COP26 is a pivotal point in the future of our planet and its inhabitants, and most of us don't have a seat at the table. Do you feel frustrated and powerless when you read the headlines about the climate crisis and the lead up to COP26? Do you trust our governments to make the right decisions? Discovering your Personal Power during a Climate Emergency will reconnect … [Read more...]
Resource hubs aim to strengthen marine biodiversity
The 30th of September and 1st of October saw the celebration and grand opening of two community resource hubs in northern KwaZulu-Natal, namely Mabibi and KwaDapha. The hub construction and establishment forms part of the Oceans Alive iSimangaliso Marine Protected Area (MPA) Project driven by WILDOCEANS, a programme of the WILDTRUST, in partnership with iSimangaliso Wetland … [Read more...]
Choose sustainable seafood this Heart Awareness Month
September is Heart Awareness Month and one of the best ways to keep your heart healthy is to eat fish 2 to 3 times a week. With campaign ‘#FeelGoodSeafood’, the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) in partnership with Irvin & Johnson (I&J), encourage South Africans to take care of their hearts and our ocean. Up to 80 percent of heart disease and stroke can be prevented … [Read more...]
Ten million tons of wasted food can feed our people
In South Africa, 10 million tons of food goes to waste every year and ends up in landfills. That’s a third of the 31 million tons produced annually in South Africa. Fruit, vegetables and cereals account for 70% of the wastage. Meanwhile a quarter of our population is going hungry every day, with another quarter at risk. The food wastage facts are documented in a WWF … [Read more...]
The profound mental health implications of climate change
A new report by community psychology expert, Dr Garret Barnwell, shows that climate change harms are already negatively impacting our mental well-being and these effects will only accelerate in the future, placing today’s youth and future generations in harm’s way. The findings of the report, commissioned by the Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) for the African Climate … [Read more...]
Inspiring the women waste pickers of Phalaborwa
Across South Africa, and the world are a group of determined women who come from an impoverished community that you may have never heard of. These are Woman Waste Pickers. They search high and low for recyclables that can be transformed from waste into a source of limitless creative potential. Inspired and motivated by the women Waste Pickers of Phalaborwa, South Africa, who … [Read more...]
Nersa Electricity Generation Application Process “flawed”
Earlier this week, The Green Connection and others made their oral presentations at the National Energy Regulator of South Africa’s (Nersa) public hearings regarding the Karpowership SA electricity generation application. According to the environmental justice organisation’s Strategic Lead Liziwe McDaid, “While the Green Connection is on record for objecting to the floating … [Read more...]
Rebuilding relationships over natural resources in Darfur
Every year on 19 August, World Humanitarian Day offers the United Nations and other humanitarian organizations an opportunity to celebrate the daily work of humanitarian responders worldwide and recognize their dedication to helping others. World Humanitarian Day also gives us pause to reflect on how to continue improving the humanitarian response to climate change and complex … [Read more...]
Kenya’s post-covid recovery should prioritise people not coal
A post-covid recovery plan should prioritise people and not a polluting coal industry, this is according to Greenpeace Africa. The Kenyan budget outlining the governments’ plans for Kenya’s Post COVID recovery released in June 2021 clearly shows the government’s intentions to prioritise coal over the health and well-being of Kenyans. The budget focuses on coal exploration … [Read more...]
Fishing communities respond to Karpowership SA appeal
On 16 August 2021, the Green Connection submitted its response to the appeal – by Karpowership SA, and others – against the decision by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE) to refuse environmental authorisations for the floating power plants (FPPs). Small-scale fishers from the West Coast and other stakeholders are also sending responses to … [Read more...]
How local governments can put food on the table
2021 is the year of food. After the pandemic exposed how vulnerable food systems are, two global summits are placing food front and center: the UN Food Systems Summit (UNFSS) in September in New York, USA (with the Pre-Summit gathering key actors from July 26-28 in Rome, Italy), and the Nutrition for Growth Summit this December in Tokyo, Japan. Finally, the issue of food is on … [Read more...]
The bare bones of tissue donation
There’s a hero inside all of us. And that’s not just a platitude about unrealised potential but a reality as far as tissue donation is concerned. Tissue donation refers to the generous donation of human tissue, which includes bone and other products created from human tissue, bestowed after death. According to Bone SA, a registered non-profit organisation concerned with … [Read more...]
Virtual fundraising marathon uplifts community
The Comrades Marathon Centenary Hope Challenge virtual event took place on the 13th of June 2021 following the cancellation of the road race due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In the true spirit of Comrades, there was much camaraderie along the route as many runners took to the streets to commemorate the 100th running of the Comrades event. Bearing the campaign theme of … [Read more...]
