The Olifants River mouth enters the Atlantic Ocean roughly 250km north of Cape Town, as the crow flies. At the mouth, the emerald waters are flanked by the cliffs of De Punt farm on the northern bank, while on the southern bank is the largest floodplain salt marsh in South Africa. The estuary is ranked third in the country in terms of conservation importance, and is a … [Read more...]
Have your say on the South African Gas Master Plan
Please comment on the proposed Gas Master Plan by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE). Here follows an excerpt from their basecase report regarding the importance of gas in the future energy mix - not words by The Green Times: "At just 2.6% of the country’s total energy mix, South Africa’s natural gas market is small, but with all its inherent benefits, … [Read more...]
Wild Coast seismic operations interdicted
In a major victory for Wild Coast communities, the Grahamstown High Court in Makhanda has ordered Shell to immediately cease its seismic blasting along South Africa’s Wild Coast. They also ordered Shell and the Minister of Mineral Resources to pay the costs of the application for the interim interdict. In granting the interdict sought by communities affected by the blasting … [Read more...]
New partnership cleans up polluted waterways
Several prominent brands recently teamed up to remove litter from the Jukskei, one of Joburg's most heavily polluted rivers. Polo SA has been a brand known and loved by South Africans for many years. In 2020 Polo SA launched their Naturally Polo initiative focusing on sustainability and a more eco-conscious approach not only to fashion but to the broader environment in which … [Read more...]
Nuclear protest highlights safety concerns at Koeberg
An anti-nuclear demonstration held on Bloubergstrand Beach on 16 December highlighted concerns of Capetonians about the implications of Eskom extending Koeberg’s lifespan next year. The nuclear plant reaches the end of its 40-year lifespan in 2024 but Eskom is trying to extend its operating life by another 20 years before any public consultation. The event was organised … [Read more...]
Seismic protests erupt at petrol stations across SA
Following the widespread publication of plans by Royal Dutch Shell to conduct a non-stop, five-month-long seismic survey of South Africa’s pristine ‘Wild Coast,’ national outrage has erupted. The last two weeks have seen protest actions by communities and activist groups the length and breadth of our country, attempting to amplify the voices of our compatriots on the Wild … [Read more...]
Homegrown technology provides water to communities in need
The Vumela Fund, established by FNB Business and Edge Growth, today announced a new investment in Kusini Water, a cleantech enterprise that provides clean drinking water to local communities and corporates by manufacturing mobile, solar-powered water purification systems made from locally sourced macadamia nut shells and nanotechnology. The investment will enable Kusini … [Read more...]
30% GHG emission reduction by 2030 not enough
In September 2021, Sasol announced disappointingly modest and self-contradictory plans to reduce its carbon emissions by 30% by 2030. As the company heads towards its 2021 shareholder AGM on 19 November, at which it will table its own non-binding vote on its emission reduction plans, this press briefing note outlines our response to Sasol’s latest targets. It’s no … [Read more...]
Illuminating the role of light in disease risk
Light dictates life. It was this idea that Dr Bernard Coetzee pondered over cups of tea with fellow ecologists when the possible connection between light and infectious disease clicked. “Artificial light is really interesting and it’s really scary – it’s doing things to the environment that we just don’t think about,” says Coetzee. Coetzee is a global change scientist. In … [Read more...]
South Africa’s first climate finance deal is a promising start
Climate and environmental justice groups cautiously welcome the $8.5 billion partnership announced at COP26, but demand transparency about the scope and conditions, and accountability by lenders, beneficiaries and the South African government. The partnership between the governments of South Africa, the US, the UK, France, Germany and the EU will mobilise $8.5 billion (R131 … [Read more...]
Hydropower not a solution to climate change
300 organizations from 69 countries have launched a Rivers for Climate Global Declaration calling on governments and leaders attending COP26 to protect river ecosystems and stop using scarce climate funds to finance false climate solutions such as hydropower. Representing the views of civil society, peoples movements, Indigenous Peoples’ organizations, scientists, and … [Read more...]
African Youth Summit: Our Africa, Our Ocean, Our Future
The Youth for Marine Protected Areas (Youth4MPAs) held the first-ever virtual African Youth Summit in August 2021, an opportunity for over 500 youth from across the African Continent to come together over two days and unpack ocean protection from an African perspective. The summit was conceived by the youth, for the youth, with the objective of designing an inclusive … [Read more...]
Predicting our future climate to conserve SA’s rich biome
Ancient pollen grains found in sediment cores dating back thousands of years are helping scientists to shed light on the earth’s past and future climates. Dr Lynne Quick, a palynologist at Nelson Mandela University, who is currently working on the development of new paleoenvironmental records in Southern Africa says there’s much more to pesky pollen and fungal spores that … [Read more...]
