Preliminary Election 2019 results show that the African National Congress (ANC) has maintained its position as the country’s governing party despite the party’s lack of focus on the critical issues of our time – namely climate change and environmental degradation – in their manifesto. According to an environmental and social justice coalition, the ‘new’ government has the … [Read more...]
Mainstream climate response needed in all policy sectors
Fostering climate justice needs to be a priority at this election. Here is SAFCEI's summary of what our political parties say about climate change and hence how far we could trust them with our future: ANC DA EFF UDM COPE FF+ IFP GOOD Green Party ACDP SRWP It looks at the extent to which the political parties have serious plans to ensure … [Read more...]
How political parties plan to address climate change
“We urge South Africans to #VotefortheEnvironment when they head to the polls on 8 May. Citizens must choose leaders who recognise the urgency for climate change action and prioritises it in its policy agenda. We need a political party that stops protecting big business, but instead develops policies that will protect the environment, protect our workers and empower our … [Read more...]
R1 trillion can take all homeowners off the grid
I think one would need a referendum to spend R1,000,000,000,000. But my calculations show that for about R1 trillion one can take the entire homeowner load off the grid between 6am and 10pm. This is a MUCH better use of resources than spending this on a new nuclear plant with the help of Russia, says David Lipschitz, solar energy expert. And in this system no government … [Read more...]
Elections 2014 – who gets your green vote?
This week we will vote for the future of this country. If you are aware of climate change and other threats to our environment and therefore to our civilisation, it helps to take note of how the different parties plan to respond to these threats. What are they saying in their manifestos about: Energy and Climate change Water (services and resources) Mining and … [Read more...]