Arbor month is upon us. A time when people are encouraged to plant trees to help remove some carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and produce oxygen. Imagine if trees gave off Wifi signals, we would be planting so many trees. We’d probably save the planet too. Too bad they ONLY produce the oxygen we breathe! Trees might not help with wi-fi but they are as essential as we … [Read more...]
Foxglove organic stories Pt 7: Clearing the wattle
In the midst of a dry winter, Sue and her family take it upon themselves to rid Foxglove Farm of their resident alien trees and make compost for the months ahead. Since winter has been neither very cold nor wet, we have continued to clean up, remove aliens and make compost. At the moment we are up to our elbows in wattles. Most people see wattles as only a problem but we see … [Read more...]
A tree for each of Madiba’s years
The Miss Earth South Africa organisation, in conjunction with Fourways Farmers Market, Reliance Compost, Consol, UTI and Garnier South Africa, planted 95 trees at Solwazi Primary School in Orange Farm ahead of Mandela Day. The organisation decided to honour the former statesman by planting one tree for every year of his life. The project was hosted ahead of International … [Read more...]
Underground forests bring deserts to life
Young Australians encouraging 'weeds’ to grow in desert areas are helping prevent land degradation and allowing crops to thrive. They call it the “underground forest”, and it has proved, literally, to be an answer to prayer, both for one young Australian and for countless people living in one of the hungriest corners of the planet. For it has enabled millions of hectares of … [Read more...]
Plants perform molecular maths
As if making food from light were not impressive enough, it may be time to add another advanced skill to the botanical repertoire: the ability to perform — at least at the molecular level — arithmetic division. Computer-generated models published in the journal eLife illustrate how plants might use molecular mathematics to regulate the rate at which they devour starch … [Read more...]
Saving trees costing lives in Turkey
A friend of ours from Germany received this urgent message last night from her friend Anne who has lived in Turkey for some years now. Here is her plea: Something terrible is happening in Turkey. It all began with a peaceful demonstration against deforestation of 80-year-old trees in a park (Geziparki) located in Taksim Square, where the Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan is … [Read more...]
Cameroon palm oil project finally on ice
After years of controversy surrounding the proposed palm oil plantation in Cameroon, the Cameroonian government has ordered Herakles Farms to suspend all logging at its main worksite at Talangaye, in the Nguti region of the country. Greenpeace is encouraged by this decision - there are numerous illegalities associated with the project, not to mention the social conflicts and … [Read more...]
100 Years of Biodiversity Science celebrated
Have you ever wondered how biodiversity science affects your everyday life? If so, a visit to Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden on International Biodiversity Day on 22 May can give you many of the answers. As part of the Kirstenbosch Centenary celebrations, entry to Kirstenbosch and Biodiversity Day activities on this day is free to the public. It’s an opportunity to participate … [Read more...]
Help tree woman spread more saplings
In June 2005, Natalie Rowles flew to Johannesburg. During her flight, she stared out the window and was stunned to see the lack of trees in the countryside. Only here and there, closer to KZN, could you see some greenery. On her return home, she decided to do something about it and started her own private project ‘FREE TREES TO SCHOOLS’ whereby she donated indigenous Yellowwood … [Read more...]
Reforesting the Platbos
For the third year running, Greenpop will be hosting The Reforest Fest in Platbos forest. This reforestation effort has seen over 3000 indigenous trees being planted in the southern-most forest of Africa since 2010. This year Greenpop plans to host two strong reforestation efforts during May and aims to plant 4000 trees. Greenpop is a social enterprise that believes greening … [Read more...]
The man who planted a forest
Deforestation and desertification are critical problems in India that have led to barren land, increased soil erosion, decreased agricultural production, and devastated local wildlife. However one Indian man has made a stand – by single-handedly planting and cultivating a 1,360 acre forest that is home to a complex, thriving ecosystem. More than 30 years ago, a teenager … [Read more...]
RIP: Recycle in Peace
Ashes, including those from cremated remains, are good sources of phosphorus for plants. So the final act of the ecologically-minded could be to fertilize a tree. The Bios biodegradable urn changes the Biblical paraphrase from, “ashes to ashes; dust to dust,” to “ashes to fertilizer, dust to soil.” Ashes, including those from cremated remains, are good sources of … [Read more...]
Indonesia official praises sustainable palm oil development
Indonesia’s Minister of Agriculture Suswono has praised sustainable palm oil practice in Dosan village, and says this initiative is a perfect example of the way large palm oil producers can remain profitable without further destroying the forests. During a visit with Greenpeace Indonesia to Dosan Village in Riau Province on Thursday, Suswono said sustainable palm oil … [Read more...]
