57 laureates of the Right Livelihood award (often considered the “Alternative Nobel Prize”) have sent a message to UN Stockholm+50 international environmental meeting urging “acknowledgement of ecocide as a crime.” Dozens of laureates of the Right Livelihood award, including household names such as David Suzuki, Vandana Shiva and Greta Thunberg, have signed a message to … [Read more...]
Oil and gas exploration threatens coastal livelihoods
Following President Ramaphosa’s Youth Day speech last week – which mostly focused on the unprecedented high unemployment rate and lack of opportunities – young small-scale fishers, along the coast, say they are concerned that government does not recognise their value as South Africans who are self-employed and trying to create sustainable livelihoods for themselves and their … [Read more...]
Anchovies: a tiny fish with a big impact
Anchovies - a tiny salty fish, that appears to barely be recognised at all. There are many contributing factors that allow the Ocean to thrive but what we need to acknowledge is the importance of these nutrient-rich fish. Anchovies play a vital role in the oceans ecosystem as they are a crucial food source for other sea creatures. Water is the life of our Planet. Without … [Read more...]
EU nature restoration law: fighting the climate crises
The Commission’s proposal is a huge milestone; it is the first major piece of EU biodiversity legislation since the Habitats Directive in 1992. We call for its urgent adoption and implementation as it is a true and strong attempt to reverse the tide of biodiversity loss and climate change. The European Parliament and Council of the EU must fully endorse the positive elements … [Read more...]
Loadshedding may be worst by 2026
Meridian Economics has published its Resolving the Power Crisis analysis of SA’s energy sector, which suggests that load shedding may be ten times worse by 2026 and that an additional 5GW of renewable energy capacity could have essentially solved load shedding in 2021 at a cost saving to Eskom. In response to this development Greenpeace Africa Climate and Energy campaigner … [Read more...]
Game reserve integrates indigenous knowledge
Looked at one way it’s a game reserve. In another, it’s a vast cattle ranch. Or prime rangeland. Whichever way one looks at it, Shangani Holistic, in the Zimbabwe midlands, lives up to its name, fusing all the elements of its ecosystem so that each flourishes to the benefit of the others. Director Max Makuvise refers to the enterprise as a “multispecies farming unit.” His … [Read more...]
Number of wildfires to rise by 50% by 2100
Climate change and land-use change are projected to make wildfires more frequent and intense, with a global increase of extreme fires of up to 14 per cent by 2030, 30 per cent by the end of 2050 and 50 per cent by the end of the century, according to a new report by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and GRID-Arendal. The paper calls for a radical change in government … [Read more...]
Communities call out questionable oil and gas projects
It has been two years since The Green Connection, under its Who Stole Our Oceans campaign, started working with coastal communities whose livelihoods are being threatened by offshore oil and gas projects. The initiative is focused on protecting the oceans, particularly through opposing offshore oil and gas. In addition, and critical to the campaign, is empowering coastal … [Read more...]
Preparing for fire season
Currently the wildfire that started at Lourensford Estate in Somerset West rages forth into the mountains. Unseasonal hot, dry conditions turned wild vegetation into a tinder box. This is happening more frequently as global warming escalates. The number of wildfires worldwide is forecast to rise by 50% by 2100. Read more about that here and be prepared. Climatic … [Read more...]
Communities speak out against Wild Coast seismic surveys
In the run-up to next week’s highly contentious court hearings to stop Shell’s seismic surveys and any further bids to explore the Wild Coast for offshore oil and gas, communities in the Eastern Cape are speaking out against traditional leaders who, at the end of April, following secret meetings with Minister Gwede Mantashe (in February 2022), agreed to support oil and gas … [Read more...]
Answering nature’s call for help
The international premier of season two of the hit, short format documentary series, Free Range Humans, took place in Cape Town yesterday, attended by five of the six international eco-activist cast members who have heeded the call to help save the planet, its diverse ecosystems and marine life. Also in the cast is South Africa’s Loyiso Dunga who is fighting to help save the … [Read more...]
NERSA opposes decision to block Karpowership licenses
On Thursday 19 May, the same day that the minister of Mineral Resources and Energy laid out the department’s uninspiring budget for 2022/23, the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) notified The Green Connection that it will oppose the NGO’s court application to review and set aside the decision to grant three electricity generation licenses to Karpowership … [Read more...]
Decommissioning of coal-fired power plants needed
Concerns surrounding a global climate emergency have brought into sharp focus the need to mobilize increased investment flows towards clean energy. Such flows are needed to fund incremental power generating capacities that are non-polluting. Capital is already shying away from backing new coal-fired thermal power plants. These complementary imperatives and trends are … [Read more...]
