Estonia’s Quick Clean

Using GPS, Google Earth and satellite photos 10,656 illegal garbage dumping sites across Estonia were located and mapped. On May 3rd, 50,000 volunteers set out to clean it all up in one day.

Let’s Do It! 2008 collected over 6000 tons of illegal waste of every kind from fields, streets, forests and riverbanks. The total amount is expected to rise as more rubbish is registered, with a goal of over 10,000 tons. The initiatve aims to recycle up to 80% of the collected waste, currently only 10% of garbage is recycled in Estonia.

“It is not really about the rubbish. It is about changing people’s mind-sets. Next year, it might be something else,” said Tiina Urm, spokeswoman for the event.

This BBC video shows the clean-up crew in action.

Photo by jaan@flickr used via Creative Commons.

Posted by Morgan

Garden of Peace

The 3,000 year old city of Kabul, capital and largest city in Afghanistan, often graces one’s attention when news of a bombing or military attack in the city reaches mainstream media. Since 1978 a state of almost continuous war has gripped the city.

But within this chaos sits the 11 hectare Bagh-e Babur garden. Now surrounded by the urban sprawl of modern Kabul, the garden has seen hundreds of years of war and decline. An 1842 earthquake decimated many of its structures. Trees were destroyed or cut down for firewood during mid-nineties warfare.

The garden was one of many created by the founder of the Moghul Dynasty, Zahiruddin Muhammad Babur (who claims direct descent from Genghis Khan) and built between 1504 and 1528 as his final resting place. In 2002 an initiative was launched to restore and rebuild the garden as a place of peace and green, fresh air and picnics.

“If there is a paradise on Earth, this is it, this is it, this is it.”

Working together, the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, the German government, South African architect Jolyon Leslie and hundreds of locals transformed the crumbling garden into a small piece of paradise and a symbol of regeneration.

The photo ‘Babur’s Flowers’ © Courtesy of Charisse Louw. Used by permission.

Posted by Morgan

Plant People

In his book, Natural Fashion: Tribal Decoration from Africa, photographer Hans Silvester presents an astounding collection of photographs of two African tribes, the nomadic Surma and Mursi, who use plants and other natural materials to create elaborate headwear.

“They can take any material from the plant world – leaf, stem, flower, grass, root – and instantly transform it into an accessory straight from a fairy tale, without the slightest tinge of absurdity.”

Fruits, mushrooms, snail shells and pigments made of crushed stone are also used to create these flourishing fashions.

Posted by Morgan

Up and Away Down Under

Responding to the challenges of global warming, rising oil prices, declining housing affordability and growth, Sydney, Australia unveiled Sustainable Sydney 2030.

The plan, essentially a “transition town” for mega-cities, suggests five Big Moves to make Sydney more sustainable, vibrant and successful. Initiatives involve water and energy efficiancy, liveable green networks and integrated, sustainable public transport.

Sydney aims to remove its dependence on coal–fired electricity and increase its self sufficiency of low carbon energy and sustainable water supplies to and beyond 2030.

Sydney’s 2030 vision is the result of the most comprehensive community consultation program ever undertaken by the city, asking tens of thousands of people to create a city that is sustainable — environmentally, economically, socially, and culturally.

Posted by Morgan