A solution pure and simple

ECO-TEC’s PET-bottle building initiative was born in 2001, in Honduras. After three years of testing and improving our method, we began to offer training programs on our technique to transform used plastic soft drink bottles and construction waste into architectural structures.

We developed over fifty PET-bottle projects in Bolivia, Colombia,Mexico,Uganda, Honduras, and India, in cooperation with rural and Afro-Latino communities, vulnerable communities in urban contexts, as well as disabled persons, university students, local government personnel, and NGOs. ECO-TEC assisted communities in establishing recycling infrastructure and utilizing the collected waste in the construction of bus stops, kiosks, water reserve tanks, retention and protection walls, vertical gardens, and houses. We also participated in the effort to recuperate public space through the construction of eco-parks. Through hands-on participation and discussion of the social, economical, and ecological impacts, these communities now see the products of recycling as valuable commodities that can improve lives when utilized in building houses and other community-enhancing structures.
ECO-TEC’s primary goal is to educate more people in the social, economic, and ecological benefits of utilizing PET bottles and construction waste for building. We need to build training centers that will allow us to implement a larger educational program.

Renewable Energies in Uganda

In Uganda, cooking does not mean simply turning on an electric stove. Over 90 percent of the population use traditional stone ovens and are therefore dependent on fuelwood, charcoal or agricultural waste products. As no alternative fuels are available to these people, the volume of wood consumed in Uganda is enormous. Entire forests have already been destroyed. Women and children, traditionally responsible for cooking, have to go further and further afield to collect fuel-wood. Furthermore, the effects on their health are severe, as the intense concentration of smoke from the stone ovens inside the huts frequently causes chronic eye and bronchial disorders.

To counteract these effects, Vianney, Emma and many other individuals and organizations are promoting modern energy services for the Ugandan population. The aim is to supply the poverty-stricken population in Uganda’s rural areas in particular, only three percent of whom currently have access to electricity, with modern and sustainable energy technologies in the future.

Energy from Biogas is one option Ugandans can exploit, its made by decomposing without oxygen organic material in a digester.
Below is a digester made from 2 plastic tanks, one inserted into the other.

A biogas flame!


After harvesting the gas, we also get organic fertilizer, so the plants get healthier.

The biogas team

Historic Kasubi Tombs Reduced to Ashes

The grass thatched hut housing the Kasubi Tombs was yesterday burnt down and reduced to ashes by the fire that started at around 8:30pm according to eye-witnesses. The hut as seen in the picture was completely destroyed. The Kasubi Tombs are an active religious site in the Buganda Kingdom situated on Kasubi hill.



Four kings were buried at the Kasubi Tombs and they include:

* Muteesa I (1835-1884)
* Basamula Mwanga II (1867-1903)
* Daudi Chwa II (1896-1939)
* Fredrick Walugembe Muteesa II (1924-1969)

The tombs have been a major source of income for the Buganda Kingdom now that they are certified by UNESCO as a Heritage site.



As the fire broke out, police came to rescue the situation but a rowdy crowd hampered the situation. "We could not access the scene because of the rioters, so we could not save the tombs," ''Three fire trucks were damaged and a fire fighter injured by the rioters." Simon Musoke, the Chief Fire Officer, said.

A meeting for the Buganda Cabinet has been summoned by the Buganda Katikiro JB Walusimbi over last nights fire that gutted the tombs to decide on the reconstructing the site and also whether to carry our their own investigations in the cause of the fire.

Observe and Interact

Hey Guys

Observation is key to permaculture. Developing good observation skills is essential if we want to make well-functioning permaculture designs.

By observing natural and social patterns we are able to use them in our design work - this relates to Bill Mollison's philosophy of 'work with nature, not against'. We have to know how nature works if we want to be able to work with it.

"Good design depends on a free and harmonious relationship between nature and people, in which careful observation and thoughtful interaction provide the design inspiration." David Holmgren

Since we are usually dealing with complex systems - even a small garden can be incredibly diverse with many interactions - this principle suggests that we take a relatively cautious approach, that we make the smallest intervention that we think is necessary to make the change we want, and then closely observe the results. That way we can change, stop, or continue, depending on the results, without causing any big problems.

In fact, "failure", is very useful, as long as we learn! And learning is the key point. This principle reminds us that permaculture is all about learning. Permaculture uses an 'action learning' approach which works in stages:

1. We state a problem, issue or challenge
2. Then consider realistic options for action
3. Put the best option into action
4. Observe the results
5. Reflect on what has been learnt
6. Restate the problem, challenge or issue as it now is, and start a new phase of learning

Just observing makes nothing happen. Just acting can make problems bigger and bigger. We need to balance the two.


Next topic: Save energy with Permaculture

Ethics of Permaculture

Neatly summed up as "Earth care, people care, fair shares", the permaculture ethics give purpose to our work, and connect us with the many millions of others who are also working towards a fairer, healthier and more harmonious human culture.

1. CARE OF THE EARTH: Provision for all life systems to continue and multiply.
Permaculture works with natural systems, rather than in competition with them. It uses methods that have minimal negative impact on the Earth’s natural environment. In everyday life, this may involve buying local produce, eating in season, and cycling rather than driving. Its about choices we make, and how we manage the land. Its about opposing the destruction of wild habitats, and the poisoning of soil, water and atmosphere, and its about designing and creating healthy systems that meet our needs without damaging the planet.

2. CARE OF PEOPLE: Provision for people to access those resources necessary to their existence.
As a part of this planet, you matter! This is about ensuring the well being of both individuals and communities. As individuals, we need to look after ourselves and each other so that as a community we can develop environmentally friendly lifestyles. In the poorest parts of the world, this is still about helping people to access enough food and clean water, within a safe society. In the rich world, it means redesigning our unsustainable systems and replacing them with sustainable ones. This could mean working together to provide efficient, accessible public transport, or to provide after-school clubs for kids. When people come together, friendships are formed and sustainability becomes possible.

3. SETTING LIMITS TO POPULATION AND CONSUMPTION: By governing our own needs, we can set resources aside to further the above principles. Setting limits to population is not about limiting people's free movement, tight border controls and a one child policy. Its about working to achieve a stable human population, using a number of key strategies. These include: access to family planning; helping people to meet their basic needs of clean water, adequate food, and basic health care and education; education for girls.

The third ethic recognizes that:

a. The Earth’s resources are limited.
b. These resources need to be shared amongst many beings.

Permaculture seeks to divide these resources fairly amongst people, animals and plants alike, not forgetting future generations who will need food, water and shelter just as much as we do now. Its 'one planet living'.


Additionally

The 'Prime Directive of Permaculture'
"The only ethical decision is to take responsibility for our own existence and that of our children." Bill Mollison.

It's like playing a game
"I find that most people are comfortable with the idea of 'ground rules' or 'rules of the game'. By explaining permaculture as a 'game', people can make up their own mind about whether they become 'players' or not. I think that it's counter-productive to try to require people to behave ethically, no matter what the situation that they find themselves in. But to ask for a certain approach if people are involved in permaculture, then that's fine. We can't force people to play the game, but we can be clear about what the game is, and how we play it. The choice to participate remains with the individual." Angus Soutar

We can have a discussion about Permaculture in Africa, feel free to share your view

The Republic of Uganda is a landlocked country located in east Africa. It is bordered by Kenya, Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Rwanda and Tanzania. The total size is 236,000 km² and the population is 30.9 million.

Uganda has significant natural resources, including fertile soils, sizeable mineral deposits of copper and cobalt and recently found commercially viable oil deposits. Agriculture forms the base of the economy contributing to 24% of the gross domestic product and with 77% of the workforce employed in the sector. The importance of agriculture input in the economy has recently declined in favour of industry and services. The country has had over 20 years of uninterrupted growth, which has contributed to poverty reduction from 56% in 1993 to 31%. However, concerns about continued growth have arisen due to international crisis, high population growth, corruption and stalled reform programmes and the unsolved conflict with rebels in the North.


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Permaculture in Africa

More than 14 million people in the Horn of Africa are in need of international food aid. At the same time, Africa has the agricultural potential not only to feed the continent, but also the world.

Several agricultural methods have been tried in Africa but the prove to be costly to be sustained. Permaculture is a verbal marriage of “permanent” and “agriculture.”
Key features include:Use of compatible perennials;Non-invasive planting techniques;
Emphasis on biodiversity; specifically adaptable to local climate, landscape, and soil conditions; Highly productive output of edibles.

There is nothing technical, intrusive, secretive, or expensive about this form of gardening. All that is required is some botanical knowledge and a mindset that defines a backyard paradise as something other than a carpet of grass.

Useful link:
http://permaculturemedia.blogspot.com