For the past 50 years, human activities have dramatically reduced biodiversity across the globe. We have, through our actions, extinguished our habitats and reduced populations of plants and wild animals by up to 60% so that today, our natural resources and the species on our planet are under threat – from us. In fact, the negative impact we have made is astounding. Just … [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...]
Civil society calls for protection of the Congo Basin peatlands
In a petition addressed to Multilateral Development Banks, Member States of the African Union, Member States of the United Nations, and donor countries and partners of the Central African Forest Initiative, the African Climate Reality Project is calling for world leaders to save the Congo basin peatlands from oil exploration and corruption. The Congo Basin, home to the … [Read more...]
Now for responsibly sourced till paper
While the till slip is a relatively insignificant bit of paper in the hands of a shopper, for retailers globally the scale of this paper consumption is huge. The heavyweight impact of Woolworths’ latest ‘responsibly sourced’ commodity announcement to replace their till slip paper with Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified paper involves 211 tonnes of paper per year. The … [Read more...]
Is the Marine Living Resources Act being enforced in South Africa?
“We are very concerned about the national state of fisheries management and over exploitation. This is a disturbing global trend which we see manifesting itself locally as well to the detriment of livelihoods and ecosystem functioning. We note the court action with regard to the West Coast Rock Lobster and trust that this will help bring sanity back into the management of … [Read more...]
Let’s support the plan to protect our dying oceans
Our oceans are collapsing, with vast disturbing dead areas reported to be expanding in the Pacific. But hope is also rising, with more ocean protected last year than ever before! This week could decide whether collapse or conservation wins the race. Scientists say if we conserve 30% of our oceans, that will be enough to regenerate the rest -- and this plan is actually on the … [Read more...]
Shopping in plastic land
Yesterday I posted a picture of lemons and oranges, each individually wrapped in plastic. I was not expecting such a huge response. 3,375,404 reached, 14,420 shares and 2,238 comments. People asked me where the photo was taken. It was in Southern France but it really does not matter, plastic is an issue around the globe. That is why Sea Shepherd is involved with the … [Read more...]
Pakistan needs 20% more forest for healthy environment
Pakistan needs to raise its forest cover from 5% to 25% to meet its economic, employment and green environment needs. So says Preston Institute of Management Science and Technology’s (PIMSAT) final year students of MBA Syeda Bushra Hasan, Mehwish Saqib and Dinsha Vania. Forests are the source of economic support, employment, oxygen generation, livestock grazing, furniture … [Read more...]
Say ‘no’ to food waste this festive season
The festive season, with all its glorious food is with us! The Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa (IWMSA) calls on all residents to be mindful of their food spend this time of year and gives some tips on composting organic waste. 9.04 million tonnes of food waste per year South Africa generates a staggering amount of approximately 9.04 million tonnes of food … [Read more...]
Threat of running out of oxygen due to warming oceans
Falling oxygen levels caused by global warming could be a greater threat to the survival of life on planet Earth than flooding, according to researchers from the University of Leicester. A study led by Sergei Petrovskii (pictured), Professor in Applied Mathematics from the University of Leicester’s Department of Mathematics, has shown that an increase in the water … [Read more...]
Green up communities with trees this Arbor Week
National Arbor Week is an opportune time to call on all South Africans to plant indigenous trees as a practical and symbolic gesture of sustainable environmental management. From 1 to 7 September every year, schools, businesses and organizations are encouraged to participate in community "greening" events to improve the health and beauty of the local environment and propose … [Read more...]
Plant trees with Greenpop this Arbour Month!
Each September since 1983, South Africa has celebrated Arbour Day, a holiday founded in the United States in 1872 to celebrate the importance of trees and their place in our national environment. From 1999 onward, South Africa extended the holiday to the whole first week of September, forming Arbour Week – and the nation now celebrates our trees for the entire month! This … [Read more...]
The rebirth of hope through reconnection
From the wintery depths of mental despair in the heart of poverty, comes the re-birth of hope through re-connection. “Lente-geur” means "the aroma of spring" and The Lentegeur Spring Festival will be opening the hospital to the public, for a few days in September to share the future that we will become! This future is the re-design of what a psychiatric hospital looks … [Read more...]
