ReSpek Nature

Guy Lieberman of ReSpek Nature discussed his organisation’s Karoo spekboom project, which cultivates this highly efficient carbon dioxide-capturing endemic succulent on tracts of denuded land in the Karoo region of South Africa. Spekboom, a plant native to the Eastern Cape section of the Karoo, has a natural ability to absorb carbon dioxide emissions that is greater than most plants. Carbon dioxide is the most common gas responsible for global warming.

https://www.respeknature.org/

Judges’ comments

• Old-school, simple and effective strategy to fight climate change, complemented by an innovative crowdfunding scheme and striking visibility
• The project offers a simple but effective way to boost carbon sequestration by reintroducing an indigenous plant in a region with harsh climate conditions
  
• This project presents very clear and, in some cases, empirical evidence of the likely climate impacts, and has an innovative funding model, which potentially counts for its future sustainability