The Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute (SAFCEI) recently made a number of requests for information in terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA), following its growing concern about government’s latest push for further nuclear energy projects. According to Safcei’s Francesca de Gasparis, it is the public’s right to have access to key … [Read more...]
Civil society opposed to Eskom’s requested tariff increases
On Monday (14 January), the Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute (SAFCEI) – along with faith and community leaders, and other partners – will present its arguments to the National Energy Regulator (NERSA), opposing Eskom’s proposed tariff increases. Eskom is requesting an electricity price hike of 15% for 2019, with a projected overall increase of 45% to … [Read more...]
Help stop South Africa’s corrupt nuclear deal
On 11 October 2017, the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) issued an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) authorisation for a new nuclear power plant and a radioactive waste disposal facility at Koeberg, about 26 km North of Cape Town. The public (this includes all South African citizens) may appeal this decision by 4 March 2018. We have a short window of time to … [Read more...]
Call for urgent clarification of SA greenhouse gas objectives
A range of civil society organisations are taking their call for urgent clarification of greenhouse gas emissions objectives to the Public Protector. The complaint regards failure to implement provisions on mitigation in the National Climate Change Response White Paper, adopted by Cabinet in October 2011; most particularly the setting of “desired emission reduction outcomes” … [Read more...]
We’re not lovin’ it, activists tell McDonald’s
An online petition supported by thousands and additional pressure from four local animal protection groups might just get McDonald’s South Africa’s attention to source eggs from cage-free hens in South Africa, despite the popular franchise’s refusal to commit when appeals were made earlier this year. To date, more than 17,373 people have signed the petition. During … [Read more...]
Youth demand climate action in parliament
Women and the youth spoke up strongly during the public hearings on the National Climate Change Response Green Paper in parliament, conducted by the Portfolio Committee on Water and Environmental Affairs. Women and the youth spoke up strongly during the public hearings on the National Climate Change Response Green Paper in parliament, conducted by the Portfolio Committee on … [Read more...]
Tragic World Bank decision leads to many questions
'This is a tragic decision,' said David Parry-Davies, environmentalist and editor of the yearly landmark publication Enviropaedia, about the news that the World Bank had approved a loan of US3,75-billion to Eskom to build a coal-fired power plant at Medupi, northern Limpopo. Shockwaves rippled through the South African green community, as David verbalized what many hard … [Read more...]
Faiths join hands for earth
All the world's major religions share one great belief: that we as humans need to cherish and protect the earth we live on. We are, however, failing in our task. This is a good reason for religions to unite in a common commitment to change, and this is what's happening. The Sisterhood of Temple Israel took a step in this direction last week, when they focused their Annual … [Read more...]
