Today (June 8) is celebrated as World Oceans Day across the world to remind the people about the importance of the role played by oceans in the lives of human beings. The day is celebrated by United Nations to highlight the role of the oceans in everyday life and inspires action to protect the ocean and sustainably use marine resources. When we think of public health … [Read more...]
Victory for nature and the rule of law in Bulgaria
The Bulgarian Supreme Administrative Court suspended the execution of Pirin National Park's new management plan, which would have allowed construction in 66% and logging in 48% of the national park and World Heritage Site. WWF-Bulgaria has been fighting to prohibit new logging and construction in Pirin National Park since November 2016, activities that would endanger many … [Read more...]
Environmental literacy key to a secure climate future
Conservation consciousness and environmental literacy are key to securing an environmental future for all people, says the Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, Ms Barbara Creecy. ”Conservation consciousness cannot be the exclusive domain of a select and privileged few. It must be a key component of our environmental literacy,” said the Minister during her keynote … [Read more...]
UN decade puts focus on ecosystem restoration and climate change
The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, declared today by the UN General Assembly, aims to massively scale up the restoration of degraded and destroyed ecosystems as a proven measure to fight the climate crisis and enhance food security, water supply and biodiversity. The degradation of land and marine ecosystems undermines the well-being of 3.2 billion people and costs … [Read more...]
Rapid response needed to limit global warming
Limiting global warming to 1.5°C would require rapid, far-reaching and unprecedented changes in all aspects of society, the IPCC said in a new assessment. With clear benefits to people and natural ecosystems, limiting global warming to 1.5°C compared to 2°C could go hand in hand with ensuring a more sustainable and equitable society, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate … [Read more...]
Stop the world’s first deep sea mine
A Canadian mining company has a license for an insane idea that could become a planetary disaster: the world's first deep sea mine. We all know how toxic mines can devastate land-based ecosystems - imagine corporations unleashed to dig up the ocean floor for minerals, far from any scrutiny. It's the last thing our dying oceans need! The good news is the company is having … [Read more...]
Eco education for teachers a major gap in SA
More than 80% of current teachers were educated in the past segregated system, when environmental education did not feature in teacher education, or in the curriculum, shows a national research study. Teacher education for environment and sustainable development has been neglected in teacher education innovations in the past 15 years. Three large scale national studies on … [Read more...]
Top speakers inspire at the 2015 Green Building Convention
“If everyone got free WiFi with every tree they planted, we wouldn’t have the problem of climate change.” This was the sentiment shared by renowned businessman, activist and sustainability advocate, Jochen Zeitz, at the 8th Annual Green Building Convention in Cape Town recently. The event, hosted by the Green Building Council SA, is a signature gathering on the greening and … [Read more...]
Bangladeshi Prime Minister wins UN climate prize
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh has been announced as one of the winners of the United Nations Champions of the Earth award in recognition of her country’s initiatives to address climate change. “Serving as Prime Minister of Bangladesh – one of the world’s least-developed countries – Sheikh Hasina has proven that investing in climate change is conducive to … [Read more...]
Greentalent competition looking for our researchers
The search is on for the next Green Talents who will gain exclusive access to the hot-spots of sustainable development in Germany. Last year Pretoria University researcher Heinrich Badenhorst was amongst 25 young researchers from around the world who were honoured as 2013’s Green Talents. Sustainable development is among the most important challenges of our time. Striving … [Read more...]
3 Billion people in slums by 2050
Without fresh ideas to address rapid urbanization, the number of people living in slums lacking access to basic infrastructure and services such as sanitation, electricity, and health care may skyrocket from one billion at present to three billion by 2050, the United Nations reported earlier this month. That wake up call is one of several alarm bells sounded in the UN World … [Read more...]
SA the perfect place for a Just Transition
Earlier this month, delegates from across the world gathered in Stellenbosch to discuss sustainable development at the 19th annual International Sustainable Development Research Conference (ISDRS). You couldn’t have asked for a better place to host such a meeting. This was the sentiment expressed by a number of speakers at the ISDRS conference on Monday. The conference was … [Read more...]
UN partners with African bank to boost clean development
The United Nations has signed an agreement with the East African Development Bank to increase participation in clean development projects in the region. The agreement, signed by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), will establish a regional collaboration centre in Kampala, Uganda, that will support the identification of projects under the Clean Development … [Read more...]
