Containers for environment restoration
Basic information
Project Title
Full project title
Category
Project Description
Shipping companies struggle with empty container relocation. This means that some regions have a growing surplus of containers. What could be packed in those containers to reverse environmental degradation? Ecosystem restoration kits would be carefully developed for different climate and land uses. With the contribution of different industrial sectors in the European Union, kits could be produced, packed and then shipped in these empty containers, for extensive ecosystem restoration.
Project Region
EU Programme or fund
Description of the project
Summary
Global trade is affected by containers returning empty, causing economic losses for container owners and shipping operators. This phenomenon exposes growing trade imbalances between economic blocks. However, empty container repositioning can be an opportunity to solve environmental problems.
Different ecosystem restoration kits could be carefully developed, with the help of the scientific community, and then shipped to different climate regions or land uses. The composition of such containers could be customized, according to the specific needs of a given location. Organic fibres, for instance, could help stabilising degraded soils and seeds could restore native, climate resilient vegetation.
Key objectives for sustainability
Container shipping uses existing trade routes, materials and technologies, with no need for build new infrastructure.
Designing environmental restoration kit requires close collaboration between multidisciplinary research groups, so as to focus on the most relevant problems for each region. Moreover, these kits, produced in the European Union, could involve several sectors, from logistics & distribution, construction material industries and environmental associations. Local authorities will then coordinate the implementation on site.
After shipping and implementation, all environmental restoration kits could not only reverse soil degradation and the loss of biodiversity in broader regions, but also fight climate change. Ultimately, these kits could foster diplomatic relations within and outside the European Union, for social, economic and environmental benefits.
Key objectives for aesthetics and quality
Ecosystem restauration is much more than reversing environmental problems. A place that shelters more species is also a better place to walk through and take a deep breath, with vegetation regulating moist and temperature, filtered light and softer ground.
The empty containers used can also be redesigned, like brand new objects. New messages could be added outside, to spread environmental awareness across the European Union.
Key objectives for inclusion
International shipping routes link complex infrastructure networks across the world, making sure that a container is delivered virtually anywhere. Therefore, containers with ecosystem restauration kits can be customized for each location, so that any community, no matter where, can benefict from improved environmental quality. Local communities will also play an active role in the implementation of this project.
Innovative character
Environmental restauration programs have already been used in different ways, namely to help fighting desertification. Adding vegetation and organic fibres to stabilise the barren soil have aldready prooved to be successful in different locations. In this proposal, however, the idea is to broaden this effort, given the climate & environmental emergency the world is facing. This proposal takes advantage of global shipping routes to help reverse environmental problems and mitigate global and regional trade imbalances at once.
