The first-ever summit to focus specifically on the issue of marine debris around the African continent will be taking place during World Environmental Week and World Ocean Day, 6-8 June 2013, in Cape Town, South Africa.

Several of the biggest Western retailers embraced a plan that would require them to pay for factory improvements in Bangladesh as the three-week search for victims of the worst garment-industry disaster in history ended Monday with the death toll at a staggering 1,127.

After years of controversy surrounding the proposed palm oil plantation in Cameroon, the Cameroonian government has ordered Herakles Farms to suspend all logging at its main worksite at Talangaye, in the Nguti region of the country.

His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales and the UK government hosted a conference on Tuesday to call for action at the highest level to end the trade in illegal wildlife – a trade that presents a grave threat not only to the natural world, but also to national and regional security.

With the failure of COP15 to reach carbon emission-reduction consensus and the continued lack of environmental agreements among major states, today's youth is tasked with succeeding where their parents and generations before them have failed – in halting and perhaps reversing the effects of processes that are threatening life on Earth.

The competition, called the WESSA Eco-Schools Waste to Wealth Competition is sponsored by Waste to Wealth, an NPO dedicated to educating communities about the thinking and action behind turning waste to wealth.

The Climate Investment Fund (CIF) has given the go-ahead to north African countries Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia as well as middle eastern country Jordan to proceed with an updated version of a plan to create 1,120 MW from concentrated solar power (CSP).

Throughout southern Africa, freshwater ecosystems are under severe pressure with more than 80% of South Africa’s rivers being threatened. On International Biodiversity Day the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) urges all South Africans to celebrate this precious and scarce source of life and take urgent, personal action to preserve it.

An international protest planned for this weekend against biotechnology company Monsanto is slated to span six continents and include demonstrations in dozens of countries around the globe.

A devastating mile-wide tornado hit the US state of Oklahoma on Monday, flattening neigbourhoods, causing widespread fires and landing a direct hit on an elementary school.

Google, famous for their internet search engine, has made a US$3 million Global Impact Award to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC for a project on endangered species. South Africa is one of six countries selected as partners in the project.

Reversing the devastating effects of climate change will require a more coherent and orchestrated international regime, as well as cooperation between states and other stakeholders, writes Professor Oliver C. Ruppel.

According to avid Green Times reader Maurice Britten, the powers that be have not been very receptive to attempts to bring recycling depots and initiatives to the beautiful tourist town of Parys in the Free State.

The annual paddle event from the Indian to the Atlantic Oceans along Cape Town’s waterways takes place on 9th June. The aim of the annual paddle, joined this year by Riaan Manser, is to highlight the urgent need to deal with the social and environmental conditions of Cape Town’s inland waterways.

Currently in its fifth year, the hugely successful 'Bread Tags for Wheelchairs' project encourages people around the country to collect their breadtags which are then used to “purchase” wheelchairs for people who need them.

The aim of the soon-to-be-launched National Biodiversity and Business Network is to assist businesses from various sectors to integrate and mainstream biodiversity issues into their strategies and operations.

A team of Stellenbosch University researchers has developed an eco-friendly and probably highly effective shark barrier, known as 'Sharksafe.' This is an alternative for shark nets which result in the death of thousands of sharks and other sea animals every year.

“The issue is not about ‘sustainable packaging,’ but about the role of packaging in sustainability," said Sheryl Ozinsky of POLYCO at the ‘Smart Design for Recycling' workshop held recently.

This project aims to identify areas along the coastline of South Africa where adult African Penguins go in order to feed and gain weight before moulting and breeding. These areas will then be compared to fishing areas to determine the degree of overlap with the fishery.

The CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research), a leading scientific and technology research organisation, are seeking two motivated and enthusiastic Doctoral Students to conduct research about ocean pollution and illegal fishing.

Have you read the City of Cape Town's contentious new electricity strategy? We now have until 31 May to comment, so please speak up! We received a letter from energy specialist David Lipschitz, who had the following to say about this plan...

The City of Cape Town is looking to provide another 12 500 Portable Flush Toilets (PFTs) in the areas where they are most needed.

The Italian writer Alberto Moravia once described Sana‘a, Yemen as a “Venice of dust.” Since his visit, the streets have been paved with stone, and the dust is less in evidence. And if you look closely enough, you will find gardens thriving within these ancient walls, writes Yemen-based travel writer Tim Mackintosh-Smith.

Groundwater depletion will soon be as important a factor in contributing to sea-level rise as the melting of glaciers other than those in Greenland and Antarctica, scientists say.

The Miss Earth South Africa walked away with top honours in the Young Entrepreneur category at the Inaugural South African Premier Business Awards held at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg recently.

Every year on World Environment Day (5 Jun) the country's leading scientists, consultants and business leaders gather to challenge and address crucial issues facing South African business.

Michael Baretta and Camilla Howard received a warm welcome at their Kosi Bay destination following seven months trekking across and cleaning South Africa’s shoreline. They collected 7 155kg of litter, and educated locals along the way about the importance of looking after the environment.

By adjusting company policies to reduce travel and keep buildings greener, organisations can play a significant role in reducing South Africa’s concerning carbon footprint.

Detecting infected maize early can help prevent contaminated crops from entering the food chain, and also reduce the risk of throat cancer linked to the consumption of infected maize products.

According to the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii, concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere have reached 400ppm. This should hit home in SA, with our reliance on coal, the most carbon-intensive of all fossil fuels.

Incorporating cabbage and mustard residue are effective and natural ways to reduce potato common scab.

Cities around Europe may have to erect flood barriers similar to the Thames Barrier, as climate change takes hold and leads to the danger of much more destructive storms, floods, heavy rainfall and higher sea levels, Europe's environmental watchdog has warned.

The City of Cape Town will focus on opening up new opportunities for young people to help overcome substance abuse, gangsterism and unemployment.

Earlier this week, SchoolMedia invited hundreds of school children from the Johannesburg CBD to join the organisation on a ‘Clean City Campaign.’

Public hearings to discuss the Proposed Listed Atmospheric Emission Activities Amendments, published by the Department of Environmental Affairs in November last year, will most likely start later this month.

The message was clear: ‘Hoot for Penguins!’ and Cape Town obliged on a recent Saturday morning. All along the Main Road - from Surfer’s Corner in Muizenberg to Boulder’s Beach in Simon’s Town - a large group of waddlers walked the talk in the name of penguin preservation.

SA is a water scarce country and subject to both droughts and periodic floods. Over the last few months, various municipalities in South Africa have run out of water. Investments into water resource infrastructure are becoming increasingly important for the country.

Behind the hyper-modernization that it is known for in mainstream media, South Korea is a fascinating mix of ancient and modern, tradition and innovation. This unique Food Sovereignty Tour allows you to explore South Korea’s world-renowned cuisine and the centuries-long struggle of South Korean farmers for land and democracy.

“Local government is doing more than we think, but they are not doing enough,” said Lorena Pasquini, postdoctoral researcher at the University of Cape Town, in her lecture ‘Hot, or Not: Local Government and Climate Change Adaptation.’

The search is on for individuals and organisations that contribute to the well-being of the Earth, its wonderful biodiversity and natural resources. If you are such an individual or organisation – you could enter the Eco-Logic Awards.