Healthy natural landscapes such as veld, wetlands, rivers, and estuaries across South Africa generate value to the economy amounting to at least R275 billion per year, a new study by economists at the University of Cape Town (UCT) has found. This is equivalent to at least 7% of the national gross domestic product (GDP), or three times the annual combined value generated by the … [Read more...]
‘SA must work towards making renewable energy main source of power’
Two international anti-nuclear activists visited Durban on Saturday to educate the community on the harmful effects of nuclear energy. They highlighted why South Africans must continue to oppose its proliferation in our country. Russian activist Vladimir Slivyak and American activist Chris Williams claim African countries are “easy targets” for nuclear reactor companies who … [Read more...]
Save Langebaan Lagoon from a potential aquaculture disaster
Most people associate Langebaan on the West coast of South Africa with the dramatic scenic beauty of the unspoilt tidal lagoon, its long stretches of pristine beaches and sheltered bays, providing protected waters and a temperate climate for a wide variety of leisure activities throughout the year. However, this RAMSAR site of international importance and tourist hot spot is … [Read more...]
Engineering study dispels myths on limits to renewables in SA
A serious engineering study and report has dispelled the myths and propaganda peddled by fired former Eskom CEO Brian Molefe and suspended Eskom acting CEO Matshela Koko on the limits and costs of accommodating significant levels of variable renewable energy capacity in the South African power grid. The study and associated report was prepared for the South African … [Read more...]
Only 23% of SA toddlers eat a proper diet
The latest major health survey from Stats SA reveals that only 23 percent of South African toddlers are fed a diet considered to be adequate in terms of child nutrition. This is a figure which should concern us all: its implications for the future development of this demographic cohort are frightening. As a new book by agricultural economist Dr Tracy Ledger makes clear, at … [Read more...]
Global economy transition needed to avert catastrophic climate change
The global economy must urgently transition away from business as usual to avert catastrophic climate change, writes Christine Reddell, Centre for Environmental Rights. The Paris Agreement on climate change delivered consensus that the global economy must urgently transition away from business as usual to avert catastrophic climate change. It is particularly in the energy … [Read more...]
2017 SAB Environmental Media Awards open for entries
The South African Breweries (SAB) has opened entries into the Annual SAB Environmental Media Awards and Environmentalist of the Year 2017. Now in its 29th year, the Awards were started by the late conservationist Dr. Ian Player. They aim to recognise members of the media who have excelled in reporting on environmental matters in video, audio, written media and photography … [Read more...]
Coal and nuclear lobbies threaten renewables in South Africa
South African power utility Eskom recently repeated that it will not conclude supply contracts with the developers of new renewable energy power stations. These developers were selected under a programme to facilitate private sector involvement in the building of medium-sized renewable energy power stations. The programme has won plaudits for its success in facilitating the … [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...]
50 000 litres of sewage flow into SA’s rivers every second
South Africa’s municipal sewage system has largely collapsed. Of the 824 treatment plants, maybe only 60 release clean water. Raw or partially treated sewage flows into rivers throughout the country, turning dams green and killing people who drink the polluted water. From big metros such as Johannesburg to towns like Villiers in the Free State, what is flushed down the … [Read more...]
Are South Africa’s shopping bags really being recycled?
Despite many claims to the contrary, the shopping bags of most SA retailers are not actually being recycled because of one additive. In spite of wording on their plastic shopping bags such as "Recycle me - set a trend" (Woolworths), "Reduce, reuse, recycle" (Pick 'n Pay & Shoprite) and "We love our country, please recycle" (Spar), these bags are not being recycled … [Read more...]
Joburg leadership urged to move to 100% renewable energy
The leadership and management of the City of Johannesburg are urged to get behind the call to switch Joburg to 100% renewable energy. This will very quickly start to make the city more sustainable as it creates jobs. To advance this aim, the African Climate Reality Project (ACRP) last week met with the Executive Director of the Environment and Infrastructure Services … [Read more...]
Western Cape High Court sets aside all nuclear deals
It’s back to the drawing board for government, which has received a bloody nose in the Western Cape High Court where its nuclear procurement processes to date have been declared unlawful and set aside. Judge Lee Bozalek on Wednesday ruled in favour of the case brought by Earthlife Africa Johannesburg and the Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute (SAFCEI) … [Read more...]
