Climate change expo a hit

If you’re not an international minister, NGO observer or chief negotiator, you’re probably not getting into the COP17 meetings. But why would you want to sit in stuffy meetings talking about geopolitics and broken promises when all the fun is outside at the Expo Centre? And it’s all free.

This is where you will find innovators and entrepreneurs showcasing the latest environmentally- friendly gadgets. It’s like an enormous trade fair behind the official talks. This is where you will find loyal lobbyists, NGO workers with big smiles, clean technology companies wearing green socks, and forest people with no shoes at all.

Upon entry you are greeted by an enormous cube of green plastic milk cartoons constituting the “Climate Smart Cape Town” installation. From the plants in milk cartons to the alien invasive wood-finish floors, foot-rests and candles for ambience, everything about this structure screams Cape Town.

“We are showing what Cape Town is doing, seeing as we are the leading city from an environmental point of view,” said Cape Town ICC CEO Rashid Toefy. The air-cooled structure is full of useful electricity-saving tips and tricks.

Next door is a standard-size 12m steel transport container. There is, however, nothing ordinary about its contents.

“This container turns garbage into electricity, petrol or diesel,” said senior scientist Jaco van der Walt. The modular unit, dubbed the BeauTiFuel project, costs R3 million, but has huge potential for powering rural communities. “It’s self-sustaining, doesn’t require electricity or water and, using a ton of garbage burnt at 2 000°C, it can produce one barrel of fuel, or 400kw of electricity, a day, enough to power 20 households,” said Van der Walt.

Motorheads should make their way to the Climate Change Response Expo, where Siemens have their electric-powered white Porsche Carrera 997 on display.

“You can’t put a price tag on this. It’s the only one in the world,” said the company’s e-mobility spokesman, Keshin Govender.

Running on lithium batteries, the car can reach a top speed of 220km/h. However, it can travel only 150km before needing a recharge.

Also in this marquee you can find your local government representatives and quiz them about making your area cleaner. In addition, there is a fully electric chopper-style motorbike worth R2.1 million on display. On a charge of just two hours it can travel at speeds of up to 160km/h.

The Fever Tree marquee is where you will find everything including the environmentally friendly kitchen sink. From Wonderbags that keep your potjie hot long after you take it off the stove to solar panels and wind turbines, this is where you’ll find the gadgets to make your home greener.

The Forest Mahogany marquee at the rear is occupied by a range of environmental affairs and government bodies. There are a few interesting and interactive educational displays for schoolchildren and an exhibition on early evidence of mankind in Africa.

In the food court, the food is mostly organic and vegan, and comes in trendy brown paper bags. - The Mercury