Today, activists of the Break Free coalition have taken part in a funeral procession outside the Department of Energy (DoE) in Pretoria to highlight the impacts that coal-fired power stations are having on South African communities. The solemn procession depicted tombstones to which activists were chained with the message “The IRP [Integrated Resource Plan] is our chance to … [Read more...]
Activists hold funeral for planet Earth
Environmental activists will be holding a funeral for the entire planet in Cape Town on Saturday from 11:00 to 13:00. Extinction Rebellion South Africa invites you to join for a symbolic Funeral for the Earth to mark the loss of life our planet has, is, and will experience due to climate breakdown. This will be our chance to express our grief and sadness at the harm being … [Read more...]
Encouraging young women to make their mark in energy
It is crucial that young women be inspired to enter the energy and science sectors at an early age, while still in primary school, because often by the time they reach high school their attention is drawn to the commercial sector, says Dr Thembakazi Mali, Interim CEO for the SA National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI), who adds that while there is an increase in the … [Read more...]
Africa grapples with rising demand for destructive energy source
A whopping 70 percent of Sub-Saharan Africa still relies on charcoal as well as other solid biomass fuels for energy —80 percent when excluding South Africa. The charcoal use generates tiny soot particles that create and exasperate respiratory diseases and contribute to climate change. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that more than four million people die annually … [Read more...]
Celebrating achievements of women for a healthy planet
Today’s International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. Women worldwide have already changed the world for good, and play a vital role in the transformation to a fairer, just and more sustainable world. The World Future Council is working to pass on a healthy planet and fair societies to our children and … [Read more...]
Cape Town youth joins Global Strike for Climate
The youth of Cape Town, South Africa will stand beside Greta Thunberg and other comrades across Europe, Australia and North America in the Global Strike for Climate on Friday 15th March, 2019. In 1976, South African youth in Soweto led a protest against a blinkered, self-interested government to insist on the survival of their languages. In 2019 we are stepping up to insist … [Read more...]
Budget needs stronger focus on enviro issues and decisive plan to address climate change
The Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute (SAFCEI) says that it has mixed feelings about the priorities laid out by the Minister Tito Mboweni, in his Budget Speech today. While the multi-faith, environmental NGO is pleased that the 2019 Budget does not include any new nuclear, the Finance Minister’s response to climate change and environmental issues is … [Read more...]
Youth-focused project strives for ocean protection
Climate change and pollution is a global issue and has a significant impact on the ocean. Conserving marine and coastal ecosystems is essential. Global issues tend to bring together like-minded projects spanning across continents. One such project is the Bremen-Durban Marine Environmental Education Network also known as Ocean Champs. This project is jointly implemented by … [Read more...]
Faith-based NGO encourages more emphasis on eco-social sustainability
The Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute (SAFCEI) today, expressed optimism at President Ramaphosa’s forward-looking State of the Nation Address (SONA) last night. However, the multi-faith NGO says it is concerned that too much emphasis is placed on economic and technological developments, while social and environmental wellbeing seemed less … [Read more...]
Fresh dialogue needed on climate change and food security after Davos
At the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting, much of the conversation surrounded trade deals – particularly between the United States and China, the record-breaking U.S. government shutdown, and of course the eternal enigma of Brexit. But amid the hand wringing and the worrying about who had and hadn’t turned up in Switzerland, two persistent strands caught my eye: the … [Read more...]
Deep adaptation: hope and vision in the face of collapse
As someone who worked in environmental campaigning and then organizational change, I learned about the role of hope and vision in helping to align and motivate people. As someone who worked at the heart of political communications during the 2017 UK General Election campaign, I’m also aware of the power of a positive narrative when told well, consistently and authentically. In … [Read more...]
SA’s Green Party: educating to empower
The Green Party of South Africa's manifesto is inspired by the fundamental right of justice to all, as manifested in the values that are shared by Green Movements around the Globe. In particular, the Ten Key Values of the Green Committees of Correspondence, as applied to the unique South African political, social and economic environment. 1. A System that Works It is a … [Read more...]
Goodbye and thank you 2018
Thank you for traveling with us again during the intense year that was 2018. Personally, socially, environmentally, globally humanity is put to the test – necessitating urgent change. This is our chance to discover the gift in the crisis, which enables the movement beyond our perceived limitations. Perhaps this is what evolution and mastery is all about? So with the world in … [Read more...]
