Popping up all over the place comment count

• News
• August 13, 2010 ∥
• By Ingrid Sinclair

Greenpop sets up at the top of Long Street today. Photos by Ingrid Sinclair

It’s Friday in Cape Town and the sun is shining so it’s no surprise that Long Street is a hive of activity – shoppers, students, tourists … They typically take to Long Street for some drinks, or a visit to Greenmarket Square, or simply to take in the weekend vibes.

But we were surprised to see a group of young people take to one of the sidewalks and plonk down a park bench on some kind of synthetic grass-like carpet. Then we heard guitars, harmonicas and drums … And we simply had to investigate.

The group are volunteers with and friends of Greenpop, a new initiative that aims to have planted 1 000 trees in the most “under-greened” communities in Cape Town by the end of September.

It’s a springtime initiative and, with the good weather we’ve been having in Cape Town lately, this is the best time to get awareness out there – which is why Greenpop are taking to the streets.

So why did they choose the top of Long Street today? “We wanted to make a statement so we chose a spot in the city that isn’t that green – lots of cars, traffic and buildings here,” said volunteer and Greenpop’s “PR person” Lauren O’Donnell. 

Greenpop was started by Misha Teasdale, a documentary filmmaker. He wanted to offset the carbon emissions that his production team generated from almost 400 000km of long-haul flights during 2010. Joined by Devin Herd, an entrepreneur with a focus on environmental management, the idea sprouted into Greenpop.

Speaking of their timing, which coincides with September’s Arbour Month, Lauren said: “We want to bring back an awareness around Arbour Month. [International sustainable-development agency] Heart Global helped us identify schools and orphanages on the Cape Flats that not only need trees but will be able to look after them, too.”

Greenpop hosts weekly fun days where underprivileged children are invited to learn about trees, paint murals, get creative and take part in a guided walk of Newlands forest.

While planting trees are at the top of the volunteer-driven initiative’s agenda, it is also invested in creating a green consciousness, and educating and inspiring children to think green.

You can assist Greenpop by making a donation on their website (“We’ve already sold 200 trees,” said Lauren), by offering your time as a volunteer … Or simply by helping them create awareness around the project.

Local muso and “Cigarettes & Cinnamon” creator Jax Panik has been tweeting about the project … Isn’t it easy enough to do the same? You can tweet this article by clicking the “tweet” button below these pictures of Greenpop on Long Street.