Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Bush Encroachment Problem + Ingenuity = Clean Energy



Invasive bush species in the country of Namibia have been making problems for rural farmers for years. The aggressive plant has been blamed for the decline of commercial livestock and desertification of Namibia over the past 40 years. It has been declared to be the "most devastating factor to sustainable livestock and standards of living in rural areas."

Controlling bush encroachment is expensive and a majority of farmers cannot afford bush clearing.

The Solution?

The Desert Research Foundation of Namibia (DRFN) and partnering agencies are providing a solution by converting the invading bush into clean energy with the use of "wood gasification plants". The gasifier plant system works by converting biomass materials into combustible gas.

The following ingenuity being implemented in Namibia is helping to support UN Millennium Development Goal #7 - Ensure Environment Sustainability.

- Tiffanie Depew

SOURCE: All Africa