Standard Bank’s Notice of Annual General Meeting, released on 17 April 2019, includes a resolution proposed by shareholders that would require the bank to prepare a report on its exposure to climate risk in its lending, financing and investment activities. This is the first time that a South African company has tabled a shareholder resolution on any climate-related issue. … [Read more...]
UN decade puts focus on ecosystem restoration and climate change
The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, declared today by the UN General Assembly, aims to massively scale up the restoration of degraded and destroyed ecosystems as a proven measure to fight the climate crisis and enhance food security, water supply and biodiversity. The degradation of land and marine ecosystems undermines the well-being of 3.2 billion people and costs … [Read more...]
Donate to the victims of Cyclone Idai
The death toll from Cyclone Idai keeps rising. Now, cholera is taking lives and threatens the survivors of the cyclone. That's the thing about these extreme weather events. It doesn’t end when it ends. Cyclone Idai has destroyed access to clean water and access to sanitation, escalating health risks for the survivors. The countless families hit by the disaster are strong and … [Read more...]
Funeral Procession highlights environmental impacts of fossil fuel
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...]
