What is our green bank and valued partner up to in their quest to "futureproof society?" Did you know the Nedbank Fair Share 2030 programme includes supporting farmers, housing, renewable energy, resilient communities, education, water infrastructure, food security, sustainable agriculture and much more. With an eagle eye on greenhouse gas emissions they have been carbon … [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...]
SA farmers must embrace the new, water-constrained normal
As the impact of an extended period of drought across much of South Africa and the Southern African Region continues to be felt, the realisation is setting in amongst both commercial and small-scale farmers that a water-constrained environment is no longer a short-term challenge; but could in fact become their new normal. While this realisation is also dawning amongst … [Read more...]
Setting the bar for sustainability in hospitality
Cornell University’s Center for Hospitality Research, in collaboration with 11 international hotel companies, last week released the latest set of benchmarks measuring the sustainability level of a hotel. The publication of the index is part of an ongoing project to empower hotel owners, operators and buyers to check and understand water and electrity usage and carbon … [Read more...]
Moving the world from sustainability to regenerative design
Communication is the tool we use to navigate change in this perishable, impermanent world. We talk about what’s happening and what’s coming. We use words to rally and activate citizens; to inform and educate people; to alleviate or aggravate fears, depending on our intentions. Humans use language to make sense of things — even those things that are happening at a scale beyond … [Read more...]
SA’s first food-grade PET recycler nominated as award finalist
Presented by the World Packaging Organisation (WPO), the WorldStar Awards are the pre-eminent international awards in the packaging sector. These Awards aim to showcase the continual advancement of the global packaging industry, and create a standard for international packaging excellence. The first recycler of food grade PET (polyethylene terephthalate) in South Africa, … [Read more...]
Investor interest in sustainability performance on the rise
Long relegated as a fringe issue on the corporate agenda, sustainability is fast becoming a rising concern among investors and shareholders, said business heads from leading Singapore companies on Wednesday. Speaking at a panel discussion on sustainability and climate change hosted by the Singapore Exchange, representatives from Singapore-listed companies DBS Bank, City … [Read more...]
34 indigenous crops promoting health and feeding the world
Food Tank has compiled a list of indigenous fruits, vegetables, and grains from many regions that are nutritious, delicious, and contribute to sustainable livelihoods in rural communities across the globe. Every day, plant species across the globe are disappearing. The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reports that approximately 75 percent of the Earth’s plant … [Read more...]
Is your favourite seafood supplier selling you sustainable fish?
According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation, in 2014 the planet’s population – more than 7 billion at the time – each ate 19kg of seafood on average. In 1960, the number was only 10kg and the population was only 3 billion! According to the 2015 WWF-SASSI Retailer/Supplier Participation Report, wild-capture fisheries have been unable to meet this exponential growth … [Read more...]
Courts prevent controversial Tsitsikamma fishing
The Department of Environmental Affairs has been ordered by the High Court to cease all recreational angling in the Tsitsikamma Marine Protected Area (MPA), with immediate effect. The DEA confirmed the court order in a statement, saying the South African National Parks (SANParks) and the Tsitsikamma Angling Forum (representatives of the Tsitsikamma fishing community) "have … [Read more...]
SA working hard behind the scenes to fight climate change
South Africa will be able to take some of the credit if the world takes effective steps to limit climate change at the 2015 United Nations Climate Conference (COP21) in Paris from 30 November to 11 December. Of course this has taken much too long. So said Professor Bob Scholes, Global Change and Sustainability Research Institute, University of the Witwatersrand, during a … [Read more...]
Ten years later, Daisies keeps getting better
Not only does Daisies never normally disappoint, this year they had their ten-year anniversary celebrations to add to the mix. And keeping this ever-expanding eco-friendly festival event of epic proportions going for so long is a feat worth celebrating indeed! I was lucky to be able to make it on Thursday already for a change this year with my good friend and awesome … [Read more...]
Zero-waste grocery store a ray of hope for food sustainability
Most of us go through the same process to get and keep food in our homes, and unless you are experiencing life in a non-industrialized society, this involves a lot of packaging. Plastic, cellophane, cardboard, plastic wrap, Styrofoam, glass…the list goes on. Then you get home and for a few days you have a refrigerator full of shiny appealing packaged foods, but then … [Read more...]
