Project 90 by 2030 gets proactive about climate change

Project 90 by 2030 derives its name from the book “Heat”, by George Monbiot, which emphasises that Industrialised countries need to reduce their carbon emissions by 90% by 2030.

Project 90 by 2030 lives by the motto that from little things, BIG things grow. Starting three years ago with a modest team of two, it aims to address climate change by encouraging people to reduce their carbon footprint by changing their lifestyle habits.

Operations Coordinator, Olivia Andrews says, “It is difficult to change South African carbon emissions, but we can do a lot to change our lifestyle habits to help the environment. In the beginning we targeted the South African middle class, which is the highest producer of carbon footprints. But then, we targeted everyone, because climate change affects us all.”

At the moment Project 90 by 2030 is supporting 30 ‘Core clubs’ at schools in KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng & the Western Cape. Core clubs are responsible for implementing action in order to reduce one’s carbon footprint. Projects such as bird boxes and water saving and recycling systems are some examples.

Each year, the top performing Core Club receives a prize to help accelerate carbon reductions. They range from solar water heaters and solar PV systems to water tanks and recycling equipment.

Project 90 by 2030 is also raising consciousness amongst law-makers and policy-makers to ensure that South Africa’s greenhouse gas emissions are dramatically reduced by using renewable energy instead of coal and nuclear power.

“We can’t wait for government or important business to do something, it’s individual. “We want to show people that using other types of energy works, and we want to make it exciting” comments Andrews.

Saving water and car-pooling are just some examples of how each one of us can do our bit to reduce our own carbon footprint.

Project 90 by 2030 will support you with information and ideas to start converting your community into an environmentally friendly one. For more info, go to, //www.90×2030.org/

If your school would like to be part of a Core club, then register on //www.90×2030.org/view.asp?pg=clubs&pgsub=clubs&pgsect=home.

We, at Supernews want to know what you’re doing to reverse climate change, so sign up as a citizen journalist on www.supernews.co.za and share your own story with South Africa.