Green Uganda

Climate change is a global problem with catastrophic results. It affects everyone and more grossly the poor, children and women, and the most vulnerable. Worse still the least of those pacifying its unprecedented change. The time to act is now to fend off the worst climatic effects and put off global warming. Some of the activities needed to be done and especially for developing countries are as simple as removing water bottles\plastics from our common home, protecting water points\wetlands from plastic materials, planting safe trees, use of renewable energy and reducing on carbon pollution from our homes. One of the challenges we face stems in the question; The future is blurry and far. And anyway, what are the chances something will happen to us now? But some of the effects are already at the door.

Water pollution of a water catchment area in a local community based in Uganda. The quality of water in the area is affected by plastics, agricultural and human waste. We are removing plastic material from highways, roadsides and rehabilitating water catchment areas to recreate a safe and resilient environment.

The solution we propose is twofold - using prevention and treatment strategies. The first prevention strategy is to conduct a community sensitization campaign. The purpose of the campaign is to rally and engage people in the surrounding areas on the dangers of water pollution and the impact it has on their wellbeing and the environment. As part of sensitization initiative, we will educate the community on the green agriculture campaign – which encourages use of agronomic practices and Integrated Pest Management practices as opposed to the use of pesticides and fertilizers used in agriculture that cause both groundwater and surface water pollution. Secondly, we will set up community response team which will dedicated to ensuring that water catchment areas are clean and safe. The response team will be sensitized and trained on environmental protection in order for them to be change management pioneers of the community.  

As part of our treatment solutions, we intend to develop a Phone Application – the Green App. The Application will be designed to have many functionalities which include;

• Sending out message alerts to notify teams of plastic material and contaminants in the water body and surrounding areas.
• Updates on the water pH levels
• Location of the nearest waste bins.
• Reminders and tips on how to keep the environment safe and natural

To support the Green App, we intend to set up a water pH testing solution and also provide a simple home-based solution as an option for tracking and monitoring of the ecosystem.

The two strategies of prevention and treatment will not only be sustainable in creating a clean, safe and healthy environment but will also boost the ecosystem and the wellbeing of the community around.

In building an ecosystem, we also want to run campaigns to plant bamboo in water catchment areas, floods plains and along the highways. Research shows that bamboo trees are a great carbon sinker. So integrating simple technology and community involvement can make a critical positive impact on climate change mitigation. 

Also there is consideration to use locally made ‘baskets’ made of plant material to harvest and collect plastic material that is already existing or thrown in lakes, rivers, water drainage systems, flood plains etc. These special containers are decomposable, cost effective and easy to make.

Our solution is serving and engaging the community and will impact the community through

• Clean, safe and natural environment – improvement of water quality, collection of plastic waste, building sanitary toilets, curb water borne diseases and prevent life threatening diseases like cancer
• Access to safe water – over 21 million people in Uganda lack access to safe drinking water as most water bodies are heavily contaminated
• Increased food production and food security – green agriculture and controlled fishing
• Employment source and thus promote income generation
• Promotion of tourism in the area
• And most importantly protect and recreate a resilient eco system

Creating a resilient ecosystem for a local community through technology, innovation and community involvement.

On a daily basis countless plastic material in form of bottles, polythene bags and other plastic material are carelessly thrown in the open environment along highways, flood plains, drainage systems and all these end up in water catchment areas, rivers and lakes. There is less government intervention in form of a deliberate policy and enforcement on protecting the environment from plastic waste most generated from home consumption. No one seems to care even the local authorities which is spelling disaster for the community. Some places are just as messy with plastic making it unsafe, unhealthy and hazardous. So the solution is designed to actually engage the communities directly involved, create awareness and participation. We cannot wait for government to do something. A report by the World Economic Forum indicates that by 2030, there could be a global 40% shortfall in freshwater. So we need to do something right now about it.

• A survey of the community has been done and the hotspot areas have been identified.
• The pre-design stage of the Green App has been completed and user requirements have been submitted to the developer.

The solution we are providing is a significant improvement as it involves the community. Community engagement is very important for any technological innovation whether it is a simple or advanced technology. We want people to be involved in rebuilding their ecosystem through sharing information, a day out to clean the environment, sensitisation programmes in addtion to the App.

One year: 150,000 to 250,000 people

5 Years; 20,000,000 to 45,000,000 people