Africa doesn’t need fossil fuels to reach its development. As the least responsible, but yet most vulnerable to climate change, Africa must follow upon the Climate Vulnerable Forum pledge made by 16 African governments in November 2016 to accelerate the transition towards an economy powered by 100% renewables. Our fight against fossil fuels is a pathway to a united African … [Read more...]
Deep adaptation: hope and vision in the face of collapse
As someone who worked in environmental campaigning and then organizational change, I learned about the role of hope and vision in helping to align and motivate people. As someone who worked at the heart of political communications during the 2017 UK General Election campaign, I’m also aware of the power of a positive narrative when told well, consistently and authentically. In … [Read more...]
Cape Town relying on water saving to prevent another day zero
Cape Town citizens are encouraged to keep saving water until the City finalises a long-term plan to ensure water security. That despite the announcement of Deputy Mayor, Ian Neilson, to move water restrictions from Level 6B to Level 5 from the 1st of October 2018. But will this be enough to prevent Cape Town from another Day Zero scare? 2015 and 2016 saw 2 consecutive years … [Read more...]
Happy days when your rainwater tanks are full
During last summer's drought, the price of rainwater tanks shot up. Business was booming. You could see trucks full of tanks all over the place. Good for a green heart who’s been promoting rainwater harvesting forever. We reached for second hand tanks, reconditioned oil drums – looking for the best value for money. Then a newby arrived on the market. A portable tank, … [Read more...]
Public asked for help as Ladismith water shortage hits local farmers
Ladismith, a small town in the Western Cape, is currently being ravaged by drought. After four years with no proper rainfall the town is being supplied with borehole water because the dam is empty. Local farmers in the surrounding areas are really battling. Deon Smit has very kindly offered to bring donated fodder to the area so local farm animals can survive, but he needs … [Read more...]
Water expert talks drought lessons at Mensa
In South Africa 98% of all potential raw water sources are already allocated for use. Increasing urbanisation and demand for safe sanitation place heavy demands on our water resources. The Department of Water & Sanitation estimates that R7-billion in potable water is lost annually. That amounts to 36% of the clean drinking water supply! Dr Jo Barnes, epidemiologist and … [Read more...]
Relieving pressure on Western Cape recycling
Demand for plastic bottles is at an all-time high in the Western Cape region. Because of this the local recycling capacity in the Western Cape is at maximum production and is unable to process the additional influx of bottles. PETCO Associate Member Oasis Water, recycling experts Extrupet, and PETCO are transporting 15MT of baled bottles to the Extrupet facility in Gauteng … [Read more...]
Plastic pipes help SA through toughest drought in decades
South Africa is currently in the grips of one of the worst droughts in decades, with five of the country’s provinces already declared drought disaster areas. The Western Cape, and Northern and Eastern Cape and Limpopo are the areas facing the most serious lack of water, with the Mother City counting down the days to the predicted “Day Zero”, when the province’s taps will run … [Read more...]
Recycling tips for parched Capetonians
With the increasing severity of the drought in the Western Cape, the storage and consumption of bottled water is expected to increase, and PET plastic bottles are a safe and convenient way to do this. Here are PETCO’s tips for the reuse and recycling of your PET water bottles during the drought: If collecting from a water point, it will be helpful to re-use your PET … [Read more...]
Calling on government to conserve our groundwater and springs
Kildare Spring, which is part of the Newlands system (and Newlands Aquifer), is situated in the Cul de Sac, Spring Way - off Kildare Road in Newlands Village. For years people have collected Water here, with only one outlet. It took one Water activist with foresight and initiative, to set up the pipes, so that multiple people could collect at any one time. Active citizenry … [Read more...]
South Africa’s water crisis is bigger than the Cape
South Africa is running out of water. Not just Cape Town, the entire country. The problem is most immediate in the Mother City, but the country has been overexploiting its national water system for years, and the consequences are becoming obvious. Since 2016, the City of Cape Town has had to invent new categories of water restrictions, twice. Last week level 6 restrictions … [Read more...]
How to ditch Day Zero
The ways to respond to our looming Day Zero are as vast as the diversity in this country. But there seems to be two poles in conflict with each other: Those who have decided to do what they can to avoid it – as we still can. This means you’ve made your calculations. Minimum 3 million folk for 200 water points? I think best the City delivers the water in trailers behind the … [Read more...]
Gift Of The Givers gears up for Day Zero crisis
Disaster-relief organisation Gift of the Givers is on a drive to collect water for Capetonians facing the harsh reality of standing in water queues throughout Western Cape. This is as Cape Town rapidly dries up. The organisation is currently collecting bottled water at more than 70 collection points throughout South Africa. "We have this far received about 50,000 … [Read more...]
