2015 GREEN HABITS THAT MAKE IT TO 2016

Happy New Year!

With 2015 already at an end, *Njanuaary* is here and it’s time for the annual resolutions!

It is time to take stock, time to decide what to do to lighten your Carbon footprint like we have 🙂

To start, what green habits were successful to you in 2015? Here is a list of mine:

1. CARPOOLING: Want to lighten your carbon footprint? Carpooling is an excellent idea. Carpooling is the sharing of car journeys so that more than one person travels in a car.(Wikipedia) In Kenya, we have the ever popular, “Matatus” which are our Public Service Vehicles we use to commute to and fro. Cheaper than cab fare, Matatus charge you a fraction of what you would pay in fuel costs. This mode of public transport allows for 14 up to 62 passengers at a go, and allow for many Kenyan to carpool hence minimizing their carbon footprint day after day. Not to be forgotten, is the growing train transportation in Kenya which is even cheaper than the Matatus and plies certain routes in major cities in Kenya. Also, cabs such as Uber have introduced Uber x, in Kenya where you to get from point A to point B without putting a hurt on your pocket. (Uber website)

2. FOOD WASTE: How much food do we throw away? Is it the salad we dispose of? Is it the extra food we cook and not finish, throwing it away? Do we recycle the food and use it for compost? Or feed for our farm animals? Did you know that every year, consumers in developed countries waste up to 222 million tonnes of food, which is close to the total net food production of sub-Saharan Africa, at 230 million tonnes? At the Leafy Agenda, we’ve learnt that home cooking saves a lot on the food wastage as well as only buying what food we need-in terms of fresh produce, so it does not go bad often.

 

3. WE DISCOVERED “ORGANIC”: Organic Farmers market are the best places to buy farm-fresh food at amazing prices in bulk. Organic agricultural practices ensure that farm produce is cultivated with minimal detrimental impacts to the environment and no artificial chemicals are used in the cultivation of the produce. Wanna save a shilling and eat clean? Try Nairobi Farmer’s Market for the very best deals on organic produce.

Organic Farmer’s Market Set- Up.

 

4. ENERGY CONSERVATION: To conserve energy is to save money. Literally! Have you thought of solar energy? Depending on your energy needs, a solar system can be installed in your home or place of work at a fraction of a cost in the long run. Did you know? The solar panel has a guarantee of up to 20 years! Yes, you read right.

Another idea would be energy saving bulbs that in my opinion, are a worthy investment.

Other tips to conserve energy would be:

1. Renewal energy is your friend. Try solar energy instead of grid electricity. Electric current harnessed from the sun can heat your water, light up your house or even power your security lights.
2. Switch off lights which you do not need them.
3. Here is more on energy conservation: https://theleafyagenda.wordpress.com/2014/02/03/energy-saving-tips-for-the-workplace/

TURN OFF LIGHTS. SAVE ENERGY.

5. WATER: Water is life. Are you recycling water? I got a water tank to capture rain water during the rainy seasons and boy do I have water for days! Drinking water is also good for your body. About 80% of an adult body is made of water. Make water your friend and live a healthier lifestyle.

KIWANO: THE AFRICAN HORNED MELON

Have you ever seen this scary fruit in your neighbourhood grocery store or market?

Thorn Melon

As unappealing as it may  be to the eye, the African Horn Melon (Kiwano) is a powerhouse rich in anti-oxidants and  nutrients; high in  Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Potassium, Iron and Zinc. Considered by some as the answer to Africa’s nutritional problems, the African Horned Melon or Cucumber (as it seems like a cross of the two) was once the only source of water in the Kalahari desert. It’s scientific name is Cucumis metuliferus and it originates from the Cucumber/Melon family.

This strange looking fruit has spiky skin with very sharp thorns that prick quite painfully if I may add. The Horn Melon can be cultivated or allowed to grow wildly in the bush/farms. When unripe, it takes a dull green colour and the more it ripens , the more it turns into a bright yellow/orange colour.

Unripe Kiwano

 

Ripening while on the vine. Ready for harvest.

When I discovered this fruit, I was put off by its bland taste which borders between a raw cucumber  and a courgette (Zuchhini), not forgetting its jelly like slimy flesh which had countless seeds in the pods! Tough task to swallow I must say.

Kiwano Flesh and Seeds

But it’s health benefits far outweigh any misgivings you may have about this stubby-looking fruit that truly resembles a porcupine.

The African horn melon is rich in anti-oxidants that have health-boosting and cancer-fighting properties.

The Kiwano is rich in vitamins, minerals and nutrients such as :

1.  Vitamin A found in the seeds and pulp of the Kiwano perfect for eye health
2. Trace metals such as Calcium and Phosphorus for the bone health and repair of body cells and tissues; Iron for blood health; Zinc for improved immunity as well as Sodium and  Potassium for regulated blood pressure.
3. Beta Carotene, Lutein and  Lycopene, nutrients which aid in repair and protection of DNA, which translates to slowing down the ageing process. Linoleic acid and oleic acid are mono-saturated fats , a type of  are good cholesterol for the human heart and they also contribute to reduced blood pressure due to its hypotensive qualities.
4. Vitamin B Complex and Vitamin C , ideal for the prevention against cardiovascular disease, various types of cancer not forgetting treatment of the common cold.
5. Vitamin E in form of Tocypherol, that  is excellent for your skin producing healthy glowing skin.
6. Fiber which greatly helps in stomach health and overall digestion.
7. Water: Out of 100 mg of Kiwano, almost 90% is water.

 

Juicy and ripe African Horn Melon!

 

You can find this fruit at your local market, from as low as Ksh. 20/= to even Ksh. 100/= per piece!

So how exactly do you eat the thorn melon?

1. First, make sure the fruit is ripe. Ripe African Horn Melons are a bright yellow/orange (see above). They are more palatable and the spikes are softer.
2. Follow by washing the fruit while it is still uncut. This clears away any residual pesticides that may have lurched onto your fruit as well as dirt and grime.
3. Secondly, cut off the thorns/spikes/ horns for ease of handling the fruit. The skin is not edible.
4. To eat the fruit, cut across the equator or from top to bottom. This exposes the edible seeds and pulp as seen below.
   

   Sliced Kiwano fruit.

   You can eat Kiwano raw: just press the skin around the pulp to your mouth and swallow the jelly like centre together with the seeds.  You can mix it in a fruit salad to make it more palatable and get rid of the bland taste. You can also scoop out the fruit with a spoon and enjoy the jelly fruit.

Kiwanos are so indiscriminate and diverse in use you can make them into a cocktail , a juice blend even ice-cream 🙂

 

So next time, you are in the market place, give a chance to this tough-looking nutritious fruit and reap the benefits of good healthy living.

Best*

 

ECO-FRIENDLY WAYS TO SAVE & MAKE EXTRA CASH!

We all know how Kenyans at large, love a good bargain! So, your faithful green blogger went on a search to see Eco-friendly ways to save money and make extra cash.

Here are a few tips:

1. SALE OF ORGANIC PRODUCE: The Organic Farmers’ market is fast catching in Kenya and the world at large, as more and more people are conscious of what they are consuming. Organic foods are sold at a premium at suburban and city organised Organic Markets, and you can opt to farm and sell these produce in such gatherings at a better price than “MamaSukuma” at the neighbouring kiosk.
   

   CONVENTIONAL VS. ORGANIC FARMING

    

   According to the USDA National Organic Standards Board (NOSB),  Organic agriculture is defined as an” ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. It is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony.” (NOSB,1995) Organic practices that maintain the integrity of the crops and soil include Crop rotation, green manure, biological pest control and composting.

   

   Organic Farmer’s Market Set- Up.

   In the world, the demand for Organic produce has increased rapidly, reaching an estimated $63 Billion dollars in revenue, as of the year 2012. In Kenya, the national coordinating body for organic agricultural activities is the Kenya Organic Agriculture Network (KOAN). Not only do they help certify you as an Organic farmer but they provide a network of like-minded entrepreneurs and trainings that better your products and services.

   

   100% Organic – Certified.

    

2. RECYCLE! RECYCLE! RECYCLE! What better way to make extra cash than to recycle? In Kenya, there are countless opportunities for the Youth and the Public at large, to recycle for some extra cash. How? Case in Point is Ms. LornaRutto, a graduate in B.Comm (Finance and Accounting).
   

   Plastic Poles fencing the Aberdare National Park.

   She began the green venture, Eco-Post Nairobi which recycles plastic to make plastic fencing poles! What a brilliant idea! Kenya currently stands at 3% forest cover and her green venture ensures reduced rates of deforestation as a large percentage of cut trees go to Fencing.

   

   Recycled plastic fencing poles at the Factory.

   Paper, Water, E-waste and most types of waste can also be recycled. I once worked at an Organisation that recycled  the office waste paper to Toilet paper. This not only reduced the overall expenditure of the company but also reduced our overall carbon footprint as individuals and as a Company as a whole.

   

   FUN FACTS ON PAPER RECYCLING.

   Water is also recycled for use in lawn and landscape irrigation,  gardening, cleaning and WC (Water Closet Flushing).  E-waste recycling in Kenya is slowly coming up as more people come to terms with the futility of holding onto electronics  whereas you can earn by discarding them. The Leafy Agenda featured WEEE Centre Kenya, a Non-Governmental Organisation that recycles and refurbishes computers, Televisions and other electronics. For more information on E-waste recycling model in Kenya, follow this link: https://theleafyagenda.wordpress.com/2012/11/20/e-waste-recycling-in-kenya-did-you-know/

   

   Refurbished Computer at the WEEE Centre.

    

3. CAR-POOLING: Car-pooling is the practice of  the sharing of car journeys in that 2 or more people travel in a car. On Kenyan roads, we have the Public Service Vehicles (PSV’s) fondly referred to as “Matatus” as well as personal automobiles of various models. With Carpooling you can charge your fellow commuters a fee on a daily, weekly or monthly basis, earning extra cash in the comfort of your car.
   
   

   CAR POOLING

   To reduce Carbon footprint in the transport sector,  Carpooling communities make it possible to reduce a community’s carbon footprint. This will also reduce their transport expenditure improving their savings. Another way to reduce Carbon footprint is to purchase cars that produce lower carbon emissions. Such are as: https://theleafyagenda.wordpress.com/2012/11/15/how-green-is-your-car/

   

   Biogas -powered VW Beetle

4. ORGANIC MANURE: More and more farmers are leaning towards more holistic and natural methods of farming and Organic manure is one practice that maintains soil health and affords essential nutrients to crops in your garden. TIP: Do NOT discard organic waste from your house. Instead separate it from all other waste and start a compost pile.  Composting makes natural manure from organic waste, and you can even sell the excess to fellow farmers.  DID YOU KNOW? It takes up to 18 years for a corn cob to decompose in a landfill, and less than a year in a compost pile?
   

   Food waste can be converted to Compost.

5. SHOP ONLINE: Shopping online is somewhat  a new trend in Kenya. It is a time saving practice that eliminates travel and the common use of plastic paper bags that tend to pollute the environment. Again, online shopping presents numerous discounts hence you can save or make an extra shilling at the comfort of your home.
6. ENERGY: There is a steady need for renewable energy in the market today. Case in point, is in rural Kenya, where more and more people are opting for Solar Light to reduce the indoor pollution that is a result of firewood and charcoal fires. This is a great way for youth to earn a living while going green. The University of Nairobi has an accredited Solar Academy,that rigorously trains candidates from all walks of life in the Sizing, Installation and Maintenance of Solar Panels.
   

   Solar Panel Installation Demo.

   Also, Biogas installation is slowly gaining notoriety particularly with dairy farmers. For more info,check BIOGAS IN KENYA on the Leafy Agenda.

   

   BIOGAS CONSTRUCTION

    

7. WATER. Water is life, so the adage goes.  About 70% of the Earth’s surface is covered with water yet Clean water, particularly in Africa,is a scarcity.  The rates of desertification are steadily on the rise. and with the recurrent weather changes reliable rainfall is a thing of the past. We need water in our day to day lives, and here are a few eco-friendly ways to save  water and make savings. These are:

MDG 7: Sustainable Development.

Ever heard of the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs)?

The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are eight (8) international development goals that were established in the year 2000, in adopting the United Nations Millenium Declaration that was set following the Millenium Summit of the United Nations at the turn of the Millenia.

Millenium Development Goals

The MDGs focus on 7 key commitments made by nations of the world to better the world, in fields of health, agriculture, education and environment.  Among the 8 goals set, there are targets or “measurables” that guide in the fulfillment of these goals. The most significant MDG in terms of environment is Goal 7: Ensure environmental sustainability

MDG GOAL 7.

So, what is sustainability? And what is Sustainable development?

Sustainable Agriculture.

 

Scientifically speaking,  SUSTAINABILITY is the capacity of our human society to continue indefinitely (from generation to generation) within these natural cycles. The steps taken to maintain the balance needed to ensure the sustainability of man and nature in the natural environment are we call Sustainable Development.

 

Let us look at simple facts about the Earth:

• We live in the Biosphere, which is a very thin layer on Earth where life is possible. The Biosphere is as thin as the skin of an onion, thus very delicate.
• Biosphere system is open with respect with energy i.e. the Sun rays penetrating biosphere in and out but the system is closed in respect to matter.
• Nothing is created, nothing disappears, Everything on earth is only transformed(1^st Law of Thermodynamics) For instance, when the animals and plants die, they don’t disappear but turn to dust, coming back to the ground.
• Photosynthesis: Enables plants to use sun energy to give food and absorb CO2 produced on earth.

 

The Atmosphere.

To understand why Sustainability is SO important, we have to understand how the Earth systems work.To note is,there are slow geological processes from the Lithosphere (Earth’s crust)

• Matter moves from Earth’s crust to the Biosphere through processes such as Weathering and Volcanic eruptions. And the same matter comes back to the Lithosphere through processes such as Sedimentation and Mineralization
• These cyclic processes take millions of years

Earth Structure.

Hence, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT is the type of development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. (Karl-Henrick Robert, 1989). This development should support the natural processes for continuity of  the environment.

AN EXAMPLE OF SUSTAINABLE LIVING

TO NOTE:

• All matter that was on Earth 4 Billion years ago is still here today (There is no AWAY)
• Everything has a tendency to disperse and lose its structure over time (Whether plastics, paper, electronics or organic matter, it doesn’t stay that way forever)
• We owe it to Photosynthesis: which allows light to be used up to give us plants that feed our animals that feed us-then absorb all the excess CO2 that is in the atmosphere.
• Left to their own devices, Natural Cycles are well-balanced.

PHOTOSYNTHESIS

So, what does Man do to inhibit Sustainability? Remember, Sustainability is hindered when man interferes with the Natural cycles.

1. Extracting relatively large quantities of materials from the earth’s crust. i.e. Oil, Natural Gas, Heavy Metals etc.
   

   Extensive Oil Mining without a Sustainability plan is not good for the environment.

2. Create substances that accumulate in nature i.e. Plastics.
   • Also products that already exist, through actual production or as a by-product of man-made processes from industries .For example, CO2,which accumulates in the atmosphere. Man is continually cutting down trees (deforestation) leaving fewer trees to absorb the Carbon Dioxide. Nature cannot cope with  the increased levels of CO2 hence the CO2 runs amok in the atmosphere.  This results in Ozone Depletion=Climate Change in the world today.
     

     DON’T CUT A TREE YOU WON’T RE-PLANT.

3. Physically inhibit nature’s ability to run cycles. Example is by cutting trees at a faster rate than they can grow, by systematically destroying eco-systems to build houses, parking lots, playing grounds etc
4. Create barriers to people meeting their basic needs worldwide.  (SOURCE: Sustainability Illustrated.)

Now, what can You and I do to ensure we sustain the earth as the good Lord commanded? A look at the Millenium Development Goal 7 and it’s targets and measurables:

GOAL 7: Ensure environmental sustainability

• Target 7A: Integrate the principles of sustainable development into country policies and programs; reverse loss of environmental resources
• Target 7B: Reduce biodiversity loss, achieving, by 2010, a significant reduction in the rate of loss
  • Proportion of land area covered by forest
  • CO2 emissions total, per capita and per $1 GDP (PPP)
  • Consumption of ozone-depleting substances
  • Proportion of fish stocks within safe biological limits
  • Proportion of total water resources used
  • Proportion of terrestrial and marine areas protected
  • Proportion of species threatened with extinction
• Target 7C: Halve, by 2015, the proportion of the population without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation (for more information see the entry on water supply)
  • Proportion of population with sustainable access to an improved water source, urban and rural
  • Proportion of urban population with access to improved sanitation
• Target 7D: By 2020, to have achieved a significant improvement in the lives of at least 100 million slum-dwellers
  • Proportion of urban population living in slums

Sustainability Index.

 

Environmental Sustainability is each and every person’s duty and daily small steps can be taken to ensure survival of the planet, even to future generations.  Here are a few suggestions:

• Clean water: Water is life, it is said.Access to clean water can be through springs, boreholes or even rainwater harvesting which will be discussed here later.
  

  Access to Clean Water and Sanitation in Developing Countries (2008).

• Re-afforestation and Afforestation. Plant trees as often as possible. Forests serve as the world’s largest and a most effective “Carbon Sink”. Cut one tree, plant two or more if you can.
• Protect wildlife habitats and natural ecosystems. More and more each day, are the struggles to protect the threatened wildlife and endangered ecosystems. We must stop encroaching onto protected parks and wildlife spaces. We can also turn to renewable cheaper means of energy instead of destroying forests for firewood and charcoal.
  

  Reduce Charcoal use to save trees.

• Protect the ozone layer. Burn garbage in enclosed spaces to reduce toxic wastes from being released into the atmosphere. Commute using Public transport/ Car-Pool; Avoid clearing forests and cutting trees you do not need. We must take actionable steps to prevent Climate Change.
  

  GreenHouse Effect.

Remember, Sustainability is everyday practice made perfect over time. For more ideas, check out ENERGY-SAVING TIPS FOR THE WORKPLACE* and more stories on the The Leafy Agenda

Salud and Let’s Keep Green 🙂

 

 

 

Castle Forest Lodge, Kenya.

Looking for a weekend get-away far from the hustle and bustle of the city?

Karibu Castle Forest Lodge: The entrance to the CASTLE FOREST LODGE.

Castle Forest Lodge is an excellent choice! An eco-lodge facility located within the Mount Kenya Forest in Central Kenya, it features an actual Castle in the midst of the vast uninhibited forest-lodge grounds!

The sign post as you enter the Lodge grounds.

 

The Castle Lodge is an environmentally friendly lodge characteristic of wooden huts that gives it an African feel. At the topmost part of the lodge lies the Castle, that was built by the British Army in 1908 – 1910 with river stones and wood from the surrounding forest for Her Majesty, the Queen.