We love connecting with others and working together to achieve the greatest possible impact. Our latest collaboration is a prime example of this – and we certainly don't want to withhold this amazing collaboration from you.
More than fantasy: Katja Brandis fights for environmental protection
Katja Brandis , well-known bestselling author of the fantasy book series Woodwalkers and Seawalkers , has made environmental protection a matter of the heart.
The author repeatedly incorporates the topic into her books and events. During her writing process for Seawalkers Through her dives, she has come into close contact with marine litter. Naturally, she also encountered the global problem of ghost nets.
"Ghost nets," nets lost or abandoned by fishing boats, drift in the oceans and become a danger to marine life. A ghost net for the protagonist, tiger shark Tiago, in her book series Seawalkers almost a deadly trap.
While researching the topic of "ghost networks," Katja Brandis quickly came across Bracenet. Two emails and a phone call later, Katja Brandis, the Arena Publishing and we are connected and ready to make a real difference!
Bestselling author Katja Brandis with our Adriatic Sea Bracenet
Sustainable production of a bestseller
In Germany alone, almost one billion books are produced each year. A large proportion of these are currently printed on virgin fiber paper (paper without recycled content) and finished with UV varnish and special inks. Furthermore, paper production requires large quantities of water and chemicals. All of this has consequences for our environment.
For this reason, the topic of sustainability is playing an increasingly important role in the publishing industry. Fortunately, Arena Verlag has been actively addressing this issue for years. It only prints on FSC -certified paper, meaning only wood from responsible forestry is used.
It was clear to us that with our expertise and our commitment to conserving our resources sustainably, we had found great cooperation partners in Katja Brandis and Arena Verlag.
Thus, on the initiative of Katja Brandis, a true heartfelt project was born for all involved. Our extensive cooperation has led to Arena Verlag taking its first steps towards “ Blue Angel” production (after “Schneetänzer” and “You for Future”) now also to the cooperation title “Seawalkers. Wilde Wellen” by Katja Brandis and in a second step even to all of the author’s titles. For the current issue of the 3rd volume of “Seawalkers. Wild Waves” This means a saving in CO2 emissions of 27% compared to conventional production.
The complete conversion of all Katja Brandis titles also achieves the following savings:
- 39,123 kg of CO2, which corresponds to the emissions of 4 people in Germany each over a year = 19,913,607 liters of volume, that's how much fits into 7.8 million balloons!
- 3,480,415 l of water
- 347,247 kg of wood
Really cool and at the same time hard to imagine what such a seemingly small change can achieve, right?
In addition, the Seawalker story raises awareness of the ghost net problem. To further sensitize readers to the issue, The new Seawalkers book, featuring former ghost nets, was presented in the windows of over 50 bookstores . The nets then returned to our factory, where we processed them into bracenets and other products.
8 questions for Katja Brandis
We had the opportunity to interview Katja Brandis personally.
How do you know BRACENET?
Katja Brandis: While researching ghost nets for Seawalkers Volume 2, I came across Bracenet and immediately loved the idea. I immediately bought a few bracelets and mentioned the project in the afterword of the novel.
How did your readers react to the theme of ghost nets in the novel?
Katja Brandis: It's a life-threatening situation when Tiago, in his tiger shark form, gets caught in an old fishing net underwater and almost dies. It's a thrilling scene at first, but it got some kids thinking, and several have already written to me saying they want to help remove ghost nets from the oceans.
What do you associate with the sea?
Katja Brandis: The sea is a place of longing for me; I miss it when I'm not there. When I swim or dive in it, I hardly want to get out, and I can't get enough of the sunbeams playing through the clear blue. I'm probably also a sea creature in my second form, like my novel characters. I also find the diverse life in the oceans incredibly fascinating.
Your favorite sea creature?
Katja Brandis: Very different. I really like dolphins, I'm fascinated by sharks, and I'm especially happy when I come across parrotfish (extremely cute) or octopuses (you can tell they're intelligent!) while snorkeling or diving.
Your top 3 tips for making everyday life more sustainable?
Katja Brandis: Drive and fly less – protecting the climate also protects the oceans. When shopping, make sure that as little single-use plastic as possible ends up in your basket. And generally, don't take yourself and your own desires so seriously and consider what it means for the planet before you do or buy something.
What have you personally changed in recent years to protect the environment?
Katja Brandis: I actually love traveling, but our family now limits itself to one flight a year (for long trips and when there's absolutely no other way). We make all other trips by bike, car, or train. I always shop with a cloth bag and backpack and make a point of buying products in returnable containers, glass, metal, or paper packaging. A high recycling content also increases the likelihood that I'll choose the right product. I pack fruit and vegetables in bags and nets I bring with me, or buy them loose. If a product isn't available in environmentally friendly packaging, I get annoyed and think, "I can actually live just fine without this stuff; it can stay in the store for all I care!"
Your favorite bracelet?
Katja Brandis: The light blue “North Sea” , I think that’s particularly pretty, I wear it at my Seawalkers readings!
With your book "Seawalkers 3," we were able to make a big impact on sustainability together. What exactly was that, and how did you implement it?
Katja Brandis: I think it's great that we're working together to protect the oceans and raise awareness among young people about the dangers the ocean faces, such as plastic waste and ghost nets, and what they can do about it. That's the goal of our campaigns, and I'm sure my readers will be happy to join in!
Many thanks to Katja Brandis and Arena Verlag! We look forward to everything our collaboration will bring.