Recognising the importance of water as a life-sustaining resource and reflecting its commitment to the critical drive for environmentally sustainable supply chains, SAPICS, The Professional Body for Supply Chain Management, has put water management in the spotlight at the upcoming SAPICS Conference. This event, which is Africa’s leading knowledge sharing and networking event … [Read more...]
Cool clean tech to tackle climate change
South African entrepreneurs are taking climate change seriously: Water filters made from macadamia nut shells, a mobile solar-powered kiosk for charging phones in off-grid areas, vegetable growing systems using recycled plastic bags, and a machine that turns any type of waste into energy (gas) or diesel. At the SEED South Africa Symposium held in Pretoria recently, … [Read more...]
How political parties plan to address climate change
“We urge South Africans to #VotefortheEnvironment when they head to the polls on 8 May. Citizens must choose leaders who recognise the urgency for climate change action and prioritises it in its policy agenda. We need a political party that stops protecting big business, but instead develops policies that will protect the environment, protect our workers and empower our … [Read more...]
Air force assists Eastern Cape flood rescue operations
Serious flooding prompted the South African Air Force to dispatch helicopters to assist with rescue operations in Port St Johns in the Eastern Cape. The Alfred Nzo District Municipality on Wednesday urged residents in low-lying areas to monitor water levels and to move to higher ground if necessary. There are a number of dropoff points nationwide for those wishing to … [Read more...]
Which political parties care about the environment?
Are our political parties addressing the bedrock issues of survival, or are they only interested in the short-term goal of re-election? In this country, with water constraints and fragile soil, we need to be very diligent about protecting these precious things, and about fighting climate change to ensure our own and our children’s futures. You could do worse than choose … [Read more...]
Eco awareness leads to award recognition for Sea Point hotel
Having previously made headlines for their industry-leading water conservation efforts, the hotel is once again pioneering environmental sustainability and responsibility, having received the ECO Proud/ECO Excellent Status Award. As part of the Dream Hotels & Resorts group, The Peninsula All-Suite Hotel is the first recipient of the award after the implementation of a … [Read more...]
Ecological restoration conference coming to Cape Town
The Society for Ecological Restoration is organizing the 8th World Conference on Ecological Restoration. It will be held in Cape Town from 24 - 28 September 2019. SER2019 connects researchers, practitioners, policymakers, industry professionals, and students with backgrounds in natural and social sciences, environmental engineering, urban and regional planning, natural … [Read more...]
Increasing water scarcity remains a deadly threat to SA’s poor
Today is World Water Day. South Africa’s water security continues to be vulnerable and has again come into focus following the findings of a UN report warning that global water scarcity is increasing. National Water Week, overlapping Human Rights Day and World Water Day, is serving to highlight findings in the United Nations World Water Development Report 2019 (WWDR) which … [Read more...]
Public invited to comment on Cape Town’s draft water strategy
The City of Cape Town’s Draft Water Strategy is open for public comments and recommendations. The metro explained that the primary purpose of this strategy is to ensure that city is more resilient to future droughts. The draft strategy outlines the City’s plan to ensure greater water security over the next 10 years and a move towards being a more water-sensitive city in … [Read more...]
Budget needs stronger focus on enviro issues and decisive plan to address climate change
The Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute (SAFCEI) says that it has mixed feelings about the priorities laid out by the Minister Tito Mboweni, in his Budget Speech today. While the multi-faith, environmental NGO is pleased that the 2019 Budget does not include any new nuclear, the Finance Minister’s response to climate change and environmental issues is … [Read more...]
Annual fest seeks to educate on wetlands and water birds
The main purpose of the Flufftail Festival, held in Joburg earlier this month, is to teach people of all ages about the importance of conserving water, wetlands and waterbirds. On 8 and 9 February 2019 BirdLife South Africa, in partnership with Rand Water (Water Wise), Toyota, the Rare Finch Conservation Group and Joburg City Parks and Zoo, hosted the annual Flufftail … [Read more...]
West Coast communities say no to mining
The West Coast Food Sovereignty and Solidarity Forum and the communities of Koekenaap and Lutzville on the West Coast are protesting tomorrow at a meeting between Minister of Mineral Resources, Gwede Mantashe and a mining company, Mineral Sands Resources (MSR) because of their plans to expand mining along the West Coast without any consultation. Despite not honouring the … [Read more...]
Deep adaptation: hope and vision in the face of collapse
As someone who worked in environmental campaigning and then organizational change, I learned about the role of hope and vision in helping to align and motivate people. As someone who worked at the heart of political communications during the 2017 UK General Election campaign, I’m also aware of the power of a positive narrative when told well, consistently and authentically. In … [Read more...]
