Quarterly Update News letter From the Hoffice of
ZERI Southern Africa - 2008
ZERISA news 2008
ZERISA has been quiet for a while definitely not inactive.
2007 saw the Brazilian ZERI experts visiting South Africa, particularly Johannesburg to explore possibilities of carbon sequestration through algae pond for big industries that are beginning to worry about mega scale carbon emissions from their industrial processing. Brazilian ZERI has won many accolades for their cutting edge technologies for sequestering carbon while creating an alternative carbon credit process focusing on how to involve the marginalized communities in the process as opposed to the latest trend of major– another of those run away imaginations of making mega bucks for the emerging experts in the carbon cow boy syndrome.
The project explored in South Africa is still under wraps as the investing company and the intermediary agencies are still in the process of the decision making for the last 8 months.
In the meantime we continue our efforts to initiate simple innovations that will benefit the marginalized both through shifting how people think about development experts, big capital while creating the space where possible to have open dialogues to break out of the cul-de-sac. Eastern Cape projects are well on their way – building digesters, algae ponds. Next stage will be to implement mushroom co-operatives, as well as introduce the translated ZERI eco-fables in some of the local schools as a pilot.
A local chief in Eastern Cape is very keen to support ZERI based integrated rural development programme, we are in the process of exploring possible multi-faceted integrated rural upliftment programme with the support of the local municipalities.
We have FINALLY managed to take off our favorite project – mushroom farming for the communities. We are going ahead with this project simultaneously in Western Cape, Eastern Cape, and Durban possibly in Gauteng. Chido Govera from Zimbabwe our young mushroom expert will be in Cape Town working with ZERISA to make this dream a reality. ABSA has taken the initiative to invite ZERI foundation and ZERISA for a high-level discussion on community based agriculture. Please watch the mushroom project link for more details.
Our film project with the Foster brothers on Nature of life is progressing fast. The film makers have been on location shooting. We have some of the top climate change scientists on board with us. It is one of the most important contributions we hope to make to the continent not just raising awareness around climate change but also to shift the consciousness of the people. We believe without a change in the consciousness we cannot move towards the new trajectory – sustainable retreat: seeking local solutions, working in harmony with nature in an inclusive manner increasing the regenerative capacity of the local ecosystems while stamping out poverty while a small minority takes control of the continents natural resource base – all couched in the name of sustainable development.
Nirmala Nair
Director
