The oceans have become the world’s biggest rubbish dump – and Africa’s coastlines are under siege. It is now the world’s second most polluted continent. Microplastics, chemical and agricultural runoff, oil, sewage and solid waste are contributing to the polluting of much of the continent’s natural resources warns the African Marine Waste Network (AMWN). But numerous … [Read more...]
Putting a new spin on waste: green is the new gold
South African non-profit association, the Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa (IWMSA), aims to change perceptions and encourage more people to consider waste as a valuable resource. The institute’s Eastern Cape branch hosted its regional waste conference, titled ‘Green is the new Gold’ at the World of Windows in the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium last week. “Our … [Read more...]
Durban to host the 2017 World Whale Conference
Hosted by the Durban KwaZulu-Natal Convention Bureau and eThekwini Municipality, the 4th World Whale Conference will focus on responsible tourism for whales and dolphins, and will unite national, regional and global stakeholders from whale conservation and welfare backgrounds, the whale watching industry, travel and tourism representatives, and beyond, to share evidence and … [Read more...]
ZNFU: “Zero rate agriculture needed to make Zambia breadbasket”
“The only way we can achieve the status of being a breadbasket is to zero rate agriculture” says Mr Jervis Zimba, President of the Zambia National Farmers’ Union (ZNFU), the owners of the upcoming Agritech Expo Zambia, in Chisamba from 27-29 April. In the run-up to the fourth edition of the massive open air farming exhibition in the heart of Zambia’s farming hub, Mr Zimba … [Read more...]
Conference brings together Africa’s leading women in energy
The third annual Women in Energy conference, organised by the Africa Energy Indaba, will bring together Africa’s leading women in the energy sector on Monday 20th February at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg. The Africa Energy Indaba was the first energy conference on the continent to launch a specialised event for the promotion and empowerment of women in the … [Read more...]
South Africa’s renewables industry growth is fastest in the world
In 2015 SA had the world’s fastest growing green economy! This news broke at the countdown to Windaba. Moody's Corporation’s report shows the highest growth year-on-year globally for asset finance at 300%, totalling $4.5 billion (ZAR 63 billion) in 2015. In another industry affirming move this week, President Jacob Zuma clarified the government's position on the Independent … [Read more...]
Our Ocean conference committed to protecting vast tracts
US Secretary of State John Kerry will host the third “Our Ocean” conference in Washington, DC, United States to tackle key issues like marine pollution, and climate-related impacts on the ocean. The Secretary of State is understood to have sought the participation of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. The event titled “Our Ocean, One Future” will build on … [Read more...]
Institutions of higher learning should churn out green activists
University campuses should address climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and integrate sustainability into their curricula to benefit students and help create a thriving, modern community. That was the message of the fifth annual African Green Campus Initiative Conference, which saw students, academics and environmentalists coming from universities all over South … [Read more...]
Changing business, changing the world: first Sustainable Brands Conference in Cape Town
From May 14-17, Cape Town will host the very first Sustainable Brands Conference on African soil. The Sustainable Brands events were founded on the belief that unleashing the best of our human ingenuity and innovation can change the shape of business, and with it, the world. The desire is to spark new ideas by connecting people from different perspectives and disciplines … [Read more...]
Paris climate agreement the world’s greatest diplomatic success
In the final meeting of the Paris talks on climate change on Saturday night, the debating chamber was full and the atmosphere tense. Ministers from 196 countries sat behind their country nameplates, aides flocking them, with observers packed into the overflowing hall. John Kerry, the US secretary of state, talked animatedly with his officials, while China’s foreign minister … [Read more...]
More immediate steps needed for effective climate action
World governments finalized a global agreement today in Paris that lays a foundation for long-term efforts to fight climate change. More effort is needed to secure a path that would limit warming to 1.5C. This new agreement should be continuously strengthened and governments will need to go back home and deliver actions at all levels to close the emissions gap, resource the … [Read more...]
Paris climate deal: nearly 200 nations sign in end of fossil fuel era
Governments have signalled an end to the fossil fuel era, committing for the first time to a universal agreement to cut greenhouse gas emissions and to avoid the most dangerous effects of climate change at crunch UN talks in Paris. After 20 years of fraught meetings, including the past two weeks spent in an exhibition hall on the outskirts of Paris, negotiators from nearly … [Read more...]
The Paris paradox
Guerilla art group Brandalism's new project in Paris exposes some uncomfortable truths and a paradox that lies at the heart of the Paris talks: That businesses and governments are both the problem and the solution. Visitors and delegates descending on Paris over the past week for the United Nations climate change talks might have spotted some thought-provoking ads installed … [Read more...]
