Following the devastating impact which the Covid-19 pandemic has had on South Africa and the world, governments, corporates, and citizens collaborate to focus on a green economic recovery. This is a result of the pandemic being inextricably intertwined with global environmental issues such as biodiversity loss, climate change, air and water pollution. The South African … [Read more...]
Providing clean, safe water to protect human health
The provision of safe water, sanitation and hygienic conditions is essential for protecting human health during all infectious disease outbreaks including COVID-19. SANEDI (South African National Energy and Development Institute) is partnering with the Department of Defence (DoD) for a Water Treatment Works project at the SANDF Air Force Base in Hoedspruit in the Maruleng … [Read more...]
Driving water conservation through adjusted pricing models
South Africa remains under pressure when it comes to efficient water use and conservation, where limited supply is increasingly stressed by rising demand, aged and insufficient infrastructure and lack of consumer awareness. South Africa is rated as the 39th driest country in the world, receiving only half the average annual rainfall that the rest of the world can expect. … [Read more...]
Global day of protest planned against 5G rollout
While the media’s attention with regard to environmental issues has been captured by climate change, fracking, and plastics in the ocean, the 5G Space Appeal has been has been quietly making its way around the world. Signed by 4,800 scientists, 2,800 medical doctors, 770 beekeepers, 2,000 environmental organizations, and 180,000 others from 202 countries and territories, … [Read more...]
Youth Entrepreneurship Programme boosts budding farmers
Nine budding farmers from around the country have made the cut as finalists in the SAB Urban Agriculture / Youth Entrepreneurship Programme. It seeks to have young people identify and invest in hydroponic technology and transform it into thriving farming businesses. Each of the finalists will receive training and investment to grow their farms. In October 2019, Stats … [Read more...]
Working together for a world without plastic waste
Each year, millions of people around the world are encouraged to refuse single-use plastics as part of “Plastic Free July”. According to the organisers of this campaign, their aim and vision is to see a world without plastic waste. The global plastics industry say they have been advocating and working towards these same goals for the past 25 years. “We are the first to … [Read more...]
New conference seeks ways to make roads safer for wildlife
It is likely that many drivers have, at some point, accidentally hit an animal on the road. The consequences? Not only an injured or dead animal, but probably an insurance claim, or a visit to the emergency room for various injuries. At the inaugural African Conference for Linear Infrastructure and Ecology (ACLIE) 2019, which was held this past week in the iconic Kruger … [Read more...]
Ring-fence the plastic bag levy to fight plastic pollution
Nobody is more disgusted at plastic pollution than those of us who work in the plastics industry. It is distressing to see our products washed up on beaches and littering the landscape. But the call to ban plastic products is a simplistic response to a complex problem. What’s required is a rational solution to the genuine crisis of plastic pollution, not an emotional … [Read more...]
Coalition calls on AfDB to commit to 100% renewable future
In a bid to have Africa commit to 100% renewable energy and to increase transparency in the continent’s energy sector, Zero – a coalition campaign between climate change volunteers and Non-Profit Organisations (NGOs) around the continent – was launched yesterday on the side-lines of the African Development Bank’s (AfDB) Africa Investment Forum in Johannesburg, South … [Read more...]
Ecological Infrastructure for Water Security project launched in Joburg
The Minister of Environmental Affairs Dr Edna Molewa and the Minister of Water and Sanitation Gugile Nkwinti will be at the launch of an $7.2 million (approximately R90 million) worth Ecological Infrastructure for Water Security project in Johannesburg on Thursday, 31 May 2018. This five year investment from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) together with considerable … [Read more...]
No accounting for water millions while poor KZN residents struggle
While thousands of residents in rural northern KwaZulu-Natal struggle daily to get water, the Umkhanyakude municipality has squandered nearly R1-billion, some of it earmarked for water projects. Auditor-General Kimi Makwetu has slated the district municipality in a report leaked to The Times. Among the findings are that the municipality did not know the location of … [Read more...]
Minister calls for urgent Industry Waste Management Plans
Specific waste producers must submit their Waste Management Plans within the next 3 months and existing producers must register with the Minister of Environmental Affairs within 30 days of a new notice published in the Government Gazette. On 12 August 2016, the Minister of Environmental Affairs, Mrs Edna Molewa published a notice to the Paper and Packaging; Electrical and … [Read more...]
India making waves in offshore wind energy
In the last few months there is a movement afoot in India to speed up the development of wind energy projects and open up the offshore wind sector. This shows from the government’s decision to continue with policies such as Accelerated Depreciation (AD) and Generation-Based Incentive (GBI) – along with its plans to launch the Wind Energy Mission. In what can be seen as a … [Read more...]
