The Centre for Environmental Rights has applied to be a friend of the court in the case in which the City of Cape Town is seeking to be allowed to procure its own renewable energy without needing permission from the national energy minister. The matter is being heard in the high court in Pretoria. The organisation said on Tuesday that municipalities, which accounted for 40% … [Read more...]
Join the fight for renewable energy in Africa
Africa doesn’t need fossil fuels to reach its development. As the least responsible, but yet most vulnerable to climate change, Africa must follow upon the Climate Vulnerable Forum pledge made by 16 African governments in November 2016 to accelerate the transition towards an economy powered by 100% renewables. Our fight against fossil fuels is a pathway to a united African … [Read more...]
Green activists are being dragged down by lawsuits and murder
Despite the global environmental crisis confronting our planet, environmental activism has become a dangerous activity. In many countries, environmental defenders are harassed, attacked or even killed for speaking out and mobilizing against projects that threaten the health and livelihood of communities. The latest tactic is nuisance lawsuits, as a new report about South … [Read more...]
Cool clean tech to tackle climate change
South African entrepreneurs are taking climate change seriously: Water filters made from macadamia nut shells, a mobile solar-powered kiosk for charging phones in off-grid areas, vegetable growing systems using recycled plastic bags, and a machine that turns any type of waste into energy (gas) or diesel. At the SEED South Africa Symposium held in Pretoria recently, … [Read more...]
Eco awareness leads to award recognition for Sea Point hotel
Having previously made headlines for their industry-leading water conservation efforts, the hotel is once again pioneering environmental sustainability and responsibility, having received the ECO Proud/ECO Excellent Status Award. As part of the Dream Hotels & Resorts group, The Peninsula All-Suite Hotel is the first recipient of the award after the implementation of a … [Read more...]
Hiding incidents at Koeberg is a problem for public safety
According to the Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute (SAFCEI), the recent revelations by Minister Pravin Gordhan that three separate safety ‘incidents’ had occurred at Koeberg Power Station in 2014 and 2015, should raise a red flag for South African citizens. Not only is the executive decision to keep the public in the dark about these incidents … [Read more...]
Global funding helps Cape Town school go solar
Solar micro-leasing marketplace Sun Exchange announced on Wednesday that it would be a key partner in providing solar power for several Western Cape Education Department schools, starting with Protea Heights Academy in Cape Town. Sun Exchange enables schools and businesses to have solar power installed with no upfront or ongoing operational costs. With immediate savings on … [Read more...]
Millions of jobs up for grabs in renewable energy transition
At least 4.7 million jobs will be created by 2050 across energy sectors in Africa through a shift to renewable energy according to a new report released by Greenpeace today. The report shows the impressive benefits to employment of a Just Transition towards a 100% renewable energy supply - globally and across continents. This was released along with another report that presents … [Read more...]
Activists scale statues to protest deaths caused by air pollution
Activists from Greenpeace Africa scaled several iconic statues across Johannesburg and Pretoria this morning to demand action on air pollution. The activists fitted the statues with emergency gas masks to pressure the National Air Quality Officer to protect citizens’ right to clean air. Famous statues of the Mother with Child at Bree Taxi Rank, Brenda Fassie in Newtown, the … [Read more...]
Global student competition seeks solutions for energy efficient cities
Go Green in the City is one of the biggest global student competitions for engineering and business students worldwide. Schneider Electric SA has launched its ninth annual global student contest for two-member teams to find bold ideas and innovative solutions for smarter, more energy-efficient and sustainable cities. Engineering and business students across the country … [Read more...]
Encouraging young women to make their mark in energy
It is crucial that young women be inspired to enter the energy and science sectors at an early age, while still in primary school, because often by the time they reach high school their attention is drawn to the commercial sector, says Dr Thembakazi Mali, Interim CEO for the SA National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI), who adds that while there is an increase in the … [Read more...]
Review of SA power utility reveals intentional deception
“Greenpeace Africa rejects with utter contempt Eskom's effort to downplay the massive health impacts of their noncompliance with air pollution legislation. Both decision-makers and the public deserve the truth. In the interests of millions of South Africans and our constitutional right to a healthy environment, no further postponements can be given to Eskom’s highly polluting … [Read more...]
Africa grapples with rising demand for destructive energy source
A whopping 70 percent of Sub-Saharan Africa still relies on charcoal as well as other solid biomass fuels for energy —80 percent when excluding South Africa. The charcoal use generates tiny soot particles that create and exasperate respiratory diseases and contribute to climate change. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that more than four million people die annually … [Read more...]
