A note from the editor Vanessa Byrne / Managing Director
A huge welcome to our OTWO 3 year special .
Wow , three years already ?! And as if on cue we have one of the hottest months ever recorded in many areas around the world . Forest fires all over Europe , just at our doorstep .
England suffering through a heatwave so intense it ’ s categorized as a “ fear for life ” Climate emergency .
Climate change is indeed here , and we all need to buckle our seatbelts because we are in for a rough ride and big changes .
Incredible to see how this heat has affected so many areas and in so many ways .
The forest fires - loss of natural habitat and in some areas wiping out whole villages . A vicious phenomenon that is now terrorizing many thousands of people all over the world . Transport disruptions with rail tracks distorting under in the extreme heat , airplanes not taking off from the melting tarmacs , a science fiction horror movie , except it isn ’ t fictionit ’ s our present environment – our new normal !
This is not what our future holds , this is our now . Imagine what the consequences of further increases for our future generations .
We have a lot of work to do and there is no choice on the matter .
OTWO Magazine was created for this very reason , climate anxiety is real , and I feel it increasing as the summer months roll through , like many others , I ’ m sure .
A constant concern for our future generations , our children , and grandchildren .
I like many of you , would do anything for my kids so we must tackle the question of what must be done now to protect their future . That is one question that keeps me up many nights . This month we celebrate OTWO ’ s 3-year anniversary and with this we have created an article to showcase all our many editions and what our focuses have been , where we would like our future to go .
What an honor it has been to work with such inspirational people along the way . It is indeed a privilege to work with on something I feel so passionate on .
What a better way to celebrate OTWO ’ s 3-year anniversary and helping this ever-growing climate anxiety than by focusing on the positive and organizing Gibraltar ’ s very own Eco Festival . It is so refreshing to see such a vast number of companies supporting this major event in Gibraltar . The preparations are well on their way for September . Ecopassion , Spirit of the Rock , UCM , Cycle Centre , Ebikes , Metalrok / Ecopark and this is just to name a few that are involved . It is such a pleasure to showcase all the inspiring people we have had the honor of working with along these 3 years .
This is a showcase of our Green Week which will be an international event making Gibraltar shine as beacon of commitment to the development of new philosophies of consumerism and ways of life . Much more on that later …
All I can say is that from the start of OTWO to now it is indeed refreshing to see how mindsets have changed in what is indeed a climate crisis . When we started there were many sceptics , people unsure if this was a reality or not – maybe not wanting to believe this was our future . Unfortunately , recent events have now shown it to be true , but I have to give our upmost gratitude to all who have supported this project ; like-minded individuals who we have met along the way – you all have inspired us so much and continue to do so with your strength and determination to improve our environment and wellbeing . Thank you all for your strength , inspiration , and support .
Here ’ s to a lifetime of positive change , determination for a better future and technologies that will overcome any hurdle humanity is up against . We can and will survive this and make future generations proud of what we have achieved . Your commitment is our fuel , we will not rest until every individual has the best options to help our quest .
Thank you so much to all who have supported up throughout our journey , we are forever grateful , thank you for making our future a better one – together we will get there
Peace and love to all , always
OTWO 37 / AUGUST 2022 11