My friends, do not lose heart. We were made for these times. I have heard from so many recently who are deeply and properly bewildered. They are concerned about the state of affairs in our world now. Ours is a time of almost daily astonishment and often righteous rage over the latest degradations of what matters most to civilized, visionary people. You are right in your … [Read more...]
‘Normal Is Over’ premiere at Labia Theatre
I have seen so many movies about the decline on our planet. What more is there to learn? How to keep strong when you know so much? But there is a local film maker, Renée Scheltema (pictured, right) from the Netherlands originally, who has dedicated the past 5 years of her life – and mostly her own funds – to travel the world and construct a film to communicate this message … [Read more...]
Why climate change needs 60,000 artists to tell its story
In 2013, one of the world’s leading public relations experts, Bob Pickard, cried out to the climate world: “mobilise us!” In a frustrated op-ed, he listed 20 key problems with climate communication. One of them was “story fatigue”: bland stories with “highly repetitive and stale” themes. Climate information is still often confusing, unengaging and absent from the wider … [Read more...]
Journalists set off in search of African sustainability stories
On April 9th 2016, a 3-person team of mobile journalists will begin an epic 14,000 km trans-African cycling expedition from Cape Town, South Africa to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Travelling unsupported for up to 10 months, carrying all their equipment, the team will produce documentary shorts that showcase ordinary people doing extraordinary things for their community and planet. … [Read more...]
SIMA celebrates best impact documentaries from around the world
The annual Social Impact Media Awards (SIMA) celebrate the best impact documentaries from around the world that inspire activism, compassion and social transformation. SIMA has announced the finalists for the 2016 edition of their unique initiative. The selected finalists will compete in the two categories Documentaries (Features, Shorts) and Impact Videos (Innovations, … [Read more...]
PVC products enjoy spotlight at recycled product of the year awards
Products made from PVC (Polyvinyl chloride) could be hard to recycle. Do not fall for the popular misconception that PVC is not recyclable. South Africa saw a 3.9 % increase in the total amount of PVC, or vinyl, diverted from landfill in 2014 (18 488 tons). SAPRO’s Recycled Product of the Year Awards which took place in Stellenbosch recently, proved that there is a growing … [Read more...]
Ten years later, Daisies keeps getting better
Not only does Daisies never normally disappoint, this year they had their ten-year anniversary celebrations to add to the mix. And keeping this ever-expanding eco-friendly festival event of epic proportions going for so long is a feat worth celebrating indeed! I was lucky to be able to make it on Thursday already for a change this year with my good friend and awesome … [Read more...]
Rediscovering ourselves in nature
When we no longer shudder at the ecological warning calls of science, the only voice left that can awaken us belongs to the poets. To hear that voice is to hear the language of the soul. Author and activist, Ian McCullum shares how we are impacting our environment and what we need to do as a human race to reverse the negative effects of over-population and our lack of care … [Read more...]
Recycled product awards ceremony rewards conscious creations
New products created from waste materials is one of the most exciting and creative aspects of our green industry. So it was fun to attend the awards ceremony of the Best Recycled Product of the Year. And who would think that the humble Wheelie bin, which we all take for granted, would land such a high accolade? Indeed, the City of Cape Town and Mpact Plastic Containers were … [Read more...]
COP21 song for climate change
Just One Day is a song composed by Desert Rose to promote global awareness of the critical nature of Climate Change as the world prepares for COP21. This is the most crucial climate change conference in the history of mankind to be held in Paris, France, in Dec 2015. The song asks the inhabitants of our planet to start a new consciousness by giving one day of no drilling, … [Read more...]
Youngster wins award for inventing oil spill detection device
An 18-year-old Indian-American boy has won the prestigious Intel Foundation Young Scientist Award in the US for inventing a device that quickly shuts down undersea oil spills. Karan Jerath of Friendswood, Texas, claimed the USD 50,000 top prize yesterday at this year's Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (IISEF). Jerath was also one of the five students selected … [Read more...]
Viva la fashion revolution
Recently the world celebrated International Fashion Revolution Day. This day was held in honour of the 1 129 factory workers who died and the 2 515 who were injured when Rana Plaza clothing factory in Bangladesh collapsed in April 2013. People from around the globe were called into action by taking selfies with their clothing labels with the supporting hash tag … [Read more...]
Film fest goes nationwide to bring awareness about eco issues
The South African Eco Film Festival (SAEFF) will bring the world’s best documentary films with environmental themes to South African audiences from the 26th of March to the 2nd of April. “We’ve branched out,” says Andreas Wilson-Späth of While You Were Sleeping, the non profit organisation behind the event. “After last year’s enthusiastic reception of the Cape Town Eco Film … [Read more...]
