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Five years ago, in 2011, when we relocated to the Middle East from Australia to introduce the use of solar and LED lights and anodised aluminum street light poles with no steel core, we were met with enormous resistance. Now the authorities are advocating the use of such products. To paraphrase Malala (the Nobel Prize laureate), education is key!Metrosmart International aims to replace, wherever suitable, the use of galvanised steel street light poles with anodised aluminum street light poles and sodium lights with LED, and promote the use of solar light poles – which is a battle because of the cost of such poles. Contractors generally are more interested in the hip pocket than in saving the planet. Governments need to provide subsidies and guidance for solar lighting if it is to become a reality universally.LED and solar are now generally accepted in developed nations as the appropriate way of lighting up of our streets and homes so that battle has almost been won, but there are still many parts of the world where the level of corruption and poverty has prevented such advancements. Metrosmart International is a small and relatively new start up company yet we had faith in mankind wanting to save itself.This faith is now slowly being rewarded. In a relatively historically short period of time the people and governments of various countries have adopted ecologically friendly technologies. There is still a lot of work to be done in the greater part of the world but now that China and India have come on board we are definitely on the way to achieving the goals of the Paris Conference. We have inched forward from a very backward position in less than a quarter of a century. In just a blink of an eye historically speaking. MSI is privileged to have been able to contribute even in a miniscule way. ■ABOUT THE AUTHORChristine Nash became a majority shareholder and a Director and CEO of Metrosmart International after retiring from her legal practice of 30 years in 2013. She is expanding the field of operations of MSI worldwide and has plans for future growth with like-minded companies. In February 2016 she was awarded a World Women Leadership Award by the World Women’s Congress in Mumbai India. Bristol Who’s Who describes Christine Nash as a powerhouse individual who leaves other executives in her wake! Ms Nash holds a Bachelor of Arts, a Diploma in Sociology, a Diploma in Education, a Master of Education and a Bachelor of Laws, from the University of New South Wales, Australia.