Namibia to create forest as carbon sink

The University of Turku and the University of Namibia have undertaken a joint project to create a large forest area in Namibia to function as a carbon sink and also to serve the ecological and economic needs of Namibia.

The launch of the Carbon Garden project was celebrated at the University of Namibia’s campus in Henties Bay on 10 May 2019, said a press release issued by University of Turku.

The attendees included the first president of Namibia, Sam Nujoma, and the current Vice President Nangolo Mbumba.

The goal of the Carbon Garden project is to plant a large tree area in Namibia that will be irrigated using desalinated sea water or groundwater. For the desalination process, a water purification method functioning with solar energy will be used.

“The tree area will function as a carbon sink, which means that it absorbs noxious carbon dioxide emissions. The goal of the University of Turku is to become carbon neutral by 2025, and this is one way to reduce the carbon footprint. In Namibia, the tree area will restrain deforestation and support the country’s economy,” said University of Turku Rector Kalervo Väänänen.

The launch of the Carbon Garden project was celebrated on 10 May at the University of Namibia’s campus in Henties Bay, where the plan is being tested in a smaller tree area. The launch celebrations were attended by University of Turku Rector Kalervo Väänänen, Finnish Ambassador to Namibia Pirkko-Liisa Kyöstilä, first president of Namibia Sam S. Nujoma, and Namibia’s current Vice President Nangolo Mbumba.