Andrew
Society Reporter
GO green campaigns have gained traction across the globe.
The process involves repairing the earth’s lungs, which cleanse our environment and generate the air we breathe.
It is about covering every square inch with plants — grass, flowers and trees.
Green campaigns are widely used to bring environmental issues to the attention of the public. At the same time, they are used in inculcating green behaviour in the public.
Zimpapers, the country’s biggest integrated media house, has decided to lead by example by launching the “Zimpapers Green Up Campaign”.
The initiative is aimed at re-greening city rooftops and road verges in and around the capital city and industrial areas. In the campaign, The Sunday Mail Society will run weekly articles profiling other organisations that are greening up their environments, with those that excel set to receive awards.
A professional adjudication panel will select the winners.
“We have come to a point where we are aligning ourselves with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Our corporate social responsibility stands on five pillars — planet, people, peace, prosperity and partnership,” said Zimpapers chief executive officer, Mr Pikirayi Deketeke, in one of his briefs.
“We seek to offer leadership, innovation and service excellence in these five areas. We are particularly concerned about the planet and the people. In this regard, we have decided to lead a campaign to green the city of Harare and spread to other cities.”
A green roof is a layer of vegetation planted over a waterproofing system that is installed on top of a flat or slightly sloping roof. Green roofs, which are also known as vegetative roofs, fall into three main categories — extensive, intensive and semi-intensive.
Re-greening means making green again; restoring barren, degraded or deforested land to a healthy ecological state by planting vegetation such as trees, shrubs, grasses or sustainable crops, often in conjunction with improvements in soil fertility and water retention.
Towns and cities globally are going green to adapt to climate change. Green roofs are also known to provide vital wildlife habitat, which generally makes a place fascinating.
They also provide shade, remove heat from the air, as well as reduce temperatures on the roof surface and surrounding areas, especially during the day.
By reflecting rather than absorb heat, green walls and rooftops cool buildings. This reduces the need for air conditioning, thus lowering energy consumption.
During the rainy season, rooftops help to capture rainfall, minimising stormwater runoff on the roads.
Excess moisture is stored in the rooftop garden beds, while plants absorb radiation and reduce pollutants in the air.
The Zimpapers Green Up Campaign will start with the greening up of rooftops and other spaces at Herald House and the Zimpapers Radio House gardens.
“We believe that if our work environments are beautiful, beautiful thoughts will flow from our minds,” notes Mr Deketeke.
Zimpapers intends to lead from the front in urging corporates to give the environment and roof spaces a new lease of life. The world is moving towards the achievement of SDGs by 2030. Zimbabwe is making contributions to ensure these goals are realised, as shown by the Government’s declaration of a National Clean-Up Day.
“For Zimpapers, it’s an opportunity to give back in a big way to the earth itself, and to the people who depend on it for survival. The world is moving towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 and Zimbabwe is contributing to this vision,” added Mr Deketeke.
The impacts of climate change have become more visible, and Zimbabwe, like other countries, has experienced more droughts and devastating tropical cyclones, including Cyclone Idai.
“We want to lead in influencing other organisations and the nation at large to contribute to the achievement of the environmental SDGs. SDG 11 on Sustainable Cities and Communities, SDG 12 on Responsible Consumption and Production and SDG 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts, are at the centre of this programme.”
Zimpapers has since partnered with the District Development Fund to drill boreholes and encourage communities to grow trees and vegetables.
“The goal is simple: Put the power of re-greening in people’s hands. We want them to help us turn barren land into lush green habitats that can sustain their ecosystems and help save the environment,” said Mr Deketeke.
Online Reporter