According to a recent study, the levels of human excrement and disease-causing pathogens in rivers around Stellenbosch are unacceptable and unsanitary.

Mountains of waste are arising in our country, while the bulk of our nation is not recycling their waste yet, let alone minimising it.

South Africa is a country caught in the tug of war between economic development and environmental concerns, more than most countries in the global north. This was said at the 19th annual International Sustainable Development Research Conference (ISDRS) held on the Spier farm outside Stellenbosch.

Wanted: school hostels, feeding schemes, or community gardens in the Boland that want to dispose of their large volumes of garden refuse or leftover food in a “green” way, and in addition also wish to reap the economic rewards of their efforts.

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.

“A day like today is very important if you take into account the fact that 1.2 billion people in the world do not have access to safe drinking water. In South Africa, 1 out of every 5 children die because of a water-related illness.”

As if Europe’s horse meat problem weren’t enough, consumers in South Africa have just learned they may have been eating donkey burgers, goat sausage, and water buffalo lunch meat.

Did you know that a starfish feeds by pushing its stomach out through its mouth and placing it directly over its prey? Or that Columbus’ crabs are sky blue? These are some of the facts contained in a new children's marine guide by Stellenbosch University marine biologist Dr Sophie von der Heyden.

Tigerfish are helping scientists to find out more about the geological history of Africa – and in the process, scientists are discovering what might turn out to be new species of this much sought-after and ferocious game fish. It seems that the number of tigerfish species has been underestimated.

The Africa Chapter and members of Working Group II (WG II) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was hosted by the Faculty of Law at the Stellenbosch University recently.

A team of cyclists connected to Stellenbosch University (SU) managed great achievements on the Pick n Pay Cape Argus Cycle Tour on Sunday, with green inspiration and cheers from the crowds.

As a child growing up in Stellenbosch we had complete freedom of movement. How independent we were, as we cycled ourselves to all activities by means of our own legs – on bicycles.

John Cooper, a research associate of the DST-NRF Centre of Excellence for Invasion Biology (CIB) at Stellenbosch University, was recently honoured for his career of nearly four decades dedicated to the research on and conservation of seabirds.

The world is still reeling from the shock of the terrible triple disasters of the Töhoku earthquake 13 kilometers off the Oshika coastline near Sendai, the resultant tsunami and then the nuclear near-melt-down that hit Japan in the past week.

A frog researcher at Stellenbosch University (SU) is calling on nature lovers in the Western Cape to help her with research on the occurrence and distribution of the painted reed frog in the Province by reporting when they hear the call of this little frog in their region.

Then play your part! According to Steve Chown, scientist at the Centre of Invasion Biology at Stellenbosch University, we can still change the future of our earth. He spoke during a series of lectures at the Stellenbosch University as part of the Year of Biodiversity.

Researchers here at Stellenbosch University are compiling an electronic database cum archive of the diaries, photographs and personal anecdotes of South Africans€™ time in the Antarctic region (Marion Island, Gough Island and Antarctica).

'South Africa needs a blue revolution €“ one in which national assets such as the Stellenbosch University Water Institute can drive the development of technology, innovation and further research to ensure clean, affordable and quality water provision and sanitation.€

Many companies do not see the value of moving towards more environmentally friendly practices. However, what has been considered an ethical and then legal issue for years, is now also considered a societal requirement . It is in the interest of South African companies to comply, according to Jako Volschenk, Environmental Finance lecturer at the University of Stellenbosch Business School.

A new biofuels technology company, Stellenbosch Biomass Technologies (SBMT), was launched this month. The company has the ability and expertise to lead Southern Africa towards a sustainable energy future.