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...]
First Global Children’s Charter for the Rights for Mother Earth
At the turn of 2009/2010, local filmmaker Daréll Lourens and her friend Simone van Keulen had the vision of Earth Junkies, an eco- awareness journey aiming to travel overland through Africa, the Middle East and Europe and work with children to foster ecological citizenship in their foundation years. 2 years have passed and the project has finally realized. Daréll has now … [Read more...]
Lessons from the journey
An amazing journey? Yes. In four weeks I saw 17 cities and witnessed some of the most interesting people tell stories of their struggles with climate change. I visited some really remote villages like Vatsonhga, gasped at some of the most beautiful sunsets and engaged with the country’s most courageous citizens. How I have changed since the Climate Train left Cape Town … [Read more...]
COP17 Climate Train arrives in Durban
The COP17 Climate Train was today welcomed in Durban with a fanfare and a range of dignitaries Including National Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) executive secretary Christiana Figueres and chief of the COP17 negotiations and EThekwini Speaker Rogie Naidoo. Brass bands, Zulu dancers, diplomats, learners and prominent members of civil society rubbed shoulders … [Read more...]
Last stop but journey has just begun
After a beguiling journey through some of South Africa’s remote communities, the Climate Train has reached its final destination in time for the biggest conference SA has ever hosted. While scores of delegates from around the world descend upon Durban for the 17th Conference of Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to negotiate … [Read more...]
Green villagers spread climate gospel
Climate change is fast becoming one of the biggest threats that mankind faces, yet if you walk through the village of Vatsonga it’s hard to believe any of the scientific predictions. At first glance Limpopo is not an ideal contender for South Africa’s greenest city. Most farming activities in the area are now taking place on the edge of survival, due to even minor changes to … [Read more...]
Youth caravan cover 15 countries for climate justice
Zambia, Uganda, United States of America, Canada, Cameroon, Kenya and South Africa. These countries were all represented in one room to make their voices heard in the fight against climate change. Though the 17th Conference on Climate Change (COP17) is only starting on Sunday, 28 November in Durban, a group of passionate youth from around the world created their own … [Read more...]
Toxic ripple effects of mining in Mokopane
Sheltered from the fierce heat of the Namboomspruit sun, 16 Mokopane community members gathered for an Earth Forum in the cool shadows of an oasis of tall palm trees. These participants formed part of a community action group called Jubilee, which aims to address critical incidences of environmental injustice, particularly around the effect of mining on human and … [Read more...]
Minister listens to farmers struggling with climate change
“COP17 comes and it goes and then we are still left with this climate change”. Deputy Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs Ms Rejoice Mabudafhasi during her visit on the Climate Train frankly admitted this to the scores of people who attended the round-table discussion on the train on the sweltering Wednesday afternoon. Deputy Minister Mabudafhasi visited the … [Read more...]
Common need for change joins communities
Drought, lack of funds and land ownership problems. This is but a few of the challengers the Blood River shack dweller community’s youth are facing. With unemployment, lack of resources, disease and gangsterism the odds seem stacked against them, however the A Re Direng Mmogo Community Project still chooses to believe that there is hope. Despite these poverty traps holding … [Read more...]
Climate Train adventures: drawing Mother Earth
It was the morning of day nine of our journey across South Africa on the Climate Train. I found myself lying on the boardroom table in the conference carriage. Perfectly still, I lay on a large piece of canvas looking out at the dinky station with sunny yellow boarders. My dear friend and fellow cultural practitioner on the train, Dylan McGarry was sketching my body’s … [Read more...]
Water is sacrificed for gold
When the Climate Train arrived in Johannesburg, Nasrec station earlier this month we all knew we were in for an eventful three days. However, unless you’re a football fan, you probably have very little reason to visit Nasrec Station. Since the Soccer World Cup was hosted in South Africa last year, this pristine station has for the most part been quiet. But when the train … [Read more...]
Seeing the world through different eyes
Ask the Kliptown youth which million words their pictures tell about and you will see the effects of climate change in their community. The German developing agency, GIZ has committed itself to supporting IdaloYethu and the South African Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) in preparing for the climate summit COP 17, which starts in Durban on 28 November 2011. Part … [Read more...]
