Showing posts with label green. Show all posts
Showing posts with label green. Show all posts

Wednesday 11 October 2017

More on Sustainability and the Climate

Mama Giraffe & Mama Earth

Climate Change Week is from the 9-14th of October. In view of this, we've decided to do a series of posts focussing on the climate, sustainability and local initiatives to do with these topics. Hope you enjoy reading!


The Giraffe Bit

We know why you're really here, and we don't blame you (giraffes are super cute), but here's the thing. Climate change isn't only affecting humans and trees. It has had, and will continue to have, an enormous  impact on the habits and habitats of thousands of species across the globe. I'm sure this isn't news to you (anyone else adopt a tiger or polar bear through the WWF when they were 12?) but let's get some facts.
The WWF (World Wildlife Fund) is one of the major charities aiming to improve the welfare of wildlife by: "advancing policies to fight climate change; engaging with businesses to reduce carbon emissions; and helping people and nature to adapt to a changing climate".

According to the World Animal Foundation (WAF), giraffes are being lost "at an unprecedented and alarming rate". The IUCN (the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources) have classed giraffes as a "vulnerable" species (by the way, did you know there are 9 subspecies of giraffe?! Neither did we). We're using giraffes as an example (mainly because Madia & Matilda's founder Shalize Nicholas has an obsession) but there are thousands of other animals and plants in the same sticky situation as giraffes, or worse.

This list includes Sumatran tigers, orangutans, whales and many others, from all regions and taxonomic groups.

A Sumatran tiger takes a dip. How cute?!?


The Pocahontas Factor 

How is Pocahontas relevant?!

You'd be surprised. The classic Disney flick was based on a true story and deals with topics such as colonialism, racism and displacement of indigenous people. Pretty hard core, considering its target audience! (There has been some discussion about how well Disney dealt with these complex topics, but let's leave that for another time.) 

Pocahontas vs Modern Example. A compare/contrast kinda thing. Bring it on!

Pocahontas: Sexy beast Cap'n John Smith and buddies rock up to Pocahontas's area hoping to find precious natural resources, such as gold (bling bling).

Modern Version: Some powerful organisations are seizing land that's been sacred to local tribes, sometimes for thousands of years. Their aim is to grow new crops to use as biofuels and to cut down on the use of fossil fuels. Though the search for alternatives to fossil fuels is important, it's coming at a huge price to local people.

Pocahontas: Cap'n John Smith's buddies are particularly looking forward to fighting some of the native American Indians, so that they can use the new land as they choose (maybe build a few villas, a water park, poss also some quality shopping arcades?).

Modern Version: Fighting has broken out between these large companies and the Indigenous communities over land ownership. This has resulted in devastating loss of life on both sides, and damage to the land in question.

Pocahontas: Smithie and buddies believe for a long time that they are the ones in the right. So do the Powhatan, Pocahontas's tribe. 

Modern version: Actually, the principle is the same. And it's a tough one to call (so we're not going to try). On one hand there's ancient tribal tradition around the world, and sacred lands are super important to that; on the other hand, biofuels are one real solution to battling climate change, by reducing the amount of fossil fuels we use (this includes damaging collection methods such as fracking, which also cause pollution and habitat loss). The jury (meaning us) is out. 



The Saami People and the Guarani People

The Saami people have lived and herded reindeer in parts of Scandinavia, Russia and Canada for thousands of years. The reindeer rely on a consistent climate to flourish, and the Saami people suffer alongside the animals if this is upset. In recent years the weather has been unpredictable: snow and wind patterns have gone a bit crazy, and there have been sad reports of reindeer falling through the ice. When reindeer are put at risk like this, it dramatically impacts the lives of the Saami people and their culture.


In the case of the Guarani of Brazil, some 47 000 to 51 000 people, it's actually the efforts to grow and make biofuel which is harming their community. In recent years there has been a huge displacement of the Guarani people from their ancestral lands. This has had disastrous effects on the population: the suicide rate within the communities has risen to about one per week, according to anthropologist and community leader Tonico Benites Guarani, in conversation with The Guardian. (For the full article click here). It's the result of unrest and disputes over land in Brazil which has been going on for decades. Sources say that around 95% of ancestral Guarani land has been torn from the community to make room for biofuels, sugar cane and soya plantations.


Young people from the Tupiniquim tribe, another Brazilian tribe who have fought hard to retain ancestral lands seized for the production of biofuels


I'm sure you've spotted the dilemma. In the case of the Guarani people, efforts to develop a new, renewable energy source to replace fossil fuels have caused major damage to their way of life, both psychologically and physically. There's obviously no easy solution to the problem. 

So what the heck can be done about it?

It seems like one of those problems where a balance needs to be struck: somewhere between moving forward positively, and conserving natural habitats and indigenous communities. It doesn't look like there's a magic formula for this, unfortunately (unless you have one??), but that shouldn't stop us trying. 


As Mahatma Gandhi once said, "you must be the change you wish to see in the world". 


Sincerely Madia & Matilda

Monday 24 October 2016

News - Women of the Year


We felt inspired by Red magazine’s Women of the Year awards and decided to

write up about the women that inspire us here at Madia & Matilda.









The Female Boss

Bianca Miller is a true M & M babe being a real advocate of Madia & Matilda and fulltime female boss. 

You’ll recognise her from winning The Apprentice and her self-titled hosiery business that is

blooming and you can spot her on our Instagram! She’s recently started

stocking her tights in Topshop, congrats Bianca!






The Fashion Muse

Nina Nesbitt is one of our fashion muses, we love her 90s style and playing her

songs on repeat in the office. We also love her Twitter, she’s always posting

her thoughts and cute outfits.













Corinne Bailey Rae

She’s a woman who has inspired us for years, we love her music and her

personal style. She’s got a quirky elegance about her and we dream of seeing

her in M & M one day!















The Activist

Emma Watson, what a woman. As if she hadn’t already cemented her place in

our hearts through Harry Potter, her role in HeForShe will always mean there is

a place for her in our Women of the Year.











We are always talking about sustainability here at Madia and Matilda is some

way or another, so Dame Vivienne Westwood’s spot in our most loved women

is well secured. Seeing her at the Cheltenham Literature Festival talking about

her Climate Revolution campaign completely reinforced our love for the Queen

of Green and Punk.










The Internet’s Big Sister

Whilst she’s also a top female boss, there is no denying that the for younger

generation Zoella is the internet’s big sister. There is also no denying our inner

fan girl that’s released when we watch her Lush hauls.











Megan Gilbride is another big sister to the internet. Over at Wonderful You she

writes about some of the most important topics a girl can read. Mental health –

check, Smear tests – check, girl power – check she’s got the guts to talk about

it all and we love her for that.









We’d love to hear about your women of the year – be them family members or

celebrities, let us know! tweet @MadiaMatilda 




Sincerely Madia & Matilda