A bill is a draft version of a law. The Climate Change Bill was tabled in Parliament in February 2022. The Bill will now go through various public participation and law-making processes in order to become South Africa's Climate Change Act. This important law will have an enormous influence on South Africa's climate change response. It has the potential to protect our rights, … [Read more...]
Global coalition releases climate literacy statement
On Earth Day, Friday 22 April, Fridays for Future in collaboration with EarthDay.org and Take Action Global demanded worldwide access to climate literacy and education programs to ensure a holistic understanding of the ongoing climate and biodiversity crisis and its underlying causes and consequences. They believe fully integrated, assessed climate and environmental … [Read more...]
UCT divests from fossil fuels
Climate activist group Fossil Free South Africa (FFSA) is “heartened” by the University of Cape Town Council’s decision, announced today, to divert the university’s investments away from climate-destroying fossil fuels. The news was announced in the minutes of the latest meeting of the UCT Council, which last met on 12 March 2022. Council noted that it had previously agreed … [Read more...]
A climate case for wood
It’s fair to say that most people, when thinking about the resources we have to fight climate change, don’t immediately think of forestry. But there is a climate case for wood – it is the only material that can naturally and significantly decarbonise our planet by driving down demand for illegally harvested wood, and provide functional alternatives to non-renewable materials … [Read more...]
Scientists call for change in marine environmental assessment
Oceans Not Oil (ONO) hails an advisory produced by the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)’s Scientific Advisory Group on Emergencies (SAGE) on the use of deep-sea seismic surveys to explore for oil and gas deposits in South African waters. In the scope of SAGE’s mandate, an “emergency” is defined as "a serious, unexpected, and potentially dangerous situation that has … [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...]
The importance of good gardening practices
“While the impact of climate change is more visible than ever, decisions to limit carbon emissions at COP26 have, yet again, been neutered by the leaders of large carbon emitting countries,” says Gavin Heron, founder of Earth Probiotic. Lead by India, China and South Africa, disappointingly, changed a stronger “phasing out of coal" commitment to a weaker "phasing down of … [Read more...]
China cancels giant SA coal project
The Government of the People’s Republic of China has confirmed in correspondence with Fossil Free South Africa that China will no longer be funding a new 3GW coal-fired power plant in the planned Musina-Makhado Special Economic Zone (MM-SEZ) in Limpopo Province. Chinese premier Xi Jinping announced China’s end to funding of overseas coal projects in an address at the United … [Read more...]
Open burning of waste: time for urgent action
More than a million premature deaths a year due to air pollution, waste and open burning is one of the critical issues contributing to increasing levels of pollution especially in urban areas. Countries should call time on the common practice of open burning waste in order to mitigate climate impact, environmental pollution and to improve the health of billions of people who … [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...]
Countries commit to develop climate-smart health care at COP26
A group of 47 countries have committed to develop climate-resilient and low-carbon health systems at the UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow (COP26), in response to growing evidence of the impact of climate change on people’s health. The governments of these 47 countries, which include some of those most vulnerable to the health harms caused by climate change as well as … [Read more...]
Graphic novel aims to teach teenagers about greenhouse gases
Environmental activist and artist Andrea Kuska (top photograph) has announced the launch of her very first environment-focused graphic novel – Heatwave, to be made available on her website. The novel, which will be illustrated and designed solely by Andrea, highlights relevant environmental issues using fun graphic comics to easily pass the message across to a younger … [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...]
