The fate of one of Africa’s most valuable ecosystems may depend on results from wells being drilled deep into the bedrock beneath the Kalahari of northern Namibia and Botswana in the hunt for a petroleum reservoir. For a distance of some 150km, Canadian company ReconAfrica’s oil and gas prospecting concessions border the Okavango River, a crucial source of water in a … [Read more...]
We can shape the climate future we want
One voice can change the world. South Africa is no stranger to the power of public participation in shaping society. But the country and the world now face an unprecedented challenge: the climate crisis. If left unchecked, it will destroy ecosystems and livelihoods, hurting the poorest and most vulnerable people. It is the fifth anniversary of the Paris Climate Agreement on … [Read more...]
Sharing joy from Africa to the world this festive season
Sustainability, collaboration, creativity and compassion are the foundation of the V&A Waterfront’s festive season this year. The 2020 festive period is preceded by months of global upheaval, extended moments of isolation and change that few of us could predict or control. Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront is ready to contribute to humanity’s attempts to restore hope and they … [Read more...]
International recognition for local manufacturing ecolabel
Eco-Choice Africa, a locally developed ecolabel for consumer products has become the first of its kind on the Continent to receive international recognition as an associate member of the Global Ecolabel Network, the international controlling body for ecolabelling. The Global Ecolabelling Network (GEN) is a non-profit association of leading Type 1 ecolabelling organisations … [Read more...]
Financing the future we want
With the climate crisis threatening over half of the global GDP, there can be no business-as-usual when the world begins to plan for a recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, we have a unique opportunity to change our relationship with nature by shifting our development pathway to one that is equitable and sustainable. Development Finance Institutions may be the … [Read more...]
Virtual conference to focus on sustainable urban development
The 5th Local Climate Solutions for Africa (LoCS4Africa) Congress, ICLEI Africa’s flagship climate change event for cities, will take place online from 3 to 12 November 2020. This free-to-attend solution catalyst is the only pan-African event focused on African cities and finance to happen in 2020. It will contribute significantly to raising local climate action momentum on the … [Read more...]
Durban to drop fossil fuels from its investments
Fossil Free South Africa and 350 Africa congratulate the City of eThekwini/Durban on becoming the second South African city to commit to phasing out investments in climate-breaking fossil fuels. The eThekwini commitment was announced in late September, when the Mayors of Durban and Cape Town joined a group of 12 mayors from North America, Europe and Africa who promised “to … [Read more...]
Joburg townships pay the price for SA’s gold mining legacy
This week, as South Africa adjusts to the eased of restrictions of lockdown Level 1, more people are likely to travel domestically again, many heading to SA’s economic hub for business. According to Earthlife Africa Johannesburg’s Makoma Lekalakala, “Many South Africans do not know that Johannesburg, the country’s largest city, is also the most radioactive city on the … [Read more...]
Monoculture tree plantations are a false climate solution
Yesterday was the 16th International Day of Struggle against Monoculture Tree Plantations. In 2004, rural communities in Brazil declared the day to commemorate the resistance against the expansion of monoculture tree plantations in Brazil. Through solidarity statements and actions around the world the day has evolved to become an International Day of Struggle. This year, a … [Read more...]
Help stop the controversial African crude oil pipeline
Oil giant Total is about to build the biggest heated oil pipeline in the world - right through the heart of Africa! It will rip through some of the most important elephant, lion and chimpanzee reserves on Earth, displace tens of thousands of families, and tip the whole planet closer to full-blown climate catastrophe. Local communities are doing all they can to fight the … [Read more...]
South Africans say “no!” to exporting meat from endangered species
More than 45 000 people reacted to Dear SA’s campaign inviting comment on draft legislation allowing meat from endangered species to be added to the list of animals allowed to be slaughtered, consumed and traded. The overwhelming majority of those participating in the campaign objected to the South African government’s plan to expand the list of animals for slaughter and … [Read more...]
Much celebration as cheetah returns to Rietvlei
After a gruelling 14-hour journey, the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) successfully relocated a female cheetah from the Western Cape to Rietvlei Nature Reserve in Gauteng. The City of Tshwane approved the relocation of wild Cheetahs to Rietvlei, as well as a donation of 250 blesbok, springbok, red hartebeest, black wildebeest and zebra to Rietvlei Nature Reserve, also made … [Read more...]
Plans for logging in Ebo Forest denounced by civil society
Greenpeace Africa and local communities denounce a decision by the Government of Cameroon to open up 68,385 hectares of pristine rainforest to logging. The fate of a 65,007 ha zone of Ebo, also threatened with logging, remains unclear and must also be spared from chainsaws. The 14 July decree to log a zone about half the size of London blatantly ignores requests by local … [Read more...]
