SCHOOLS GREENING PROJECT MANUAL Presented By
for
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City of Johannesburg: Schools Greening Project.
FORWARD We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, We borrow it from our children. Native American proverb
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is what basically causes “Climate Change”. Change is inevitable. This project will introduce the better of change. Climate change that is already visible by the current studies of our weather, it is not a good change due to consequences we face every now and then, floods, snow etc. This project has been launched to educate and implement eradication by acting together with our schools and community, everyone around us needs to be informed about reducing pollution and indirectly acting against climate change, however; also with the hope that the people that are given this opportunity to be educated will also pass-on the knowledge they have gained during this course. It is a pleasure to be gathered with you through the City of Johannesburg, a world class African city, so let us come together and act now. Let us save the world of tomorrow’s generation and make our Pollution is something that we cannot combat in one country, province and all around a globe a better day, BUT it can be reduced by you and me. We are living life style. discussing the basis of pollution simply because it t is written and debated by academics, biologists, climatoligists, environmentalists; that we live in a world that has been borrowed from the future generations, our children and children’s children, and that it has been borrowed in a good state. Lets take a good look around our immidiate surroundings, is this the environment you would like to see the next generation living in and enjoying? This the way we borrowed it and we need to return it as a clean and habitable environment, and we, all of us here are going to return it back pollution pollution free. We are here to do somenthing, to learn something about our environment in order to assist in keeping it green? It may not be a great deal, but a little contribution will go a long way.
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CLIMATE CHANGE
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Our country, province and all around the globe need to reduce human-caused greenhouse gas Climate is usually defined as the “average weath- emissions to avoid worsening climate impacts and er” in a place. It includes patterns of temperature, reduce the risk of creating changes beyond our precipitation (rain or snow), humidity, wind and sea- ability to respond and adapt. The city of Johannessons. Climate patterns play a fundamental role in burg is addressing this challenge and has adopted shaping natural ecosystems, and the human econ- policies to reduce energy use, limit greenhouse omies and cultures that depend on them. But the gas emissions, and build a clean energy economy. climate we’ve come to expect is not what it used to Some changes in climate — and impacts on our city be, because the past is no longer a reliable predic- — are unavoidable, even if we reduce greenhouse tor of the future. Our climate is rapidly changing with gas emissions today. But we can take more actions disruptive impacts, and that change is progressing to reduce progressively worsening impacts. How Do Humans Contribute to the Greenhouse faster than any seen in the last 2,000 years. Effect? Climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing the world’s environment, society and econWhile the greenhouse effect is an essential enviomy today. Its expected repercussions, which inronmental prerequisite for life on Earth, there really clude worsening droughts and crop failures, rising sea waters, more frequent and intense storms, and can be too much of a good thing. The problems begins when human activities disextinction of species, will impact every nation on earth. Climate change impacts can already be seen tort and accelerate the natural process by creating more greenhouse gases in the atmosphere than across the globe. are necessary to warm the planet to an ideal tem-
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perature. • Burning natural gas, coal and oil -including gasoline for automobile engines-raises the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. • Some farming practices and land-use changes increase the levels of methane and nitrous oxide. • Many factories produce long-lasting industrial gases that do not occur naturally, yet contribute significantly to the enhanced greenhouse effect and “global warming” that is currently under way. • Deforestation also contributes to global warming. Trees use carbon dioxide and give off oxygen in its place, which helps to create the optimal balance of gases in the atmosphere. As more forests are logged for timber or cut down to make way for farming, however, there are fewer trees to perform this critical function. • Population growth is another factor in global warming, because as more people use fossil fuels for heat, transportation and manufacturing the level of greenhouse gases continues to
City of Johannesburg: Schools Greening Project.
increase. As more farming occurs to feed millions of new people, more greenhouse gases enter the atmosphere. Climate proofing is a process that makes projects, strategies, policies and measures resilient to climate change, including climate variability, by 1. systematically examining programming documents and projects to identify ways to minimize climate change risks and optimize adaptation, i.e. climate risk screening, and 2. integrating these ways into programming and project, i.e. mainstreaming. Climate proofing has been implemented in this project as it has the potential to stall and even reverse human development, via its impacts on key development sectors and activities, including agriculture and food production, water resources, disaster risk management, natural resources and health. Limited resources and capacities for responding to stresses such as floods and droughts constrain their ability to meet basic needs and move out of poverty.
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SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
for liveable wages? Or when individual families’ needs for firewood conflict with the need to prevent erosion and conserve topsoil? Or when one country’s need for electricity results in acid rain that damages another country’s lakes and rivers? What is Sustainable Development? How do we decide whose needs are met? Poor or “Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future genera- rich people? Citizens or immigrants? People living in cities or in the countryside? People in one countions to meet their own needs.” But what does this mean? What are the needs of try or another? You or your neighbour? The envithe present? Take a minute and jot down five to ten ronment or the corporation? This generation or the next generation? When there has to be a trade-off, needs that you have in your own life. whose needs should go first? Have you listed any needs that conflict with one The Long and the Short of It another? For example, if you listed clean air to People concerned about sustainable developbreathe, but also listed a car for transportation, your needs might conflict. Which would you choose, and ment suggest that meeting the needs of the future how would you make your decision? If within our- depends on how well we balance social, economselves, we have conflicting needs, how much is that ic, and environmental objectives--or needs--when multiplied when we look at a whole community, city, making decisions today. Some of these needs are itemized around the puzzle diagram. country, world? What social, economic, or environmental needs For example, what happens when a company’s need for cheap labour conflicts with workers’ needs would you add to the puzzle?
City of Johannesburg: Schools Greening Project.
Services Household Needs Industrial Growth Agricultural Growth Efficient Use of Labor
Equity Participation Empowerment Social Mobility Cultural Preservation
Biodiversity Natural Resources Carrying Capacity Ecosystem Integrity Clean Air and Water
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Many of these objectives may seem to conflict with long term if a large number of people cannot afford each other in the short term. For example, indus- to meet their basic household needs today? If you trial growth might conflict with preserving natural did not have access to safe water, and therefore resources. Yet, in the long term, responsible use of needed wood to boil drinking water so that you and natural resources now will help ensure that there your children would not get sick, would you worry We do for not sustained inherit the industrial earth fromabout our ancestors, are resources available causing deforestation? Or, if you had to drive We borrow it from our children. a long distance to get to work each day, would you growth far into the future. Studying the puzzle raises a number of difficult be willing to move or get a new job to avoid polluting Nativecan American proverb questions. For example, theCity long econom- the air with your car exhaust? If we don’t balance ofterm Johannesburg: Schools Greening Project. ic objective of sustained agricultural growth be met our social, economic, and environmental objectives if the ecological objective of preserving biodiversity in the short term, how can we expect to sustain our is not? What happens to the environment in the development in the long term?
FORWARD
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ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY Environmental sustainability involves making decisions and taking action that are in the interests of protecting the natural world, with particular emphasis on preserving the capability of the environment to support human life. It is an important topic at the present time, as people are realising the full impact that businesses and individuals can have on the environment. Environmental sustainability is about making responsible decisions that will reduce your business’ negative impact on the environment. It is not simply about reducing the amount of waste you produce or using less energy, but is concerned with developing processes that will lead to businesses becoming completely sustainable in the future. Currently, environmental sustainability is a topical issue that receives plenty of attention from the media and from different governmental departments. This is a result of the amount of research going into assessing the impact that human activity can have on the environment. Although the long term implications of this serious issue are not yet fully understood, it is generally agreed that the risk is high enough to merit an immediate response. Businesses are expected to lead in the area of environmental sustainability as they are considered to be the biggest contributors and are also in a position where they can make a significant difference. Businesses can potentially cause damage to all areas of the environment. Some of the common environmental concerns include: • Damaging rainforests and woodlands through logging and agricultural clearing • Polluting and over-fishing of oceans, rivers and lakes • Polluting the atmosphere through the burning of fossil fuels • Damaging prime agricultural and cultivated land through the use of unsustainable farming practices For much of the past, most businesses have acted with little regard or concern for the negative impact they have on the environment. Many large and small organisations are guilty of significantly pollut-
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ing the environment and engaging in practices that are simply not sustainable. However, there are now an increasing number of businesses that are committed to reducing their damaging impact and even working towards having a positive influence on environmental sustainability. Environmental sustainability forces businesses to look beyond making short term gains and look at the long term impact they are having on the natural world. You need to consider not only the immediate impact your actions have on the environment, but the long term implications as well. For example, when manufacturing a product, you need to look at the environmental impact of the products entire lifecycle, from development to disposal before finalising your designs.
(from landfilling) by reducing the need for "conventional" Page 8 City of Johannesburg: Schools Greening Project. greenhouse gas emissions as compared to plastic prod component of modern waste reduction and is the third c Reuse, and Recycle" waste hierarchy. usage, reduce air pollution (from incineration) and water pollution (from landfilling) by reducing the need for “conventional” waste disposal, and lower greenhouse gas emissions as compared to plastic production. Recycling is a key component of modern waste reduction and is the third component of the “Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle” waste hierarchy. Recycling is a rewarding experience and it can really show one just how much they can save. Effective recycling can reduce waste by about 80% for the average household or business. Recyclable materials include many kinds of glass, paper, metal, plastic, textiles, and electronics. Although similar in effect, the composting or other reuse of biodegradable waste—such as food or garden waste—is not typically considered recycling. Materials to be recycled are Recycling is a process to change materials either brought to a collection centre or picked (waste) into new products to prevent waste of up from the curb side, then sorted, cleaned, and potentially useful materials, reduce the con- reprocessed into new materials bound for mansumption of fresh raw materials, reduce energy ufacturing.
Recycling is a rewarding experience and it can really sho can save. effective recycling can reduce waste by ab household or business.
Recyclable materials include many kinds of glass, paper, electronics. Although similar in effect, the compos biodegradable waste—such as food or garden waste— RECYCLING recycling. Materials to be recycled are either brought to a up from the curb side, then sorted, cleaned, and repro bound for manufacturing.
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We are all aware that sooner or later we are going 200-300 litres of reusable water on a daily basis. to have problem with shortage of water in our city. What you need to know: Acting now is way to go forward and for us to move • Total water consumption can reduced by up approximately 30% on we need to know how to recycle water (saving water indirectly). • A payback period of two years is achievable • It is not advisable to use your kitchen water as this is damaging to plant life because of the fat Grey Water Recycling content • The diluted residues, soaps etc. in the waGrey water recycling is the term used to describe ter can provide useful sulphates and nitrates the recycling of water from your washing machine, which some experts say is more beneficial to basins, shower and bath for use in your garden. the garden than clean tap water Waste water from these sources is diverted to a fil• Water is typically pumped to the point of need tration system and then to holding tank. It is then by a small pump system pumped for use in your garden. • The system can easily be connected to your The system eliminates the need for most houseexisting irrigation system holds (depending on garden size) for additional • The filter is easy to clean and maintain garden watering from your main water supply. An • Storage tanks can be below or above ground average household (family of 4) will use between
r as well as st.
IMPLEMENTING A 3 BIN WASTE SYSTEM Page 10 City of Johannesburg: Schools Greening Project. What Is Waste Management? IMPLEMENTING A 3 BIN WASTEprogramme SYSTEM A waste management
aims to reduce waste generati to reduce waste going to landfill and create a clean and gre What recycling Is Waste Management?
IMPLEMENTING A 3 BIN WASTE SYSTEM
TheManagement? Waste Management Hierarchy AIswaste management programme aims to reduce waste generation and increase What Waste A waste management programme aims totoreduce and increase recycling to reduce recycling to reduce waste going landfillwaste and generation create a clean and green environment! waste going to landfill and create a clean sustainable and green environment! An environmentally waste management programme The The Waste Management Hierarchy Waste Management Hierarchy waste sustainable management hierarchy as shown below. Reducing waste An environmentally waste management programme is based on the waste management hier- sh archy shown below. Reducing waste should be themanagement first step in any programme withisdisposal landfill Anas environmentally sustainable waste programme basedtoon the step in any programme with disposal to landfill only considered as a only considered as a last option.
FORWARD
waste management hierarchy as shown below. Reducing waste should be the first step in any programme with disposal to landfill only considered as a last option.
The figure below is a picture representation of the waste management hierarchy above.
The isfigure is a ofpicture ofabove. the The figure below a picturebelow representation the waste representation management hierarchy above.
waste manag
What is in my rubbish bin? City of Johannesburg: Schools Greening Project.hool Greening Proj
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If we take a look at the general c waste management hierarchy into con reduce the amount of waste sent to lan
What is in my rubbish bin? If we take a look at the general contents of our rubbish bin and take the waste management hierarchy into consideration it is clear that we are able to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill for disposal by almost 87%!!!
Write down what you think is in your Rubbish bin right now. Write down what you think is in your
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Why recycle? Reducing waste is more important than ever, not just to protect the environment, but to save money as well. Fortunately, waste is a challenge we can do something about. Recycling one-half of the paper, plastics, glass and metals that go into landfills will reduce the waste stream by 36%. Because schools create waste, they should also be part of the effort to deal effectively with it. This manual is designed to help you recycle at school. Your approach to recycling may vary somewhat from the one described here, but the steps outlined in this manual should help you get started. You may not be able to implement all of the suggested recycling and wastereduction practices immediately. Start with one of them, though, and keep adding more as time goes on. Your efforts, especially when coupled with those of other school programs, will go a long way toward reducing waste and preserving natural resources. What can be recycled? • Plastic containers and packets • Glass bottles and jars • Paper and cardboard • Tins and aluminium • Other miscellaneous (except food waste)
Collection Points Make your program simple and reasonably convenient for people to use. You might collect materials in some or all of the following places: • classrooms (white and mixed paper) • break areas (plastic bottles and aluminium cans) • supply or storage rooms (cardboard) • offices (white and mixed paper, cardboard) • next to copiers and printing equipment (paper) libraries (white paper, newspaper, magazines) • always have a recycling option available where there is a trash can
Containers Different types of containers may be needed at different locations. Smaller bins or containers may
City of Johannesburg: Schools Greening Project.
be used in classrooms or offices. Copy-paper cartons decorated with recycling logos can work well for classroom use. Whatever type of collection containers you use be sure that they are clearly marked for recycling and, if possible, that they are placed alongside all trash cans in convenient locations. Adding signage will not only help educate participants but also decrease contamination, making your recyclables more valuable. Use containers made with recycled content and are 100% recyclable. You can start with cardboard boxes or specially marked trash containers converted for recycling. You will need containers for: hallways, classrooms, outdoors and in offices. Don’t forget secure containers for your sensitive documents. Reinforce the Recycling Habit After the kick-off, you should reinforce the new recycling habit. Continual reminders will keep participation high and minimize problems. Keep everybody (including local media) updated and excited about the program, so that they can see that their efforts are producing results. To get the word out, use: • posters • bulletin boards • report cards • contests • school newspapers • school supplies—such as rulers, book covers, erasers, and pencils—with a message or logo printed on them Publicize program milestones, such as collecting the first ton of paper or aluminium, accumulating certain volumes of other recyclable materials, or reaching other specific levels. Waste Analysis—Where Does It Go? Ask students to analyse how much waste they contribute—either their personal trash, classroom trash, or school-wide trash. • What do they throw away? • How much of this material could they recycle or reuse? • How could the volume of waste be reduced? • Start a classroom discussion of where solid waste goes, and how various materials are recycled. • Organize a class trip to a landfill and a recy-
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cling centre, or invite speakers to your classroom from a waste collection service and a recycling company to educate students about the processes of waste disposal and recycling.
Rain Water Harvesting Rainwater Tanks are an eco-friendly way of harvesting rainwater which would normally run off your roof and down your drains. The harvested water is captured from your drains, filtered and stored in the tank for on-demand use for flushing toilets, garden irrigation, dish washing, clothes washing etc. The system typically comes with a pump to direct water via the plumbing to a specific point of use. What you need to know: • Make sure the tank design is aesthetically pleasing to fit the overall dimensions and look of your home. Some tanks can be an eyesore by size, shape and colour • Rainwater is a clean source of water - a water treatment system is not required if harvested water is only used outdoors. Water must be treated if plumbed for indoor use • The system ensures water supply in the event of water restrictions or municipal water switch off • It is generally accepted that 1mm of rainfall over 1m2 will give you 1 litre of rainwater • Harvested water can also be used for human consumption with the correct filtration treatment inside the tank • Payback period is typically 10 to 15 years but this will reduce as water supply becomes more expensive • Water is typically pumped to the point of need by a small pump system • The system can be connected to your garden irrigation scheme and also used for washing your car • A 2000 litre tank will be adequate for a small to medium size garden. • A continuing rise in the rate of waste production is no longer acceptable – hazardous waste affects the health of millions of people and poisons large areas of our planet. In many places people live surrounded by garbage and
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landfills. It is essential that governments and corporations face up to waste, using what we know about reduction, recycling and reuse, but also developing new technologies that eliminate waste.
Why harvest rainwater? This is perhaps one of the most frequently asked questions, as to why one should harvest rainwater. There are many reasons but following are some of the important ones. f To arrest ground water decline and augment ground water table f To beneficiate water quality in aquifers f To conserve surface water runoff during monsoon f To reduce soil erosion f To inculcate a culture of water conservation How to harvest rainwater: Broadly there are two ways of harvesting rainwater: (i) Surface runoff harvesting (ii) Roof top rainwater harvesting Surface runoff harvesting: In urban area rainwater flows away as surface runoff. This runoff could be caught and used for recharging aquifers by adopting appropriate methods. Roof top rainwater harvesting (RTRWH) It is a system of catching rainwater where it falls. In rooftop harvesting, the roof becomes the catchments, and the rainwater is collected from the roof of the house/building. It can either be stored in a tank or diverted to artificial recharge system. This method is less expensive and very effective and if implemented properly helps in augmenting the ground water level of the area. Components of the roof top rainwater harvesting system The illustrative design of the basic components of roof top rainwater harvesting system is given in the
system. It may be terrace, courtyard, or paved or unpaved open g Page 14 of Johannesburg: Schools Greening may be flat RCC/stone roof or slopingCityroof. Therefore theProject. catc which actually contributes rainwater to the harvesting Transportation
following typical schematic diagram/
down take water pipes or drains to storage/harvesting system. Water pipes should be UV resistant (ISI HDPE/PVC pipes) of required capacity. Water from sloping roofs could be caught through gutters and down take pipe. At terraces, mouth of the each drain should have wire mesh to restrict floating material.
The system mainly constitutes of following sub comRainwater from rooftop should be carried through down take wa ponents: Catchment to • storage/harvesting system. Water pipes should be UV resista • Transportation • Firstof flush pipes) required capacity. Water from sloping roofs could be cau • Filter First Flush and down take pipe. At terraces, mouth of the each drain should The surface that receives rainfall directly is the catchment of rainwater harvesting system. It may First flush is a device used to flush off the water restrict floating material. be terrace, courtyard, or paved or unpaved open received in first shower. The first shower of rains ground. The terrace may be flat RCC/stone roof or sloping roof. Therefore the catchment is the area, which actually contributes rainwater to the harvesting
First Flush
needs to be flushed-off to avoid contaminating storable/rechargeable water by the probable contaminants of the atmosphere and the catchment roof. It will also help in cleaning of silt and other material deposited on roof during dry seasons Provisions of first rain separator should be made at outlet of each drainpipe.
Transportation First flush is a device used to flush off the water received in firs shower rains to bethrough flushed-off to avoid contaminating sto Rainwaterof from rooftopneeds should be carried water by the probable contaminants of the atmosphere and the ca also help in cleaning of silt and other material deposited on roof Provisions of first rain separator should be made at outlet
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Filter
PVC – Pipe filter
There is always some scepticism regarding Roof Top Rainwater Harvesting since doubts are raised that rainwater may contaminate groundwater. There is remote possibility of this fear coming true if proper filter mechanism is not adopted. Secondly all care must be taken to see that underground sewer drains are not punctured and no leakage is taking place in close vicinity. Filters are used for treatment of water to effectively remove turbidity, colour and microorganisms. After first flushing of rainfall, water should pass through filters. There are different types of filters in Rainwater practice, but basic function is tosince purify water Top Harvesting
This filter can be made by PVC pipe of 1 to 1.20 m length; Diameter of pipe depends on the area of roof. Six inches dia. pipe is enough for a 1500 Sq. Ft. roof and 8 inches dia. pipe should be used for roofs more than 1500 Sq. Ft. Pipe is divided into three compartments by wire mesh. Each component should be filled with gravel and sand alternatively as shown in the figure. A layer of charcoal could also be inserted between two layers. Both ends of filter should have reduce of required size to connect inlet and outlet. This filter could be placed horizontally or vertically in the system.
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Filters are used for treatment of croorganisms. After first flushing e c
. e r arcoal is used toFilter absorb odours if Charcoal
Charcoal filter can be made in-situ or in a drum. Pebbles, gravel, sand and charcoal as shown in the figure should fill the drum or chamber. Each layer should be separated by wire mesh. Thin layer of length; Diameter ofabsorb pipe depends charcoal is used to odours if any.
h for a 1500 Sq. Ft. roof and 8 n 1500 Sq. Ft. Pipe is divided into
Do’s and Don’ts Harvested rainwater is used for direct usage or for recharging aquifers. It is most important to ensure that the rainwater caught is free from pollutants. Following precautionary measures should be taken while harvesting rainwater:• Roof or terraces uses for harvesting should be clean, free from dust, algal plants etc. • Roof should not be painted since most paints contain toxic substances and may peel off. • Do not store chemicals, rusting iron, manure or detergent on the roof. • Nesting of birds on the roof should be prevented. • Terraces should not be used for toilets either by human beings or by pets. • Provide gratings at mouth of each drainpipe on terraces to trap leaves debris and floating materials. • Provision of first rain separator should be made to flush off first rains. • Do not use polluted water to recharge ground water. • Ground water should only be recharged by rainwater. • Before recharging, suitable arrangements of filtering should be provided. • Filter media should be cleaned before every monsoon season. • During rainy season, the whole system (roof
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catchment, pipes, screens, first flush, filters, and tanks) should be checked before and after each rain and preferably cleaned after every dry period exceeding a month. At the end of the dry season and just before the first shower of rain is anticipated, the storage tank should be scrubbed and flushed off all sediments and debris.
Advantages • Rainwater harvesting provides a source of water at the point where it is needed. It is owner operated and managed. • It provides an essential reserve in times of emergency and/or breakdown of public water supply systems, particularly during natural disasters. • The construction of a rooftop rainwater catchment system is simple, and local people can easily be trained to build one, minimizing its cost. • The technology is flexible. The systems can be built to meet almost any requirements. Poor households can start with a single small tank and add more when they can afford them. • It can improve the engineering of building foundations when cisterns are built as part of the substructure of the buildings, as in the case of mandatory cisterns. • The physical and chemical properties of rainwater may be superior to those of groundwater or surface waters that may have been subjected to pollution, sometimes from unknown sources. • Running costs are low. • Construction, operation, and maintenance are not labour-intensive.
Disadvantages • The success of rainfall harvesting depends upon the frequency and amount of rainfall; therefore, it is not a dependable water source
City of Johannesburg: Schools Greening Project.
in times of dry weather or prolonged drought. • Low storage capacities will limit rainwater harvesting so that the system may not be able to provide water in a low rainfall period. Increased storage capacities add to construction and operating costs and may make the technology economically unfeasible, unless it is subsidized by government. • Leakage from cisterns can cause the deterioration of load bearing slopes. • Cisterns and storage tanks can be unsafe for small children if proper access protection is not provided. • Possible contamination of water may result from animal wastes and vegetable matter. • Where treatment of the water prior to potable use is infrequent, due to a lack of adequate resources or knowledge, health risks may result; further, cisterns can be a breeding ground for mosquitoes. • Rainfall harvesting systems increase construction costs and may have an adverse effect on home ownership. Systems may add 30% to 40% to the cost of a building. • Rainfall harvesting systems may reduce revenues to public utilities.
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CULTIVATING VEGETABLES: PLAN AND PREPARE YOUR VEGETABLE GARDEN Where to make your vegetable garden Choose the best spot for your vegetable garden
Be sunny. If there is some shade for a few hours, rather plant leafy crops. • Be sheltered from the wind, frost and animals, if necessary. A wall hedge or fence can provide protection. • Use the bushes and trees you dig out when you clear the spot to make a fence.
Size of the garden When deciding how big to make the garden, take into account: • How big your family is. • How much water you have available in the dry season. • What vegetables you wish to grow. Pump-
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otherwise your vegetables may not grow well. It must: • Be near your house so that you can take good care of it • Be near water • Have good soil • Be level so that the water will drain well. If you plant on sloping terrain, build a number of terraces. Before building the terraces, put the topsoil aside. Build the terraces with the subsoil and then spread the topsoil evenly on top.
kins, for example, can only be grown in a large garden. • How much time you have to look after the garden.
Equipment Only a few tools are necessary: • A panga to clear away grass and bushes. • A spade to dig with. • A fork to turn over the soil with, to lift out potatoes, etc. and to make working in clayey and stony soil easier. • A hoe to work soil up to the plants and to remove weeds.
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• A rake to break up clods, create an even surface in the bed and to rake soil over the seeds after they have been sown. • A watering-can to water the • Vegetables. Make your own watering-can by making holes in the bottom of a tin. • A wheelbarrow for carrying soil, compost, stones, etc. • String or line to make straight beds. • For the shelter, get 4 or more strong poles with forked ends. The poles must be waist length when you have planted them.
The nursery You need a shelter or nursery in your garden to protect seedlings against harsh sunlight and rainstorms. Some plants, such as tomatoes, lettuce and carrots, are sown in the nursery, and when the plants are big and strong enough, they are transplanted into larger beds outside. You can buy poles and shade netting or simply do the following: • For the shelter, get 4 or more strong poles with forked ends. The poles must be waist length when you have planted them • Plant the poles at the corners and, if necessary, along the edges of the bed. Put reeds or sticks across the poles and cover with
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grass or reeds. • Allow some sun (about 50 %) to filter through the grass cover. Remove some of the grass or reeds when the plants are bigger so that the plants can become used to more sun and harsher conditions. It is best to make removable covers which you can use wherever and whenever needed.
Preparing the seedbeds and beds • Make the bed as long as necessary (usually about 10 paces but a seedbed needs to be only 1 pace by 1 pace). • A bed should not be wider than 1 pace so that you will be able to
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stand next to it when working. • Stretch string or line round the beds to make them straight. Leave pathways (about 4 hand widths) between the beds so that you can walk on dry soil between the beds. 5
• In dry seasons the beds can be on the same level as the paths, but in wet months they should be higher. • If you have problems with nematodes or cutworms, prepare the bed a month before planting time and clear away all plant material. • Spread compost (1 wheelbarrow load for a square of 1 pace by 2 paces) over the bed. • If you use manure, use less as it may burn the plants. Work the compost into the soil and rake the bed so that it is even. You can now sow the seed or transplant the seedlings. 8
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In the end your vegetable garden could look like this:
HOW PLANTING TREES HELPS THE ENVIRONMENT: Tree planting is the most popular Earth Day event and one of the most common activities people associate with helping the Earth. Millions of trees are planted each year. Planting is an act of putting down roots and contributing to the future. The simple act of planting a tree helps the environment in so many ways. Trees… • filter pollution from the air • help recycle water • prevent soil loss • create shade • give shelter from wind and rain • provide homes for animals • make food for humans and wildlife • provide an interesting, soothing, learning environment for children and your community Without trees, there would be no life on this planet!
Environmental Benefits of Planting Trees Trees are like the lungs of the planet. They breathe in carbon dioxide and breathe out oxygen. Additionally, they provide habitat for birds and other wildlife. But that’s not all trees do for us! To see just how much trees are essential to the planet and to humans, let’s look at the following statistics: CO2 is one of the major contributing elements to the greenhouse effect. Trees trap CO2 from the atmosphere and make carbohydrates that are used for plant growth. They give us oxygen in return. Mature trees can absorb roughly 22kg of CO2 a year. The tree in turn releases enough oxygen to sustain two human beings.
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Trees also help to reduce ozone levels in urban areas. Trees reduce urban runoff and erosion by storing water and breaking the force of rain as it falls. Trees also absorb sound and reduce noise pollution. This is especially important for people who live near freeways. In some cases, a well planted group of trees can reduce noise pollution by up to 10 decibels. How Trees Help to Save Energy Planting trees can also help cool your home in the summer. The Arbor Day Foundation states that the overall effect of the shade created by planting a healthy tree is equivalent to 10 room-size air conditioners running 20 hours a day! In the winter, trees can act as windbreaks for your home and will help you save on heating costs. The Journal of Horticulture claims that saving on heating costs can reach as much as 25 percent! Trees shade buildings, streets, and homes. If enough trees are planted in cities, the overall microclimate improves and total energy use for heating and cooling is reduced. Social and Economic Benefits of Planting Trees Just being around trees makes you feel good. Can you imagine your community without trees? Trees, especially in urban areas, have numerous social benefits. For example, the addition of trees to a neighbourhood or a business district can greatly improve the mental and physical health of residents and workers. Another example is with children with learning disorders. As a form of therapy, children that suffer from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can benefit from the presence of trees and other greenery. Kids with ADHD have been proven to be calmer, more responsive, and better able to concentrate when in a space with lots of trees.
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Additionally, have you considered that planting a tree can significantly increase your property values? Houses with trees are also more attractive to visitors, potential buyers, and neighbours. Neighbourhoods with lots of trees also report less crime! There is no doubt that if you plant trees in your community, people will see and feel the difference. As you can see, it’s clear that trees are essential to our life on the planet. The great thing is that we as humans can play an active role in planting trees to help offset deforestation and urbanization. Not only can you plant trees in your yard, you can also get involved in local tree planting activities on Arbor Day. Reduce Global Warming By Planting Trees According to the environmental protection agencies, planting trees is a must if we want to save our planet. Trees not only remove harmful chemicals from the soil, but also help reduce the greenhouses leading to global warming. Advantages of planting trees in reducing global warming: • An average size tree creates sufficient oxygen in one year to provide oxygen for a family of four. • Planting trees in the right place around buildings and homes can cut air-conditioning costs up to 50 percent. • Planting trees for the environment is good as they are renewable, biodegradable and recyclable. • If we plant 20 million trees, the earth will get with 260 million more tons of oxygen. • Once acre of trees can remove up to 2.6 tons of Carbon Dioxide each year. • During photosynthesis, trees and other plants absorb carbon dioxide and give off oxygen. • Trees keep in cheek the air and water pollution. • Why planting trees is important is evident as they are the natural habitat of the animals and birds, as well as many endangered species. • Planting trees means more wood and paper products which can be easily recycled.
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• A newly planted whole forest can change tones of atmospheric carbon into wood and other fibrous tissue, thus reducing global warming.
Top Benefits of Trees Here are the best reasons to plant and care for trees or defend a tree’s standing: Trees combat the greenhouse effect Global warming is the result of excess greenhouse gases, created by burning fossil fuels and destroying tropical rainforests. Heat from the sun, reflected back from the earth, is trapped in this thickening layer of gases, causing global temperatures to rise. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a major greenhouse gas. Trees absorb CO2, removing and storing the carbon while releasing the oxygen back into the air. In one year, an acre of mature trees absorbs the amount of CO2 produced when you drive your car 26,000 miles. Trees clean the air Trees absorb odours and pollutant gases (nitrogen oxides, ammonia, sulphur dioxide and ozone) and filter particulates out of the air by trapping them on their leaves and bark. Trees provide oxygen In one year an acre of mature trees can provide enough oxygen for 18 people. Trees conserve energy Three trees placed strategically around a single-family home can cut summer air conditioning needs by up to 50 percent. By reducing the energy demand for cooling our houses, we reduce carbon dioxide and other pollution emissions from power plants.
City of Johannesburg: Schools Greening Project.
Trees save water Shade from trees slows water evaporation from thirsty lawns. Most newly planted trees need only 57 litres of water a week. As trees transpire, they increase atmospheric moisture. Trees help prevent water pollution Trees reduce runoff by breaking rainfall thus allowing the water to flow down the trunk and into the earth below the tree. This prevents storm water from carrying pollutants to the ocean. When mulched, trees act like a sponge that filters this water naturally and uses it to recharge groundwater supplies. Trees help prevent soil erosion On hillsides or stream slopes, trees slow runoff and hold soil in place. Trees shield children from ultra-violet rays Trees reduce UV-B exposure by about 50 percent, thus providing protection to children on school campuses and playgrounds - where children spend hours outdoors. Trees provide food An apple tree can yield up to 15-20 bushels of fruit per year and can be planted on the tiniest urban lot. Aside from fruit for humans, trees provide food for birds and wildlife . Trees heal Studies have shown that patients with views of trees out their windows heal faster and with fewer complications. Children with ADHD show fewer symptoms when they have access to nature. Exposure to trees and nature aids concentration by reducing mental fatigue.
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Trees reduce violence Neighbourhoods and homes that are barren have shown to have a greater incidence of violence in and out of the home than their greener counterparts. Trees and landscaping help to reduce the level of fear. Trees mark the seasons Is it winter, spring, summer or fall? Look at the trees. Trees create economic opportunities Fruit harvested from community orchards can be sold, thus providing income. Small business opportunities in green waste management and landscaping arise when cities value mulching and its water-saving qualities. Vocational training for youth interested in green jobs is also a great way to develop economic opportunities from trees. Trees are teachers and playmates Whether as houses for children or creative and spiritual inspiration for adults, trees have provided the space for human retreat throughout the ages. Trees bring diverse groups of people together Tree plantings provide an opportunity for community involvement and empowerment that improves the quality of life in our neighbourhoods. All cultures, ages, and genders have an important role to play at a tree planting or tree care event. Trees add unity Trees as landmarks can give a neighbourhood a new identity and encourage civic pride. Trees block things Trees can mask concrete walls or parking lots, and unsightly views. They muffle sound from nearby
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streets and freeways, and create an eye-soothing canopy of green. Trees absorb dust and wind and reduce glare. Trees provide wood In suburban and rural areas, trees can be selectively harvested for fuel and craft wood. Trees increase property values The beauty of a well-planted property and its surrounding street and neighborhood can raise property values by as much as 15 percent. Trees increase business traffic Studies show that the more trees and landscaping a business district has, the more business will flow in. A tree-lined street will also slow traffic – enough to allow the drivers to look at the store fronts instead of whizzing by.
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City of Johannesburg: Schools Greening Project.
Now draw all the previous statement about Trees below:
City of Johannesburg: Schools Greening Project.hool Greening Proj
THE ADVANTAGES OF USING GAS INSTEAD OF ELECTRICITY Mains gas can be less expensive than electricity and produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions. It is frequently used for heating water and room heating. Mains gas, however, is not as widely available as electricity. Gas hot water systems burn either natural gas (also called mains or reticulated gas) or Liquefied Petroleum Gas (also called LPG, usually bottled). Gas hot water systems produce about a third of the greenhouse gas emissions of electric storage hot water systems. Gas heaters and efficient reverse-cycle heat pumps are cheaper to run than standard electric heaters and produce around a third of the amount of greenhouse gas emissions.
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reduce your energy bill plus increase lighting quality. All around the world countries are taking steps to phase out the incandescent light sources. With United States in the lead, those old fashioned types of lighting have been faulted as a reason for high priced electricity and are not energy efficient, not to mention the greenhouse gases they emit. It has been projected that if LED Lighting retrofits were implemented universally, there would not be a need to build another power plant and the improved lighting would eliminate the need for over 30 power plants that are currently in existence. That is quite an impressive thought for everyone to consider. Facts About Led Lighting Bulbs We know that with everything our brains have to process every day, it’s hard to imagine that light bulbs are important enough to spend very much time thinking about them.
But what if you could cut down your lighting enerGas cooktops are generally cheaper to use, have gy consumption by 80%, save a great deal of monmore responsive controls and produce less than ey on your energy bill every month and not have to half the greenhouse gas emissions of a standard think about changing a light bulb in your home for electric cooktop. Gas ovens are also usually cheap- several years? That was certainly worth 60 seconds er to run and produce less greenhouse gas than an of my mindshare! equivalent electric model. Well here are some quick facts and snippets of in formation to help you learn more about the latest THE BENEFITS OF LED generation of LED light bulbs. RETROFIT LIGHTING • LED bulbs can be used in many common fixSYSTEMS: tures in your home, including accent lighting, track lighting, room lighting and outdoor spotWhether you are a property owner, building or proplights. They offer many unique money and enererty manager or perhaps a retail business operator, gy-saving benefits over traditional bulbs. it is really important to understand the benefits of • LED bulbs have an exceptionally long lifespan. LED retrofit lighting that can help your business in They can last up to 5 times longer than compact several ways. fluorescent (CFL) bulbs and much longer than traditional incandescent bulbs. A typical LED Let’s start with the basics, the two points considlight that burns 8 hours a day can last about 17 ered the most important, conserving our resources years before it needs changing, making LED to protect our environment and saving money. Busibulbs an ideal choice for hard-to-reach lights. nesses and individuals are all concerned with the • LED bulbs have no filament or moving parts, energy efficiency and conservation, so switching to making them extremely durable and low mainLED Lighting can help reduce your carbon footprint, tenance.
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City of Johannesburg: Schools Greening Project.
• LED bulbs generate almost no heat or UV rays, which can help reduce air conditioning costs in your home and help keep fabrics and furnishings from fading. • LED bulbs provide greater energy savings by using up to 80% less energy to produce the same amount of brightness as that of CFLs and incandescent bulbs.
against Global Warming”. • Large scale refitting of inefficient traditional lights with highly efficient LED lights, reducing carbon emissions with 5.6 million tonnes of CO2e and achieving up to 90% energy savings • Demonstrate the use of clean technology in demand side programs to significantly reduce electricity usage • Support local community by providing education Did You Know? program on “how to become a climate hero!” solar LED lights for rural areas and longer term Government legislation has mandated that light employment opportunities through local manubulbs must be 30% more efficient than conventional facturing and R&D incandescent bulbs by 2014, and by 2020, all bulbs • Create increased awareness of sustainable demust be at least 70% more efficient. velopment in South Africa Multisource Technologies is proud to be leading the way towards helping you make your home more energy efficient at the lowest prices.
What is an environmentally green school?
An environmentally green school is a school that upholds to the values of good environmental manLED Lighting retrofit Programs agement. Such values include: LED lighting technology has come to maturity and • Natural resource conservation like water conservation is now able to deliver a similar or better light experience whilst offering electricity savings of up to 90% • Energy conservation compared to incandescent lights and 50% com- • Reduce, re-use and recycle activities • A safe, clean and green school pared to CFLs. With South Africa facing an immediate energy cri- How to Run A Green School sis, Demand Side Management projects are essential for safeguarding against blackouts and protect- There are 5 basic steps your school needs to take in order to become a GREEN SCHOOL: ing the nation’s economy. 1. Set up a waste management committee for the school This first programmatic CDM project in the world using LED lighting consists of the massive retrofit of 2. Conduct a waste audit inefficient lighting with LED in housing, street lights, 3. Reduce the waste your school produces hotels and office buildings and Lemnis Lighting’s 4. Reuse materials to prevent them from becoming waste LED wide range of products with high efficiency and 5. Set up a waste recycling programme at your the metopic light concept for outdoor will be used. school Co-benefits of the project are the introduction of 10,000 off-grid solar lights in rural areas. Although STEP 1: Setting up a Waste Management carbon emissions from kerosene lights are saved, Committee they have not been included in the carbon program. You need to make sure that all interested parties Another important part of the project is the launch of (school management, educators, learners, parents) an education and awareness program called “global buy into the idea of a “Green School” and are
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committed to make it work! The following people will constitute a Waste Management Committee: The Waste Coordinator. This is the leading waste champion elected from the schools top management. He/she will: Take responsibility for the project • Drive the implementation of the project • Raise awareness of the project • Provide training for all involved • Set up regular meetings with the committee • Keep the governing body and management team informed • Representative from Top Management. It would be ideal if the school’s principle could be directly involved as it would ensure that the project receives full support from management. • Representatives from Educators. The committee should include at least 3 educator representatives. • Representatives from the Governing Body. The support of the governing body is crucial for the success of the project. • Learner Representation. This is vital as learners will assist in generating awareness and support amongst their peers. • Representative from the School Cleaning Staff. Although learners, educators and parents can do a great deal to ensure the success of the project, the support and buy-in of cleaning staff is crucial.
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ing • Buy in bulk, purchase refills and concentrates • Try to buy products made from recycled materials • Try to avoid disposable products ie. paper cups STEP 4: Reusing the Waste Your School Generates Waste is not waste until it is wasted! If you identify clever and creative ways in which waste can be reused you not only save your school money, but you also cut down on the amount of waste sent to landfill. For example: • Discarded paper can be used for making paper mache • Discarded cans can be used in the art class • Glass jars can be used to store pens and pencils • Repair items that are broken STEP 5: Setting up the School Recycling Centre
Recycling refers to the separation City of of recyclable Johannesbur waste from the general waste stream. What are the different aspects of setting up a recycling centre at Recycling refers to the separation o your school? Let’s take a look!
stream. What are the different aspec school? Let’s take a look!
STEP 2: Conducting a Waste Audit It is important to determine how much and what types of waste your school is currently throwing away. The audit will answer the following questions: • Where does your school produce the most waste? (ie. Classrooms, rugby field, offices) • What types of waste is produced? • How much waste does your school produce? STEP 3: Reduce the Waste Your School Generates Here are some tips on how to reduce the waste you generate: • Avoid buying products with excessive packag-
Set upSet a waste management up a Waste Managementcommittee Committee
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City of Johannesburg: Schools Greening Project.
City of Johannesburg: Sch
Set up a school recycling centre
Recycling refers to the separation of rec stream. What are the different aspects o school? Let’s take a look! Do a waste
the waste your school
Reuse the Waste Your School Generates Reduse Waste Your Set up a the waste management committee School Generates
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City of Johannesburg: Schools Greening Project.hool Greening Proj
CITY OF DESIGNS.
JOHANNESBURG
CLIMATE
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PROOFING
SCHOOLS
GREEN CITY OFKITCHEN JOHANNESBURG CLIMATE PROOFING SCHOOLS DESIGNS.
GREEN KITCHEN
OVERVIEW LAYOUT Page 30
OVERVIEW LAYOUT
AGRICULTURE WATER HARVESTING SOLAR PV ARRAY RECYCLING COLLECTION POINT
City of Johannesburg: Schools Greening Project.
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RAINWATER OVERVIEW
RAINWATER OVERVIEW
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