From 20 to 27 March, South Africans will be observing National Water Week. As the nation faces record low rainfall, and as a disaster is declared in Cape Town, the Two Oceans Aquarium wants to make as big a noise as possible, to raise awareness about the water crisis and to encourage individuals, households and businesses to #SaveWater. We would love for you to co-host our … [Read more...]
How to multitask with natural cleaners
We enjoy lots of feedback about our products and more often than not it is complimentary, which is pleasing and rewarding. Every now and again our customers tell us about other uses for our products which we hadn’t thought of. Sometimes the ‘other’ uses are quite unique to the customer needs and sometimes also quite surprising. Below are some of the more interesting ‘other’ … [Read more...]
Eco smart kids can reap the rewards
The third book in the 'I Live Smart' series is seeing the light, with a competition attached... Two years ago, we launched our first puppet storybook Keep the Beach Clean. It is based on the popular puppet show by the same name, performed daily in the AfriSam Children’s Play Centre in the Aquarium. The book tells the story of Beauty and her ocean friends as they struggle to … [Read more...]
Rooftop solar system under way at V&A Waterfront
Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront is soon to launch the installation of more than 7500 square metres of solar panels on eight rooftops of key buildings, as the landmark property expands its emphasis on going green. The installation followed a tender process that was completed in June of this year in which Sustainable Power Solutions was awarded the Engineering and Procurement … [Read more...]
I love turtles – book and puppet show
“Hello Hatchling my name is Bella. You must be careful – there is a lot of marine debris in the ocean that looks like food, but isn’t. Marine debris is litter. Litter items such as plastic bags, bottles, balloons and straws are dumped by humans and end up in the oceans.” This was a quote from the new puppet story book I Love Turtles written and illustrated by Marguerite … [Read more...]
Your guide to saving water
Why do you show me a reflection of myself when I look at you? You possess some of my best qualities and more. You bring joy, give life, cleanse, nurture, heal, earn respect and are powerful. I see you in all that is alive. Mysterious, multi-dimensional substance that connects all Life. Deserves respect and needs Love. Is the way I treat you then a reflection of … [Read more...]
The voyage that changed me
My mind was racing back to that first plastic sample we found in the ocean. Clear navy blue water filled with small coloured pieces of plastic. I stood in line at the supermarket, bursting with excitement because I had finally remembered to bring along my own shopping bag. When is the message of sustainability going to filter through to staff at this level? Unfortunately … [Read more...]
Safe Planet studies ocean pollution
While you are enjoying a yoghurt snack from a plastic tub at home, there are a group of people embarking on an arduous cruise on our oceans to monitor plastic pollution. They are called the 5 Gyres crew, a non-profit entity from the United States who study samples of the five gyres (oceanic currents) as part of the Safe Planet campaign. The 5 Gyres crew arrived at the Two … [Read more...]
Step 3 – Now save water!
Step 3 in our 12 steps to a greener 2011 is NOW SAVE WATER. 'Water for Cities - responding to the urban challenge' is the theme of United Nations' World Water Day, to be celebrated in Cape Town from 21 to 22 March. This coincides with South Africa's National Water Week, running from 22 to 27 March. Organized by the Department of Water Affairs, it aims to raise the … [Read more...]
Whose water is it anyway?
'Whatever we do to the water bodies on this planet, we're doing to ourselves.' Both Earth and our human bodies consist of 70% water and 30% solids. 'On this planet the water cycle and the life cycle is one,' said Helen Lockart of the Two Oceans Aquarium on World Water Day. Water is our lifeline - without water we cannot survive longer than a day or two. Most people are … [Read more...]
Wind power for Two Oceans Aquarium
South Africa is one of the world's most carbon intensive economies, primarily because the majority of the country's electricity demand is satisfied through coal-fired power stations. This heavy dependency on coal and fossil fuels directly contributes to the current environmental crisis that is climate change and global warming. Unless the citizens of the world, including … [Read more...]
Plastic pollution leads to desperate measures
On 30 March 2011 a first meeting to attempt to ban plastic bags from South Africa was held at the Two Oceans Aquarium in Cape Town. "The plastic bag we want banned is the checkout bag at supermarkets. Cashiers just hand them to you and ask: would you like a bag?" says Hayley McLellan, senior bird trainer at the Aquarium and initiator of the Ban the bag campaign. "My ideal … [Read more...]
