Most legal systems define land as property – an asset owned either by private individuals, companies, the state, or in some cases, communities. Land is physical, tangible and real – part of Earth. However, ‘property’ is a legal construct that defines the abstract relationships which subjects (both the owner and non-owners) have to a thing. Legal systems recognise that … [Read more...]
Fracking: a dragon SA will not be able to tame
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment has released proposed regulations for onshore oil and gas exploration and production, including the use of hydraulic fracturing ("fracking"). Responding to the proposed regulations, Jonathan Deal, CEO of Treasure Karoo Action Group (TKAG) said that "The scale and magnitude of drilling and fracking operations have proven … [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...]
SA insurers polled over fracking risk
Treasure the Karoo Action Group (TKAG) and AfriForum have formally approached South African Insurers and the South African Insurance Association to clarify their policy on the unique risks presented by shale gas mining and ancillary activities. With the advent of new technology and shale gas mining spreading at a rapid pace in the United States, insurance providers are … [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...]
Editor’s note: Ditch the fossils?
If there is one time when this nation speaks with one voice it’s when we experience power cuts. We seem unified in our addiction to fossil fuels. Suddenly the complaints roll in from business, domestic, rich and poor alike. We can’t cook, we can’t run our factories, the aeroplanes are delayed. Chaos ensues. Of course we need power. We are dependent on Uncle Eskom and if he … [Read more...]
Shell moet antwoord oor hidrobreking – AfriForum
Die waghond vir burgerregte, AfriForum, is gekant teen en bekommerd oor die moontlike gevolge van skaliegasontginning in Suid-Afrika. Hierdie organisasie het ʼn brief aan RoyalDutch Shell en Shell (SA) gerig waarin die maatskappye uitgenooi is om met hulle in gesprek te tree oor verskeie vrae wat deur verteenwoordigers van gemeenskappe dwarsoor Suid-Afrika ingedien is, waarin … [Read more...]
Government publishes new fracking regulations
Our government seems determined to ensure that fracking for shale gas will happen in this country, despite years of resistance and much evidence of the dangers this action would hold for the environment and for our nation. This week the government published two proposed new laws regarding the environmental regulation of fracking, “which indicates commencement of such … [Read more...]
Minister Molewa urged to address fracking implications
The Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) considers the Minister’s decision to gazette the intention to declare fracking a controlled activity a portent of the risk fracking poses to our water resources in the greater Karoo. WESSA continues to urge the Government to exercise the precautionary principle enshrined in the National Environmental Management Act … [Read more...]
Global activists warn SA against fracking
European environmental activists have warned that the oil and gas industry “cuts corners” when drilling for shale gas through hydraulic fracturing. But once disaster occurred, the companies would then blame locally outsourced suppliers, they claimed. Friends of the Earth activist Darek Urbaniak from Poland said this during a meeting with Barry Wuganaale, the newly-elected … [Read more...]
Fracking activist wins international environmental prize
South African environmental campaigner Jonathan Deal was today awarded the Goldman Environmental Prize for his work in the fight against hydraulic fracturing in the Karoo. Each year, the Goldman Environmental Foundation selects grassroots activists from around the world to honour them for their work. With an individual cash prize of $150 000 (close on R1.5m), it is the … [Read more...]
Unlocking a green economy
Humans are making Earth unliveable with assaults on climate, topsoil, fisheries, biodiversity and other ecological systems, says Simon Zadek (pictured), a senior fellow at the Global Green Growth Institute in Seoul. Speaking at a panel discussion on the green economy at the University of Cape Town’s Graduate School of Business (GSB) in November, Zadek said that the world is … [Read more...]
Conference delegates cautioned not to rush into fracking
Speaking at the Southern Africa Oil & Gas Summit in Cape Town, Treasure Karoo Action Group (TKAG) Chair Jonathan Deal cautioned delegates not to rush into investment decisions around shale gas mining in South Africa. In an address that included what he described as a sample of the hurdles facing the proponents of shale gas mining in SA, Deal said that in the view of … [Read more...]
