As one of the world’s biggest carbon-emitters dependent on coal for 80% of its electricity, South Africa’s pivot to renewable energy, as part of a just transition, is imperative. Through its event for International Human Rights Day 'Accelerating a Just Transition through Human rights,' Earthlife Africa Johannesburg highlights the urgent need to recognise the intersection … [Read more...]
Waste reclaimers making an impact on Ermelo
Despite all odds and the challenges brought about by Covid-19, Johanna, the owner of Bophelo buy-back centre and her team of waste reclaimers were able to make grass-roots impact in Ermelo, by improving the lives and livelihood of community members while making a positive improvement on the environment. When Safripol in partnership with PETCO was announced as the winner of … [Read more...]
Rehabilitated leopards released at Mpumalanga game reserve
Leopard siblings Jack and Claudi began the adventure of their young lives when they were recently released into the wild at Nkomazi Private Game Reserve near eManzana (Badplaas) in southern Mpumalanga. The two animals were stolen from their den while they were still tiny cubs and offered for sale to illegal wildlife traffickers. Members of the Mpumalanga Parks and Tourism … [Read more...]
Youth programme helps to grow future leaders
The WILDTRUST, through the support and commitment of Nedbank is participating in the Youth Employment Services (YES) programme. This programme aims to reduce youth unemployment levels across South Africa by providing one-year quality work-placements aimed at affording practical and meaningful work experiences for unemployed youth between the ages of 18 and 29. Following the … [Read more...]
SA youth picket in Joburg for Earth Day
On Earth Day 2021, the Climate Justice Action Group (CJAG) held a picket demonstration outside Gauteng’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (GDARD) to call attention to the ongoing socio-environmental injustices that continue in South Africa. CJAG is a youth-based group facilitated by driven by Earthlife Africa Johannesburg to promote awareness of climate justice … [Read more...]
National award for Mpumalanga recycling initiative
A Mpumalanga recycling project has received acclaim for improving the lives and livelihoods of Ermelo community members while making a positive difference to the environment. When Johanna Leshabane launched Bophelo Recycling in 2007 after being retrenched, little did she know that her dream of fighting unemployment in her community would evolve into an award-winning … [Read more...]
Increased transparency needed in management of Cape baboons
In a recent letter to Cape Town Mayor Dan Plato, the Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute (SAFCEI) highlighted a number of its concerns regarding the City of Cape Town’s (CoCT) protocols in its management of baboons in the Cape Peninsula. The multi-faith NGO says that in recent years, members of the public have raised the alarm over aggressive baboon … [Read more...]
Millions of jobs up for grabs in renewable energy transition
At least 4.7 million jobs will be created by 2050 across energy sectors in Africa through a shift to renewable energy according to a new report released by Greenpeace today. The report shows the impressive benefits to employment of a Just Transition towards a 100% renewable energy supply - globally and across continents. This was released along with another report that presents … [Read more...]
Activists scale statues to protest deaths caused by air pollution
Activists from Greenpeace Africa scaled several iconic statues across Johannesburg and Pretoria this morning to demand action on air pollution. The activists fitted the statues with emergency gas masks to pressure the National Air Quality Officer to protect citizens’ right to clean air. Famous statues of the Mother with Child at Bree Taxi Rank, Brenda Fassie in Newtown, the … [Read more...]
Review of SA power utility reveals intentional deception
“Greenpeace Africa rejects with utter contempt Eskom's effort to downplay the massive health impacts of their noncompliance with air pollution legislation. Both decision-makers and the public deserve the truth. In the interests of millions of South Africans and our constitutional right to a healthy environment, no further postponements can be given to Eskom’s highly polluting … [Read more...]
Eskom cannot be given a new licence to kill
Greenpeace Africa has submitted comments to Naledzi Environmental Consultants opposing Eskom’s application for postponements and suspensions from complying with South Africa’s Minimum Emission Standards (MES). The MES, which are relatively weak, are designed to improve air quality in the country, but this has been significantly compromised by Eskom’s almost complete reliance on … [Read more...]
Spring heat wave hits South Africa
Southern hemisphere heat waves are back and the northeastern provinces are frying. The South African Weather Service has issued a heat wave warning for the northeastern provinces of Gauteng (which includes Johannesburg and Pretoria), Mpumalanga and Limpopo, which contains the Kruger National Park. Weather forecaster, Vanepia Phakula, said the warning continued through to … [Read more...]
Rural kids taught to love their environment
Children who have never seen wildlife struggle to draw pictures of them. This is in a rural township wedged between the affluent tourist regions of the Greater Kruger and the Blyde River Canyon. Even though they live in a world-renowned area for game viewing, they don’t comprehend concepts like loving nature, caring for wildlife and conserving its habitat. Luckily change … [Read more...]
