Author: Raymond Muwaniri

The Need of Green Economies for Zimbabwe

Posted by | Aug 28, 2017 | , |

SustainZim is now in its 2nd year with this edition being the 6th. We have had such a positive response in terms of content sent in and demand for more copies of the paper, which is proof the paper is reaching out to more people and achieving its goal of; educating Zimbabweans on sustainable development issues and creating a platform for collaborations In this edition of SustainZim, there is particular focus on the ‘Green Economies’ aimed at reducing environmental risks, ecological scarcities and sustainable development. Due to the high unemployment rates in the country there needs to be focus on creating jobs in the green economy as opposed to industrialisation which is responsible for the high carbon emissions into our atmosphere. Developing countries should not follow the way of developed countries in terms of mass industrialisation but rather shift to green economies which are the future. We are now living in the era of technology and energy efficiency, more investment needs to be put in these areas. Sweden has announced they will be collaborating with Zimbabwe to promote its green economy. Wallace Mawire from the Swedish embassy explains how they intends to address; land degradation, excessive littering, urban stream bank agriculture, massive pollution and wetland destruction, among other issues. The Swedish embassy is also conducting ‘Open Forum Series’ that seek to unpack the solutions to green Zimbabwe through open...

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Green Initiatives in Zimbabwe

Posted by | May 15, 2017 | , |

In this edition we showcase ‘Rain Harvesting’ in Chiredzi aimed at scaling up adoption and improving rural livelihoods. Rain Harvesting is simply the collection of rain water for recycling, once collected the water can be used for agriculture, in times of drought and water shortages etc. Rain water is the biggest cause of soil erosion, as water runs off it cuts though the soil creating gullies that get deeper each year. These gullies are hazardous to the people and their livestock. This process is sped up by deforestation, as there are fewer trees to hold the soil in place. By collecting rain water there is less runoff and it can be used to the maximum effect. More focus needs to be made on ‘Clean Energy’ in Zimbabwe as we are still heavily dependent on non-renewables (coal, petroleum). Nevison Mpofu explains in his article how we can slowly wean ourselves off high carbon producing elements like diesel and incorporate them with renewables like solar. Increased Carbon Dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere from human activities is causing global warming, hence the need for more clean energy technologies and systems. ‘Sustainable Cities’ is goal number 11 on the UN SDGs list. These goals need to be incorporated into national policy creating a rapid change of mind-set, including the designing of cities and their infrastructure. A Sustainable City is designed in such a...

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Interview with Hon. Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri (MP)

Interview with Hon. Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri (MP)

Posted by | Jan 6, 2017 | , , |

Are traditional leaders in rural areas (village heads, chiefs, councilors, VIDCO) doing enough to protect the environment? If so, what are they doing right? If not, what can be done to encourage them to do more for the environment? The MEWC works well with traditional leaders who are the custodians of the natural resources in the areas under their jurisdiction in terms of the Traditional Leaders Act. They uphold norms and values that are consistent with natural resources management and there are graduated sanctions that are imposed to environmental offenders. Cultural beliefs and values have for many years been...

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Sustainable Development Goals in Zimbabwe

Posted by | Jan 6, 2017 | , |

In 2015, our planet recorded the hottest temperatures on record – a testimony to the global threat now posed by Global Warming and Climate change. At the heart of all this – Sub Saharan Africa, the most susceptible region with frequent floods, cyclones, and droughts, that damage infrastructure, destroy crops, disrupt livelihoods, and cause loss of life. Never has the need for mass information been as vital as it is now – hence SustainZim! The SustainZim project adheres to all 17 United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with particular focus on 7; SDG 7 – Affordable Clean Energy There needs to be a more of a shift in Zimbabwe towards renewable energy sources and less reliance on non-renewables. Solar and Hydro energy are the 2 major sources available and should be utilised more. SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities People living in cities and rural communities have a responsibility to reduce their carbon footprint and protect their environment. It is also the government’s responsibility to ensure that this occurs. SDG 12 – Reasonable Consumption and Production It is vital Zimbabwe does not over consume its resources for the sake of its environment and future generations to come. SDG 13 – Climate Action As a predominantly agricultural nation, Zimbabwe’s fate revolves around climate change whose spectre has already been made apparent in the dryer regions of the country. SDG...

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Chipendeke Micro-Hydropower Scheme

Chipendeke Micro-Hydropower Scheme

Posted by | Aug 6, 2016 | , , , |

Chipendeke is a rural settlement with a catchment area of 9 villages located 65km outside Mutare, Ward 22 Mupudzi in Manicaland. $65,000 was donated by the European Union for the Chipendeke Micro-Hydro Project through the African Caribbean Pacific Energy Facility. Practical Action, an international organisation dealing with smarter technologies to eradicate poverty was responsible for the implementation of this project. Main canal channeling water from the Diversion Weir to the Forebay Tank Background of the Project Chipendeke is a rural settlement with a catchment area of 9 villages located 65km outside Mutare, Ward 22 Mupudzi in Manicaland. The European...

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