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.

Hand in hand with an increasing trend towards ‘green’ building and concern for our environment, there is a concerted move towards the use of advanced, new ‘green’ chemicals in regard to products being used in the cleaning industry.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.