5 June marks World Environment Day, a day recognised by over 143 countries who are concerned with the protection of our environment. First held in 1974, World Environment Day has been a flagship campaign for raising awareness on emerging environmental issues from marine pollution, human overpopulation, and global warming, to sustainable consumption and wildlife … [Read more...]
Keeping our Cape tidal pools safe for human and marine life
Cape Town’s coast is dotted with 19 tidal pools, beautiful man-made seawater pools that allow for safe, family-friendly bathing. Dalebrook and St James, on the False Bay coast, are two of the most popular spots. Here, kids splash in the shallows, people swim lengths and regulars enjoy daily submersions in the chilly water. The pools also serve as sanctuaries for numerous sea … [Read more...]
Finding solutions to marine pollution with recycled furniture
Highlighting the solutions to issues of marine and land-based pollution in South Africa this week were national industry body for PET plastic recycling, PETCO, and the African Marine Waste Network. Extrupet, Africa’s leading PET and HDPE bottle recycling company, joined forces with PETCO, the industry body responsible for PET recycling in South Africa, and the Kenton-based … [Read more...]
Desks made from recycled waste help schools and the environment
Learners at City Kids Pre – and Primary School in Johannesburg were gifted 15 double – seater school desks made from recycled plastic pledged by Extrupet, PETCO and AKRARA as part of the Joburg City Clean – up earlier this year. The 15 double – seater desks, manufactured by Extruwood, weigh 68kgs each and can comfortably seat a classroom of 30 learners. The desks look and … [Read more...]
Producers to take responsibility for waste created
Who is responsible for packaging materials lying around in the environment? How can we best curb this dilemma, which seems to be growing by the day? One solution is the principle of EPR, or Extended Producer Responsibility. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) defines extended producer responsibility (EPR ) as ‘an environmental policy approach in … [Read more...]
South Africans urged to help fight hunger
Representative of the Gift of the Givers, Emily Thomas has urged South Africans to join them in fighting against hunger in the country. Speaking exclusively to SABC Digital News, Thomas said it was a privilege to give food to the needy on 'World Hunger Day'. World Hunger Day was aimed at finding sustainable solutions to ending extreme hunger and poverty. The United … [Read more...]
Church leaders pledge support for strike
A range of high-profile church and community leaders have issued a petition calling for humanitarian support to families in the platinum belt. “There is a humanitarian tragedy unfolding on the platinum belt. While supporting current attempts to reach a settlement to the dispute, the reality on the ground is that children, women and men do not have food, and hardship will … [Read more...]
Zimbabwe flood victims receive donations
Zimbabwe's largest diversified media group, Zimpapers, through its Zimpapers Digital-caring for communities initiative, handed over goods donated by readers which included food, blankets and clothes to victims of the Tsholotsho floods to the district's Civil Protection Unit. The truckload of goods were collected from readers all over Zimbabwe and Zimpapers staffers who were … [Read more...]
Young girl’s wish provides hope
Samantha Paul was supposed to be planning her daughter Rachel Beckwith's birthday party. Instead, she was in Tigray, Ethiopia, pumping water from the wells built in Rachel’s memory. It was the dream her little girl never got the chance to see come true. "She wouldn't believe it, she'd be like awestruck," Paul told NBC News via Skype from Tigray. The Seattle mom herself was … [Read more...]
Fracking plans need a unified voice now
Minister Shabangu’s announcement last Friday of the Department of Mineral Resource’s pro-fracking decision to cabinet ripped like wild fire through environmental circles the past week. If there is one issue that can unite all the different green role players in this country, I think it’s this one. The sensitive Karoo ecology is regarded as the heartland of the country by … [Read more...]
One ethical meal at a time
"Life, by its very presence, is apparently creating, and maintaining, the special conditions necessary for its own survival". World Environment Day was conceived in Stockholm by the United Nations General Assembly, in 1972. It was celebrated for the very first time on the 5th of June 1973. And every year millions of people around the world celebrate this day, in many … [Read more...]
40 learners share only 1 pencil
The new year heralds the start of the school year, with many learners having to go to school without stationery. The Miss Earth South Africa (MESA) team is doing their best to help, and they need your support. For the forthcoming year, MESA have set new boundaries for their stationery drive. Their goal is to touch 10 000 young lives by giving them all the stationery that … [Read more...]
Calls for Duduza relief aid
"We are worried about school; we have no bags, no stationery, no uniforms. We will fall behind in our education whilst other children will work". During a trauma counselling session with children affected by the tornado in Duduza, besides an overwhelming fear of the "black wind with two eyes" or "the snake that laid its eggs," the preoccupation and greatest anxiety was the … [Read more...]
