Our Supporting Shout-Outs for Earth Day 2021
Earth Day 2021 is fast approaching on the 22nd of April, with events being held from 20th-22nd, and is here to highlight how we can come together to prevent the disasters of climate change and environmental destruction.
Over two days Earth Day will be hosting a course of events including panel discussions, speeches, workshops, performances and special messages with today’s youth climate activists including Greta Thunberg, Alexandria Villaseñor, and Licypriya Kangujam.
Here at team Goho, we wanted to showcase some of our amazing connections who are protecting the planet as much as possible, as well as shouting out to some great organisations, platforms and people we have stumbled upon within the last year.
The Boy From The Wild
Protecting the earth and the living creatures that live within it is such an important message and is something society should be teaching children every day. We are currently working with the amazing actor/director Peter Meyer who is just about to release his documentary titled ‘The Boy From The Wild’.
The documentary is set in Durban at the Karkloof Valley Nature Reserve, a hidden wilderness gem situated in the hilly countryside of Kwa-Zulu Natal and focuses on conservation, family, the relationship between animals & humans and tells the story of Peter who grew up in a fun/unconventional environment.
The story hits home on the elements of connection between wildlife and humans, pinpointing the educational elements of protection and conservation as well as social interaction like the concept of survival or respecting your elders. There is something very unique and rare about this story, Peter is the first to tell his story of growing up in the jungle and learning about respect, nature, protection and survival, qualities that all parents encourage.
Today 100 elephants will be poached, tomorrow another 100 (according to World Elephant Day). The impact of COVID-19 has equalled less tourism in South Africa meaning there is no money flow for protecting the wildlife and more locals are turning to poaching as a ‘quick money’ alternative. Conservation is vital to protect the at-risk species and education around animal rehabilitation is needed to preserve their surroundings. The Boy From The Wild story and the Safari Park’s mission is to project the importance of conservation, educating others about the experiences that happen on the front line of animal welfare.
The story also showcases the childhood of Peter Meyer which may not have been conventional, but was certainly exciting, and has instilled a life-long respect for conservation. Growing up surrounded by surreal wilderness, with elephants and rhinos in his back garden Peter never knew his life was different. Saving animals and protecting the surroundings were his normal day-to-day activities, and he has some amazing tales to tell because of it. Peter went from the wildness of the jungle to the (some might say) wilder life of the city as he has gone on to become a lead hotelier and now actor in blockbuster films such as Allied and also The Commuter where he met Liam Neeson who plays a key role in the success of The Boy From The Wild.
“This is a story about bringing animals out of captivity from around the World and back into the wild. It is a love story to conservation and seems to be resonating with audiences, which is the intention of any filmmaker.”
The documentary is being released to Apple TV and will be a number one educational tool for teachers, students and parents in teaching our youth how to protect the planet.
We recently have watched the outstanding documentary Seaspiracy and it has completely changed our perspective of sustainability, fishing quality and how bigger organisations are at the forefront of the problem.
This documentary is currently available on Netflix and follows a young journalist in discovering the shocking corruption happening within industry fishing and the plastic charity companies.
Seaspiracy is directed by and stars Ali Tabrizi, a British filmmaker who has always had a passion for the ocean. The film is produced by Kip Anderson, director of plant-based diet documentaries Cowspiracy and What the Health.
“A Netflix documentary takes viewers on a voyage around the world rooting out the many causes of ocean life decimation, but its rhetorical methods distract from its revelations.”
Kromo Menswear
Another ocean lover is Miguel from Kromo. There are a load of organisations trying to include sustainability into their products whereas Kromo Menswear's products are made from the mission of sustainability.
As much as “20% to 35% of all primary source microplastics in the marine environment are from synthetic clothing…” This is the main reason why Miguel Munoz launched Kromo Menswear with the mission to support the efforts of cleaning up our oceans. Kromo’s aim is to produce eco-friendly clothing which is durable and ultimately reduces the waste we contribute to oceans and the world entirely.
The label has just released its first collection - designed out of two sustainable fabrics and showcasing a range of different sleek & simplistic garments such as branded t-shirts, vests and shorts. This first collection integrates functionality and comfort into a fresh and vibrant style that defines the Kromo brand. The label is also supporting the sustainable movement by donating £1 from every purchase to Surfers Against Sewage, a charity dedicated to the protection of oceans, waves, beaches and wildlife.
“Sustainability is at the forefront of Kromo’s focus, I want to be able to better our world for the generations to come through fashion and reduce the waste we contribute to our environment”
The fabrics used are of very high quality and well-made, known for their durability, light feel and eco-friendly characteristics. Their t-shirts and vests are 96% bamboo, and their swimwear line and shorts incorporate a branded fibre called ECONYL® which is 100% regenerated nylon made of old and abandoned fishnets extracted from the oceans and other nylon waste.
One of their most treasured pieces out of the collection is the Brazilian inspired swim briefs, these types of briefs are typically worn by many locals on the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema; flat in the front, tight around the leg and loose around the waist - perfect for sunbathing or swimming.
Not only are the products made from very eco-friendly materials - the way these fabrics are made is also ethical by reusing the water during the manufacturing process and by avoiding the use of harmful chemicals. Kromo’s clothes are designed and produced in London and they have partnered with a local manufacturer that follows strict ethical standards. Such as keeping fabric waste to a minimum and paying their team a competitive fair wage for their hard work. They also only source sustainable fabrics that are knitted/woven in the UK and Europe and carry a fair-trade certification.
Even down to the packaging, Miguel has incorporated sustainability wherever possible - The garments are wrapped in paper instead of plastic and secured with a recycled paper sticker. The external packaging is made of a combination of PBAT, a bio-based polymer that is compostable, and PLA which is made up of plant materials like corn-starch that allow these mailer bags to break down in only 180 days in domestic compost. The bags are certified by TUV Austria, meeting American, European and International standards.
His efforts don’t stop there, soon Miguel & Kromo will host a beach clean to support the efforts in cleaning up our oceans and removing plastic from our natural environments. The brand will also be continuing to create events and host advocacy opportunities for anyone interested in cleaning up our world.
