Andrea concerned about the ever increasing damaging effects that urban air pollution is having on human health and on the world's environment at large through the well documented "Greenhouse effect," determined that he at least had to try and do something to arrest the situation. Knowing that logging to satisfy the growing demands for paper products continues unabated he wanted to find an alternative that could both meet the world's need for paper and at the same time limit the increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide(CO2). It was by chance that he learnt about the Kenaf plant and how its special properties could be optimally exploited to help counter some of today's environmental problems. The Kenaf plant has long been used as a jute substitute. It was extensively used up to the end of World War II for cordage and sacking but since has been largely neglected due to the widespread use of man made alternatives. Yet as Andrea discovered this fast growing plant absorbs between 5-10 times more CO2 than most other trees. Plus in his view if the Kenaf was widely planted its trimmings could be used both to serve the needs of paper manufacturers and indeed could serve as an alternative fuel source.

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