With 161 votes in favour, and eight abstentions*, the UN General Assembly adopted a historic resolution last week, declaring access to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, a universal human right. The resolution, based on a similar text adopted last year by the UN Human Rights Council, calls upon States, international organisations, and business enterprises to scale … [Read more...]
Public participation needed in the just transition
Earlier in this month dedicated to remembering Madiba and the principles he held dear, The Green Connection handed over the verdict statement – as deliberated by an esteemed jury, at its Oceans Tribunal in September 2021 – to the Presidential Climate Change Commission. In the spirit of Ubuntu, civil society (coastal communities especially) want to ensure that they have a say … [Read more...]
Turning the tide on plastic waste at Ballito Pro
A KwaZulu-Natal-based community recycling initiative helped keep plastic out of the environment at the Ballito Pro 2022 surfing competition. Thousands of nurdles litter South Africa’s beaches. These tiny plastic resin pellets, also called mermaid tears, are a source of microplastics in our oceans and are dangerous to marine life. Nurdles are lentil-sized plastic pellets … [Read more...]
Chris Bertish completes the TransPacific Wing Project
Chris Bertish, internationally acclaimed speaker, author, big wave surfer, Guinness SUP World Record holder and conservationist, arrived safely at the Aloha Dock at the Hawaii Yacht Club in Honolulu, Hawaii on July 17, completing his historic 2,465-mile expedition to wingfoil across the Pacific Ocean for the TransPacific Wing Project. This endeavour is the world’s first … [Read more...]
V&A Waterfront strives for zero single-use plastics
The V&A Waterfront has reaffirmed its commitment to lessening the impact of plastics on the environment by signing up to the SA Plastics Pact, as well as hosting a new research study with restaurants in the precinct on ways to eliminate harmful plastics. The Plastics Pact aims to change the way plastic products and packaging are designed, used, and reused. This is to … [Read more...]
Working towards a litter free world
Each year in July, people across the globe take part in “Plastic Free July” – an international movement that aims to reduce the amount of plastic waste in our environment by encouraging fellow citizens to make the shift towards long-term, environmentally friendly habits. Although skeptics might find it hard to believe, the plastics industry around the world supports these … [Read more...]
Dealing with rising urban population pressure
Although migration to urban centres has a long history, an increasing number of rural people are being attracted to cities by the potential for jobs and a better life overall. In fact, this increasing migration is accelerating the need for digital transformation, as municipalities face growing pressure to ensure their cities are safe, smart and sustainable. There can be … [Read more...]
Building a brighter environmental future for our children
Growing up in a nature loving family, Natashia de Wet, felt compelled to build a brighter environmental future for her children, by creating sustainable ecosystems where bees, nature and humans can not only survive, but also thrive. After much research and consultation with sustainability experts, Natashia discovered the world of Bokashi and how by combining it with her … [Read more...]
Mitigating plastic waste’s negative impact on the environment
The South African plastics industry is taking solid steps forward to mitigate the negative impact of plastic waste on the environment and society. This is evidenced by the amount of recycling of plastic waste that is already being undertaken in the country and initiatives geared at keeping our water-catchment areas free of plastic litter. Plastics are affordable, practical … [Read more...]
EU Deforestation law leaves much to be desired
Ministers in the Environment Council voted today to weaken the EU Deforestation law, despite citizens, scientists and companies asking for nature destruction-free products on the EU market. “The Council negotiating position has as many holes as a swiss cheese but unfortunately it does not taste that good. An effective law must not offer loopholes for companies to circumvent … [Read more...]
Over 2 billion plastic bottles recovered for recycling in SA
Statistics from South Africa’s longest-standing plastics producer responsibility organisation indicate that the country’s PET plastic recycling rates are recovering after the lockdown regulations resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic. According to figures released at the PET Recycling Company’s (PETCO) annual general meeting in June, 2.1 billion PET bottles were diverted from … [Read more...]
Vaal communities protest dirty steel plant
Long-suffering communities in Sharpeville and Bophelong in the Vaal area have gathered outside ArcelorMittal South Africa Limited’s (AMSA’s) main steel plant in Vanderbijlpark today to protest against ongoing pollution, non-compliance with environmental laws, failure to engage meaningfully with fence line communities and unclear plans to decarbonise AMSA’s operations. The … [Read more...]
Fishermen unite for Africa’s first Plastic Fishing Tournament
Over 100 fishermen headed out to sea off Cape Town recently to reel in some of the ocean’s greatest scourge – plastic. In recognition of World Ocean Day, 20 boats took part in Africa’s first Plastic Fishing Tournament, covering over 30-square kilometres of the Atlantic Ocean and retrieving 300kg of plastic debris within three hours. The tournament and the impact of marine … [Read more...]
