“Bioplastics” is a term that frequently arises in the media and public domain, and is often touted as the answer to the plastic pollution problem. Unfortunately, the term is often incorrectly used to describe a few different concepts, which can create a lot of confusion in the marketplace. Plastics can be made from either fossil-based (derived from petrochemicals) or … [Read more...]
Community re-imagined in a social VR World
The annual Nature, Environment & Wildlife Filmmakers (NEWF) Congress will take place in a real-time virtual world from 25 – 30 October. NEWF adapted to the reality of the times and have created a truly virtual congress. Delegates will represent themselves as Avatars, and literally interact, engage and network with other delegates and speakers at the … [Read more...]
Sustainable seafood restaurant comes to Claremont
Despite the challenges facing the food and beverage industry as a result of COVID-19, The Poké Co founder, Andrew Flanagan has just opened his fourth store. Poké Co Claremont opened at 12 Dreyer Street on the 14th August 2020. To celebrate its launch, Poké Co gave away 100 free poke bowls in just one hour – the response was incredible and the queue extended the length of the … [Read more...]
Women in conservation share their experiences
This month as we celebrate women in South Africa, we take a look at a sector that is demonstrating exceptional transformation to the benefit of the whole country. According to The World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Index, gender parity in the workforce will not be attained for 99.5 years. But in the conservation sector women are active agents of conservation and … [Read more...]
Women need to stand together to address environmental issues
The threats to our natural environment, along with the uncertainty it brings, most significantly affects South Africa’s women. In a spirited and inspiring online Women’s Month event (held earlier this month), Earthlife Africa Johannesburg – along with partners Gender CC Southern Africa-Women for Climate Justice, Greenpeace Africa and the Africa Coal Network – joined women from … [Read more...]
Belgian green parties introduce bill to make ecocide a crime
The Belgian Ecolo-Groen (Eco-Green) parties have been quick to seize the moment to propose establishing the crime of ‘Ecocide” in Belgium and in the wider international community, following French president Emmanuel Macron’s recent statement in support of making ecocide a crime. Belgian eco-green parties, in consultation with French legal expert and Stop Ecocide associate … [Read more...]
The effect of wireless technology on health
Digital and wireless devices have provided many benefits. However, we are now realizing that the rapid adoption of this novel technology has not been accompanied by adequate regulation, monitoring or safety precautions. Widespread use of digital media and near constant exposure to wireless devices has caused increasing concern among scientists, health care professionals, … [Read more...]
The difference between sanitizing and disinfecting
Do you know the difference between sanitizing and disinfecting? Sanitising refers to cleaning one’s hands in order to reduce the number of potential pathogens that could be transmitted to others. Disinfecting refers to killing pathogens on surfaces, which may require chemicals harmful to humans, animals and the environment. Do you know what is in the hand sanitizers … [Read more...]
Pilot programme boost for recycling sector reeling from lockdown
A unique recycling pilot programme in Joburg has delivered welcome results for a sector brought to its knees by the coronavirus lockdown, with informal reclaimers now returning to work after months of enforced quarantine. Data shows how the programme not only boosted the city’s recycling rates and the number of households which actively recycle, but also created much-needed … [Read more...]
Lockdown gives dive operators time to rethink sustainability
The world is at a standstill to flatten the Covid-19 curve, a pause that has been especially devastating to the travel industry. But for some marine tourism operators in Indonesia and Malaysia, the lockdown has inspired new innovations. The picturesque Ceningan Divers Resort in Bali, Indonesia—though closed for guests since March 19—has set up an online education portal … [Read more...]
Nature must be protected to reduce the risk of future pandemics
There is a single species that is responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic - us. As with the climate and biodiversity crises, recent pandemics are a direct consequence of human activity – particularly our global financial and economic systems, based on a limited paradigm that prizes economic growth at any cost. We have a small window of opportunity, in overcoming the challenges of … [Read more...]
Earth Day 2020 goes digital
Between the global pandemic and social distancing, Earth Day 2020 is going to look different than it ever has before, as many of us will be tuning into celebrations through a virtual screen or a socially distanced walk. With COVID-19 disrupting all semblance of normalcy and routine in the world, the organizers of Earth Day’s 50th anniversary celebration ditched their usual … [Read more...]
City asks residents to help spot Cape Dwarf Chameleon
The City of Cape Town is encouraging residents to keep a special eye out for the Cape Dwarf Chameleon, which is classified as a vulnerable species. This will assist the City in tracing where these chameleons occur. With the onset of autumn, these chameleons, also known as Trapsuutjies in Afrikaans, should be delivering offspring ahead of the rains, which usually occur around … [Read more...]
