Vojtech's journey to the land where the clouds come home

Are you young, adventurous and want to take a little break from your studies, have a positive impact or an engaging holiday? 

This is what chose to do Vojtech, a Czech citizen, after doing a 4-month internship at WIF as part of the Erasmus Work Placement program. During his internship, Vojtech worked as project coordinator on several beneficial and charitable events. He also came up with a concept of ecological village for Sri Lanka and Meghalaya. 

A few months later, as promised to his former manager and friend Bremley, Vojtech took a one-way flight to North East India to work on the projects he had been part of during his internship. He went for 11 months to Asia and stayed 6 months in Meghalaya in India. Vojtech took part in 7 different projects: 

1.       Sustainable Village Development Program
2.       World Environment Day 2014
3.       Sohra Reforestation Project
4.       Agroforestry project
5.       Documentary shooting for Mawpdai village
6.       SACMUN
7.       International Seminar of Green Economics 

After spending a wonderful hard working time in India, he went to Nepal, Thailand, Myanmar and then to Sri Lanka at Paradise Farm. During his stay in Paradise Farm, he was able to drink organic green tea made by the women on the farms but also planted trees, went surfing etc. 

Throughout these different projects and activities, Vojtech learnt many things but also transmitted a lot of his knowledge to the local communities. Those 11 months of unique adventure were full of opportunities to make a difference whether it is environmental protection, educating people, helping the local communities create sustainable livelihoods etc. 

"This is the moment you need to live your life, accomplish your dreams and do what you love"

Do you like his story and want to do the same? Create your own story and join us as an Impact Explorer. 

Check out Vojtech's journey here! 

Green Articles by Eve Pearce

Enjoy Greener Holidays and Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

An international trip is one of the highlights of the year for many, but travel is a huge contributor to greenhouse gas and carbon dioxide emissions. Travelling greener doesn’t have to cost any more or be less convenient than standard travel. A little research before booking a holiday can dramatically reduce your carbon footprint.

The New Generation of Aeroplanes

Aeroplanes have become much more fuel efficient since the early days of commercial aviation. In the period between 1950 and 1997, air travel fuel efficiency improved by a staggering 70%. Technological advances mean further improvements are assured over the coming decades. As passengers become more conscious of the environmental impact of flying, and as oil prices continue to rise, airlines are keen to limit fuel consumption. As a general rule of thumb, the newer the plane, the more fuel efficient it is. Younger airlines tend to operate newer planes, so booking flights with a new company will often reduce your environmental impact. A quick Internet search of trade and travel publications will soon tell you which airlines have recently upgraded their fleets so older operators with brand new aircraft are also a good option.

Nobody likes to be cramped into a too-small seat on a long flight but the more passengers on board an aircraft, the less the carbon footprint of each individual. As much as you might dream of travelling everywhere by business class, you're actually doing the environment a favour by squeezing into economy. Most budget airlines will operate at 90% capacity at a minimum and fit as many seats as possible into cabins. It's easy to forget that any luggage you take on a plane adds to your overall fuel consumption, too. Travelling light will save you money on baggage costs and reduce your carbon footprint.

Go by Train

Train travel has long been marketed as the environmentally friendly alternative to flying or driving. Travelling by rail will only produce around one-third of the carbon dioxide emissions of a flight over the same distance. The advent of budget airlines may have made flying cheaper than travelling by train in some cases but going by rail can make the journey an enjoyable and relaxing part of your holiday. 

If it's not possible to reach your chosen holiday destination by rail from your home country, train travel can still be an excellent choice for getting around once you arrive. Rail travel is generally cheap and has much less impact on the environment than travelling by hire car or taxi.

Choose Greener Cruises

The cruise business is booming with enormous new liners being launched regularly to meet increasing consumer demand. With as many as 4,000 passengers and crew onboard the largest liners at any one time, a great deal of energy is needed. The major cruise companies have all taken steps in recent years to become more environmentally friendly and, in the future, cruises are likely to become one of the greenest ways to travel internationally. An additional benefit of cruise travel is that liners tend to visit numerous destinations meaning your holiday spending money can go directly into several local communities if you shop with local, independent businesses.

Many cruise liners have installed solar panels to generate some of their energy needs, with others using special heat-deflecting coatings on cabin windows to reduce the need for air-conditioning. Modern ships have become more aerodynamic in design and glide through the water much more smoothly than their predecessors. This advance in ship-building has helped decrease overall journey time and cut down on fuel consumption.  Most tour operators tend to widely promote any green initiatives they adopt so if cruising is your holiday of choice, it should be easy to find a liner with environmentally friendly features.

If All Else Fails, Offset

No mode of international travel is completely carbon neutral so, if you want to undo the environmental impact of your holiday, offsetting may be the answer. By calculating the carbon footprint of your holiday, you can then contribute towards a project that aims to reduce carbon emissions elsewhere by the same amount. The practice of carbon offsetting has become hugely popular in recent years with tourists keen to enjoy travelling whileminimising the impact on the environment. A large number of tour operators now offer travellers carbon offsetting plans when they book their trips. This instantly offsets any emissions the traveller’s journey will produce.

The most popular model of carbon offsetting is when the consumer or organisation makes a payment towards a project that aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Renewable energy projects are commonly used by carbon offset organisations.

Green Articles by Evelyn Poulson

Carbon Use and Sustainable Living: Staying Neutral

The clear skies above Hawaii are a great place to observe the stars. They are also the place where readings of the current level of greenhouse gases in the earth’s atmosphere are recorded. The level of CO2 in the atmosphere is rising, and is now well above what is deemed the maximum safe level. Ice core readings taken in Antarctica show relatively stable levels of CO2 in the earth’s atmosphere existed from the last ice age through to around the time of the start of the Industrial Revolution. Since then the levels have steadily increased, and, meanwhile, our need for energy, much of which leaves a carbon footprint behind, continues to increase.

See: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/51/Mauna_Loa_Carbon_Dioxide-en.svg

Being Carbon Neutral

It can be a little daunting to see the level ticking upwards day by day, but it is important to remember that it is the little things that each and every one of us does that are likely to make the difference to our environment. Governments set the overarching framework of policy, and make decisions about what sources of energy generation are most viable and supply our needs most effectively, but when it comes to saving energy and, thereby, cutting down our own carbon footprint, the focus is very much on individuals, households and businesses.

European policy on the environment focuses on targets to reduce emissions by 80% by 2050 based on 1990 levels. Interim targets are needed if these long term targets are to be met, and these focus on how we use energy as well as how it is generated.

Energy, in terms of how we heat and power our homes, is, however, only part of the picture. Aviation and shipping set more specific challenges, and government policy indicates that additional reductions in other spheres are needed to offset the emissions from these areas.

In practice, cutting down how much energy we use is a good way to becoming carbon neutral, as is looking a little more closely at our role as consumers of goods and services. This can translate into practical action when, for example, we look more closely at the things we buy. Making new products generates huge quantities of excess material, be it scraps of leather from tanneries or fabric in clothing factories. Supporting those who retail upcycled items made from this type of excess material is a smart move as it also means you have stylish items that are not mass produced. Looking for ways to use less resources in the first instance, reuse whenever possible, and recycle also combine to make a difference to our carbon footprint.

Corporate Responsibility to be Green

As consumers of goods, and employees or employers we can influence how businesses approach their responsibilities to the environment. When it comes to choosing who we do business with, we are empowered to ‘vote with our feet’ and send the message to providers of goods and services that demonstrating a green approach needs to be an integral part of their marketing.

Transport accounts for a significant amount of carbon consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. In areas such as haulage it makes economic sense to fine tune routes and delivery schedules to minimise use of fuel and, hence, emissions. Fleets which do the most they can to be green can enjoy a far better image, and this, in turn, is beneficial for sales of the products they carry.

Similarly, tourism enjoys a better image when it works closely with the communities visited and does its utmost to reduce emissions, cut down energy usage and aid conservation. Green tourism can help both the communities visited and local wildlife. Communities can also make clear the terms on which they are prepared to accept influxes of visitors.  A good example of the latter is Alaska’s Inside Passage - a popular cruise destination for ships touring Glacier Bay. Strict guidelines are in place for cruise ship operators who want to sail in Alaskan waters, and they need to demonstrate reduced levels of emissions and must have a permit to sail. Cruise lines can implement a range of measures to be greener, for example, fuel is saved by painting the hulls of ships with silicon so that they glide through the water more easily. Innovations like this, when used in any scale, can make such things as travelling on a cruise more environmentally friendly.

See: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bc/Glacier_Bay_Cruise_Ship.jpg

Choosing carefully when it comes to things such as shopping and travel can help individuals and families maintain a carbon neutral status, whilst still enjoying exploring our beautiful planet. 

15th Carbon Neutral Dance to celebrate the UN International Year of Forests 2011

The 15th Carbon Neutral Dance took place on the 6th December 2011 to raise money for reforestation projects in our Paradise Farm project in Sri Lanka. It was set in a beautiful venue with Cuban artwork on the walls along with a great atmosphere. Entry was £15, which is the actual costs of planting and maintaining an organically grown rubber tree for 35 years, with environmental, social and economic benefits in mitigating climate change, and also creating sustainable livelihoods for poor local communities in Sri Lanka. VIDEO

This dance was even more special as it celebrated the UN International Year of Forests 2011. According to the World Bank, forests support the livelihoods for 1.6 billion people. The Carbon Neutral Dance has taken place in many other countries around the world for various global projects such as New York, Sao Paulo, Geneva and Itacare, to name a few.

We had a packed night of music and dance, started off by Mariano Ortiz and his band from Latinos in London which was then followed by a great performance from our carbon neutral artist, Milli Moonstone, who was very excited to play at the event. Viktorita Wilton from Inspiration 2 Dance gave us a short cha cha cha lesson with her partner, Maxim Pitirimov. After our lesson, we settled down to watch a wonderful film about forests; "Of Forests and Men" - by Yann Arthus-Bertrand. This was followed by a Third Sector Edge Award winning short film project made by students at Shooters Hill School about the Carbon Neutral Dance and a short film about our Paradise Farm Project. It was great and inspiring for those attending to able to see Paradise Farm on film and the work that is done there.







To end the evening, we were given a performance by Viktoriya and her partner, in a Charleston Dance, which ended the evening perfectly. It was a lovely evening with dance and music, where all guest got to take home a packet of green tea directly from Paradise Farm Project.



We hope to do more of the Carbon Neutral Dance in the near future, and for it to take off globally. It would be great if events were organized in cities all around the world to raise money for local projects and local communities. We are already planning another event in London in November and a Carbon Neutral Dance is to be organized in Mexico for December.

Paradise Farm (Sri Lanka) -
The ultimate in health products and eco-tourism

Paradise Farm was started in 1996 by a group of environmental enthusiasts in promoting organic agriculture in Sri Lanka. Due to its links with international institutions and its valuable experience in sustainable agriculture and forestry, Paradise Farm is an ideal partner for Worldview Impact in setting ambitious goals to contribute to reduction of climate change by massive tree planting projects with sustainable methods.

WIF supports PF also by promoting its Tea in the UK market and ecouraging eco and responsible tourism in the area. After a decade of peace negotiations, this is an excellent time to travel and sustain the stabilization and development of the country!

If you would like to know more about WIF activities in Sri Lanka please visit www.worldviewimpact.org

For more information about PF click on the following link http://www.paradisesrilanka.com/.

The Small Is.. Festival celebrates the idea that ‘Small is Beautiful’…

The beginning of September saw a return of the unique Small is.. festival, run by charity organizations Engineers Without Borders and Practical Action. Bringing together organizations and individuals concerned with international development and the planet, the weekend featured discussion and debate about the role of intermediate technology for development, all set within the stunning grounds of the Practical Action Headquarters at Bourton Hall.

Over 400 development and sustainability enthusiasts, experts, families and locals learned, explored and shared ideas and inspiration on the challenges faced by the world today on subjects of FOOD, SHELTER, ENERGY and WATER, as well as sustainability, off-grid living and technological ideas for social good.

You can find out more online at www.smallisfestival.org

Worldview Impact: Interactive Forum for Engaging Young People to Fight Climate Change in London

Interactive Forum for Engaging Young People to Fight Climate Change

WHEN: Monday 15th August 2011 from 7:00pm – 9:00pm

WHERE: UnLtd Office, 123 Whitecross Street, Islington, London, EC1Y 8JJ. Nearest Tube is Barbican - if you get lost, call Nathan Hayes on: 07590 692577

RSVP: Please reply by: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=218956311483237 or email: nathan@worldviewimpact.org

Confirmed Speakers:

Tim Cooper, Environmental Change Institute, University of Oxford. Tim completed a Master of Science in Sustainable Development and Environmental Change at the University of Exeter in 2009, and has worked for the Meeting Place since February 2010. Tim's role is to oversee the development of workshops to maximise interactions between attendees and to ensure strong positive outputs via editing workshop reports. Tim has also worked on UKERC's response to the government earlier in the year on Electricity Market Reform. Before joining the UKERC Meeting Place, Tim worked as an Environmental Consultant focusing on carbon finance mechanisms, both compliance and voluntary and their associated development opportunities for African countries for various UN and government departments. Tim is an Associate member of the IEMA (Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment), and is currently working as a 'Climate Champion' with the British Council to develop UKERC's 'Energy Island' exercise suitable for use in Schools. He has also worked on researching leadership in sustainable development during his MSc and has an undergraduate degree in Geography.

Peter Richardson, Baker and McKenzie; Projects and environmental lawyer with a focus on clean energy. Mr Richardson has been working with Baker & McKenzie since 2006. In 2009 he spent a year on secondment with a major carbon fund and experienced how climate change projects are developed 'first hand'.

Sarah Corbett, Oxfam UK: Born in Everton, Liverpool (fourth most deprived ward in the UK) into a family of local activists fighting in the 80s for better housing and services under Thatcher, now fighting for support for young people in an area rife with drug dealing and gangs. Studied Religions and Theology focusing on Liberation Theology. My mum is a local Labour Councillor and my dad is the local Vicar. I support regional Campaigners in this role with Oxfam and my previous work was with DFID on a scheme called Platform2 trying to turn young people 18-25 year olds from 'disadvantaged' areas into activists. I also run a awareness raising/campaigns group called Craftivist Collective. We have 900 craftivists across the world who deliver activism through craft to raise awareness of human rights injustices and global poverty. We have been featured in the Observer, RWD magazine as well as arts and cultures publications that rarely talk about politics.

We have designed the event to facilitate a lively and intelligent discussion across the board, involving both speakers and participants. So - think of some questions for the speakers in advance, or general topics that you want to discuss on the themes of climate change and youth engagement.

If you don’t have much of a background in either of these topics and want to learn more – great and we hope you can gain a lot from the event. We hope that we can attract people from all backgrounds, so our only mandatory requirements are that you bring energy and an enthusiasm for learning and participating.

"(Young people) are making important contributions to our work to eradicate poverty, contain the spread of disease, combat climate change and achieve the Millennium Development Goals. I call on Member States to increase their investments in young people so they can do even more." Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon