Archive for category: environment

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Fighting Climate-Driven Poverty in Mexico

Climate-Driven Poverty in MexicoIn Mexico, 36.3% of the population lives in poverty and is unable to earn the bare minimum income to afford to feed their families. However, this number has fallen drastically over the years. This promising progress has been accomplished through programs, including government welfare and raising the minimum wage.

Nonetheless, significant progress still needs to be made, especially in rural areas, where more than 40% of the population lives in poverty. For many of these communities, the economy is based on agriculture. In recent years, this source of income has been increasingly unstable as climate emergencies disrupt weather patterns.

Shifting Weather Patterns

In Mexico’s Yucatán state, the rainy season once began “roughly the same week every year… like clockwork,” said Dr. Ken Seligson, an anthropology professor at California State University, Dominguez Hills and an archaeologist based in Yucatán, in an interview with The Borgen Project.

With shifting weather patterns, the rainy season is much more unpredictable, affecting the livelihoods of subsistence farmers who need to optimize their schedules for planting crops. When their farms have lower yields, they are forced to pick up extra jobs, not to supplement their incomes, but to be able to put food on the table.

Climate-driven poverty in Mexico uproots routine. According to Seligson, this instability sparks desperation, forcing Mexican farmers with no choice but their last resort: “leaving their homes, going to the larger cities and seeking employment in the service industry.”

Low Water Supply

Seligson excavated an archaeological site in the hilly Puuc region in Yucatan, where groundwater only exists hundreds of feet below ground. Thus, families in Puuc address the destructive effects of the changing climate on their lives by utilizing traditional Mayan methods like harvesting rainwater in cisterns.

Even when long-awaited rain finally arrives, it’s often still not enough. In Mexico City, 2025 has seen one of the rainiest Junes in recent history. Yet the water supply remains low, severely affecting the most underserved communities and forcing the general population to conserve before taps run dry.

The infrastructure, such as pipes, is heavily damaged and leaking, preventing the supply of precious water to those who need it. Plus, the effects of sudden precipitation can be more destructive than beneficial for farmers as land now unaccustomed to rain suddenly experiences a dramatic downpour.

Organizations Staving Off Disaster in Mexico

Global nonprofit CADENA works to fight the effects of climate-driven poverty in Mexico, particularly among people in Chiapas. The organization provides humanitarian aid, but beyond that, it proactively engages with communities to train Mexicans to respond to coming disasters.

Some of CADENA’s key accomplishments:

  • Reconstructed the town of Miguel Hidalgo after multiple earthquakes destroyed hundreds of homes.
  • Supported Mexican communities facing El Niño-related disasters by teaching irrigation and traditional water collection methods like rainwater harvesting. These efforts help reduce the risk of water-related conflict, even if they can’t reverse the effects of the climate crisis.
  • Responded to Hurricane Otis in 2023, assisting with rebuilding thousands of homes after one of the most devastating storms in Mexico’s history.

Founded in 2007, the nonprofit Cantaro Azul ensures access to safe drinking water and sanitation in rural Mexico. In addition to its core mission, the organization has responded to several national crises, including:

  • The 2007 floods in Tabasco
  • The H1N1 epidemic in 2009–2010
  • Earthquakes in 2017
  • The 2019 migrant caravan arrivals
  • The COVID-19 pandemic

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Cantaro Azul launched a public awareness campaign and distributed hand sanitizer to vulnerable communities. The nonprofit also installed dozens of public handwashing stations, known as Safe Water Systems, which used UV Pitcher technology to purify water on-site and promote hygiene in areas with limited infrastructure.

In the wake of Hurricane Otis and Hurricane John, UNESCO supported Mexico’s coastal communities by using its Heritage Emergency Fund to restore cultural and educational institutions. It restaffed the San Diego Fort Historical Museum, a public space for learning and celebrating local culture. By doing so, people affected by disasters can become more resilient despite the struggles they have overcome. UNESCO’s workshops also tackled sexual abuse, migrant inclusion and recovering from grief.

Final Remarks

Besides its detrimental impacts on the planet, changing climatic conditions ultimately drive human problems, especially poverty. Climate-driven poverty in Mexico only exacerbates the instability of employment opportunities while also causing water scarcity and along with that, many other issues. Climate resilience looks a little different for every community. However, each nation unites in the global fight to protect the environment and, most importantly, its people.

– Klara Jones

Klara is based in Los Angeles, CA, USA and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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How Enhanced Rock Weathering in Africa Is Turning Heads

Enhanced Rock Weathering in AfricaIn Africa and the global south, a new process is gaining the attention of agriculture and environmental initiatives. Smallholder farmers are witnessing their maize harvests flourish while simultaneously removing carbon from the atmosphere. This is not the result of a new fertilizer or a genetically modified seed. It comes from a novel climate technology that turns ordinary volcanic rock into a powerful tool for poverty reduction and environmental renewal.

The new technology, Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW), offers a dual solution to two of Africa’s most pressing challenges: unstable climatic conditions and food insecurity. ERW captures carbon dioxide (CO2) directly from the atmosphere by accelerating a natural geological process. At the same time, minerals from the rock revitalize depleted, acidic soils, leading to dramatic increases in crop yields and farmer incomes.

How It Works

The science behind ERW is surprisingly simple. The natural weathering of rocks regulates Earth’s climate by pulling CO2 from the air. ERW turbocharges this process by increasing the surface area of available rock. Finely crushed silicate rock, typically basalt, is spread across agricultural fields.

When rainwater mixes with CO2 in the atmosphere, it forms a weak acid that inevitably falls to the ground and reacts with the rock dust. This reaction converts the CO2 into stable bicarbonate ions that are eventually washed into rivers and oceans, where the carbon is locked away for a projected 10,000 years.

Initial Outcomes of Enhanced Rock Weathering in Africa

While the climate benefits are global, the local impact is life-changing. Many African farmers have struggled with degraded, acidic soils that reduce crop growth for years. With ERW, the basalt dust acts as a slow-release natural fertilizer, replenishing the soil with essential nutrients like calcium, magnesium and phosphorus. It also raises the soil’s pH, making it less acidic and more fertile.

The results are starting to turn heads. In collaboration with ERW company Mati Carbon, farmers in India are reporting increased rice yields “in excess of 20%” with Mati Carbon’s CEO, Shantanu Agarwal, stating that results will be even more pronounced on the most degraded soils.

A recent pilot study in Kenya conducted by the climate-tech startup Flux in collaboration with the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification proves Mati Carbon right. The study found that applying basalt dust to maize fields increased grain yields by an average of 47.5%, with some farms noting a yield increase of more than 200%. For the participating farmers, this translated into an economic gain of more than $326 per hectare, per harvest, a transformative sum for families living in subsistence conditions.

The Carbon Credit Connection

Another beautiful aspect of these new programs is their business model. All the profits from increased crop yield go straight to the farmers. Companies like Flux and Mati Carbon sell the carbon credits to climate-conscious corporations, then provide the rock dust to farmers free of charge.

The farmers benefit immediately from healthier soils and bigger harvests and credit purchasers solidify their commitment to the environment. Enhanced rock weathering is gaining traction with a sustainable business model, concrete outcomes and increasing interest from the corporate sector.

Into the Future

Mati Carbon, the company that recently won the $50 million XPRIZE for Carbon Removal, aims to support 30,000 smallholder farmers by the end of 2025. Nairobi-based Flux has also set an ambitious goal of generating $300 million in additional income for African farmers by 2030. Early indicators of enhanced rock weathering in Africa point to a win-win situation. However, there are still concerns about the cost of crushing and spreading.

As the technology scales from pilot projects in Kenya, Zambia and Tanzania to larger initiatives across the continent, it promises to turn millions of hectares of African farmland into catalysts for both environmental restoration and human prosperity.

– Levi Ravnsborg

Levi is based in Summerland, BC, Canada and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pixabay

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How Recycling Ghost Nets Fights Poverty Globally

Recycling Ghost NetsAbandoned fishing nets, nicknamed ghost nets, are a significant source of marine waste contributing to environmental problems. All the way from Asia to Africa, innovative people and organizations around the world are recycling ghost nets that would otherwise be destroying the habitats of marine life and the livelihoods of locals. Their efforts serve two worthy goals; besides helping to save the planet, recycling ghost nets fights poverty by creating jobs in underserved nations.

Ghost Net to Soccer Net in the Caribbean

Sandals Foundation, owned by Sandals Resorts (a chain of resorts based in the Caribbean), started a program called Future Goals. It works to pick up environmentally-damaging ghost nets discarded in coral reefs, repurposing them into soccer nets for local kids beginning in the island of Curaçao.

They want to encourage more kids throughout the Caribbean to play soccer (locally known as football). The program hopes to foster life skills in disadvantaged youth, opening opportunities in their futures. Simultaneously, the Future Goals program promotes environmental sustainability in Caribbean communities.

From Under the Sea to (Magic) Carpet in the Philippines

In the Philippines, commercial fishing once sustained the local economy. However, now, most of the fish supply is depleted and only the plastic waste remains, leaving local communities without a living, and thus 60% are below the poverty line.

With the help of organizations like NetWorks, Filipino fishermen clean up the waste and recycle the fishing nets by turning them into carpets. Both retrieving the materials from the ocean and making these carpets out of recycled materials provide these Filipinos with jobs and a source of income. The process has been so successful that it has spread across communities in the Philippines.

One Man’s Trash Is Another’s Treasure in Cameroon

When invasive plant species disrupted the ecosystem in one fishing village in Cameroon, the livelihoods of local communities quickly became unstable, and countless fishermen lost their jobs. NetWorks also established a program in Cameroon, providing them with jobs retrieving fishing nets from the water to be recycled. In return, they receive stamps, which they can exchange to pay for fundamental services like health care and even their education.

Fishing Nets in Seychelles to Patagonia Shorts

Seychelles, an island nation in the Indian Ocean, constantly experiences firsthand the effects of ocean pollution with ghost nets washing up on shore. One startup, Brikole, receives old fishing nets from Spanish and French fishing companies and then employs locals to process the materials and ship them to a company that makes products for big-name clothing companies including Patagonia. Each sustainable step of the way, recycling ghost nets fights poverty.

Plastic is infamous. With a decomposition date hundreds of years in the future, each neglected plastic bag, thrown-away bottle, and discarded fishing net contributes to global environmental concerns. Simultaneously, the news constantly recycles a gloomy narrative that global poverty is a hopeless situation. Yet innovative people around the world have found a solution fighting both problems rather than giving up hope. Surprisingly, their efforts have proven how recycling ghost nets fights poverty in diverse places–the Caribbean, the Philippines, Cameroon, and Seychelles. These repurposed fishing nets have transformed into employment opportunities for locals, acting as a buoy while poverty threatens to capsize low-income communities in developing countries.

– Klara Jones

Klara is based in Los Angeles, CA, USA and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Bulgaria’s Air Quality and Disease Prevention

Bulgaria's Air QualityBulgaria’s public health initiatives prioritize air quality and disease prevention. They address critical issues that disproportionately affect low-income communities and exacerbate poverty, promoting a healthier and more equitable society.

Breathe Sofia

In September 2022, the city of Sofia, Bulgaria, launched Breathe Sofia, a project aimed at improving air quality in one of the country’s most polluted cities. It focuses on protecting vulnerable populations by building public support for stronger policies, offering technical guidance for regulations and sharing international best practices.

By reducing air pollution, these efforts can help alleviate poverty by lowering health care costs and improving quality of life, especially for communities most affected by environmental disparities. Beyond health benefits, air pollution reduction also promotes social equity. It supports children’s well-being in impacted areas, increases economic participation and reinforces Bulgaria’s commitment to inclusive development under the European Union’s (EU) sustainability goals.

Bulgaria’s Air Quality

Bulgaria has also launched the New Operational Program on the Environment, allocating $1.77 billion to address water and waste management, biodiversity and air pollution. Since 2021, the program has helped provide cleaner air for 1.3 million people.

Furthermore, as part of its broader sustainability agenda, Bulgaria has prioritized emissions reduction through the National Program for the Improvement of Ambient Air Quality. This strategy drove significant progress between 2018 and 2024, with emissions falling by 66.5%. This reduction directly benefits low-income families by providing cleaner air and supporting healthier, more sustainable living conditions.

Addressing Diseases

To address cancer and chronic diseases, Bulgaria has joined the Joint Action to Prevent Noncommunicable Diseases and Cancer (JA PreventNCD), a three-year EU-funded health initiative. The project aims to reduce the burden of cancer and other noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) across Europe by supporting 22 EU Member States, along with Iceland, Norway and Ukraine. It also focuses on tackling social inequalities linked to NCD risk factors.

With NCDs disproportionately affecting marginalized communities, JA PreventNCD targets the root causes by addressing the link between poverty and poor health. The initiative acknowledges the unequal impact of NCDs on lower socioeconomic groups and promotes equitable access to prevention and care. By focusing on prevention and healthier lifestyles, JA PreventNCD aims to reduce health problems, ease the economic burden of NCDs and contribute to poverty reduction.

Bulgaria’s commitment to rare disease recognition took a major leap in 2005 when it joined the J Project, a Central and Eastern European initiative focused on primary immune deficiencies. Ten years later, this progress led to the establishment of a dedicated expert center at the university hospital. The center provides families in low-resource communities with access to specialized care for rare diseases.

Final Remarks

As Bulgaria works to improve the quality of life for its citizens, it collaborates with national and international programs aimed at disease prevention and air pollution reduction. Supported by initiatives like the Clean Air Fund and the EU partnerships, these efforts create healthier environments and expand access to essential resources in underserved communities through public health and sustainability investments. Indeed, they help pave the way for a more equitable and resilient future.

– Karisma Polly

Karisma is based in Sunrise, FL, USA and focuses on Global Health and Celebs for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pixabay

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The Journey To Renewable Energy in Micronesia

Renewable Energy in MicronesiaMicronesia (or the Federated States of Micronesia) is a small country located in the continent of Oceania. A large advocate of environmental policy, renewable energy in Micronesia has a long history behind it. Through many years of struggle and advancements, Micronesia has made its intentions for a clean future clear.

Life in Micronesia

While Micronesia’s environment is beautiful, living there isn’t easy.  In 2013, 41.2% of the population lived below the national poverty line, a statistic that the World Bank Group estimates to be higher post-COVID-19. Due to its isolated geography, poor mineral deposits and lacking economy, opportunities can be slim.

Electricity is a scarce resource in Micronesia; most of the country is reliant on diesel generators that power a central grid. Most communities do not have day-long access to electricity. Individual households are not the only parties affected by a lack of energy; hospitals have to work with a less-than-ideal power supply as well.

For those with more reliable access to electricity, another problem rears its head. Aging infrastructure causes many power grids to be vulnerable to intense weather like typhoons. This leads to frequent power outages as the grids fail to hold under the conditions.

Fossil Fuels in a Changing World

As an island country, Micronesia experiences some of the highest rates of sea-level rise per year on the planet. A reliance on diesel generators, which produce more pollutants than gasoline engines, exacerbates the issue. Its economic reliance on fisheries and farming causes a unique need to halt the unsustainable fossil fuels use as weather patterns rapidly intensify.

Micronesia’s reliance on diesel generators is more than just an environmental issue however, it is also a financial one. Micronesia has a severe lack of local fossil fuel deposits, this includes resources to fuel these generators. Due to this, Micronesia must outsource its entire fuel supply.

The U.S. used to pay for these fuel imports, but that stopped in 2004. As Micronesia locally lacks typical energy sources, the cost for a fossil fuel economy is too great for Micronesia to handle.

A Plan To Help

In 2004, Micronesia implemented a Strategic Development Plan to outline the goals and benchmarks of renewable energy in Micronesia up until 2023.  This plan detailed multiple advancements towards green energy, such as providing sustainable funding for environmental programs and would outline the approach towards green energy for the coming years.

This plan provided an outline that would pave the way for climate and disaster policy, as well as the formation of new climate committees. Through this new focus, renewable energy in Micronesia has grown into a larger force. Solar energy has become prevalent in the country, playing a large role in the hopeful eventual phasing out of the reliance on diesel.

A Green Future

Renewable energy in Micronesia still has a long way to go. The country still has an overwhelming reliance on diesel generators, and most households are still without electricity. However, through actions both past and present, there is undeniable progress ahead.

The World Bank’s recent ARISE Project is set to be a significant boon for the country. The project aims to increase solar construction, creating both mini-grids and home systems. It also aims to strengthen the older grid’s infrastructure to make them more resilient to natural events. This project will help more than 3,000 people gain electrical access.

The FSM recently launched its National Energy Policy through 2050. This policy outlines a future of independent power production as well as public private partnership. It also calls for studies into clean energy sources such as wind, the implementation of hydropower and advancements in architecture for solar. 

Looking Ahead

With weather patterns steadily intensifying over time, renewable energy’s steady traction and momentum and an ambitious goal of net zero emissions by 2050, a green future is not only necessary, but inevitable for Micronesia.

– Cayle Harrison

Cayle is based in West Columbia, SC, US and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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Advances in Monitoring Air Pollution in Laos

Air Pollution in LaosLaos is one of the most polluted countries in Southeast Asia. However, it has implemented a wide-reaching air monitoring system, improving the data on real-time air quality.

What Causes Air Pollution in Laos

Numerous sources, including waste burning, vehicle emissions, forest fires, heavy industry and the widespread use of slash-and-burn agriculture, cause air pollution in Laos. Slash-and-burn agriculture is where land is cleared for planting by burning the existing forests in the area.

The region has a long history of using slash-and-burn agriculture and people consider it traditional and effective; however, it contributes significantly to air pollution in Laos.

Negative Effects of Air Pollution

Worldwide air pollution leads to about one in nine deaths. Being exposed to high levels of air pollution can lead to lung cancer, heart disease, respiratory infections and stroke. As well as an increased risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s. Air pollution also has economic impacts; in 2019, it accounted for the loss of 6.1% of the global gross domestic product (GDP).

Also, because air pollution causes sickness, it places extra burdens on health systems and can increase the national healthcare spending. Further, when kids miss school due to an air pollution-related illness, they miss valuable time in the classroom and their parents often have to take time off work to look after them. This impacts economic growth.

Poverty and Air Pollution

Living on less than $1.90 per day, 716 million people are exposed to unsafe levels of air pollution. Pollution levels are especially high in lower-middle-income countries, where economies often depend on highly polluting industries.

Low-income communities tend to be disproportionately exposed to unsafe air pollution levels, partly because they tend to have jobs that require them outside performing physical labor. When they get an air pollution-related illness, they also tend to have more limited access to good and affordable health care.

New Air Quality Monitors

The government is combating air pollution in Laos by installing new air quality sensors. So far, 148 schools across the country have installed sensors, ensuring coverage in every district. This provides authorities with localized, real-time data on air quality nationwide. Policymakers can use this data to shape long-term clean air strategies and take immediate actions, such as temporarily closing schools in areas with dangerous pollution levels.

Hands-on training for students, teachers and local officials accompanied the installation of the sensors. In the future, an AI-powered program will use the data collected from the sensors to provide real-time local air quality estimations for more than 8,500 villages in Laos. This will include areas that do not have on-site sensors.

Final Remarks

While air pollution in Laos remains a serious concern, the government’s investment in real-time monitoring marks a major step forward. With sensors now installed across every district and plans to expand AI-powered forecasting, Laos is better equipped to track pollution. Furthermore, this will allow the protection of public health and guide long-term environmental policy. Continued innovation and action will be essential to ensure cleaner air and a healthier future for all Laotians.

– Axtin Bullock

Axtin is based in Georgetown, MA, USA and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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Thailand’s Efforts Against Deforestation Aids Communities

Thailand’s efforts against deforestationHome to a disproportionate amount of the world’s tropical forests, Thailand suffers from an immense amount of deforestation due to poorly policed property rights, extractive industries and climate change. Not only does this directly impoverish people who rely on the forest, but it also exacerbates other negative trends in the country. However, in conjunction with the European Union, Thailand’s efforts against deforestation are not only seeing success but can help lift up impoverished communities.

Background

Southeast Asia contains around 15% of the world’s tropical forest, much of which is in Thailand. These forests are losing 1.2% every year, one of the highest deforestation rates in the world. One of the main causes of this loss rate in Southeast Asian countries like Thailand is extractive industries like palm oil and illegal logging.

Thailand is one of the world’s top producers of palm oil, producing 2.78 million tons in 2018.  In Thailand specifically, palm oil cultivation and production lands have grown by 60% since 2009.

Deforestation

Additionally, illegal logging also contributes significantly to deforestation. Thailand’s efforts against deforestation include increased government restrictions on the logging industry in 1989 and 2006. However, Thai forests continue to be at risk for illegal logging.

According to Forest Trends’ October 2021 report on Thailand, “Illegal logging and trade affect many timber species, but highly valuable – often rare and endangered – species that are protected under harvest and/or trade regulations are a key target and at an elevated risk for illegality.” China remains the key importer of illegally harvested timber.

By 2024, Thailand lost 62,600 hectares of forest. The effect of this deforestation isn’t just devastating to the environment and biodiversity. It also harms the millions of people in Thailand who live near forests.

While Thailand is fighting deforestation, researchers at the World Bank estimate that if it does not stop, the wider environmental devastation of deforestation would decrease the Thai GDP by more than $550 billion. By contrast, the economy would grow by $54 billion if deforestation stops.

The study isolates that flooding is one of the main ways that “…increases the risk and severity of floods, which can have devastating consequences. Case in point, the 2011 flood affected more than 13 million people, destroyed 19,000 homes, displaced 2.5 million people…”

Thailand Fighting Back

However, Thailand and the international community are fighting back. Thailand’s efforts against deforestation include: strengthening property rights, changing domestic budget priorities and international cooperation. Instead of pitting the global poor and the environment against each other, the Thai government has instead empowered local communities. One of the key ways Thailand has helped protect forests is to grant stronger property rights to people living in reserve forests. Researcher Thanyaporn Chankrajang found that forests with these communal property rights experienced increased forest cover and decreased forest fires.

The Thai government has also switched its fiscal policies to help protect forests. Through fiscal grants, the governments receive increased money, funded through a commodity tax, if they can successfully protect their natural resources, like naturally-grown forests. Additionally, the Thai government continues to set aside funds for forest reserves that focus on sustainable forest management.

EUDR

Assisting them with these efforts, the European Union is teaming up with Thailand to help them join the  European Union’s Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). The EUDR will help regulate Thailand’s forestry, rubber and palm oil industries in order to become more sustainable. Not only will the EU help Thailand regulate these industries and their supply chains, but also help monitor for deforestation trends. With this help and through its National Economic and Social Development Plan, Thailand aims to stop deforestation by increasing its forest area to 40% of the country.

Thailand faces a major ecological crisis that will continue to harm both its environment and its poorest communities. However, due to Thailand’s efforts against deforestation and thanks to the assistance of the international community, these negative trends can not only be halted but entirely reversed.

– Joseph Laughon

Joseph is based in Sacramento, CA, USA and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Success in Zambian river restoration

Zambian river restorationRivers are critical to the Zambian economy and way of life, providing food, energy and jobs. However, environmental degradation from failed dam projects, pollution and mismanagement have threatened the sustainability of these crucial waterways, having a devastating impact on local communities. Major rivers like the Zambezi, Kafue and Nsongwe rivers, among others, have all suffered reductions. However, progress is being made in Zambian river restoration. Through private actors like the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the International Institute for Sustainable Development, local Zambian communities have begun to help solve poverty by healing their rivers.

Background

Rivers like the lower Kafue are incredibly important to nearly all aspects of life, supporting 900,000 Zambians. Nearly 20% of cattle in the area rely on the wetlands from the Kafue River and 90% of all electricity in Zambia comes from dams on rivers like the Kafue.

According to the 2017 report, “Water resources, and the essential services they provide, are critical to achieving poverty reduction, inclusive growth, public health, food security, human dignity for all.” In fact, the Kafue River is not unique, as the Zambezi River supports an additional 250,000 people along the Barotse floodplains alone.

The WWF in Zambia explained in its 2017 report that pollution and overuse have threatened the ability of large cities to have adequate water. In fact, 47% of Zambians have no access to clean water due to these issues.

Environmental Disasters

Large environmental disasters have exacerbated this systemic issue. On February 18, 2025, a tailings dam holding back toxic waste from a copper mine broke down, allowing more than 50 million liters of acid waste into the Kafue River. Local resident Sean Cornelius told AP News that, “Prior to the February 18, this was a vibrant and alive river. Now everything is dead, it is like a totally dead river. Unbelievable. Overnight, this river died.” Due to Zambia’s heavy reliance on hydropower, it makes potential dam disasters all the more likely.

Stepping into this crisis is a coalition of climate investors, the WWF and local river communities to assist with Zambian river restoration. The Climate Investment Fund (CIF) has begun working with eight counties along the Zambezi River basin to help implement nature-based solutions.

Evans Kaseke, program manager for the Zambezi Strategic Plan, explained that, “The program aims to promote, protect and restore natural environments through landscape approaches by investing in agriculture, food production, forest and land use, and coastal system management.”

Climate Adaptation for Protected Areas (CAPA)

Additionally, the WWF has been helping communities along the Nsongwe River to help build smaller check dams through its Climate Adaptation for Protected Areas (CAPA) Initiative. These dams help end erosion from overuse. Mervis Sibbuku, local resident, thanked WWF, “For years, we watched the river degrade. These check dams have given us hope, allowing us to see water flow evenly and greenery return along the banks.”

In partnership with WWF Zambia, the Nsongwe communities have started to remove silt and replant critical foliage, restoring parts of the river to both wildlife and community residents. Though much work needs to be done, international finance, NGOs and governmental aid can go a long way to empowering local impoverished communities to improve their environmental conditions. Zambian river restoration shows that critical funds and innovative practices can help undo environmental poverty.

– Joseph Laughon

Joseph is based in Sacramento, CA, USA and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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How Atmospheric Generators Are Transforming Arid Communities 

How Atmospheric Generators Are Transforming Arid Communities In drought-stricken regions, access to clean water remains a critical challenge. The lack of water affects health, agriculture and everyday life. A technology is offering a new path forward: atmospheric water generators (AWGs). Companies such as Majik Water in Kenya are using this innovation to extract moisture from the air, creating a reliable water source where traditional systems fail. Here is how AWGs function, highlighting real-world success stories and examining their potential for reshaping water access in vulnerable regions.

Atmospheric Water Generators

AWGs are machines that produce water by extracting humidity from the air. The system draws in air and cools it to trigger condensation. After condensation, the water passes through multiple filters that purify it for safe human consumption. These machines come in different sizes. Some are designed for households or small communities. Others, particularly industrial-scale units, generate several thousand liters of water daily—enough to support entire villages or farming operations.

The Impact on Arid Communities

Atmospheric generators have a profound impact on communities living in arid areas. First, regular access to safe drinking water significantly improves public health by reducing water-related diseases, especially among children. The water produced can also be used to irrigate small local crops, allowing families to grow their fruits and vegetables, thus enhancing food security.

Economically, these generators create new jobs related to their maintenance, supervision and water distribution. This stimulates local economies, often constrained by scarce natural resources. By providing a water source independent of rainfall, the generators are strengthening the resilience of villages to changing weather patterns and prolonged droughts.

For example, in Kenya, Majik Water uses air generators to provide drinking water to drought-affected rural communities. This project has improved the living conditions of many families, proving that this technology can be a real lifeline in even the most hostile environments.

Challenges to Overcome

Despite their potential, AWGs present several challenges. The machines require an initial capital investment that is beyond the reach of many communities. In areas without reliable electricity, powering the machines can become a problem. In addition, their efficiency drops in environments with extremely low humidity, limiting water output in the driest areas. These obstacles highlight the need for supportive infrastructure and financing mechanisms. Solar-powered AWGs could offer one possible solution to the energy constraint. Government subsidies or nonprofit funding may also be necessary to make these systems accessible in low-income regions.

Looking Ahead

Atmospheric generators represent a promising innovation to address water scarcity in arid regions. By providing an independent and reliable source of drinking water, they improve the quality of life, support local agriculture and empower communities in the face of climate change. However, widespread adoption potentially depends on efforts to lower costs, increase energy efficiency and integrate AWGs into broader development policies. With the support of public policies and private initiatives, this technology could play a key role in the future of sustainable water management.

– Eléonore Bonnaterre

Eléonore is based in London, UK and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Innovative Waste Management in Rwanda

rwanda waste Rwanda, a country in Central Africa with a population of around 14 million, has emerged as a global leader in sustainable development through its revolutionary waste management initiatives. The Plastic Waste Management Program and the Gikondo Recycling Centre, as well as youth-led eco-entrepreneurship initiatives, address certain environmental issues to create many jobs, mainly for young people. Rwanda is generally encouraging cleaner urban spaces, transforming waste into valuable resources. In addition to its promotion of a circular economy, it is setting an inspiring example for other nations to follow in the pursuit of sustainability and economic growth as well.

Transforming Waste into Opportunity

In 2021, Rwanda, in its work alongside the Private Sector Federation, set up a fund for plastic waste management. This initiative has led to the collection of nearly 1,500 tons of plastic waste from around 24 drop-off points. If that waste was not collected, it would have ended up in the landfills. The programme has, furthermore, created some 1,300 green jobs, showing the potential for environmental initiatives to drive economic growth, as well as employment.

Rwanda’s commitment to addressing plastic pollution extends beyond its borders. In 2024, Rwanda and Peru submitted a proposal at the U.N. talks in Ottawa to reduce global plastic production by 40% by 2040. This ambitious target aims to protect human health and the environment by limiting the production of primary plastic polymers.

Gikondo Recycling Centre

The Gikondo wetland in Kigali, once with heavy pollution by plastic waste, is undergoing transformation into a recreational area like the Nyandungu Eco-tourism Park. The government has actively engaged youth in removing some plastic waste from the wetland. That action turns an environmental challenge into an opportunity for community involvement as well as job creation.

Additionally, the Nduba landfill in Kigali features pilot facilities for municipal waste valorisation, a Waste Sorting and Separation Facility and a Bio-Waste Treatment Facility. These facilities can handle about 100 tons of waste per day in addition to converting organic waste into valuable fertilisers, respectively. The project could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 15,320 tCO₂ annually, and a further 74 new green jobs should be created.

The Youth-Led Eco-Entrepreneurship

Rwanda’s focus on youth empowerment is obvious in programs like the Youth Ecobrigade, implemented in partnership with UNDP and KOICA, together with other stakeholders. This initiative has provided training for 4,900 young people from rural communities. Furthermore, this initiative created 3,520 new jobs. Youth cooperatives that were formed under the program have managed to save nearly 11 million Rwandan francs, which promotes savings and entrepreneurship.
Launched in 2023, the Aguka program aims to support youth-led businesses further. This four-year initiative aims to impact around 6,600 youth-led businesses via the provision of thorough support. Such support includes access to finance, advanced business development training, mentorship, and market linkages. The program should create more than 100,000 jobs, greatly helping Rwanda’s socioeconomic change.

E-Waste Management in Rwanda

Recognizing the growing challenge of electronic waste, the country has partnered with Enviroserve Rwanda Green Park to establish a state-of-the-art e-waste dismantling and recycling facility. This facility has trained up to 70 young Rwandans in the repair, maintenance, and also recycling of electronic equipment. This training program furnished them with valuable skills for the job market.

Furthermore, the initiative has created green jobs for 413 people, with the number expected to rise as the facility and nationwide collection points become fully operational. This approach not only addresses environmental concerns but also provides sustainable employment opportunities for the youth.

A Blueprint for Sustainable Development

These revolutionary waste management initiatives in Rwanda exemplify how environmental sustainability and economic development can go hand in hand. Rwanda is setting a precedent for other nations to emulate by engaging youth as well as transforming waste into resources. This is in addition to encouraging a circular economy. These programs do address the pressing environmental challenges and also create meaningful employment opportunities, especially for young people, paving the way for a more sustainable and prosperous future.

– Zainab Saad Hassan

Zainab is based in Glasgow, Scotland and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr