Aquarius cares: Going green
In a world gone crazy, it's important to take stock of the things that really matter.
Get your jog on
Follow in Edward Norton's footsteps and raise funds by running the Dubai Marathon in January. He's running theNY marathon with Maasai warriors and staff from Dubai-based architectural firm RMJM in aid of the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust.
The decrease in the number of lions in Africa over the last decade. The population has crashed from 100,000 to 18,000.
Q How can I make my wedding eco-friendly?
A Move over white brides, these days it's all about the green wedding. Here's how to boost the green without sacrificing the glam:
Get creative >> Opt for locally-grown flowers which are in season, or silk flowers, which can be reused. Get creative with table decor - try potted flowers, fruits, chocolates, soaps, candles - all of which can be taken home and used, doubling up as favours.
Banish the buffet >> Moine Kandil, general manager of eco-friendly Millenium Hotel Abu Dhabi (02-6262700), advises having a sit-down meal to reduce waste, donating leftovers to aid organisations, and serving organic, locally-produced food.
Dress wisely >> Choose a ‘green' wedding dress - either a vintage number or one made of organic materials. Conscious Elegance is a green wedding boutique, which will recycle your wedding dress into accessories free of charge. consciouselegance.co.uk.
Get out in force this month to support local charity events.
>> Whatever Floats Your Boat, November 13 at Dubai Festival City. Corporate and school teams will race through the Festival Marina on boats made of recycled material to raise funds for Emirates Marine Environmental Group.
>> Palm to Palm Swim 2009, November 14 at Barasti, Mina Seyahi. Jason Thom launches an annual swim marathon to raise awareness on World Diabetes Day by swimming 25km. Visit www.palmtopalmswim.com.
Mission by horseback
Saddle up for some equestrian eco-tourism — Relief Riders International has anounced that it is planning two 15-day humanitarian horseback adventures across the Thar Desert in India, for the beginning of 2010.
The trips combine horseriding tours of Rajasthan's rugged terrain with relief missions providing medical supplies and services, educational materials and goats to rural communities. Sleeping in old forts, setting up camp under the stars, taking part in charitable programmes to help
local people — if you like horses, and have an adventurous spirit, this is a trip of a lifetime. Spaces are limited, so get booking quickly, plus the trips are endorsed by Oprah, so they go like homemade hotcakes! Visit www.reliefridersinternational.com for details.
The Relief Riders crew have recently launched a sister organisation, Relief Workers International, which organises humanitarian voluntourism trips to the most poverty-stricken areas of India. For details on their next trip, visit www.reliefworkersinternational.com.
Make a stand against inhumane zoos, where bored lions pace around their grey shoebox cells and gorillas sit idle and still. Instead, log on to the BBC's Wildlife Finder and experience 370 different animals as they exist in their own habitat.
The Wildlife Finder comprises video clips and still images dug out from the BBC's archive and compiled to create a comprehensive journey through nature. Settle down for an evening with the Voice of Nature himself, Sir David Attenborough, and sift through his favourite nature documentary moments.Visit www.bbc.co.uk.
