With 161 votes in favour, and eight abstentions*, the UN General Assembly adopted a historic resolution last week, declaring access to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, a universal human right. The resolution, based on a similar text adopted last year by the UN Human Rights Council, calls upon States, international organisations, and business enterprises to scale … [Read more...]
Public participation needed in the just transition
Earlier in this month dedicated to remembering Madiba and the principles he held dear, The Green Connection handed over the verdict statement – as deliberated by an esteemed jury, at its Oceans Tribunal in September 2021 – to the Presidential Climate Change Commission. In the spirit of Ubuntu, civil society (coastal communities especially) want to ensure that they have a say … [Read more...]
Chris Bertish completes the TransPacific Wing Project
Chris Bertish, internationally acclaimed speaker, author, big wave surfer, Guinness SUP World Record holder and conservationist, arrived safely at the Aloha Dock at the Hawaii Yacht Club in Honolulu, Hawaii on July 17, completing his historic 2,465-mile expedition to wingfoil across the Pacific Ocean for the TransPacific Wing Project. This endeavour is the world’s first … [Read more...]
Fracking: a dragon SA will not be able to tame
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment has released proposed regulations for onshore oil and gas exploration and production, including the use of hydraulic fracturing ("fracking"). Responding to the proposed regulations, Jonathan Deal, CEO of Treasure Karoo Action Group (TKAG) said that "The scale and magnitude of drilling and fracking operations have proven … [Read more...]
Dealing with rising urban population pressure
Although migration to urban centres has a long history, an increasing number of rural people are being attracted to cities by the potential for jobs and a better life overall. In fact, this increasing migration is accelerating the need for digital transformation, as municipalities face growing pressure to ensure their cities are safe, smart and sustainable. There can be … [Read more...]
EU Deforestation law leaves much to be desired
Ministers in the Environment Council voted today to weaken the EU Deforestation law, despite citizens, scientists and companies asking for nature destruction-free products on the EU market. “The Council negotiating position has as many holes as a swiss cheese but unfortunately it does not taste that good. An effective law must not offer loopholes for companies to circumvent … [Read more...]
Vaal communities protest dirty steel plant
Long-suffering communities in Sharpeville and Bophelong in the Vaal area have gathered outside ArcelorMittal South Africa Limited’s (AMSA’s) main steel plant in Vanderbijlpark today to protest against ongoing pollution, non-compliance with environmental laws, failure to engage meaningfully with fence line communities and unclear plans to decarbonise AMSA’s operations. The … [Read more...]
Fishermen unite for Africa’s first Plastic Fishing Tournament
Over 100 fishermen headed out to sea off Cape Town recently to reel in some of the ocean’s greatest scourge – plastic. In recognition of World Ocean Day, 20 boats took part in Africa’s first Plastic Fishing Tournament, covering over 30-square kilometres of the Atlantic Ocean and retrieving 300kg of plastic debris within three hours. The tournament and the impact of marine … [Read more...]
Island nations get new lifeline to beat pollution
Thirty-three Small Island Developing States (SIDS) took significant steps towards a cleaner environment earlier this week, with the global launch of a half-billion-dollar initiative to avoid marine litter and sustainably manage hazardous chemicals and waste. Because of many islands’ small size, limited disposal capacity, and prohibitive export costs, over 80 per cent of … [Read more...]
Big Tobacco, clean up your mess!
Protect our Next advocacy organisations have launched a campaign calling for Big Tobacco to clean up its mess called ‘Susa Udoti Wakho - #yourbuttsstink.’ The 2022 World Health Organisation (WHO) theme - “Tobacco: Threat to our environment” - focuses on the damaging impact tobacco has on the planet throughout its lifecycle, including deforestation, erosion, water pollution … [Read more...]
Beach clean up coming to Milnerton
Plastic Free Mzansi 2022 kicks off on World Environment Day with a beach clean up at Sunset Beach, Milnerton on Sunday, 5 June. Meet the team there at 9am. The beach needs you! With the winter rains arriving, plastic is carried down rivers onto the beach where it escapes into the ocean. The north-wester winds also bring in pollution from the ocean, often thrown overboard … [Read more...]
Decommissioning of coal-fired power plants needed
Concerns surrounding a global climate emergency have brought into sharp focus the need to mobilize increased investment flows towards clean energy. Such flows are needed to fund incremental power generating capacities that are non-polluting. Capital is already shying away from backing new coal-fired thermal power plants. These complementary imperatives and trends are … [Read more...]
Western Cape reducing organic waste to landfill
At the end of 2022, the Organic Waste Landfill Ban in the Western Cape will kick in requiring a 50% reduction in organic waste going to landfill. The Organics Recycling Association of South Africa is actively marketing the new requirements with regards to the management of organic waste to ensure valuable organic waste is saved from landfills. While 22 495 households in Cape … [Read more...]
