Greening of Eritrea - 17min

Summary

Martin Sheen discusses the environmental threats and how some are now realities, such as the lack of fresh water causing famines. He highlights a project in Eritrea where seawater is used to grow food, creating jobs and combating drought. The initiative, involving seawater farms, shrimp operations, and mangrove forests, shows promise in transforming coastal deserts into productive green fields, potentially reversing global warming. This innovative approach could be replicated globally, offering a sustainable solution to food security and environmental challenges.

Takeaways

• 🌍 It's been 40 years since scientists started warning about environmental threats, and many predictions are now realities.
• 🚱 Lack of fresh water in arid regions is causing devastating famines as the Earth's population grows.
• 🌱 Some of the early advocates for environmental awareness are now taking action to address these issues.
• 🇪🇷 In Eritrea, seawater is being used to grow food for people and animals, creating jobs for hundreds of locals.
• 💧 The project involves the first commercial seawater farm, providing employment and a laboratory for marine biology students.
• 🍤 The farm includes shrimp operations, fish ponds, and fields of seawater-loving plants like salicornia and mangrove.
• 🌿 Salicornia is a versatile plant that can be used as a vegetable, a source of high-quality vegetable oil, and animal feed.
• 🌳 Mangrove forests planted with seawater irrigation provide firewood, building materials, and habitat for wildlife.
• 👩‍🌾 The project supports a cooperative of women who manage the mangrove forests and gain economic independence.
• 🌡️ The initiative aims to combat global warming by converting coastal deserts into green fields using seawater and sunlight.

Q & A

Who is narrating the video and what is the main topic?

The video is narrated by Martin Sheen, and it discusses the environmental threats to our planet, focusing on innovative projects using seawater to grow food in arid regions.

What specific problem is the small East African nation of Eritrea addressing?

Eritrea is addressing the problem of drought and lack of fresh water by using pure seawater to grow food for people and animals, thereby combating famine and creating jobs.

What is the goal of the seawater farms project in Eritrea?

The goal is to create a sustainable agricultural system using seawater to grow crops and raise livestock, which can help eliminate famine, create jobs, and make Eritrea an exporter of food.

What are the benefits of using seawater for agriculture as mentioned in the video?

The benefits include providing employment, bringing foreign currency into the economy through seafood exports, producing animal feed, and reducing global warming by greening desert areas.

What types of crops are being grown using seawater in Eritrea?

Crops such as salicornia and mangrove are being grown. Salicornia can be used as a vegetable, for producing vegetable oil, and as high-protein meal for animal feed.

How does the seawater farm system work in Eritrea?

The system involves dredging a channel for seawater to flow into the desert, using the water to raise shrimp and fish, and then using the nutrient-enriched water to irrigate crops. The water is eventually biologically cleaned and returned to the sea.

What role do mangrove trees play in the seawater farming project?

Mangrove trees are planted densely, and as they grow, they provide animal feed, building material, firewood, and help stabilize the soil. They also absorb carbon, which helps mitigate global warming.

Who benefits from the mangrove industry in Eritrea?

A cooperative of women, including widows, benefit from the mangrove industry by harvesting and selling mangrove leaves for animal feed, which helps them achieve self-sufficiency.

What future potential does the seawater agriculture project have according to the video?

The project has the potential to be replicated in other coastal desert areas around the world, creating green, productive fields that can feed millions and absorb significant amounts of carbon from the atmosphere.

How does the project contribute to combating global warming?

By greening the desert and increasing vegetation cover, the project helps absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, thereby reducing global warming.

What is the broader vision for the seawater agriculture project?

The broader vision is to convert 25,000 miles of coastal deserts around the world into lush, productive green fields that use seawater and sunlight to feed millions of people and reverse global warming.

What is the main message conveyed by Martin Sheen at the end of the video?

Martin Sheen encourages viewers to join the effort to make the vision of seawater agriculture a reality by visiting the project's website to find out how they can help.