World Fisheries Day is celebrated every year on 21 November throughout the globe. While fishing communities and aquatic consumers salute their delight for maritime produce; climate and plant-based advocates highlight the vital importance of preserving our sea life and environments. According to the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization, 90 percent of the global fish … [Read more...]
Clean Up & Recycle Week launched at Mandela Day event
On Mandela Day 2023, Plastics SA, in collaboration with Clean City SA, an award-winning community-based non-profit company, announced the launch of Clean Up & Recycle SA Week 2023, which will take place this year from 11 – 17 September 2023. This event was part of Clean City SA’s 2nd annual Mandela Day activities at Constitution Hill in Johannesburg. Clean City SA and … [Read more...]
Ukraine dam destruction a monumental ecological catastrophe
Tens of thousands of civilians in Ukraine are in danger on the frontline, after the apparent destruction of a huge dam on Tuesday, which UN Secretary-General António Guterres described as a “monumental humanitarian, economic and environmental catastrophe” resulting directly from Russia’s invasion of the country. Water from the reservoir of the Kakhovka dam is also used to … [Read more...]
Reducing plastic waste flowing from rivers into oceans
As part of its observance of World Oceans Day (8 June) Durban-based Green Corridors urges action from citizens to combat plastic pollution as part of its drive to try to reduce the amount of plastic waste flowing into the oceans in our rivers. World Oceans Day aims to "remind all global citizens of the major role the oceans have in everyday life, by informing the public of … [Read more...]
Millions celebrate WWF’s Earth Hour 2023
On 25 March at 20:30, millions of people from around the world came together in a moment of global unity to celebrate the planet during WWF’s Earth Hour - the Biggest Hour for Earth. More than 190 countries and territories, and key public figures including the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, pledged their support by Giving an Hour for Earth. Other … [Read more...]
Blue stream sparks water pollution uproar in Durban
Several rivers in Durban have been a muddy brown colour over recent months. But this week, factory workers in the New Germany industrial area were shocked by the vivid blue colour of a local stream that flows into the city’s largest river system. A local industry worker said he became aware of the pollution at 8.30am on 13 March, and it was reported to city authorities … [Read more...]
Another successful clean-up week for SA
South Africans can celebrate another successful Clean-Up and Recycle Week (12-17 September 2022) as thousands of kilogrammes of waste were removed from our natural spaces. According to Douw Steyn, Sustainability Director at Plastics SA, literally hundreds of clean-up events took place around South Africa in an effort to keep our environment clean, with many more initiatives … [Read more...]
KZN South Coast to host Conservation Symposium
Home to rich biodiversity across land and sea, the KZN South Coast has been chosen for the Conservation Symposium, which welcomes environmentally focused delegates from 31 October to 5 November. This is the first time the KZN South Coast has hosted the event, entrenching the region as a top MICE and events destination. “We're thrilled to announce the venues for this year's … [Read more...]
Do your part in reducing waste to landfill
“South Africa is facing a waste crisis, but every citizen can make a difference to reduce the amount of waste that pollutes our environment or ends up in landfill.” This is the opinion of Douw Steyn, Sustainability Director at Plastics SA and coordinator of the annual Clean-Up & Recycle SA Week, taking place from 12 to 17 September 2022. According to Douw, … [Read more...]
Sand mining degrades KwaZulu-Natal rivers
Both legal and illegal sand mining, and heavy machinery, is contravening the National Water Act, degrading aquatic systems in KwaZulu-Natal. When the National Water Act (NWA) was promulgated as the first piece of new legislation after our historic transition to democracy in 1994, it became a milestone in environmental management. For the first time in our history, aquatic … [Read more...]
Sturgeon slipping towards extinction
All 26 remaining sturgeon and paddlefish species are threatened with extinction according to today’s IUCN Red List update, which confirmed the extinction of the Chinese paddlefish and the extinction in the wild of the Yangtze sturgeon as well as raising the threat level for seven other species across the globe. The new assessment carried out by members of the IUCN Sturgeon … [Read more...]
Advancing ecocentric law for Antarctica
Antarctica, the white continent in the Southern Hemisphere known as one of the most pristine places on Earth absorbs nearly three-quarters of global excess heat and captures almost one-third of of the planet’s carbon dioxide. Not only does Antarctica contain 90% of the ice and 70% of the fresh water on Earth, a host of species live only here including: 5 species of penguins, … [Read more...]
Bringing yellowfish back to Baynespruit River
The Baynespruit River in Pietermaritzburg, classified as highly polluted, is being rehabilitated to an extent where the yellowfish is being reintroduced into the river. Yellowfish, or scaly yellowfish as they are affectionately known by anglers, are being re-introduced to the Baynespruit as part of an ongoing environmental rehabilitation project by leading edible oil … [Read more...]
