One hundred street and park clean-ups formed part of the World Environment Day celebrations for the Miss Earth South Africa Leadership programme in partnership with the City of Joburg and Pikitup. From the 1st – 5th June, 100 Miss Earth SA regional finalists have been hard at work connecting with their communities across the country. Under the banner of the international … [Read more...]
Coming together for water crisis awareness and solutions
Water is essential to sustaining all forms of life on Earth – a heavenly gift. Yet, driven most critically by climate change, water crises are on the rise and access to safe, clean water for drinking and for purposes of sanitation – as well as, of course, agriculture – is becoming increasingly problematic in many parts of the world, including our own. It is also becoming … [Read more...]
Protecting SA’s most endangered cultural heritage sites
Every time South Africa loses a heritage site, a part of our history and our culture is lost, as well as the possibility of understanding something new about our past. South Africa’s top ten most endangered sites speak of the fragility of our shared national heritage. Whether they are precious archaeological sites, living cultural landscapes, early commercial industrial sites, … [Read more...]
Rwanda, coffee haven emerging from a dark past
The tiny country of Rwanda is beautiful. Trapped between Uganda, Burundi, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda is a country of green hills, mighty volcanos, dense forests, and the vast Lake Kivu. Known as the “land of a thousand hills”, its population of 11.7 million is squeezed into 26,338 km2 of land. Rwanda has experienced its share of trauma and … [Read more...]
Choosing between mining and bloodshed in KwaZulu-Natal
Anti-mining activists in Melmoth, KwaZulu-Natal are living in fear of their lives in a scenario that echoes the Xolobeni unease on the Wild Coast. An activist campaigning against Indian mining giant Jindal’s plan to prospect for iron ore in Melmoth in northern KwaZulu-Natal alleges he was told by a local traditional leader to “choose between the mining and bloodshed”. The … [Read more...]
Self sustainable schools a step in the right direction
Education is the cornerstone to success, progress and knowledge. Globally 75 million people between the ages of 18 – 24 are unemployed. But there is hope. In a relatively unknown part of the world, the principles and methods of learning have been redefined. Escuela Agricola San Francisco de Asis, Paraguay. Converted from a monastery into an agricultural college for local … [Read more...]
Clean energy in refugee camps could save millions of dollars
Stretched humanitarian agencies could save millions of dollars – and reduce carbon emissions, deforestation and violence against women and girls – if solar power and other clean energy sources were installed at refugee camps, according to a new analysis released today. In the first report looking into energy use in refugee camps around the world, a consortium of NGOs, think … [Read more...]
South Coast community rises to water crisis challenge
The community of Port Shepstone rallied together last week to prove that charity really does begin at home. Following the water crisis in the Ugu District, where the taps ran salty, the community, along with the local business forum, joined forces to solve the problem last Monday. Some prominent businessmen in the area went as far as to open their private boreholes to the … [Read more...]
Documentaries show women as force for change
Women Make Change, launched this weekend, is a new series from Al Jazeera showcasing women standing up and dealing with problems in their communities. Here are the women who have started impactful local projects in Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, Brazil, Nicaragua, and Papua New Guinea. Focusing on areas as diverse as water, agriculture, family planning and sport, their work shows … [Read more...]
Wild Coast doc to give special community screenings
What are the prospects - pros and cons to the local community - of titanium excavation along the pristine Wild Coast? Award-winning South African film maker Ryley Grunenwald’s The Shore Break is an environmental documentary, political thriller, family feud story, and classic David and Goliath tale. Filmed in Pondoland in the Eastern Cape, it follows pro- and anti-mining … [Read more...]
New recycling centre a hit with kids and community
A novel approach to eco-friendly service delivery in the community of Mapleton is encouraging recycling, growing entrepreneurs and providing a lifeline for many. PETCO have been instrumental in establishing and contributing to the long term viability of the Phumula Buy-Back Centre in Mapleton, Gauteng. The Buy-Back Centre, which is combined with a Coca-Cola Southern Africa … [Read more...]
Solving climate problems and beyond by looking at core issues
The core drivers of climate change cause other problems too. The good news is, for every problem there’s a group of people who would benefit from solving it. From the first exploratory survey for fossil fuels until the end of the century, when today’s greenhouse gas emissions will still be influencing our planet, the fossil-fuel economy causes harm. Climate advocates have … [Read more...]
Local rangers to bring nature conservation into Cosmo City
A team of ten local residents are being trained to bring nature conservation to a neglected conservation area in Cosmo City. A new inspiring project funded by the EPWP (Expanded Public Works Program), facilitated by Joburg City Parks and implemented by Green Beings NPO has started in Cosmo City. This project will run from February - June 2015. Green Beings has employed 10 … [Read more...]
