologist and mountain guide, and his family. Their aim: to promote eco-friendly ways of life. He, his 33-year-old wife Sabine Schworer-Ammaun, and their three children started out seven years ago with the goal of climbing the highest peaks on all continents and crossing the oceans using only non-motorized transport. They have a sailboat and otherwise walk or cycle to their next destination.

"We are collecting good examples of dealing with climate change and living in harmony with nature and spreading such ideas," Schworer told CNN. "We want to help people cope [who are] affected by global warming and inspiring children for the future."

"Great achievements can be done in harmony with nature," Schworer said. "But we must respect nature."

Among other things, they have collected 22 tonnes of trash, taught people in Ecuador to use the sun's rays to purify water and collected trash in the mountains of Nepal with school children, and visited 47 countries. They have also interacted with 45,000 children in South America, Australia and Asia, giving presentations about the importance of recycling and using alternative energy like solar and wind power.

"Since our belief is the need to respect nature, we travel only when conditions are good," Schworer said.

Read the full article on CNN's website at http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/06/09/family.travel.adventure/index.html?hpt=Mid

Advancing Economic Objectives while Demonstrating True Social Responsibility

Pierre Duponchel and his organization, Le Relais, founded in 1984, collect, sort and recycle second-hand textiles and paper. Doing so, the business has created 1,500 jobs in France and Africa for people who have been excluded from society. At the same time, Le Relais has become a major industry, recycling more than 85% of the 60,000 tons of textiles collected every year.