We talk about planting trees a lot to help in the climate crisis but those aren’t the only green life that can help. In South Africa there’s an unlikely hero in the fight against climate change. The spekboom, a type of succulent shrub that shows promise in turning things around for the area.

This shrub can actually grow pretty tall. In ten years it can be twice the size of an average man if allowed to grow undisturbed. A whole field of them can sequester a ton of carbon and their presence will help stimulate rain fall and lower temperatures in the area. Bonus, they’re local and do well in the area.

The hope is that these shrubs will help mitigate the changes in the climate as other man made issues and revitalize the landscape. This plant has many benefits and using a similar tactic in other areas (though not the same plant) may also see strong turn around.