Farmers in Sutherland can breathe a little easier after the successful drilling of new boreholes as part of a R15 million project to save farms in the area. The Gift of the Givers project follows one of the worst droughts the province has seen. Eleven Sutherland farms were lost, livestock died and 56 farms remain at risk. Gift of the Givers decided to step in to drill 200 … [Read more...]
NASA helicopter to search for life on Mars
The space agency NASA plans to send a small helicopter to Mars in 2020 in the continued quest for life on the red planet, said Dr Japie van Zyl of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory at the California Institute of Technology on Monday. Van Zyl, one of the world's leading space scientists, was speaking at the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Stellenbosch … [Read more...]
Ecological Infrastructure for Water Security project launched in Joburg
The Minister of Environmental Affairs Dr Edna Molewa and the Minister of Water and Sanitation Gugile Nkwinti will be at the launch of an $7.2 million (approximately R90 million) worth Ecological Infrastructure for Water Security project in Johannesburg on Thursday, 31 May 2018. This five year investment from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) together with considerable … [Read more...]
Cape Town business welcomes reduction in water price hikes
Businesses in Cape Town have welcomed drastic cuts in proposed water price hikes. But Janine Myburgh‚ president of the Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry‚ said on Tuesday the initial proposed 55% increase was a “shocking indictment” of City of Cape Town officials and councillors. “They are simply too focused on extracting revenue from the public rather than reducing … [Read more...]
Cape Town’s first desalination plant delivers drinking water
Cape Town's Strandfontein desalination plant is up and running. Deputy Mayor Ian Neilson was given a taste of the first 3 megalitres (ML) being produced there as rainwater dripped off his nose at the beachfront site on Monday. "If you want it to rain, build a desalination plant," quipped Neilson as a squall swirled around the delegation inspecting the plant built near the … [Read more...]
SA recommits to green power with 27 renewable energy projects
The South African government on Tuesday re-affirmed its commitment to renewable energy as part of the country’s energy mix whilst dodging any mention of its plans for nuclear energy. Energy minister Jeff Radebe delivered a keynote address at the African Utility Week conference that kicked off at the Cape Town International Convention Centre Tuesday. He also assured delegates … [Read more...]
Wet wipes could face wipe out in plastic clean-up
Wet wipes, used for sticky fingers and removing eye make-up, as well as on other parts of the anatomy, could themselves be wiped out over the next couple of decades. The UK government says its plan to eliminate plastic waste "includes single use products like wet wipes". The wipes contain non-biodegradable plastic. So manufacturers will either have to develop plastic-free … [Read more...]
Forest restores biodiversity and lowers temperature at Indian campus
The summer temperatures in Bangalore this year have been cause for particularly high concern among its residents, with some claiming that daytime temperature shot up to 41 degrees Celsius one day in April. This summer has surely felt hotter than most old Bangaloreans remember it ever being. But, there are some parts of the city that have kept the unrelenting heat away. Walk … [Read more...]
Shell pulls back from the Karoo
Shell is pulling back from its controversial Karoo fracking venture. Responding yesterday to questions about the company pulling the plug on its plan to frack blocs across the eastern, western and northern Cape Karoo, Shell spokeswoman Dineo Pooe said the multinational was rescaling its Karoo team. “With the low oil price environment, Shell has decided to rescale its … [Read more...]
Water expert talks drought lessons at Mensa
In South Africa 98% of all potential raw water sources are already allocated for use. Increasing urbanisation and demand for safe sanitation place heavy demands on our water resources. The Department of Water & Sanitation estimates that R7-billion in potable water is lost annually. That amounts to 36% of the clean drinking water supply! Dr Jo Barnes, epidemiologist and … [Read more...]
The battle to save Groot Marico River
Egbert van Bart sits on a riempie bench on the stoep of the Groot Marico Visitors Information Centre, stroking the long grey beard flowing down his thin neck. Here, on the deserted main street of the “beautifully weird” bushveld dorp, he recites a well-used passage by South African author Herman Charles Bosman, describing the North West town. “There’s no other place I … [Read more...]
Features to look for in an eco-friendly home
Being eco-friendly is no longer just a fad or trend; it’s a lifestyle choice and it’s here to stay. With the Western Cape’s current severe drought situation, and thousands of tonnes of waste poured into our landfills every year, there’s no time like the present to think more seriously about adopting the ‘green’ lifestyle. If you’re browsing for houses for sale, and want to … [Read more...]
Mega coal plants versus people of South Africa: The battle for clean water
South Africa is currently facing up to the reality of a mega water crisis over three provinces. The water crisis has been declared a national disaster, which means that the national government recognises that the impacts of the water crisis go well beyond just the three provinces that have been named. An additional R6bn has been set aside in the budget for responses to the … [Read more...]
