Small alterations can cause large-scale, irreversible changes and, in the case of the climate, this can cause a dramatic shift to an entire climate system. Scientific evidence suggests that irreversible changes in the Earth’s climate systems are underway, meaning we are in a state of planetary emergency. Scientists commonly refer to ‘tipping points’ in this… Read the full article >
Keeping Carbon Locked Up: Realising the Benefits of Our Peatlands
It’s easy to dismiss the earth beneath our feet, but the soil we walk on may have potential for storing significant amounts of carbon. For example, in the UK, the peatlands have been referred to as the ‘UK’s rainforests’ as they act as an important carbon store. Peat is found in almost every country on… Read the full article >
Lockdown emissions and the potential for a green recovery
Emission reductions caused by COVID-19 restrictions From early 2020, when lockdowns were enforced to slow the spread of COVID-19, the effects of reduced emissions were witnessed all over the world. News stories of reduced air pollution in China and clear waterways in Venice circulated the internet. One study found that during the peak of global… Read the full article >
Kilifi Community Mangrove Project Underway
Globally, mangrove deforestation occurs at a rate of 0.17% per year. This equates to roughly 24 million tonnes of CO2 lost to the atmosphere each year. To compare, Myanmar’s annual emissions are of a similar scale[1]. Mangrove ecosystems are hugely beneficial both in terms of carbon storage and the ecosystem services they provide. Mangroves provide… Read the full article >
Earth Day 2020
22 April 2020 marks 50 years of Earth Day, a movement which began in the USA as a unified response to an environment hurtling towards irreparable damage. The past year has seen Climate Change arguably entering the media mainstream for the first time. Activists like Greta Thunberg have provided a focal point behind which people… Read the full article >
Safe Water Project Implementation in Kono and Kenema Districts, Sierra Leone
CO2balance began exploring the feasibility of a safe water project in Sierra Leone in 2018. We have partnered with local NGO ‘Community Organisation for Development and Empowerment – Sierra Leone’ (CODE-SL), based in Bo, who are experienced in delivering high-impact WASH and development projects in the Eastern Province. The CO2balance Safe Water Projects is the… Read the full article >
Economic Development and Opportunities for Entrepreneurialism Through Safe Water: The Story of Jaspher and Susan in Lango sub region, Uganda
Jaspher Opio is a proud beneficiary of the CO2balance Safe Water project in Lango sub region, Northern Uganda. Jaspher lives in a village called Agengi in Dokolo District. He and his wife Susan have two children and 5 dependents. Susan and the family collect water from Aminalucu Borehole which is 250 meters away from their… Read the full article >
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Training in Kaliro, Uganda
In May, CO2balance in-country partner WAACHA conducted WASH training in Kaliro District, Uganda. The purpose of the annual training is to sensitise the communities on important issues such as keeping the area around the borehole clean and storing water correctly. The training takes place every year to reinforce these values. These important visits ensure that… Read the full article >
The Wide-Ranging Impacts of Clean Water: The Story of Gloria
The CO2balance team in Uganda conduct monthly visits to the boreholes to visit the communities, listen to feedback and carry out repairs. In February they met Gloria, who is the caretaker of Aminalucu borehole in Dokolo District, Northern Uganda. Gloria is 39 and married with 5 children. She lives in Dokolo District – Lango, Northern… Read the full article >
A Visit with Clients to the Pearl of Africa – Lango sub-region, Uganda
In October I travelled to Uganda to meet with the CO2balance Uganda team, partner NGOs and local officials. The trip included visiting our borehole projects in Kaliro and Lango. It was great to meet our committed and knowledgeable team and partners, who do a wonderful job in implementing the projects. Each borehole is managed by… Read the full article >
Sawadee Krap to the UNFCCC in Bangkok
The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is currently meeting in Bangkok to draft a rulebook for implementing the 2015 Paris Agreement, which will form the basis of the COP24 Summit in Katowice, Poland in December. The objective of the rulebook is to provide a streamlined draft which will assist discussions at the Katowice… Read the full article >
Where are you going on your summer holidays?
The world-wide tourism industry is booming and worth over $7 trillion. It employs 10% of workers and brings in massive revenue for areas which may have little else. The industry is growing by 4% each year, driven by new wealth in emerging economies such as China, Brazil and Mexico. A study in Nature Climate Change found… Read the full article >