Google, famous for their internet search engine, has made a US$3 million Global Impact Award to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC for a project on endangered species. South Africa is one of six countries selected as partners in the project.

Reversing the devastating effects of climate change will require a more coherent and orchestrated international regime, as well as cooperation between states and other stakeholders, writes Professor Oliver C. Ruppel.

According to avid Green Times reader Maurice Britten, the powers that be have not been very receptive to attempts to bring recycling depots and initiatives to the beautiful tourist town of Parys in the Free State.

The annual paddle event from the Indian to the Atlantic Oceans along Cape Town’s waterways takes place on 9th June. The aim of the annual paddle, joined this year by Riaan Manser, is to highlight the urgent need to deal with the social and environmental conditions of Cape Town’s inland waterways.

Currently in its fifth year, the hugely successful 'Bread Tags for Wheelchairs' project encourages people around the country to collect their breadtags which are then used to “purchase” wheelchairs for people who need them.

The aim of the soon-to-be-launched National Biodiversity and Business Network is to assist businesses from various sectors to integrate and mainstream biodiversity issues into their strategies and operations.

A team of Stellenbosch University researchers has developed an eco-friendly and probably highly effective shark barrier, known as 'Sharksafe.' This is an alternative for shark nets which result in the death of thousands of sharks and other sea animals every year.

“The issue is not about ‘sustainable packaging,’ but about the role of packaging in sustainability," said Sheryl Ozinsky of POLYCO at the ‘Smart Design for Recycling' workshop held recently.

This project aims to identify areas along the coastline of South Africa where adult African Penguins go in order to feed and gain weight before moulting and breeding. These areas will then be compared to fishing areas to determine the degree of overlap with the fishery.

The CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research), a leading scientific and technology research organisation, are seeking two motivated and enthusiastic Doctoral Students to conduct research about ocean pollution and illegal fishing.

Have you read the City of Cape Town's contentious new electricity strategy? We now have until 31 May to comment, so please speak up! We received a letter from energy specialist David Lipschitz, who had the following to say about this plan...

The City of Cape Town is looking to provide another 12 500 Portable Flush Toilets (PFTs) in the areas where they are most needed.

The Italian writer Alberto Moravia once described Sana‘a, Yemen as a “Venice of dust.” Since his visit, the streets have been paved with stone, and the dust is less in evidence. And if you look closely enough, you will find gardens thriving within these ancient walls, writes Yemen-based travel writer Tim Mackintosh-Smith.

Groundwater depletion will soon be as important a factor in contributing to sea-level rise as the melting of glaciers other than those in Greenland and Antarctica, scientists say.

The Miss Earth South Africa walked away with top honours in the Young Entrepreneur category at the Inaugural South African Premier Business Awards held at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg recently.

Every year on World Environment Day (5 Jun) the country's leading scientists, consultants and business leaders gather to challenge and address crucial issues facing South African business.

Michael Baretta and Camilla Howard received a warm welcome at their Kosi Bay destination following seven months trekking across and cleaning South Africa’s shoreline. They collected 7 155kg of litter, and educated locals along the way about the importance of looking after the environment.

By adjusting company policies to reduce travel and keep buildings greener, organisations can play a significant role in reducing South Africa’s concerning carbon footprint.

Detecting infected maize early can help prevent contaminated crops from entering the food chain, and also reduce the risk of throat cancer linked to the consumption of infected maize products.

According to the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii, concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere have reached 400ppm. This should hit home in SA, with our reliance on coal, the most carbon-intensive of all fossil fuels.

Incorporating cabbage and mustard residue are effective and natural ways to reduce potato common scab.

Cities around Europe may have to erect flood barriers similar to the Thames Barrier, as climate change takes hold and leads to the danger of much more destructive storms, floods, heavy rainfall and higher sea levels, Europe's environmental watchdog has warned.

The City of Cape Town will focus on opening up new opportunities for young people to help overcome substance abuse, gangsterism and unemployment.

Earlier this week, SchoolMedia invited hundreds of school children from the Johannesburg CBD to join the organisation on a ‘Clean City Campaign.’

Public hearings to discuss the Proposed Listed Atmospheric Emission Activities Amendments, published by the Department of Environmental Affairs in November last year, will most likely start later this month.

The message was clear: ‘Hoot for Penguins!’ and Cape Town obliged on a recent Saturday morning. All along the Main Road - from Surfer’s Corner in Muizenberg to Boulder’s Beach in Simon’s Town - a large group of waddlers walked the talk in the name of penguin preservation.

SA is a water scarce country and subject to both droughts and periodic floods. Over the last few months, various municipalities in South Africa have run out of water. Investments into water resource infrastructure are becoming increasingly important for the country.

Behind the hyper-modernization that it is known for in mainstream media, South Korea is a fascinating mix of ancient and modern, tradition and innovation. This unique Food Sovereignty Tour allows you to explore South Korea’s world-renowned cuisine and the centuries-long struggle of South Korean farmers for land and democracy.

“Local government is doing more than we think, but they are not doing enough,” said Lorena Pasquini, postdoctoral researcher at the University of Cape Town, in her lecture ‘Hot, or Not: Local Government and Climate Change Adaptation.’

The search is on for individuals and organisations that contribute to the well-being of the Earth, its wonderful biodiversity and natural resources. If you are such an individual or organisation – you could enter the Eco-Logic Awards.

Renowned biologist George Schaller has been traveling to the Tibetan Plateau for nearly three decades, studying its unique wildlife. But with climate change and overgrazing taking a toll on the landscape, he reports, scientists and the Chinese government are working to preserve one of the planet’s wildest places.

Animal skeletons scattered everywhere. Not a tree or plant to be seen. Extreme weather conditions further destroy dilapidated houses and buildings. Is this the reality of what awaits our children after climate change has ravaged our beautiful planet?

Greyton is a small rural community in the Overberg. In January 2012, Greyton became one of South Africa's first Transition Towns.

Consumers are increasingly aware of nutrition and health. Worldwide, they want to be better informed about the foods they eat, particularly when it comes to food content and what is declared on the product label.

A wave of laws that target animal welfare activists who take undercover videos at factory farms has been criticized for chilling free speech and allowing cruelty to continue in secret. But it’s not only animal well-being at issue. So is public health.

A recent Green Times article focuses on Dr Sylvia Earle, one of the most famous marine biologists in the world who in her lifetime has spent more time underwater than just about anyone else on the planet.

Will the end of one kind of agricultural chemical get bees back to a healthy population - or is it already too late?

It's been three years since the BP oil spill, and new truths have come to light - from deep down inside the ocean.

The end of the world? No, the world isn't falling apart, as you might have read lately, but those structures and institutions supporting it as we knew it: capitalist markets, civilized norms, personal autonomy, global cooperation, and democratic processes.

If it is possible to transform a dead piece of grey gravel along a corporate building into a row of vegetable gardens abundantly delivering organic nourishment to hungry children attending a soup kitchen, then one can surely grow food almost anywhere?