One voice can change the world. South Africa is no stranger to the power of public participation in shaping society. But the country and the world now face an unprecedented challenge: the climate crisis. If left unchecked, it will destroy ecosystems and livelihoods, hurting the poorest and most vulnerable people. It is the fifth anniversary of the Paris Climate Agreement on … [Read more...]
Eco-friendly charcoal production to boost SA’s water security
The global outcry against the use of braai charcoal produced from rainforest trees, which leads to devastating forest degradation primarily in South American and African countries, is boosting the demand and production of eco-friendly charcoal certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). The eco-friendly charcoal is made from ideally suited hardwood invasive alien … [Read more...]
Bringing nature back to KwaNobhule
Greening the Community is a collaborative project between Indalo Nursery, Community Conservation Fund Africa and the Wilderness Foundation Africa. It aims to bring nature back to the KwaNobhule township but also to encourage residents to green the space in which they live, their community and ultimately their country and planet. The pivot behind the project is John … [Read more...]
Latest oil spill further evidence of fossil fuels’ destructive risks
The arrival of the Deepsea Stavanger oil drilling rig in Cape Town yesterday has many people concerned about the risks that come along with it, especially as the current oil spill disaster in Mauritius (SA’s backyard, photographed to the right) continues to wreak havoc. It is with this in mind that The Green Connection – an NGO working to support and empower local communities … [Read more...]
Eliminating marine pollution with innovative design
Finalists in the Commonwealth Litter Programme (CLIP) STOMP Awards have been announced. The STOMP (Stamp Out Marine Plastic Pollution) Awards made a call out in October for South Africans to enter ideas and solutions that could reduce, or eliminate plastic pollution, which ultimately ends up in the ocean destroying habitats, and endangering marine species. Over 60 entries … [Read more...]
Big potential benefits from restoring spekboom thicket ecosystems
When the goats on his farm had nothing more to eat, the soil had eroded and most of the vegetation had been destroyed, South African farmer Pieter Kruger had to make one of the toughest decisions of his life. “I have always been a farmer,” he says, “but that moment in 2007, I knew that I could not go on. There was no more water. Zandvlakte is the last farm in our valley in the … [Read more...]
Team effort needed to conserve South Africa’s natural heritage
In three recent papers, South African biologists and environmentalists have listed pertinent research priorities for the next decade. These could help steer the protection of the country's plant and animal wealth, and that of the Cape Floristic Region in particular. The authors believe that the priorities set out could go a long way in addressing key threats raised in the … [Read more...]
Getting the youth ready to face environmental challenges
Delta Environmental Centre (DEC) trained 37 trainers in April after it was appointed one of the training service providers for the Mass Training programme (DMT) of the department of environmental affairs which is part of the department’s Environmental Protection and Infrastructure Programmes (EPIP). DEC will be responsible for Project Management and Training implementation … [Read more...]
Cool clean tech to tackle climate change
South African entrepreneurs are taking climate change seriously: Water filters made from macadamia nut shells, a mobile solar-powered kiosk for charging phones in off-grid areas, vegetable growing systems using recycled plastic bags, and a machine that turns any type of waste into energy (gas) or diesel. At the SEED South Africa Symposium held in Pretoria recently, … [Read more...]
South African walker hopes to raise animal abuse awareness
If you could carry all your belongings in a backpack, what would you take? Keegan Horn was working in the film industry, where he saw the world focused on a materialistic lifestyle. A world he didn't want to be a part of. He knew he wanted to do something more meaningful and for a cause that was close to him. He embarked on a trip to Hogsback to reflect about his beloved … [Read more...]
Xolobeni community fights to stop Wild Coast titanium mining
On the 23rd to the 24th of April, a historic court case for mining-affected communities took place at the North Gauteng High Court in Tshwane. The Amadiba Crisis Committee, represented by their lawyers Richard Spoors Inc. and the Legal Resources Centre, took the Department of Mineral Resources to court in an attempt to get a declaratory order that would prevent proposed … [Read more...]
SA’s plan for renewable energy zones
Solar panels and wind turbines have sprung up like wild flowers across South Africa and by 2030 will be clustered into renewable energy zones known as REDZes. In the first eight of these zones‚ the renewable industry has already revitalised towns. A solar valley developed in the Northern Cape has brought billions of rand in investment‚ jobs‚ expertise and Spanish food to the … [Read more...]
Search is on for Eastern Cape’s greenest organisation
The prestigious Eastern Cape Top Green Organisation Awards is open! Organisations operating in the province are encouraged to enter and flex their green mettle. The awards programme, which aims to promote responsible environmental management is organised by the Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa (IWMSA) in collaboration with Eastern Cape Department of Economic … [Read more...]
