16 ° C
Profile

Day: 27 June 2022

Amy Taylor: “This film exposes the truth, but also solutions”

by: Kat Pirelli-Zucchetta
27/06/2022

Monaco Life speaks to Amy Taylor, director and producer of the documentary film ‘Milked’, a controversial exposé of the detrimental effects the dairy industry is having on the environment, human health, and animal welfare.

Milked, Directed and Produced by Amy Taylor alongside Executive Producer Suzy Amis Cameron, won Best Documentary at this year’s Monaco Streaming Film Festival Gala. The film includes interviews with world famous Primatologist and Anthropologist Dame Jane Goodall as well as Cowspiracy Co-Director Keegan Kuhn. The project is also supported by Academy Award-winning Director James Cameron who called the film a “powerful wake-up call that the world is getting Milked.”

While the film focuses on the dairy industry in New Zealand, it is also a global story that addresses climate change and sustainable solutions for a better planet. As Amy Taylor told Monaco Life, being the mother of an eight-year-old son, she felt it was important to teach younger generations about eating healthy plant-based food that is ethical and sustainable.

MonacoLife: What inspired you to create the film Milked?

I have a background in marine biology and environmental science, and I shifted into wildlife filmmaking with a focus on whales and dolphins. As I became more aware of the horrific impacts of animal agriculture around the world, I decided to start creating films with a plant-based theme to try and encourage positive change.

I used to take people swimming with whales and dolphins – humpback whales in Tonga and dolphins in New Zealand. I also made a feature documentary about a friendly wild dolphin (Soul in the Sea), which was nominated for a prestigious Jackson Wild award. Somehow, I shifted from filming marine mammals to filming cows.

How is New Zealand positioned compared to other countries with regards to dairy industry greenhouse gas emissions?

We’re quite unique in that the dairy industry creates nearly a quarter of our emissions. But we aren’t the only country with high emissions from animal agriculture – there is an international report called ‘Emissions Impossible’ that shows that the top five meat and dairy companies around the world produce more greenhouse gases than oil and gas companies like BP, Exxon Mobil or Shell.

Milked Presenter and Co-Producer Chris Huriwai, Executive Producer Suzy Amis Cameron, and Director and Producer Amy Taylor

How did people in New Zealand react to your film and what has been their response?

It’s mostly been very positive, especially from people who have actually seen it instead of judging it without watching. We had screenings around the country as part of the New Zealand International Film Festival, and Milked was the most popular local film.

What do you hope to achieve from your film?

I hope that people will make the decision to at least go a little bit more plant-based. And I also would love to see governments helping farmers transition out of animal agriculture. That’s what needs to happen, and because there’s a huge agricultural disruption on the way, we need to help them out sooner rather than later.

How did you get Suzy Amis Cameron involved in this film project?

I was aware that Suzy and James Cameron had bought a dairy farm in New Zealand, and they were transitioning into growing organic vegetables. So, I contacted Suzy and asked for an interview and was lucky that she accepted. When she saw a rough cut of the film she was hooked and decided to come on board as executive producer. They both love the fact that, as well as being an authentic story that exposes the truth, it’s also solution-focused. 

What needs to happen next?

People around the world need to shift towards a plant-based diet, and we need to support farmers to transition to regenerative plan-based agriculture. We can then rewild some of the freed-up land which would help with the climate and biodiversity crisis we currently have. People would be a lot healthier (especially eating a wholefood plant-based diet), and animals and the planet would benefit hugely also.

You must be proud to have won the Best Documentary award at this year’s Monaco Streaming Film Festival.  Can you tell me your thoughts about the festival?

I’m so grateful to receive the award and to have been part of the festival, it was a fantastic event run by some incredible people.

How long have you been eating plant-based?

I’ve been plant-based for around 30 years, long before it was even called plant-based.

What inspired you to stop eating meat and dairy?

Originally, it was for ethical reasons and then I discovered the environmental and health impacts. So, it’s a combination of all of those things that make it easy for me not to want to consume animal products.

It’s always interesting to hear how vegan adults get children involved in eating plant-based.  Can you tell us if and how you are raising your son on a plant-based diet?

He is plant-based and he’s chosen that himself to some extent – he basically decided to consume no animal products at the age of four (he had previously eaten eggs and fish occasionally). I tried to lead by example, but I didn’t want to be too staunch with it, knowing that it would be better for him to choose that himself if I provided the information and delicious plant-based food.

A scene from Milked

What’s a good way for teenagers to discover plant-based diets and incorporate that into their way of eating?

I think watching documentaries like The Game Changers is a great way for teenagers to learn about the benefits of a plant-based diet. It’s really about watching anything that inspires you to make that change, I think that’s really key. It’s not actually hard to make the change but you need to know your ‘why?’. The other films I would recommend on Netflix are Cowspiracy and What the Health. I’d also suggest reading books like Suzy’s OMD book. It’s easy to just switch out one meal a day to start with if people find it daunting to go 100% straight away.

What is your next film and when can we expect to see it?

I’m developing a documentary at the moment about a dairy farm transitioning out of dairy; it seems like a natural sequel to Milked and is much needed also. There are some great people involved and I’m excited about the “how-to” nature of the story. It’s still early days so I’m not sure when that will be out in the world yet.

 

SEE ALSO:

Protecting biodiversity, one meal at a time

 

 

 

 

Monaco Fire Brigade honours fallen comrade

by: Stephanie Horsman
27/06/2022

A national tribute was made on Friday to Sergeant Thierry Pérard, the brave firefighter who tragically lost his life in an apartment blaze on Avenue Princesse Grace on 19th June. “We miss him already”, said Fire Chief Maxime Yvrard at the emotional ceremony.

It was an emotional day, but one also filled with celebration of the life of a man well-loved by family and friends and well-respected by his team.

Firefighter Thierry Pérard, aged 51, died in the line of duty on Father’s Day, as a fire raged at 21 Avenue Princesse Grace on 19th June.

“Two occupants are trapped,” said Fire Chief Lieutenant-Colonel Maxime Yvrard during the eulogy for his fallen co-worker. “The rescues are ordered. Sergeant Pérard engages, listening only to his courage and this despite the extreme danger. Two people will be saved. He will not come out.”

According to a report by Monaco Matin, fellow firefighters in dress uniform, alongside family, friends, and the civil, religious and military authorities of Monaco, gathered to pay tribute to this brave man.

“You, family and friends. We, brothers in arms. We have just lost too soon, too violently, a loved one. Unquestionably, we will miss him. We miss him already,” the Fire Chief reportedly said.

Photo by Manuel Vitali, Government Communication Department

The Chief went on to speak about Pérard the man, a native of the Rhône Valley, who saw first-hand the difference firefighters make watching his father go out on calls as a volunteer fireman. He started with the fire brigade in 1985 in Saint-Martin-de-Crau before joining the French Navy to do his military service as a marine firefighter based in Brest. In 1995, he made the move to Monaco and quickly became a standout. “As soon as he joined Monaco, he quickly distinguished himself by his excellent results, his desire to serve, his desire to succeed,” said the Fire Chief of Pérard’s work ethics.  

He rose through the ranks and “showed us great human qualities and an extraordinary sense of duty. He was a man of action, thoughtful, reassuring in all circumstances and calm in the face of danger, which characterizes experienced firefighters.”

Pérard was awarded for his interventions in other violent apartment fires around the Principality. In May 2012, for example, at 20 Boulevard d’Italie, then at 56 Avenue du Trois-Septembre in Cap-d’Ail in December 2016, he went above and beyond showing how seriously he took the job. “His life was to give himself for others, to give himself to help, rescue and serve, to give of himself out of love for his family, for his daughter Mathilde.”

The Chief ended by addressing his men saying, “At each intervention, you will remember and bring to life the courage of this fire fighter for whom only the mission counted. His last exemplary commitment, which led him to leave his life for others, will remain engraved in the memories of the Corps and obliges us to remain ever more faithful to it.”

Unable to attend the ceremony because of prior commitments confirmed in Norway, Prince Albert was represented by his sister, Caroline, Princess of Hanover. In a statement released by the Palace on Friday it was revealed that Sergeant Thierry Perard will be posthumously risen to the rank of staff-sergent and appointed Chevalier in the Order of Saint-Charles.

 

 

Photo by Manuel Vitali, Government Communication Department

 

 

Monaco takes polar mission to UN Ocean Conference

by: Cassandra Tanti
27/06/2022

The scientific conclusions that came out of Monaco’s first polar symposium in February are being presented to polar scientists and advocates at the UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon, where Prince Albert II of Monaco and his Foundation are calling for immediate action to preserve our poles and our planet.

The Ocean Conference kicked off on Monday 27th June, co-hosted by the governments of Kenya and Portugal. Taking place in Lisbon, the United Nations-led conference comes at a critical time as the world is seeking to address many of the deep-rooted problems of the world’s societies laid bare by the Covid-19 pandemic. To mobilise action, the conference aims to propel much needed science-based innovative solutions to start a new chapter of global ocean action.

Some of those solutions were identified in late February when the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation co-organised its first scientific symposium on polar change, titled ‘The cold is getting hot! Polar symposium: from the Artic to Antarctic’, in partnership with the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR), the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC), the Oceanographic Institute of Monaco, and the Prince Albert I of Monaco foundation. More than a hundred leading scientists convened at the Oceanographic Museum in Monaco to discuss polar changes, impacts on people and the economy, governance and solutions.

The symposium highlighted the undeniable scientific facts that poles are warming two to three times quicker than the rest of the world, and that ice in the Arctic is being lost at a pace of 13% per decade. It means that an ice-free Arctic ocean summer could be seen as early as 2030.

Additionally, the Thwaites glacier, a critical hot spot in the Antarctic, is rapidly retreating and may be at a tipping point – a point beyond which effects are amplified and change is irreversible.

The symposium also emphasised that a 35cm sea level rise by 2050 is already locked in, even if CO2 emissions are brought to zero today.

But while some of this future change is inevitable, due to past and current emissions, experts say we can still halt some of the adverse impacts, adapt to the change and preserve key functions of the ecosystems, even if the window to act is quickly closing.

The ‘The cold is getting hot! Polar symposium: from the Artic to Antarctic’, photo source: Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation

The overarching theme of this week’s Ocean Conference is ‘Scaling up ocean action based on science and innovation for the implementation of Goal 14: stocktaking, partnerships and solutions’.

For participants of the Monaco symposium, that means addressing climate change as a matter of urgency – rapidly reducing carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions and keeping warming well below 2°C as per the Paris Agreement. This will, say experts, help prevent the worst effects in the poles and the catalytic effects throughout the world in terms of sea level rise, disruption of ocean and atmospheric currents, and increased warming.

They are also calling for a “critical” increase in investment in polar research, encouraging cross-sector science-society-industry collaboration; building on success stories and lessons learned from flagship projects such as MOSAIC and EPICA; and recognising that Indigenous peoples and traditional knowledge have a crucial part to play. “Urgent research also needs to prioritise a better understanding of ocean-ice interactions and ocean heat absorption,” experts say in the report.

Among the other conclusions of the symposium are creating new marine protected areas to provide the space and time necessary to discover and protect polar life before it is lost and strengthen resilience in the face of accelerating climate change; greater sharing and joint work between the Arctic and the Antarctic science communities; and giving the polar regions a bigger voice so that it becomes a focus during international conferences but also in the media.

During a UN Ocean Conference side event on Tuesday 24th June, Monaco’s Polar Initiative will gather around Prince Albert polar scientists and advocates for a discussion on ‘Polar oceans, the engine of the global ocean’, and ‘Voices for the poles – bringing the issues to the wider public’.

People are invited to watch the live stream of the UN Ocean Conference by clicking here: https://media.un.org/en/webtv

 

 

Top photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

 

 

 

 

 

Kate Powers work to continue through Foundation

by: Stephanie Horsman
27/06/2022

Stars’n’Bars co-proprietor Kate Powers, who sadly passed away from cancer last August, is being immortalised through the efforts of the Kate Powers Foundation, which is being “created to carry on Kate’s purpose”, namely community service and environmental issues.

Monaco lost a bright light last year with the passing of long-time resident and Stars’n’Bars co-owner Kate Powers. In honour of her service to the community and to her general sense of fun, her friends and family have formed the Kate Powers Foundation, and will be launching it with a special event on 16th July, her birthday, at Stars’n’Bars from 4pm to 10pm.

The Foundation’s inaugural event will be a fund raiser for her two favourite causes, the environment and community wellbeing, and will feature a bouncy castle, face painting, a dunk tank, a silent disco, a three-legged race, a wellness corner, a sound bath, music and a special tombola.

Kate was American-born but lived most of her life in Monaco. Her mother, Jeanne Kelly, was a great friend of Princess Grace, prompting the move to the Principality in the late 1950s. In the 1980s, she and her brother Mike opened Le Texan restaurant followed later by Stars’n’Bars. She was granted citizenship to Monaco in 2009 for her dedication and contributions to the country.

Kate loved her American roots and celebrated 4th July, American Independence Day, each year with a big bash at the restaurant. This year, that tradition will be carried on with a BBQ Mixed Grill party, featuring American picnic favourites such as burgers, pulled pork, coleslaw and corn on the cob, as well as music and dance.

For a bit of Americana outside the Principality, Villefranche-sur-Mer is also hosting a 4th July celebration featuring a 1940s theme replete with army jeeps and pin-up girls, culminating in a So Nice Pin-Up Show and the naming of Miss Pin-Up Villefranche. There will be music and dancing to the beats of Boogie Cherry. The fun runs from 2:30pm to 11pm.

 

 

 

Germans welcome new Monegasque Ambassador

by: Stephanie Horsman
27/06/2022

Monaco has posted Lorenzo Ravano as new Ambassador to represent the country in Berlin. He was welcomed in the German capital where he met with the German President.

Letters of Credence were presented by Monaco Ambassador Lorenzo Ravano to Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the President of Germany, last week at a ceremony held at the Château de Bellevue in Berlin.

The President and the Ambassador held a private concours after the ceremony, where it was reported the two men spoke about Europe and specifically the conflict in Ukraine and its reverberative effects throughout the continent and the world.

Ambassador Ravano assured President Steinmeier of Prince Albert II’s decisive condemnation of the aggressions against Ukraine and reminded him of the Prince’s calls for a both ceasefire and respect for international law.

The two spoke of Monaco’s actions thus far, including sanctions and, through the works of local humanitarian organisations, the supplying of equipment to the war-torn nation as well as by welcoming several refugee families to the Principality.

The German President praised Prince Albert’s ongoing commitment to protecting the environment, notably through his tireless work on ocean preservation. Ravano brought up the conference held last May, ‘Northbound – Connected by the Sea’, to highlight the Frisian culture and the convergences between the Mediterranean and the North Sea, as well as the Prince’s forthcoming participation in the 15th International Coral Reef Symposium in Bremen.

Finally, the President and the Ambassador discussed their wish to strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation in the diplomatic, economic and cultural fields. Ravano spelled out some synergistic areas, in particular within the framework of public digital transition policies implemented in the Principality through the Extended Monaco Programme, and with the festivities linked to the 50th anniversary of the creation of the German International Club of Monaco, which will take place in 2023.

Lorenzo Ravano is the 7th Ambassador of the Principality of Monaco to the Federal Republic of Germany.

 

Photo of German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (right) and Lorenzo Livio Maria Ravano, Ambassador of Monaco to Germany, photo provided

 

 

 

 

 

Monaco Artist’s Forum showcases local talent

by: Stephanie Horsman
27/06/2022

The Monaco Artist’s Forum is back this year with an exhibition featuring the works of 80 visual artists from the Principality ranging from painting to sculpture to photography.

The biannual event organised by the Department of Cultural Affairs is being held at the Espace Léo Ferré on the 2nd and 3rd of July.

Around 80 local amateur and professional artists will be on hand at the event, where the aim is to promote the integration of artists from the Principality into cultural policy and highlight the vitality of local artistic creation in the field of visual arts.

As in previous editions, a Public Prize will be awarded, giving people the opportunity to choose their favourite pieces. Voting takes place online at www.forumdesartistes.mc between 16th and 30th June.

The winning work will receive a place of pride at the Espace Léo Ferré over the two days of the exhibition and from dedicated communication on the various social networks linked to the event.