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...]
Opening the door to conservation cooperation
The signing of two important agreements at the residence of French Ambassador Mr. Aurélien Lechevallier, in Pretoria on 7 June, has opened the door to critical regional and inter-continental co-operation in the field of biodiversity. This will impact on spatial and development planning as well as policy making and open the door to critical peer-to-peer learning, said … [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...]
Shopping without plastic bags?
South Africa does not have a law banning plastic bags. However, to reduce littering and discourage customers from buying them, the plastic bag levy was increased in April by 50 percent to 12 cents per bag. SA department store chain Woolworths Holdings will be removing single-use plastic bags from one of its stores during a six-month trial period in a bid to end plastic … [Read more...]
‘No jobs on a dead planet’ says Kumi
"Preparing for the 22nd Century, Environmentally" was a talk held by Greenpeace Executive Director Kumi Naido at the Cornerstone Institute in Cape Town recently. Kumi said that faith communities must come to terms with the inconvenient and uncomfortable truth that without the involvement of faith communities, we won’t be able turn around catastrophic climate change. There … [Read more...]
Small Arctic water bodies emit greenhouse gasses
Carbon and hot gaseous emissions from small water bodies in the Arctic continental shelf have emerged as a major cause of concern, more worrying than the speed of thawing Arctic glaciers. Having spent 20 years studying water bodies formed when permafrost thaws, a team of Russian scientists have found that these thermokarst lakes are sources of carbon dioxide and hot methane … [Read more...]
Archbishop Thabo calls for worldwide climate justice prayer
The Primate of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, Archbishop Thabo Makgoba, has called on Anglicans everywhere to join Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Lutheran and other Christians in a World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation on 1 September. The first day of September has become a significant date for Christians caring for the environment. The Orthodox Church has … [Read more...]
Join the climate fast
Elma Pollard and the Green Times has joined the Climate Fast on the first day of every month to stand with thousands of others fasting for action on climate change. A growing movement of youth, environmentalists and people of faith are showing their strength of commitment by going without food once a month to call for world leaders to do more to solve the climate crisis. Why … [Read more...]
Matadors wave their red rags in our energy arena
Spanish energy companies are dominating the alternative energy bullring as South Africa gears up to deliver wind and solar energy to power the future of our country. Elma interviewed the Spanish Consul, Sr. Ignatius (pictured) to find out how this happened: I am very interested in the presence of so many new Spanish alternative energy companies in SA. How did that come … [Read more...]
Capetonians protest the oil
A group of concerned Capetonians, in partnership with the NPO Climate Justice Campaign, gathered for a protest at the 18th Africa Oil Week At the Africa Oil Week, various heads of state, multinational oil and gas companies and other interested parties will discuss such topics as 'The Scramble for Africa' and 'Africa's Oil and Gas Future', including shale gas … [Read more...]
Stellenbosch Organic Farmers’ Market
'Just to be is a blessing, just to live is holy, a famous rabbi once said. It was one of those days, sky-blue and bounding with life, when I drove out to Stellenbosch to visit the Organic Farmers Market. The first thing I smelled was vanilla pods; the first thing I tasted was freshly juiced carrot and ginger. How much of life lies in the details, in getting off the train track … [Read more...]
Best organic wine in French challenge
Waverley Hills was awarded not only a gold medal for their Shiraz Mourvèdre Viognier 2009 but also snatched the Best Organic Wine - Southern Hemisphere award at the 2011 Challenge International du Vin. This challenge was held for the 35th time in Bourg (Bordeaux, France) on 8 and 9 April 2011. During the competition, 4624 wines from 35 countries were judged by 768 tasters, … [Read more...]
