Disinvestments in fossil fuels amounting to 11 trillion dollars – eight times the global GDP – have been recorded in the last six months of this year, according to a report released this week. According to the report, divestment “leapt from 52 billion dollars in 2014 to more than 11 trillion dollars today — a stunning increase of 22,000 percent”. But the report noted that … [Read more...]
Coal mining venture could wreck iMfolozi Wilderness Area
The final Spatial Development Framework for the uMfolozi Municipality has been released. The uMfolozi Municipality stretches from the southern borders of the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park to the coast. Map 18 on mining areas shows the area identified for coal mining running along the southern border of the HIP. What is especially problematic is this paragraph from page 102 of … [Read more...]
Africa’s opportunity to turn climate change crises into prosperity
No job is too important to be created or sustained at the expense of the well being of our children and their future, writes Mamphela Ramphele. There is no place to hide from the climate emergencies upon us. We have the responsibility as the people and citizens of Africa, to put pressure on our leaders to respond urgently and decisively to turn these crises into … [Read more...]
Anti-pollution activists block Eskom entrance with emergency “hospital” scene
Anti-pollution activists from Greenpeace Africa have completely blocked the entrance to Eskom's Megawatt Park headquarters with a makeshift emergency hospital scene to highlight the premature deaths and diseases caused by Eskom's polluting coal-fired power stations. This follows Greenpeace India's release of a new study detailing the world's worst sulphur dioxide (SO2) … [Read more...]
Tax breaks for South Africans who install solar power systems
South Africa’s government, energy regulator and Eskom have often been criticised for obstructing the introduction of distributed, small-scale embedded generation, which would help businesses to cut costs and ensure the stability of their power supply during load shedding. But in fact, there are significant and far-sighted tax breaks which have been put in place by National … [Read more...]
Mpumalanga a hotspot for deadly sulphur dioxide emissions
NASA satellites have found the Kriel area in Mpumalanga to be a global hotspot for deadly sulphur dioxide (SO2) emissions. A new study commissioned by Greenpeace India used NASA estimates of anthropogenic sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions from hotspots around the world, based on data from the agency's satellites. The study found that Kriel in Mpumalanga, with its high … [Read more...]
Coal power: 50% less jobs, 1000 times more destruction
As our new Minister of Mineral and Energy Resources fights to keep our economy in the dark ages, aided and abetted by a media sector credulous enough to repeat ‘clean coal’ rhetoric,* it’s worth trying to get a sense of the full damage being done. As a Minister, his duty is to a Constitution that aims to extend the human and socio-economic rights of all South Africans; but his … [Read more...]
Coal is unaffordable and deadly, and we don’t want it
South Africa must never build another coal-fired power station. Next month, on September 20, we will take to the streets to demand this. Across South Africa we will be joined by school children striking to prevent a future ruined by carbon emissions and a deepened climate crisis. “You’ll die of old age. We’ll die of climate change,” they will cry. We will be joined around … [Read more...]
Renewable energy: are we industry leaders or followers?
The keynote speakers at the Renewable Energy Postgraduate Symposium (REPS) held at Stellenbosch University on 17 and 18 July emphasized the need for relevant, perhaps even bankable research. “Academic research needs to come out of the lab and onto commercial spaces,” said Mr. Cebo Silinga as he presented instruments from the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) designed to … [Read more...]
This CO2-powered turbine can power a small town
A recently developed carbon dioxide powered turbine could produce super efficient energy – and it is remarkably small. Engineers from GE Global Research unveiled a turbine that could provide power for 10,000 homes. But what’s truly remarkable about this turbine is its potential to solve the world’s energy challenges. Typically, turbines weigh tons and use steam to … [Read more...]
Mali’s efforts to improve access to renewable energy gets a boost
The World Bank’s board of executive directors approved a $22.7 million financing to support Mali’s efforts to promote the deployment of renewable energy in rural areas. The financing package is composed of a $20 million equivalent credit from the International Development Association (IDA) and a $2.7 million grant from the Japan Policy and Human Resources Development … [Read more...]
Invest for the future, divest from companies that fuel the climate crisis
South African NGOs and foundations (and unions, schools, universities and faith bodies) can multiply their impact with one simple decision — divesting from companies that are socially irresponsible. And that means — among other things — not investing in corporations that contribute to global heating. Every South African NGO, union or foundation either has invested or endowed … [Read more...]
Ruling on Karoo fracking “a victory for the environment”
Plans to roll out hydraulic fracturing or fracking, as it's more commonly known, in the Karoo have been halted. The Supreme Court of Appeal ruled in favour of an application brought by AfriForum and the Treasure Karoo Action Group on Thursday. The court ruled that the ministers of Mineral Resources and Environmental Affairs do not have the authority to implement the … [Read more...]
