Rainwater Harvesting

Rainwater Harvesting

Mexico City has more rainfall than London, yet because the necessary water infrastructure systems have not grown with the development of the rapidly expanding city, it suffers from water shortages that are in parallel with a desert. People living in Tlalpan, an area in the south of Mexico City, have to rely on water delivery trucks, known locally as pipas, for most of their water supply. This is also due to their water mains connectivity being particularly bad. Pipas are unreliable, inefficient and expensive.

Rain water harvesting is virtually nonexistent in the Lake Chapala region despite the fact that there are thousands of gallons of free water especially in the rainy season. All that water simply flows into Lake Chapala but it could be put to much better use for things like irrigation, toilet flushing and laundry. If primary filtration is added to the rainwater harvesting system it can also be used for potable water needs.

Community Gardens

Community Gardens

Urban agriculture can be beneficial to the environment, and to the health and well being of community members. The introduction of community gardens may be able to reduce the impact of food deserts in low-income areas and allow residents greater access to nutritious food that is necessary to live a healthy life.

Community gardens can mitigate some of the problems that plague urban areas. They can be a beneficial addition to many communities by increasing the availability of nutritious foods, strengthening community ties, reducing environmental hazards, reducing food miles and creating a more sustainable system.

Community gardens can help reduce negative environmental impacts by promoting sustainable agriculture; reducing food transportation costs and reducing water runoff. Humans, plants and animals can all benefit from urban agriculture since it creates habitats and improves the ecology of the area.

This is especially true for the local cultures where, traditionally, a strong sense of family and community known as “familismo” has shaped their perception of their world. For Mexican families this is especially important since they carry the tradition of a family garden with them.

Aquaponics

Aquaponics

Aquaponics, which began in ancient China and Mexico, is gaining popularity around the world as a means of local food production. Aquaponics systems feature a fish tank, trough or outdoors pond and a soil-free bed for plants. The fish container can be made out of fiberglass, glass, concrete or plastic. Containers can range in size from a 20 to 40 gallon plastic tote to a large plastic aquarium about 4 to 5 feet deep and 6 to 10 feet wide. Tilapia are the most commonly raised fish in aquaponics systems.

Lettuce and tomatoes can be grown in small pots suspended in the water. Other plants included peppers; eggplant; a delicious local spicy watercress; Stevia – a South American herb that is 30 times sweeter than sugar; and other plants such as Moringa, that, when taller, will provide shade. Moringa leaves have high concentrations of protein and can be incorporated into the fish feed as well as the domestic salad bar.

Biogas Digester

Biogas Digester

Biogas technology represents an option to promote the sustainable use of energy in the developing world, particularly in the rural context. However, the production and use of biogas can also occur in urban areas of these countries with potential benefits for their sustainability.

With this project Green Empowerment seeked to increase the quantity of successful, innovative biogas digesters in Latin America by raising the quality of the methods and materials used. After the synthesis of experience, a hands-on Workshop was held in Peru to exchange experiences of biodigesters in Latin America with participants and organizsations from different LAC countries. In a second step, biogas digesters have been installed in five countries (Mexico, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Peru).

Through the design exchanges, field installations, and exchange of knowledge, great progress has been made on the original objective. Specifically, 60 new biodigesters have been installed. The capacity of 5 NGOs has been increased, especially in Ecuador since this was the first experience with biodigesters. The materials used have been improved, research parameters developed and unified, and as well new models for social sustainability have been piloted. The greatest outcome of the program has been the formation of Network for Biodigesters for Latin America and the Caribbean.

Hyacinth into biofuel

Hyacinth into biofuel

This non native weed is a major problem in Kale Chapala. Government efforts to eradicate the weed have failed. This concept being used in Africa could be the solution.

Curse To Cure: How An African Man Showed The World How He Transformed WEED Into Fuel

Posted on  by Omojewho Hope

It is uncommon and relatively unthinkable for individuals to transform something that is negative into a positive thing. In any case, a Kenyan educator has done quite recently that to support the individual from his locale. A Kenyan educator recognized as Richard Awra has turned a weed known as water hyacinths to something that enhances the way of life of a network. The educator utilized water hyacinths to battle the two issues of vitality neediness and plant over-development.

In a meeting with BBC, the instructor uncovered that he understood that the significant issue in the network is vitality destitution. He uncovered that the general population in the network depend on charcoal and lamp oil and he chose to make arrangement utilizing water hyacinth which he portrayed as a danger in Lake Victoria. Kenyan man transforms revile into fix as he concocts biofuel from weeds.

As indicated by educator Awra, the water hyacinths squares angling and makes it outlandish for any action to happen on Lake Victoria. By fighting issues of vitality destitution and plant over-development, Awra could make vitality reasonable for his locale because of the way that water hyacinth isn’t an item of appeal. The Kenya Marine foundation evaluated that water hyacinths secured around 10,360 hectares of Lake Victoria. Richard noticed that he would like to keep on providing this shabby option so families can cook at moderate rates.