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18 Winds of Change

24 The Birds and the Bees: Lessons from a Social Enterprise

36 Face-Off: End-of- Ideas for

52 Short Fiction: Monarch Blue

Edition 27 | JAN-MAR 2019 | /AsianNGO | www.asianngo.org/magazine | US$10

It’s not all doom and gloom

Find stories with a happy ending at: Table of Contents

24 The Birds and the Bees: Lessons from a Social Enterprise 34 PHOTO FEATURE: Last Forest Enterprises is a social initiative based in South that supports communities dependent on for their livelihood. iMPACT traces their women and the journey, and some lessons they learned along the way. environment

PHOTO CREDITS

Graphics, stock photos by flaticon.com, freepik.com, 123rf.com, Pixabay, Unsplash, Pexels, Ten Photos to Shake the World and Getty Images

• Aadhimalai Pazhangudiyinar Producer Co. Ltd. • ABC Central Victoria: Larissa Romensky • B&T Magazine • BioCote • Canopy • Colossal • Conservation International • Digital Green 18 Winds of Change 37 Face-Off: End- • Endangered Emoji/World Wide Fund For Nature • Florence Geyevu of-Life Ideas for • Ian Kelly Jamotillo , despite its promise • Last Forest Enterprises of a cleaner planet, is not without its • Lensational Plastic • Misper Apawu problems. Meera Rajagopalan explores • National Wildlife Federation wind energy and its effect on bird Plastic is putting countries • Sanna Lindberg in danger, yet improper • SDF fatalities, and how organizations such • Sasmuan Bankung Malapad Critical Habitat as Birdlife International promote clean disposal continues. iMPACT takes a Ecotourism Area (SBMCHEA) look at three possible solutions for • The Elephants & Bees Project / Lucy King energy from a biodiversity prospective. • TPSW – John Orville Ragsac reincarnated plastic. • TPSW – Miguel Soriano • USAID • Verywell

2 iMPACT | January - March 2019 www.asianngo.org/magazine 4 Editor’s Note 6 Events 8 News 10 Quotes & Numbers 12 This Caught Our Eye

FeatureS Interview 42 Special Species: Seven 31 Can Become the Biodiversity Campaigns Strongest Region in the World: by iMPACT Staff Sunil Motiwal, CEO, SDF

44 Not Missing the Forests or 57 Literally, Stories of Climate the Trees Change: Angie Dell and Joey by Meera Rajagopalan Eschrich

47 Green and Grey: The Perfect Shield for a Perfect Storm? 49 Human-Centric Design Makes by Ian Jamotillo for More Efficient Scaling by Namita Singh Commentary 15 Beyond Basic Instincts: Focus 61 Breather’s Digest: Secrets to on Socio-Cultural Ties for Sustainable Air Quality in the Better Conservation Workplace by Diogo Verissimo by iMPACT Staff

22 Catching the Small Fry: SMEs 62 Grants and Prizes and Reporting by Tim Mohin Humour in Development 63 Understanding the Laws of 40 Whose Altruism Is It Anyway? Grants by Anoj Viswanathan by iMPACT Staff

52 Short Fiction: Monarch Blue

“Monarch Blue”, the prize-winning entry in the 2018 Everything Change Climate Fiction contest, allows us a peek into a world where Brie, a pregnant young woman, is forced to work as an artificial pollinator, a job made necessary by the near-extinction of butterflies.

/AsianNGO iMPACT | January - March 2019 3 Editor’s Note

Publisher & CEO Dear reader, Sreenivas Narayanan

At the outset, the entire iMPACT team wishes you a very happy 2019! Managing Editor Meera Rajagopalan As a new year rolls around, the dust on the Intergovernmental Panel on (IPCC) report, warning of the impacts and costs of a rise in global Editorial Associate temperatures of just 1.5°C (2.7°F) has settled somewhat. The fact that it might be Ian Jamotillo closer than we had imagined—as close as 11 years—was a sobering wake-up call, Editorial Staff but not entirely unexpected. Pavithra Pari Nandhini Shanmugham If we care to look hard, we can find our future reflected in that of some of the ecosystems that have already faced the negative impacts of global warming: the Creative Director Polar regions have been rapidly melting, and the ecosystems that support it have Kelvin Tee started to face the effects. African Lions’ habitats have shrunk, and they live in closer proximity than ever before. Multimedia Designer Cover and Illustrations Biodiversity is affected by many a factor, including, most frequently, a loss of Eugine Nisperos habitat, deforestation, and, of course, climate change. Multimedia Designer (Interns) Kreazhalyn Anog However, biodiversity has received little to no attention at the policy and Leona Pardo government levels, even within climate change discussions. For instance, the recent meeting of the U.N. Convention on Biological Diversity (COP14) held at Director of Business Development Sharm el Sheikh in Egypt received very low attention, compared to counterparts Aru David in climate change. Marketing Team Even as countries promised to at least halve the loss of natural habitats in 2010, Parth Gautam Kimberly Yu under the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, precious little has been implemented. And Riza Banaag when it has, it has merely been on paper. Web Administrator Hopes are now pinned on the 2020 Beijing COP, where the hope is that the Aichi Chris Daria targets are looked at closely, and that the heads of countries rally around the issue of biodiversity in a more cohesive manner. For Subscriptions [email protected] This issue of iMPACT looks at biodiversity and how it intersects with other areas of development: wind energy and bird fatalities, for example. This issue For Editorial [email protected] also takes a deep look at one social enterprise that ensures the -being of the communities that are most dependent on biodiversity for their livelihood. For Partnerships [email protected] We also feature the winning entry of the 2018 Climate Fiction Short Story contest conducted by the Imagination and Climate Futures initiative of the Arizona State For Sponsorships & University. It allows us a peek into a dystopian world where human being try to fill [email protected] the vacuum caused by the extinction of species—in this case, the Monarch Butterfly. For General Inquiry We hope you enjoy this issue. [email protected]

Warm regards,

Meera Rajagopalan Managing Editor

4 iMPACT | January - March 2019 www.asianngo.org/magazine

Events

1 9th International Conference on Future Environment and Energy osaka City, Japan | January 9-11 Chemical, Biological & Environmental 24 Engineering Society (HKCBEES) 22 23

2 3rd International Conference on Food and Agriculture langkawi, Malaysia | January 12-14 Journal of Advanced Agricultural Technologies

3 World Future Energy Summit abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | January 14-17 Reed Exhibitions

4 18th International Electronics Congress 2019 Salzburg, Austria | January 16-18 ICM AG

5 EarthFest 2019 | January 20 The Center for a Responsible Future

6 EmTech Asia 2019 County Hall, Riverside Building, Belvedere road, Singapore | January 22-23 12 International Conference on Sustainable MIT Review Development Dhaka, Bangladesh | February 19-20 7 Asia Financial Institutions Forum World Bank Bangkok, Thailand | January 22-23 USAID, Cardano Development 13 Australian Waste to Energy Forum 2019 Victoria, Australia | February 19-21 8 5th Biomass & BioEnergy Asia Australian Network Bangkok, Thailand | January 23-24 Centre for Management Technology 14 EduTECH Philippines 2019 Manila, Philippines | February 20-21 9 8th Annual International Conference on Terrapinn and Environmental Science Singapore | January 28-29 15 6th Sanklap Summit 2019 Global Science and Technology Forum Nairobi, Kenya | February 21-22 Intellecap 10 Education Conference new Delhi, India | February 1 16 4th Annual AIDF Africa Summit World Bank Nairobi, Kenya | February 26-27 Aid & International Development Forum 11 Global Summit and Expo on Power & Energy Engineering 17 3rd World Congress on Climate Change Dubai, United Arab Emirates | February 18-20 Prague, Czech Republic | February 27-28 Cenetri Publishing Group EuroSciCon

6 iMPACT | January - March 2019 www.asianngo.org/magazine 18 21 17

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18 Energy From Waste Conference 24 Land and Poverty Conference 2019: London, United Kingdom | February 27-28 Catalyzing Innovation Mark Allen Group Washington DC, United States | March 25-29 19 2nd Annual Renewable Energy Week World Bank Singapore | March 11-14 IBC Asia 25 10th ADB Business Opportunities Fair 2019 Manila, Philippines | March 27-28 20 Vietnam Wind Energy Summit 2019 Asian Development Bank Hanoi, Vietnam | March 18-19 Neoventure 26 The Asian Conference on Education & International Tokyo, Japan | March 25-27 21 The Bond Annual Conference and Awards The International Academic Forum London, United Kingdom | March 18-19 Bond 27 Smart Energy Conference & Exhibition Sydney, Australia | April 2-3 22 World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit Smart Energy Council San Francisco, USA | March 19-20 Rethink Events Ltd 28 The Wind Show Vietnam 2019 Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam | April 3-4 23 Future Food-Tech Terrapinn San Francisco, USA | March 21-22 Rethink Events Ltd

To include your event in this section, please email details of the event to [email protected]

/AsianNGO iMPACT | January - March 2019 7 News

Blockchain and AI Could Help Protect the Planet: Study

Emerging technologies such as blockchain could help solve the world’s biggest environmental issues, according to a report by the World Economic Forum. According to the report, “Building Block(chain)s for a Better Planet,” technologies such as blockchain, artificial intelligence and of Things (IoT) are deemed as “transformative game- changers”, and have the potential to address climate change, biodiversity loss, and . Blockchain, for example, can be utilized to support a new policy Technology,” said Dominic Waughray, relief and earth-management platforms on preserving biological diversity head of the World Economic Forum’s such as blockchain-enabled geospatial of the world’s oceans by tracking Centre for Global Public Goods. platforms which are currently being fishing activities on the high seas and Besides saving Earth’s waters, explored. identifying illegal behavior. researchers predict that blockchain AI, on the other hand, is projected “If you take the law of the sea, could allow next- to promote smart agriculture, improve you absolutely need that framework sustainability monitoring, reporting energy storage and efficiency, and and negotiation, a set of principles, and verification potential, automatic encourage eco-driving through AI-guided but how do you police and enforce it? disaster preparedness and humanitarian autonomous .

USAID Body to Boost Resilience of Disaster-Prone Areas

The U.S. Agency for International Experts hope that if the U.S. Congress Development (USAID) confirmed its approves the new body, it will help plans to establish a new body, to better strengthen the momentum behind the resilience of disaster-prone areas, so that global poverty-reduction approach and aid programs become more effective. open doors for longer-term finance for The proposed “Bureau for Resilience resilience programs. and ” will have an estimated Earlier last year, U.S. President 180 staff and will combine USAID’s food Donald Trump ordered cutting of the U.S. security work with programs aligned on budget for foreign aid as part of the 2019 water and climate change to promote Federal Budget, while also identifying better resilience against natural disasters countries that are “most deserving” of and health threats. humanitarian aid.

8 iMPACT | January - March 2019 www.asianngo.org/magazine Malaysia: The New Dumping Ground in Asia

Malaysia has become the world’s rubbish bin despite its strong stance against plastic pollution, according to Malaysia. From January to July 2018, Malaysia imported 754,000 tons of plastic waste, equivalent to the weight waste import accounted to more than ordered a permanent ban on plastic of approximately 100,000 adult RM 48 million (USD 11 million). Despite waste import, but foreign waste elephants. The US, Japan, and the UK the overwhelming influx of waste continue to penetrate the country, were named three of the biggest waste import, only 9% of the can be especially in poorly regulated areas. exporters, accounting for 53% of the recycled. About 12% are incinerated In Selangar alone, about 500 illegal total waste. while 79% end up in . plastic waste facilities were discovered Other countries such as Japan, The new data comes after China, by Greenpeace Malaysia. These illegal Spain, Hong Kong, Australia, Belgium, previously the biggest plastic waste facilities and their indiscriminate France, and Estonia also made the list importer, banned all plastic waste burning of unrecyclable waste cause of top waste exporters. import last January, effectively shifting several environmental problems and According to “The Recycling Myth” the junk crisis to . As threaten the health of residents. report, the total value of Malaysia’s response, the Malaysian government

£35m UK Fund to Mitigate Afghan Food Crisis

Over 250,000 people are reportedly displaced brought by the ongoing drought and conflict. According to the Afghan Ministry of Agriculture, the drought has caused a 45% decrease in agricultural output last year, which resulted in widespread malnutrition in children. Through the assistance fund, tents and blankets will be provided to support up to 260,000 Afghans who left their homes ahead of a severe winter. Food or cash transfers to buy essential items will be also given to more than 600,000 people, with a monthly allowance of highly nutritious food to prevent malnutrition in young children for every . Drought-affected individuals will be provided access to healthcare, clean In response to the alarming food crisis and drought in Afghanistan, the UK water and to keep them safe government announced that it will pledge a new £35m fund to provide food, shelter in their homes over winter. and clean water to affected Afghans.

/AsianNGO iMPACT | January - March 2019 9 Quotes & Numbers

Sustainability is The Earth is not dying, it is being no longer about killed, and those who are killing it doing less harm. have names and addresses. It's about doing

more good. Utah Phillips American Labor Organizer and Folk Singer Destroying

Jochen Zeitz rainforests for Founder of the Zeitz Foundation for Intercultural Ecosphere Safety There is no such economic gain thing as ‘away’. is like burning The sustainability When we throw a Renaissance 91% train has left the anything away it painting to cook station. Get on must go somewhere. a meal. board or get left 450 years Annie Leonard E.O. Wilson behind… Those Creator and narrator of the documentary, American Biologist, Naturalist, and Author The Story of Stuff who fail to bet on the When you are doing the right 1 MILLION will be living in a thing for the Earth, she gives grey future. you the right company. every minute

António Guterres Secretary-General of the Indian Environmental Activist 2021. The worst environmental 100,000 You can make a lot of speeches, but the decision you can real thing is when you dig a hole, plant a make as a human tree, give it water and make it survive. being is to have That’s what makes the difference. 14 kids.

Wangari Maathai Jane Velez-Mitchell Kenyan Environmental Political Activist Social media journalist and founder of #JaneUnChained, a digital news network for 70,000 rights and the vegan lifestyle

10 iMPACT | January - March 2019 www.asianngo.org/magazine A total of Top 10 Biggest Plastic 8.3 billion Polluting Companies metric tons of plastic has been produced since the 1 Coca-Cola 1950s. 2 PepsiCo 3 Nestlé 91% 4 of plastic waste 5 Mondelez International isn’t recycled. 6 Procter & Gamble Plastic takes 7 Unilever 450 years 8 Perfetti van Melle to decompose. 9 Mars Incorporated 10 Colgate-Palmolive Globally, 1 MILLION Beating the Bottle plastic bottles Know Your Recyclables are bought every minute Aluminum and Tin Cans and is expected to Papers (Newspapers and rise to trillion by Magazines) 2021. Plastic Bottles Batteries (Car and dry-cell An estimated batteries) 100,000 Electronics (Computers, turtles and marine televisions, mobile phones) mammals which include Cardboards dolphins, whales and Glass Bottles seals, die every year due

to plastic marine litter. Sources: • Production, use, and fate of all plastics ever made, Science Advances Magazine, 2017 • Marine Debris Is Everyone’s Problem. Woods Hole Sea Grant, 2018 • Low levels of microplastics (MP) in wild mussels indicate that MP ingestion An average person eats by humans is minimal compared to exposure via household fibres fallout during a meal, ScienceDirect, 2018 • Factsheet: Marine Pollution, Division for Goals 70,000 • 10 Shocking Facts about Plastic, National Geographic • These 10 companies are flooding the planet with throwaway plastic, microplastics each year. Greenpeace, 2018 • Various Recycling Facts, Conserve Energy Future • What Can I Recycle, Inc. • How Do I Recycle? Common Recyclables, United States Environmental Protection Agency

/AsianNGO iMPACT | January - March 2019 11 This Caught Our Eye

One Man’s Infection is Another’s Energy!

Image courtesy of BioCote

genetically-engineered bacterium could power The dye is now left in the bacteria, which are then solar cells without drawing energy from the sun, induced to produce huge amounts of lycopene, considered according to the latest study conducted by a team effective at collecting light and converting it to energy. of researchers from Canada. A mineral that acts as a semiconductor is then coated AE.Coli, known to cause several diseases including with the bacteria before applied on a glass surface. The urinary tract infection and pneumonia have been tested result is a generated current density of 0.686 milliamps to produce affordable yet sustainable solar cells called per square centimetre—nearly double the 0.362 produced “biogenic cells”, made of live organisms. by other cells in the field. Behind the innovation is the bacteria’s natural ability The technology is, however, in its nascent stage, to convert sunlight into energy through photosynthesis. as most bacteria die during the process, leading to less Researchers from the University of British Columbia efficiency. Researchers hope the technology can be used developed an idea involving the extraction of the natural in industries such as mining and deep-sea explorations dye produced by the bacteria for photosynthesis to create where equipment is used below the ground with little to no biogenic solar cells. However, the process was costly and ambient light. harmful due to the presence of toxic solvents, leading the team to create a revamped solution.

12 iMPACT | January - March 2019 www.asianngo.org/magazine Ancient Art as Future Saviours

ai-Chi is more effective in preventing dangerous falls in the elderly compared to regular exercises, according to a study inT JAMA Internal Medicine. The Tai-Chi form “Tai Ji Quan: Moving for Better Balance (TJQMBB)” had a 58% reduced risk of falls compared to stretching, and 31% compared to multimodal exercises (MME), which incorporates a mix of balance, aerobics, strength, and flexibility movements. A total 670 participants who were either considered at risk for falls or who had impaired mobility were tested for the study. The participants were randomly placed into one of the Image courtesy of Verywell Health three groups; and advised to attend a twice-weekly 60-minute session in Tai According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, falls are the Chi, stretching, or the MME program leading cause of injury-related deaths in ages 65 or older. Research says that for 24 weeks. when an adult between the ages of 65 and 84 breaks a hip, the risk of death The stretching group recorded a triples in the next 2 years. whopping 363 falls, while the MME TJQMBB was developed by Fuzhong Li, Ph.D., a Senior Scientist at Oregon group registered a total of 218 falls as Research Institute, and uses an eight-core exercise which aims to stimulate and compared to the 152 falls of the Tai- integrate the skeletal muscles, the senses, and the brain to prevent falls in older Chi group. adults.

Walking Down the (Plastic-Free) Aisle

he world’s first plastic-free supermarket aisle has opened its doors in Netherlands, marking a new milestone on the planet’s war against plastic pollution. TLaunched by the environmental group, A Plastic Life, more than 700 plastic-free products—dairy, rice, fresh fruit and vegetables—are arranged in a special aisle in a metro-sized pilot store by organic supermarket chain Ekoplaza. The campaign saw further roll-out across 74 other branches of Ekoplaza in Netherlands and will be used as a testing ground for new compostable bio-materials, and use of traditional materials such as glass, metal, and cardboard for packaging. Image courtesy of Pixabay

/AsianNGO iMPACT | January - March 2019 13 This Caught Our Eye

Quenching Thirst Through Mist

ith climate change predicting a thirstier future, a sustainable innovation hopes to provide water toW the world’s driest regions by harnessing the power of nature. More than 2 billion people do not have access to clean water, according to the World Health Organization. Pioneered by a Canadian NGO, Fogquest utilizes salt and sunlight to extract water from sources such as and store it into collectors for later use. Behind the science is the ability of salt such as copper chloride, copper sulphate and magnesium sulphate to

harvest water from air with relative Image courtesy of Dan Carlson on Unsplash humidity as low as 15%. When exposed to sunlight, even the weakest rays can regions such as sub-Saharan Africa. Several fog collectors were also installed in help release the water and produce countries such as Peru, Guatemala, Eritrea, Namibia, Chile, Oman, and Nepal to fresh water. combat drought due to the rising heat. By collecting water from mist, While deserted areas do not experience regular fog, Fogquest says that the Fogquest aims to provide potable salt can still absorb water from the atmosphere during the night and create water water to some of the Earth’s most arid after dawn. Songs from Marine Plastic n environmental campaign in Australia is literally making a song and dance of ocean trash! As part of “Beat the Bottle”, an environmentalA campaign organized by Sydney Water in partnership with creative agency Republic of Everyone, volunteers collect litter along beaches and in waterways. Plastic bottles collected are cut into smaller pieces before being pressed into a working vinyl through special equipment installed at the clean-up site. The limited-edition vinyl is made of 90% recycled sea litter and contains the energetic track “Come Clean”, inspired by the sounds of marine plastic and created by emerging Sydney musicians Chaos Emerald and Jayteehazard. Photo from: B&T Magazine

14 iMPACT | January - March 2019 www.asianngo.org/magazine Commentary

Beyond Basic Instincts: Focus on Socio-Cultural Ties for Better Conservation Conservation campaigns may be more successful if the emphasis were on local cultural and social ties of wildlife to local communities, suggests Diogo Verissimo.

Image courtesy of Unsplash | AJ Robbie

is often said that the poor cannot afford to care about nature. After all, they are too busy trying to survive. This seems pretty intuitive. If you are hungry or thirsty, everything else is secondary. But reality is a little more It complex, at least in the three following ways.

/AsianNGO iMPACT | January - March 2019 15 Commentary

First, we often have an old- fashioned conception of what poverty looks like at the global scale. When we think of the world’s poor, we often think of those in extreme poverty, defined by the World Bank as living with under USD 1.90 a day. If we go back 25 years that would have included nearly half of the world, but it currently includes only 10% of the global . While this is no doubt still too many people, it represents a remarkable improvement, especially if we consider the rapid increase in the Earth’s population. It also means that less people have a livelihood focused solely on daily survival. Second, just like any top Bollywood actress or Hong Kong businessman, those that live in Chico Mendes. Image courtesy of National Wildlife Federation poverty have needs and aspirations that go beyond basic survival, and that means their decisions are not always about basic needs. This the success of the individual is resources sustainably and are notion that basic needs always the end goal of a lifetime. This is most affected when environmental trump any other consideration quite different from the dominant degradation occurs. That is why comes from Maslow’s “hierarchy worldview of many Asian countries so many of the world’s frontline of needs”, which posits that people which has a much stronger focus on environmental activists, such as strive to fulfilled key needs such community and collective goals. Indra Pelani in Indonesia, Chico as food, drink and shelter, before Third, accepting that the Mendes in Brazil, or Saw O Moo considering needs such as friendship world’s poor have broader goals and in , are from low-income and belonging as well as self-esteem ambitions in life means recognising countries and disadvantaged and reputation. The trouble is that that their decisions about how to backgrounds. little evidence has been found for use and manage a natural While necessity is a strong the ranking of needs that Maslow such as water or timber are not argument to support the sustainable defined, or even for the existence of a always about short-term gain. use of resources, there are often definite hierarchy at all. This recognition opens up avenues other key motivators, linked to It seems instead that needs for promoting environmental the need for social interaction function much like vitamins, with among this group. and belonging, which can also be the need for fulfilling each of them The world’s underprivileged powerful. These are often clearly being rather independent of the are more directly reliant on natural seen in the ways that nature and status of the others. It should also be resources than wealthier citizens, wildlife take on important cultural added that Maslow’s work assumes which means that they have the and social meanings, leading to an individualist world view, where largest incentive to use natural a much higher acceptance and

16 iMPACT | January - March 2019 www.asianngo.org/magazine “ tolerance of restrictions of resource Focusing on the social and collection and livelihoods disruption in the case of human-wildlife conflict cultural dimensions that make with such as elephants or tigers. Only in this way can we up the fabric of communities explain the existence of more than 27,000 elephants and 2,000 tigers worldwide and emphasizing the in India, one of the ten most densely populated countries on Earth but role of interactions with nature also one with a large number of poor people. in shaping their collective Focusing on the social and cultural dimensions that make up the identity can be a powerful way fabric of communities worldwide and emphasizing the role of interactions of communicating the value

with nature in shaping their collective identity can be a powerful way of sustainable“ use of natural of communicating the value of sustainable use of natural resources. resources. Examples of these strategies are already being used across the developing world. In the West African island country of São Tomé and Principe, local NGO Associação new management rules inevitably Programa Tatô is reframing the sea create winners and losers. Thus, by turtle as the “mother of the sea” in balancing these costs with social and a national level campaign to reduce emotional benefits, conservationists the of sea turtle meat are able to make a compelling case and eggs. In a country where most for conserving biodiversity in many people who have the chance to see communities around the globe. a sea turtle come into contact with Still, it is clear that achieving females that come to nest on the of any beach, this new frame establishes natural resource is a challenge, a link between the animal and and these connections will become family and belonging needs that harder in an increasingly urbanized Diogo Veríssimo is a postdoctoral are commonly not associated with and globalized world where researcher at the University of wildlife. The reduction in number interactions with nature are more Oxford, UK. He works at the of sea turtles poached across the limited and the social and cultural intersection of marketing and country suggests this is having a links to nature often weakened. The biodiversity conservation, in particular positive impact. key will be to empower communities the design and evaluation of behaviour This sense of belonging is key worldwide to gain ownership over change campaigns. He can be reached at [email protected]. to supporting the challenges that the resources that they depend on, any system aimed at managing and in this way enable many of the natural resources faces in the short world’s poor to take their future in term, as new constraints imposed by their own hands.

/AsianNGO iMPACT | January - March 2019 17 Features

Winds of Change The wind energy industry is roiled by accusations of not being bird-friendly, but fortunately, help is at hand. By Meera Rajagopalan

Image courtesy of TPSW | Miguel Soriano

n a 2016 YouTube ad Somewhere between the sought-after renewable energy promoting wind energy, following comments that speak of sources today, and Asia is surging the setting cannot be more the supremacy of , and ahead in the quest for renewables. idyllic. A wind turbine seems a few that talk about its adverse According to estimates by the to guard a field of bright effect on local bird population lies Global Wind Energy Council, the Iyellow sunflowers, and after a few the irony of renewable energy: global installed capacity of wind shots of onshore and offshore in the race to get to sustainable energy stood at 539 GW in 2017, turbines, standing in a row like energy, we may be ignoring another with nearly 10% of it added just that soldiers about to go to war, there is a important piece of sustainability: year. China leads the world in wind close-up of the blades, exhorting the biodiversity. power generation and India is at viewer to “use wind power.” Wind energy is one of the most fourth place. However, low-income

18 iMPACT | January - March 2019 www.asianngo.org/magazine Image courtesy of www.pexels.com

groups, find themselves walking the two: the soaring development a thin line: that of advocating of renewable power against its an in-depth look at wind energy attendant damage to birds and projects from a biodiversity lens, other migratory species, including and seeming to oppose renewable marine ecology, in case of offshore countries are seeing tremendous energy. power. Coordinated by BirdLife growth over the last few years, with While countries such as the U.S. International, the Energy Task Force Argentina, Peru, Egypt, Vietnam, and U.K. have developed a detailed helps government and business to and showing the most increase set of guidelines for the siting and effectively identify cost-effective in 2018, according to a report by working of wind energy projects, and wildlife-friendly sites for Windpower Intelligence. other countries are slow to respond, renewable . What is often left out of yet others have simply not brought While the focus has thus far been the statistics is the danger that that to the table. on West Asia and northern Africa, wind farms pose to bird and bat BirdLife International has the ETF is now looking to expand its , injured or killed by worked on the issue for years, and footprint in Asia. the large blades of the turbines. its various projects have created Ashton Berry, global climate Estimates peg 300,000 yearly resources and advocacy to ensure change programme coordinator at fatalities of birds and bats in the that in the fight against climate BirdLife International, and global United States alone. There are change, birds do not end up as coordinator of ETF, says this is the no comprehensive estimates for collateral damage. right time to set in place policies and countries in Asia, but pilot studies Consequently, under the processes, considering the growth in have shown similar fatalities in aegis of the Convention on the the region. China and India. Conservation of Migratory Species “The key thing to remember is Consequently, organizations of Wild Animals (CMS), the Energy that we are not against renewable such as BirdLife International, a Task Force (ETF) initiative was energy. Far from it. We are saying partnership of bird conservation constituted in 2015 to reconcile that in certain circumstances, there

/AsianNGO iMPACT | January - March 2019 19

Features “

Unfortunately, most Pass in California in the U.S. worked collaboratively with developers currently choose conservationists to work toward mitigating existing danger to raptor a site because of the ability populations, including the Golden Eagle. However, replacing wind to acquire the land and/ turbines once environmental issues or the wind resource. The are discovered can be a very costly affair. A few turbines in the U.K.

environmental suitability of a have also been asked to be taken

down, because of damage to the site is often a “ lower priority for environment. However, the juggernaut of the developers. renewable energy sector does not pause for clauses. Edgare Kerkwijk, Edgare Kerkwijk board member of the Asia Wind Board Member Energy Association, an industry Asia Wind Energy Association association for the Asia-Pacific region says that it is a sad fact that is conflict with wildlife, and there Part of the mandate of the in many countries, there is little or are cases where these problems ETF has been to promote the idea no regard for the environmental can be quite severe. Through of considering biodiversity to the implications of the renewable appropriate strategic thinking, planning stage of any renewables energy sector. we can find locations that are project, and to influence “Unfortunately, most developers not harmful to local bird and bat governments and policy makers to currently choose a site because populations,” says Berry. do the same. The ETF works with of the ability to acquire the land BirdLife International created organizations like the World Bank and/or the wind resource. The the Soaring Bird Sensitivity Mapping and governments such as Japan’s, environmental suitability of a Tool, the first regional sensitivity which has undertaken development site is often a lower priority for mapping tool centred on the Rift of a sensitivity tool especially for developers,” he says, adding that Valley and the Red Sea flyway. the country. offshore wind could be a solution It has since been expanded to In the years since its founding, where there might be lesser impact cover much of the Mediterranean, the ETF has proven an enabling on ecology. North Africa and the Middle East. environment, helping governments In the U.S., efforts to mitigate BirdLife has also collaborated with and policymakers understand how impact on wildlife have been various other organizations to the renewables sector can be more underpinned by decades of launch the iBAT—the Integrated robust, says Berry. research, says Jocelyn Brown- Biodiversity Assessment Tool, to The ETF performs other Saracino, of the Wind Energy provide information on all aspects of functions too, apart from advocacy Technologies Office of the U.S. biodiversity of a particular region. and spreading the word. It is a Department of Energy. In fact, there Tris Allinson, senior global hub of research on the topic, and are several technologies for the science officer at BirdLife and ETF also provides guidelines and other same, she says, including automated member, says that the tools are assistance, including mitigating detection of eagles flying around ready, as are many other resources, measures for commissioned wind turbines, with the ability to but the need is for them to be used, projects. either trigger a warning signal or and that’s where the ETF comes in. One wind farm in Altamont shut the turbines down if necessary.

20 iMPACT | January - March 2019 www.asianngo.org/magazine

Image courtesy of TPSW | John Orville Ragsac The ETF and its mandate, in “ the meantime, are gaining traction. The Government of India is poised to release a set of guidelines to be followed by all wind energy Through appropriate strategic companies to ensure the protection of birds. Several governments have thinking, we can find locations

submitted their reports to the CMS, including their measures to that are not harmful to local“ mitigate possible danger to birds and bats due to wind projects and bird and bat populations. electrocution, another common cause of bird deaths. Ashton Berry However, mandating use of Global Climate Change, Programme Coordinator conservation tools is unrealistic, BirdLife International, Global Coordinator of ETF says Allinson. “What we advocate is making sure that the message is sent that these tools are there to help the wind energy industry,” he says. “We are all about building partnerships, to ensure that we develop green energy the right way.”

/AsianNGO iMPACT | January - March 2019 21 Commentary

Image courtesy of www.pexels.com Catching the Small Fry: SMEs and Simpler processes and regulations for disclosure will encourage small organizations to disclose environmental and social impacts, writes Tim Mohin.

wenty years ago, it 250 companies in the world report was very uncommon sustainability information and 75% for companies to of them use the GRI Standards. disclose non-financial With the establishing of the Tinformation along their annual Sustainable Development Goals reports. The Global Reporting (SDGs), it has become imperative for Initiative (GRI) grew out of companies of every size to contribute the conviction that engaging in to sustainable development, sustainability reporting would bring and to be able to measure their benefits to society, the economy and contributions. But there are 169 the environment, and to companies targets within the 17 goals, so even themselves. the most experienced reporting In the intervening two decades, organizations miss the forest for Tim Mohin is chief executive at GRI, the leading standard-setting sustainability reporting has gone from the trees. Companies can produce organization for sustainability a voluntary exercise that mostly large a wealth of data, but they may end reporting. companies could afford to engage up forgetting the prize: consistent, in to a mainstream activity that can current and comparable data that provide actionable business insight. helps them along their sustainability Today, more than 90% of the largest journey of continuous improvement.

22 iMPACT | January - March 2019 www.asianngo.org/magazine “

By reporting on their sustainability impacts,

SMEs can improve risk management, foster responsible business practices and unlock“ new opportunities in global markets.

And some companies, especially Small of companies and can help highlight economic growth, particularly in low- and Medium-sized Enterprises, often long-term investment risks. income countries. think of sustainability reporting as a Government regulation is In 2015, SMEs accounted for cumbersome and resource-intensive also on the rise. GRI is currently only 10% of the total number of process they cannot afford to engage in. monitoring some 450 policies in sustainability reports captured in the more than 100 countries that require GRI Sustainability Disclosure Database. Reporting Mandates on the some level of ESG disclosure; about GRI and its partners are working on Rise 150 of them are capital-market ways to both simplify the process and listing requirements. add more value, in the belief that When talking about perception, by reporting on their sustainability sustainability reports are still seen by Small and Medium-Sized impacts, SMEs can improve risk many as easy wins when it comes to Enterprises and ESG management, foster responsible business reputation for companies. However, Reporting practices and unlock new opportunities beyond the PR exercise, more and in global markets. more financial reports, regulatory The wide range of instruments, from Both trends—one that helps filings and investors are asking for guidance to hard legal requirements, smaller companies engage in sustainability information to better and from awards to encouraging sustainability reporting such as the inform their decisions regarding stakeholders to demand data, shows that work done by GRI, and the other, companies, in a more holistic manner. is becoming a growing regulation that addresses the concerns And with renewed interest point throughout global supply chains. that small businesses have about on sustainability and sustainable But, while ESG reporting is sustainability reporting--can help development, there is increased common practice amongst larger firms, incorporate these important drivers interest in looking into the wealth of it still needs to be more widely adopted of job creation to the growing list of non-financial data that sustainability by small and medium sized (SME) report preparers. reporting makes available to companies. The practice is perceived While the work that is being stakeholders. Further, those as being too complex and costly for carried out around the world is a step stakeholders are better informed many SMEs. And while government in the right direction, much remains to make a case for advancing regulation encourages reporting, to be done. Past rests on sustainable development from SMEs are often exempt, as there is a a voluntary system that relies on different angles. For example, the perception that sustainability reporting disclosure standards that are often not interest of investors in interest of can be very taxing on SMEs. fully understood or endorsed by those investors in Environmental, Social Yet the contribution of SMEs actors whose contribution we need and Governance (ESG) information is crucial, because they account for the most. Regulation can help lead continues to grow, as it illuminates approximately 90% of businesses, and the path towards the maturity of ESG the economic and are key engines of job creation and disclosure.

/AsianNGO iMPACT | January - March 2019 23 Cover Story

The Birds and the Bees: Basic Lessons from a Social Enterprise

Last Forest Enterprises, based in the Nilgiris Reserve in South India, traces its journey along the path of bringing the value of markets to tribal communities.

By Meera Rajagopalan

alking to Mathew John, managing director of Last Forest Enterprises (LFE) can be a bit like watching a Quentin Tarantino movie: there are multiple intersecting storylines thatT he weaves in and out of effortlessly.

Image courtesy of Last Forest Enterprises

24 iMPACT | January - March 2019 www.asianngo.org/magazine Top Honey Exporting Countries

China New Zealand US$ 270.7 Million 11.3% US$ 268.1 Million

Argentina 11.2% Germany US$ 183.2 Million US$ 145.6 Million 7.6% Ukraine 6.1% Brazil US$ 133.9 Million US$ 121.3 Million 5.6% Spain 5% Mexico US$ 110.3 Million 4.6% US$ 104.7 Million 4.4% India Hungary 4.3% US$ 104 Million 4% US$ 97.3 Million

Sitting in his well-ventilated stated goal, the well-being of Now, LFE runs three stores office, he talks about the issue of the communities and ecosystem in NBR, and one in Coimbatore, the latest standards for honey from of the Nilgiris and beyond. also in South India. Apart from FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards What started as a single non- that, LFE’s products are also sold Authority of India) that does not profit organization is now an through about 80 partners. include honey with more than 20% ecosystem of many interlocking Those are not the only moisture in it. “It’s ridiculous,” and symbiotic organizations numbers that matter, though: he says, transitioning from the that work on biodiversity, last year, the company impacted story of how he and his friends water, livelihoods, health, and more than 20,000 people across got interested in honey, “this is a rights, primarily in the Nilgiris the country in their quest for fair tropical country and of course our Biosphere Reserve, in South living, and their products have moisture content will be more.” India. reached around 13,000 customers Leapfrogging on to One of them is LFE, a social through their own stores and other pieces of his work, the enterprise working in the space of 10,000 people through their conversation encompasses LFE, and organic products, partners. Keystone Foundation, honey, the which has made quite a name for LFE’s transparency is markets, tribal communities, fair itself as a successful business, apparent in its November trade and organic movements, a term that still seems a bit out newsletter which begins with a and his own personal journey as of place within the foundation’s note about an intended software the leader of a “social enterprise” premises. The figures speak of its upgrade that did not work out. that has been doing the rounds for success, though: In 2017-18, LFE’s “After struggling for 7 months, the well over two decades. revenue was 3.21 crore, with about decision to dump the software, The 25-year-old story of a 9.14 lakh profit before taxation. was a heartbreak for the entire The Keystone Foundation is a Just over half of the revenue team - the effort and that bit like that, though: constantly was from honey, and if beeswax was lost, has been a setback…” evolving, splitting, and coalescing products are included, honey and the newsletter explains with a into entities, but eventually allied products make up about candour that is rare in the non- hurtling towards a singular 71% of their revenue. profit space.

Image courtesy of Last Forest Enterprises

/AsianNGO iMPACT | January - March 2019 25 Cover Story

Their retail space took off, and soon, producers asked Keystone about whether they could sell other products they produced: for instance, and pepper. “So, here was a question for us. How do you, as an institution, work with the resources the communities have? Because at the end of the day, you have resolved to help them,” says John. Some products, such as silk cotton, were market-worthy, but simply not retail material. John admits to having the struggle even today. Around the same time, it became apparent that the health of the local communities was also deteriorating. Keystone would often help, and when one of the doctors said that they were Image courtesy of Last Forest Enterprises working reactively, not proactively, a bulb went off. Along various points in its products. “One thing we were clear “That’s when we came upon existence, decisions were made and about was that we did not want to millets,” says John. paths chosen, and some of those interfere with the process of [honey] Like a word-building game, as the worked out wonderfully (and some collection at all,” says John. “That was needs of the communities dovetailed not) and that is the beauty of social something the community understood, one another, the organization got into change, according to John. “We’re and they have the knowledge they health, nutrition, of still learning so many things,” says have passed on for centuries.” millets and traditional foods, Non- John. “We’re constantly adapting, Keystone started work in 1995 in Timber Forest Produce (NTFPs), experimenting.” Kotagiri and put out word that they water and ecology, biodiversity, and Twenty-five-year-old Keystone would buy wild honey for Rs. 50 a community well-being. Each branch Foundation is the brainchild of kilo (in 1995 exchange rate, just over of work adhered to the main theme three friends—Mathew John, Sneh USD 1), when the prevailing market of Keystone Foundation, with its own Lata Nath, and Pratim Roy—from rate was only Rs. 15 a kilo (about 40 raison d’être. different parts of India. It was born cents). With all the honey at their As each founder took up the out of a deep understanding of honey disposal, the quartet (Robert Leo, who threads of their interest and passion, hunters and tribal peoples. The had worked in the Kodaikanal project, John, who was most interested in friends, who worked on a beekeeping joined them) then tried to peddle the markets, took over what was then project for a year with the Palani Hills honey: mostly selling it on their bikes (as now), primarily a honey business. Conservation Council, backpacked or through the phone. While he retains interest in the for about six months in the Western Ghats in 1993 to understand honey hunters and their economic Point to ponder: Informal set-up of personal sales led to ecosystem. a lot of credit and cost of chasing payments. The initial thrust of the organization was on poverty Last Forest Take: Permanent retail space, in 1997, backed by a loan from SIDBI alleviation in the honey hunter community, by providing them with a readymade fair market for their

26 iMPACT | January - March 2019 www.asianngo.org/magazine foundation’s work, the bulk of his time is spent with LFE— the wholesale market, as well as fabrication of machinery to market the products of the region and beyond. for the community. However, he is realistic about the It’s nearly eight years since LFE was uncoupled, to co-dependence of Aadhimalai and LFE, in light of the fact form its own identity. Sometimes, says John, it needs a that 60% of Aadhimalai’s products are sold to LFE and the different perspective to see what has been staring at you for majority of LFE products are sourced from Aadhimalai. years. As the portfolio of their products grew, the ecosystem “For LFE is not a partner, but a client. If there is any became very tangled. decision to be taken at any point, Last Forest has a right to start procuring as well as we have the right to start selling outside. We can bite into their pie and they also have the Point to ponder: Present in all aspects of the value same privileges,” says Addanki. chain: procurement, quality control, markets, and sales, leading to multiple conflicts of interest.

LFE Take: Uncoupling the procurement and the In effect, Last Forest is a client of Aadhimalai, which marketing. Formed two entities: Aadhimalai now sources the honey and other products by the Pazhangudiyinar Producer Co. Ltd. (the procurement communities of the Nilgiris directly, and sells it to company owned completely by the producers Last Forest, among other entities, and while a large themselves) and Last Forest (for marketing). part of its sales is from products sourced from Aadhimalai, Last Forest also sources from other groups that share its values. In 2007, an intern who worked with Keystone Foundation suggested that the front end and the back end be split. “There are just too many points in the value chain that need expertise. And it’s not workable for a small organization,” he had said, and the founders knew that Aadhimalai it made sense. The seeds of Last Forest and Aadhimalai were sown. OTHERS LFE would be the social enterprise and would not concern itself with procurement, which would remain with Aadhimalai, a producer company whose members were all from tribal communities. The process of separating the entities and making boundaries clear began. With initiatives intersecting each OTHERS other at various points, unravelling the individual threads of work became a major exercise. However, the cord is not completely severed, and Last Forest a symbiotic relationship continues between LFE and Enterprises Aadhimalai. Last year, LFE shared their profits with Aadhimalai’s producers, who received a bonus with some funding from Keystone Foundation. However, Sudhir Kumar Addanki, CEO of Aadhimalai, is clear that the relationship must be based on sound financial sense. His plans include expanding into

Place to Bee This restaurant in Ooty, Tamilnadu, India, was born out an erstwhile Bee Museum, and was inspired by the movement, the restaurant gives importance to locally produced “good, clean and fair” food. A small garden serves as the source for some of the ingredients on the menu. The restaurant’s World Disco Soup Day too has caught on: it is an event where soup made from vegetables that are about to be thrown away is distributed free.

/AsianNGO iMPACT | January - March 2019 27 Cover Story

A Few Keystone Activities

Incubator for: • Last Forest Enterprises • Aadhimalai • Nilgiris Natural History Society

Runs: • Nilgiris Water Portal • Non-Timber Forest Products promotion • Community newspaper: Seemai Suthi • Community Radio: Radio Kotagiri • Apiculture • Community well-being •

Images courtesy of Last Forest Enterprises

Some of LFE’s non-honey products include Toda One of the most difficult things about being a social Embroidery products, local chocolates, jams and pickles enterprise is balance between the good and the profit, to from Ecosphere (a Himalaya-based social enterprise), and put it simply. garments. There is a separate team that looks into the “What happens with a social enterprise is that there entire marketplace, constantly seeking out and working are opposing forces, and you have to remain balanced. We with organizations and products with a similar ethos. are already loaded with , and now we have to create a full-fledged business as well,” says John.

Point to ponder: Consistency of supply may be difficult for smaller groups. For instance, a flute from Bastar, Point to ponder: How do you create a balance between India came in once, and then simply disappeared. the good and the business? Customers still ask for it. LFE take: Must understand that you are no longer LFE Take: It’s tough, especially in case of suppliers serving as an NGO—the focus must change to the who are ethical but unable to meet demand. The call to customer. The staff is constantly told this: think take them off the shelves must be made, if necessary. about how many customers’ you are changing. On the ground, it must be run like a business—an ethical business, but mainly a business. For example, Keystone (and LFE) clearly understood the value that employees were promised double pay if they worked on Diwali, a traditional holiday. external board members bring to the table, and even within six years of incorporation, Keystone Foundation brought in four external board members. “One lesson that we have John says that while it is a struggle, especially when learnt in governance is that when you start as founders, you times are tough, there are certain cardinal principles that can’t make the rules for yourself,” says John. LFE operates under, chief among them being this: least negotiation with the supplier. “Our value is that we deal with the market, and we take Point to ponder: Expanding the board of trustees. care of it. If the price is high, we put the onus on ourselves to sell it at an appropriate rate,” says John. LFE Take: An independent board not only brings The “doing good” bit was emphasized internally oversight, but also brings together people as partners, as well, as senior team members had to commit to two who are as invested in your ideas as you are. non-financial targets for the year. They responded with measures such as visiting suppliers regularly, and helping build fair trade principles into internal processes.

28 iMPACT | January - March 2019 www.asianngo.org/magazine Born from experience: John’s advice to social enterprises

• Be there for the long haul. • You will have problems. After the initial euphoria, you must settle down to actual business. Part of that process, says John, is realizing whether • Hire resources who understand money and markets. you have the bandwidth to cater to all market segments. • Separate the business and the cause inside your “At some point, you have to start thinking like a business, head. • Keep the ethics at the top of everything you do, and zero in on your market segment,” he says. “You otherwise it is very easy to get distracted. simply cannot sell to everybody.” Wolfpack Outdoors Pvt. Ltd. is an outdoor adventure and apparel company that has stores in 15 Club Mahindra and Sterling Holidays resorts in India, and Last Forest has a John says that in spite of being in the business for many branded counter at all of them, accounting for sales of more years, there is still a lot of learning. “Each day brings new than Rs. 13.65 lakh last year (about USD 20,000). challenges, and we are feeling our way through a lot of this Rajesh Ramakrishnan, founder of Wolfpack says their stuff,” he says. relationship with LFE is more of a partner than that of a Last year was not very good sales-wise, admits John, for client. “LFE’s products do very well [at the resorts] because reasons including and beyond the implementation of Goods it’s the crowd that is looking for more natural things— and Services in India. A few hard decisions regarding middle-aged ladies who are looking for lip balm or natural products and suppliers had to be taken as well. honey, for example,” says Ramakrishnan. John is also a leader in the fair-trade movement and the One of the most important decisions Last Forest had to movement towards participatory guarantee systems (rather take was separation from the parent organization Keystone than centralized third-party standards) for organic products. Foundation. Part of that discussion was the form that the new LFE promotes products that adhere to the concepts, a fact entity would take: a private company, a Section 8 company, or that is organic to LFE as an entity. The latest buzz around a Society, among other options. When the decision was made social enterprises is something that feels alien in the precincts to create Last Forest as a private company, it did not seem like of Keystone Foundation, where these principles have been in the right choice to some, but eight years later, the company has vogue for 25 years. proved its detractors wrong. In fact, the day that I am there, the sales team is back from a visit to a prospective customer, who did not even ask about the stories behind LFE’s honey. All he asked was this: Point to ponder: When you evolve as a social how much do the products cost, and what is the cost of enterprise as part of an NGO, do you register it something comparable in the market? separately? If so, how? In John’s ideal world, all business transactions will be fair trade, and with ethics that support the producer. LFE Take: For complete bifurcation, best to Consequently, that customer would be everyone, and LFE register as a company. The division is clear on paper and in the mind. would be all organizations.

/AsianNGO iMPACT | January - March 2019 29

Interview

South Asia Can Become the Strongest Region in the World: Sunil Motiwal, CEO, SDF

Image courtesy of SDF. Village action plan under WASH project.

hen you speak with Sunil Motiwal, chief executive of the SAARC Development Fund (SDF), you must be prepared to take quick notes. For the man who heads the financial institution that is the W“umbrella financial mechanism” for all projects across the countries of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) has many an innovative project that he rattles off when you ask him what is new. “This is what is happening now,” he says, as preface to a list of initiatives that are soon to be launched. He takes a breath, and when you think he is done, he talks about a few more projects that are ready to begin. One might be tempted to think this is a recently launched fund, but SDF is, in fact, eight years old. Sunil Motiwal, chief executive SDF was born out of its predecessor, South Asian Development Fund, in of the SAARC Development Fund (SDF) 2010. The Bhutan-based chartered body is governed by a Board comprising

/AsianNGO iMPACT | January - March 2019 31 Interview

Image courtesy of SDF

representatives from the Ministry of iMPACT: What is the relevance of the first window that took off. We Finance of the Member States. a SAARC-focused fund in today’s have approved more than 70 projects Just recently, SDF approved interconnected scenario? worth 75 million dollars and already three projects: purchase of aircraft disbursed about 48 million dollars. for Drukair, Bhutan’s carrier; and a Sunil Motiwal: The SAARC region hydroelectric power project and a is one of the fastest growing in the What kind of projects do you transmission line project for Nepal. world, with a high GDP. Investment look for, when funding? The idea behind the fund is to opportunities are large, and we also explore projects that span have the largest young population When it comes to social projects, we countries under three broad heads: in the world. But there is hardly any look at projects that create large-scale Social, Economic, and interface between the countries of impact in three or more member projects. With over 12 approved the region. Less than 3% of the trade countries. We do have themes that proposals for a total of over 70 is between these countries. Once we we focus on (see box). We generally projects in the Member States, the start doing business together, we will look for projects that come with some Social window is one of the few that see tremendous growth in the region. support, in terms of co-funding. We are easily lends itself to replication across There are, of course, challenges. right now funding on a 50-50 basis and borders. The other two—economic The success of this, to be honest, are looking to transition to a loan-grant and infrastructure—are yet to soar, depends only on one factor. If the combination in the future. Our focus and Motiwal is interested in soliciting political will is there, this region can has always been on the grassroots, and applications for the same, including become the strongest in the world. we will maintain that. PPP projects. In this quick chat with iMPACT, Can you explain what the social What is new with SDF? Sunil Motiwal talks about his plans for vertical of the SDF is all about? SDF, the importance of the SAARC As far as the Social Window is region, and much more. The social window helps us identify concerned, we are launching the Social and fund projects that will help the Enterprise Development Program grassroots of our countries. It has from January 2019. The program is been going pretty well so far. It was structured in consultation with the

32 iMPACT | January - March 2019 www.asianngo.org/magazine “

We are very interested in projects Focus areas for the Social Window that leverage the capabilities, available infrastructure, and networks of one

country to work in Poverty alleviation Education Health Human resources development

another. The whole idea is cross-border“ cooperation.

Support to vulnerable/ Funding needs of Micro-enterprises Rural enterprise disadvantaged communities development segments of the society

World Bank, with the Bank serving as for MSMEs (Micro, Small, and international banks, and many of the technical and knowledge partner. Medium Enterprises). The idea is to them are our strategic partners. We Under this program, we are fund initial clusters in industrial areas. are working on building a consortium trying to promote start-ups and social We have also approved a couple of of lending agencies to act as a catalyst enterprises by funding pilots. The projects in the energy space, with a of infrastructure development in the idea is that the project can then be commitment of USD 30 million. We region. We have strong relationships replicated across SAARC countries, plan to ramp up our funding in the two with banks such as Asian Development where feasible. We are looking to windows economic and infrastructure. Bank (ADB), AIIB (Asian Infrastructure fund projects under the four areas of We have several other ideas and Investment Bank), EIB (European agriculture, health, livelihood, and want to be able to expand our capital Investment Bank) and plan to be able renewable energy, with a planned base as well. to co-fund some of the projects that budget of 10 million dollars per come to us. Eventually, we want to be country and about 64 projects per year, How will that happen? What can able to build a strong portfolio. at the minimum. We are really trying we look forward to, in the future? We are very interested in projects to push sustainable local in that leverage the capabilities, available the region. Right now, we are a small fund—over infrastructure, and networks of one 500 million dollars. We are funded by country to work in another. The whole What about other windows? a line of credit from various banks. idea is cross-border cooperation. However, we have an authorized limit SDF is poised for expansion. We are of over 115 billion dollars, and we plan For more details, e-mail Sunil Motiwal not just expanding in the social space, to build up that capital. at [email protected] but we are also launching a program We have always tied up with

/AsianNGO iMPACT | January - March 2019 33 Photo Feature

WATER. 1 Women return from a stream in Adaklu Dawanu, Ghana. Photography by Misper Apawu and Florence Geyevu Women & the Environment By Lucile Stengel & Hannah Wilson at Lensational

When Lensational was created in 2013, we had the intimate conviction that giving women the tools and agency to share their own stories would help shift the conversation not only about development, but about gender equality more widely. This belief was supported by worrying statistics, too: a study found that as low as 6% of the photographs showcased by leading publishers were taken by women. Five years thence, Lensational’s photographers have inspired change by exposing unheard narratives of women leaders, migrants, micro-entrepreneurs, factory workers, activists, athletes, and many others across Asia and Africa. Present in all their work was one invariable thread, regardless of time and place: the environment. Women’s lives are intricately linked to the natural environment in ways that men’s lives often aren’t. And as the environment degrades in many parts of the world, women have become the primary witnesses of its degradation, and important actors in the fight for its conservation, too. Lensational’s upcoming photo book, releasing in early 2019, compiles the work of women photographers across the continents of Asia and Africa on FOOD. 2 the topic, in an effort to document women’s often unknown Melon seeds which is a staple food is being sundried experience, and interaction with the natural environment. Photography by Victoria Akeere

34 iMPACT | January - March 2019 www.asianngo.org/magazine POLLUTION. 3 A mother and child stand amongst trash in the Mathare Slums in Nairobi, Kenya. Photography by Sharon Apondi Environment By Lucile Stengel & Hannah Wilson at Lensational

WATER. WATER. 4 5 Sarah, from Adaklu, Ghana, demonstrates the difference between Soaking palm leaves in water is a traditional purification water from the stream, and water from the polytank. method used in Adaklu, often with indeterminate results. Photography by Misper Apawu and Florence Geyevu Photography by Misper Apawu and Florence Geyevu

/AsianNGO iMPACT | January - March 2019 35 20 FEBRUARY 2019: 09:00 – 18:00 21 FEBRUARY 2019: 09:00 – 17:30 SMX CONVENTION CENTER, MANILA, PHILIPPINES

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lastic and waste have been plastic began to be recycled, in 2015, the percentage of under the spotlight for plastic recycled was just about 20% and the percentage quite a while now. Most incarcerated was at 25%, leaving more than half the plastic discarded. This percentage is even higher for low- sustainability conferences income countries. haveP substantial time devoted to To add to the crisis, mismanaged plastic waste disposal is focused on low-income countries, according plastics and ways to mitigate use. to a 2015 study, “Plastic waste inputs from land into However, it is important to note that the ocean.” According to 2010 data, China, Indonesia, plastic is being praised and vilified Philippines, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Egypt, Malaysia, and Nigeria top the list of mismanaged waste by for the same properties: its durability global total. and indestructibility. In this scenario, it becomes paramount that management of plastic waste be undertaken on a war According to a 2017 study, “Production, use, and footing by countries that leave much to be desired in terms fate of all plastics ever made,” around 381 million tonnes of waste, and in particular, plastic waste management. of plastic were produced in 2015, up about 200-fold iMPACT looks at three possible solutions where plastic from the measly 2 million tonnes in 1950. Even as more is put to good use after its initial life cycle.

/AsianNGO iMPACT | January - March 2019 37 Face-Off

Image courtesy of Miura Board In the U.S., where the company plastic? Faubel says the product can is located, the fibres are primarily be completely recycled. Because the

carpet backing. However, various material is highly malleable, it can

other organic material—paddy be used not just for construction, husk, peanut shell, straw, etc.—can but also to create other products: also be used. The product, which “house décor, for example. the company refers to as being “somewhere at the intersection of plastics, metals, and wood” is easily mouldable and doesn’t make use of virgin plastic or wood. Because Miura Board there is no wood component, it is exemplifies the idea Alfredo Faubel not susceptible to fungus or other CEO, Athyron, LLC, Texas, US microbial degradation. of extracting value Makers of Miura Board This technology can make from waste plastics use of any kind of comingled plastic waste, cardboard, as and agricultural or well as aluminium foil (the only lfredo Faubel’s product, unacceptable material is PVC), synthetic fibres to

Miura Board, combines saving time and labour required for reduce both the

waste plastic and synthetic segregation. A “ or organic fibres to make a durable Faubel claims there is no need for timber and alternative to wood. It positions harmful gases or effluents from itself as a product that takes the process. Changing the ratio the use of landfills. care of two problems at one go: of plastic and fibre changes the deforestation for timber products strength of the material. and increasing number of landfills What happens when the for plastic. product is not needed anymore, a la

38 iMPACT | January - March 2019 www.asianngo.org/magazine yrolysis has been one of the proposed ways to plastic for a few years now. However, newer technologies have made it more viable. P Pyrolysis converts plastic waste into plastic oil, a viable replacement for furnace oil. Pyrolysis simply refers to the chemical breakdown of plastic into oil, carbon black, and hydrocarbon gas, the last mentioned being used as fuel for the depolymerisation The plastic oil thus generated can be used as fuel oil, and carbon black has its own industrial applications as well. Paterson Energy, headquartered in Chennai, India, is a waste-to-energy start-up company with a processing capacity of 3-20 tonnes per day. Vidya Amarnath, director of Paterson Energy, says that they are start-ups rather than recyclers, because they are bringing back plastic to its original form, crude oil. Vidya Amarnath “This is zero discharge and zero effluent technique,” says Amarnath. While Director, Paterson Energy, advocates of pyrolysis for plastic waste have been many, several stumbling

Chennai, India blocks have deterred the growth of pyrolysis: unavailability of raw material for

continuous batch processing, high sulphur content in resulting fuel, and varying quality of fuel depending on source material. Of late, however, many of these “ have been overcome, and Paterson’s next factory in Mathura, India, is soon to commence operations with a capacity of 6 tonnes/day.

Recycling only postpones the problem of disposal and might be good for the short run while this“ process of pyrolysis closes the loop.

aste plastic can be used to create infrastructure, says India’s “Plastic Man” Rajagopalan Vasudevan. The man best known for Winitiating the “plastic roads” initiative using a mixture of shredded plastic waste and bitumen has now discovered an interesting material called “plastone,” a synthetic granite that can withstand weights of up to 300 tonnes. Vasudevan suggests the material can be used to construct public , pavements, canal linings, compound walls, etc., where the load is not too much. About half a tonne of plastic waste is required to construct one . Vasudevan claims that the plastic roads built in 2002 are still crack-free. The requirement of plastic for these roads seems to be the deterrent, even as

we are battling unmanageable amounts of plastic waste. To lay one kilometre

Rajagopalan Vasudevan of the road, one tonne of plastic waste (around 10 lakh carry bags) is required. Professor & Dean, Thiagarajar Vasudevan calls plastic the “poor man’s friend” as it is affordable, durable and College“ of Engineering, Madurai, is used every day. “Banning it would be pointless,” he says. India

The solution to all plastic waste is not to ban but to plan. Plastic is in no way inferior. There is no question of“ banning, but there should only be proper planning.

/AsianNGO iMPACT | January - March 2019 39 Commentary

Whose Altruism Is It Anyway?

Anoj Viswanathan explains why the online crowdfunding industry cannot operate without an attached fee in the near future

Image courtesy of Milaap

was recently watching the would still be people who would “Make Google Do It” ad not know they have been living series. The tech giant had, with these life-altering features ages ago, begun thinking that came to them absolutely free ahead and come up with of cost. They would still be blown free storage space in the away by the idea of an Alexa. drive, an AI driven voice assistant, In a vast market like India, GPS and navigation, maps, search word of mouth and ease of use are options in various languages and critical when breaking the big wall many other features that could help that keeps people away from new themI find a space in a ’s technological products and features. daily life, whether they were tech So, it comes down to creating the Anoj Viswanathan is president and savvy or not. Now, why the sudden most seamless experience when co-founder of Milaap, India’s largest crowdfunding platform for personal need to advertise this? they opt for it. and medical needs. Truth is, even if these services When Milaap started as a came neatly arranged in the crowdfunding platform, the only G-suite, ready to be used, there idea was to enable individual giving

40 iMPACT | January - March 2019 www.asianngo.org/magazine through technology, similar to have a dedicated team to analyse platform does charge a fee, mostly shopping, calling a cab, or ordering successful fundraisers, and today on the funds that are raised through food, in a clear, transparent way, we give some promotional tools the platform. with someone else taking care of as a basic kit for every fundraiser. Today, the steep escalation all hassles. Improvements are constantly being of sophisticated treatment, This is where the challenge lies: made to the platform, whether it be especially in critical illness like when you’re doing something “for through adding payment modes, or cancer, has pushed crowdfunding good” it is often expected to be done being available to smoothly guide as a mainstream mode of financing for free. Or else, where does the people into the process. healthcare. When people fall short altruism lie? The simple answer is: With online funding, what of money despite having exhausted With the donor. we are selling is . To their own networks, platforms often For a tech-based platform, the campaign organizers, it is about a resort to paid channels to enhance tricky part of this is that there is hassle-free way to ask for money outreach and take the need to a no end to the product you build. with dignity. For donors, it is about larger audience. In such cases too, When we started off, we had finding a verified need, and being platforms often charge an additional only a verification process, a live able to see the impact of their percentage on any funds raised via ticker on each fundraiser showing participation, with the ease of these channels. the amount needed and raised, making a donation on the go. Any technological product and a link that could be shared Crowdfunding in developing would cease to exist the day it with friends and family members. countries remains quite utilitarian. stops evolving. All crowdfunding Recipients could post updates to let We are still at a stage where platforms are constantly attempting people know how the money helped most people would pick funding to make it something that can them, and that was it. The potential medical treatment over funding be accessed on the go, as part of of social media sharing drove us a research product. To keep up everyday life. It is for exactly this to introduce the Facebook and with the times and ensure we can reason that the online crowdfunding Twitter share features. That rapidly take crowdfunding to anybody industry cannot be completely free evolved to a stage where we had to who needs it, every crowdfunding to use in the near future.

/AsianNGO iMPACT | January - March 2019 41 Features

Special Species Seven Campaigns that Made Us Sit Up and Take Note

iodiversity is one of the components often overlooked in conversations around sustainability. Every once in a while, though, campaigns come along that make us go, “Wow!” B Here are a few creative campaigns that proved taking care of our co-inhabitants need not cost the Earth!

1. Tweet to Save Those emojis can deliver more than just emotions! The #EndangeredEmoji campaign, organized by World Wildlife Fund, utilizes the power of social media, allowing people to donate €0.10 or £0.10 for every tweet or retweet of the hashtag with 17 emojis that represent some of the world’s endangered animals: for instance, the Asian elephant, giant panda, Galapagos penguin, and Sumatran tiger.

2. Bee-ware of the Hive Fences Elephants are pestering African farmers by raiding their plant crops, and farmers are responding by poisoning them with poisons such as Furadan. A more humane way of avoiding this conflict is being piloted: a fence of beehives strung together with wires. This fends off the elephants, who are naturally afraid of bees. Even if the program does not include real bees, the familiar sight and smell of hives are enough to scare elephants away from crops. Now that’s a sweet solution!

3. The Age of Cryptopandas Taking advantage of the new kid on the blockchain, Panda.Earth is a virtual pet breeding game. While the idea is to increase awareness of giant pandas, players also collect and breed pandas with “special characteristics” in the marketplace. Players get a chance to buy virtual offspring of real-life pandas identified by the China Conservation and Research Centre for Giant Pandas.

42 iMPACT | January - March 2019 www.asianngo.org/magazine 4. Insta-Rescue 6. A Dog’s Purpose Popular social networking platform Instagram has The greater glider is currently tagged as a vulnerable joined the pack towards fighting animal abuse. species, and volunteers in Victoria, Australia are Using tools designed to tackle self-harm and suicide, accompanied by their canine friends in an effort Instagram will now inform users of any behavior to preserve the possums. Domestic dogs are being that harms animals. That includes sending a pop-up employed to sniff out traces of greater gliders that have message whenever someone searches or clicks a not been seen in parts of central Victoria for years. A hashtag related to wildlife such as #slothselfie or dog’s sense of smell is more effective in monitoring #exoticanimalforsale. the glider population than spotlighting, which involves shining torches on trees to spot reflections in the animals’ eyes.

7. One Text, One Life In a race to protect elephants that are currently tagged as “near threatened” by the International Union for 5. Animals are Jewels Too Conservation of Nature, Kenya launched a short A jewel collection is making waves not only in the messaging system that allows people to be alerted of fashion industry, but also in the environmental scene. elephant activity. By placing a SIM The “While They Await Extinction” collection card in an elephant’s collar, the animal’s movement is created by award-winning Swedish designer Hanna tracked on a minute-by-minute basis. A virtual “geo- Hedman uses designs that showcase endangered fence” using GPS is used as a guide and every time an animals and plants which are merged into a unified elephant walks near the virtual fence, the mobile SIM design—seemingly creating a new life form. informs rangers through a text message.

/AsianNGO iMPACT | January - March 2019 43 Features

Not Missing the Forests or the Trees CanopyStyle uses the power of the marketplace to save ancient, endangered and boreal forests.

By Meera Rajagopalan

Sumatra Eucalyptus Plantation. Image courtesy of CanopyStyle

he word “rayon” brings guzzling trees like eucalyptus have viewpoint of the marketplace. (In fact, to mind factories and denuded large parts of Ancient Canopy was earlier called Markets plastic, not forests and, Endangered (AE) Forests . Initiative.) and trees. However, CanopyStyle uses the power of “Canada and the U.S. consume it’s what is at stake, as to ensure that forests are not affected so much of the world’s resources that global rayon production increases. As in the pursuit of style. it placed me in a unique position to be ofT 2015, the global viscose market was Since its launch in 2013, more able to harness the marketplace,” says at 4.9 million tons, with more than than 160 fashion brands and designers Rycroft. “The idea also came from the 30% of the wood pulp sourced from worth over USD 170 billion have recognition that NGOs are influencers ancient and endangered forests. Even pledged to source their fabric more but rarely the decision makers in the designers and fashion brands were responsibly, leading to policies marketplace. It was very important for sometimes unaware of this, which is and standards that help influence us to be as influential as possible.” what led to CanopyStyle, a campaign producers into compliance, and Canopy has also initiated a third- from Canadian non-profit Canopy. bringing transparency to an opaque party CanopyStyle (conducted The trail of fashion leads one to supply chain. by NEPcon) of six producers, a the deep forests of Canada, Indonesia, Canopy founder Nicole Rycroft number that belies the concentration and Brazil, where indiscriminate says the focus of all Canopy campaigns of the market where 11 companies logging and replantation of water- is approaching the problem from the represent more than 70% of the

44 iMPACT | January - March 2019 www.asianngo.org/magazine Image courtesy of Andy Wright market share. As of 2018, around 29% conservation. Birla dropped one place of the global viscose supply has been to second in the Canopy’s 2018 report On Using the Marketplace to audited as low-risk to AE forests. titled, “The Hot Button Issue” which Effect Change “Since 2018 and onwards, all ranks producers based on responsible products containing man-made sourcing. “As much as Canopy has had cellulosic fibres that are delivered to Canopy has been working toward success with fashion brands, that C&A stores in Europe and China the conservation of forests since 1999 model can be applied to a myriad of are sourced from producers that and is best known for ensuring that environmental issues. Obviously, it have completed the CanopyStyle the Harry Potter books were greener has to be tweaked and adjusted as verification audit with low risk than Slytherin: Over seven years, different needs and nuances come findings,” says Jeff Hogue, chief Canopy convinced various publishers into play. This model, I feel, can be used for climate change issues, and sustainability officer, C&A, in a press to commit to using paper that was also or marine protection, as well as release. not sourced from Ancient Forests and issues.” Birla Cellulose, the largest viscose provided them with viable alternatives. stable fibre producer in the world, has been on board the CanopyStyle The Initial Years train for the past four years. Manohar The CanopyStyle campaign was Samuel, senior president of marketing launched in 2013, and in the following subsequent involvement of brands was at Birla Cellulose says that while year, signed on two major brands: what got the eyeballs of many of the the company was already sourcing Inditex/Zara and H&M, as well as producers. responsibly, Canopy brought to fashion designer Stella McCartney, a “In fact, it was not until we the table a better understanding of pioneer in . publicly launched CanopyStyle that the forests, with its evaluation tools There was a lot of education to we actually got a call from a viscose and experience working in forest be done in the initial years, and the producer,” says Rycroft.

/AsianNGO iMPACT | January - March 2019 45 Features

What is the CanopyStyle audit?

The CanopyStyle audit includes, but is not limited to, information about policies and sourcing pertaining to Ancient and Endangered Forests, action towards adhering to the policies, development of alternate fibres,

and reduction.

The audit results are used by brands to choose their suppliers. Indonesian Rainforest. Image courtesy of CanopyStyle“

The Sector Working with fashion brands has been NGOs are influencers but rarely the

rewarding, not in the least because decision makers in the marketplace.

innovation is part of their DNA, says Rycroft. It also gives visibility to the It was very important for“ us to be as problem on a global scale, and linkages influential as possible. between the source and production is spotlighted. Rebecca Watkins, CSR and quality manager of Gina Tricot, a Swedish fashion , says, Nicole Rycroft “Producers are more aware that Founder sustainable materials and traceability Canopy is important for us as buyers. We need this along with transparency to offer our customers a sustainable product.” Gina Tricot has been associated with Canopy since 2016, and stepped up efforts to make transparent all arms of later, there is a lot of interest in hearing Canopy out, says Rycroft. its supply and production chain, after With a 400% increase in consumption of rayon over the last 20 years, reports of fashion brands neglecting producers too are looking at the next generation of solutions. rights of workers in countries they Canopy also helps producers unpack producers’ supply chains and look produced in. at alternatives, including newer lighter fabrics, as part of their research and With some viscose producers, as development. might be expected, there is an initial However, the scale of the problem is apparent from the fact that of the top 10 reluctance to relook well-embedded producers of rayon, only three (Lenzing, Aditya Birla and ENKA) have received a supply chains and infrastructure. “green shirt” denoting responsible sourcing. That is an indication of the long road However, because it is an issue that ahead of CanopyStyle, to ensure that the campaign reaches its goal: that by 2020, no will affect them sooner rather than rayon or viscose will be sourced from ancient or endangered forests.

46 iMPACT | January - March 2019 www.asianngo.org/magazine Features

Green and Grey: The Perfect Shield for a Perfect Storm?

A combination of natural and synthetic infrastructure may be the most efficient means to disaster resilience. By Ian Jamotillo

Aerial photo of Bangkung Malapad in Sasmuan, Pampanga, Philippines. Image courtesy of Sasmuan Bankung Malapad Critical Habitat Ecotourism Area (SBMCHEA).

n average of 8 to 9 typhoons hit the calamity still remain, eliciting the age-old question: how can Philippines every year, according to the a country improve its disaster resilience? Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and The solution may lie in combining “green Astronomical Services Administration. infrastructure” with “grey infrastructure”, two terms usually WithA the country’s proximity to the Pacific Ocean, millions considered polar opposites. While green infrastructure of Filipinos, especially those residing in coastal areas, are refers to infrastructure that utilizes sustainable systems, most vulnerable to the effects of typhoons. usually localized, grey infrastructure is usually human- Super Typhoon Haiyan, locally known as “Yolanda”, engineered infrastructure that is centralized. was one of the strongest tropical cyclones ever recorded, and While experts are divided on which methodology struck the Philippines in 2013 with devastating winds. It may yield better results, several projects have used both in caused over $4 billion worth of damage and claimed more tandem, especially in the field of disaster resilience, to good than 6,000 lives but five years later, the scars left by the effect.

/AsianNGO iMPACT | January - March 2019 47 Features

How do mangroves help? Serving as the first line of defence during a storm surge, mangroves reduce the waves that pass through it by half a meter (1.6 feet). They are the natural habitat for a number of fishes and migratory birds, and also aid in carbon absorption and storage.

Image courtesy of Unsplash

Nurturing the Earth In the small island of Silonay, CI Ericsson has worked in countries An example of this is the Green- has worked with residents to protect such as the Philippines and Malaysia Grey Storm Shelters project by the the mangroves through livelihood to reforest mangroves while using US-based environmental organization, support. Watchtowers and a 900-metre camera sensors to track their growth Conservation International (CI). (3,000 foot) bamboo boardwalk were and activity. The Vietnamese Mangroves along the beachline in the built to boost tourism activities. Government, for example, has paired province of Oriental Mindoro in the grey infrastructure involving the use Philippines have decreased over the When Nature Meets Engineering of concrete dykes and seawalls with past few years. CI has worked with It’s not all glitter and gold though. green infrastructure to boost coastal communities in Barangay Pulantubig Mangroves require ample amount armouring against storm surges. to restore mangrove habitats by of time to cultivate and is constantly Disaster resilience, whether green planting 300,000 mangrove seedlings. threatened by coastal development. or grey, cannot be led from outside. Besides mangrove restoration, This is where grey infrastructure Eventually, the solution must be owned CI has also pioneered several grey comes in, involving human-engineered by the communities themselves. projects such as building levees or solutions such as . “Disaster preparedness is best done floodbanks. To promote the livelihood “Disasters are not going anywhere; as a joint effort, with the community of communities exposed to typhoons, they will remain part of the natural and the people leading the exercise. CI has introduced sustainable fishing, cycle. With that in mind, we will At the same time, there should be which encompasses coral and marine need to adapt continuously. Restoring more focus on public awareness on biodiversity protection. mangroves and other green practices the importance ofmangroves. Local “The Philippines still has a lot of like rain gardens and eco-roofs are not governments must also continue catching up to do in terms of disaster enough. Taking advantage of today’s to work hand in hand with the resilience. Some people are reluctant tech is crucial for us to survive,” Emily community, so that countries can be to accept that climate change is really Corwin, a Green-Gray fellow at better prepared each time calamity happening, and one way to solve Conservation International said. strikes,” said Ellen Alarilla, program this is to start from small. Minding Several projects are paying heed manager, sustainability and corporate the mangroves,” said Maria Josella and recognizing the value of the responsibility for Southeast Asia, Pangilinan, program manager for CI. “other” type of infrastructure. Oceania, and India at Ericsson.

48 iMPACT | January - March 2019 www.asianngo.org/magazine Resources

Human-Centric Design Makes for More Efficient Scaling

Designing a solution keeping the user at the centre of the process makes for more robust and successful solutions, especially as social change organizations look to scale, writes Namita Singh of Digital Green.

here’s a revolution afoot framing the (design) challenge, finding in the social change space. appropriate methods and tools to collect Organizations are looking data, generate insights, develop quick to nurture and promote prototypes, test, and iterate till you reach innovativeT social change ideas, and a solution that is appropriate for the the marketplace is flooded with ideas. user. Before you begin, it is important The bottleneck, often, is in scaling up. to ensure your organization or team While technology offers some solutions, adheres to the principles of HCD: they are few and far between. That’s where the challenge lies: • Being open to change: in being able to replicate knowledge Innovation is the cornerstone of

Namita Singh is a participatory transfer/training at a large scale across HCD, and the solutions might media researcher and practitioner different geographies. require you to make big and small who has worked with several At Digital Green, we scaled pretty changes in the way you work. international organizations. She quickly to different states in India and In non-profits it might be more is interested in the use of ICTs different countries in Sub-Saharan difficult than imagined, given set for development and is currently Africa, training agriculture extension rules and policies. Head of Training at Digital Green. workers. As we scaled, our concern was • Being quick to change: It is maintaining the quality of our training often helpful to keep a small team across the board. That is when we that can take decisions quickly on turned to the human-centered design questions that appear before it. (HCD) approach, to develop a scalable However, remember to not ignore training system as a solution to our questions that are difficult or those challenge. that have long-term social impact. The HCD approach keeps the • Keep trying: Developing user at the centre of the solution prototypes, testing them in the field, and moves through the process of and improving them is what makes

/AsianNGO iMPACT | January - March 2019 49 Resources

HCD effective in reaching user- centered solutions. Each prototype and its test reveal better ways of doing something. This is not a quick-fix solution. • Getting the right human resource: An interdisciplinary team is essential, and if there is someone in the group who has exposure to the HCD process, it can become much easier to navigate. We had people with training, research, and design experience in our team to take this process forward.

Framing your Design Choosing the Right Methods Challenge It can be a tough call deciding The beginning of the process is which methods would be the most framing the (design) challenge or the appropriate to find the answers. question as a “How might we.” The From fairly traditional ones, such as question should focus on the ultimate interviews, to more creative ones, such impact that you are trying to have, for as making collages, or even something instance: you develop on your own! “How might we train frontline We found that mapping methods workers to effectively engage with against three main purposes can be mothers of infants?” rather helpful. These purposes are: It is also important to come with as many questions as possible and then, • Developing some basic knowledge as a team, narrow down to the right about the challenge question. • Thinking more creatively about We found that this was pretty the actual challenges and solutions tricky and we went from very broad • Learning in-depth about the questions, such as “How can we have challenge from the people directly Images courtesy of Digital Green an efficient training system?” to very facing it narrow and contextual ones, such as, Developing Insights, “How can video be used to train field We used interviews with trainer and Prototyping Solutions, level workers?” till we reached the external experts and observed actual Iteration and Messiness right one. trainings to build our basic knowledge; Our final design challenge was: analogous inspiration helped us get Once all the information has been How might we ensure that field some creative ideas; and peer-to-peer collected, the next step is for the team level workers can operate ICT tools activities helped us delve deeper into to get together, build out themes that confidently? the issues that field level workers will help solve the articulated design faced. This “mix-methods” approach challenge, and start generating insights helped us open our minds to the and brainstorming innovative solutions. various possibilities of what solutions For us, some themes were standardizing can look like. training sessions, creating participant-

50 iMPACT | January - March 2019 www.asianngo.org/magazine friendly training materials and objective assessments of participants. Prototyping—Lessons Learnt Our team came up with three 1. Don’t rely too much on assumptions based on your thematic main possible solutions: 1) contextual training videos; analysis. Rely more on what real-life scenarios teach you. 2) illustrative handouts; and 2. Prototyping can feel difficult, but just make something! Even a 3) game-based objective assessments. really quick and bare prototype will give you insights you can This process, however, can be a build on. messy one. Team members may have 3. Every iteration of the prototype should bring something new to disagreements and one may feel like answer your design challenge. When that stops happening, stop the process is not going anywhere. prototyping. However, building on each other’s ideas and keeping the final impact in mind is a helpful way to stay on track. It should be a non-linear and more intuitive process of collecting data, analysing

it, developing prototypes, testing

prototypes and gathering feedback. We

certainly learned a few things along the way (see box). “ “

Team members may have disagreements and one may feel like the process is not going anywhere. Live Prototyping, Creating the trainers and a mobile application for Solution, Pilot Testing, and assessing trainers and participants. However, building Implementation These solutions helped us scale up our efforts quickly and train more on each other’s After a few rounds of testing, the team than 5,000 frontline workers in India ideas and keeping can implement a prototype in a real- through high quality, standardized life situation. We did this in an actual trainings, with means to measure the final impact training session. That gives incredible the effectiveness. Developed mostly feedback on how things work in a real in Hindi and English, these were

in mind is a set-up. Once satisfied, the team can also translated in other languages, helpful way to “ move towards developing the solutions, considering local contexts. piloting them, and making any final The process helps create more stay on track. tweaks before scaling. effective training at scale, as the end Our insights helped us develop user, as should be, is kept at the centre high quality training videos, illustrative of the design. training manuals and cue-cards for

/AsianNGO iMPACT | January - March 2019 51 Short Fiction

Monarch Blue By Barbara Litkowski

“Monarch Blue” by Barbara Litkowski is the prize-winning entry in the 2018 Everything Change Climate Fiction contest.

he would kill for a Bartlett pear or, better yet, a ripe In a not-so-distant future, Brie, a plum. Like the rest of the pregnant young woman, is forced world, she’d been hungry to work as an artificial pollinator, a for years, but now her cravingsS were insatiable, the despotic job made necessary by the near- embryo in her womb demanding all extinction of butterflies. The story manner of foods she couldn’t afford. exemplifies the power of stories Even her name, Brie, a childhood by rooting the effects of climate derivative of Bridget, made her mouth change in a specific region and water, evoking an aroma of better days. zeroing in on the experiences of Her most recent meal, if one considered multiple marginalized women a pack of stale Day-Glo crackers nourishment, had come from a vending working on the dirty, exploitative in the San Diego bus station at front lines of human adaptation two o’clock on Sunday morning. in the face of environmental Now, hours later, Brie hoisted degradation. herself onto her knees and peered over the vinyl seat to the back of the bus where nighttime running lights illuminated her friend Carmen swaying and praying with the churchgoing crowd. When she held up Carmen’s canvas carryall and pointed to her own mouth, her friend nodded.

52 iMPACT | January - March 2019 www.asianngo.org/magazine They had met in the waiting room blue rivers—heart line, life line, fate way she hated fish. Corn cereal, corn at the women’s free clinic on Mesa line—that wound between lighter aqua chips, corn on the , hominy, hush Verde, the only ones there without callouses. “He says they make him look puppies, creamed corn, corn soufflé, the tumescent bulge of impending a poor provider. I tell him, ‘We have to corn bread, corn dogs (sans dog). motherhood, exchanging shy smiles, eat; besides, it’s just a job.’ He says, ‘An In other parts of the world, it was first names, and brief histories as others insect. What kind of a job is that?’” rice. Wasn’t it hard enough being came and went. Although Carmen was Pollinators. After the die-off a pregnant without craving foods that only five years older than Brie, she had new underclass had sprung up to fill existed only in memory? Artichoke already suffered three miscarriages. the role previously played by flies, boats dipped in butter, Chenin Blanc Despite, or perhaps because of those beetles, wasps, butterflies, and other paired with pork roast and prunes, losses, she and her husband were winged creatures. Culled from the blueberries. When she closed her desperate to conceive another child. ranks of the disadvantaged, a small eyes, her limbic brain flooded her At the sound of her name, Carmen cohort of females now earned their senses with Proustian memories of stood up and crossed herself, and Brie wages reaching, squatting, bending, smoky almonds. She’d eaten her last gave her a thumbs-up. A moment later, dusting, turning their hands blue tree nut in middle school when they she too was summoned. When Brie with electrostatic chemicals—all could still be purchased by ordinary returned from the warren of examining to ensure that the 1 percent of the people, albeit at exorbitant prices. rooms, Carmen was just emerging, pale population with money to burn on and unsmiling. By unspoken agreement brandy and figs had access to cross- they left together. Coffee, while scarce, pollinated fruits and vegetables. She’d fallen for one of the oldest was still possible. They splurged, Brie’s stomach growled an tricks in the book—food. pooling their money. involuntary complaint. Carmen cocked She had met him at a free open- “They won’t give me fertility her head, concern clouding her brown air art show in Balboa Park she’d seen drugs.” Carmen’s lilting voice eyes. The next instant, she was on her advertised on a flyer in the shelter’s faltered. “They say it’s too risky given way to the counter, returning with a community room. It was early enough my history.” Her face brightened child’s carton of milk in one blue hand. in the evening that the grass still felt when she heard Brie’s news. Gratefully, Brie accepted it. “Some warm under her feet as she strolled “Pregnant. That’s wonderful. You mom, huh? Homeless. No money, no the grounds trying to act swanky, must be ecstatic.” Brie shrugged. job, no skills.” pretending she wasn’t lonely. She could Sensing her mistake, Carmen “Skills?” Carmen snorted. “Skills smell pine and eucalyptus, and when reached across the table and squeezed make you too expensive. Here,” she he came up beside her, she smelled Brie’s hand. She withdrew it a took out a pen, scribbled on the rough licorice on his breath. second later, but not before Brie had brown napkin. “You don’t have to show “What do you think?” He gestured observed the telltale blue knuckles of a any papers,” she said, draining the toward an abstract sculpture on a pollinator. The skin around the joints last of her coffee. She wiped the paper pedestal a few feet in front of them. expanded and contracted in ocean cup clean and stowed it in her purse. Squinting, she saw an opaque waves as the bones shifted. “Although I suppose papers aren’t a pool of white glass topped by a When their eyes met again, it problem for you.” floating yellow island. She closed her was Carmen’s turn to shrug. “My The reflection that stared back at eyes, opened them, looked again. husband hates them,” she confessed, Brie from the darkened windows of the There was a gigantic fried egg, its rotating her hands to show the inky bus was thin and tired. In another life white skirt curling and browning she had been pretty. Now, except for around the edges, its yolk a perfect the growing seed in her pelvis, she was sunny-side up. In her mind she gaunt and ugly. added sizzling strips of bacon. She The corn tortillas in Carmen’s had skipped breakfast—and lunch. backpack had left a rancid taste in She sighed. “It makes me hungry.” her mouth, and she wished she had “Me too.” He grinned. “Say, I have a breath mint. She hated corn the eggs in my fridge. Brown sugar, a small

/AsianNGO iMPACT | January - March 2019 53 Short Fiction

stash of pecans from the fat years. How Life was good—until November 22, make out a Rotary Club sign. Denair, about it? I make a mean pecan pie. We when meteorologists predicted a killing California: “Oasis of the San Joaquin can wash it down with some Chianti freeze. Suddenly everybody in South Valley.” Oasis was a misnomer, she I’ve been hoarding.” Haven remembered a presence they decided, judging from a broken swing She had fond memories of family had taken for granted. Within hours set silhouetted against a tangerine-and- Thanksgivings as a child. After the of the dire prediction, an army of aqua sky. The lot was empty except for first set of dishes had been cleared, her amateur entomologists could be seen a motor coach the size of two tractor- dad and assorted aunts and uncles and combing roadsides, rustling through trailers parked in the northeast corner nebulous cousins who swept through milkweed pods and dying goldenrod, and a few scattered pickup trucks. at holidays like Kuiper Belt comets trying to spot elusive orange wings. At On the bus, the singing stopped. would sigh with contentment and pat her mother’s urging, they had joined Frowsy women roused themselves: their stomachs to the whir of cream the crusade armed with one ancient, straightening, smoothing, patting, whipping in the kitchen. And then green collecting net between them. brushing sleep from their eyes and her mother would carry out the pies The holes didn’t matter; the butterfly lips, gathering shopping bags and in ceremonial fashion: pumpkin and clinging to a muddy puddle, opening purses. Earlier, when they boarded pecan—one each—the pumpkin pie’s and closing its tattered wings, was too the bus in San Diego, Brie had asked rich, sweaty face freckled with spices, feeble to escape. Much of the lustrous Carmen about the motley collection the pecan’s surface studded with sugar orange power was gone from its wings. of pollinators. Some were nomads, and nuts. Brie lifted it gently, cupping the fragile Carmen said, following crop cycles like His apartment was near the creature in the palm of her hand surfers searching for the perfect wave ocean, once prime glass-and-stucco for the journey home, transferring before the oceans turned brutal. But beachfront, now a dilapidated walkup it to a plastic mayonnaise jar at the most were just down-on-their-luck gals in peril of being washed away by the kitchen table. “I’ll keep you safe,” she who needed extra cash to get over a next catastrophic storm. They waited promised, kissing the jar goodnight and hump. “Tumbleweed women like us.” until the pie was baked and eaten, then setting it on her bedside table, where Brie climbed down from the bus took what remained of the bottle to it was the last thing she saw before yawning and stretching, tonguing bed. Afterward, her tongue loosened falling asleep. The next morning the the plaque on her teeth. She could by wine and pecans, she revealed her butterfly was dead, one of thousands just make out bodies moving around darkest secret. “I’m a killer,” she said, of Lepidoptera asphyxiated in a what looked like charcoal braziers grabbing the bottle and licking the last variety of Ragu, pickle, peanut- beside some of the pickups. She drops from its glassy lip. butter, and other wide-mouthed sniffed, hoping for bacon, only to be The summer she turned six years coffins. The delicate black legs that disappointed by charcoal fumes and old had seemed endless. In South had gripped her palm so trustingly smoke. Watching Harvest of Shame in Haven, Michigan, where she grew up, were curled in death. high school as part of a social justice kids were still playing outside in shorts Malnutrition was notorious for class, she had pitied the impoverished in September while their back-to- shutting down one’s reproductive mother who couldn’t afford milk for her school sweaters languished in closets. organs, and she had counted on her children. She half expected Edward Boats typically dry-docked at the end body rejecting the pie-man’s sperm. R. Murrow to descend from the huge of the summer continued to float in “Not starved enough,” she speculated coach, cigarette dangling from the their usual berths through October. one month later, bending over the corner of his mouth, smoke spiraling toilet, retching. into the dry air, eager to question this new breed of migrants. “What did you eat for breakfast today?” he would ask, The bus slowed as the driver thrusting a microphone into her face. navigated a sleeping town’s main street The air felt dry enough to combust and turned into the parking lot of what spontaneously, although after the stinky appeared to be a municipal ballpark bus even parched air was refreshing. A and playground. Brie could just rogue sagebrush struggled through a

54 iMPACT | January - March 2019 www.asianngo.org/magazine crack in the asphalt near her feet. Pale grit, sand or salt or possibly broken glass, crunched under her feet as she shifted. Behind her she could feel the bus cooling, its hot metal hardening “The next morning the butterfly was dead, one of like taffy. thousands of Lepidoptera asphyxiated in a variety of When a second bus turned into the Ragu, pickle, peanut-butter, and other wide-mouthed lot, she felt an insistent tug on her wrist. coffins. The delicate black legs that had gripped her Carmen. palm so trustingly were curled in death.” “Hurry,” Carmen whispered. “We have to be first in line.” By common accord the pollinators dried and withered untasted. Insects and if they did, they went out and coalesced into a queue that snaked arriving too late for the connubial found a job. A week later, a little after across the lot toward the palatial feast starved. Geneticists asserted that dusk, a deer leaped across the road as coach. Meanwhile, a dozen well-fed natural selection would soon reestablish she was driving home from the mall. prisoners in baggy orange shirts and the proper rhythm, given time and Her parents’ car was totaled. trousers began disembarking from the sufficient of offspring, Mexico sounded like a good place newest arrival, followed by a handful but the world was still waiting. Spring to do some growing up. The bus was of holstered guards. In contrast to the continued to arrive earlier and earlier, almost to the Tijuana border when she eager, hungry women, the prisoners’ and angiosperms continued to bud ran out of money. steps were unhurried, their labor free, and flower before the dwindling supply The shelter in San Diego where and therefore, presumably, guaranteed. of pollinators were primed and ready. she found refuge was clean. On Their faces were shuttered. Only insects that fed on human blood Sundays a succession of local churches A man with a clipboard emerged and skin, refuse and decay—of which delivered an evening meal, although from the motor coach. there was a limitless supply—thrived. eating with strangers only increased “Go.” Carmen pushed. Blattodea, Culicidae, Cimicidae, her loneliness. Calling her folks was The paperwork, as her friend had Psocoptera. Cockroaches, mosquitoes, out of the question. They’d tell her to promised, was nearly nonexistent. In bedbugs, booklice. come home. return for her signature, a curt woman She had committed a less innocent The second bus, this one chartered wearing a California Almond Growers mistake her junior year in college. by the California Almond Growers, Association name badge handed her a After a night of hard partying, she had padded seats and an onboard five-gallon bucket, a pair of thin latex had awakened in bed with one of toilet. The women perched on the edge gloves, and a bag of what looked like her boyfriend’s fraternity brothers. of their seats, clutching their buckets. blue flour. “You’ll get paid at the end The subsequent messy breakup had Glancing down, Brie read the label on of each day. In cash. If you run out triggered an emotional meltdown. She the plastic bag: Warning: This product of powder before tomorrow, it’ll come stayed up nights, sometimes crying, contains chemicals known to the State out your wages. Use the gloves for mostly drinking cheap vodka in an of California to cause cancer, or birth protection.” Without looking up, she off-campus apartment she shared with defects or reproductive harm. She lifted motioned to the next person in line. a roommate she rarely saw. Days she her chin and stared out the window. Killing the monarch had been slept in, missing lectures, forgetting The staging area for the almond an innocent mistake, although Brie to hand in papers, blowing off exams, offensive was an encampment covering still blamed herself for its death. It withdrawing at the end of the semester. several acres of parched grass. A had been one of the first victims of She went home to South Haven to cinderblock bathhouse stood in the the devastating die-off. Summer after a tepid welcome and a lecture about center of the clearing, surrounded by summer, the number and variety “maturity.” Adults, her parents several large canvas tents which gave of pollinators plummeted. Flowers informed her, were resilient. Adults the scene a circus-like feel. To one bloomed ahead of schedule and their didn’t lock themselves in their rooms, side, a fleet of bucket trucks waited, anthers, thick with fertile pollen, crying. Adults didn’t lose scholarships, cranes collapsed over their backs like

/AsianNGO iMPACT | January - March 2019 55 Interview

Literally, Stories of Climate“ Change

Everything Change: An Anthology

of Climate Fiction is a project of the In these stories there is little confidence

Imagination and Climate Futures initiative of the Arizona State University. in national that are “ iMPACT caught up with Angie Dell, associate director, Virginia G. Piper meant to manage disaster and trauma. Center for Creative Writing and Joey Eschrich, editor and program manager, pessimistic genre, as it inevitably community is, a lower class will emerge Center for Science and the Imagination, focuses on what we’re losing to climate to get pushed closest to the trauma to know more. chaos and how climate change affects and face the greatest risk of being left Excerpts from the e-mail interview. people’s lives, introducing new stresses behind—it’s a concern we see a lot in The entire interview can be accessed and exacerbating existing inequalities. these stories, and one that is difficult to online at www.asianngo.org. But more hopeful strains of thinking imagine solutions to. are often present in these stories, when You can keep tabs on our work iMPACT: What does “Everything people apply their ingenuity to tricky at our website, climateimagination. Change: An Anthology of Climate problems or tough situations, or when asu.edu, or email us at imagination@ Fiction” aim to do? mutually supportive communities form asu.edu if you have ideas for writing Our goal is to make the effects of in times of crisis. projects that you’d like to see us climate change, which are often The destruction wrought by experiment with. creeping, pervasive, and slow-moving, climate change is also an opportunity more visceral and emotionally to apply human ingenuity to a whole immediate for our readers. We think new set of problems and to form new stories are the best way to do this: they kinds of communities and networks of help us see the world through the eyes collective action. of people whose experiences and ways of being are very different from our What are you seeing in terms of the own, and they root the sprawling, global, concerns of writers from high-income often abstract-seeming effects of nations vis-à-vis those that are climate change in actual, tangible places traditionally seen as on the path to and communities around the globe. development? We think stories can be a force One thing is strikingly similar with Angie Dell, associate director, Center for Creative Writing for building empathy, bolstering regard to “more developed” and “less understanding, and catalyzing developed” settings: in these stories conversations that lead to action. there is little confidence in national infrastructures that are meant to The apocalyptic nature of the climate manage disaster and trauma. And change discourse might put away a though the winners of the contest hail lot of readers who are looking for life- from many different countries, their affirming endings and an escape from concerns and approaches are often reality. How do you situate fiction that quite similar, particularly with regard touches and enlightens, within this to class divisions that inevitably widen framework? in the face of disaster and response. Climate fiction is certainly often a No matter how wealthy a country or Joey Eschrich, editor and program manager, Center for Science and the Imagination

56 iMPACT | January - March 2019 www.asianngo.org/magazine Short Fiction

Carmen’s brief tutorial, were picky onto the nearest cot. As the minutes about their prospective mates, so they passed, she recognized the soft shuffle required cross-pollination. That meant of tired feet and heard the beds around that after picking up pollen on the her shift. There were no giggles—no prehistoric scorpions. electrostatic wand, the boom must gossip. Midnight confidences—like The assignment was to work swing across the aisle to a different avocados—were a luxury for the in pairs: the person on the ground tree. Back and forth, back and forth, non-weary elite. Later—she wasn’t maneuvering the bucket truck in a swooping aerial ballet. Even with sure when—she detected the random and the person aloft “dusting” the Carmen weaving the bucket above and sounds of sleep: throat clearings, sighs, flowers with a flexible wand dipped around the various branches, reaching an occasional snort. in pollen harvested the previous the farthest blooms demanded an Sleep would not come. Her week and stained blue. Through athleticism dormant since Brie’s high- shoulders ached. A sour, yeasty smell line-hopping and luck, Brie snagged school volleyball years. emanated from her armpits and crotch. Carmen as a partner. Five exquisite, creamy petals Filthy and tired, she got out of bed “Let’s get out of here,” her friend comprised a single almond flower that and groped her way to the exit, where urged as soon as the pairings were deepened to a magenta heart. Sharp she opened the flap and stepped into made, eyeing the other pollinators with green sepals stood in contrast to the the night. In San Diego, she’d grown suspicion. delicate petals. One touch from her used to perpetual light and noise. Here Brie hesitated. The metal boom wand changed all that. “I’m painting the it was different—silent, dark, remote. made her uneasy. “But I don’t know roses blue,” she hummed, swiping with As her eyes adjusted, she noticed a how to work that thing.” abandon. The novelty soon wore off. blue glow radiating from the almond “I’ll teach you everything you need They traded places every 30 grove—not a flat matte blue, but a to know.” minutes, sometimes sooner, whenever shimmering phosphorescence like the Carmen drove fast, a map resting the strain became unbearable. After ocean at night, only bluer, thickest on the dash in front of her. Stretching the first few rotations, Brie’s shoulders where treated branches overlapped. ahead, as far as the eye could see, were felt hyperextended and her neck ached Even the ground glittered with rounded trees in regimented rows, each from craning to see the tallest branches. pinpricks of blue light where grains of with its own halo of pearly blooms. They broke at noon for lunch, powder had spilled or sifted. The hair Their assigned location was at the far prepackaged corn toasties delivered by prickled on her arms. When she looked end of the grove. Brie rode shotgun, a food truck, although for once Brie down she saw that they, too, shone fingering the wand like a child with a wasn’t hungry, thanks to the cloying blue. Only her hands, protected by the new toy, watching its filaments jiggle as smell of flowers. Occasionally they disposable gloves, were free of stain. the truck bumped over the rough ground. heard other pollinators shout or a truck The bathhouse was deserted. At first the flowering rows seemed backfire. Once when an unidentified Grabbing a towel, she headed for a lovely—almost magical—dark trunks jeep cruised by their station, Carmen row of shower stalls, groaning as she and airy crowns stretching as far at the called, “Get down!” and she obeyed, eased out of her jeans. It hurt to raise eye could see, but as they rode on and on, crouching behind the veil of branches her arms to lift the sliver of soap from monoculture became tedious and then until the passed. Ten feet below, a wire shower caddy. Clouds of steam frightening, and she began to yearn for a she sensed Carmen cowering in the billowed around her feet. She stood coarse, sprawling pinyon pine. cab. When she asked about it during under the spray, allowing its liquid True to her word, Carmen gave the next break, Carmen scowled, and warmth to ease her back to happier her a crash course in booms. Two sets Brie didn’t press. times—football games and sledding, of controls, upper and lower. Rotation. By the end of the day, her arms hot dogs with mustard and cocoa. Elevation. Tilt. Emergency stop. The were so sore she couldn’t lift a spoon The plastic shower curtain rippled, person on the ground maneuvered to the bowl of corn chowder served and cold air coiled over the rod. Her the metal arm, while the other played in one of the larger tents. After a few chest tightened, and she crossed her Tinkerbell with the electrostatic wand. painful attempts, she returned to her hands instinctively over her belly to Almond trees, Brie learned during assigned sleeping tent and collapsed protect her unborn child. Why had

/AsianNGO iMPACT | January - March 2019 57 Short Fiction

“So? That’s just dye. They add it to keep us honest. in what seemed to be an infirmary tent, It marks the trees we’ve treated.” a thin pillow wedged under her head. “Just dye? Didn’t you read the label? It’s toxic.” On the other side of a flimsy curtain Carmen shrugged. “So is starvation.” people were arguing about a broken wrist—was it accidental or intentional? she come here alone? She shut off the As she climbed out of the truck, Brie “Escape” was the last word she heard shower and listened, imagining an remembered her gloves, lying beside as she fell back asleep, one hand on escapee from the prison tent creeping her cot where she’d dropped them the her pain-free belly. When she opened across the tile on silent, rubber-soled night before. her eyes again, Carmen was sitting in a shoes. The showerhead was screwed Brie took the first shift in the folding chair beside her cot. into the cement. Lacking a better bucket. A slight breeze from the east Perhaps it was her friend’s wet, weapon, she removed the soap caddy ruffled the floral sea around her. The dark eyelashes, or maybe it was the from the showerhead, and then, armed sun warmed her skin and her muscles prisoner, his orange arm bound in a with nothing more lethal than a flimsy loosened with each stretch of the wand, sling, hobbling past the foot of her bed, metal basket, ripped open the curtain. until something like hope began to that conjured the monarch butterfly. Carmen sat on the changing swell. The wad of bills in her pocket, It appeared from nowhere and drifted bench, hugging her knees. She looked yesterday’s pay, came with the promise toward her bed, wafted by an invisible up at the flap of plastic sheeting. “You of more to come. In some deep, unseen current. Spellbound, she held her shouldn’t come here alone.” cavity of her body, cells were dividing breath until it alighted on the sheet. Brie’s knees buckled with relief. and specializing of their own accord, The orange powder on its wings had The metal caddy slipped from her creating a new person. When she got been restored to its original velvety fingers and clattered to the tile. back to San Diego she would call her smoothness. The black veins were bold “Do you have any idea,” she began, folks and tell them about the baby. Just and clear, and the white checkerboard grabbing her towel and sinking down out of reach, a branch of still-white markings sparkled. She half expected on the bench, “what you just put me flowers beckoned. Below, she could to see its delicate tongue unfurl to through? I thought you were a slasher.” hear Carmen talking angrily on her sample the sheet’s rough grain; instead “It’s not safe here for you—or your cell phone, to her husband no doubt. it sat opening and closing, opening baby.” Reluctant to interrupt an argument by and closing its wings like a door Safe? Was Carmen crazy? Brie held asking her friend to shift the bucket, to the future. She eased one hand out an arm, still faintly turquoise, despite Brie leaned over the rail and extended toward it, index finger extended like the desperate lathering. “This is what’s her arms. She was almost there when Michelangelo’s Adam. It was so close. not safe. Look at my arm. It’s blue.” the first contraction struck. Then, remembering the other butterfly, “So? That’s just dye. They add it to Instinctively, she dropped to a fetal she stopped. Enjoying its untrammeled keep us honest. It marks the trees we’ve curl. The pain was so intense she could freedom, the butterfly spiraled into the treated.” barely breathe. Somewhere in the air. A moment later, it was gone, as if it “Just dye? Didn’t you read the distance she heard Carmen shouting had never been. label? It’s toxic.” up to her, and then, miraculously, the Carmen shrugged. “So is boom began to descend in a series of starvation.” jerks. If Carmen had driven fast before In the morning Brie’s muscles, still when there was little at stake, she was a saturated with lactic acid, screamed maniac now. Brie held her aching belly in pain when she tried to move. Only and tried not to pass out. Somehow hunger forced her to roll out of bed they reached the camp without and follow the others to the breakfast breaking an axle. As Carmen helped tent. Cornflakes, a packet of sweetener, her from the truck, neither mentioned two ounces of synthetic milk. With the plum stain spreading across the Carmen behind the wheel, they upholstery. reached their post before eight o’clock. She awoke, groggy and disoriented,

58 iMPACT | January - March 2019 www.asianngo.org/magazine &KZ/DD/dZ>^ Marketing Feature

&KZ/DD/dZ>^ Sustainability Summit in Asia 2018: is the circular economy achievable in Asia?  Policymakers, businesses and need to align interests in order to realise the circular economy to drive nation’s growth ^ƵƐƚĂŝŶĂďŝůŝƚLJ^ƵŵŵŝƚŝŶƐŝĂϮϬϭϴ͗ŝƐƚŚĞĐŝƌĐƵůĂƌĞĐŽŶŽŵLJĂĐŚŝĞǀĂďůĞŝŶƐŝĂ͍ Kuala Lumpur 15th November 2018 – Implementing the circular economy is Chaired by The Economist editors, featured speakers included: arguably the WŽůŝĐLJŵĂŬĞƌƐ͕ďbest chance Asia hasƵƐŝŶĞƐƐĞƐ in reversingĂŶĚĐŽŶƐƵŵĞƌƐ the causes of climateŶĞĞĚƚŽ changeĂůŝŐŶŝŶƚĞƌĞƐƚƐŝŶŽƌĚĞƌƚŽ and • Yeo Bee Yin, ministerƌĞĂůŝƐĞƚŚĞĐŝƌĐƵůĂƌĞĐŽŶŽŵLJ of energy, technology, science, climate achieving the environment-focused sustainable development goals.to drive Yet there nation’s are growthchange and environment, Malaysia challenges to be met. Businesses and policymakers need to work together to adopt • Richard Kooloos, director, sustainable banking, ABN AMRO long-terms initiatives to realise the circular economy for the country’s growth.  • Vincent Mortier, deputy chief investment officer, Amundi • Aloke Lohia, founder and group chief executive, Indorama Leading the conversation, over 200 scientists, business leaders,–/ŵƉůĞŵĞŶƚŝŶŐƚŚĞĐŝƌĐƵůĂƌĞĐŽŶŽŵLJŝƐĂƌŐƵĂďůLJƚŚĞďĞƐƚĐŚĂŶĐĞ entrepreneurs, policymakers,<ƵĂůĂ>ƵŵƉƵƌϭϱƚŚEŽǀĞŵďĞƌϮϬϭϴ regulators, NGO representatives and academics across Asia Ventures gathered atƐŝĂŚĂƐŝŶƌĞǀĞƌƐŝŶŐƚŚĞĐĂƵƐĞƐŽĨĐůŝŵĂƚĞĐŚĂŶŐĞĂŶĚĂĐŚŝĞǀŝŶŐƚŚĞĞŶǀŝƌŽŶŵĞŶƚ Sunway City, Kuala Lumpur for a stimulating discussion about the • Leeko Makoene, founder, MadeͲĨŽĐƵƐĞĚƐƵƐƚĂŝŶĂďůĞ With Rural circular economy. • Jeffrey Sachs, chairman, Jeffrey Sachs Center on Sustainable “Asian governments,ĚĞǀĞůŽƉŵĞŶƚ companies, ŐŽĂůƐ͘ groupszĞƚ and ƚŚĞƌĞ others ĂƌĞ can ĐŚĂůůĞŶŐĞƐ use circular initiatives ƚŽ ďĞ ŵĞƚ͘  ƵƐŝŶĞƐƐĞƐDevelopment, ĂŶĚ Sunway ƉŽůŝĐLJŵĂŬĞƌ University Ɛand ŶĞĞĚ director, ƚŽ United ǁŽƌŬ Nations to benefit ƚŽŐĞƚŚĞƌƚŽĂĚŽƉƚůŽŶŐ changing societies without Ͳ sacrificingƚĞƌŵƐŝŶŝƚŝĂƚŝǀĞƐƚŽƌĞĂůŝƐĞƚŚĞĐŝƌĐƵůĂƌĞĐŽŶŽŵLJĨŽƌƚŚĞ economic growth. From mass Sustainable DevelopmentĐŽƵŶƚƌLJ Solutions’s growth. Network urbanisation^ƵƐƚĂŝŶĂďŝůŝƚLJ^ƵŵŵŝƚŝŶƐŝĂϮϬϭϴ͗ŝƐƚŚĞĐŝƌĐƵůĂƌĞĐŽŶŽŵLJĂĐŚŝĞǀĂďůĞŝŶƐŝĂ͍ to innovation in agriculture, new ideas for sustainable initiatives • Stefan Ranstrand , president and chief executive, TOMRA Systems matterWŽůŝĐLJŵĂŬĞƌƐ͕ď to the regionƵƐŝŶĞƐƐĞƐ and toĂŶĚĐŽŶƐƵŵĞƌƐ The Economist.ŶĞĞĚƚŽ By bringingĂůŝŐŶŝŶƚĞƌĞƐƚƐŝŶŽƌĚĞƌƚŽ global and regional ƌĞĂůŝƐĞƚŚĞĐŝƌĐƵůĂƌĞĐŽŶŽŵLJ ^WKE^KZ experts to Kuala>ĞĂĚŝŶŐƚŚĞĐŽŶǀĞƌƐĂƚŝŽŶ͕Ž Lumpur we plan to debate tohowǀĞƌ drive suchϮϬϬ nation’s ideasƐĐŝĞŶƚŝƐƚƐ͕ďƵƐŝŶĞƐƐůĞĂĚĞƌƐ͕ĞŶƚƌĞƉƌĞŶĞƵƌƐ͕ƉŽůŝĐLJŵĂŬĞƌƐ can growth be implemented SPONSOR ͕ƌĞŐƵůĂƚŽƌƐ͕ effectively,” said Miranda Johnson, South-East Asia correspondent at The Economist. E'KƌĞƉƌĞƐĞŶƚĂƚŝǀĞƐĂŶĚĂĐĂĚĞŵŝĐƐĂĐƌŽƐƐƐŝĂŐĂƚŚĞƌĞĚĂƚ ^ƵŶǁĂLJŝƚLJ͕<ƵĂůĂ>ƵŵƉƵƌĨŽƌĂƐƚŝŵƵůĂƚŝŶŐ <ƵĂůĂ>ƵŵƉƵƌϭϱƚŚEŽǀĞŵďĞƌϮϬϭϴThe full-dayĚŝƐĐƵƐƐŝŽŶĂďŽƵƚƚŚĞĐŝƌĐƵůĂƌĞĐŽŶŽŵLJ͘ summit themed ‘Going Full –Circle’/ŵƉůĞŵĞŶƚŝŶŐƚŚĞĐŝƌĐƵůĂƌĞĐŽŶŽŵLJŝƐĂƌŐƵĂďůLJƚŚĞďĞƐƚĐŚĂŶĐĞ opened with a dialogue on policy frameworkƐŝĂŚĂƐŝŶƌĞǀĞƌƐŝŶŐƚŚĞĐĂƵƐĞƐŽĨĐůŝŵĂƚĞĐŚĂŶŐĞĂŶĚĂĐŚŝĞǀŝŶŐƚŚĞĞŶǀŝƌŽŶŵĞŶƚ for sustainable development goals adoption in Asia before outlining ͲĨŽĐƵƐĞĚƐƵƐƚĂŝŶĂďůĞ the need to drive mainstream conversation among policymakers, businesses, ĚĞǀĞůŽƉŵĞŶƚ ŐŽĂůƐ͘ zĞƚ ƚŚĞƌĞ ĂƌĞ ĐŚĂůůĞŶŐĞƐ ƚŽ ďĞ ŵĞƚ͘ ƵƐŝŶĞƐƐĞƐ ĂŶĚ ƉŽůŝĐLJŵĂŬĞƌFounding supporterƐ ŶĞĞĚ The ƚŽ Jeffrey ǁŽƌŬ Sachs Center (JSC) is the hub of the United as well as citizens“Asian to governments,step embrace long-term companies, initiatives groupsthat will lead and to others positive canNations use Sustainable circular Development initiatives Solutions to benefit Network changing(UNSDSN) for research effectƚŽŐĞƚŚĞƌƚŽĂĚŽƉƚůŽŶŐ in economic goals whileͲƚĞƌŵƐŝŶŝƚŝĂƚŝǀĞƐƚŽƌĞĂůŝƐĞƚŚĞĐŝƌĐƵůĂƌĞĐŽŶŽŵLJĨŽƌƚŚĞ leaving a better planet for future generations. &ŽƵŶĚŝŶŐƐƵƉƉŽƌƚĞƌandĐŽƵŶƚƌLJ policy ’spractice growth. to advance achievement of the Sustainable Development  Speaking ƐtoŽĐŝĞƚŝĞƐǁŝƚŚŽƵƚƐĂĐƌŝĨŝĐŝŶŐĞĐŽŶŽŵŝĐŐƌŽǁƚŚ͘&ƌŽŵŵĂƐƐƵƌďĂŶŝƐĂƚŝŽŶƚŽŝŶŶŽǀĂƚŝŽŶŝŶĂŐƌŝĐƵůƚƵƌĞ͕ŶĞǁ conference attendees, Sadhguru, the founder of Isha Foundation Goals (SDGs) in the ASEAN region. JSC was established in Sunway University had a very pragmatic, reconciliatory message geared to galvanise positive action. dŚĞthrough :ĞĨĨƌĞLJ a gift of $10 ^ĂĐŚƐ million from ĞŶƚĞƌ the Jeffrey ;:^Ϳ Cheah Foundation. ŝƐ ƚŚĞ It ŚƵď is chaired ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hŶŝƚĞĚ EĂƚŝŽŶƐ ^ƵƐƚĂŝŶĂďůĞ ĞǀĞůŽƉŵĞŶƚ ^ŽůƵƚŝŽŶƐ by Prof Jeffrey Sachs, director of the UNSDSN and special advisor to the UN “We>ĞĂĚŝŶŐƚŚĞĐŽŶǀĞƌƐĂƚŝŽŶ͕Ž need notŝĚĞĂƐĨŽƌƐƵƐƚĂŝŶĂďůĞŝŶŝƚŝĂƚŝǀĞƐŵĂƚƚĞƌƚŽƚŚĞƌĞŐŝŽŶĂŶĚƚŽ destroy business,ǀĞƌ weϮϬϬ needƐĐŝĞŶƚŝƐƚƐ͕ďƵƐŝŶĞƐƐůĞĂĚĞƌƐ͕ĞŶƚƌĞƉƌĞŶĞƵƌƐ͕ƉŽůŝĐLJŵĂŬĞƌƐ to transform businesses. We should dŚĞĐŽŶŽŵŝƐƚ͕ƌĞŐƵůĂƚŽƌƐ͕͘LJďƌŝŶŐŝŶŐŐůŽďĂůĂŶĚƌĞŐŝŽŶĂů Secretary-General on the SDGs. striveE'KƌĞƉƌĞƐĞŶƚĂƚŝǀĞƐĂŶĚĂĐĂĚĞŵŝĐƐĂĐƌŽƐƐƐŝĂŐĂƚŚĞƌĞĚĂƚ to officiateexperts the tomarriage Kuala between Lumpur ecology we plan and economy.”to debate how^ƵŶǁĂLJŝƚLJ͕<ƵĂůĂ>ƵŵƉƵƌ such ideasEĞƚǁŽƌŬ can be implementedĨŽƌĂƐƚŝŵƵůĂƚŝŶŐ ;hE^^EͿ effectively,” ĨŽƌ ƌĞƐĞĂƌĐŚ said Miranda ĂŶĚ ƉŽůŝĐLJ ƉƌĂĐƚŝĐĞ ƚŽ ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞ ĂĐŚŝĞǀĞŵĞŶƚ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ^ƵƐƚĂŝŶĂďůĞ ĚŝƐĐƵƐƐŝŽŶĂďŽƵƚƚŚĞĐŝƌĐƵůĂƌĞĐŽŶŽŵLJ͘Throughout the dialogue, delegates addressed the need for public, private ĞǀĞůŽƉŵĞŶƚ'ŽĂůƐ;^'ƐͿŝŶƚŚĞ^EƌĞŐŝŽŶ͘:^ǁĂƐĞƐƚĂďůŝƐŚĞĚŝŶ^ƵŶǁĂLJhŶŝǀĞƌƐŝƚLJƚŚƌŽƵŐŚĂThe Center is located in Sunway City, a rehabilitated mining wasteland turned ŐŝĨƚ partnership :ŽŚŶƐŽŶ͕^ŽƵƚŚ to align interests andͲĂƐƚƐŝĂĐŽƌƌĞƐƉŽŶĚĞŶƚĂƚ significantly step up its developmentdŚĞĐŽŶŽŵŝƐƚ efforts ͘wonderland, and Malaysia’s first green integrated township listed in the  across sectors to find multilateral solutions to overcome transboundary ŽĨcountry’s ΨϭϬ Green ŵŝůůŝŽŶ Building ĨƌŽŵ Index. ƚŚĞ :ĞĨĨƌĞLJ ŚĞĂŚ &ŽƵŶĚĂƚŝŽŶ͘ /ƚ ŝƐ ĐŚĂŝƌĞĚ ďLJ WƌŽĨ :ĞĨĨƌĞLJ ^ĂĐŚƐ͕ ĚŝƌĞĐƚŽƌ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ challenges.“Asian governments, companies, groups and others can use circular initiatives to benefit changing -ENDS- dŚĞĨƵůůͲday summit themed ‘Going Full Circle’ opened with a ĚŝĂůŽŐƵĞŽŶƉŽůŝĐLJĨƌĂŵĞǁŽƌŬĨŽƌƐƵƐƚĂŝŶĂďůĞ ƐŽĐŝĞƚŝĞƐǁŝƚŚŽƵƚƐĂĐƌŝĨŝĐŝŶŐĞĐŽŶŽŵŝĐŐƌŽǁƚŚ͘&ƌŽŵŵĂƐƐƵƌďĂŶŝƐĂƚŝŽŶƚŽŝŶŶŽǀĂƚŝŽŶŝŶĂŐƌŝĐƵůƚƵƌĞ͕ŶĞǁ“We are living in an age where technology is transforming the world. We can hE^^EĂŶĚƐƉĞĐŝĂůĂĚǀŝƐŽƌƚŽƚŚĞhE^ĞĐƌĞƚĂƌLJFor further details and questions, and to register your attendance, please Ͳ'ĞŶĞƌĂůŽŶƚŚĞ^'Ɛ͘ already seeĚĞǀĞůŽƉŵĞŶƚŐŽĂůƐĂĚŽƉƚŝŽŶŝŶƐŝĂďĞĨŽƌĞŽƵƚůŝŶ the effects of technology on the global economy, geopoliticsŝŶŐ andƚŚĞŶĞĞĚ contact:ƚŽĚƌŝǀĞŵĂŝŶƐƚƌĞĂŵĐŽŶǀĞƌƐĂƚŝŽŶĂŵŽŶŐ society.ŝĚĞĂƐĨŽƌƐƵƐƚĂŝŶĂďůĞŝŶŝƚŝĂƚŝǀĞƐŵĂƚƚĞƌƚŽƚŚĞƌĞŐŝŽŶĂŶĚƚŽ With the right innovation and invention, I believe the circulardŚĞĐŽŶŽŵŝƐƚ economy is͘LJďƌŝŶŐŝŶŐŐůŽďĂůĂŶĚ  Adam Lee | [email protected]ƌĞŐŝŽŶĂů | +6012 667 2102 achievableexperts to in ƉŽůŝĐLJŵĂŬĞƌƐKuala Asia. LumpurI trust this we͕ summitďƵƐŝŶĞƐƐĞƐ plan to will debate provide͕ĂƐǁĞůůĂƐĐŝƚŝnjĞŶƐ how meaningful such ideas solutions canƚŽƐƚĞƉĞŵďƌĂĐĞůŽŶŐ be to implemented advance L effectively,”iew ShuͲ WƚĞƌŵŝŶŝƚŝĂƚŝǀĞƐƚŚĂƚǁŝůůůĞĂĚƚŽƉŽƐŝƚŝǀĞen | [email protected] said Miranda | +6012 292 0088 the sustainable development agenda in the region. We are delighted to partner dŚĞĞŶƚĞƌŝƐůŽĐĂƚĞĚŝŶ^ƵŶǁĂLJŝƚLJ͕ĂƌĞŚĂďŝůŝƚĂƚĞĚŵŝŶŝŶŐǁĂƐƚĞůĂŶĚƚƵƌŶĞĚwonderland, and Malaysia’s :ŽŚŶƐŽŶ͕^ŽƵƚŚĞĨĨĞĐƚͲĂƐƚƐŝĂĐŽƌƌĞƐƉŽŶĚĞŶƚĂƚŝŶĞĐŽŶŽŵŝĐŐŽĂůƐǁŚŝůĞůĞdŚĞĐŽŶŽŵŝƐƚĂǀŝŶŐĂďĞƚƚĞƌƉůĂŶĞƚĨŽƌĨƵƚƵƌĞŐĞŶĞƌĂƚŝŽŶƐ͘͘ About The Economist Events with The Economist Events through the Jeffrey Sachs Center on Sustainable  ĨŝƌƐƚŐƌĞĞŶŝŶƚĞŐƌĂƚĞĚƚŽǁŶƐŚŝƉůŝƐƚĞĚŝŶƚŚĞĐŽƵŶƚƌLJΖƐ'ƌĞĞŶƵŝůĚŝŶŐ/ŶĚĞdž͘The Economist Events is the leading provider of international forums for senior  Development at Sunway University for the second consecutive year,” said Jeffrey executives seeking new insights into strategic issues. These meetings include Cheah,dŚĞĨƵůů founderͲday summit and themedchairman ‘Going of Sunway Full Circle’ Group opened and Chancellor with a ĚŝĂůŽŐƵĞŽŶ of SunwayƉŽůŝĐLJĨƌĂŵĞǁŽƌŬĨŽƌ  industry conferences,ƐƵƐƚĂŝŶĂďůĞ management events and government roundtables held around the world. As part of The Economist Group, The Economist Events is a University.ĚĞǀĞůŽƉŵĞŶƚŐŽĂůƐĂĚŽƉƚŝŽŶŝŶƐŝĂďĞĨŽƌĞŽƵƚůŝŶŝŶŐƚŚĞŶĞĞĚƚŽĚƌŝǀĞŵĂŝŶƐƚƌĞĂŵĐŽŶǀĞƌƐĂƚŝŽŶĂŵŽŶŐ Another key highlight, The Economist debate motioning that sustainability highly-respected brand with a 162-year history and an unrivalled reputation for ͲE^Ͳ ƉŽůŝĐLJŵĂŬĞƌƐ͕ďƵƐŝŶĞƐƐĞƐ͕ĂƐǁĞůůĂƐĐŝƚŝnjĞŶƐƚŽƐƚĞƉĞŵďƌĂĐĞůŽŶŐͲƚĞƌŵŝŶŝƚŝĂƚŝǀĞƐƚŚĂƚǁŝůůůĞĂĚƚŽƉŽƐŝƚŝǀĞexcellence and independence. must be approached using global principles saw a spirited exchange Each meeting organised by The Economist Events delivers objective and betweenĞĨĨĞĐƚŝŶĞĐŽŶŽŵŝĐŐŽĂůƐ Robert Kraybill ofǁŚŝůĞůĞ ImpactĂǀŝŶŐĂďĞƚƚĞƌƉůĂŶĞƚĨŽƌĨƵƚƵƌĞŐĞŶĞƌĂƚŝŽŶƐ͘ Investment Exchange and Chandran Nair  informed analysis. Our meetings provide unusually high-level forums where  of Global Institute for Tomorrow. The motion was defeated by Nair’s advocacy senior executives can gain insights, exchange views and compare strategies. that policymakers were crucial to curb the free market’s tendency to put profits &ŽƌĨƵƌƚŚĞƌĚĞƚĂŝůƐĂŶĚƋƵĞƐƚŝŽŶƐ͕ĂŶĚƚŽƌĞŐŝƐƚĞƌLJŽƵƌĂƚƚĞŶĚĂŶĐĞ͕ƉůĞĂƐĞĐŽŶƚĂĐƚ͗Visit www.economist.com/events for more information.  and individualism before the planet. Said Nair, “Rights and freedoms have to be ĚĂŵ>ĞĞͮAbout essence Burson-ĂĚĂŵΛŵLJMarsteller ͲĞƐƐĞŶĐĞ͘ĐŽŵͮнϲϬϭϮϲϲϳϮϭϬϮ redefined, rethink governance (so that) collective welfare comes first. I urge the Original innovative leaders in strategic, integrated approaches to Malaysian government to rethink that”. >ŝĞǁ^ŚƵtĞŶͮƐŚƵǁĞŶΛŵLJcommunications, we transform bright ideas intoͲ meaningfulĞƐƐĞŶĐĞ͘ĐŽŵͮнϲϬϭϮϮϵϮϬϬϴϴ conversations  Finally, in the closing keynote, Yeo Bin Yee, minister of energy, science, and actions. Building on a mix of PR, advisory and digital, we are advancing technology, environment and climate change, Malaysia urges her government  businesses and brands to be more than mere industry influencers. essence to take action; it is not only important to reuse, reduce and recycle, she urges Burson-Marsteller is a member of WPP Group. everyone to replace; “We need to think about the problems plastics create and Visit essence Burson-Marsteller or like us on Facebook. replace them with bio-degradable alternatives.” ďŽƵƚdŚĞĐŽŶŽŵŝƐƚǀĞŶƚƐ dŚĞĐŽŶŽŵŝƐƚǀĞŶƚƐŝƐƚŚĞůĞĂĚŝŶŐƉƌŽǀŝĚĞƌŽĨŝŶƚĞƌŶĂƚŝŽŶĂůĨŽƌƵŵƐĨŽƌƐĞŶŝŽƌĞdžĞĐƵƚŝǀĞƐƐĞĞŬŝŶŐŶĞǁ ŝŶƐŝŐŚƚƐ ŝŶƚŽ ƐƚƌĂƚĞŐŝĐ ŝƐƐƵĞƐ͘ dŚĞƐĞ ŵĞĞƚŝŶŐƐ ŝŶĐůƵĚĞ ŝŶĚƵƐƚƌLJ ĐŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞƐ͕ ŵĂŶĂŐĞŵĞŶƚ ĞǀĞŶƚƐ ĂŶĚ ŐŽǀĞƌŶŵĞŶƚƌŽƵŶĚƚĂďůĞƐŚĞůĚĂƌŽƵŶĚƚŚĞǁŽƌůĚ͘ƐƉĂƌƚŽĨdŚĞĐŽŶŽŵŝƐƚ'ƌŽƵƉ͕dŚĞĐŽŶŽŵŝƐƚǀĞŶƚƐ ŝƐ Ă ŚŝŐŚůLJͲƌĞƐƉĞĐƚĞĚ ďƌĂŶĚ ǁŝƚŚ Ă ϭϲϮͲLJĞĂƌ ŚŝƐƚŽƌLJ ĂŶĚ ĂŶ ƵŶƌŝǀĂůůĞĚ ƌĞƉƵƚĂƚŝŽŶ ĨŽƌ ĞdžĐĞůůĞŶĐĞ ĂŶĚ ŝŶĚĞƉĞŶĚĞŶĐĞ͘ ĂĐŚŵĞĞƚŝŶŐŽƌŐĂŶŝƐĞĚďLJdŚĞĐŽŶŽŵŝƐƚǀĞŶƚƐĚĞůŝǀĞƌƐŽďũĞĐƚŝǀĞĂŶĚŝŶĨŽƌŵĞĚĂŶĂůLJƐŝƐ͘KƵƌŵĞĞƚŝŶŐƐ ƉƌŽǀŝĚĞ ƵŶƵƐƵĂůůLJ ŚŝŐŚͲůĞǀĞů ĨŽƌƵŵƐ ǁŚĞƌĞ ƐĞŶŝŽƌ ĞdžĞĐƵƚŝǀĞƐ ĐĂŶ ŐĂŝŶ ŝŶƐŝŐŚƚƐ͕ ĞdžĐŚĂŶŐĞ ǀŝĞǁƐ ĂŶĚ ĐŽŵƉĂƌĞƐƚƌĂƚĞŐŝĞƐ͘  sŝƐŝƚǁǁǁ͘ĞĐŽŶŽŵŝƐƚ͘ĐŽŵͬĞǀĞŶƚƐĨŽƌŵŽƌĞŝŶĨŽƌŵĂƚŝŽŶ͘  ďŽƵƚĞƐƐĞŶĐĞƵƌƐŽŶͲDĂƌƐƚĞůůĞƌ KƌŝŐŝŶĂůŝŶŶŽǀĂƚŝǀĞůĞĂĚĞƌƐŝŶƐƚƌĂƚĞŐŝĐ͕ŝŶƚĞŐƌĂƚĞĚĂƉƉƌŽĂĐŚĞƐƚŽĐŽŵŵƵŶŝĐĂƚŝŽŶƐ͕ǁĞƚƌĂŶƐĨŽƌŵďƌŝŐŚƚ ŝĚĞĂƐŝŶƚŽŵĞĂŶŝŶŐĨƵůĐŽŶǀĞƌƐĂƚŝŽŶƐĂŶĚĂĐƚŝŽŶƐ͘ƵŝůĚŝŶŐŽŶĂŵŝdžŽĨWZ͕ĂĚǀŝƐŽƌLJĂŶĚĚŝŐŝƚĂů͕ǁĞĂƌĞ ĂĚǀĂŶĐŝŶŐďƵƐŝŶĞƐƐĞƐĂŶĚďƌĂŶĚƐƚŽďĞŵŽƌĞƚŚĂŶŵĞƌĞŝŶĚƵƐƚƌLJŝŶĨůƵĞŶĐĞƌƐ͘ĞƐƐĞŶĐĞƵƌƐŽŶͲDĂƌƐƚĞůůĞƌ ŝƐĂŵĞŵďĞƌŽĨtWW'ƌŽƵƉ͘  sŝƐŝƚĞƐƐĞŶĐĞƵƌƐŽŶͲDĂƌƐƚĞůůĞƌŽƌůŝŬĞƵƐŽŶ&ĂĐĞŬ͘  Marketing Feature

VIETWATER 2018 – THE LEADING TRADE SHOW ABOUT WATER INDUSTRY IN VIETNAM WAS OFFICIALLY ENDED WITH NOTEWORTHY STATISTICS, MARKED A MEMORABLE EXHIBITION

Returning with the 10th version, Vietwater 2018 displayed a strong MR. THAN TRONG CANH - Engineer - CUU LONG CONSTRUCTION line-up of technical products systems and services from first-rate CONSULTANT COMPANY: “This is my first time visting the show. providers in the world, held in conjunction with the helpful seminar We are impressed by the scale of the event providing plenty of series and workshop hosted by The Water Associations from products from various countries. Besides, we are happy with the different countries, creating an enjoyable place to exchange ideas and professionalism from the organiser and their warm welcome. We take knowledge. interest in sensors as well as water filters and some companies with interesting products. See you next editions.” “It’s been a great pleasure organising and hosting the 10th edition of Vietwater this 2018. We would like to express our appreciation Useful technical seminar: to more than 500 exhibiting companies for showcasing their latest Not only being a place to exhibit the products, Vietwater also brought products and solutions to trade visitors and attendees. Our thanks technical seminars and workshops hosted by The Water Associations goes out to all Supporting Associations, Sponsors, Speakers, Media from different countries in the world. Netherlands Consulate General and Partners for supporting Vietwater 2018 and making it a great & Netherlands Water Partnership conducted a seminar named: success! See you again next year!” – Mr. BT Tee – General Manager of ““Building an Integrated and Sustainable Urban Water Future” and UBM Vietnam Workshop on water-agri-food; Australia Water Association shared a seminar titled: “Water Utility Improvement Program Workshop” Satisfaction from exhibitors and Gender Equality in the Water Sector Workshop; Taiwan External Spending a decade of Vietnamese water industry support and Trade Development Council (TAITRA) hosted seminar: “Innovation engagement, Vietwater has been improved and became a place in shape of water: Towards a sustainable future”. Besides, there to show top-rated products in industry and exchange specialistic were also a seminar from Singapore Water Association, a seminar knowledge. Returning in 2018, Vietwater extended the exhibition hosted by the organizer UBM with the subject: “Solid waste area up to 13,000 sqm, converged more than 500 exhibitors from collection, transportation and treatment technologies suitable to different places in the world, including 13 international group Vietnam’s conditions”, and VIETWATER 2018 INTERNATIONAL pavilions from: UK, Belgium, Finland, Germany, Denmark, Korea, CONFERENCE: “ Vietnam Water Industry with Industrial Resolution Netherlands, China, Taiwan and Singapore. 4.0” . The event attracted a number of delegates to come and discuss, opening a positive and memorable environment for exchanging useful The highlight exhibitors at VIETWATER 2018: ARK, Balem, Binh Minh specialistic knowledge. Plastic, Dow Chemical, JFE Engineering, Goshu Kosan, Kobelco Eco Solutions, HCP, Tan A Dai Thanh, Tabuchi, Tsurumi Pump, Sawatech, See you in 2019! Viet An Environment, Vinaworldlink, Vucico,… and many other VIETWATER – the leading trade show about water industry companies. organized by UBM Vietnam will return on 6-8 November 2019 at Saigon Exhibition & Convention Center (SECC), Ho Chi Minh City, MR. NGUYEN ANH TU - Deputy General Director - TAN A DAI THANH Vietnam; and on 24-26 July 2019 at Hanoi International Exhibition CORPORATION: “Tan A Dai Thanh was established 25 years ago and is Center (ICE), Hanoi, Vietnam. a leading company in providing water container, and -ENDS- water preserving equipment. The 10th edition of Vietwater, organized by UBM which is endorsed by governmental agencies supports the Additional information: development of water businesses in Vietnam. Through the years that we have participated in this exhibition, we see the number of regional VIETWATER 2018 at a glance: and international visitors plus the quality of attendees improve, offering Exhibition name: The 10th International Water Supply, Sanistation, promising opportunities for exhibitors. We hope that Vietwater will Water Resources and Purification Event – VIETWATER 2018 further develop and expand its reach to the Northern regions, and Tan A Venue: Saigon Exhibition & Convention Center (SECC) Dai Thanh will continue to support Vietwater.” Address: 799 Nguyen Van Linh Parkway, Tan Phu Ward, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City MR. ANDRE RICHTER - Regional Executive Officer – Asia South & Date: 7 – 9 November, 2018 (Wed – Fri) Pacific; Managing Director – KSB Singapore (Asia Pacific) Pte Ltd: Time: 09:00hrs – 17:00hrs “KSB is a 140-year old German company and we are focusing on pumps, valves, and the whole service business around these products. About Vietwater: It’s great to be here in Vietwater – since we consider Vietnam as one Aiming at developing water industry, one of the most popular of our most important markets most especially in the water supply, exhibitions about water supply and waste water treatment - wastewater and the service applications sides. We believe that joining VIETWATER was inaugurated the first time in 2008 in Ha Noi. This Vietwater 2018 will help us to showcase our state-of-art and quality is the only business event in water industry conducted by Vietnam products to the Vietnamese market.” Water Supply and Sewerage Association (VWSA), and supported by Vietnam Ministry Of Construction (MOC). VIETWATER is in Positive feedbacks from visitors the event series organized by UBM Asia - the leading commercial After 3 days, the exhibition welcomed a plenty of visitors group organizer in Asia together with following exhibitions: ASIAWATER, delegates from big local businesses, received many positive feedbacks Myanmar Water, Thai Water and Water Philippines. about the scale exhibit quality and excellent organization. MTA VIETNAM is organised by UBM, which in June 2018 combined MR. HUYNH THIEN DINH - Vice General Director – with Informa PLC to become a leading B2B information services CANTHOWASSCO: “This is our third time we visit the show. We are group and the largest B2B Events organiser in the world. Please visit so surprised by the scale of the exhibition that is over our expectation. www.ubm.com/asia for more information about our presence in Asia. The exhibition is diversified in term of domestic and international exhibitors as well as displayed products that we are looking for. In general, we are happy with the result gained from the show.” Resources

Breather’s Digest: Secrets to Sustainable Air Quality in the Workplace

By iMPACT Staff

Competitive benefits and a high-paying salary are just a couple of things 5. Feel the Breath of the Earth that make up an enjoyable workplace. Employees have many requests Achieving a sustainable air and requirements for a conducive work environment, but seldom do they quality doesn’t have to be too consider the air they breathe. Perhaps it’s time we all did. complicated. In fact, sufficient According to Dr. Stephen Snow of Southampton’s School of Electronics ventilation is enough to keep and Computer Science, indoor air quality affects the productivity of everyone cool. Open up your employees. Poor air quality could lead to several health problems and windows from time to time to reduced cognitive performance, ultimately influencing the overall efficiency let fresh air in. Check and clean of the organization. air ducts to remove harmful iMPACT takes a peek at how workplaces can maintain a sustainable air pollutants and boost proper quality and reduce their carbon imprint. From simple everyday practices to circulation in the workplace. new products and solutions, we have the seven things one can do to create a better place to work! 6. make Friends with Filters and Detectors It might look expensive, but 1. Clean out Particulates. 3. Master the Right Moisture Level purchasing water filters and gas Nothing beats a clean office. Humidity levels within 30% detectors are strongly advised, Instead of traditional cleaning to 50% range will hinder the especially in newly constructed devices, use vacuum cleaners growth of mold and other spaces. Installing water filters equipped with high efficiency allergens, keeping those reduce chlorine in water and particulate air filters so that nasty pollutants at bay. Using prevent the gas from being minute air particulates are appropriate appliances such inhaled while radon and carbon history! as dehumidifiers can help you monoxide detectors help you achieve optimal humidity, while monitor dangerous gases in 2. Say Goodbye to Air Fresheners! keeping out pollutants. your workplace. Believe or not, most sprays and scented products are 4. Go Green on Paint 7. Have Some Space designed to only fragrance the Nothing’s more fun than Do you know that use and air and not clean it. Volatile decorating your workplace placement of furniture and organic compounds (VOCs) for a fresher look, but is it equipment may affect the and phthalates are commonly environment-friendly? Choose distribution of air in an occupied found in air fresheners and are paint products that are water- space? Consider careful planning considered harmful to human based and contain low VOCs. of space and proper placement health, potentially damaging Make sure that the paint of equipment to allow proper organs like liver, lungs, and has completely dried before ventilation. More space equals kidneys. employees start work. more peace of mind!

/AsianNGO iMPACT | January - March 2019 61 Resources

Grants and Prizes

Grant Opportunities 6. Call for Applications: The Start Free Open Prizes In this section, we list a few select open Challenge In this section, we spotlight prizes that are grant opportunities. For the complete list Deadline: February 15, 2019 offered to solutions that seek to create a of available grants, sorted by geographical Amount: USD 100,000 better world. They are ordered by deadline. location, thematic area, etc. please visit The Start Free Challenge seeks replicable Please send details of your prizes to www.asianngo.org innovations that speed up the reduction of new [email protected], to be featured in this HIV infections in children to less than 20,000 space. 1.Preservation Assistance Grants for by 2020. Smaller Institutions 1. Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award Deadline: January 31, 2019 7. Laos Innovate and Learn Grants 2019 Amount: USD 15,000 Deadline: February 16, 2019 Deadline: January 31, 2019 The Preservation Assistance Grants for Smaller Amount: €5,000 - 200,000 Amount: USD 30,000 Institutions aims to support the development of The Innovate and Learn Grants targets groups The Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award disaster plans and collaborative work with local and/or organizations focused on testing and honours an individual or group of individuals institutions for training in disaster preparedness scaling new approaches that are human- who stand up to oppression at grave personal and emergency response to address the risk to centered and gives importance to indigenous risk in the nonviolent pursuit of human rights. cultural heritage materials. groups and ethnic minorities, young and the elderly, the LGBTI community, PWDs and 2. Reaching All Children Challenge: 2. Climate & Clean Energy Projects in Sub- abused women. Harnessing Social Protection to Enable Saharan Africa and Asia Vulnerable Children Access HIV Testing, Deadline: January 20 (For Africa 8. Call for Proposals: Senior Fellowships Treatment & Care applications) & 24 (For Asia applications), Deadline: February 28, 2019 Deadline: February 5, 2019 2019 Amount: Up to €500,000 Amount: USD 5,000 Amount: USD 50 - 500,000 The Senior Fellowships Call for Proposals The Reaching All Children Challenge seeks This call for proposals aims to help projects under the EDCTP program intends to ensure to address the gap in evidence that social and businesses with focus on the use clean supportive mentorship structure, sustainable protection supports HIVs testing, treatment energy and/or climate resilience technologies, research for researchers in sub-Saharan Africa and care for children in low and middle-income products or services such as , solar, while contributing to the achievement of SDG3. countries. wind, hydropower and etc. 9. Climate Justice Resilience Fund 3. 2019 UNHCR Nansen Refugee Award 3. EU-Philippines Call for Proposals: 2018 Deadline: April 19, 2019 Deadline: February 8, 2019 EIDHR Country-based Support Schemes Amount: USD 100,000 Amount: USD 150,000 Deadline: January 31, 2019 The Climate Justice Resilience Fund is a grant The Nansen Refugee Award aims to recognize Amount: €300,000 - 480,000 making initiative that aims to support women, heroes that support refugees, internally EU-Philippines Call for Proposals will support youth, and indigenous peoples to create and displaced and stateless people. the work of civil society organizations share their own solutions for resilience. in tackling the needs of vulnerable and 4. Award for Innovations that Empower marginalized groups in the Philippines. 10. Small & Mighty Online Grant Application Youth in Agriculture and Food Systems Deadline: April 2019 Deadline: February 28, 2019 4. Public Safety Canada: Communities at Amount: USD 1,000 - 15,000 Amount: USD 20,000 Risk – Security Infrastructure Program (SIP) The Small & Mighty Online Grant aims to The Award for Innovations that Empower Deadline: January 31, 2019 support programs that promote reconciliation, Youth in Agriculture and Food Systems grants Amount: USD 100,000 improve respect for human rights, promote innovations that strengthen the role of youth The “Communities at Risk: Security and freedom of expression, (under 35) in agriculture and food systems. Infrastructure Program (SIP)” is dedicated in and encourage economic growth with more supporting the implementation of projects 5. Award for Digitalization and Innovation to help communities with a demonstrated sustainability. for Sustainable Food Systems history of being victimized by hate-motivated Deadline: February 28, 2019 crime through the enhancement of their Amount: USD 40,000 security infrastructure. equitable distribution of benefits and greater The Award for Digitalization and Innovation for Sustainable Food Systems aims to recognize 5. Call for Proposals: Small Research Grants innovations that impact more than one level of Deadline: February 1, 2019 supply chain and strengthen the link between Amount: USD 50,000 farmers and consumers. The Small Research Grants aims to support education research projects that will contribute to the improvement of education 6. Kuwait Foundation Al-Sumait Africa in areas such as, psychology, sociology, Prize 2019 for Food Security , history, and anthropology. Deadline: April 30, 2019 Amount: USD 1,000,000 The Al-Sumait Africa Prize 2019 for Food Security recognizes studies, projects, research, and innovations that made a

development in Africa.

significant impact in economic and social 62 iMPACT | January - March 2019 www.asianngo.org/magazine Humour in Development Understanding the Laws of Grants

e have all searched for grants, submitted requisite applications, and twiddled our thumbs awaiting the result, unsure of the nebulous processes that go into a successful application. Fret no more, for iMPACT has decoded the laws that govern the world of grants.

WiMPACT’s First Law of Grants: Second Law: It is impossible for a project to have as Every grant application will remain at rest and in the its sole result the upliftment of a community from its saved folder unless compelled to apply by a looming current state to a higher state. In other words, after deadline or the action of an external manager. the project, the sociotropy, or the quantitative disorder or randomness in the community, will either remain constant iMPACT’s Second Law of Grants: or increase (despite what the “budget for impact The successful submission of a grant depends on two reporting” might tell us). variables—the time interval between the processing of the application and lunch time, and the mass of the Third Law: It is impossible to reduce any social problem printed copy of the application. The probability of to absolute zero through a finite number of grants. acceptance is directly proportional to the mass, and inversely proportional to the time interval. Other Laws that Govern Grants, and Special Circumstances: iMPACT’s Third Law of Grants For every project submitted by your organization, there Law of Grant Application Language: is (apparently) an equal and better project submitted by If there are N words (apart from articles and another. prepositions) in a grant application, you will have to refer to the dictionary to understand N/2 words. Laws of Grantodynamics: First Law: The apparent change made in a community Note: There are unconfirmed rumours that grant is equal to the difference between the grant received, organizations have created a specialized thesaurus and the actual cost of the program. The difference is also especially so simpler words can be replaced by more otherwise called “budget for impact reporting.” complex ones. This is the first task a new employee is expected to master.

/AsianNGO iMPACT | January - March 2019 63 Humour in Dev... Resources

Law of Grant Eligibility Title of article OrganiZation website

For every grant that lists N eligibility This Caught Our Eye: Ancient Tai Ji Quan: Moving for www.tjqmbb.org/ criteria, your organization will Art as Future Saviours Better Balance® satisfy a maximum of N-1 criteria. This Caught Our Eye: FogQuest www.fogquest.org/ Quencing Thirst Through Mist Law of Grant Application Questions Beyond Basic Instincts: Focus Lost and Found www.lostandfoundnature.com on Socio-Cultural Ties for Each grant application will have the Better Conservation same five questions presented in different ways. The expectation, Winds of Change Birdlife International www.birdlife.org however, is that the answers cannot Energy Task Force www.cms.int/en/taskforce/energy- be the same, rewritten. task-force

Catching the Small Fry: SMEs Global Reporting www.globalreporting.org Law of Grant Deadlines and Sustainability Reporting Initiative The harder you work to make a The Birds and the Bees: Last Forest Enterprises www.lastforest.in deadline, the more likely it is to be Basic Lessons from a Social pushed farther just after you have Enterprise Keystone Foundation www.keystone-foundation.org submitted. South Asia Can Become the SAARC Development www.sdfsec.org Strongest Region in the World: Fund Corollary: If you do not make a Sunil Motiwal, CEO, SDF deadline, irrespective of the work you Photo Feature: Women and the Lensational www.lensational.org have put in, it will not be extended. Environment

Law of Grant Conditions End-of-Life Solutions for Athyron LLC www.miuraboard.com Plastic Awarded grants will have conditions Paterson Energy www.patersonenergy.com that will control everything in the project so that the only creativity an Rajagopalan www.indianplasticman.com/ Vaseduvan organization might be able to display will fall under two categories: Whose Altruism Is It Anyway? Milaap www.milaap.org

1. Border designs of the pictures Seven Campaigns that Made World Wide Fund For www.endangeredemoji.com/ used in the report Us Sit Up and Take Note Nature 2. Accounting Panda Earth www.panda.earth/

Note: There is talk of standardizing Hanna Hedman www.hannahedman.com/ the border colour of the photographs hannahedman/ used in the report, so that might also Not Missing the Forests or the Canopy www.canopyplanet.org be a relic of the past, like midway Trees project course corrections. Green and Grey: The Perfect Conservation www.conservation.org/global/ Shield for a Perfect Storm? International philippines/Pages/Green-gray.aspx Please e-mail feedback and other grant laws to [email protected] Ericsson www.ericsson.com/en Human-Centric Design Makes Digital Green www.digitalgreen.org for More Efficient Scaling

Literally, Stories of Climate Center for Science and www.climateimagination.asu.edu/ Change the Imagination

64 iMPACT | January - March 2019 www.asianngo.org/magazine Water Ad_Asian NGO.indd 1 22-12-2018 21:53:06