On July 22, 2020 Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams gazetted a new policy on the development of communications networks in South Africa. The motivation for promoting 5G electronic communications networks ‘was for the creation of a digital economy and society’, she said at the time. Activists have criticized the draft policy, that will … [Read more...]
Presidential Climate Change Coordinating Commission appointed
President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed members of the inaugural Presidential Climate Change Coordinating Commission (P4C) with effect from 17 December 2020. The establishment of the Commission emanates from the Presidential Jobs Summit held in October 2018 when social partners agreed that a statutory body be formed to coordinate and oversee the just transition towards a … [Read more...]
South Africa’s SO2 emissions drop in 2019, no thanks to government
South Africa saw a sharp decrease in Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) emissions in 2019, bringing the country’s emissions to their lowest level on record, according to new research by Greenpeace India and the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA). A significant drop in emissions would increase the quality of life for thousands of South Africans who suffer from respiratory … [Read more...]
Community re-imagined in a social VR World
The annual Nature, Environment & Wildlife Filmmakers (NEWF) Congress will take place in a real-time virtual world from 25 – 30 October. NEWF adapted to the reality of the times and have created a truly virtual congress. Delegates will represent themselves as Avatars, and literally interact, engage and network with other delegates and speakers at the … [Read more...]
Collecting polymetallic nodules from the Pacific Ocean floor
DeepGreen Metals Inc., today announced it has formalized partnerships with leading scientific research institutions and internationally-renowned universities in a significant investment into its ongoing deep-sea discovery program to characterize the potential impacts of lifting polymetallic nodules up from the bottom of the Clarion Clipperton Zone (CCZ) of the Pacific … [Read more...]
Last chance to stop 5G antennae in your garden
Thousands of scientific studies have demonstrated that radiation from cell towers, WiFi and cellphones have been damaging our health since the introduction of 2G, 3G, 4G technologies over the past 30 years. As a medical doctor I am becoming increasingly concerned about the harm caused by electromagnetic radiation (EMR) in our environment. It is no coincidence that there … [Read more...]
The effect of wireless technology on health
Digital and wireless devices have provided many benefits. However, we are now realizing that the rapid adoption of this novel technology has not been accompanied by adequate regulation, monitoring or safety precautions. Widespread use of digital media and near constant exposure to wireless devices has caused increasing concern among scientists, health care professionals, … [Read more...]
International label champions profitable cleantech solutions
The Solar Impulse Foundation has launched a bold challenge: to find, select and promote 1,000 cleantech solutions that have both positive economic and environmental impacts on the world. In South Africa, GreenCape entered into a collaboration with the Foundation through the International Cleantech Network (ICN), to support its mission of selecting 1,000 clean and profitable … [Read more...]
Concern over Minister Gwede Mantashe’s fixation on nuclear power
Extinction Rebellion South Africa shares the concern voiced by many people and organizations over Minister Gwede Mantashe’s unreasonable fixation on nuclear power. In May, Minister Mantashe said, when addressing the Portfolio Committee: “We are going to explore all options, when there is appetite for nuclear in the market, we will go ahead with it.” Is that a sound plan? Why … [Read more...]
Global leaders urged to develop a just and resilient world
Representatives of the World Future Council from all continents have signed a letter to world leaders in which they outline recommendations and calls for immediate targeted actions required to rebuild a resilient and just world now and after the Covid-19 pandemic. The coronavirus pandemic shows how fragile the current international system is and that common, global solutions … [Read more...]
Minister Barbara Creecy talks about climate change
The following speech was delivered by Minister Barbara Creecy during a Parliament debate on climate change, at the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa, Cape Town, Western Cape Province on 11 March 2020: Allow me at the outset, to once again welcome the President Cyril Ramaphosa’s commitment to establishing the Presidential Climate Change Commission to lead our just … [Read more...]
Moratorium on the rollout of 5G essential
Radiation exposure has long been a concern for the public, policy makers and health researchers. Beginning with radar during World War II, human exposure to radio-frequency radiation (RFR) and associated technologies has grown more than 100,000-fold. In 2011, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) reviewed the published literature and categorized RFR as a … [Read more...]
Moms and medics march for 5G caution
The 5G awareness walk went very well in Cape Town on 25 January, as one of over 200 such events across the world. Much gratitude to all who cared enough to join. We had quite a few curious people including a group of children who asked what it's all about and why it's dangerous. This is exactly what we need. Once we reach the critical mass of awareness with … [Read more...]
