Tibet's unique and fragile biosphere is home to a huge diversity of plant and animal wildlife. In an increasingly globalized society, though, Tibet's most precious natural resources are severely threatened. As global warming rises, glaciers on Tibet's greatest mountains are retreating and grasslands are drying out. Water quality has suffered due to lack of effective waste management systems, while deforestation and air pollution from the soot of wood-burning fires continue to adversely affect the environment. Sustainable development on the Tibetan plateau holds far-reaching consequences for the well-being of Tibetan communities and the world beyond.

Green technology across the plateau will not only help preserve Tibet's precious environmental resources, but will aid rural communities as they struggle to build essential infrastructure like water systems and electric grids. Our goal is to distribute the knowledge and resources that will lead to increased conservation awareness and local self-sufficiency for Tibetan communities.

Machik's work with Green Technology Initiatives began during the construction of the Chungba Primary School in 2003. We sourced primarily local materials for construction and designed the school's energy needs around renewable solar power. Solar water heaters supply the showers and kitchens with hot water, which is reused as gray water for the toilets. Solar panels provide the first electricity that Chungba has ever had, and an organic greenhouse provides healthy vegetables for the students year-round while reducing the fossil fuels used to transport food over long distances. We have also integrated conservation activities into the Chungba Primary School curriculum.

Now we are outfitting the new Chungba Middle School with the same green technology, and looking to expand our efforts by instituting compost toilets. With our partner Kham Kampo Association, we are also supporting the distribution of solar cookers to rural communities on the eastern plateau to reduce the health hazards and CO2 emissions that result from wood-burning stoves.