The Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute (SAFCEI) says the mini pebble-bed modular reactors (PBMR) have been under development and not come into operation for decades. The previous PBMR programme was abandoned in 2010 due to ballooning costs of around R10bn. The multi-faith organisation says that independent policy analysts and finance institutions agree … [Read more...]
New book connects humans to the ocean
We are thrilled to announce the release of "Captain Fanplastic & the Black Mermaid," a groundbreaking book that aims to educate readers about the pervasive issue of marine litter and emphasises our interconnectedness with the world's oceans. Authored by Ruben Hazelzet, Social Behaviour Change Expert & Head of Programme at Captain Fanplastic, this book serves as a … [Read more...]
Civil society urges phase-out of dangerous pesticides
373 civil society and Indigenous Peoples organizations from 74 countries urged leaders at a historic global conference to act with urgency to phase out Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs). This particular group of pesticides cause the most severe harm to human health and the environment and are considered too dangerous for use. The petition letter to governments and other … [Read more...]
Global collaboration needed to address air pollution
Over 99% of people on Earth breathe polluted air, which causes an estimated 6.7 million premature deaths a year and serious health impacts. In 2019, the United Nations General Assembly designated 7 September as the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies. The Day – whose observance is facilitated by the United Nations Environment Progamme (UNEP) – stresses the … [Read more...]
�?Act together’ for clean air, Guterres urges
On International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, UN Secretary-General António Guterres has issued a powerful call for increased international cooperation to address the “global emergency” of worsening air pollution. Airborne contaminants are one of the most significant environmental health risks. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 99% of the world’s … [Read more...]
African cities embrace walking and cycling
Each morning in Addis Ababa, the bustling capital of Ethiopia, the same scene plays out. As the sun rises, thousands of commuters jostle for space on public minibuses. Others hop on the city’s light rail line, the first network of its kind in Africa. Notably absent are bicycles; cyclists are not something seen regularly on these streets. Ephrem Bekele Woldeyesus wants to … [Read more...]
Women who fight for environmental justice
With increased attention on environmental, climate and energy justice issues – the Africa Climate Summit kicks-off in a few days and it is mere weeks to COP28. The efforts of the women fighting for environmental, energy and climate justice must be celebrated, and more proactive action should be encouraged. Whether it is stopping a multi-trillion rand nuclear deal, litigating … [Read more...]
Protecting children’s right to a healthy environment
The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child issued new guidance on Monday that calls for governments to take action to protect boys and girls in the face of the deepening climate crisis. The so-called General Comment No. 26 marks the first time the Committee has affirmed children’s right to live in a clean, healthy and sustainable environment. It provides a comprehensive … [Read more...]
Legal action over hydrogen sulfide pollution in Joburg
The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, and the National Air Quality Officer (NAQO), are being taken to court for granting steelmaker Arcelor Mittal South Africa (AMSA) permission to continue polluting the Vaal Triangle and surrounding areas with excessive amounts of Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S). Social and environmental justice groups Vaal Environmental Justice … [Read more...]
Oil spill model to give SA a glimpse of the future
At any given time, an average of 90% of the oceans around South Africa (our Exclusive Economic Zone – EEZ) are under lease for oil and gas exploration or extraction. Applications for exploratory and extractive drilling rights by oil and gas giants are being approved yet at the same time are being objected to by many stakeholders, including NGOs, coastal communities, and … [Read more...]
Ukraine dam destruction a monumental ecological catastrophe
Tens of thousands of civilians in Ukraine are in danger on the frontline, after the apparent destruction of a huge dam on Tuesday, which UN Secretary-General António Guterres described as a “monumental humanitarian, economic and environmental catastrophe” resulting directly from Russia’s invasion of the country. Water from the reservoir of the Kakhovka dam is also used to … [Read more...]
Bringing solutions to plastic pollution into focus
Individuals, communities, civil society, businesses and governments around the world today marked World Environment Day with a focus on solutions to plastic pollution, with official celebrations held in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, with the support of the Netherlands. The focus on solutions to plastic pollution this World Environment Day is particularly timely, following the … [Read more...]
Civil society comments on nuclear energy statements
Francesca de Gasparis, Executive Director of the Southern African Faith Communities Environment Institute (SAFCEI) says, “The news that Minister Gwede Mantashe will be calling for an RFP for 3 gigawatts of gas in the third quarter of this financial year and then 2.5 gigawatts of nuclear energy in the fourth quarter makes a mockery of the energy crisis we are facing. The … [Read more...]
