Up to 70% of Pacific Island dwellers would have to migrate due to climate change. This was said at COP21 today. The United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS) the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) presented the first nationally representative household survey conducted on climate change and … [Read more...]
Top speakers inspire at the 2015 Green Building Convention
“If everyone got free WiFi with every tree they planted, we wouldn’t have the problem of climate change.” This was the sentiment shared by renowned businessman, activist and sustainability advocate, Jochen Zeitz, at the 8th Annual Green Building Convention in Cape Town recently. The event, hosted by the Green Building Council SA, is a signature gathering on the greening and … [Read more...]
Interfaith lovefest ‘brings hearts and minds together’
Nobody does pageantry like people of faith — and that was decidedly on display Thursday night as the 2015 Parliament of the World's Religions opened with a lengthy processional at the Salt Palace in downtown Salt Lake City. Chiefs from seven American Indian tribes, wearing traditional feathered headdresses and fur cloaks, led the way to the podium as a drum circle … [Read more...]
Climate hearings heat up with an eye on Paris
Many moving events are happening in the build up to the most important conference ever on the future of this planet. Last week parliament's Portfolio Committee on Environmental Affairs devoted one and a half days to holding Climate Hearings. Here was a bumper full hall of colourful people from our rainbow nation – from all sectors and walks of life – pleading with the … [Read more...]
SA to host the next International Renewable Energy Conference
The Government of South Africa announced that it has teamed up with REN21 – the Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century - to organise the next International Renewable Energy Conference (IREC) in South Africa in autumn 2015. Dedicated exclusively to the renewable energy sector, IREC is a high-level political conference series hosted by a national government … [Read more...]
Don’t let load shedding spoil your holiday
Load shedding is a fact of life for the foreseeable future in South Africa and a little planning and creativity can alleviate a lot of the unpleasantness during the holidays. This is according to Evan Schiff, event director of the annual African Utility Week and Clean Power Africa conference and expo in Cape Town. Higher electricity prices in South Africa have become an … [Read more...]
Register now for marine & coastal educators conference
All those promoting awareness and education of the marine environment are gathering in Gauteng from 11-16 January 2015 to share research, classroom and field activities and be energized with new ideas. Now is the time to book for the 15th Marine and Coastal Educators Network (MCEN) Conference, which brings together formal and informal educators from schools, public … [Read more...]
ICLEI at the Climate Summit 2014
World leaders are gathering in New York next week to attend the Climate Summit 2014. Convened by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, the Summit aims to mobilize political will and galvanize climate action. Among its eight key action areas are cities – a clear indication of the crucial role we have in fighting climate change. For over two decades, ICLEI – Local Governments for … [Read more...]
Dark day for democracy but petition signed by laureates
The Mandela, De Klerk, Tutu and Luthuli foundations will be writing to President Zuma appealing to him to intervene in order for the Dalai Lama to get a visa to attend the World Peace Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates next month. A further petitioning letter will be signed by former Nobel Peace Prize laureates and has already been signed by President Lech Walesa, Mairead … [Read more...]
Sustainability Week brings lively debate to green issues
Another stellar line-up of conferences, seminars and public lectures took place at this year’s Sustainability Week (17 to 19 June 2014), at the CSIR International Convention Centre in Pretoria. The Tshwane Green Outreach Programme was launched on Tuesday, 17 June 2014 as Councillor Kgosientso Ramokgopa (left), Executive Mayor of Tshwane, explained the city’s vision for 2055. … [Read more...]
Biodynamic Farmers Conference returns to Camphill
The second Annual Biodynamic Farmers Conference will be held at Camphill Farm, Hermanus from 2 - 6 July. This is a civil society, farmer-led initiative aimed at a two year apprenticeship training on biodynamic farms that is accompanied by the internationally accredited Crossfields Institute. Biodynamic farming is practiced throughout the world and is particularly strong in … [Read more...]
Design thinking for water conservation
Water stress is rapidly emerging as a key issue facing industry and investors in South Africa. Lack of water can hamper operations and development in a wide variety of industries including agricultural and agri-processing sectors. How we manage our water infrastructure, and respond to the risk of increasing water stress from climate change and population growth, will be a … [Read more...]
Energy adversaries and compatriots moving closer?
My attendance at the Sustainable Energy day, part of Sustainability Week hosted by the CSIR in Pretoria, offered tangible evidence of a long held personal view: to get traction in ‘sustainability’ we have to utilise the power of commerce. I believe the burgeoning Green Economy has the potential to direct our behavior towards a sustainable future. The conference participants … [Read more...]
