Jason Schwartz does an interview with Paolo Lugari, founder of Gaviotas* community and Gunter Pauli of ZERI (Zero Emissions Research Institute) about proposed self sustainability model and reforestation project for Hawaii. *Gaviotas may well be the most successful example of self sustainability located in Colombia since 1964. This interview was done on a Special Visit Lugari made to New Mexico location for a retreat on “Innovation and Perseverance”.,,, interview 2002-
Summary & Transcript
The video centers on a crucial message of hope, change, and sustainability, emphasizing the necessity for collective action to unlock humanity’s potential to heal and improve the world. Jason Schwartz hosts a discussion from a conference in Abiquiu, New Mexico, featuring two pioneering figures in sustainable development and zero-emission innovation: Gunther Pauli, founder of the Zero Emissions Research Institute (ZERI), and Dr. Paolo Lugari, founder of Las Gaviotas, an exemplary sustainable community in Colombia.
The dialogue highlights the vision and practical achievements of Las Gaviotas, a pioneering project that has successfully combined reforestation, renewable energy, sustainable economic development, and social advancement in one of the world’s most challenging environments. Through innovation, perseverance, and community cooperation, Las Gaviotas has become a global model for sustainability, demonstrating zero emissions by turning waste into resources, generating local jobs, preserving indigenous cultures, and providing preventive healthcare solutions.
Gunther Pauli explains ZERI’s approach to sustainability, focusing on using local resources effectively and creatively to solve practical problems such as forest fire prevention by converting biomass waste into animal feed. He stresses the importance of innovation that leverages the full potential of natural and human resources, emphasizing the interconnectedness of ecosystems and economies.
Dr. Paolo Lugari shares insights from his decades-long experience leading Las Gaviotas. He explains how they have overcome severe environmental challenges by reforesting acid, dry soils with native Caribbean pine, which in turn restores biodiversity and combats climate change. The project also produces valuable products like colophonia resin, which supports the local economy while maintaining ecological balance. Beyond reforestation, Las Gaviotas has implemented renewable energy solutions, such as solar-powered kitchens and hospitals, and provides clean mineral water to improve public health.
The conversation underscores the global relevance of these models, suggesting that the principles of Las Gaviotas and ZERI could be adapted to island communities like Maui, Hawaii, which face similar environmental and sustainability challenges. Both guests advocate for dreaming big, thinking outside conventional limits, and taking immediate action to create self-sustaining, zero-emission communities worldwide.
The video concludes with a motivational call to unlock hope, embrace innovation, and work together for a better future, reinforcing that sustainable development is not just a technical challenge but a holistic endeavor involving environmental stewardship, social well-being, and economic viability.
Highlights
- [03:00] Introduction of Gunther Pauli and Paolo Lugari, pioneers in zero emissions and sustainable community development.
- [07:00] Innovative forest management approach to reduce wildfire risk by converting forest waste into animal feed.
- [11:00] Paolo Lugari discusses Las Gaviotas’ reforestation techniques and the potential for applying these in Hawaii.
- [18:00] ⚡ The transition from fossil fuels to hydrogen fuel cells as a critical step to reduce pollution and emissions.
- [34:00] Description of the self-sufficient rural hospital in Las Gaviotas, powered by renewable energy and designed for tropical conditions.
- [38:00] Large-scale reforestation efforts in Colombia with native Caribbean pine to restore biodiversity and sequester carbon.
- [53:00] Preventive healthcare through clean mineral water production and sustainable social development at Las Gaviotas.
Key Insights
- [05:30] Holistic Zero Emissions Approach: Gunther Pauli’s ZERI focuses on innovative, practical solutions that use local resources fully, eliminating waste by turning it into valuable inputs for other processes. This systems thinking approach is critical for sustainable development as it mimics nature’s cyclical use of resources, ensuring no byproducts become pollution.
- [07:00] Forest Fire Prevention through Circular Economy: The proposal to manage forests by removing dead wood and inoculating it with fungus to create animal feed is a brilliant example of a circular economy solution. It simultaneously addresses environmental hazards (wildfires), economic benefits (reducing feed cost), and ecological restoration, showcasing how integrated approaches can yield multi-dimensional benefits.
- [11:30] Overcoming Environmental Limitations with Innovation: Lugari’s experience with reforesting acidic, dry soil in Colombia challenges the notion of ‘poor soil’ as an insurmountable barrier. Instead, he emphasizes that poor outcomes are often due to limited thinking. Las Gaviotas’ success proves that with the right species and techniques, even the harshest environments can be rehabilitated, offering hope for other degraded lands globally, including island ecosystems like Hawaii.
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[18:00] ⚡ Renewable Energy as a Pathway to Sustainability: The transition from carbon-based fuels to hydrogen fuel cells is highlighted as a transformative step. Fuel cells offer a pollution-free energy source, which, when combined with solar and wind (abundant in Hawaii), could enable communities to achieve energy self-sufficiency and drastically reduce their carbon footprint.
- [34:00] Self-Sufficient Infrastructure: The rural hospital in Las Gaviotas exemplifies how appropriate technology tailored to local conditions can provide essential services sustainably. By producing its own energy, water, and food, the hospital operates independently of fragile supply chains and reduces environmental impact, serving as a blueprint for remote or underdeveloped regions worldwide.
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[38:00] Reforestation’s Multifaceted Benefits: The large-scale planting of Caribbean pine in Colombia not only sequesters carbon but also rejuvenates biodiversity and restores ecosystem functions. The unexpected resurgence of diverse plant species and wildlife demonstrates the power of ecological restoration to heal landscapes and create resilient environments that benefit both nature and people.
- [53:00] Integrating Health and Sustainability: Las Gaviotas’ production of clean mineral water from forest-filtered sources addresses critical health issues like gastrointestinal diseases prevalent in the region. This initiative highlights the intrinsic link between environmental quality and human health, reinforcing that sustainable development must encompass preventive medicine and social welfare as core components.
Summary Conclusion
The video offers a compelling narrative about unlocking hope through innovation, perseverance, and community action to build a sustainable future. It presents Las Gaviotas and ZERI as trailblazers transforming environmental challenges into opportunities by integrating reforestation, renewable energy, economic development, and social progress into a cohesive model. Their work demonstrates that holistic, zero-emission solutions are achievable and scalable, inspiring other communities—especially island and vulnerable regions like Maui—to adopt similar strategies. Ultimately, the video is a call to dream boldly, collaborate widely, and act decisively to protect the biosphere, improve lives, and secure a thriving planet for generations to come.
Transcript
00:05
The time has come to make a change The time has come to unlock the hope that lives In each and every one of us And we must do our part We hold the visions God dreams of
00:27
Our hands can heal the ones we love. Let’s gather round and let us make a stand. For you and me. Unlock the hope and there’s a better life. Unlock the hope, there’ll be no turning back. But nothing changes unless we unlock the hope.
00:57
The time has come to make a change The time has come to unlock the hope that lives In each and every one of us And we must do our part We hold the visions God dreams of
01:26
Our hands can heal the ones we love Let’s gather round and let us make a stand
01:37
for you and me unlock the hope and there’s a better life unlock the hope there’ll be no turning back but nothing changes unless we unlock the hope but nothing changes unless we unlock the hope
02:07
But nothing changes Ooh Unless we unlock the hole Unless we unlock the hole
02:36
Unless we unlock the hope. Unless we unlock the hope.
02:59
Aloha! This is Jason Schwartz. You can probably tell we are not on Maui. We’re in Abiquiu, New Mexico. I have the good fortune to be here at a conference where Gunter Pauly from the Zero Emissions Research Institute and Paulo Lugari, the founder of Gaviotas, the community in South America,
03:22
That’s right at the edge of the rainforest where they reforested 24,000 acres. They’re here. And I came to bring you a little bit about the things that are going on right at the cutting edge of helping all of us really secure and get a better world. But it’s going to take you to be part of it. So we’re going to try to get a few minutes with Paolo in just a few minutes. So stay tuned and we’ll have a couple of minutes of talking with him. And maybe we can find out
03:50
what I already know, that the backside of Maui can be reforested and we can help affect the future weather climate. Aloha! Thank you all for joining us. I’m Jason. I want to introduce you to a couple of people here, three people that have taken the time out of a very important conference. We’re here in Abiquiu, New Mexico. This is a conference about
04:16
Innovation and Perseverance. And we have with us two very significant leaders in the world of innovation and perseverance. We have Gunter Pauly. He is the head of the ZIRI, which is Zero Emissions Research Institute.
04:32
And Paulo Lugari, who is the founder of Gaviotis, which is a community in Colombia, South America, you may or may not have heard about, but you should have heard about. In 1974, the United Nations awarded Gaviotis an award for the highest, what is it that they got? An award for…
04:53
I mean the first example of sustainability. The first example of sustainability as a community. And we’re just taking this few minutes out because we know that all of you in Maui have been dreaming of a self-sustained community on an island community. First of all, thank you both for being here with me. Thank you.
05:15
Gunther, I know you as Zero Emissions Research Institute. What does your institute do? Basically, we are a network of researchers. So we’re just a group of people who try to look at very practical problems in a very creative and innovative way. And we want to make certain that when we have the creative approach and the new ideas, that these get implemented very quickly.
05:38
And from what I’m seeing here at the conference, it’s very important that when a new idea comes, that it uses all the resources. Local resources. Local resources. So that means we get to look at what is going on in our community, what we need, what do we have, how can we use resources,
05:58
virtually everything because uh… sustainability i guess is not wasting anything and really using everything to its highest purpose well you know the only species on earth that’s capable of making something that no one desires is the human species everyone on earth is making waste but whatever is waste for one is food for someone else but we’re so smart we’re so intelligent that we can make things no one can figure out what to do with afterwards
06:27
You know, you had a couple of things that you’ve showed us here. What’s a good way for people to get in touch with you? We’re only going to take a few minutes here, but you can give an example of something if you so choose. And then maybe you can give someone a way that they can get in touch with you so that they can carry their knowledge further.
06:48
You know, a very practical problem that America has been facing over the last summer in particular is a lot of forest fires. And the forest fire is there because they haven’t been managing the forest very well and so we’ve proposed that you cut out that dead wood and that small debris and those small diameter woods and with that you just inoculate it with some fungus. And then actually you’re creating feed for cattle or feed for sheep or feed for goats.
07:15
So if you want to get rid of the forest fires, make certain that you get a good management for the forest, you take it all out, but you convert that waste biomass from the trees into a feed for an animal.
07:28
and now the farmer is very happy because he’s going to have cheaper feed the feed is going to go down with about twenty five percent in cost for him so therefore he can produce much cheaper so he’s happy lower costs the forest management the forest service is happy because less risk of fire and at the end of the day you’re producing better products at a lower price that’s the kind of an approach we like to take now Zeri has been all over the world right you’ve gone to many different countries
07:56
and have been with your team of scientists researching different areas to see what products and what combinations work best. How do people get in touch with you? Because I know that people would like to know more about what you do. The best way to get in touch is today over internet. You know, it’s just…
08:16
Info at ZERI.org. It’s the best way to go about. Okay. You know, you guys have missed a terrific conference, and we’re just trying to steal a few minutes to get these guys, because they’ve been here on very high demand. You can see I’m not really dressed for this. We’re just doing this off the cuff. I’m like a politician. I have nothing up my sleeve.
08:42
I know I’d love to spend more time with you, but I know our time is precious and they’re going to want you inside. Paolo Lugari, thank you for joining us. Paolo, there was a book written called Gaviotis, A Village to Reinvent the World by Alan Wiseman. And actually, I got turned on to you from someone who my sister-in-law shared with me this book. I couldn’t put it down, and everyone who’s seen it has realized
09:12
that there was something going on for many years, someone was brave enough and has persevered enough to be able to take what seemed like something impossible and do it. Make a dream come true through perseverance and cooperation of people. When you came here to this conference, what brings you to the States? What happened that made you come here for this?
09:41
¿Por qué razón estás aquí en esta conferencia? Ah, estoy aquí porque la fundación CERI organizó un seminario sobre la innovación y la perseverancia, teniendo como foco la experiencia de gaviotas, que es una forma de pensar fundamentalmente,
10:11
basically, which could be applied in Hawaii, if we’re willing to think slightly different. Outside the box? I always say, get rid of the box. There’s no reason for a box. So you haven’t been here in many, many years.
10:38
I understand, so we really appreciate you coming and we appreciate you bringing here. Yes, I was here five years ago for a very short time, but I had been here for 17 years without coming to the United States. And before I had been in Hawaii, to be honest, in an industrial pineapple plantation. Yes, truthfully, it’s been a while, maybe 17 years that I haven’t been here. And since then I was impressed by the erosion
11:04
de ciertos sectores de Hawaii. And then I was really kind of concerned about certain areas in Hawaii where the deforestation is taking place. Y yo creo que la forma de pensar gaviotas, de cómo sembrar árboles, And I think that the way that could be approached is the gaviotas way as to planting or replanting. Así sea en suelos pobres, pero son suelos pobres para cerebros pobres.
11:32
Even though the soil may be poor soil, but you have to think about it that the soil may be poor, but that’s only because your way of thinking is short-sighted. And for me it would be very exciting
11:49
to be able to do something here in Hawaii. Because I have known now that the ecological
12:04
are much more difficult and challenging than perhaps the ones that you have here in Hawaii. The important thing is to have the open mind and the desire to do something. Open mind and desire to do something. And what I like is that in Hawaii, here in the United States, we have a
12:28
stable government and so people from all around the world could come to maui hawaii
12:35
to see this example, which would be terrific. Yes, I believe that even over and above the gaviotas example, a very clear demonstration would be, we would love to be able to show that in the so-called third world,
13:00
There are ideas. And there are inspirational ideas that are floating around. To do things in the second first world that Hawaii belongs to. But also in Hawaii, in addition to being in the first world,
13:19
But even though Hawaii is in the first world, it’s a very romantic place. And the people are very loving. And because of that, I consider Hawaii the most developed country, state, excuse me. Because development doesn’t really mean only money. And there has to be love and money.
13:49
Right? You got that. See, that’s a universal language. Amor is a very universal language.
13:59
you know we could go on and I know that if we had more time we would be developing more right here on this show but I’m hoping that all of you will check Gunther’s website and check Ziri because Ziri is a wonderful group they’re really able to embrace technologies and help people make the best of what their world has and use all its resources in its highest form and we’re living on an island community
14:28
without question can use that. That’s really wonderful. It really is. I feel so blessed to be able to be here and share this with you and share these two wonderful gentlemen and the wonderful lady. Thank you.
14:42
There is a website for Gaviotes as well. Oh, there is a website for Gaviotes. And what is that? And we’re going to put it on the screen so you’ll be able to see ziri.org, gaviotes.org. Exactly. And both of these gentlemen are a gift.
15:00
to Hawaii. Just this little few moments I hope that you appreciate. This is a very special, special moment and we hope that Hawaii hears this message loudly. Maybe we can host the next conference. Why not? Why not? For me it is very important to go to Hawaii because it is a country that has a lot of sun and a lot of wind, which is exactly what we handle in the country.
15:28
For me, it would be wonderful to visit Hawaii because it’s a state that has precisely two ingredients that Gaviote thrives on, which is wind and sun. Wind and sun. And as an island community, there’s no question that we need to be very conscious, super conscious, of being a self-sustained community, which is obviously why you’ve been seeing me on television all these years. And I am really very happy to bring these gentlemen to you.
15:58
I hope that we can have them in Maui, where we can all meet them and realize that it takes all of us to make that happen. In fact, I’d like to ask one more question of both of you. What can our audience do personally to make this a better world? What do you think they might do? The question is, what do you think the audience can do to improve the world? The question is, to improve the world or to improve life on Earth?
16:27
Is the question to better the world or to better the life here on Earth? I think however you choose to answer it.
16:42
What I said here at the seminar, that there are three basic principles, which are essential, which are, the first thing is reforestation, a huge area like the United States, which would be 10 million square miles, kilometers,
17:10
En donde en Hawaii podemos encontrar fácilmente un millón de hectáreas? Where in Hawaii would we be able to find a hundred… Un millón de hectáreas? Yeah, one million. For reforestation? Yes.
17:28
in order to reforest that area. And that could be a tremendous gift and contribution that Hawaii could make to the world to combat the greenhouse effect. The second one is to get rid of the chainsaw.
17:53
so they don’t cut anymore trees. Get rid of the chainsaw. Except in the area of forest fires where we put mushroom spores on the chainsaw. But see? It’s a very big complex where every area is a little different. But I appreciate it. And the third thing would be to speed up so that the…
18:23
the fuel cells that do not produce any kind of waste or pollution rather, which is showing us that we could transfer from the molecule of the carbon to the molecule of the hydrogen.
18:47
Soon enough we will probably use this on a daily basis. Because we want to replace the current combustion system which is so bad for the environment. And the third thing is so that there should be less fields for cattle.
19:14
If we do those three things, humanity, if we do those three things, I’m sure that we could rescue the world and live a much better life.
19:40
Because the atmosphere lives off life. It’s a bio… That’s why it’s called the biosphere. And that’s even more important.
20:00
than to even try to stop the greenhouse effect. That in my way of seeing things is not as important than to conserve the biosphere. Sometimes I even say that the topic of the biosphere
20:30
is what I forgot. It’s an argument that is fragmented. It divides the argument. The holistic concept is to conserve the entire atmosphere. Which would in fact then stop the greenhouse effect. Thank you.
21:00
I would say to the audience that the most important is to dream. Have a great idea, dream on how you like to see that future and just go for it.
21:13
Well, you know, that’s why we called our organization Dream Makers, because dream plus action, we become dream makers. The only way to make something happen is to have an idea, think outside the box, and not feel limited by the way it appears, because our world can be shaped by what we choose to do, by just having that dream and taking it to another step.
21:41
like the step of being here with these two gentlemen. Never did I think that I’d have the opportunity to bring them here to you. I hope that you, the people of Maui, will realize that we should have a conference in Maui sponsored by all of us and our county and our state because the opportunity to have a demonstration of these technologies and technologies that work
22:09
in the United States that can be shared with the world is a gift that we could give to the world. It would be a wonderful blessing. And to end this, I’d like to thank you. I don’t understand how to translate it.
22:35
He wants to thank her, and particularly he wants to thank her because she’s making a very good poetic summary of what he’s trying to say. Thank you. Thank you. This is wonderful. We can really join forces and do something for our environment. I mean, we only have one Earth. Mars is a little too far off for me. You know, with Maui being a travel destination that people already come to,
23:03
What a wonderful gift we could add for the people of Maui and back to the people of the world. And to be able to do it now, you know? The longer we wait, the further we get into the challenges, there is never a better time than right now. Let’s not forget that the Earth is the only planet with life known so far.
23:25
Let’s not forget that Earth is the only planet that can support life, as far as we know. Anyway. I think they know that. Yes. Because the people of Hawaii is very intelligent. Yes. Well, we all say aloha to you out there. Thank you very much for being here with me. You’re welcome. Aloha, aloha. And you, Nelly. Thank you.
23:47
The next time, this greeting will be with a Hawaiian necklace. Aloha. Aloha.
24:15
Thank you.
24:46
Thank you. Thank you.
25:17
so so
25:59
Thank you.
26:32
Thank you.
27:32
Thank you.
28:05
. . . . . . .
28:33
Thank you.
29:42
Music Music Music
30:19
¶¶
30:59
The Environmental Research Center, Las Gaviotas, created and directed by Dr. Paolo Lugari, is one of the most interesting cases in the world of the application of the concept of zero emissions. After having visited some 120 countries around the world, I can confirm
31:24
that after having seen so many projects of sustainable development, this case here is one of which the world really can learn a lot from. The Environmental Research Center, Las Gaviotas, located in the eastern part of Colombia, South America, was established and is directed by Dr. Paolo Lugari. It provides one of the most advanced applications of the concepts of sustainable development and zero emissions.
31:53
whereas colombia is facing many crises today this exceptional environment has provided room for initiative and innovation from which the world can learn there is no doubt this is the prime case of sustainable development las gaviotas originally established its landmark with the development of renewable energies the use of wind energy for pumping water the use of solar for heating
32:22
The combination of recreation and energy generation demonstrated early on that the engines working at the center of creativity had practical solutions for the poor in mind. These projects went from a pilot to an industrial scale. Probably the largest application of solar energy for heating in social housing has been realized in Bogota.
32:48
The Banco Central de Porticario constructed over 10,000 apartments equipped with solar heating. It provides cheap energy and generates jobs, converting the dreams of Paolo Lugari into reality. Las Gaviotas demonstrated that renewable energy is not only feasible, in many cases it is the only viable alternative for achieving social and economic development.
33:17
The introduction of the solar kitchen, operating at semi-industrial scale, represented a real breakthrough. A field hospital, a rural hotel, can cook hot meals twice a day without the use of wood, coal, turf or diesel, as is usually the case. Las Gaviotas engineers also designed a solar refrigerator, which is still in the experimental stage.
33:47
Las Gaviotas is spearheading research in its low-cost, practical, solar energy-based kitchen, providing the critical components for development in the tropics.
34:05
the capacity of the environment research center labs gaviotas to design and to implement lasting solutions for development in the third world is fully confirmed with the construction of this self-sufficient hospital its design is ingenious the technologies are simple the applications are very practical and the cost of operation is low
34:31
the capacity of las gaviotas to offer solutions for the tropics was once more proven with the construction of the self-sufficient hospital in vichada just imagine a hospital in the middle of nowhere a day’s drive from the capital city of bogota there the team of paulo lugari designed and built a hospital which produces its own energy
34:57
distills its own water, cooks locally grown food, reduces humidity in the surgeon’s room, provides national air conditioning, and foresees a special recovery area with hang mats for indigenous patients. The design is ingenious. The technology is simple. The applications are practical.
35:23
and its cost of construction and operation is lower than anywhere else. The rural hospital of Las Gaviotas was quickly converted into a landmark building. A leading Japanese architectural magazine qualified this building as one of the ten wonders of architecture.
36:24
Reforestation to avert climate change Preservation and recovery of biodiversity Generation of value added Maximization of the use of natural resources Competition on the basis of quality
36:56
innovation and development of appropriate technologies, social development, the generation of jobs, the preservation of indigenous cultures, the provision of mineral water as preventive medicine.
37:21
The starting point of this broad initiative of Las Gaviotas to alleviate poverty in a very innovative manner is that Colombia is deforestating its primary forests at a rate of 650,000 hectares per year. A country that today is still a large supplier of oxygen to the world is fast destroying its regenerative capacity.
37:49
Las Gaviotas committed itself to the largest reforestation program ever undertaken in Colombia in an effort to reverse global warming. The challenge to plant trees in Vichada is massive. The soil is acid, very acid, with a pH of 4.
38:14
The extreme summer conditions with temperatures in excess of 40 degrees for months in a row, a dry soil, nearly no rainfall for extended periods of time, limit the chances for survival of any newly planted tree. After careful analysis, it was concluded that the Caribbean pine, El Pino del Caraibe, would be an excellent native tree to plant.
38:44
Over a period of 10 years, Las Gaviotas will have planted some 11,000 hectares. But the impact of the program was already felt with half the job done. The plantation has quickly led to some very surprising results, successes which no one could plan for.
39:08
The pine trees protect the soil from the harsh sun and the continuous droppings of needles regenerates the humus cap. This has lifted the pH from four to five. This facilitates the development of undergrowth and the arrival of many new plants and trees.
39:35
In Las Gaviotas, a major reforestation project is on the way. 11,000 hectares of reforestation will permit the sequestration of carbon dioxide. But that is not the only objective. It is also an economic activity. Here, the production by nature of colophonia generates value added, which permits the further development of the region. But perhaps more important,
39:59
Here, thanks to the growing of these Caribbean pine trees, biodiversity is not only protected, biodiversity is re-invited to come back here to this region. When it became known that the Pinot de Caribe was being selected for the plantation,
40:22
It didn’t take long for voices of criticisms to be heard, arguing that the program introduced monocultures. Nature knew better. According to the last botanical count, some 250 plant species are found per hectare, creating a microclimate which cannot be found anywhere else in a savanna. The young forest regenerates biodiversity.
40:52
Thanks to the favorable conditions created by these young forests, the birds, the bees, and the wind carry spores and seeds from the tropical forest located some 300 miles to the east. The program of Las Gaviotas creates a bridge with Amazonian jungle. Paradise is slowly being recreated.
41:20
Here we are in the plantation of Las Gaviotas. It is one of the areas where Las Gaviotas is demonstrating it is not only interested in reforestation, but it is also developing appropriate technologies, which are necessary in the specific climatological circumstances of the llanos of Vichara. Since the planting season of trees is limited to three months per year,
41:50
Las Gaviotas had to design the planting equipment in accordance to the limitations imposed by nature. Today, the team succeeds in planting nearly one tree per second, 24 hours per day, three months per year, recovering some 1,000 hectares of lost land each year. It is probably one of the fastest planting machines in the world.
42:20
And there are few who would have hoped that such a project would lead to the development of appropriate technologies. A special challenge for the third world. The tree grows to maturity in eight to ten years and quickly starts producing some seven grams of colophonia per day.
42:50
This resin can be processed into gum, a fine product which is a prime input for making natural paints and a core ingredient for paper. It is a product with growing demand. Today, Colombia imports 4,000 tons of colophonia per year, mainly from Venezuela, Mexico, and China.
43:17
The team around Paolo Lugari identified an opportunity for the generation of value added. Las Gaviotas proposes to supply a local market with local products, refined in Vichada. By the end of 1997, Las Gaviotas produces 50 tons per month, and as such, it has formulated an answer to the major challenge.
43:44
how to sustain the activities of reforestation, the recovery of biodiversity, and the development of appropriate technologies, while providing income to the people through the generation of value added in a market economy. This is the Colophonia factory. The construction was made possible by the Japanese government through its extension funds administered by the Inter-American Development Bank.
44:13
This factory is not only the cleanest, but from the first year on it is manufacturing the best quality colophonia in the world. That is only made possible through a very meticulous design of the whole production process and its perfection going on all the time. And of course the tremendous dedication of the whole staff of Las Gaviotas. The search for more value added through higher levels of productivity brought with it more innovation.
44:44
The packaging of colophonia used to be complex and heavy. The production team of Las Gaviotas took a close look at the problems and designed a cardboard box permitting an easy packaging of hot colophonia immediately after its distillation. This innovative system reduces handling.
45:07
eliminates the need for cooling and divides the processed colophonia into units of 25 kilos each. The cardboard is made from recycled fibers and is made in such a way that these can be recycled once more. This design turned out to be a major innovation for which the producer received the national prize for innovation in industrial packaging design.
45:44
The construction of the factory would not have been possible without an investment of two million dollars by the Japanese Extension Fund managed by the Inter-American Development Bank. The Colombian project team took the time to carefully study existing facilities around the world. Then they designed and installed the processing units with a strategy to compete on the basis of quality.
46:13
The factory is surprisingly clean. The first year of production confirmed that Las Gaviotas produces the best colophonia on the market. Quality is the result of a meticulous design of every step in the process and the dedication of all the employees to that objective. And Las Gaviotas can count on a highly motivated workforce.
46:42
Las Gaviotas has demonstrated that it is not only capable to produce in the tropics, it produces with quality and competes successfully. The production process has zero emissions as a target. All polyethylene bags that are used to tap the colophonia are recovered and reconditioned as pipes.
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The plastics are first left to dry in the factory, so that the droplets of the colophonia, which are pollutants to the outside world, can be recovered inside the factory. These droplets are good for an additional 0.2% of colophonia, or one complete production run, three per year. It’s designed for zero emissions, authentic to Las Gaviotas.
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The residues from the process tanks, which cannot be recovered for the sale to the paint or paper industry, are extracted separately and are converted into a core ingredient for water-resistant bricks, the local construction material for housing. The objective at Las Gaviotas is clear. Use all resources so that the production system emulates nature. Nothing gets wasted here.
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Las Gaviotas has generated 120 full-time jobs in Elvichara. This poverty-stricken region has not seen or heard about the creation of so many jobs in its history. Las Gaviotas secures income and revenues for a growing number of families.
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And we know the generation of jobs is effective, very effective indeed, in the fight against poverty. Las Gaviotas mainly employs indigenous people and is proud to discriminate them by paying them more. The workers join the pine tree plantation from Monday morning through Friday afternoon
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after which they spend the weekend in their settlements. Spanish is their second language. Las Gaviotas provides a platform for indigenous people to sustain their culture, endangered in so many parts of the world.
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The capacity of the forest to contribute to development is not only limited to fauna and flora and the recovery of biodiversity. The forest is an excellent filter for the water. And since 70% of the health problems in this region are gastrointestinal, access to mineral water is a major contribution. Preventive medicine is what Las Gaviotas is realizing with the production of mineral water here in the old self-sufficient hospital.
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The wonders of the newly planted forests and its fresh undergrowth go beyond biodiversity. It functions as an excellent filtering unit for water. Las Gaviotas staff quickly noted the outstanding quality of the topsoil water, rich in minerals and purified by soil bacteria. Las Gaviotas decided to bottle the quality water.
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A cup of 250 ml of water from Las Gaviotas only costs a fraction of the mineral water shipped from Bogota. Its cost was too prohibitive. That resulted in health hazards. Since some 70% of the health problems in the Vichada region are gastrointestinal, action was necessary. Poor water is the first cause of infant death.
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which translate into diarrhea, cholera, typhoid, hepatitis, dysentery. The forest offers a new opportunity, a business opportunity, while securing access to water and implementing an effective agenda for preventive medicine is a major plus indeed.
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Las Gaviotas led the world with its rural hospital until the bureaucracy of the central government in Bogota and the legislation of an insensitive parliament resulted in its closure. Paulo Lugari and his team could not be discouraged.
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Since the production of the mineral water requires strict sanitary conditions, the forced closure of the hospital left this extraordinary building without use for only a few months. Today, it is one of the best contributions to the healthcare system of Pichada, the local production of quality water at low costs.
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It is certain that this type of preventive Medicare contributes to the original objectives of the field hospital, which hopefully can soon be reopened, provided that the policymakers take the realities of the rural communities of the tropics into account. Colombia is a country in search of harmony.
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violence and corruption is rampant. But when it’s listening to the local music, the Latin rap, the guitar playing so dynamically in tune with the harp, and the most impressive charm of their dances, it is clear that deep in their hearts, Colombians share a sense of harmony. Through their culture, music, dance and songs,
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The workers in Vichara demonstrate their fondness for their community. The case of Las Gaiotas is permitting us to see how sustainable development can be achieved and how we can realize the objective of zero emissions. Sustainable development is reforestation.
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It’s the protection and the recovery of biodiversity. It’s securing access to water. It’s the generation of jobs. It’s competing on the international market with quality and good price. It is developing appropriate technologies locally. It is respecting indigenous people. It is providing health services and preventive medicine available to all. It’s renewable energy and it’s social development.
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Las Gaviotas provides us an insight in how all of this can be achieved in one program and how the rest of the world can be inspired by this concrete case on the eastern side of Colombia in Latin America. Paolo Lugari has the largest mural painting in the region made. It depicts the history of Las Gaviotas and the dreams that are yet to be realized. A lot remains to be done.
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But one thing is certain, there is no place on the globe that has succeeded in implementing sustainable developments and zero-emission concepts like Las Gaviotas. Las Gaviotas responds to the needs for employment, healthcare, economic activity, technological breakthroughs, and water supply, and so much more.
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Possibly the best synthesis for this planetary paradigm could be in the mural painting The true maturity of the human being is the know-how to realize its dreams
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Thank you.
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The time has come to make a change The time has come to unlock a hope That lives in each and every one of us And we must do our part
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We hold the visions God dreams of Our hands can heal the ones we love Let’s gather round and let us make a stand For you and me
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Unlock the hope and there’s a better life Unlock the hope, there’ll be no turning back But nothing changes unless we unlock the hope The time has come to make a change
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The time has come to unlock the hope that lives In each and every one of us And we must do our part We hold the visions God dreams of Our hands can heal the ones we love Let’s gather round and let us make a stand
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For you and me Unlock the hope And there’s a better life Unlock the hope There’ll be no turning back But nothing changes Unless we unlock the hope But nothing changes Unless we unlock the hope
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But nothing changes. Unless we unlock the hole. Unless we unlock the hole.
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Unless we unlock the hope.
