Vibrations: African Environment Photo Essay Contest
“One of our ongoing goals is to help translate community-based work to sustainable political action. We truly believe that if community programs can gather adequate momentum, they can influence broader policy changes.”
Sustainable Developmental Goals (SDGs) Walk Campaign 2021 (Oluwaseun Adebayo, Edo, Nigeria):
This event took place on October 8, 2021, in Benin City. Through a series of activities including environmental cleanups and information booths, the event aimed to increase local community awareness of the 17 United Nations (UN) SDGs.
Cash for Trash (Ogechi Nwonye, Enugu, Nigeria):
This ongoing project aims to simultaneously address the issues of poverty and environmental improvement. Currently, the project team is working with schools and other community organizations to develop programs where recyclables from rural and semi-urban areas can be exchanged for school fees, food items, or cash for low-income families. The project also hopes to improve climate literacy throughout the community.
Recycle Up! (Salim Abubakar, Kumasi, Ghana):
This community-based waste recycling project believes that plastic waste can be effectively decreased through grassroots behavior change. Through initiatives, including recycling clubs in primary schools, the team is working to create a robust circular economy where all plastic wastes are effectively managed to prevent environmental pollution and generate resources.
Project Save 1M Plastic Bottles (Martin Okorowu, Imo, Nigeria):
This ongoing green outdoor activity seeks to recover and recycle over one million plastic bottles thereby diverting them from drainage systems, bodies of water, and dumpsites. The program also has the goal of engaging and educating youth to inspire positive waste management behaviors in Owerri.
Kapsowar Tree Planting (Cornelius Kemboi, Kapsowar, Kenya):
This month long project aimed to increase tree cover in a local community while promoting reforestation and tree cultivation. In addition to planting, there was also an emphasis on fostering an awareness of the ecologic and economic importance of trees among volunteers and community members
The Love and Light Project (Isaac Omoyele, Lagos, Nigeria):
This project recognizes the losses in productivity from deficits in national grid electricity. The team views solar energy as a valuable and worthy solution to this and other social, economic, and environmental challenges. Hence, they aim to educate communities on clean energy and garner funding to replace fuel generators with solar kits.
Combating Oceanic Pollution and Mangrove Restoration (Ivaldo Fumo, Quelimane City, Mozambique):
This project has three parts. The first two areas focus on planting mangrove seedlings to reforest degraded areas and decontaminating existing mangrove areas soiled by plastic bottle waste. The final focus of the project is to educate and sensitize communities to develop better waste management habits.
Youth Earth Protector (Romario Valentine, Durban, South Africa & Segera, Kenya):
This young environmentalist works with community partners to plant as many trees as possible around Africa to help combat desertification, create sustainable jobs for the youth, provide food and shelter for wildlife, and slow climate change. He also creates eco-art from recyclable waste products to raise awareness about environmental issues.
Learn More & Share!
Learn more about the Vibrations project and its goals in our recent commentary published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. Available for free!
Project Partners
