Marine Life & Conservation
First of a kind: 100% clean energy island in Mozambique
Ilha do Fogo, a 42-hectare island off the coast of Mozambique, has fully transitioned to 100% renewable energy.
The island is a safe haven for one of the world’s most vulnerable marine species… sea turtles. In order to protect Ilha do Fogo’s habitat, for all wildlife, the island’s directors vowed to keep the island as low-impact on the environment as possible.
Many islands are powered almost entirely by fossil fuels, however, the environmental impact of producing this type of energy went against everything the Fire Island Conservation team is working towards.
The NPO’s chief of operations, Jan van Deventer, states “Running Ilha do Fogo purely on solar energy just makes sense. We had already developed a number of solar stills to harvest fresh water on the island, so the transition to run all our energy needs on solar power was the logical next step.”
The 120KW solar plant was installed on Ilha do Fogo in November 2022. Although the island has accommodation for guests in the manner of ‘floating’ ensuite tents, it has only recently opened up to eco-tourism. With the solar system currently operating at a fairly low usage level, it is generating an average of 6000 kWh per month. This translates to a reduction of around 70,000 kg of CO2 annually. However, it can easily generate 13,000 kWh per month to accommodate our guests on the island, which equates to an annual reduction of 156,000 kg of CO2.
The project’s conservation manager, Esther Jacobs, states “The island is truly a biodiversity hotspot and we aim to do everything in our power to protect its marine and terrestrial populations. Running on diesel-power energy goes against our ethics. Not only would this type of energy create a huge carbon footprint just in transporting fuel to the island, but would also emit pollutants, including nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide, and particulate matter, which can be harmful to the wildlife.”
Even the accommodation was carefully considered to minimise any environmental impact. “There are 10 tented suites sitting atop platforms that were built to ensure the existing ecosystems and vegetation stayed intact,” says Jan. “With each tent sleeping two people, we could feasibly have 20 guests staying at any given time. However, we want to keep guest capacity to a maximum of 12, ensuring our impact remains at a minimum.”
Ilha do Fogo accommodation is part of Unfound Africa’s portfolio of unparalleled destinations and undiscovered locations. Each offering in the collection has been selected for uniqueness, inspiring guests to protect their biodiversity and culture. A percentage of the proceeds from all Unfound Africa bookings are donated to Fire Island Conservation projects.
You can read more about Fire Island Conservation on their website: www.fireislandconservation.com
GROUNDTRUTH, a story-led material innovation company that is fast forging a reputation for its next generation travel gear, is thrilled to announce its collaboration with the world’s largest diving association – PADI – on a range of pioneering submersible bags.
Entitled UNDA, Latin for wave, the collaborative range sets a new standard in sustainable design, with the GROUNDTRUTH team transforming the standard drybag into a future-focused travel companion, representing the two partners’ shared philosophy of ocean and environmental protection.
The 100% recycled bag range’s proprietary material is made from plastic waste including ghost fishing nets, post-consumer Nylon and plastic bottles. It is used alongside GROUNDTRUTH’S own patent-pending GT-OCO-CO2® hardware range, made from recycled plastic and captured CO2 emissions.
With a presence via 6,600 dive centres and resorts in 184 countries and territories throughout the world, PADI has amassed a hugely engaged community of 30 million+ divers to date. This collection creates a platform to highlight the shocking / mind blowing impact of plastics affecting our blue planet while actively contributing to its removal – empowering people from around the globe to take meaningful action to protect what they love.
“We are incredibly excited to partner with PADI on this project which will be launched via PADI’s global diving network and via our own channels,” said Georgia Scott, Co-founder and CEO of GROUNDTRUTH. “Ghost fishing nets account for over 50% of all plastic waste in our oceans, causing irreversible damage to global marine ecosystems. By combining our expertise in innovative design with PADI’s dedication to Ocean conservation, we aim to make a significant positive impact through the repurposing of these harmful plastics. GROUNDTRUTH was created with the value that all consumer products should contribute to a safer planet.”
“We are proud to collaborate with GROUNDTRUTH, as this partnership exemplifies our shared mission to mobilize the global community of Torchbearers who actively explore and protect our ocean,” said Lisa Nicklin, Vice President of Growth and Marketing for PADI Worldwide “Together, we’ve revolutionized the way that divers can carry around their essentials while elevating their commitment to protecting the place they love. It’s truly a product line designed by divers, for divers.
The UNDA range will be available for pre-order through www.groundtruth.global from the 3rd of February 2025 with PADI members being given the first opportunity to buy via their channels. Join us in this pioneering initiative to explore, protect, and preserve our oceans for future generations.
For more information about the GROUNDTRUTH x PADI collaboration, click here.
About GROUNDTRUTH®
GROUNDTRUTH sparks a new generation of travel gear that enables and accelerates positive change, making a transformative impact to industries, processes and people. As a green technology business and lifestyle brand, at the heart of GROUNDTRUTH is the exploration and development of new materials crafted from the world’s pollution and plastic waste. Their patent-pending GT-OCO-CO2® hardware range, created from recycled plastic and captured CO2 Emissions, is a world first.
Utilising their origins as investigative documentary filmmakers, sisters and founders Georgia, Sophia and Nina Scott, have hand-built GROUNDTRUTH’s unique Bluesign® certified supply chain ecosystem with partners who share the brand’s ethos for people and our planet. Their mission and products are created to support and empower individuals who are making a difference, both in their communities and around the world.
About PADI®
PADI® (Professional Association of Diving Instructors®) is the largest purpose-driven diving organization with a global network of 6,600 dive centers and resorts, 128,000 professional members and more than 29 million certified divers to date. Committed to our blue planet, PADI makes the wonder of the underwater world accessible to all, empowering people around the world to experience, explore and take meaningful action, as Ocean TorchbearersTM, to protect the world beneath the surface. For over 50 years, PADI is undeniably The Way the World Learns to Dive®, setting the standard for the highest quality dive training, underwater safety and conservation initiatives while evolving the sport of diving into a passionate lifestyle. For divers by divers, PADI is obsessed with transforming lives and, with its global foundation, PADI AWARETM, creating positive ocean change. Seek Adventure. Save the Ocean.SM
Sharks dwell off the UK coastline, but did you know there is one that glows in the dark? Join Lloyd Rees-Jones at this year’s GO Diving Show in March when he takes to the UK Stage to showcase a very different side of our marine life when viewed in a different light (no pun intended!).
Lloyd Rees-Jones is a HSE Part 4 Media Diver, PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer, underwater videographer and seasoned volunteer with Neptunes Army of Rubbish Cleaners (NARC). For almost 20 years he has been completely captivated by three shore diving locations in Pembrokeshire, West Wales, and every year he discovers something new that fills him with excitement for the season ahead and keeps him going back year after year.
Ultraviolet night diving in Pembrokeshire
Lloyd’s talk on the UK Stage will be about marine fluorescence and the nocturnal activities of our favourite coastal species, and will give a glimpse on how ultraviolet night diving has the potential to rekindle our passion for night diving – and also the hidden benefits it can bring to our UK diving adventures.
Go Diving Show 2025 takes place at the NAEC Stoneleigh Park, Coventry, on the 1st -2nd March.
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