Climate Crisis: Tackling Our Carbon Footprint

Dear Supporters, 

The GVI expedition base on Curieuse was opened in 2009, firstly as a satellite camp to monitor the coral reefs around Curieuse and Praslin for recovery following a major bleaching event. In the beginning, the base was truly a field camp with accommodation in tents, but there has been continued development of the base and it has been operating full time since 2010, and as a completely separate expedition focussing on island conservation since 2011. With the expansion of the expedition and the shift to buildings rather than

With the expansion of the expedition and the shift to buildings rather than tents, there has obviously been a requirement for electricity to allow it to function, and this was originally supplied by a petrol generator. While functional, generators are noisy, smelly, have a continual running cost for petrol, require more time and petrol to ship the fuel to Curieuse, and not least they pollute the air with carbon dioxide and other hydrocarbon emissions. 

So in 2011, a solar power system was installed, consisting of eight solar panels, an inverter, controller, and 12 batteries. This provided enough power to run the operation and keep our food fresh between shopping trips to Praslin, and it returned the base to peacefulness. The batteries, however, have a useful operating life of about three years, so over the last couple of years there has been a continued deterioration in the performance of the system to the point where the backup generator has been needing to be run regularly, with the associated return of the noise, smell, cost and pollution. 

The solution to this is to replace the batteries at a cost of $5000, and GVI paid $2600, with the remaining $2400 being contributed from the GVI Trust's Environment Fund. We are awaiting delivery of the new batteries, and this should put the solar system back to full capacity, removing the need to run the backup generator with its harmful effects on the environment.

Thank you for your generosity which has allowed us to get the new batteries that we needed!

With Gratitude, 
GVI Seychelles

Dear Supporters, 

About Jalova

As part of our objectives and in line with the Sustainable Development Goals we are aiming to become a more sustainable research base, and reduce our carbon footprint. This year we are focusing on reducing our carbon footprint by upgrading our base in Jalova, Costa Rica. This is a Wildlife conservation, research and education base, in the Southern part of

This is a Wildlife Conservation, Research and Education base, in the Southern part of Tortuguero National Park (TNP). With the help of volunteers (assistant researchers) and in partnership with local and international institutions, we gather data on jaguar, turtle, aquatic birds, rainforest amphibians, reptiles and mammals to help understand the species dynamics and help decision makers with the park management plan.

As we live in the park, we aim to reduce our carbon footprint with different initiatives. We are upgrading the base, which has a maximum capacity of 34 people.

So far we have installed a solar system, upgraded the area where we store fuel and created a better system for storing organic waste. 

The donation had the following impacts: 

• Reduction of 70% of fuel used by the generator, a significant saving and reduction in gasoline consumption.
• Switching base energy needs to solar power, and more awareness on energy consumption habits
• Setting the path to becoming an example of research base moved by clean energy in the region
• Improved and safer fuel storage area
• More efficient organic disposal/compost systems which we can now use for growing fruit trees and a vegetable patch
• Living in a more sustainable base raises awareness and motivates our volunteers to replicate the systems and habits when they go back home.

The path and results

We still have a long way ahead but we are on the right path to becoming a more environmentally friendly base and an example for the region. 70% reduction of our fossil fuels consumption is a remarkable achievement and a great start to get to a 100% reduction.

The fuel storage area has also been improved and has provided a better upkeep of the material, minimizing any impact or filtration in the soil.

Thank you for your support which has helped us get this project off to a great start!

With Gratitude, 

The GVI Charitable Trust