Low Impact

In the lead-up to the upcoming United Nations climate conference in Cancun, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is running “30 Ways in 30 Days”.

The purpose of “30 Ways in 30 Days” (or as I like to catchily call it – TWITD ) is to demonstrate some of the many ways that people and organisations around the world are trying to reduce climate change, or adapt to its effects. Every day, from now until the opening of the conference, the website is showcasing a single project.

So far, some of the projects they have covered are:

• the use of hydro-power to run tea-plantations (a surprisingly energy-intensive business – did you know that it takes 8Kw/h to produce 1 kilogram of tea?), rather than diesel generators
• the provision of subsidised bank loans to Indian farmers to allow them to purchase solar cells for power generation. Many areas of India well suited to solar systems, and the uptake of the program has been impressive with over 20,000 systems purchased in 3 years. This program has been so successful that it won the 2008 Energy Globe Award.
• the reforestation of abandoned grasslands in Panama. Abandoned grassland that was once native forest prior to being cleared for agriculture is being replanted with a diverse range of around 50 different species. The benefits are many, including a source of timber, the sequestration of carbon, and an increase in habitat for native species.

Its a great little initiative – the breadth of activity taking place is impressive, and its inspiring to see the techniques that individual communities are coming up with to reduce their impact, and to prepare for climate change. Hopefully, the Cancun conference will see further progress from the world’s governments in continuing and supporting the work that these communities have already begun.

The “30 Ways in 30 Days” website is well worth a look, and might lift your spirits if you are feeling a bit down about the apparent lack of progress in reducing humankind’s contribution to climate change. Definitely well worth a visit.

30 Ways in 30 Days website

Categories: education, environment, green

Tags: climate change, community, UN