Cassava pollution
July 21, 2016
In this edition of eco@africa, we explore the world of cassava, also known as maniok, in Nigeria. Its root yields a starch widely used in food production, and to lesser degrees, alcoholic beverages, animal feed and biofuel. In many places, much of the plant is discarded and either burned or left to rot, thereby leading to air, land and groundwater pollution. Scientists are looking at ways of preventing this outcome.
We also go to Kenya, which like many places in the world, is facing a modern-day plague in the form of the ubiquitous plastic bag. A coastal initiative is working to clean up plastic waste in ways that lead to job creation. And staying with plastic bags, a duo in Egypt have found a way to turn them into beautiful household accessories. Their products have met with an enthusiastic consumer reception.
We will also check in with some hungry elephants in Namibia, attempt to measure a forest in Zambia, cross Berlin's river Spree using solar power and find out what is making OLEDs the buzzword of contemporary light.
You won't want to miss it. Any of it. So don't.