This week, as South Africa adjusts to the eased of restrictions of lockdown Level 1, more people are likely to travel domestically again, many heading to SA’s economic hub for business. According to Earthlife Africa Johannesburg’s Makoma Lekalakala, “Many South Africans do not know that Johannesburg, the country’s largest city, is also the most radioactive city on the … [Read more...]
Africa’s efforts towards eradicating plastics
The ongoing global movement for eliminating plastics is gaining momentum in Africa. Several countries are now taking steps to eliminate the production and distribution of single-use plastics, some adopting a total ban on the production and use of plastic bags. Cameroon, Egypt, Eritrea, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritania, Morocco, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa and Tanzania have taken the … [Read more...]
Experts flay Nigeria’s dalliance with coal
Nigeria’s decision to adopt coal as alternative source of generating electricity has attracted several reactions among industry players over the long term health and environmental effects on host communities. The stakeholders who gathered on Tuesday in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, to brainstorm the preferred energy mix for the country raised worrisome questions, particularly … [Read more...]
Nigeria joins the world climate march
Climate Change is a matter of justice. The world’s most vulnerable people have done the least to cause global warming and yet they are suffering most from its devastating efforts. Climate Change threatens to undermine progress on fighting poverty and hunger. It is still possible to make a difference but we have to act quickly. The momentum to galvanize positive actions to … [Read more...]
Finding the real Africa
In 2005, Binyavanga Wainaina published a brilliantly sarcastic essay in Granta called “How to Write About Africa,” advising people on how to sound spiritual and compassionate while writing a book about the continent. “Always use the word ‘Africa’ or ‘Darkness’ or ‘Safari’ in your title,” Wainaina advised. “Never have a picture of a well-adjusted African on the cover of your … [Read more...]
UNESCO publishes climate change guidebook for journalists
African media can and should do more to tell the story of climate change, observes a new UNESCO publication, titled Climate Change in Africa: A Guidebook for Journalists. “This guidebook is part of UNESCO’s overall effort to raise awareness of the interdisciplinary core of climate change, and how journalists can reflect that in their practices”, says Fackson Banda, UNESCO … [Read more...]
Let’s keep the farmers informed
Investing in agriculture over the past two decades has proven to be a sound strategy for some, but not all regions have flourished as a vicious cycle of extreme poverty and a poor understanding of market finance have stunted economic prospects in many low and middle-income countries. Africa may be on the verge of a major economic transformation but some of the greatest … [Read more...]
Zuma urges return to the land
South African president Jacob Zuma urged millions of South Africans to return to the land as a way to augment income and reduce food insecurity. Speaking in late October at a dinner hosted by the recently-launched African Farmers Association of South Africa, Zuma said his government would continue to promote food gardens and other types of subsistence agriculture for people to … [Read more...]
New report exposes devastating land grabbing
The rapid global expansion and acceleration of the extractive industries presents an unprecedented & devastating land grabbing threat, claims a new report, launched in Westminster today. The Gaia Foundation’s report, Opening Pandora’s Box – A New Wave of Land Grabbing by the Extractive Industries and the Devastating Impact on Earth has been produced in collaboration with … [Read more...]
Women at the forefront of the energy revolution
Access to cleaner, more affordable energy for their people is a current priority for many African nations. 70 participants from 13 African Nations - policy makers as well as representatives from business and civil society - discussed the topic of renewable energy at an international conference from 30 June to 1 July in the Nigerian capital of Abuja. In sessions on policy, … [Read more...]
Power Kick for Africa
It feels as though the world closed ranks in June, united by the universal love for football. The World Future Council was in the middle of it, with the 'Power Kick for Africa' project keeping many of the staff on their toes. To promote the use of renewable energy in Africa, we organized a policy workshop in Ghana's capital Accra. Also, a World Cup public viewing powered by … [Read more...]
Hydropower conference explores additional energy source
'Sustainable hydropower as a feasible solution to Africa's energy need' is the focus of the Hydropower Africa Conference happening at Emperor's Palace in Johannesburg from 16 to 20 August. A bright future lies ahead for hydropower in Africa as a critical component of Africa's energy mix. The resource uses proven technology and is easily accessible across the … [Read more...]
Turning plastic bottles into homes in Nigeria
A house constructed from recycled plastic bottles has been built in Kaduna State, Nigeria. The house has been built using earth-filled plastic bottle 'bricks' and mud. The three-room structure is so sturdy that it could stand for thousands of years. Plastic bottles take hundreds years to biodegrade in landfill. In Nigeria millions of plastic bottles are dumped into … [Read more...]
