The South African government on Tuesday re-affirmed its commitment to renewable energy as part of the country’s energy mix whilst dodging any mention of its plans for nuclear energy. Energy minister Jeff Radebe delivered a keynote address at the African Utility Week conference that kicked off at the Cape Town International Convention Centre Tuesday. He also assured delegates … [Read more...]
SA falling behind on renewable energy
South Africa is falling behind on renewable energy project implementation, even as other nations accelerate their plans for green energy. According to data from Greenbyte, a renewable energy management systems manufacturer, SA lags far behind fellow BRICS country China which has 188 232MW (megawatts) of wind power capacity and 106 921MW of solar energy capacity. SA has … [Read more...]
SA activists recognised for halting secret Russian nuclear deal
It was the ultimate David versus Goliath battle. Two female South African environment activists working for small NGOs taking on the South African government and winning a legal challenge that stopped a $76 billion dollar nuclear deal with Russia. For their herculean efforts, Makoma Lekalakala, 52, and Liz McDaid, 55, were awarded the prestigious 2018 Goldman … [Read more...]
Web of corruption blamed for SA rhino poaching
Entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson and conservationist Jane Goodall have joined a list of famous names who have signed an open letter to South Africa's government calling for an end to rhino poaching. More than 1,000 rhinos were killed across the country in 2017 for the fifth year running. The international monitoring group Traffic says nearly 5,500 rhinos have been killed … [Read more...]
Indian state to build roads using plastic waste
Maharashtra has planned to make roads using plastic waste in cities. Taking a cue from the Centre, it has decided on a pilot road construction project using shredded plastic. “The initial target of the Public Works Department (PWD) is to construct 100 kilometre of roads in and around cities using this new technology,” said a senior state PWD official. “It will not only … [Read more...]
New Zealand bans all new offshore oil exploration
The New Zealand government will grant no new offshore oil exploration permits in a move that is being hailed by conservation and environmental groups as a historic victory in the battle against climate change. The ban will apply to new permits and won’t affect the existing 22, some of which have decades left on their exploration rights and cover an area of 100,000 sq … [Read more...]
#WaterCrisis: Cape Town facing a total disaster
"We’re facing a real, total disaster in Cape Town which is going to affect more than four million people.” With this message of urgency to the rest of the world broadcast on international network CNN, Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa has taken charge of the calamity facing Cape Town. “And I’m going back home and I’m going to corral as many people as possible to put our … [Read more...]
New report shows that our world is just 9% circular
With more than 90% of the raw materials used globally not cycled back into the economy, our planet is left with a massive strain on its natural resources and climate that needs to be urgently relieved. This is according to the first “Circularity Gap Report” launched by Circle Economy at the World Economic Forum in Davos, which explores a metric for the circular state of the … [Read more...]
Ghana environmentalists demand long-overdue forest protection
Ghana Environmentalists are demanding that government immediately approves the more than five-year-old Timber Procurement Policy aimed at helping save the country’s forests. The policy which was drafted by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources requires that government agencies and state contractors use only legally harvested timber and legitimately produced timber … [Read more...]
A look at SA’s budding green economy
Historically, South Africa’s development path centred on the greenhouse gas (GHG) emission-intensive mining and energy industries. The present-day SA government is committed to addressing climate change through a just transition towards an inclusive, environmentally sustainable and climate-resilient economy. The transition to a greener economy is embedded in national policy … [Read more...]
Time to save our seeds from corporate control
The Plant Breeders’ Rights and Plant Improvement Bills restrict the saving, trading, exchanging, and sale of seed. This can have massive ramifications on seed and food sovereignty, agricultural biodiversity, access to diverse seed, and increasing the disparities and inequalities in South African agriculture, food and nutrition. We urgently need to protect and preserve our … [Read more...]
Fracking in the Karoo: a disaster in the making
Fracking is the process of drilling down into the earth before a high-pressure water mixture is directed at the rock to release the gas inside. Water, sand and chemicals are injected into the rock at high pressure, which allows the gas to flow out to the head of the well. This is the basis for fracking, and also the root of the problem in the Karoo. As you may or may not … [Read more...]
Ireland set to ban onshore fracking after Bill passes in Seanad
The passing of a Bill to ban onshore fracking means the State joins just a handful of countries globally which prohibit extraction of natural gas from areas rich in shale gas. The Petroleum and Other Minerals Development (Prohibition of Onshore Hydraulic Fracturing) Bill 2016, which will become law after passing Committee Stage in the Seanad on Wednesday, is the first … [Read more...]
