Energy ConsumptionSikhs in India have taken the first steps in reducing the use of fossil fuels in their 28,000 gurdwaras, or temples.
Each gurdwara runs a free kitchen where anyone can be fed, regardless of creed, race or need.
The Sikh community gives food to about 30 million people a day, with the five great gurdwaras of Delhi feeding more than 10,000 people daily.
The new initiative will see solar power installed at Delhi's eight biggest gurdwaras to reduce the amount of fossil fuel used for heating, lighting and cooking. Fuel-efficient cooking stoves will then be installed in rural gurdwaras to reduce energy consumption by 15 per cent.
ECO COFFINS
A unique eco-coffin project in South Africa aims to help rid the country of invasive tree species while also lending a hand to poor people faced with high burial costs.
South Africa has a big problem with invasive trees such as pines and wattles which are draining the land of scarce water resources.
At the same time South Africa's high level of HIV is causing real financial hardship to families, who have to deal with unprecedented numbers of funerals.
The plan is to make coffins out of the timber of these species, selling some at cost to poor people through churches and Hindu temples, and the rest at a higher prices to wealthier families to help support the initiative.
YELLOW-EARED PARROT
Five years ago, two Colombian species - the yellow-eared parrot and the Quindio wax palm - were on the verge of extinction.
But, thanks to a partnership between the Roman Catholic church and environmentalists, both have been saved in one of Latin America's most successful biodiversity conservation campaigns.
Millions of wax palm fronds had been used in Colombia and the United States for Palm Sunday processions, and the practice was killing the trees and destroying the parrots' habitat.
Now, people carry ordinary palms and the parrot population stands at 660 - a remarkable increase from the previously recorded 81. The campaign has gained extraordinary support in Colombia where even rebel guerrilla groups ban the sale of palms and parrots.
For more of Arc's projects, visit www.arcworld.org .
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