COP26 is a pivotal point in the future of our planet and its inhabitants, and most of us don't have a seat at the table. Do you feel frustrated and powerless when you read the headlines about the climate crisis and the lead up to COP26? Do you trust our governments to make the right decisions? Discovering your Personal Power during a Climate Emergency will reconnect … [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...]
Environmental Rights and Remedies course seeks nominations
The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER)’s annual Environmental Rights and Remedies Course for environmental justice activists is a key component of CER’s activist support and training work. Developed from demand from other community partners for rights training and building on existing initiatives like groundWork’s Environmental Justice School, the Rights & Remedies … [Read more...]
The future of water in SA’s agriculture sector
As early as 2012 the World Economic Forum (WEF) warned that water security was one of the most significant risks to the planet and its people. Water concerns in one form or another have ranked among the top five risks of the WEF Global Risks Report ever since. In South Africa, the national government's Water and Sanitation Master Plan has informed much-needed amendments … [Read more...]
Pandemic accelerates solar training shift to digital
Shifting solar training to be facilitated digitally was always on the cards. The current pandemic has however made this a reality. The Solar Training Centre (STC) has partnered with the SA Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA) and South African Energy Efficiency Confederation (SAEEC) to offer the PV GreenCard course digitally. This is the first ever live digital PV … [Read more...]
Empowering entrepreneurs by strengthening rural skills
Certain communities in South Africa are more marginalized, with little or no opportunity or clear pathways for economic progress. It is in these under-resourced areas where unemployment is the most acute. Education levels are low, and job opportunities and livelihood creation are scarce which further exacerbates the dependence on social grants. WILDLANDS, through a programme … [Read more...]
Wild and healthy weeds: gifts from nature
“Did you know that wild foods have at least 10 times more nutrients than cultivated foods?” So said Tracy Armbruster, who conducts wild food courses in Villiersdorp. I have always known that there is something special about weeds. Natural, indigenous, resilient plants that arrive uninvited. We all know that spraying them to death with toxic chemicals, killing the rest of the … [Read more...]
Reverse-logistics recycling arrives in SA
What to do if there are no recycling facilities in your area? Since April this year, having your PET (clear plastic) beverage and water bottles recycled is as easy as shopping online. That is when you order your shopping online from Pick n Pay. Bronwen Rohland represents the retail category on the Petco board and is also Pick n Pay's Marketing and Sustainability … [Read more...]
Interested in a Green Career?
South Africa is committed to becoming a low carbon economy and to reducing our carbon emissions by 34% by 2020. The demand for skilled professionals in the carbon and energy sectors is rising. Predictions around job creation from these industries are very promising. The Greenpeace SA Energy Sector Jobs to 2030 report predicts that the opportunities offered by the renewable … [Read more...]
Permaculture fertility speaks of abundance
'Can man, using the forest as a model, design human habitats with the same complexity, stability & productivity as the life webs in the forest?' This question was asked in the 60's by Bill Mollison and David Holgrem from the University of Tasmania. They observed and studied life webs in the forest. Systems that continued to grow more and more stable and resilient the … [Read more...]