Backsberg leads way for climate change
2009-11-05
CLOSE to home, a new space for climate change action was unveiled on Saturday, in the form of the Earth Centre that was officially opened at the Backsberg Wine Estate outside Paarl. On the international day of climate change, Food & Trees for Africa’s Jeunesse Park and Backsberg’s Michael Back planted the first of many trees to mark the occasion. The Earth Centre will not only be the home for the FTFA Western Cape office, but will function as an information hub, workshop venue and learning centre. The centre will provide a space for sustainable development and climate change action, inspiration, education and solutions, said Hayley Mueller, spokesperson for Backsberg. Both FTFA and Backsberg have a strong environmental commitment and the Earth Centre is the product of their shared vision for visible change. Through the centre, Backsberg and FTFA hope to promote practical solutions for a world in transition. The building itself is an example of environmentally friendly living. It boasts walls insulated with straw-bales, furniture made from spent barrel staves, and 100% environmentally friendly building materials. The centre operates as a resource for green living, seeking to engage with the greater community. Visitors will discover that care for the environment is easy, possible and financially viable, both on an individual and commercial level. A carbon calculator is available in the centre for visitors to calculate their carbon emissions and arrange to offset them accordingly. In addition, illustrations, examples of solutions, and books on climate change and environmental care are all available. Provision has been made to receive groups of school learners so that the issues of climate change and environmental care can be highlighted and discussed. For more information on the centre, email earthcentre@backsberg.co.za, or call 021-875-5141.
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