You haven’t met before?
No, seriously, you haven’t?

Well, then… meet the Cape Town Green Map.
What’s that? You have no idea what it is? Well then, it seems a proper introduction is in order. May I formally introduce to you Africa’s first, very exciting, helpful, online, interactive Green Map.

A map, I hear you say? Well, as with all maps, it does provide direction – but with a difference.

No other map has attempted to chart and detail the city of Cape Town from a green angle before. This particular one is unique in that way. The map can be used to make greener lifestyle choices, and help people to make more informed decisions on how to live sustainably. It is also different because it is on-going, evolving and is constantly being updated.

The 80 odd sites already on the map have been added by the mapmakers, but you can suggest a site yourself, or join the team as a mapmaker, if you have five or more green sites you would like to add.

The map highlights important green spaces, biodiversity hot spots, sustainable living projects, alternative energy sites, recycling projects and drop-offs, local green events, markets, eateries, responsible tourism, green accommodation, fair-trade businesses, eco-products and services, green attractions, alternative energy sites and a lot more.

The map ultimately serves both as a source for local Cape Town residents, so that they can find the nearest green site that suits their needs, and tourists and visitors after a 'green' and environmentally 'conscious' holiday.

The City of Cape Town, in partnership with urban sprout and A&C Maps, is “virtually” launching the web-based Cape Town Green Map tomorrow (and you are all invited to attend) on World Environment Day, Friday 5 June 2009.

The theme this year is “Your Planet Needs you - UNite to Combat Climate Change” - a fitting day for the Cape Town Green Map to launch.

So, now that you know that the Cape Town Green Map is out there, and you have been acquainted, it is time to get familiar. Visit the site at http://www.capetowngreenmap.co.za and if you register with the map, you can stand a chance of winning 1 of 10 copies of Simon Gear's 'Going Green 365 Ways to Change our World' – a great little book full of ideas for making the planet a better place.

Often, it seems that a sense of individuality can be lost in a world that is intent on creating mass products for mass markets. And it is our obsession with this mass lifestyle that is threatening the entire concept of life – by destroying the planet that sustains it. But, with certain ideas, by making individual, conscious acts to help preserve life, things can change.

The individual can save the world.

It’s a bold statement, I know. But it starts with individual choice. Hopefully our map is there to provide the options.