Awards at Paris

I had no idea that climate solutions awards were given out in Paris, but it was very interesting to read about who got awards and what they received them for.  I think that it is a great idea to recognize new ideas and programs that are working.  There are four focus areas; urban poor, women for results, financing for climate friendly investment and ICT solutions.  One of the more interesting programs that I read about was entitled “Planting Trees to Save the Mangrove” this is taking place in Guinea.  Local women there have decided to do something about overuse of wood in that region.  One thing they have done to improve this was to use non-polluting solar driers to dry and smoke the fish they eat instead of using firewood.  The women in Guinea have decided to plant trees to reforest the land.  The four solar dryers that have been built will save up to 40 tonnes of CO2 per year.  There were many other very cool programs that received awards.  One was even from the U.S., which was for building a network of electric vehicle express, charging stations.  Some other ideas were powering homes with solar energy, generating income with geothermal waste-heat, the sustainable cities initiative and more.  Another solution that I found to be really interesting was the “Solvatten Solar Safe Water Heater” in Kenya.  This deals with the treatment and heating of water to give people safe water.  I was pleasantly surprised to see that these projects were recognized.