South Africa goes green

Project goal: cutting the community’s reliance on fossil fuels

Project type: boosting regional food production, training, recycling, setting up solar panels

Project size: 8,000 people are set to benefit

South Africa’s economy is booming and its energy demands have risen accordingly. Yet most of the country’s energy is drawn from fossil fuels and coal. Some people are determined to change that. Located around 150 kilometers from Cape town, the small town of Greyton is going green. Greyton is part of a sprawling international "Transition Towns" initiative. It refers to a grassroots network of communities working to cut energy consumption and prevent environmental damage.  Around 100 young activists are overhauling Greyton’s infrastructure. Solar projects are meant to cut the town's reliance on coal, locally-grown produce is cutting transport costs and the town's youth is being sensitized on the need for climate and environment protection – with the help of music.

A film by Jürgen Schneider