By Kate Berrisford - Green Africa Directory – September, 2012
We are perhaps all too familiar with the mantra of 'development first, environment later' particularly given the scale of economic stagnation that is characterising so many parts of the world. However, a green economy that is geared towards low-carbon, low environmental-impact and resource efficient production and consumption, offers huge potential for economies at all levels of development.
Xeros have developed a new washing machine which cleans clothes with beads and a tiny amount of water. The net saving in water, detergent and electricity could result in a 30% cost saving for the user. The water-less process uses 3mm-long nylon beads that get into all the crevices of clothing and can also be re-used hundreds of times.
The world’s population is expected to increase by about 3 billion by 2050 and nearly 80% of that population will live in urban centers. It is estimated that we will need 109 hectares of new land (about 20% more land than is represented by the country of Brazil) to grow enough food to feed the growing population if traditional farming practices continue as they are practiced today. Over 80% of the land that is suitable for raising crops is already in use.
The Coop is a Swiss cooperative which operates the second largest supermarket chain in Switzerland, operating 1,437 shops and employing over 48,000 people. According to Bio Suisse, the Swiss organic producers' association, Coop accounts for half of all the organic food sold in Switzerland. Coop's four primary organic brands are Coop Oecoplan, Coop Naturaline, Coop Naturaplan, and Max Havelaar.
In Germany Regiomat machines currently sell fresh milk, eggs, butter, cheese, potatoes and sausage from local farmers in thirteen German towns and communities. They can be placed outdoors 365 days a year as long as they're under a roof (some have even been placed alongside hiking trails in Switzerland), effectively giving locals a 24-hour farmers' market and farmers a lot more free time.
The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) is a fishery certification programme and seafood ecolabel which recognises and rewards sustainable fishing worldwide. It is a global organisation working with fisheries, seafood companies, scientists, conservation groups and the public around the world to promote the best environmental choice in seafood.
Pachamama's member-owners ship the organic single-origin coffee to the USA, where it is hand-roasted in small batches in California and shiped directly to customers. All of Pachamama's coffee are Certified Organic (CCOF) and Fair Trade (Transfair USA). Proceeds from the sales are reinvested in socially and environmentally responsible programs, which are selected by the co-op's members and based in their home countries.
Cuba has a system of urban organic farms called Organopónicos, which provides a fresh supply of organic food to the community, neighbourhood improvement, beautification of urban areas, as well as employment opportunities. Cuba has more than 7,000 organopónicos, with some 200 gardens in Havana alone, covering more than 35,000 hectares of land, which supply its citizens with 90% of their fruit and vegetables.
Floating gardens extend the growing area of rural communities where land is scarce. They are built by piling mud on top of anchored reeds in the water to construct a fertile bed for growing vegetables. The method is both cheap and sustainable.
An American company, Green Planet, has launched a new water brand in a 100% plant-based bottle that is toxin-free and carbon neutral, compared to popular plastic bottles containing petroleum and BPA. They are also reusable, recyclable and compostable in 80 days. For every 72 plant-based bottles produced, they save one gallon of oil. The bottles also use 65% less energy and fuel to produce.
