Seeds are one of the most remarkable miracles, where life bursts forth from the tiniest dormant organism. Humans have spent generations caring, saving and sharing seeds to ensure that there is enough diversity for both themselves and the natural world on which they depend. However, today the practice of sharing and swapping seeds is increasingly becoming illegal. Recent seed … [Read more...]
How political parties plan to address climate change
“We urge South Africans to #VotefortheEnvironment when they head to the polls on 8 May. Citizens must choose leaders who recognise the urgency for climate change action and prioritises it in its policy agenda. We need a political party that stops protecting big business, but instead develops policies that will protect the environment, protect our workers and empower our … [Read more...]
Hiding incidents at Koeberg is a problem for public safety
According to the Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute (SAFCEI), the recent revelations by Minister Pravin Gordhan that three separate safety ‘incidents’ had occurred at Koeberg Power Station in 2014 and 2015, should raise a red flag for South African citizens. Not only is the executive decision to keep the public in the dark about these incidents … [Read more...]
Budget needs stronger focus on enviro issues and decisive plan to address climate change
The Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute (SAFCEI) says that it has mixed feelings about the priorities laid out by the Minister Tito Mboweni, in his Budget Speech today. While the multi-faith, environmental NGO is pleased that the 2019 Budget does not include any new nuclear, the Finance Minister’s response to climate change and environmental issues is … [Read more...]
Faith-based NGO encourages more emphasis on eco-social sustainability
The Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute (SAFCEI) today, expressed optimism at President Ramaphosa’s forward-looking State of the Nation Address (SONA) last night. However, the multi-faith NGO says it is concerned that too much emphasis is placed on economic and technological developments, while social and environmental wellbeing seemed less … [Read more...]
West Coast communities say no to mining
The West Coast Food Sovereignty and Solidarity Forum and the communities of Koekenaap and Lutzville on the West Coast are protesting tomorrow at a meeting between Minister of Mineral Resources, Gwede Mantashe and a mining company, Mineral Sands Resources (MSR) because of their plans to expand mining along the West Coast without any consultation. Despite not honouring the … [Read more...]
SA parliament finds “no persuasive arguments against nuclear”
Yesterday, the Portfolio Committee on Energy (PCE) delivered its report on the Department of Energy’s (DoE) Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), to Parliament. According to the Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute (SAFCEI), Parliament has once again failed to act in the people’s best interest, stating that it found “no persuasive arguments against … [Read more...]
Only 12 years to avert 2 degrees of global warming
Only half a degree warmer would result in double the severity of the consequences to this planet. The latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report was released on 8th October. It focuses on the differences between a 1.5- and 2-degree global warming future climate scenario. The main points of the report, based on 6000 scientific papers and approved by all … [Read more...]
Unpacking the social and financial costs of SA’s energy plan
As the country braces itself for the National Treasury’s Medium-Term Budget, the Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute (SAFCEI) joins other NGOs, faith leaders and citizens from around the country to present its comments on the draft Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2018 proposed by the Department of Energy (DOE). In recent years, the IRP has been at the … [Read more...]
Tell SA’s biggest investment funds to help us divest from coal
South Africans are threatened by climate change, by the health and environmental impacts of fossil fuels – coal, gas and oil – and by the role of parts of the fossil fuel industry in state capture and in holding back wind and solar energy development. To build a just, sustainable, and healthy future for all South Africans, we need ethical savings and investments in our economy … [Read more...]
Yet more secrets for nuclear power
Yet another secretive Section 34 Determination for nuclear power had been signed by the current Minister of Energy, Tina Joemat-Pettersson. This was revealed in Court during what was described as a “disquieting” twist of events by senior counsel for the State (Marius Oosthuizen SC) on Tuesday. In the Western Cape High Court Environmental Justice Groups - Earthlife Africa … [Read more...]
Nuclear energy crowding out adaptation responses
Nuclear energy is a false solution to climate change. Research into costs, timeframes and lifecycle carbon costing shows that even if nuclear energy did not emit radiation during operations or leave us with toxic waste for thousands of years, it is too expensive, too late and not carbon-free. In addition, nuclear power needs uranium as fuel, which comes from uranium mining. … [Read more...]
Nuclear goes ahead, despite omission from NDC
Nuclear was not part of the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC document)which our country submitted to COP21 ahead of the conference. Yet now we are going ahead with nuclear? Ahead of COP21 in Paris last year, civil society met with the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) to give input into the Intended Nationally Determined Contribution for South Africa (INDC). … [Read more...]
