To help fish farmers address economic and sustainability challenges, three young women are studying lemna, an aquatic plant that cleans water and offers a new source of income.
Marissa Cuevas was sensitive to the UN’s prediction that World War III would be about water. This led her to study the uses and pollution of freshwater. Paola Constantino and Fanny Villiers joined her in 2019 to launch microTERRA and develop the idea: a circular system that transforms aquaculture wastewater into clean, reusable water and a sustainable food. They are already installed in 3 fish farms in Mexico.
An answer to freshwater needs
Water is a highly strategic resource for inland fish farming. Mexican traditional fish farmers have enormous economic and sustainability challenges, to keep the fish healthy they must replace 30% of the water in the tanks every week. This creates two major challenges, huge freshwater requirements, and huge wastewater discharges, creating nutrient downstream pollution. microTERRA’s business relies on a sharing economy model. They offer them the training to adopt the cultivation of an aquatic plant, the lemna, that cleans their water and brings them a new source of income. By the end of 2023, they plan to be present in 40 farms in Mexico and to be producing around 2,000 Tons of lemna meal. After that step, they will focus on expanding the production internationally, in Latam, aiming at Ecuador and Perú.
Do you want to support this project?
Elsie Gabriel wants to move towards a more ocean- literate society. This young activist has created the Ocean Schools program in India for young people and local communities.
Proper Strand Lopers is a Belgian citizen’s initiative born from a Facebook group. Education and awareness-raising about beach waste is central to this.
Allowing both land and people to flourish, connecting traditional communities in the Amazon area, researchers and environmentally engaged groups is the goal of the Meli Network project. A flourishing cooperation inspired by the Meliponini bees.
To get involved in a collective adventure:
Discover meaningful projects
Choose your preferred project to embark on
Contact the project owner
Discover inspiring initiatives around the world and find innovative solutions
Duplicate the proposed sustainable solutions
Establish new partnerships
Find inspiration and discover new ideas
Connect and share experiences with other innovators around the world
Contact us to propose your project
Discover the innovations carried out by citizens in your CSR fields of action and in the regions of your choice
Support through funding or by providing skills in your areas of expertise
Contact the project leaders
Find inspiring stories of engaged citizens to enrich your editorial work
Help local projects increase their impact and make them known to your audience
Contact the project managers
Discover citizen initiatives around the world
Invest in local projects aligned with your strategy for sustainable development
Contact the project managers