South Africa’s democracy is a combination of a representative and participatory democracy, meaning we elect our representatives to govern our country on our behalf, but that public participation is entrenched as a crucial element in South Africa’s Constitution to ensure our growing democracy reflects the will of the people. Through public participation, South African … [Read more...]
Mainstream climate response needed in all policy sectors
Fostering climate justice needs to be a priority at this election. Here is SAFCEI's summary of what our political parties say about climate change and hence how far we could trust them with our future: ANC DA EFF UDM COPE FF+ IFP GOOD Green Party ACDP SRWP It looks at the extent to which the political parties have serious plans to ensure … [Read more...]
Green Party aims for harmony between humans and the environment
The Green Party of South Africa is standing for the Western Cape provincial elections this year. The party's core goal is to have humans live in harmony with each other and our environment. It is an ideology shared to some level by every citizen of this country – from those who wish they could end poverty for others, or for themselves, end animal cruelty, etc. and for those … [Read more...]
SA’s Green Party: educating to empower
The Green Party of South Africa's manifesto is inspired by the fundamental right of justice to all, as manifested in the values that are shared by Green Movements around the Globe. In particular, the Ten Key Values of the Green Committees of Correspondence, as applied to the unique South African political, social and economic environment. 1. A System that Works It is a … [Read more...]
Elections 2014 – who gets your green vote?
This week we will vote for the future of this country. If you are aware of climate change and other threats to our environment and therefore to our civilisation, it helps to take note of how the different parties plan to respond to these threats. What are they saying in their manifestos about: Energy and Climate change Water (services and resources) Mining and … [Read more...]
Rio+20 an epic fail, say civil society groups
As Rio+20 came to a close earlier this week, civil society groups from across the globe were quick to condemn world leaders - particularly from rich countries - for failing to live up to their promises or offer new vision. "Just like in climate negotiations, the EU dresses up its own economic interests as ambitious new ideas when in reality they came without the political … [Read more...]
COP17: success or disappointment?
They came to Durban in their hundreds, they saw, they talked, and talked, and talked, and talked but the question is did they really conquer? Notwithstanding the extra day and half and the much heralded agreement. What were the successes of the Durban platform as the agreement has been dubbed? The big success is that Durban pulled together all the key role players and … [Read more...]
Youth demand climate action in parliament
Women and the youth spoke up strongly during the public hearings on the National Climate Change Response Green Paper in parliament, conducted by the Portfolio Committee on Water and Environmental Affairs. Women and the youth spoke up strongly during the public hearings on the National Climate Change Response Green Paper in parliament, conducted by the Portfolio Committee on … [Read more...]
Industrial protests a positive sign for SA democracy
Industrial conflict and protests that are currently taking place in South Africa may cause unwanted disruption, but it is a positive sign that those who are doing so have the freedom to express their sentiments in a peaceful way. That was the view put forward by Adam Kahane (pictured), author of 'Power & Love' and Associate Fellow at the Saïd Business School of the … [Read more...]
Plant a seed, grow an idea
Describing South Africa in a nutshell could, in some circles, bring out words like crime, corruption, controversial politics and racial tension. But for the really smart among us, it is so much more - a country of diversity, beauty, creativity and endless opportunities for growth and a bright future. With South Africa as a door to Africa, corporate South Africa has a … [Read more...]
Obama’s white house to get solar energy
The most famous seat of power in the world, the White House, is going solar. This announcement precedes the world's most widespread political demonstration ever, calling for leaders to act climate change. Barack Obama's Secretary of Energy, Steven Chu, today announced that by early 2011 solar panels on the presidential mansion will be generating hot water and … [Read more...]
Why we can’t leave saving the planet to environmentalists
In the fall of 2004, two young environmentalists, Michael Shellenberger and Ted Nordhaus, triggered a firestorm of controversy with their essay, The Death of Environmentalism. In it they argued that the politics that dealt with acid rain and smog can't deal with global warming. Society has changed, and our politics have not kept up. Environmentalism must die, they concluded, so … [Read more...]
