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 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
Since 2018, new records have been set in terms of droughts, hottest months and driest years in centuries. The drought, heat and pests have been affecting the forests more and more since 2019 and unfortunately there is no improvement in sight in 2020 either. In Germany there was the most severe forest damage in over 200 years. Fires and storms have greater effects, because of the large amount of damaged wood and the tree damage, there are more problems with pests and fungal attack. Fine dust and environmental toxins from agriculture give many plants and animals the rest, especially insects such as bees suffer from environmental destruction. Air pollution, insecticides and pesticides are not only a danger for bees, they also endanger many other species, especially in areas of agriculture and livestock farms. Many of the typical trees and forests in forestry are monocultures and conifers such as douglas firs, spruces, pines, larches and firs – unfortunately they do not offer much nectar. Almost 80 percent of the conifers were felled because of damage. At just under 70 percent, the proportion of damaged wood in 2019 was more than three times as high as in 2010. As already described in the article on the Leipzig Oak Park of Diversity project, even strong tree species such as oaks are affected. Whether from pests, powdery mildew or drought stress, the plants suffer very badly from drought. Like many deciduous trees, oaks are deep-rooted, which draw water from the lower soil layers. What they don’t need themselves, they release closer to the surface. This makes oak a good soil regulator, for example through its pronounced symbioses with microorganisms and fungi. Oaks and other robust trees suffer from climate change, as do many people and animals. Damage to trees and forests is not only caused by fire, drought and heat waves, but also by fungus, pests, snow breaks, storms, floods and environmental toxins – as well as air and water pollution.
There are around four billion hectares of forest on earth. There are around 60,000 tree species worldwide and over 10,000 of them are threatened with extinction. According to an assessment by the World Conservation Union (IUCN), more than half of European tree species are endangered. Of the approximately 450 tree species, 265 do not occur on any other continent. More than 150 species are threatened, 66 species are at the highest level of endangerment and therefore close to extinction. In total, more than 28,000 animal and plant species are listed as endangered worldwide. These are data and statistics from recent years and some of the figures are already out of date, especially after the massive droughts and forest fires. It can be assumed that many more species are now threatened and in some regions even extinct.
According to climate research, long-term studies and weather experts, extreme drought is becoming normal in Europe in summer. In spring there is also a lack of water for healthy plant growth in many places around the world. The soils and forests can hold less water because the important reservoirs are not only dried out but damaged, i.e. the storage capacity is reduced and in some cases reduced for years. If middle and deeper soil layers harden, humus layers decay to dust or are destroyed, even a lot of rain does not help at first. It then takes years of moderate rain and much plant growth until these soil layers are loosened and watered again. Trees, hedges and other plants that can form complex, strong and deep roots need a few years to loosen middle and deep soil layers. Many plants lose branches, leaves and fruit during a drought or extreme drought. The proportion of trees with significant crown thinning increased to about 35 percent in 2019. If the trees and plants are generally weakened, they are more susceptible to parasites and other pests such as bark beetles, jewel beetles and processionary moth. In most cases, the damaged wood cannot remain in the forest. Much of this wood is not suitable for wood processing or high-quality products for the construction and furniture industries. Often the only option left is to process it into inferior wood products such as chipboard or wood pellets. A lot of damaged wood has been coming onto the market since 2018 and the price of wood has collapsed dramatically, the forecasts for 2021 and 2022 do not look any better. There is currently so much wood per year that would normally be enough for three years or more. The forest and wood industries are recording massive losses, and even cheap oak is already being sold as firewood. Forest companies and forest owners will have to work for a long time to compensate and repair the damage of recent years.
Future challenges, conflicts, wars and crises because of the worldwide water availability and water supply
The water reserves in the soil are becoming increasingly scarce, the soils are becoming drier overall. It has been relatively dry in Germany since 2015. The past two years exceeded the previous record drought of 1976. At that time it was exceptionally dry for five years and some tree species were replaced or supplemented by drought-resistant species such as hornbeam, service tree and field maple. But the adaptation of forests to the crisis and forest restructuring makes no sense if the groundwater will levels sink, lakes, rivers and water reservoirs partially dry up. Dry periods in winter are also a big problem, because when there is no snow there is much less water due to the melting of snow. The problem has been known for a long time, for example the lack of water supply due to the disappearance of glaciers and large areas of snow or ice. When mountains and oceans absorb more sun, the planet heats up even faster, especially at the North Pole. Fires and very hot times in northern areas of Russia also accelerate the thawing of the permafrost soil. Similar to the largest share of the greenhouse gas methane from agriculture or livestock farming, methane is released by the decomposition of the thawed biomass. As this happens in a very short time, the atmosphere, biosphere and weather systems cannot simply compensate for this, resulting in extreme climate changes and an increase in extreme weather conditions. For some years now, climate researchers have been able to prove the connection between extreme drought and severe flooding. In the meantime, there have been several fires, droughts and floods of the century, not only in Germany and Europe – but unfortunately also in Africa, America, Asia and India.
According to various surveys, around 80 percent are very concerned about the persistent drought. In France, Poland, the Czech Republic and other European countries, the spring was marked by low rainfall this year. French forests are very much endangered by the drought years and the hot summer of 2019. It was one of the deadliest heat waves in all of Europe, killing thousands of humans. The harmful effects of the droughts can be clearly seen on satellite images, many brown and gray fields in Europe and many large cities such as Berlin are affected. It affects especially regions in the north and east, in principle all federal states are affected. The cities in particular need more greenery, as they can heat up much more as the surrounding area. What you see more and more often are dry meadows, trees and bushes. The parks and water areas are therefore just as important as the greening of roofs and facades. The soil moisture, the total groundwater level and the groundwater levels in different regions of Germany are too low, at least in relation to normal amounts of precipitation and water levels. In April 2020, there was far too little rainfall in almost all federal states; the states of Saxony-Anhalt, Saxony and Thuringia were particularly affected. The soil moisture in the topsoil and total soil is simply too little for many plants. Due to the lack of water available to plants, drought stress or water stress quickly occurs. The photosynthesis of the plants and the growth decrease. If the usable soil water continues to fall, plant water stress occurs and the plants begin to dry up.
The drought monitor of the Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research showed that the total soil in large parts of Germany was characterized by extreme to extraordinary drought in April and midsummer 2020. Similar to the drought monitor from the Environmental Research Center in Leipzig, there is also a research project in Switzerland called Drought CH or Trockenheit.ch, where information on the current situation is shown. The colleagues also summarize a lot of interesting data from the last few years. Such information is becoming more and more important, especially if conflicts over water resources increase in the future, whether in the energy industry for cooling or in agriculture for agricultural irrigation. It affects many European countries. If the water reserves become increasingly scarce, conflicts of use over water resources can be intensified considerably. The use of water, water resources and water management must become more economical or more sustainable so that there is not another water crisis in the next few years. Using ponds, water towers and underground water reservoirs to collect rainwater makes more and more sense, especially when you consider that around 80 percent of all irrigation throughout Germany is done with groundwater. An increasing demand for water from agriculture contrasts with other usage interests and problems, such as the public supply of drinking water, over 70 percent of which is obtained from groundwater. In addition, forests consume a lot of groundwater in dry times, this can affect rivers and other waters. The drought year 2018 and 2019 severely dried out many soils and water reservoirs, to compensate this it takes many years of rain above the usual annual average. Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Saxony-Anhalt and Saxony are the federal states with the lowest rainfall. Specific figures can be found on the relevant weather portals and statistics pages.
Forest dieback, desertification and expanding deserts in Europe
Due to the third year of drought in a row, there will also be considerable problems for the plant world in winter and spring 2020, as many soils and plants will not be able to recover so easily under these extreme conditions. The garden, park and forest maintenance is therefore more important than ever this year, every citizen should lend a hand in his spare time, even if it are just a few buckets of water for the tree in front of the door or some irrigation for bushes, hedges or trees at the streets. Unfortunately, awareness of sustainable use and the problem of water waste is still not taken seriously. The production of one kilo of beef requires around 15,000 liters of water, pork almost 6,000 and chicken 4,300 liters. The average water footprint in Germany is 3,900 liters per person per day. This figure includes the amount of water that is used for the production of consumed food and goods in one’s own country, but also the water that is needed, for example, for the manufacture of clothing or electrical appliances abroad. This also applies to ‘more ecological’ electric cars, which unfortunately are still made with a lot of coal, plastic and oil. The coal electricity for car production and rail traffic alone is astronomical.
2019 was the hottest year in the history of Europe, according to scientific findings, with the drought year 2018 and the drought summer 2020, it is now the worst drought in a row for 250 years. The droughts and heat waves of recent years clearly show that the climate crisis is having a significant impact on our lives, the environment, consumption and our economy. An adaptation of the plants to the more extreme climate occurs naturally, but should be supported and improved by sustainable strategies of climate change adaptation. This should not only apply to crops or to livestock, but also especially to endangered species. The selfish nature, way of life and work in certain areas of society and industry, such as fossil energy, monotonous agriculture and forestry, is harming the environment. Selfishness, ignorance and little will to change in the direction of sustainability, nature and environmental protection have produced a destructive chemical industry, energy industry, aviation, shipping, heavy industry, monoculture agriculture and monotonous forestry.
The biodiversity, soil and water quality have suffered extremely, valuable landscapes and habitats have been destroyed or have been lost due to rigorous greed for profit and environmental degradation. If things continue like this, even regardless of the climate crisis, there will soon be no more fertile land, only dust and desert. Greening Deserts Climate analyses and long-term studies, in coordination with international climate researchers and climate models, have repeatedly confirmed an increase in extreme weather conditions – even before the drought years or floods of the century, as in Europe and India in 2018 and 2019. There have been several warnings that extreme droughts and floods will become more frequent in Europe, initially in southern Europe and, with further drought years, also in central Europe. This has now even been confirmed in a study by the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) in Leipzig. Now all we need are realistic solutions and feasibility studies to counteract these extremely rapid changes. A wind of change is blowing.
Usually the jet stream with the high and low pressure areas moves from west to east and brings Central Europe a mix of sun, clouds and rain. However, with the accelerated climate change, the high pressure areas tend to persist for weeks over some European regions in summer. As a result, there are long heat waves and droughts, in the low-pressure areas there are more frequent heavy rain and floods. Various temperature and heat records have been set over the years, in 2020 there were many cold summer nights and very large temperature fluctuations. Due to the many dry and windy days, the drought has increased overall. The logging caused by wind and storm damage amounted to 18.5 million cubic meters in 2018. That is four times as much compared to the previous year. There are many forest fires because the soil and top layers with branches, leaves or needles are very dry. The risk of fire is also very high for agriculture, especially when dry fields catch fire, for example from careless drivers and smokers or from broken glass. A field fire, forest fire or forest fire is no fun because it can spread to settlements.
In many German cities there is a state of emergency, as the asphalt and concrete deserts often heat up more than the surrounding areas can quickly reach heat records of over 40 degrees. Many people, animals and plants die. In the Frankfurt metropolitan area, thousands of dead trees will probably have to be felled due to the weeks of drought and heat in the midsummer 2020. Particularly in the driest areas of Germany, many villages and towns are affected by the tree death. Due to the drought stress and plant water stress that has damaged and weakened the plants over the years, a relatively short heat phase is enough to give the plants the rest, then often watering them does not help. On the contrary, too much water at once can even damage the plants, for example if the plant cannot absorb much water due to a large part of dried up leaves, there is then a risk of accelerated root rot at the high temperatures, which can occur more often with tap water and dried out roots. If many of the deeper soil layers have completely dried out, the water cannot drain off properly, and waterlogging then forms in some places. Gardeners and plant experts know the problem. So if possible use rainwater and then not too much at once, preferably over a large area and spread over a few evenings. If the soil is not too hard, you can put drainage in some places with a pointed stick. If the soil is slightly damp overall, the rainwater can then penetrate better into deeper layers and root areas.
Climate change knows no borders, large parts of Europe are affected by drought and water scarcity. We need an adaptation and improvement of the water management or regulation as soon as possible in order to secure the public drinking water and industrial water supply in the long term. The fear of the consequences of a third year of drought is great, especially if the water table drops, entire rivers and lakes dry up. The drought threatens historical gardens and even well-known parks, the drought also has an indirect effect on all plant growth in the area. Only if the spread of healthy and relatively wild nature is promoted by favorable conditions nature as a whole can recover and regenerate. In the case of monoculture agriculture and monotonous forestry, this is difficult, but not impossible. Some consequences can only be felt years later, as environmental and weather systems sometimes react very slowly. It is similar to the nitrate or slurry problem, where in some extreme cases the groundwater wil be polluted over the years.
Really serious consequences for agriculture are still to come, probably in the years 2025 to 2030. From 2013 to 2015 there have been massive changes in global weather systems and cycles. Many of these changes also occur gradually and over long periods of time, so they cannot be seen as clearly as the consequences of a drought summer. So that you can really change something sustainably and positively, you should think in time windows of over 10 years or even decades. It is frightening to see even natural mixed forests which are suffering from climate change. The drought years even have a strong impact on humid areas, as the groundwater level often falls due to the long dry periods. Wetlands and bogs can dry out, which increases the likelihood of bog and forest fires. In addition, there are the problems of peat extraction and the drainage of landscapes for agriculture. The diverse forest conversion and the expansion of wetlands such as floodplains and moors must finally be given priority. Many nature reserves, national parks, natural regions and near-natural landscape protection areas should be expanded and connected, if possible for example with flower strips and wild meadows. Protected areas in nature and landscape protection should also be expanded and include urban regions and larger city parks or city forests. Special wilderness biotopes for a relatively free development of really ’natural nature’ should be made possible in the protected areas. Because nature is not the same as nature, at least according to the understanding of society and people.
Soil quality and healthier soils through more ecological forestry and sustainable agriculture, as well as better water management, are important to mitigate the negative consequences and effects of climate change. The already often mentioned building up of humus, cultivation of deep-rooting plants, soil improvement and green manure plants can contribute significantly to soil formation and improvement of the overall soil. Protective layers with ground cover and wildflower meadows can protect the soil in particularly hot and dry times. The principle applies, just let it grow and support nature in the development of biodiversity with natural seeds. Naturally with suitable species depending on the region and vegetation zone, i.e. suitable plants of / for mountainous areas, wetlands, grasslands, meadows and forests. To do this, one should think more about aquatic plants and then use them to improve water bodies. Because a large part of the rivers and lakes in Germany is in a precarious state, at least when it comes to the ecological aspect, neighboring agriculture, shipping and biodiversity. Without ecosystem services, human life on earth would not be possible. Worldwide, around 60% of the ecosystem services examined by the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment are in a critical state; they are at great risk from environmental pollution and environmental damage.
We all have to help make whole landscapes more diverse and resistant to climate extremes, including urban regions and cities – for this purpose, among other things, the Urban Greening Camp project started. More urban greening, solar and water surfaces as well as lighter surfaces can cool down urban areas, so-called for near-natural recreation areas and biological diversity. Agriculture based on solidarity and community gardens are also good solutions that can bring more biodiversity and community profits.
Here are a few more suggestions for improvement.
Professional advice and recommendation to good addresses and contacts in the above areas for corresponding consideration is possible, for this you can simply contact the author of this article by email.
Greening Deserts analyses and research projects have been dealing with climate change and extreme weather conditions such as exceptional heat, drought and floods since 2016. Despite all the optimism, the prognosis for the coming years does not look rosy. It takes a lot of effort, motivation and support to be able to work and live normally throughout the crisis. Cohesion is more important than ever in these times, egoism and ignorance only make things worse. We need more solidarity and courage, whether through useful information, the exchange of experiences or other meaningful actions. Simply going out into the streets unfortunately does not bring as much as taking part in constructive actions and actively participating in constructive actions for species protection, climate protection, nature conservation and environmental protection. For example planting trees, watering urban trees and plants, sowing wildflowers and caring for parks and meadows. Leaving this to others like the green space authorities or city cleaning is not a solution. In some countries or regions the corona crisis can result in massive financial problems and financial crises. There will be a lack of funds and resources for many of important environmental tasks or work in future. We all need to hold together in relation to the health of us all and the environment. Healthy ecosystems are the basis for a healthy life.
The global economic crisis and COVID-19 recession (Great Lockdown) will occupy society and the economy for many years to come. In principle there are several crises, e.g. the education crisis, health crisis, cultural crisis and social crisis. Greening Deserts articles also deal with these topics, especially in relation to the effects, consequences and causes of climate change. Many potential solutions are offered, but most of them can only be solved together – some of the suggestions have already been implemented personally or privately. I hope that many will follow. Good additions, ideas and suggestions for improvement are of course always welcome. @ feedback.greeningdeserts.com. Your friend of nature, Oliver Gediminas Caplikas. The next article deals with climate change adaptation and urban greening on many levels, for example with vertical farming. Heat-resistant and drought-tolerant plant species as well as special climate change woody plants will play an important role. Some of the plants are even drought-resistant or have a high ‘drought resistance’.
Climate protection, nature conservation and environmental protection is also species protection. These topics are important not only for the International Climate Week and international world days such as Arbor Day, World Tree Day or World Forest Day. In these times humanity has to deal with important climate problems in relation to the economy, ecology, environmental protection, nature conservation and sustainability almost every day, week, month and year. Like the corona crisis, the climate crisis knows no borders. It concerns us all. Global environmental awareness, sustainable living, more sustainable work and production can improve the climate and reduce human-made climate change effects, such as man-made deforestation, desertification and global warming. We can cool planet earth with more green landscapes, urban greening and diverse forests worldwide. Grasslands and wetlands play a special role in this.
Show that you can live and work really sustainably by saving energy, food, water and other natural resources. Reduce waste and pollution, especially plastic waste. Use alternative packaging and ecological products like bamboo or hemp products like Hemp Papers or Rice Straw Papers. Reduce deforestation, desertification and land degradation by using alternative heating and ecological building materials instead of wood. Do more for green places in your city, try to establish more community gardens, city parks, city forests, urban farming areas, fascade and rooftop gardens. The future of sustainable agriculture is ecofarming, aquaponics, hydroponics, permaculture, organic and vertical farming – even in urban areas. With urban greening on a large scale urban areas can help to cool down planet earth. Cleantech, greentech, green building, sustainable living, sustainable working and sustainable architecture is the future of sustainable building, sustainable production and sustainable cities. With large-scale urban greening, urban areas can help cool down planet earth. We all can learn a lot of desert cultures and desert cities, bedouins and indigenous people in arid landscapes or drylands. Many towns and regions around the Mediterranean Sea are also good examples, doing things like choosing light colors for their houses and roofs – but still missing more green roofs and rooftop solar on the buildings. Fascade greening and fascade solar could be a good addition to urban development in future. We need to be fast because of the desertification and rising droughts in Europe. The deserts and drylands of Africa are moving toward South Europe!
House boats or ships, mobile housing and underwater buildings can expand architecture and environmentally friendly habitats. Bamboo, hemp wood, rice straw building materials and fuels could reduce deforestation significantly. These methods would accelerate the process towards more climate neutral houses and urban areas. And again, the future of real sustainable cities, energy and traffic transition is AI and Cleantech, Energy Efficiency and Green Building, Greentech and Sustainable Architecture, Sustainable Living and Urban Greening, Sustainable Production and Sustainable Consumption, Sustainable Transport and Sustainable Working, Transparent Solar concepts and designs. Sustainable Agriculture, Ecological Forestry and Organic Farming in relation to community gardening, aquaponics, hydroponics, worldwide greening and permaculture projects can support the changes or transitions. Not to forget Sustainable Aviation, Sustainable Shipping and Sustainable Tourism. Think about new markets like a Plastic Fishing Market and Recycling Ships for example.
A good formula for real sustainable living and sustainable working is: Repair, Reuse, Recycle, Replace and Upcycle. – especially plastic. #RRRRU
Greening Deserts sustainable projects and initiatives such as Greening Camps and the Trillion Trees Initiative focuses on climate protection, education, research, the environment and species protection. We not only want to reforest or regreen the man-made deserts, arid areas and wasteland in Europe and Africa, we want also to create international platforms for sustainable economy, education, culture and science. The greening camps will also be climate camps and research camps for innovative cleantech and greentech developments. The camps will involve every region and culture in the greening and development process. The camps will also be a platform for the respective regions, with training and education in the foreground. There will be additional spaces or rooms for a library, lounge, workshop and a media room. This can enable many community activities and different types of events to be carried out, also online and virtually. International institutions, organizations, partners, projects, investors and sponsors are cordially invited to join our community network and projects!
There is a wide range of information about these topics, including innovative developments and real sustainable solutions to solve climate crisis, food, energy and water problems with global impact. Most of the solutions were confirmed by science and feasibility studies or similar concepts. International institutions and organizations were informed many times about Greening Deserts concepts, project developments and connected projects. @Agrophotovoltaik, Desert Bamboo Africa, Greening Coasts, Greening Drones, Greenhouse Ship, Green Ring Africa, Great Green Wall North Africa, Seeding Balloon, Transparent Solar,…
We not only need more actions, initiatives and innovations in the field of climate protection, nature and environmental protection. We need more action and effective solutions in relation to sustainable living and sustainable working in all areas, from big to small! Because the main problem and the main cause of the pollution are not only the car, coal and heavy industry, as well as agriculture, but it is every single one who causes and pushs the global warming and other negative climate changes by its consumption. This over-consumption and overproduction especially in areas of unhealthy monoculture food, IT technology, X-cars, smartphones and other pointless products are not just excessive waste but a meaningless destruction of resources and lives. Why should every year billions of animals and other life forms (animals and plants) die for humans if they can not even consume so many products. In some countries more than the half is thrown away, much products outdate or spoil because it is not effectively distributed or shared. Hundreds of millions of children go hungry every day and at the same time so many destroy and waste foods. In terms of food for example, one should improve preservation, logistics and distribution systems, use sustainable transport, drying and refrigeration systems more effectively worldwide instead of continuing to produce more – clearly, the solution is generally fairer distribution or sharing. If you extrapolate everything, the world produces food for over 10 billion people, countless mobile phones and notebooks for every single person.
Why do humans need so many products – more than they can even consume? Most of it becomes garbage. Metals, plastics and toxins get into the environment and sometimes even into our food. Recycling uses a lot of energy and resources. We need radical changes through more sustainable, cleaner and more sensible procurement, energy use, supply chains and production; we need intelligent, on-demand systems everywhere, so that products worldwide will be produced only as needed. In some cases, of course, essential products must be stored or produced for stock, like basic food or products like rice, for example. There should be reserves and storage for emergency cases, fast–rising demands or other critical things. But we and the world really don’t need hundreds of the same products that will become junk or scrap. Producers worldwide need to improve their operations in these areas, establishing Cleantech, Greentech, Sustainability, AI and On-Demand Systems. Large companies, as well as corporations, should simply produce less and only based on real demand by real consumers. At the very least, products which are constantly not consumed or thrown away – many meats such as chicken, pork and beef – should not be overproduced. They produce not only manure and methane which produce particulate matter, but they or the production wastes water and pollutes the groundwater and the environment in the long term.
We finally need a rethink in forestry and agriculture in terms of a more sustainable economy like Agroforestry, EcoFarming, EcoForestry, Mixed Culture and Permaculture. According to the latest findings and long-term studies, agriculture is responsible for most of the air pollution (approximately 40 percent) and the resulting water pollution! Years of deforestation had dried out whole landscapes and caused massive loss of wetlands, bogs and marshlands which can convert toxins and store up to fifty times as much CO2 as rainforests. Additionally, liquid manure and methane are a massive problem because the gases in the atmosphere create new fine dust, contaminating the groundwater for many years to come. In the coming Greening Camps, not only should these areas be researched, but also research the fields of green and clean technologies. The focus is on aquaponics, hydroponics, greenhouse, biowaste and water management, as well as new urban farming innovations.
Droughts in Germany and Europe: Drought threatens soils, agriculture and forests
It has been relatively dry in Germany since 2015, and the drought and heat waves in 2018 have seriously affected the environment. The soils of the forest are partly drier than the soils of grassland or greenland. The soil has dried out, even down to the deep layers. The groundwater very often sinks below critical levels, which significantly effects forests and bodies of water such as rivers and lakes. The water reserves are becoming increasingly scarce. Conflicts of use because of water scarcity can be exacerbated considerably. Water use and water management must become more economical and more sustainable so that there won’t be a real water crisis in the years to come. Using ponds, water towers and underground water reservoirs to collect rainwater makes more and more sense. This can be done with foils, trenches, solar pumps and agrophotovoltaic surfaces. Intelligent drip irrigation also saves a lot of water, because in dry times an incredible amount of water is wasted through irrigation or evaporation.
The fear of the consequences of another year of drought after 2019 is great, especially when drinking water becomes scarce and entire rivers or lakes dry out. After the exceptionally dry April and July, the probability of another year of drought becomes greater, but this cannot be definitively said until the end of 2020. Persistent drought threatens biodiversity, botanical gardens and well-known parks, even if many plants are watered; the aridity of the surrounding area has an indirect effect on all plant growth. An unhealthy environment in the neighborhood also affects healthy areas in the region; only if the spread of healthy nature is promoted by favorable conditions, can nature as a whole recover and regenerate. This is difficult, however, with monocultures, polluting agriculture and monotonous forestry. It is possible to change into a more sustainable agriculture and ecological forestry, still this year.
Since environmental and weather systems sometimes react very slowly, some consequences can only be felt years later, similar to the nitrate or slurry problem, where in some extreme cases the groundwater is still polluted years later. Many of the slow and creeping processes will have really serious consequences for agriculture. We will all have to live with the short-term and long-term effects of the climate crisis. Like nature, we can adapt to a certain extent, but active reduction of the problems and causes are of critical importance. Air quality is particularly important, because this also affects bodies of water and groundwater. According to the latest scientific research, air pollution from agriculture is even higher than pollution from traffic and the coal industry combined. This is not only due to the fine dust from dry fields, slurry spreading, keeping four, etc.; a big problem is the ammonia, which creates new fine dust in higher atmospheric layers. In the end, everything ends up in the water affectingthe water cycle and water quality.
Soil quality and healthier soils through more complex or versatile forestry and more ecological agriculture, as well as better water management, are important to mitigate the consequences of climate change. The use of humus generating plants, deep roots, soil improvement and green manure plants can significantly contribute to soil formation and improvement of the overall soil. Some plants even have the potential to save the climate. Industrial hemp, for example, and hemp plants promote biodiversity and improve the moisture content; the leaves and plant roots can also form humus. The pronounced roots loosen the soil. The hemp fibers of the stems can be used for hemp paper, hemp cardboard and other packaging. Undemanding types of hemp are suitable for this, as they can cope well with drought and do not have to be fertilized.
Protective layers with ground cover and wildflower meadows can protect the soil in particularly hot and dry times. The principle applies, just let it grow and support nature in the development of biodiversity with natural seeds. Work naturally with suitable species depending on the region and vegetation zone, i.e. suitable plants for mountainous areas, wetlands, grasslands, meadows and forests. To do this, one should think more about aquatic plants which can be used to improve water bodies. A large part of the rivers and lakes in Germany are in a precarious state, at least when it comes to the ecological aspect, neighboring agriculture, shipping and loss of biodiversity. This is also a problem of other European states. The economy and politics really need to care about the ongoing desertification and rising droughts in Europe. The deserts and drylands of Africa moving towards South Europe! The southern regions need fast climate adaption models and resilience plans to prevent worst case scenarious. Droughts, floods and rising fires are just the tip of the iceberg.
We all have to help make whole landscapes more diverse and more resistant to climate extremes, including urban regions and cities. For this purpose, among other things, the Urban Greening Camp project started. Solidarity agriculture and community gardens are also a good solution which can bring more biodiversity and community profits. Show courage, solidarity and support for a healthy nature and more sustainable life on planet Earth. Show that you can really live and work sustainably by using energy or electricity, water and natural resources sparingly. Avoid overconsumption and pollution, especially plastic and air pollution from cars, planes and ships. Avoid environmental pollution of any kind, especially through the use of fossil fuels and polluting fuels such as coal. Reduce plastic waste and uses alternative materials such as bamboo, hemp and rice straw paper. Remember your human connection to the planet, and work for a better and fairer climate.
Clean air, fresh water and a healthy environment are human rights. Climate protection, nature protection and environmental protection are also plant protection, animal protection and human protection or species protection, in general! We should all be more aware about climate justice and environmental justice; especially in future when a huge part of humanity will be affected by the climate crisis, extreme weather and rising sea levels.
Short summary:
Greening Deserts sustainable projects and initiatives such as Greening Camps and the Trillion Trees Initiative have been working on sustainable projects for society, a healthier nature and a more diverse environment for years. The projects mainly serve the protection of species and environmental protection. We want to reforest or regreen man-made deserts, arid regions and wastelands in Europe and Africa, as well as create international platforms for more sustainable research, economy, education, culture and science. The greening camps will also be climate and research camps for innovative cleantech and greentech developments. The camps can include almost any region and culture in the greening and development process. Larger camps will have an energy storage park and maybe even expanded to a cleantech and greentech campus or science park.
Important information for cure, health and prevention
Don’t panic, avoid stress! The most important thing for prevention, in case of infection and for the cure of mad viruses is a strong immune system! Daily movement in nature, park, forest, circulation, fresh air, preventive sweating, cold shower, hot bath, sun bath, good sleep is good for health and to strengthen the immune system! Preventive also helps mindfulness among themselves, friendly exchange at a distance. Food such as pomegranate, ginger, garlic, coconut oil, sea buckthorn, licorice help prevent viruses, etc. Important! Vitamin B6 is good for the formation of immune messengers, vitamin E for immune cells and against free radicals. Selenium and / or zinc is also good for strengthening the immune system, contained in cashew nuts, fish, pumpkin seeds, almonds, poppy seeds and sesame. Sauerkraut, kefir, kimchi and miso contain the important probiotics, which can also strengthen the immune system. In principle, more is not necessary, one or two of the below mentioned foods is sufficient. Everyone should know what strengthens and can strengthen the immune system. Garlic and licorice are probably the strongest blockers against harmful bacteria and viruses!
Here are two 5 points for the prevention and alleviation of the symptoms of infection. In principle, one of the healthy foods is sufficient for strengthening the immune system and reducing viruses. A balanced and varied diet with the foods listed can prevent or reduce almost any bacterial and viral infection.
– Broccoli, garlic! Cabbage, sage, sauerkraut, licorice!
– Green tea (3x daily), honey with garlic, coconut oil, turmeric,..
– Hemp oil, linseed oil, organic sunflowers and / or walnut oil, caraway seeds, oregano,..
– Pomegranate! Ginger, red pepper, rice, sea buckthorn ! Sweet potatoes,..
– Sunflower seeds, kefir, kimchi, miso,.. – probiotics + x-cheeese
Of course each country, region and continent has is special food, so please continue this list if you can.
With some of these respective foods, immune preparations are not really necessary. Mineral and vitamin depots all few days are ok. Some of the above-mentioned agents for prevention are also effective when infected, since a strong immune system is primarily required for fast healing. Cayenne and chilli can also help, but not everyone can tolerate sharpness.
Here are more important information How To reduce Corona and even how to stop the virus.
The official tips like desinfection, washing hands, etc. are for the most people clear, here are some advanced methods and better solutions who could really help – for prevention and even to cure!
1. Drinking of healing water, healthy food and strengthening of the immune system, weekly mineral and vitamine depots – official health authorities should share M&V depots.
2. All 1-3 days garlic, it can cover the skin with a protection layer, it can be good to prevent harmful bakteria and viruses! Same for breath and water cycle, garlic has the potential to reduce many viruses.
3. Very important is to think about UV-C light and to use it also on a larger scale, especially for courier, postal offices – for example in main letter sharing centres – food and other delivery services..
There are even some portable UV-C devices in development and production, so the prices going down to a few Euros! Public hotspots and most touched layers in banks, buses, libraries, hospitals, stores, trains, trams, universities could get such ‘medical’ UVC lights – portable and stationary!
4. There is an adaptogenic healing tea like Ginseng, it can reduce damage and suffering for infected people, it even has the potential to cure the desease completely!
5. Some weeks ago a tree was found who has the most effective substance, first medical test have shown that it can reduce 80 percent or more of the virus in the body. The bad news is, this tree is very endangered and only aviable in a few regions, like in Indonesia. Indust. synthetisation will maybe possible in approx 4-6 months.
If you want to know more details, you can contact anytime by eMail or other official channels. Your friend of nature. More news and usefull tips will follow @greeningdeserts.com.
Please forward, translate and share the important information, no matter if in America, Australia, China, India, Korea, Japan or Europe. Second draft Published on 17032020.Â
You can download the article and information letter here as PDF.
Care each other, dont be egoistic or ignorant, it makes everythink worse. Solidarity and courage is now more important than ever before, especially for the poor and weak – it affects us all. Show some support and solidarity for most affected regions and nations like France, Germany, Italy, Spain and USA. Do not forget Africa and African people, so like refugees they need attention, too.
Update: 22.03.2020
An effective vaccine was developed in Japan and goes into the next test stage. Please do not be egoistic. Forward, translate and share the important information, no matter if in Africa, Americas, Australia, Asia,.. Europe or Russia, Worlds Islands, North or South Pole..
Further information and updates you can read on the German page. Translators are welcome to translate. The actual english article can be downloaded here as PDF.
We are proud to announce two new Greening Camp projects. ☀💚☀
Greening Camp Egypt and Greening Camp Rwanda project development started with some awesome people from Africa. We will present the development teams this year. The goal is to finish the first stage during the summer. We will develop, promote and support education, climate, environmental awareness, healthy and sustainable living and working solutions. Together with the Billion Trees Campaigns and Tillion Trees Initiative we will reforest and revegetate man-made deserts, especially drylands and wastelands in Africa. Natural Habitats, Game Reserves, WildLife Reserves and Environmental Protection plays a very important role at Greening Deserts projects.
We will create healthy environments like natural gardens, parks and forests together with each involved region. Goals are also to restore natural landscapes like mixed forests, grasslands and wetlands – to bring back diversity, clean air and water. The Energy Storage Park for each bigger greening and research camp will guarantee clean energy supply and energy security.
Greening Camp Egypt project development started and we will present the development team until summer. We want to start with first building and joint development work until late summer. With support by the African community and African Union (AU) we can build the camp maybe even faster. The focus is on research, cleantech, renewable energy, greentech, greenhouse and water management, sustainable farming, greening and ecological forestry. Conservation, environmental protection, preservation of diversity and wildlife plays a very important role, too. We will support building new habitats and game reserves. Afforestation.org
The main goals and tasks of the project are the education and integration of the region around the camp in the conservation and greening process. We want to offer exhibitions, excursions, guided tours, training courses and seminars. Providing information about environment, culture, history, landscapes, nature, society, clean and green technologies. #Afforestation, #Camp, #Conservation, #Diversity, #CleanTech, #EcoFarming, #EcoForestry, #Egypt, #GreenTech, #SciencePark, #TrillionTrees
Informed hundreds of ambassadors, ministers, trade commissioners, scientists and experts to join Greening Deserts campaigns, initiatives and projects – especially the Billion Trees Project and the Trillion Trees Initiative! All nations are welcome to support us. International partners, institutions, sponsors and investors are welcome to join us in this early stage. @Greening Camps, Greening Coasts, Greening Drones, Greenhouse Ship​, Green Ring Africa, Great Green Wall North Africa 💚💚💚💚💚
Drought and heat are also a problem for the farmers. European farms expect harvest losses of 30 to 50 percent compared to the previous year. In parts of Germany, the soil is as dry as it has been for 50 years. Extreme drought, thunderstorms and floods often occur together and can severely affect affected countries. These extreme weather conditions are increasing not just in Africa but also in Europe, particularly hit countries such as Greece, Spain and Italy, where massive forest fires and the resulting desertification increases extremely. This year, even European countries such as Germany and Poland are affected, where some regions even introduced emergency harvesting and water restrictions after the second drought. In some regions, rivers and lakes dry up, even the groundwater and drinking water is scarce. Greening Deserts has been reporting extensively on these topics for years, especially in terms of soil degradation and desertification. Large opencast mining areas (surface mining deserts), cities (concrete deserts) and urban regions also contribute to this extreme climate. Many of these consequences of man-made climate change are not exactly predictable, but can be estimated very well with today’s scientific findings in climate research. We discussed with many climate researchers, nature and environmentalists and exchanged about this problem.
Other topics such as the reform of agriculture, soil improvement and water improvement have been and will be discussed in detail. Unfortunately, we have not received any active and financial support from the responsible authorities since years. For a long time we could do research on more effective cultivation and irrigation methods with a first greening and research camp in the surface mining landscape of Leipzig (Lakeland Neuseenland) – if our inquiries and demands had been taken seriously, especially by the big parties who were informed several times. Our demands and requests for help to German foundations, especially in the field of education, nature and environmental protection were ignored or there were the usual excuses.
We hope for quick help or support, so that we can work together with all involved parties to make the coal exit and transformation of the energy industry and agriculture to clean energy and technologies (cleantech) fast and efficient. We want to cultivate bamboo, hemp and palm trees on a large scale in opencast mining areas – not just because of the benefits in these areas, but also because of new innovative developments and compensatory measures in relation to global warming. In addition, special desert plants, extremely resistant, robust and undemanding plants are explored, such as rock garden plants and desert bamboo. Thus, many useful plants for improving the quality of soil, air and water can be used not only on land, but also in urban areas and large cities. Of course we will run a diverse agriculture and gardening – this is also called ecofarming. Wild blooms and flowerbeds counteract massive bee and insect deaths or in general the massive extinction of species. As you can see Greening Deserts is not only concerned with deserts and desertification but with many other important tasks and topics. If this is not eligible .. an extensive consultation and accompaniment to appropriate funding would be really appropriate.
Read more:
https://climatenewsnetwork.net/3c-may-double-europes-drought-risk
https://www.zmescience.com/science/europe-drought-future-2427845
Visit our social and scientific pages and groups for more information. You’re welcome to discuss and to exchange with us about all these topics!
Greening Deserts don’t just worked out a Business Plan and Master Plan for a fast coal exit and sustainable agriculture, greening and forestation in open cast mining deserts like in Germany. The plans are for all other dry and barren landscapes, too. The concepts also work for concrete or desert cities and urban areas. Greening and research camps can be build in each country or nation who need fast and sustainable land regeneration and revegetation. With our methods and techniques we can produce fast top soil layers and clean filtered water. Subsoiling and repairing damages to the soil we can do with special plants (top soil producers and deep rooters). Desert bamboo and other pioneer plants can loosening any dry and barren soil in just a few years. After the first year, trees and soil producing plants like hemp can be planted between the pioneer plants – who dropping shadow and holding the water in the ground. Bamboo groves, woods and forests holding enourmous amounts of water. The greening camps nearby waters like lakes, rivers, seas and oceans will study and research on advanced and new irrigation, water filtering and desalination methods. Water research and improvement is a very important field of Greening Deserts research projects. With all our sustainable projects it’s really possible to reduce the global warming to a significant level.
The concepts and master plans of Greening Deserts don’t covering only the thematics conservation, ecology, education, environmental protection, cultural and economical issues, but also social and scientific topics like the migration caused by global warming and human-made climate change. Most of the refugees are climate change refugees, leaving their countries because of land degeneration and desertification. These real causes of migration must be solved at the roots in all these poor nations. Fight the true causes of poverty not the symptoms. Worked years on these themes and wrote many articles about. Together with the master plan many good and innovative solutions are ready to be realised. Regreen or recultivate Africa and MENA region, especially East and North Africa to stop the main causes of migration. And we ask again, why refugee camps have no or just less greenhouses and gardens. There are so many cheap and mobiles greenhouses, so like greenhouse, solar and water producing containers.
Greening Deserts analyzing, researching and documenting innovative and problematic developments for years – especially in the energy, agriculture and science sectors. But it’s not just about the problems, we also developed or researched sustainable and real good solutions – and world innovations @Greening Coasts, Greenhouse Ship, Green Ring Africa, Great Green Wall North Africa,.. Climate, nature and environmental protection plays a special role here. Everyone should have noticed the extreme climate or weather in Germany and Europe, especially the floods, droughts and heat waves. Those who continue to ignore all these facts, especially those responsible in industry and government, are responsible for the consequences of climate change and the consequences of global warming. They are also responsible for all the millions of climate refugees and deaths who suffer or die each year from extreme drought and air pollution. The main causes or culprits are cattle breeding, meat production, the car industry, the coal industry, the arms industry and the armaments industry, but also the responsible policy. Every year, billions (unfortunately also much taxpayers money) are wasted in these areas. For example, at least half (such as food) is not needed or consumed – a massive logistics and over-production problem. Precious foods (such as corn) that are gasified or burned for energy production are not a good solution, especially if rainforests are cut down for them – see Brazil, Germany and the energy maize.
The time to act is now, we are tired of waiting years over years that the responsibles in Europe finally support us and our innovative ideas or developments actively and financially – especially since many responsibles were informed. How said, the master plan is ready since last year! You can download on our pages.
Please support our innovative, social and sustainable projects for a better and greener world. It’s your planet and your future, too! Help nature and planet earth with all the different life forms or species to regenerate and to survive. Care the endangered species before they die out, caused mainly by deforestation. Reduce and stop this madness, because there are enough alternatives to wood and classic paper like grass, hemp and rice straw paper. Help us to plant millions or even billions of trees in future. Forests are the true cloud and rain makers, if the forests are back, water and wildlife will come back.
To all the politics and responsibles (Coal Commission, etc.), start finally to act and replace the dirty coal!
Don’t talk, plant trees and realise more sustainable energies.
We are proud to announce a new project and initiative for Greening Deserts projects like Greening Coasts and Greening Islands. The world’s first greenhouse ship, container ship and solar ship together in one big transport ship can deliver and transport greenhouses and equipment for professional gardening, greening, farming, forestation and other fields like solar applications or solar installations directly to areas where it’s needed. It’s a logistical and infrastructure innovation, because the ship can ship along the coastlines between the big habours of the world – you don’t must drive hundred or even thousands of kilometers from the habours to the destinations. With solar boats, drones, landing crafts and solar trucks the needed goods can delivered directly to the customers on the shortest ways, also deep into the continents. Boat landing stages are not necessary because landing crafts and small transport boats can ship directly to the coasts with fortified areas and roads nearby.
Sustainable shipping with greening ships and solar ships will change the world into a better, cleaner and greener place. Greenhouse Ships, container ships and Solar Ships could have mobile units or sections inside and outside. So you can move and exchange containers like in automated parking systems. This allows to load and unload the ship at any place of coastlines. Solar modules can be folded out and affixed with clever clip connections on the top or sides of the containers and on other free places or surfaces. A mobile floating solar field can be spread out on the water to charge the solar accumulators. Desalination of sea water is no longer a problem these days, so the greenhouse section (fixed or mobile greenhouse containers) will have fresh water and service water.Â
On the official Greenhouse Ship and Solar Ships page we will report about the project development in future and also about interesting developments related to greenhouse boats and ships. Greenhouse Shipâ„¢ was founded and initiated by Oliver Gediminas Caplikas from Leipzig. http://www.greenhouseship.com
About Greening Deserts:
Greening Deserts are economical, educational, cultural, social, scientific and sustainable projects to reduce desertification and global warming.
Further tasks and goals of the projects are the education, research and realization of a sustainable greening, management and cultivation of all kinds of poor, barren and dry areas, landscapes (drylands) or regions. That’s why the main projects of Greening Deserts treating not only typical deserts but all types of deserts, including surface mining deserts, concrete- or urban-deserts. This can all be done with suitable greening and research camps, stations or centers.
Desert research, research and development of sustainable greening methods, greenhouse management, forestry, agriculture and cultural industries are the primary fields of the concept and greening deserts projects. The greening and research camp with a greenhouse, office and laboratory containers or tents for the research and development of greening and irrigation methods is the primary objective for opencast mine or post-mining landscapes. Secondary objectives, such as sustainable recreational use and tourism offers, can be realized while the operation during the years.
Greening Deserts has already applied for some idea, startup and business competitions, e.g. for the Hamburg Innovation Award, but to date no answer or any feedback.
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Today is a very special day. Greening Deserts is proud to announce the first palm nursery and tree nursery, for important and rare endangered plants, in Leipzig. We will plant and research also other crops for advanced plant biology, usefull essences, medical substances, biomass and material science.
LE PALMS (Leipzig Palms), the official palm platform, portal, forum and group for palms was founded last year. The page and shop is ready and in progress. We want to open the first palm café, lounge and palm shop in Leipzig, Saxony. In relation to the greening and research camp in the area of Leipzig we can use a greenhouse and part of the camp for the palm cultivation. Since years we have the idea to launch an extra palm garden and palm shop with café directly in Leipzig. (Palm Café Leipzig).
LE Palms is a new platform and portal for palms, especially for Africa, Europe and Middle East. We want to establish primarly world famous and usefull palms in Europe. Building palm gardens, parks, woods and forests together with European palm societies. Everyone is invited to join our palm tree, greening and plant community. Stay tuned for more news and updates. Visit the official pages for more information. http://www.lepalms.eu
Greening Deserts are economical, educational, cultural, social, scientific and sustainable projects to reduce desertification and global warming on a large scale. And Greening Deserts projects arn’t just for deserts or dry landscapes (drylands or wastelands), they are also good for urban regions. Greening camps in cities could build gardens, parks, woods and forests in urban areas (Urban Greening). The projects could have a very positive and big impact on many important sectors. With the right financial support, sustainable fundings or investments the projects could be realised fast and efficient.
