In 2002 South Africa officially became a water constrained economy, when the National Water Resource Strategy reported that we had allocated 98% of our total water resource. Subsequent high confidence studies have shown that we over-estimated the water available at the time, so in short, we have allocated all the water that we have. This means that we are simply unable to grow … [Read more...]
SA university graduate leads the pack at Green Talents Awards
A South African graduate and four other young African scientists from Zimbabwe, Ghana, Ethiopia and Togo are among 25 academic individuals to receive prestigious awards for their research at this year’s Green Talent Awards. Held under the patronage of the German Research Minister Professor Johanna Wanka, the awards are aimed at recognising young talented researchers for the … [Read more...]
Poo issues in Sir Lowry’s Pass Village
Ecoli in the Sir Lowrys Pass river and hence the ocean at Gordons Bay is an issue that activists from the Helderberg are now fed-up with. Squatter camps in the village are suffering from a shortage of proper sanitation and sufficient waste disposal, so the river is used to dump unwanted things into. The City of Cape Town responded with the folllowing statement by the Mayoral … [Read more...]
A change of heart for water & sanitation
What do we use drinking water for in this country? “To flush our toilets, to bath or shower, to wash our hands and cars and to irrigate our gardens. How much of this drinking water is actually used for drinking?” asked Councillor David Botha (pictured, right) from the Stellenbosch municipality during the university’s World Walk for Water and Sanitation this week. The event … [Read more...]
World’s dirtiest river
The Citarum River, in West Java, Indonesia, is heavily polluted by human activity; about five million people live in the basin of the river. This river has an important role in the life of the people of West Java, as it is used to support agriculture, water supply, fishery, industry, sewerage, electricity etc. There are three hydroelectric powerplant dams installed along … [Read more...]
What are local governments going to do now?
At the Durban Local Government Convention, 114 Mayors and other elected local leaders representing over 950 local governments from around the world have adopted the Durban Adaptation Charter, a political commitment to strengthen local resilience to climate change. The Durban Local Government Convention: adapting to changing climate towards COP17/ CMP7 and beyond, ran in … [Read more...]
Prisoner poo powers Rwanda’s jails
Officials at Rwanda’s prisons were looking for a way to reduce energy costs, save money and cut down on their conventional energy source: burning firewood harvested from local forests. Their sustainable solution? Recycling the inmates’ own waste to generate energy. The country’s 14 jails have all installed biogas burners, which are 75 percent powered by prisoner poo, the BBC … [Read more...]
Water turns Table Mountain Blue
Southern Africa's best known landmark, Table Mountain, was lit in blue on Friday night by HRH the Prince of Orange (Netherlands) and Under Secretary General of the United Nations and the Executive Director of UN Habitat. The lighting was to commemorate the right to water and this years' UN World Water Day themed 'Water and Urbanization, Responding to the Urban Challenge' which … [Read more...]
Green ships coming for World Cup
Two super green passenger ships are going to head for our shores with visitors to the World Cup in June. Holland America Line demonstrates its commitment to responsible environmental practices through a comprehensive fleet-wide program that emphasises waste reduction and recycling, compliance with all international environmental guidelines and a decision to incorporate … [Read more...]
