The world’s first commercial-sale vertical urban farm opened in Singapore last year. Urban farming not only brings food closer to market (reducing energy costs) but adds greenery to urban spaces, a useful environmental benefit as plants clean the air.
The world’s first commercial-sale vertical urban farm opened in Singapore last year. Urban farming not only brings food closer to market (reducing energy costs) but adds greenery to urban spaces, a useful environmental benefit as plants clean the air.
Not only do they soak up carbon dioxide exhaled by people and industries, but they can remove other toxins from the air (ideally not so much if the plants are for food production).
Vertical farming allows plant growth in a high-density environment. In France, it is the custom that restaurants outside high-density areas have a kitchen garden so vegetables are always fresh. Urban farming brings that option to the city.
Here in Makana, vertical farming is not necessary because we have a lot of open space that could be put to use. If it can happen in Singapore where there is no free space, why not here?
Is that climate change?
Some may be wondering if temperatures in August in the 30s are an indication of climate change. But unusual temperatures – hot days in winter, snow in summer – occur all the time.
Climate change means the long-term average has shifted. You can’t really tell one day at a time if that has happened, because it is not that unusual to have a very big swing from one day to the next.
If you look at the long-term data and analyse for trends, the trend remains up.
We have evidence like the rapid decline of Arctic sea ice to support that. A really dramatic event that incontrovertibly quietens the contrarians can only happen when it’s way too late to take action to prevent further change.
Down Under goes under
Australia voted last weekend and threw out the ruling Labor Party, who were in a minority government supported by independents and Greens.
With them goes the minor commitment Australia had to reducing dependence on fossil fuels as new prime minster Tony Abbott is firmly in the science denier camp.
Where does that leave South Africa? As another member of the coal club (Australia is the world’s largest coal exporter), our government may take comfort from another member of the club backing off from emissions reduction.
I hope not, as energy efficiency and cleaner air are benefits no one can deny.
Rhodes Environmental Awards
On Friday 20 September Rhodes Vice-Chancellor Saleem Badat will be announcing the university’s annual environmental awards at the Rhodes Environmental Learning Research Centre.
The awards are given in three categories for Rhodes staff and students, with one category for community members.
There is one for a university department; student society or residence; university staff member or student; and a non-Rhodes community, individual or organisation in Makana Municipality.
The awards celebrate those who enhance environmental awareness by improving practices, increasing community cohesion, taking practical measures to reduce the university’s and the community’s environmental footprint and promotion of green technologies.
More details including past awards: at www.ru.ac.za/environment/committee/environmentalawards//
Enviro-news contacts:
Nikki Köhly: n.kohly@ru.ac.za, 046 603 7205 | Jenny Gon: j-gon@intekom.co.za, 046 622 5822 | Ruth Krueger: g10k2679@campus.ru.ac.za, 076 295 8045 | Nick James: nickjames@intekom.co.za, 082 575 9781 | Philip Machanick: p.machanick@ru.ac.za, 046 603 8635 | Strato Copteros: strato@iafrica.com, 082 785 6403
