Long-suffering communities in Sharpeville and Bophelong in the Vaal area have gathered outside ArcelorMittal South Africa Limited’s (AMSA’s) main steel plant in Vanderbijlpark today to protest against ongoing pollution, non-compliance with environmental laws, failure to engage meaningfully with fence line communities and unclear plans to decarbonise AMSA’s operations. The … [Read more...]
Concern grows over mega-polluting MMSEZ project
As the world prepares for COP26 (starting on 31 October 2021 in Glasgow Scotland), a small community in the far north of Limpopo province grow increasingly concerned about the potentially devastating impacts of the proposed Musina-Makhado Special Economic Zone (MMSEZ) mega-project. The women of the Mulambwane Community – about one hundred of whom held a peaceful … [Read more...]
Protecting biodiversity with better waste management
For the past 50 years, human activities have dramatically reduced biodiversity across the globe. We have, through our actions, extinguished our habitats and reduced populations of plants and wild animals by up to 60% so that today, our natural resources and the species on our planet are under threat – from us. In fact, the negative impact we have made is astounding. Just … [Read more...]
Asbestos exposure: an environmental carcinogen
Before the 1970s, asbestos was a widely used home and manufacturing additive for its heat and fireproof resistant properties. Due to this, asbestos fibers can be found in buildings and products alike, and although it is banned in the UK, there have been lasting detrimental and cancerous effects through first, second, and third-wave exposure. In the U.S., this carcinogen is … [Read more...]
Natural Building part 1: What is it?
Natural Building means different things to different people. Personally, I can’t view natural building in isolation from sustainability and sustainable building, writes Peter McIntosh, natural builder, in the first article in his series about this topic. Sustainability requires that we view ourselves as part of an ecosystem. In a sustainable system the materials your house … [Read more...]
Eskom’s chokehold on air and power
Eskom’s recent announcement of its September 2013 interim results show that the utility’s profit margins fell slightly to R12.2 billion, but the major news was the resignation of CEO, Brian Dames. It seems like a change in leadership for the utility is an incredible opportunity for a change in direction towards renewable energy, because the reality for both the utility and … [Read more...]
Fighting for the rights of Mother Earth
Become part of the urgent declaration for the rights of Mother Earth. The Rights of Nature is emerging as one of the key alternatives to what many critics call severe shortcomings in the current draft proposals centering on a new Green Economy – RIO+20’s main theme to take forward the initiatives of the 1992 Earth Summit. At the recent World Social Forum in Porto Alegre, … [Read more...]
MiniCAT- the Air Powered Car
With the costs of fuel rising to ever-depressing heights, the time is right for an alternative option. Luckily, Tata Motors is ready to introduce MiniCAT, the car which runs on compressed air! Tata Motors has been taking giant strides and making history for itself. First the Land Rover/Jaguar deal, then the world's cheapest car, and now this. The Air Car would have a range … [Read more...]
Heat pump uses solar energy for hot water
Now there is a new way that you can save energy in your home. By installing a Heat Pump it is possible to reduce the electricity consumption in your home by 30%. We were excited to find out about SIRAC, a world leader in Heat Pump technology. Their heat pumps are designed to provide maximum efficiency and reliability in extreme climatic conditions. SIRAC provides products … [Read more...]
