Although migration to urban centres has a long history, an increasing number of rural people are being attracted to cities by the potential for jobs and a better life overall. In fact, this increasing migration is accelerating the need for digital transformation, as municipalities face growing pressure to ensure their cities are safe, smart and sustainable. There can be … [Read more...]
Artists and environmentalists start conversation about conservation
Art has a key role to play in supporting and promoting conservation, particularly in Southern Africa. This was the core premise of a thought-provoking event called “Art and Conservation – a Southern African Dialogue” held at the Alliance Française in Johannesburg on 15 June. The event showcased a photographic exhibition and the work of contemporary South African artist, … [Read more...]
Improving water security in the uMkhomazi catchment
When the community members of Nzinga requested assistance with the clearing of alien vegetation to improve access for their livestock for grazing purposes, the Sappi-WWF partnership saw this as a great fit for the work being done in the uMkhomazi catchment to improve water security in the area. As a result, a team of 10 individuals has been identified, appointed, and trained … [Read more...]
Groundwater: protecting SA’s ‘invisible resource’
Groundwater is a critical resource to the world. In fact, it provides almost half of all drinking water worldwide, not to mention about 40% of water for irrigated agriculture and about 1/3 of water required for industry. More than this, it is also crucial in sustaining ecosystems, maintaining the base flow of rivers and even in preventing land subsidence and seawater … [Read more...]
Court stops Amazon-backed development on sacred land
The R4.5-billion development at the River Club site in Observatory has been stopped, with a court ruling that the developers must “consult meaningfully” with all affected people. The interim interdict granted by Western Cape deputy judge president Patricia Goliath, will remain in place pending a review of the relevant environmental land use authorisations for the development … [Read more...]
Small-scale fishers hopeful for a court ruling to stop seismic surveys
Small-scale fishers from communities in the West Coast – joined by The Green Connection – were back in court Thursday to finally put a stop to Searcher’s seismic blasting of the west and south-west coast of South Africa. The Western Cape High Court heard arguments to decide if the ban – which took effect on 7 February when the Honourable Justice Thulare directed Searcher to … [Read more...]
Oxfam cautions against mining in Lower Zambezi
Oxfam in Southern Africa has expressed concern over the ongoing and highly controversial Lower Zambezi National Park (LZNP) mining saga and cautions the Zambian government on the move to proceed with mining activity in the national park. On 31st January 2022, media reports cited the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment as having indicated that the embattled open-pit … [Read more...]
New fashion pact promotes responsible renewable fibre sourcing
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) launched its Fashion Forever Green Pact today; a call to immediate action for the fashion industry—brands, retailers and manufacturers alike—to adopt responsible sourcing in support of the world’s forests. With the rising need for renewable and sustainable fibres in recent years, man-made cellulosic fibres (MMCFs) have become the fastest … [Read more...]
California frogs proposed for species protection
In response to a Center for Biological Diversity petition and lawsuit, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed Endangered Species Act protection for four populations of foothill yellow-legged frogs in the Sierra Nevada and central and Southern California. This stream-dwelling frog species has disappeared from more than 50% of its historic habitat in the state. “At … [Read more...]
Lawsuit to protect polar bears from Arctic oil exploration
The Center For Biological Diversity has filed a formal notice of intent to sue the U.S. Department of the Interior and Bureau of Land Management for failing to protect imperilled polar bears from an oil exploration project in the Western Arctic. “Every new oil well in the Arctic is another step toward the polar bear’s extinction,” said Kristen Monsell, a senior attorney at … [Read more...]
Illuminating the role of light in disease risk
Light dictates life. It was this idea that Dr Bernard Coetzee pondered over cups of tea with fellow ecologists when the possible connection between light and infectious disease clicked. “Artificial light is really interesting and it’s really scary – it’s doing things to the environment that we just don’t think about,” says Coetzee. Coetzee is a global change scientist. In … [Read more...]
Concern grows over mega-polluting MMSEZ project
As the world prepares for COP26 (starting on 31 October 2021 in Glasgow Scotland), a small community in the far north of Limpopo province grow increasingly concerned about the potentially devastating impacts of the proposed Musina-Makhado Special Economic Zone (MMSEZ) mega-project. The women of the Mulambwane Community – about one hundred of whom held a peaceful … [Read more...]
Campaign opposes Liesbeek River Valley development
On Youth Day, 16 June, we not only remember South Africa’s painful past, but also imagine what heritage we want to leave to future generations. Right now, we are witnessing the threatened destruction of a site of deep remembrance of our past, the ‘sacred’ land on which the Khoi-Khoin resisted colonisation for well over a century. The City of Cape Town gave the green light … [Read more...]
