ENVIRONMENT
We recognise the environmental cost of our school visit and work closely with Zomba TREEZ and, increasingly, Mulanje Conservation Trust and Kuti Wildlife Reserve to find meaningful and sustainable ways to off-set our carbon footprint and protect and improve the environment everywhere.
Malawi's energy crisis
As a result of the increase in population and the use of wood fuel for cooking and heating, Malawi has lost 85% of its trees in the last 20 years.
At the current rate of population growth and deforestation, the country will no longer have enough biomass to sustain the population by 2025. It also has serious implications for soil erosion, water retention, clean air and water and preserving Malawi's biodiversity.
Electricity accounts for only 2% of the energy used by Malawians in their homes. Over 80% of their energy comes from firewood - and another 16% from charcoal. Most families will collect 150 bundles of wood a year just for cooking. With 18 million people living in Malawi (up from 5 million in 1974) it's easy to see why trees are in short supply.
We support the reforestation programme of Zomba TREEZ. They hope to reforest the south western slopes of Zomba Plateau and help reduce the effects of climate change by raising awareness, planting trees, promoting natural regeneration and preventing fires. More >>
Petal from Zomba TREEZ talks to us about the progress the Zomba community is making with their reforestation programme.
Animal conservation
Through Kuti Wildlife Reserve, we can learn more about Malawi's animal conservation efforts and the critical role it plays in attracting lucrative tourism into the country.
Mulanje Mountain Conservation Trust
The Mulanje Mountain Conservation Trust (MMCT) is a conservation trust funded by the World Bank through the Global Environmental Facility (GEF). It aims to provide long-term reliable support for biodiversity research and conservation of biological diversity and sustainable utilization of natural resources of the Mulanje Mountain Forest Reserve in Malawi.
