Woolworths Australia is being urged to dump Greenseas, after a survey found it was the only major canned tuna brand still using fish caught with FADs – a destructive and unsustainable method. In its latest canned tuna shopping guide, environmental group Greenpeace has ranked Greenseas last for failing on key measures, including transparency about its sustainability policies, … [Read more...]
Partners for the future of sustainable plastic packaging in SA
Consumers play a crucial part in the closed loop system of sustainable brands. Buying products with recycled content and continuing to reduce, reuse and recycle is integral to the end-of-life solution for any product. For the past 12 years, PETCO has worked closely with the plastics industry, community members, municipalities, NGO’s and entrepreneurs to create a more … [Read more...]
New sustainable architecture awards promote regeneration, reconciliation and restoration
Seven Awards and four Commended projects were announced in the 2015/2016 AfriSam-SAIA Award for Sustainable Architecture + Innovation at the gala event in Cape Town. The eleven projects chosen by the award adjudicators were among a total of 22 final qualifying entries that had been selected from a record number of eligible submissions earlier this year. “The Awarded and … [Read more...]
Future path towards sustainable cooking in the global south
The role of renewable electricity for the cooking sector in the Global South has been widely underestimated. As the costs of Renewable Energy technologies continue to decline, cleaner and more modern technologies represent an entirely new pathway towards sustainable cooking in developing countries. These are the findings of the new report ‘Beyond Fire’ launched by the … [Read more...]
U.S. companies publicly support climate action, privately fund deniers
Companies like Pepsi, DuPont, and Google might say that they support climate action, but in reality, they are funding lawmakers opposed to President Obama’s climate agenda, according to a Reuters report released Tuesday morning. Over the last year, more than 150 companies have signed on to the “American Business Act on Climate Pledge,” a commitment created by Obama to … [Read more...]
Temporary drought relief for Aliwal North
Extra water released from the Katse Dam at the end of last year is expected to reach drought-stricken Aliwal North, an Eastern Cape town on the Orange River. Water and sanitation director Margeret-Ann Diedricks gave the go-ahead for the release on December 31 in an effort to stabilise water levels in the Orange River. “The water was observed yesterday near Quthing in … [Read more...]
Time to embrace green building in SA
The Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA) will be joining Green Building Councils across the globe to celebrate World Green Building Week, and has invited all South Africans to take part in the celebration by getting involved in making their homes and work spaces greener. The GBCSA will use the week, which takes place from 21 to 27 September 2015, to highlight the … [Read more...]
Africa’s first Bottle-2-Bottle plastic recycling plant opens its doors
The first Bottle-2-Bottle recycling plant in Africa was officially opened by Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa in Wadeville, Johannesburg, with an investment of R75 million and the capability to produce resin that will be suitable for the carbonated drink sector. She was joined at the opening ceremony by notable guests from government and the PET industry including … [Read more...]
Save your rands, build with sand
Sand has been the most widely used construction material for the last 10 000 years and even today at least a third of the world’s population live in houses built of sand. The idea of making walls by stacking bags of sand or earth has been around for at least a century. Sandbags have been used for flood control and military bunkers because they are easy to transport to where … [Read more...]
Rocking The Daisies 2014 is almost upon us
South Africa's premier eco-friendly music festival, Rocking the Daisies is two weeks away and we’re sure you’re chomping at the bit for a four-day weekend full of good vibes, good people and even better music! International headliners MGMT, Rudimental and Crystal Fighters will show you the time of your life at the Main Stage on Saturday night and if you’re a fan of … [Read more...]
Miss Earth takes on Food Security at Orange Farm
"As long as outmoded ways of thinking prevent women from making a meaningful contribution to society, progress will be slow. As long as the nation refuses to acknowledge the equal role of more than half of itself, it is doomed to failure." Nelson Mandela Women’s Day 1996. Nelson Mandela believed in women and in the crucial role that they play in creating change and … [Read more...]
Defy the rules and change the world
“Don’t accept no for an answer. Defy the rules! It’s the only way we’re going to make the change.” This was the opening statement by Prof Gunter Pauli, Blue Economy entrepreneur from Belgium, who was the keynote speaker at the international Student Environmental Network summit hosted by the Stellenbosch University. He has written 20 books, published in 34 languages, … [Read more...]
Fossil-free investment portfolios soared 50%
The number of investment managers offering fossil-free portfolios to clients increased by over 50% in the past year, demonstrating a growing interest in divestment among investors. In a survey completed by 587 investment professionals, 36% indicated that they now offered investors the option to explicitly exclude the fossil fuel industry from their investments – up from 22% … [Read more...]
