A new report by community psychology expert, Dr Garret Barnwell, shows that climate change harms are already negatively impacting our mental well-being and these effects will only accelerate in the future, placing today’s youth and future generations in harm’s way. The findings of the report, commissioned by the Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) for the African Climate … [Read more...]
Inspiring the women waste pickers of Phalaborwa
Across South Africa, and the world are a group of determined women who come from an impoverished community that you may have never heard of. These are Woman Waste Pickers. They search high and low for recyclables that can be transformed from waste into a source of limitless creative potential. Inspired and motivated by the women Waste Pickers of Phalaborwa, South Africa, who … [Read more...]
Nersa Electricity Generation Application Process “flawed”
Earlier this week, The Green Connection and others made their oral presentations at the National Energy Regulator of South Africa’s (Nersa) public hearings regarding the Karpowership SA electricity generation application. According to the environmental justice organisation’s Strategic Lead Liziwe McDaid, “While the Green Connection is on record for objecting to the floating … [Read more...]
Rebuilding relationships over natural resources in Darfur
Every year on 19 August, World Humanitarian Day offers the United Nations and other humanitarian organizations an opportunity to celebrate the daily work of humanitarian responders worldwide and recognize their dedication to helping others. World Humanitarian Day also gives us pause to reflect on how to continue improving the humanitarian response to climate change and complex … [Read more...]
Kenya’s post-covid recovery should prioritise people not coal
A post-covid recovery plan should prioritise people and not a polluting coal industry, this is according to Greenpeace Africa. The Kenyan budget outlining the governments’ plans for Kenya’s Post COVID recovery released in June 2021 clearly shows the government’s intentions to prioritise coal over the health and well-being of Kenyans. The budget focuses on coal exploration … [Read more...]
Fishing communities respond to Karpowership SA appeal
On 16 August 2021, the Green Connection submitted its response to the appeal – by Karpowership SA, and others – against the decision by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE) to refuse environmental authorisations for the floating power plants (FPPs). Small-scale fishers from the West Coast and other stakeholders are also sending responses to … [Read more...]
How local governments can put food on the table
2021 is the year of food. After the pandemic exposed how vulnerable food systems are, two global summits are placing food front and center: the UN Food Systems Summit (UNFSS) in September in New York, USA (with the Pre-Summit gathering key actors from July 26-28 in Rome, Italy), and the Nutrition for Growth Summit this December in Tokyo, Japan. Finally, the issue of food is on … [Read more...]
The bare bones of tissue donation
There’s a hero inside all of us. And that’s not just a platitude about unrealised potential but a reality as far as tissue donation is concerned. Tissue donation refers to the generous donation of human tissue, which includes bone and other products created from human tissue, bestowed after death. According to Bone SA, a registered non-profit organisation concerned with … [Read more...]
Virtual fundraising marathon uplifts community
The Comrades Marathon Centenary Hope Challenge virtual event took place on the 13th of June 2021 following the cancellation of the road race due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In the true spirit of Comrades, there was much camaraderie along the route as many runners took to the streets to commemorate the 100th running of the Comrades event. Bearing the campaign theme of … [Read more...]
Civil society welcomes decision to reject Karpowerships
Environmental justice groups and coastal communities are celebrating an unexpected victory. Civil society groups have been alleging that the EIA processes were flawed, and yesterday, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE) made public its decision to refuse all three environmental authorisations applications (EA) for the gas-to-power projects proposed for … [Read more...]
Time to rethink the purchase and consumption of seafood
Despite the widespread availability of Norwegian salmon in our restaurants, this fish gets imported in large quantities with a significant carbon footprint and increasing concerns about the farming practices and demands on the natural environment in the country of origin. Seafood has risen on the news agenda of late with the release of Netflix documentary, Seaspiracy. The … [Read more...]
Campaign opposes Liesbeek River Valley development
On Youth Day, 16 June, we not only remember South Africa’s painful past, but also imagine what heritage we want to leave to future generations. Right now, we are witnessing the threatened destruction of a site of deep remembrance of our past, the ‘sacred’ land on which the Khoi-Khoin resisted colonisation for well over a century. The City of Cape Town gave the green light … [Read more...]
Mqeku Picnic Site: an ideal spot for family outings
Head for the great outdoors, enjoy the early-winter crisp weather and discover somewhere new: visit the Mqeku Picnic Site - a magical unexplored playground only 20 minutes from Hillcrest in the heart of the Valley of 1000 Hills. With Youth Day and Father’s Day both coming up in the next fortnight – families may be looking for interesting things to do together. Mqeku … [Read more...]
