As someone who worked in environmental campaigning and then organizational change, I learned about the role of hope and vision in helping to align and motivate people. As someone who worked at the heart of political communications during the 2017 UK General Election campaign, I’m also aware of the power of a positive narrative when told well, consistently and authentically. In … [Read more...]
Institutions of higher learning should churn out green activists
University campuses should address climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and integrate sustainability into their curricula to benefit students and help create a thriving, modern community. That was the message of the fifth annual African Green Campus Initiative Conference, which saw students, academics and environmentalists coming from universities all over South … [Read more...]
Solar PV training coming to North West
Next month beginners and those who want to explore PV technology in the North West can join introductory training at the University of Pothefstroom. SUNCybernetics will be hosting its solar PV introductory training course at the Solar Training Center of SA, North West University, Potchefstroom on Thursday, 25 September 2014, from 10h00 to 16h00 at a cost of R1,500-00 per … [Read more...]
Miss Earth SA stationery drive uplifts 9000 learners
In addition to the over 7,000 learners whose lives were changed by the initial stationery distribution, which took place on 12, 13 and 14 February, Miss Earth South Africa this week joined forces with Caxton South Newspaper Marketing Department to touch the lives of an additional 2,000 learners in Thokoza and Johannesburg South. Thanks to the donations of corporate sponsors … [Read more...]
Changing behaviour demands re-minding a generation
In order to change the behaviour patterns of our communities we need to change the mind-set of a generation. These were the words by Cheri Scholtz, CEO of PETCO, who has worked hard this year to help reduce waste in schools, increase recycling awareness, to create cleaner spaces for the learners and communities and impart the culture of caring for the environment. One of … [Read more...]
Keeping the ball rolling for youth soccer
Learners aged 10 to 12 have enjoyed the annual Masidlale soccer clinics designed to integrate children from all walks of life through a fun-filled, interactive sporting experience. During 2005, in the build-up to the 2010 Soccer World Cup, Spur Foundation identified the need for a platform that would introduce disadvantaged children to the game of soccer, while … [Read more...]
Conservation scores a goal through soccer
Conservation is scoring through a soccer-based education programme for grade five learners whose neighbours are the big five nature and game reserves in the Eastern Cape. Girls and boys from 13 schools in and around Grahamstown are being taught to “stalk like a leopard, change direction quickly like a rhino or run like a cheetah,” says conservationist and educationist Lesley … [Read more...]
Citizen scientists monitor change for early warnings
‘Science by the people, for the people,’ the role of citizen scientists is one of the chapters in a new book launched on International Biodiversity Day during a celebratory day at Kirstenbosch. This is also the space into which the Green Times fits – translating into ordinary language and spreading important life-sustaining science by the people, for the people. Our … [Read more...]
More than a camp, it’s an experience
Sleep in sturdy tents with carpeted floors and thick mattresses, eat heartily from the gas and electricity supplied camp kitchen and clean up in the tented hot water showers and flush loos... and that's just the beginning Camp Africa's programmes include mountain walks, rock climbing for beginners, interpretive nature trails that unlock the secrets of Africa's geological … [Read more...]
Sustainability: the next great leadership challenge
The concept of sustainability has been on corporate agendas for over a decade. The notion of People, Profit and Planet has been the basis for triple bottom line reporting for most listed companies for many years. However, in most cases the focus has been on compliance, whether directly in respect of legislation or indirectly whereby companies recognise the social need for a … [Read more...]
World Water Monitoring Day in Sekhukhune
Sebope Primary School is located in the Sekhukhune District of Limpopo Province approximately 36 km from Burgersfort. The school is in its third year with the WESSA/WWF Eco-Schools programme in Limpopo province which is funded by De Beers. Water is a scarce commodity in this area and with populations growing and mining expanding it is essential that quality is maintained and … [Read more...]
To pollute or not to pollute
William Shakespeare has proven it to us countless times; theatre is a great way of teaching a community to bring about change. Ten high school learners from Walmer Township near Port Elizabeth have helped develop a play that illustrates the dangers of pollution using physical theatre, puppetry and improvisational theatre. Leave a legacy, not a mess, developed with the help … [Read more...]
Training programme promotes waste consciousness
The City of Cape Town's WasteWise Community Training Programme continues to yield facilitators to promote waste consciousness and encourage action in their communities. On Friday 13 May a further 9 facilitators were presented with certificates at a ceremony at the Mary Ward Centre in Strand. WasteWise, a public educational platform of the City of Cape Town Solid Waste … [Read more...]
