Epson’s latest Climate Barometer survey – the third edition since the survey began in 2021 – has revealed new insights around South Africans’ attitudes and behaviours towards climate change, an imminent climate crisis, and taking action to make a difference for the betterment of the environment. After poverty (68.4%) and the rising prices of goods and services (64.2%), the … [Read more...]
Sailing the Azores and Back Race without fossil fuels
Founder of Sail Electric, Wayne Peters, and the private owner of a full electric Southerly 47, have entered the renowned Azores and Back Race (AZAB), talking place in June. Sailing two-handed, and powered only by natural resources, Doris is the only yacht of her kind to participate in this challenge. As experienced leaders of the evolution in electric yachting, Sail Electric … [Read more...]
Marine Protected Areas: Together we can do more
Earlier this month over 60 delegates from various sectors, including private finance, insurance, government, community leaders, multilateral organisations, and Marine Protected Area (MPA) managers, gathered in Cape Town for a two- and half-day workshop supported by the Blue Action Fund, to unpack sustainably financing Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in South Africa and delivering … [Read more...]
Stellenbosch-born digital currency tackles climate change
A new global payment platform is enabling communities world-wide to directly participate in the fight against climate change. Stellenbosch is leading the world in demonstrating a new monetary system where economic growth creates environmental wealth. The platform introduces a new digital currency (the toco) where each unit in circulation represents 1 tonne of credible carbon … [Read more...]
Cape Town launches R1,2bn solar plant project
Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has announced that the City will design, build, and operate a R1,2 billion solar PV plant with battery storage capable of providing up to a full stage of load-shedding protection. This is one of two projects awarded support from the C40 Cities Finance Facility (CFF), which offers cities technical and financial assistance in support of a … [Read more...]
Anchovies: a tiny fish with a big impact
Anchovies - a tiny salty fish, that appears to barely be recognised at all. There are many contributing factors that allow the Ocean to thrive but what we need to acknowledge is the importance of these nutrient-rich fish. Anchovies play a vital role in the oceans ecosystem as they are a crucial food source for other sea creatures. Water is the life of our Planet. Without … [Read more...]
Renewing South Africa’s commitment to recycling
A viable world for us to live in today, and one that will sustain our children tomorrow, is a universal responsibility. Government has recognised that Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is the preferred vehicle to reduce waste generation and increase diversion from landfill. Tetra Pak is fully aligned with this view as they believe that EPR is central to South Africa’s … [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...]
Africa’s largest plastics recycler switches to solar energy
A new state-of-the-art 1.3MWp solar power plant will power green recycling for the African continent. Extrupet is one of the largest and most advanced recyclers of plastics on the African continent and recycles more than 4 million PET bottles every day at their Wadeville facility. With the switch to renewable energy, Extrupet has become one of the first companies in the … [Read more...]
Unlocking growth in SA fashion sector with sustainable design
Nurturing sustainable design and production processes could unlock global growth for South Africa’s fashion sector, as the industry looks to revive local textile and manufacturing capabilities that prioritise both social and environmental wellbeing. This is the view of sustainability consultants Sarah Botha and Laura Llonch, who in collaboration with STADIO School of … [Read more...]
Time to rethink the purchase and consumption of seafood
Despite the widespread availability of Norwegian salmon in our restaurants, this fish gets imported in large quantities with a significant carbon footprint and increasing concerns about the farming practices and demands on the natural environment in the country of origin. Seafood has risen on the news agenda of late with the release of Netflix documentary, Seaspiracy. The … [Read more...]
Youth protest lack of climate action in Joburg
“This year has been a complete right-off for climate action and a massive knock for the people, especially the youth, of this country! We are in a race against time to keep temperatures well-below 2 degrees or stabilise at 1.5°C degrees, and as it stands, current levels of warming has already resulted in human rights’ violations.” So said Earthlife Africa Johannesburg … [Read more...]
True sustainability can only be achieved by design
COVID-19 has caused humanity’s ecological footprint to contract by three weeks. However, true sustainability that allows all to thrive on Earth can only be achieved by design, not disaster. Even though there has been an incredible cost to human life and the economy from the COVID-19 pandemic, our ecological footprint in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) has still more-or-less … [Read more...]
