WaterBoxx Grows Forest in the Desert

Read at : CNW Group

http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/November2008/17/c8639.html

    - New Dutch Invention Wins Prestigious Innovation Technology Award

    AMSTERDAM, Nov. 17 /CNW/ - A new Dutch breakthrough invention makes it
possible to reforest large desert and rocky areas on the planet in the coming
years. Experiments in the Sahara desert have shown that the WaterBoxx allows
trees to grow under harsh conditions and can provide them with sufficient
water.
    (Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081114/328384)
    The invention of the Dutch businessman and inventor Pieter Hoff has won
the prestigious Beta Dragons Award during the annual Flying Dutchman 2008,
Science & Technology Summit in Amsterdam. A board of scientists and captains
of industry proclaimed his design to be the most promising and innovative
project. Philips CEO Gerard Kleisterlee handed him the corresponding amount of
10.000 euro.
    The WaterBoxx looks like a plastic, rectangular bucket, with a hole in
the centre, allowing the tree to be planted in the soil. The sophistically
designed top catches water from condensation at night. Together with the
rainwater from rare showers, it is distributed in small doses to the tree
inside. Additionally the WaterBoxx prevents water in the top soil layers from
evaporating and protects the roots against sun, wind, weeds or rodents. After
a year the tree is strong enough to grow by itself and the WaterBoxx can be
removed.
    "Trees can grow in arid areas but are not able to germinate. The
WaterBoxx gives them a head start", Hoff explains.
    Recently, he successfully tested his invention in de Moroccan Sahara. 90
Percent of the trees planted with a WaterBoxx were alive and green after a few
months in the extreme hot summer. 90 Percent of the trees planted without the
WaterBoxx died however, although they had been watered every week.
    Hoff is convinced that, if the right species are planted, large parts of
the earth can be reforested, without sacrificing agricultural land. He is
seeking investors to apply his invention in the Middle East, India, Africa and
other arid territories. Hoff: "If we can reforest 2 billion hectares, the
trees consume more CO2 than men produces and the whole CO2 problem will be
solved." His WaterBoxx will be available from July 1, 2009.
    More information: http://www.aquaproholland.com
    Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081114/328384

For further information: Pieter Hoff, tel: +31(0)167-547554, mob
+31(0)6-54340410, email: phoff@aquaproholland.com