Environmentalist Nolana Lynch believes that our lifestyles must reflect our passion and desire to preserve the Earth and its resources. She believes that nature possesses all that we need to live holistic lives and all the nutrients we need are provided from eco-systems and its services; if used sustainably, Lynch believes we can strike that balance between usage and preservation.

At an early age, Lynch began mixing beauty products for friends and family. It is with that experience, her background in chemistry and in developing an all-natural lifestyle that she recently expanded her line of products to the general public.

Eco-Truffles was birthed out of the need for quality, all-natural products on the Caribbean market. Lynch's Company, Eco-Truffles Lavish Body Treats, was launched five months ago and produces a plethora of beauty products with a combination of traditional oils, butters and herbs for customers longing to preserve the environment and at the same time enhance their natural physical beauty.

Lynch, 24, is actively engaged in achieving environmental and sustainable development objectives at the local, regional and international levels. At present she is pursuing her PhD in tropical earth and environmental science, analysing the effects of sea-level rise on the eco-system and economy of small islands in the Caribbean region from a geophysical perspective.

She pays particular attention not only to the geophysical changes in coastal areas but also to the changes in how small communities will continue to generate income through their micro-enterprises as these changes occur.

Lynch believes that our quality of life is also strongly dependent on our willingness to help improve the lives of others. Eco-Truffles, according to the environmentalist, was designed as an enterprise with a difference.

The proceeds from all sales go towards the sustainable development of women and children in the Caribbean, helping families in rural communities to generate sustainable income, mentoring young women to enjoy their natural beauty, develop self-confidence and a deeply rooted sense of purpose, along with being active in sustainable relief initiatives in vulnerable nations such as Haiti. Lynch's small business has also developed an internal recycling programme, where customers are compensated for the return of their plastic containers when the items are finished.

"Our goals are multi-pronged; it focuses on beauty and also on environmental conservation and social entrepreneurship. We are also targeting vulnerable groups and our emphasis is women and children. A lot of our resources have gone into the development of underprivileged women and children in Trinidad and the region. I believe that in assisting these vulnerable groups to sustain themselves, their futures and our futures will be secure. We have partnered with ITNAC (Is There Not a Cause) and other groups in various relief efforts," Lynch explained.

Lynch said the products are 100 per cent natural and 95-100 per cent organic. "They are not diluted with a lot of other ingredients, like you see on some products. All ingredients are used in appropriate proportions as needed to be effective. Quality is of utmost important and we keep a highly sanitised work environment. Our Lavish Body Treats are created to restore your skin and strands to its natural beauty," Lynch said.

Eco-Truffles Lavish Body Treats is a sustainable organisation which creates natural and organic hair care products.

"We use the best of organic -grown produce to make body scrubs, shampoos conditioners and facial masks and so forth.

"After cutting off all my relaxed hair and deciding to grow my natural hair, I wanted an all-natural line I decided to change my diet and my hair care products because everything that you put on your skin and in your hair is absorbed in your body; so instead of commercial products which are laced with chemical additives I started my own natural products. It was hard for me to get all-natural products in Trinidad, so I began mixing products and testing various products for friends and family. Eventually I realised there was a great need for the products and I decided to launch the business," Lynch said

Lynch said creating her own line of beauty products is a great accomplishment. "I feel good to offer the market something that is of high quality. I love that we advocate for natural beauty and for using beauty products which enhance naturally using nature. Our tag line is 'look your best with nature's best'. There are so many benefits can be derived from nature and it is a privilege to be able to combine all of those products and provide quality merchandise that persons can use.

"We take a lot of time to develop the various blends which are big in aromatherapy and which are very soothing. A lot of them smell like your favourite foods like chocolate mint, cake batter and there are various tropical scents like passion fruit and coconut. They are all very soft and soothing to your body," she said.

Lynch has a BSc (Honours) degree in environmental and natural resources management and physics. She has conducted extensive research on individuals' impact on the rate of climate change, the use of carbon management tools in promoting sustainable livelihoods and the significance of gender in sustainable development.

Her research has gained international recognition as it has assisted in the reduction of annual carbon dioxide emissions within a number of organisations. Her research paper is to be presented at the World Association on Sustainable Development, International Conference in November and published in its international journal, the World Sustainable Outlook.

She is also a British Council Climate Champion, a member of the Commonwealth Climate Change Initiative and a representative at many United Nations Environment Programme meetings on the Green Economy and a delegate to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change COP16 meeting.

Lynch's range of beauty products is for both men and women. Orders can be placed on the online store www.ecotruffles.com or at www.facebook.com/ecotruffles. The company makes home and office deliveries within one to two business days. Regional and international delivery is also done. Eco-Truffles items are also located at Body Beautiful on D'Avenue, #62 Ariapita Avenue, Woodbrook.