A European Commission report concludes that the burning of most forest biomass produces more greenhouse gas emissions than coal, oil and gas. In 23 out of the 24 scenarios the Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) examined, biomass had a negative impact on climate, biodiversity, or both. Indeed the report, published this Monday, finds that most of the forest biomass … [Read more...]
The future of water in SA’s agriculture sector
As early as 2012 the World Economic Forum (WEF) warned that water security was one of the most significant risks to the planet and its people. Water concerns in one form or another have ranked among the top five risks of the WEF Global Risks Report ever since. In South Africa, the national government's Water and Sanitation Master Plan has informed much-needed amendments … [Read more...]
Family owned Bottelary wine farm puts conservation first
Mooiplaas Wines recently became the first World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Conservation Champion in the Bottelary ward of Stellenbosch. This outstanding achievement follows the submission of their latest IPW-audit (Integrated Production of Wine), which acknowledges the environmental responsibility of their production practices. The audit includes factors such as carbon … [Read more...]
True sustainability can only be achieved by design
COVID-19 has caused humanity’s ecological footprint to contract by three weeks. However, true sustainability that allows all to thrive on Earth can only be achieved by design, not disaster. Even though there has been an incredible cost to human life and the economy from the COVID-19 pandemic, our ecological footprint in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) has still more-or-less … [Read more...]
Western Cape to increase the Protected Area network
Innovative work is taking place across the Western Cape to increase the Protected Area network, and in turn help reach global Protected Area targets. And more importantly, they’re being driven through pioneering conservation models, funded by the Table Mountain Fund (an associated Trust of WWF-South Africa). According to Kevin McCann of conservation non-profit organisation, … [Read more...]
It’s time for Eskom to lead the way in renewable energy
Eskom’s on-going scapegoating of renewable energy as the reason behind its financial woes shows a lack of vision, particularly in the light of the urgent need to develop new jobs beyond the coal industry. Instead, the utility should be leading the country into a greener, more equitable energy future which will help South Africa both create new, cleaner jobs and meet its … [Read more...]
Oceans facts and futures: valuing South Africa’s ocean economy
Conservation of marine ecosystems is the foundation of ensuring that our oceans are able to produce goods and services which we rely on. It should hence not be seen as separate from human survival and development. In South Africa, coastal goods and services alone are estimated to contribute over a third – 35% – to our gross domestic product (GDP). As a country with … [Read more...]
Parasite in fish’s mouth becomes his tongue
A parasite that lives in a fish's mouth and becomes its tongue? Sixty million viruses in a teaspoon of sea water? A shimmering sunset glistening through the curl of a golden barrel? Just a few snippets from the Wavescape Slide Night night in Cape Town. More than 200 people sat enthralled through 10 inspirational talks by 10 ocean thought leaders who shared their science, … [Read more...]
WWF and SAfm host fracking debate 07:30 – 09:30 Friday 30 May 2014
Fracking debate on SAfm: Friday 30 May 2014 WWF and SAfm are hosting a debate and panel discussion on fracking on Friday morning, 30 May at 07:30 – 09:30. TKAG will be represented by Jonathan Deal, CEO. Other speakers will include Mariette Liefferink (Federation for a Sustainable Environment), Dhesigen Naidoo (Water Research Commission) and several others. Where: … [Read more...]
Empowering children with good nutrition
In Africa, and South Africa, more than 50% of families have probably found themselves unable to provide enough food for their families, at some time during the last year. Our children are going hungry. “One in three people in sub-Saharan Africa suffers from chronic hunger,” says Evelyn Tagbo in an Oxford University study. Food security is under threat in many parts of the … [Read more...]
Working towards protecting our wetlands
Over the past 22 years, the Mondi Wetlands Programme (MWP) has moved wetland conservation from being a side issue to centre stage. This has irreversibly changed the way government, communities, public, as well as the forestry and sugar industries understand and manage their wetlands. MWP works nationally to conserve wetlands predominately outside nature reserves. Most of the … [Read more...]
Supporting conservation projects with community-based programs
Back in 1990, Nedbank took a revolutionary step in creating a retail banking product, Green Affinity, that incentivised customers to invest in conservation. This was the beginning of the company’s ‘green’ journey in partnership with WWF. Since then, the number of Green Affinity products has grown to include credit cards, current accounts, savings accounts, investment products … [Read more...]
National Marine Week highlights our oceans’ plight
By volume, oceans make up 99% of the Earth's living space. Our planet should, in fact, be called Ocean and not Earth! More than 97% of our entire planet's water is contained in the ocean. According to the United Nations Food & Agriculture Organisation, a minimal 2% is frozen in glaciers, less than 0.3% is carried in the atmosphere by clouds, while global inland seas and … [Read more...]
