In an acclaimed new book being launched Wednesday in London, American public interest attorney Steven Druker reveals how the US government and leading scientific institutions have systematically misrepresented the facts about GMOs and the scientific research that casts doubt on their safety. The book, Altered Genes, Twisted Truth, features a foreword by the renowned … [Read more...]
African women gather to say ‘no’ to coal
Women, grassroots activists and leaders recently gathered in Johannesburg for a Southern African exchange on "Women stand their ground against Big Coal". Coal kills people, Coal destroys health and community well-being, Coal devastates land, water and ecosystems and Coal is destroying our planet. These are the conclusions of more than fifty women, grassroots activists and … [Read more...]
Real food for health is green and sustainable
Far be it from me to climb onto a bandwagon – as greenies we set rather than follow trends. I do believe in always keeping an open mind, though, and not judging anything until I have first-hand experience. So when I heard about banting earlier this year and the tremendous health benefits reported, I had to find out more. Of course reading the book was not enough for me, I … [Read more...]
Buy local this festive season
This festive season is likely to be another 'big spender' for South African consumers – how you spend that money can make a positive impact on the country and its people. You can walk into any shop at the moment and get the message: this is the season when we spend it. In fact, South Africans spend almost twice as much money in December than during any other month of the … [Read more...]
Lake Malawi’s dwindling fish stocks threaten livelihoods
A combination of overfishing and the use of illegal fishing gear has seen fish stocks in Lake Malawi dwindle to the point that local people's livelihoods and food security are now under threat. Not so long ago, scores of women and girls carrying baskets full of fish flocked to commuter buses at bus stops and police checkpoints along the lakeshore roads trying to coax … [Read more...]
Consumer action group tackles supermarket greenwashing
It seems as if the 'world of difference' slogan of a popular retailer increases sales, but does not stand up to scrutiny. The consumer action group, Grass, has Woolworths in its sights again for ‘misleading marketing claims and labeling’ on organic, free-range and GMO-free food products. Woolworths esd criticised before for sale of GMO ‘Frankenfoods’. Grass says … [Read more...]
Eating the suburbs, one backyard at a time
Nothing inspires me more than the idea of turning my garden into a sustainable food forest, which could potentially feed my family long after my departure to greener fields. Some years ago we shared a video of such a 300 year old family forest in Indonesia and that was just the spark I needed. “Forest gardening is a low-maintenance sustainable plant-based food production and … [Read more...]
Platinum medal a first for organic wine
When a local organic wine shows the world stage what we are capable of, there is every reason to raise a glass in a special toast. Waverley Hills organically certified SMV (Shiraz Mourvedre Viognier) 2010 won a platinum award, their MCC 2011 won Gold, and they also scooped Best Organic Trophy at this year’s Michelangelo Awards. The 18th Michelangelo Awards had a record … [Read more...]
India ozone pollution kills enough crops to feed millions
Millions of tons of India’s major crops get damaged yearly due to air pollution – leaving a third of the country’s impoverished people short on nutrition, a joint US-India study reveals. In the space of just one year, ozone pollution has deprived the Indian economy of millions of tons of wheat, rice, soybean and cotton – the country’s main crops. Losses of $1.29 billion … [Read more...]
Green goes platinum for cool hotel
When a local green hotel receives the honour of becoming the first Elite Platinum building on the African continent, there is cause for celebration. A celebration which we were happy to share, inspired by a range of magnificent green tweaks which confirms that indeed the world is changing and all the hard work in the green industry is not in vain. Hotel Verde also … [Read more...]
Tasty tales from the Overberg
Environmentalist film production and media agency Green Renaissance has recently closed shop in Cape Town and moved to a tiny off-grid home in the Overberg, along the Cape's South Coast. They continue to produce the most creative short films on topics related to sustainable living, which we will be sharing with your regularly. Here are two from their new series of … [Read more...]
Feeding the masses staple GM bread
Local food companies had been hiding high genetically modified organism (GMO) content behind the “may contain GMOs” label. This might soon come to an end with possible changes to labelling regulations, the African Centre for Biosafety (ACB) said last week. In terms of the current Consumer Protection Act, food producers, importers and packagers are required to label food … [Read more...]
Russia requests international GMO watchdog
Russian lawmakers advocate creation of an international UN agency not only to strictly control the turnover of GMO products worldwide, but with a top priority mission to scrutinize how consuming GMO foods would affect human health in the long run. Aggressive distribution of GMO worldwide is raising huge concerns for human health, said Russian Federation Council speaker … [Read more...]
