Fresh life for old tyres; visionary 3D-printing for construction: these are just some of the clever and sustainable ideas presented by university students competing in the annual Growthpoint Properties and Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA) Greenovate Awards. The University of Stellenbosch triumphed overall, notably in the engineering category – which … [Read more...]
Kenya emerges as leader in fighting plastic pollution
Kenya is emerging as a leader in the fight against plastic pollution and is among the first countries in East Africa to limit single-use plastics and sign the Clean Seas initiative to rid waterways of plastic waste. Juliette Biao, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Regional Director for Africa lauded the country for banning plastic bottles, cups and cutlery in … [Read more...]
Fossil fuel divestment: will UCT finally heed the call?
It is now six years since Fossil Free SA first called on the University of Cape Town (UCT) to phase out all investments in climate-destroying fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas. In those six years, the global fossil fuel divestment movement has grown from a handful of institutions to well over a thousand, including New York, Paris, London, our own city of Cape Town; a whole … [Read more...]
Global student competition seeks solutions for energy efficient cities
Go Green in the City is one of the biggest global student competitions for engineering and business students worldwide. Schneider Electric SA has launched its ninth annual global student contest for two-member teams to find bold ideas and innovative solutions for smarter, more energy-efficient and sustainable cities. Engineering and business students across the country … [Read more...]
SA student wins Green Talents award in Germany
For the tenth time the “Green Talents – International Forum for High Potentials in Sustainable Development” culminated in a festive award ceremony at which the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research honoured the newest 25 awardees for their innovative green ideas from various fields of research and promoted an international exchange. This year, a high-ranking jury … [Read more...]
Youngster wins award for inventing oil spill detection device
An 18-year-old Indian-American boy has won the prestigious Intel Foundation Young Scientist Award in the US for inventing a device that quickly shuts down undersea oil spills. Karan Jerath of Friendswood, Texas, claimed the USD 50,000 top prize yesterday at this year's Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (IISEF). Jerath was also one of the five students selected … [Read more...]
Ocean science opportunity for South African students
Ocean 180 challenges scientists to share the meaning and relevance of their research with a broader audience and looks to middle school students to help evaluate their efforts. Ocean scientists are invited to submit 3 minute videos highlighting the importance of their research and summarizing their findings to Ocean 180 this fall. The top 10 entries will be viewed and … [Read more...]
One educator can make the difference
Thousands of educators are attending workshops across the country, learning how to develop healthy and sustainable school environments that are conducive to learning. Food & Trees for Africa’s 20 year old EduPlant programme, now run in partnership with Engen and The Woolworths Trust, launches with this series of free, empowering workshops that help educators to pass the … [Read more...]
Finding solutions to SA’s escalating power costs
The future of South Africa’s electricity – will the country be able to afford electricity in the near future and what is being done about minimising electricity consumption? Electricity price hikes and the constant threat of depleting electricity supply are just some of the worries facing South Africans over the past few years. The seriousness of the energy situation has … [Read more...]
Wanted: free thinkers to build Africa’s future
The University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business is looking for highly motivated individuals to spend a year in a unique, free thinking, applied academic programme to envision a better future for Africa. Applications are open to register for an MPhil degree with a range of expert faculty with an interest in Inclusive Innovation Studies. The call is part of a wider … [Read more...]
St Stithians College Builds Green Momentum
Joburg's St Stithians College has instituted a radical environmental programme on campus. In addition to a significant investment in energy saving, a comprehensive dry recycling programme and water saving programmes, the College has embarked on a food waste recycling programme. WSt Stithians is recycling food from both their Higher Ground restaurant and the Main … [Read more...]
Winners of student design competition announced
The Plastics Institute of South Africa (PISA) has announced the winners of the Student Design Competition, held in partnership with POLYCO (the industry association promoting the recycling of polyolefin plastics in South Africa), Plastics|SA, Afrimold and the Universities of the Witwatersrand (Wits), Johannesburg (UJ) and Tshwane University of Technology (TUT). Addressing … [Read more...]
Time for conversations with the environment
How do we care for the ocean in a way that meaningfully impacts on the people? This question was posed by Dr. Gansen Pillay, Deputy CEO of the National Research Foundation, during the opening of the Chapman Conference on The Agulhas System and its Role in Changing Ocean Circulation, Climate and Marine Ecosystems at Spier this week. Dr. Pillay implored a hall full of young … [Read more...]
