The Green Games and Trillion Trees Initiative develops innovative concepts and projects for sustainable IT and game developments. The future community platform and social networks will connect game developers, publishers and gamers together for global sustainability, climate and environmental goals. This will motivate and support especially species, climate and environmental protection actions as well as organizations. The actions, initiatives and projects also promote more environmentally friendly behaviour.
The founder of Change Games and Greening Deserts launched the first developments for the Trillion Trees Game in 2020 in Leipzig. The game is not just a simple tree planting game, AAA game or larger indie game development. It will be an online game and a platform with many games. People will be able to play mini-games and indie games directly in the game, and they can start other games outside directly through the game. If the games are played in the Trillion Trees Game or special actions and events are started in external connected games, real trees will be planted in the real world. It depends on how much and how long you play, extra tree points can be collected. Later, special tasks, actions, events, achievements and challenges will support special reforestation or forestation projects and conservation actions. Other tree planting, renewable energy projects, recycling actions and important environmental projects, organizations or even movements can then also be supported with appropriate support from the Green Games and Trillion Trees Game Community. Sponsors, grants, and innovative funding models from around the world can accelerate and improve the projects. So the platform and network can bring together not only the game industry and industry, but also some other important industries as well as climate, nature and environmental organizations. The media, culture, IT and global technology industries can benefit as well, especially industries like cleantech, greentech and green IT. Many additional jobs could be created.
Games change games. Game developers, publishers and gamers can be real game changers in relation to environment, innovation and ecological gaming.
The game will be realized with highest performance and quality standards such as modular game design, API connectivity, cross applications, green coding, energy efficient cloud streaming for many popular devices in the future. Accessibility, usability and different uses on the platform are considered and optimized over time like other services – such as energy efficient streaming or scaling for diverse devices like smartphones and tablets. More innovative details can be found in the game design papers and concept of Trillion Trees Game development. Experienced game developers are invited to integrate suitable developments. Meant are not only whole games, but also elements or parts like art, graphics, audio or music and sounds.
Game developers, publishers, game consumers or gamers and all branches have to do with game industry should overthink their real impacts on climate and environment. It is not just about energy efficiency, preventing or saving CO2 like many organizations or even institutions want to suggest. It’s about all the factors in relation, starting with first game developments and using resources and services. The impacts of video games on environment and climate change rise up by cloud gaming, game and video streaming plus all the media produced for platforms like Twitch or Youtube. Some games, esport gamers, streamers and let’s players wasting much resources and energy without really knowing their impact. Think about all the productions, supply chains, resources, main and side events, advertising, marketing, promotion, media streaming, etc… what the most people see is just the tip of the iceberg. That’s why Change Games started in 2017 the Green Games community which is now a global movement.
It would be good if more media, Global Game Jams and other game events would take more care of the important issues and points, for example on the topic of energy efficiency, recycling and the environment. The founder visited many events like Gamescom and Games Week in Berlin, also to educate and inform the industry – especially in the field of eSports and online gaming. Unfortunately, when it came to the point of environment and responsibility, there was often a lot of disinterest, misunderstanding or ignorance – who likes to admit mistakes. Mostly only the old typical arguments and problems came, which they try to cope with. It’s sad that nothing or so little has changed for the better over the years, things have even gotten worse, for example in terms of energy consumption. The game industry doesn’t have much time left to change course. Green Games consultants and game experts can help! Just ask, let’s support each other and use our work, services and projects directly or indirectly, like recommendations for other good services and solutions we have found over the years.
The game branch made a lot of extra money during the crisis, the energy and video game consumption was higher than ever before. Now it is time that the game branch or industry takes responsibility and starts finanlly to challenge the most serious problems like the energy consumption, reducing overproduction, improving the supply chains and work conditions by more sustainable production and working. The maybe most important issues in 2021 are carbon footprint of industries like fossil, media, tech, IT and game industry.
Game developers, gamers and publishers should understand the impacts of console, computer and video games on environment, climate change and global warming! Just a few examples for the energy consumption and inequalities. Online gaming in California consumes more energy than the entire population of Ghana or Ethiopia in Africa. Bitcoin mining more than Bangladesh or Nigeria. It’s not just about energy waste, ewaste or carbon footprint. 2021 e-waste is surging at 57.4 million tons with just 17.4% was recycled as per 2019 figures. E-waste impacts climate, environment, health and global warming. E-waste recycling emits emerging synthetic antioxidants. Recycling ewaste requires energy, resources, tech and IT again!
The video game industry is partwise responsible for generating mountains of toxic e-waste and plastics that leach hazardous chemicals into the ground and waters. 91% of worldwide plastics wasn’t recycled, billions of tons of plastic have been made and much of it has becoming trash, litter and microplastics. More than 99% of plastics are produced from chemicals derived from oil, natural gas and coal – which are dirty and non-renewable resources. Only 9% of all plastic waste has been recycled. A main problem is the use of too much plastics and plastic packaging. It is similar with other electronic equipment, gamer gear, high-end gaming PCs, notebooks and countless smartphones. So much models and overproduction of hardware over the half of humanity never can use or will be e-waste after short use. Too less people use their stuff over many years, repair or reuse it by upcycling. More game-related businesses should see these facts, chances and opportunities – not just the recycling.
To be more aware and to care more about we reported about these topics with the Green Games community. We want to integrate special cleantech and recycling programs on the Trillion Trees Game platform in future, for example renewable energy generation by solar and wind power. For example, you can then support local communities in your own region or other regions – such as reducing overconsumption or overproduction and improving renewable energy, recycling, repair and upcycling. This is particularly beneficial to poor countries such as in Africa, Asia or South America. Read more about climate change and environmental impacts of e-waste and video games on our social pages. We want build a special team for all major networks and platforms in the future. When we finally get proper support after many years, we can set this up in 2022, that is when active and financial support for the projects will be offered or proposed. Because to date, sustainability and environmental protection are not really promoted in the games industry.
The video game industry is bigger than the sports and movie industry combined! If there are no real regulations to reduce the bad impacts on climate, humanity will fail to stop the climate crisis. Green Games and Green IT could change that! Read more about on the social networks like Twitter. We will build a special team in future just for all the networks and platforms.
We invite all people with courage to join and support our ongoing project developments. Individual game developers and game studios are welcome to participate in a joint venture, for example with an extra team. In future spaces at the Urban Greening Camp there will be a lot of space, a lot of interesting work and of course a lot of fun. At the moment you can do a lot online and of course in your home office. With the right financial support, it would be no problem to quickly build appropriate teams, create the necessary equipment and infrastructure, and outsource tasks or services, such as those that are too complicated to do on-site or better done externally. The founder has years of experience as a clan and guild founder as well as project developer and event manager. He has assembled and led teams with over a hundred members! This was of course a lot of work and took good time, with financial support this is of course even better and faster. Change Games Entertainment and the Trillion Trees Game development will be continued as private initiative. International joint ventures with game developers and publishers will be developed, first teams can be started if there is enough interest and support.
Some information about actual developments and backgrounds
Change Games Entertainment launched the Greening Deserts and Trillion Trees Initiative with many innovative projects to improve conservation, environmental education, climate and environmental protection, species rescue, and species protection by building, expanding, and supporting biotope networks, wildlife reserves, national parks, and other nature-based habitats. Flower strips, wild meadows, parks, and groves in urban areas can be created through more urban greening and community gardening. It’s not just about planting trees in forests. Urban trees and urban forests are just as important a part of the greening process. Species diversity (biodiversity), species rescue and biodiversity play a particularly important role.
People should understand the true value of a single tree, especially in cities. In August the founder published a world innovation for urban greening with energy storage raised beds, the project development is called Energy Storage Tree. The Urban Greening Camp project started also Greening MENA, RooftopGreening.com and the Urban Greening Network for healthier and greener cities, many followed the good example. With the first Urban Greening Camp and vertical farming startup in Leipzig we will not just cultivate trees and save tree species by professional seed storage and plant breeding. We will develop also awesome applications, products, services and technologies – especially cleantech, greentech, energy efficient, resource saving and greening solutions. Better light setups and water managment, sustainable irrigation, development of new innovative fertilization, natural and smooth pesticides are another aspects. Read more on the project pages in future.
The mentioned and connected projects show how broadly Greening Deserts is positioned and which topics also play into the latest developments, especially into the current game development of the Trillion Trees Game platform. GreenGames.club, Play2Plant.org and TreeGame.org will support the future developments. There will be Green Games Forests in Africa and Europe, especially in regions that need more biodiversity and tree species that can contribute to better climate change adaptation. If you want to be a game changer and a part of the movement or just want to show support, contact us and support the Green Games community with useful contributions. Don’t hesitate contact and connect.trilliontreesgame.com.
Some inspirational thinking and writing:
Climate protection, nature conservation and environmental protection is also species protection.
Electronic and energy waste: environmental impacts, toxics and pollution by media, IT and video games industry are serious treats to life on planet Earth. Reduce climate impact with sustainable supply chains, cleantech, greentech and Green IT!
Greening Camps can reduce deforestation, land degradation, desertification and global warming through global greening, conservation as well as biodiversity enhancement, ecosystem restoration and ecological reforestation!
Some of the biggest world problems and challenges are to reduce the big waste of energy, money and resources, especially at mega events like COP26, E3 or Gamescom. The Green Games Community and upcoming green video game industry could change that!
We need more environmental awareness and sustainability, sustainable living and sustainable working, in all fields or areas. We need to create a world of understanding, acceptance, respect, tolerance, compassion and consciousness. – Oliver Gediminas Caplikas
Computer and video games represent one of the most important new media developments of this generation. Unlike many other forms of entertainment they offer players the opportunity to explore, be creative, learn through interaction and express themselves to others. It is vitally important that we protect and nurture this new art form so that it can reach its full potential. Like most new forms of artistic expression that have come before (music, novels, movies), the primary critics of video games are the people that do not play them. – Will Wright
Today, your cell phone has more computer power than all of NASA back in 1969, when it placed two astronauts on the moon. Video games, which consume enormous amounts of computer power to simulate 3-D situations, use more computer power than mainframe computers of the previous decade. The Sony PlayStation of today, which costs $300, has the power of a military supercomputer of 1997, which cost millions of dollars. – Michio Kaku
What if we started to live our real lives like gamers, lead our real businesses and communities like game designers, and think about solving real-world problems like computer and video game theorists? – Jane McGonigal
The founder of the Leipzig palm startup and Urban Greening Camp for greening and vertical farming developed a world innovation to improve urban habitats. This innovation called ‘Energy Storage Tree‘ can reduce costs of tree planting in cities and generally make urban greening more efficient and cost-effective. It involves innovative, mobile, modular, energy- and water-saving raised bed systems. Extensive concepts have been developed for initial energy storage raised bed systems. These mobile and modular raised bed systems for sustainable recreation, energy and water storage will make urban regions, large cities, small towns but also rural areas more livable. In fact, the raised beds can also be placed in village squares, tram or train stations and bus stops. Several innovations are combined in one general raised bed system and charging station. Energy and water storage enables sustainable and environmentally friendly operation. Ecological components, durability and low maintenance allows very efficient and long operation for decades – at least with minor corrections or repairs every few years. More details on the most important points will follow on the social and project pages. A comprehensive description of the basic concept and the standard variant were already published in August 2021.
The raised bed system is an energy storage station, a space or place to relax and recharge the batteries. The raised bed is equipped with small-growing tree species up to 5m. The special construction and processing of weather-resistant woods allow a long standing time, of course, it varies depending on the stand and location. The stability is increased by extra reinforced outer walls and inner walls with squared lumber in the corners, it is just taken usual measures for stabilization as it is common for raised bed construction. Due to the scalability, it can also be planted with many flowers, bushes, herbs and special shrubs or larger trees. The raised bed provides enough space and sufficient watering for the plants to grow well, also by good energy and atmosphere.
The standard dimensions for the standard design of the basic raised bed construction is 1.20×1.20×1.20m. The minimum basic or standard equipment consists of a mobile raised bed with foldable, robust and weather-resistant wooden benches or painted chipboard. If possible, the woods are treated with ecological or environmentally friendly varnishes or oils. The benches have a small angle of inclination towards the raised bed, so that rainwater can flow into the raised bed through latticed openings. All the inner sides of the raised bed are lined with pond liner and there are holes at the bottom as is common with large pots or planters. Below the raised bed there is an extra tray to catch rainwater. Excess water can drain down the side via drains a few inches above the bottom tray to prevent waterlogging in the raised bed, but at the same time water is available at the bottom for larger plants such as trees or shrubs. The lower compartment is accessible, the water can be drained at any time via a closable drain or water can be taken out for watering. The lowest side of the raised bed is extra reinforced with a solid plate, and is attached with rotating rollers with platforms made of metal or steel. Alternatively, a prefabricated rolling board can be attached at the bottom. These constructions provide extra stability and tilting of the raised bed becomes very unlikely, even with the simple standard variant, the raised bed stands firmly and stably. Due to the weight of the tree and the soil, the benches can be well loaded.
The extended standard variant contains three water reservoirs in the outer walls. One side has closable openings and extra compartments, the spaces between them are about 10-25cm wide, depending on the variant. The dimensions as well as designs are generally variable. Wide, high, rectangular or square raised beds can be made. Wide raised beds are suitable for shallow rooted plants and high ones for deep rooted plants. The benches or solar benches are set at about 50-60cm, so all people regardless of size can sit comfortably. Depending on the application, budget and location, smaller or larger raised bed systems are possible. Various casters can be attached or even replaced at the bottom of the solid top, depending on weight and size. Casters with locks and stoppers are available, or no casters for permanent and long-term installations. More details and sketches are in the utility model, concept and design papers.
Modular functions of the mobile raised bed allow a wide variation and a lot of additional applications. Lockable compartments and flaps provide access to spaces on the sides, for example, to perform cleaning, remove drains or add special fertilizer, mineral and water mixtures. The idea of give and take is harmoniously combined with the raised bed system. The spaces for the water storage tanks and lockable compartments for the modules are easily accessible and watertight. The modules such as adapters, energy storage, climate station and measuring devices are interchangeable – the latter are good for analyzing the tree or other plants, for example. The data can be retrieved, various devices and e-bikes can be charged via adapters. An expansion of the raised bed to include a mobile climate station for the city and regional climate would be conceivable, so like a connection to the power grid. The raised bed system will support the transition towards climate-neutral, greener and smarter cities and urban habitats. Sustainability and environmental awareness is additionally trained by the raised bed. The raised beds are also a meeting point for young people, pupils and students to get inspired by nature-based solutions and ideas. The raised bed system encourages raised bed construction at universities, schools and in school gardens.
Background on the sustainable and ecological developments
Ecological and recycled materials are preferred for raised bed construction. Inexpensive variants can even be realized with simple pallets or chipboard. These are previously oiled, painted or impregnated, as well as lined with pond liner so that they last for many years.
It took months and years to develop, studying raised beds and urban trees from around the world. The basic idea was born in 2017 and matured during the last months, the main reason and intention from the beginning was to make city tree planting more affordable, because especially in western countries like Germany a planting of a city tree can cost up to 3000 euros or even more – worldwide the price in big cities is at least around 1000 dollars. This was also one of the reasons to develop a mobile raised bed system which can reduce the price worldwide to far below 1000 dollars, depending on the country and material costs even below 300!
A raised bed for trees can of course also be realized with used barrels, rain barrels or IBC containers. This is especially suitable for communities and cities with little money, similar to poor regions in Africa or places with great poverty and poor soils. For this purpose, trees can even be kept for a few years in large sturdy garbage bags, as is done in some nurseries or tree plantations in developing countries.
The pattern of the simple standard variant of the raised bed system serves as a model for all cities in the world and is at the same time a good example for public use. More efficient and sustainable greening, resources and energy use is possible in the long run with different variants of the energy storage raised bed system. There is also some space under the raised bed, for example for stones. The concept and some design variants have been further developed by the Urban Greening Network project developer and founder of the new Leipzig palm startup since 2020. In August, final designs and excerpts from the general concept were published on various platforms and made available to the international community.
The initiator of the Greening Deserts Species Rescue and Protection Program CES-RPPÂ for international species protection and biodiversity calls on the European Union and the responsible Commission to finally support the emergency program for the rescue and recovery of species. It is about endangered species which could become extinct tomorrow and especially about the keystone species on which many other important species depend. Only a few days ago a German nature conservation association followed the call and also demands an emergency programv – it would be good to coordinate in this important matter. Nature and environmental protection organizations such as BUND have been invited several times to the species rescue and protection program. Until today, unfortunately, there was no concrete feedback or response. The emergency program and projects for species rescue, biodiversity and ecosystem restoration calls for international support.
Background on the important species conservation program and projects for species recovery and biodiversity
Greening Deserts founder has been calling for international institutions and organizations to support the CES-RPP emergency program for global species rescue, recovery and protection since 2019. Countless departments, employees and organizations of the European Union as well as UN have been informed several times and invited by eMail, hundreds have confirmed the call and the infomail. On the pages of Greening Deserts and the Trillion Trees Initiative you can read a lot of information about the special species rescue program and the species protection projects, including side projects like Afforestation.org, GreenRingAfrica.com, Hemp-Paper.org, PalmPaper.org, RiceStrawPaper.com,… Rice straw paper can reduce greenhouse emissions and environmental pollution significantly, otherwise farmers burn it or it rots and forms methane. Hemp plants can improve the biodiversity and soil – it’s good for bees and other insects! These alternative papers can reduce deforestation and supporting reforestation with improved soils. You can read more about improvement of soils with hemp on Greening Deserts project pages. Support a more sustainable paper, packaging and green building industry!
Extra pages were registered for the global species rescue program, for the German-speaking area Artenrettung.com, for Europe SpeciesProtection.eu and internationally SpeciesRescue.com! The sites were registered in 2020 and 2021. It is about the economic and scientific establishment of species rescue on a global scale. Some international species protection, climate protection, nature conservation and environmental protection organizations have already registered their interest. We are looking forward to new partners in the future to jointly master one of the biggest tasks and challenges for the decade – the reduction of species extinction by mitigating the causes and by promoting global biodiversity – also in urban regions and cities! The Urban Greening Camp project started RooftopGreening.com and the Urban Greening Network for healthier and greener cities, many followed the good example. In August the founder published a world innovation for urban greening with energy storage raised beds, the project development is called Energy Storage Tree.
Germany’s first vertical farming startup for threatened and endangered tree species and important crops is developing further concepts for resource-saving species conservation. The diversity of species is in the foreground and as far as possible, different varieties of a species are cultivated to achieve genetic diversity. Botanical gardens, biotopes, national parks and nature reserves are invited to join the Greening Deserts Species Protection Program CESRPP and the related species conservation projects for more biodiversity in forests. The goal is to save over 300 tree species from extinction by 2025, such as through professional tree breeding and distribution.
Important facts, opinions and statements
The following is important information on species conservation, climate protection, climate change and environmental protection in the climate crisis. It is not primarily about the human-caused part of “climate change” and global warming. It is about the global human impact or influcence on climate, environmental, natural and weather systems. The excessive disturbance or destruction and pollution of the natural environmental systems and life forms!
Certain industries like agriculture, heavy industry, chemical, coal, concrete, steel, arms and war industries which destroyed ecosystems and important parts of the environment and polluted the planet are also responsible for the extinction of species and the destruction of the biosphere. They caused not only an unstable atmosphere, but also more toxins, greenhouse gases and water vapor. They are partly responsible for certain harmful climate changes and mass extinction. Many scientists try to partially deny or excuse this, but it is what it is.., but it is how it is. By the way, facts, real truth or reality will be written by us all humans together. Means the whole humanity, opinions and collective wisdom represent the real reality not just a single opinion or study. Humans should aware and care more about these true facts, logical arguments and real truth! The fact that we are living in a hot age and a time of many climate and weather extremes, means that humanity and all life forms should make the best of it and better adapt. The best way is to promote adaptation, education, resilience and understanding of the circumstances. It is reasonable to live and work with nature, not against it!
Many conservationists, climate, nature, and environmental activists want to protect species, some even the really important and endangered species. This is commendable and there could be many more of these activists. But it is much more important to save the really critically endangered species and to protect them at the same time! Today, still almost nobody understands how important the species rescue and how unimportant the species protection of unimportant species is – at least in comparison and in relation to the rapid species extinction of really threatened or critically endangered species. Each gardener is a protector of species. What is the use for the biosphere, nature and mankind to save the few species we hear about every day. On the other hand, countless much more important species are dying out every day, including many keystone species on which many other species depend. Unfortunately, there is also a lack of awareness and understanding of the biosphere in relation to the biomass and diversity of species. Just look, organic soils, grasslands, wetlands and global forests who regulate even the climate and weather systems are the main part of the biodsphere!
If mankind prevents species extinction by preserving healthy ecosystems and restoring important habitats and landscapes, or if natural regeneration processes are more supported, the atmosphere and biosphere could recover, regenerate naturally and regulate itself. The connection between species recovery, species protection, climate protection, environmental protection and biodiversity, biosphere and ecosystem services is often not seen clearly. Until today, many people do not understand that climate protection is also species protection and thus contributes significantly to the preservation of the biosphere. One of the best ways to protect and save species is to preserve the important habitats of these species and to do ecosystem restoration with greening, reforestation species protection camps on a global level. Greening Deserts founder and initiator explained these important issues in several articles and offered innovative solutions with many global initiatives or international projects.
Another thing is the missing issue or topic of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) on so many levels. One example in the case of flood prevention by nature-based solutions. It’s logic that after such drought years, dry and water repellent soils make erosions and floods more extreme. Another problem are the missing trees and wetlands were destroyed. The problem in Germany is and was the missing disaster risk reduction and disaster management in case of extreme weather events like droughts and floods, DRR should be a worldwide established system. Even urban flood prevention by extra water sheds, water ways and underground reservoirs can help to reduce these risks. Another problem is the lack of trees and wetlands that have been destroyed – especially by extreme drainage for agriculture and open pit mines. Many important ecosystems such as wetlands have been destroyed as a result, including floodplains, bogs, fens and wet forests. Facts and scientific advice on flood protection and prevention with disaster risk reduction, nature-based solutions and sustainable water management you can find on Greening Deserts project pages.
If humanity understands all these relations there will be maybe a chance of get back a certain balance, harmony or peace — to live peacefull with nature and each other. I call it the harmonic coexistence, if you lived my life during the last ten years you would understand what I mean. To all the worldwide scientific colleages, it is no alarmism, it is pure reality and truth, it are serious advises, concerns and of course personal opinions what’s going on. You can experience and research yourself during many years or decades.
Many people of the climate movement, governments and even parts of the industry followed and got inspired by Greening Deserts articles and projects – especially the master works or plans. Read for example the master work for a faster and more efficient coal exit in coal regions, it was published years before there was a Coal Commission in Germany! Published many good papers and solutions for the biodiversity and climate crisis, the green building and energy transition during the years, long before there was the actual climate movement or Fridays for Future. Even the green ring logo was designed for the Green Ring Movement and Trillion Trees Initiative before FFF started. Just to mention the history and origins of some ideas and works. At the end we at Greening Deserts are happy that so many people got inspired and followed the good examples. Desert greening with desert bamboo and thistles loosens and improves the soil. Green manure plants such as special field beans and hemp can quickly build up humus-rich topsoils. This even works in drylands and wastelands! Read more about in the article ‘Hemp toilet paper can reduce deforestation, climate change and global warming‘ and ‘Hemp cultivation in open-cast mines for sustainable soil improvement and organic farming with hemp‘.
Climate protection, nature conservation and environmental protection is also species protection.
Greening Camps can reduce deforestation, land degradation, desertification and global warming through global greening, conservation as well as biodiversity enhancement, ecosystem restoration and ecological reforestation!
Humanity don’t need to travel to desert planet Mars if the desertification continues in the actual rate, we will have a desert planet Earth in 100 years!
Urban Greening is also Urban Cooling, thus is Global Greening Global Cooling.
We need more environmental awareness and sustainability, sustainable living and sustainable working, in all fields or areas. We need to create a world of understanding, acceptance, respect, tolerance, compassion and consciousness. – Oliver Gediminas Caplikas
The world’s first nursery and vertical farming startup for endangered tree species was started by the Leipzig Palms and Urban Greening Camp project. The urban gardening company is connected with the scientific and private project for vertical farming. It is an ongoing project development until we expand into bigger halls of the building and start with the urban farming facilities for special herbs and vegetables. First we have to test a lot of vertical farming and lighting systems. We will keep you updated here and on the other official pages and channels.
There are also good news during the crisis, such as the creation of a successful startup for urban greening, green and clean technologies combined with innovation and knowledge management. Urban agriculture and vertical farming as well as plant cultivation with hydroponics is traded by futurologists as the future of agriculture. This was also a reason to develop an extra Urban Greening Camp in Leipzig years ago and to build it up since 2020. In the run-up, the first tree and plant species have already been cultivated, including particularly endangered species. Herbs and medicinal plants will be cultivated in further grow rooms which are in preparation. There is actual no vertical farming company worldwide who combines biodiversity conservation, urban farming, tree cultivation and species protection. It is also a model project and pilot for various innovative developments — for a more ecological farming and sustainable forestry worldwide, we call it Ecosystem Restoration Systems. #ecorestorsys
Urban Greening Camp vertical farming startup example for endangered trees.
The greening camps will cultivate many native plants and important trees for agriculture and forestry. Cities will be supplied through home improvement stores and garden centers. The camps will simultaneously serve education and training, development and research. Urban and vertical farming is being taken very seriously in some major Asian cities, and complete greenhouse buildings (Urban / Vertical Farming Towers) are even being planned. With sufficient support, we can also realize a vertical greenhouse over several floors in Leipzig. The Urban Greening Camp will not only cultivate plants under artificial light, but also with direct daylight. Innovative solutions and developments in the field of aquaponics, hydroponics and optics will be developed and tested – barrels, canisters and water tanks are already available. A suitable building has already been occupied, and initial talks have been held with the owner. It is not just about endangered tree species, vegetables or a few herbs, but about professional greenhouse facilities, storage and logistic systems – which are also needed for some important species conservation projects. The Urban Greening Camp is a center for biodiversity and species conservation, not only locally or regionally but internationally! Many species conservationists, conservation organizations, botanists, botanical gardens and environmentalists have already been informed and invited. Berlin and Leipzig has many flat roofs, these should be used much more for rooftop greening and roof gardens.
The Urban Greening Camp and Leipzig Palm Project is a platform for cultural, socio-economic and scientific exchange, online as well as directly on site. Active participants are welcome to join the innovative developments and projects. The garden market and tree nursery will cultivate not only palms, but also other important plants such as herbs, ethnobotanical and medicinal plants. Endangered tree species and important flowering plants for bees are also in the program. Permaculture, urban farming, community and urban gardening are not just trendy terms, they are global movements that can make cities more livable and environmentally friendly. In principle, the allotment garden movement which started with the poor gardens and allotments in the 19th century is the first urban gardening movement. For years we have been supporting the movement and cities on urban greening issues. Kindergartens, schools and universities also have the possibility to establish allotment gardens on their premises, talked with a lot of people about how to establish more horticulture, community and rooftop gardens in inner cities.
Green roofs and rooftop solar applications are together possible, so like community and rooftop gardens.
Since 2016, the founder of Greening Deserts has been developing projects such as the greening and research camps for sustainable reforestation, greening, green and clean technologies (cleantech and greentech). Species protection, climate protection, nature conservation, environmental protection and especially sustainable actions as well as economic activities are important tasks of the future ventures. Ecological education and environmentally conscious actions are also important points on the Global Greening Agenda developed by Oliver Caplikas together with colleagues from the EU and UN over the years. The international Greening Act and the new Green Deal have already been successfully implemented in some countries. It is about an honest and conscientious transformation of environmentally harmful economic sectors, the reduction of global overproduction and the improvement of consumption and environmental awareness of societies and the world population as a whole. That is why many innovative projects have been founded over the years, successful campaigns and initiatives have been carried out worldwide. Many people and organizations got inspired and followed the good example.
The crisis has set back some developments and projects, but brought others forward. Like the new Urban Greening project in Leipzig, which is currently focusing on innovative plant cultivation, storage and cooling systems – especially with regard to green building, sustainable architecture, energy storage and economical water management. All of this will be incorporated into future vertical farming solutions and systems that will be developed at the Urban Greening Camp. Solar, wind and water energy applications will play a crucial role. A research facility on a larger roof could show that green roofs and solar systems are possible at the same place and time, for which the Agrovoltaik project was founded. Another important topic is the education and increased promotion of facade solar systems, hydrogen energy storage, transparent solar technologies and Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWT). Very interesting in this context is the combination of highly efficient processes for hydrogen production from solar and wind energy. It is so innovative like facade greening and solar facades for cooling and heat storage. Energy efficiency and energy storage plays a special role in the urban cooling and urban greening process. Insulation materials made of hemp and hemp wood are further innovations that are being promoted particularly strongly in Canada and Austria. Germany should not lose touch in many respects.
Another good urban vertical farming example to produce healthy food – depends on light, minerals, substrate and water quality.
The founder has informed many international institutions and universities about the potentials, especially in the field of building technology and energy storage solutions. In the future, buildings could be efficient energy storage devices and decentralized power plants; it is the future of a truly sustainable energy economy and more economical use of natural resources. Facade greening and photovoltaic facades can also protect against high heat and store heat. Urban greening in general can help cool cities and, of course, provides fresh air. More light-colored surfaces, such as lighter asphalt and concrete are also a good option; in New York and other cities, roofs have already been painted white to cool buildings. Greening cities and urban regions is key to urban cooling and thus global cooling.
We invite interested investors, strong partners and sponsors to join the further project development. In late summer, the first round and official meeting of interested parties will take place. Representatives of the city of Leipzig, Halle, Dresden, Berlin, Hamburg and other interested cities are also invited. We are looking forward to a successful start of the new startup and a greener future. Check also Greening Deserts other innovative projects like the Greenhouse and Recycling Ship! Together with other Startups we develop(ed) mobile greenhouse solutions so like greenhouse, solar and water containers which can collect and filter rainwater. We want to establish desalinization plants and applications for coastal greening and reforestation. Years ago we published some great concepts to use nature-based solutions like bamboo for loosen hard soils, to filter sea water and to improve the groundwater levels. @ #ecofarming #ecoforestry #ecorestorsys #greeningcoasts
Some more important points and summer updates:
The Leipzig Palms project and Urban Greening Camp is the world’s first nursery and vertical farming startup for indoor arboriculture and endangered tree species! Herbs and medicinal plants are cultivated in further grow rooms. We will use innovative cleantech, greentech and vertical farming techniques for tree cultivation and plant breeding of important plants.
There is no other vertical farming company worldwide who combines biodiversity, conservation, cleantech, greening, greentech, tree cultivation and urban farming. Welcome to the future of arboriculture!
The Urban Greening Camp, nursery and vertical farming startup for endangered tree species saving much energy, place, time, water and other resources by innovative management and real sustainable solutions.
The indoor farming startup in Leipzig works on the next room for critically endangered tree species, herbs and seed storage. Vertical farming will reach new dimensions with cleantech and greentech developments.
The vertical farming company office and workshop are connected with a large corridor to the other rooms and the main hall. The next room for critical endangered tree species is in progress. There are much more rooms, halls and floors in the building we can use in future – or we move to another similar building.
More classic and modern plant growing systems with good soils and substrates will be tested together with new grow lights and hydroponic systems. Manufacturers and sponsors are welcome to send us their products for testing and presentation.
We will test new light systems, not just LED, LEC, HID and CFL lights with optimal light for each plant or tree species and phases of growth — we call it the right light management. Lasers, robotics, sensors and webcams will improve the vertical farming results in future.
You are also welcome to visit the official business and social networks on Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter, and…
Big thanks to the colleagues from Max Planck Society, New York and Toronto University for showing some support during the years — thanks going also to all the other institutions and organizations who don’t ignored the information letter. To all interested parties, welcome on board! You are always welcome to visit the camp in future. Your friend of nature from Leipzig in Saxony, Germany. Oliver G. Caplikas
The Greening Deserts project LE Palms ala Leipziger Palmen is after months of preparation now in the startup phase 1. The foundation takes place in May and will go on until the end of July. The founder and initiator has worked very hard for a long time to successfully launch the new company, even though it was often not easy to continue working due to the crisis and many problems. After more than a year, it is finally time to launch the startup properly. There will be some actions and campaigns, such as the establishment of the platform including blog and store. Further actions will be announced every month, special developments and events will be published in time with corresponding articles and press releases. Social networks, photos and videos will underline the enterprise in the future, there will be sufficient info materials. Interested parties are invited to public actions and future events.
Active support and constructive feedback is always welcome. For this purpose, the official communication channels such as eMail and other contact possibilities via the networks and platforms can be used. The Urban Greening Camp and palm project will be a platform for cultural, socio-economic and scientific exchange. Active participants are welcome to join the innovative developments and connected projects. The nursery and inner-city market garden will cultivate not only palm trees but also other important plants such as medicinal, medicinal and medicinal plants. Endangered tree species and important flowering plants for bees are also included in the program. The Greening Deserts species conservation center, associated projects and plant breeding facilities, archive and future seed storage are part of the species conservation camp. The whole site with office is the European Center for Biodiversity and Species Conservation, it will connect further international libraries, archives, networks and organizations online and with a special biodiversity conservation computing network. Deep Learning and the future Internet (IoE) will play a central role. The Species Conservation and Biodiversity Center, the CES-RPP and Greening Camp project was launched and initiated by Oliver Gediminas Caplikas in recent years.
A brief introduction to the developments, services, products and important goals
The startup project mainly deals with garden products, palm and palm products such as date syrup, palm coffee, palm juice and palm sugar. Innovative developments and new markets are the passion of the startup. Every month new innovative products are introduced, interesting services are offered and research results are presented. After all, it’s not just about simple palm products, but about complex materials and substances. For example, palm leaves can be used to make insulating materials, paper products and pressed boards or building blocks. Since there are enough palm trees and surplus worldwide, many other useful products can also be established – see charcoal and coconut substrate from coconut shells. In addition, many of the products serve health and wellness. There will be much awesome product developments like palm coffee and palm juice with date palm syrup and palm sugar. The Palms Coffee project will focus on new coffee creations, so like ice palm coffee.
The Leipzig startup has set itself the goal in some areas to be one of the market leaders, by opening up completely new markets, this should not be a problem. Strong investors, international partners and sponsors are invited to participate in the startup, especially in the early phase. From 2022 onwards, this will only be possible to a limited extent, as there are already many international interested parties. We always welcome new people, because there is enough potential for so many areas. For example, for the beginning we can employ a temp and interns, active project and team leaders will be in the future are invited as well as botanists, gardeners, economic or scientific professions, also because there is enough work, interesting tasks and a lot to learn. Species conservation, education, climate protection, sustainability, ecological, socio-economic work or action and environmental protection are at the top of the agenda.
The international startup cultivates and brings hardy palm trees to European cities like Berlin, Paris and London. In May and June, LE Palms sponsored the first palm species to the Palmengarten in Leipzig, such as the Wagner palm Trachycarpus wagnerianus and Sabal dwarf palmetto, with more species to follow. As part of the species conservation program, other important species are also being introduced to Leipzig’s green spaces, especially endangered native species. Important grasses, herbs and wildflowers can be introduced together with other species protection and nature conservation projects of NABU and BUND, if they are interested in an exchange and cooperation. Raised crops and raised beds can also provide extra useful areas in public places and at paths.
The Urban Greening Camp project and LE Palms will design extra species protection raised beds, which will also serve as a refuge for particularly endangered species. Similar to the information boards at the Leipzig Zoo, the raised beds will provide a lot of useful information, also via digital interfaces like the QR code and virtual functions like via augmented reality apps. We look forward to creative minds and participation from Leipzig’s cultural landscape. We have all suffered long enough through the crisis and as the new President of America said, it is time to let people, nations and nature heal. We should work and grow together with nature, because any fight against nature will be lost sooner or later. We need more environmental awareness and sustainable work or life in so many areas, such as more sustainable work, production and especially more sustainable and ecological consumption. Species conservation and climate protection does not come by itself, it affects us all, in large as well as small ways.
Experienced arborists, biodiversity conservationists, botanists, environmentalists, tree experts, dentrologists, gardeners and similar professions are invited to participate in the project and future actions. We would like to organize a botanical event and meeting for species conservationists, botanists, botanical gardens and related organizations from all over the world in Leipzig, this was supposed to be prepared already in 2019 and realized in 2020, but was prevented by the crisis. More information about future actions will be published on Greening Deserts project pages.
Finally, some more good news and a quote from the founder
The Greening Deserts biodiversity conservation program, Greening Camps and Trillion Trees initiative for biodiversity conservation, species protection and climate change mitigation, ecological education and ecosystem restoration, environmental protection, sustainable greening and reforestation can reduce the effects of climate change, deforestation, droughts, desertification, floods, land degradation, mass extinctions, global warming and pollution worldwide.
Agroforestry, more flowering trees, food forests, mixed forests, pole crops, and diverse orchards with diverse fruits that are available to animals and humans alike can be combined with more sustainable agriculture and ecological forestry! AI, aquaponics, CleanTech, hydroponics, GreenTech, permaculture techniques and vertical farming, advanced scientific developments in these fields can help improve the whole society, economy and science.
Climate protection, nature conservation and environmental protection is also species protection – so it is also human protection. We need more environmental awareness and sustainability, more sustainable production, sustainable actions, living and working, in all areas or fields! We need to create a world of understanding, acceptance, respect, tolerance, compassion and awareness – otherwise there will be no peace in the world. – Oliver Gediminas Caplikas
Greening Deserts Critically Endangered Species Research and Protection Program (CES-RPP) started an extra project for endangered tree species to focus on the most important issue of global biodiversity conservation and establish more biodiversity in habitats and forests worldwide. This will also promote many other ecosystems, and stabilize as well as improve the atmosphere or air, biosphere, global climate and water cycle. The contribution of trees to the improvement of soil, life, air and water quality should be clear to everyone. There is as much life in a handful of soil from a rainforest as in hundreds of soccer fields, but not so much in fields and meadows. It depends also on the history and vegetation. The main focus of the special species protection project for critically endangered tree species is the building of special seed storage facilities (boxes and cabinets) and other innovative solutions in various areas. The exchange and sharing of experiences are particularly important. With the Urban Greening Camp we can store and preserve seeds professionally. In the field of Indoor Gardening and Vertical Farming we can cultivate many species of trees, especially for the European and Mediterranean regions. We can share seeds and plants with botanical gardens and professional nurseries around the world. Numerous international institutions, organizations, universities, biodiversity and plant scientists, and tree and forest specialists have already been informed about many of these aspects and projects in 2020.
This announcement and information of the new Greening Deserts project for critically endangered species can be shared worldwide. The project title is 1001+ Critically Endangered Tree Species Seed Storage and Tree Cultivation Project. The Trillion Trees Initiative will help to share the trees and seeds worldwide in the future, especially in regions where more biodiversity is needed or trees have become extinct or very rare. Some of the other Greening Deserts projects and special programs can also help establish many of the endangered tree species on which many other species depend. These special biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration, environmental greening, ecological reforestation and species protection projects can save millions of life forms worldwide. Healthy ecosystems like forests are habitat for countless organisms and can save many endangered insects, fungi and microbes. That’s why Greening Deserts species conservation projects will focus on biodiversity forests, drylands, grasslands and wetlands. Urban greening and biodiversity in cities will be supported by the upcoming greening, research and species protection camps.
Species conservationists, tree experts, botanists, tree growers, and all friends of nature are invited to join the project, for example by exchanging useful information or sharing constructive feedback and resources. Of course, other experts and scientists who are able to support the project can also join. Together with the CES-RPP, we can set a goal to recultivate and replant forests, typical tree landscapes, and regions with critically endangered tree species and key plant species worldwide. If we focus on cultivating and exchanging seedlings around the world, we can save many tree species from extinction. If all goes well, we can lift the critically endangered status of many trees and truly save them by cultivating plants and sharing seeds. Other important tasks are to show natural alternatives to pesticides, and to promote nature-based solutions and permaculture.
Botanical gardens, nurseries, tree experts, forestry companies and tree-related businesses should pay more attention to these factors. One big cause of the biodiversity loss and mass mortality is deforestation and too many monocultures. This issue is not only about the few established tree species in forestry, it is also about many other important plants and keystone species. With the endangered tree species that we want to cultivate and share worldwide, thousands of other species can be saved and protected. These trees and plants may even bring back other species that were thought to be extinct. Biodiverse forests, meadows and fields are the key to counteracting global species extinction on a large scale. Many of the critically endangered tree species play a particularly important role. On the pages of Greening Deserts and affiliated projects, you can read more about the real problems and good solutions in almost all areas, especially how to act in a truly efficient and sustainable way.
Environmental satellites, GIS systems, and satellite imagery of global vegetation can also help select the right trees for the right areas. Historical archives and plant databases can be used to find suitable tree species for those regions with low biodiversity, like in Europe and North Africa, where few tree species exist and many have been lost or forgotten—especially in relation to the approximately 60,000 tree species, of which about 10,000 are endangered and 1400 are critically endangered. That’s why Greening Deserts has set the goal of saving the most endangered tree species, while working together with interested species protection organizations, tree nurseries, botanical gardens and institutions in this area. It is not only about biodiversity hotspots, new forests and a few more tree species, but about many other plants, animals and ecosystems that used to have a greater biodiversity. Biodiversity in cities and urban regions is more important than many people think. Ecosystem and landscape experts can help to find good places for greening and reforestation, or even for completely new forests, such as in man-made deserts or urban concrete jungles. Urban greening and urban forests will play an increasingly important role over time, especially in relation to the issues of biodiversity, global greening, health and the urban cooling aspect.
Some cities are now already up to four degrees hotter than in the old days, i.e. the 1.5 or 2 degree target has long been exceeded in some regions! Many people around the world have died as a result of the droughts and heat waves of recent years. The passive effects of the climate crisis, such as environmental or natural disasters and pandemics are underestimated, especially when it comes to poverty. Experts estimate that over 100 million people will fall into poverty during the actual crises. All the more reason why we need holistic solutions to the climate crisis and global solidarity with these poor, sick and weak people. Healthy ecosystems and a healthy environment are the basis for the health of all life forms. Adapting to climate change and strengthening cultures is important not only for humans but for animal and plant species. Only together with nature we can overcome the crises. Nature-based solutions play an increasingly important role. One can see the Corona crisis as part of the climate crisis, especially since the virus was originated in a region of damaged or polluted environment in China. Many people think the virus came from a wet market with endangered species in Wuhan, but some scientists think it started to spread by wild animals like bats. The chance of a spread of zoonotic viruses that can be transmitted between animals and humans is higher in damaged ecosystems.
Climate protection and environmental protection is also species protection—and therefore human protection. Species recovery, species conservation, and biodiversity with species protection camps and special protection programs like the Trillion Trees Initiative can reduce global species extinction with appropriate international support. The camps primarily serve to restore near-natural ecosystems. Global greening can accelerate the peace-building process and reduce climate change effects like global warming and air pollution. Environmental awareness, ethical and social principles, sustainable production and work, and human rights and indigenous rights are very important for future development. For years, we have been informing organizations and institutions about Greening Deserts projects. Requests for funding and support of these important developments and projects have been sent several times.
The global extinction of species, lack of biodiversity and species protection or too little species rescue in many areas also increasingly affects human health. The current crisis and drought years have clearly shown everyone how quickly ecosystems can collapse or become unbalanced. The important role of missing tree species, especially in tree-poor regions of Europe and the Mediterranean, is greatly underestimated. Several hundred other species can depend on each individual tree species! Since many thousands of tree species are critically endangered and only rarely present, hundreds of thousands of species that depend on these trees are missing. This is one reason behind the extinction of numerous species. Trees fulfill important functions and are key elements of ecosystems and cycles. Climate and weather systems are also significantly influenced and stabilized by trees and forests, as well as all associated plants.
One unfortunately still hears many limited arguments or opinions in agriculture and forestry. Agroforestry, food forests, flowering trees and more trees with fruits for animals and humans are possible to combine more sustainable agriculture and ecological forestry! AI, aquaponics, cleantech, hydroponics, greentech, permaculture techniques and vertical farming, scientific developments or achievements can also help improve all these areas or sectors. Many of the long discussed conflicts are really unnecessary, especially the land use conflict. Think about all the space in the air, underground, underwater and on waters. A lot of things are possible at the same time if one is creative, willing to compromise and understanding. Often there is simply a lack of awareness and will. If all nations plant a few billion trees during the next years we could reach the goal of a trillion trees extra for planet Earth easily. If the most of the humans plant a few hundred trees in their life the humanity could plant another trillion trees in just one generation – it could be so easy if all humans would act together. In the meanwhile we will push the trillion trees initiatives with good actions, examples and projects. Many people and organizations were informed about the Greening Deserts sustainable developments, innovative ideas and outstanding projects.
Here are some of the main projects: Afforestation.org, Artenschutzcamp, Desert Bamboo Africa, Climate Adaption EU, Ecosystem Restoration Network, Eichenpark, Energy Storage Park, Greening Coasts, Greening Drones, Greenhouse Ship, Green Ring Africa, Great Green Wall North Africa, Hemp Papers, LE Palms, Palm Coffee, Recycling Ship, Reforestation Europe, Rice Straw Paper, Rooftop Greening, Seeding Balloon, School Forests, Species Protection Europe, Transparent Solar, Trillion Trees Africa, Trillion Trees Foundation, Urban Greening Network,.. tbc..
The first Urban Greening Camp and species protection camp will be located in Leipzig, Germany. It will be also an biodiversity center and international biodiversity conservation platform. The state of Saxony is a relatively central region in Europe. Effective logistics, sustainable working and sustainable packaging as well as shipping should not be a problem. The founder and initiator Oliver Gediminas Caplikas is working hard on the concepts and projects, at the moment he prepares a new location and the launch of a new startup. The startup project mainly deals with palms and palm products. More about the new project development in the next article and press release. Many interesting developments, information and projects on the topics have been published in scientific networks and on various platforms during the last years. Read more on Greening Deserts official project pages.
Constructive feedback and real support is always welcome. Feel free to contact and to connect by the social networks or other official channels. Sustainable joint ventures, investments, partnerships and sponsorships are always welcome.
You can download the complete article as PDF, it is the second edit of February. Greening_Deserts_species_protection_projects_for_critically_endangered_species