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...]
Coalition calls on AfDB to commit to 100% renewable future
In a bid to have Africa commit to 100% renewable energy and to increase transparency in the continent’s energy sector, Zero – a coalition campaign between climate change volunteers and Non-Profit Organisations (NGOs) around the continent – was launched yesterday on the side-lines of the African Development Bank’s (AfDB) Africa Investment Forum in Johannesburg, South … [Read more...]
Only 12 years to avert 2 degrees of global warming
Only half a degree warmer would result in double the severity of the consequences to this planet. The latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report was released on 8th October. It focuses on the differences between a 1.5- and 2-degree global warming future climate scenario. The main points of the report, based on 6000 scientific papers and approved by all … [Read more...]
Rapid response needed to limit global warming
Limiting global warming to 1.5°C would require rapid, far-reaching and unprecedented changes in all aspects of society, the IPCC said in a new assessment. With clear benefits to people and natural ecosystems, limiting global warming to 1.5°C compared to 2°C could go hand in hand with ensuring a more sustainable and equitable society, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate … [Read more...]
NGOs release list of world’s top coal plant developers
Four days before the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) puts forward its special report on 1.5°C, NGOs have released a new list of the world’s top 120 coal plant developers. “Building new coal plants is an assault on the Paris climate goals,” says Heffa Schuecking, director of the German environment NGO Urgewald. “Our list names the top companies investors and … [Read more...]
What are directors’ duties in respect to climate change?
Directors need to factor climate change into their governance deliberations about strategy, risk management, products and services. So said Sue Lund, member of the Institute of Directors in SA (IODSA) at a recent discussion on directors’ duty of care for the current and long-term sustainability of their organisations – which should translate into measures that both mitigate … [Read more...]
NGOs call for a tougher Climate Change Bill
In its formal response to the Department of Environmental Affairs’ proposed Climate Change Bill, the Life After Coal Campaign has called for a far more robust and proactive Bill. Life After Coal is a joint campaign of non-profit environmental justice organisations groundWork, Earthlife Africa and the Centre for Environmental Rights (CER). “While we applaud the Department for … [Read more...]
New UN report highlights crimes that have serious environmental impacts
The new Report “The State of Knowledge of Crimes that have Serious Impacts on the Environment” has been published by the United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) and the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI). Environmental crime is a complex type of crime that requires thorough analysis and strong coordination among different … [Read more...]
