Rising utility costs, paired with competitively priced sustainable tools to supplement municipal electricity and water use, mean that sectional title schemes are becoming a more viable marketplace for the green building sector. While each scheme has unique characteristics, their expenses are often centred around meeting similar needs, namely: electricity and water use, … [Read more...]
Futurist returns to Design Indaba with green message
As part of the Design Indaba Festival 2020, Paris-based futurist Li Edelkoort will host inspiring new trend seminars in Johannesburg and Cape Town. Edelkoort’s ever-popular three-hour presentations form part of the official programme for the event’s 25th anniversary celebration. Her upcoming talks will take place in two parts. For the first part of the seminar, the … [Read more...]
Cape Town joins global call for 5G moratorium
On Saturday, 25 January a group of responsible South African citizens will gather to raise concern about the proposed roll-out of 5G infrastructure across the country. This is an international event happening in over 112 cities across the world, including Durban. They are asking for a moratorium on 5G until is it proven safe to human and environmental health. It is a call … [Read more...]
Global day of protest planned against 5G rollout
While the media’s attention with regard to environmental issues has been captured by climate change, fracking, and plastics in the ocean, the 5G Space Appeal has been has been quietly making its way around the world. Signed by 4,800 scientists, 2,800 medical doctors, 770 beekeepers, 2,000 environmental organizations, and 180,000 others from 202 countries and territories, … [Read more...]
Team effort needed to conserve South Africa’s natural heritage
In three recent papers, South African biologists and environmentalists have listed pertinent research priorities for the next decade. These could help steer the protection of the country's plant and animal wealth, and that of the Cape Floristic Region in particular. The authors believe that the priorities set out could go a long way in addressing key threats raised in the … [Read more...]
Affordable housing designed with the environment in mind
A Western Cape design project that encourages innovation and affordable solutions in low-income housing is in the running for a prestigious US$85,000 award. Known as the Better Living Challenge (BLC), the project is in the finals for the Human City Design Award, organised by the Seoul Design Foundation. The winner will be announced on Thursday 26 September in Seoul, South … [Read more...]
Cape Town youth tackle climate change with creativity
With less than a month to prepare for what may be the biggest global climate strike action to date, the first-ever Youth Artivism Workshop was held at Community House in Salt River on Saturday. Hosted by 350 Africa, Project 90 by 2030 and HoneyBush Communications, the art workshop sought to raise awareness about climate change among the youth of Cape Town and the country at … [Read more...]
Inaugural awards seek eco-minded fashionistas
The inaugural Twyg Sustainable Fashion Awards are aimed at recognising South African designers who have adopted a sustainable design approach and fostered ethical practices in the fashion industry. They are open for nominations until August 18. Aside from the student award, all nominees must have been in business for at least one year and be able to demonstrate ethical … [Read more...]
Are cell phones to blame for the health decline of millennials?
Millennials — the first generation to grow up using cell phones — are experiencing an unprecedented decline in their health when they reach their late 20s. On April 24, 2019, the American health insurance association Blue Cross Blue Shield released a report titled “The Health of Millennials.” It showed not only that the health of this generation takes a sharp decline … [Read more...]
Popular food store trials recycling vending machine
Imagine an intelligent reverse vending machine for depositing your waste, which identifies it for you as recyclable or not. This is now a reality. In line with its recent announcement to achieve zero packaging waste to landfill by 2022, Woolworths has now launched a customer trial of an integrated reverse vending machine in its flagship green store in Claremont. “It might … [Read more...]
NEWF congress inspires conservation storytelling
The Nature, Environment and Wildlife Filmmakers Congress (NEWF) took place in Durban’s Botanic Gardens last week. Now in its second year, the Congress inspired discussion driven by natural resource conservation within the African context while promoting a growing awareness of the natural environment and the need for its protection. Grindrod Bank and the WILDTRUST were a … [Read more...]
Entrepreneurs turning waste into opportunity
Africa is home to an emerging community of social entrepreneurs who care about people and the environment, and their inventive spirits are being harnessed to create jobs and opportunities for vulnerable people. One such business is All Women Recycling in Cape Town. The company employs single mothers and women with little to no work experience or education. Unlike most … [Read more...]
Clever kids use rainwater to clean windscreen
It’s an idea that could one day help save billions of litres of water. Instead of simply wiping raindrops off our car windscreens, why not collect and reuse the water via the washer jets? Brother and sister Daniel and Lara Krohn were travelling in the family car last summer when the heavens opened. But when their dad Gerd, who was driving, tried to clear away the smears, the … [Read more...]
