According to the South Africa Independent Power Producers Association (Sapia), due caution should be exercised when pursuing a reduced energy intensity in an economy that requires further industrialisation and beneficiation, in parallel with increased investment in the knowledge and service aspects of a more developed economy. It says South Africa would do a terrible … [Read more...]
Interconnections imply enhanced systemic risks
“Our lives are changing at an unprecedented pace. Transformational shifts in our economic, environmental, geopolitical, societal and technological systems offer unparalleled opportunities, but the interconnections among them also imply enhanced systemic risks. Stakeholders from across business, government and civil society face an evolving imperative in understanding and … [Read more...]
Climate change’s 7 deadly sinners
It's a chart that no one wants to top, but global warming's worst offenders, in absolute terms, are the US, China, Russia, Brazil, India, Germany and the UK. New calculations suggest that these nations are responsible for more than 60 per cent of the global warming between 1906 and 2005. Damon Matthews of Concordia University in Montreal, Canada, and his colleagues … [Read more...]
Portable solar powered buildings coming to a township near you
Made by South African company Structure Now PTY Ltd, the first completed unit to roll off the production line was acquired by Investec and was donated to the Westbury Secondary School in Gauteng. The facility will serve as a teacher training development centre. The enquiries have not stopped since the official opening ceremony organized by The Investec Power and Infrastructure … [Read more...]
From linear into circular society
“There is no Planet B. We are all a part of the global market and live on a planet with finite resources. We have the same aspirations and visions but will have to find a unique strategy when it comes to our waste management and recycling challenges.“ This was the message from the first South African and European Colloquium on Recycling that took place in Cape Town last … [Read more...]
SA comes last on development index
The Standard Chartered Development Index (SCDI) was recently launched as part of a new report entitled ‘Measuring sustainable development’. The SCDI measures the change in various development indicators from 2000-12 using GDP per capita, years of education, life expectancy, environmental health (including air pollution and availability of fresh water) and ecosystem … [Read more...]
New form of barter faces focuses on creativity
Imagine coming into possession of a unique piece of artwork, design object, photography or furniture without paying for it, but just swapping it with something useful or unique of your own. Otherwise, imagine you can take some common objects you like or need without buying them, but just exchanging them with an artwork, picture or object created by yourself. Welcome to … [Read more...]
9.3% increase in plastics recycling rates
Plastics|SA, the umbrella body representing the local plastics industry (including polymer producers and importers, converters, machine suppliers and recyclers), has just released the latest plastics recycling figures for the past year (2012). “The plastics chain in South Africa employs over 60 000 people and is defined as a priority sector by Government”, says Anton … [Read more...]
R15m hemp project goes to seed
A multimillion-rand project launched 14 years ago for South Africa to grow and produce hemp has virtually stalled because of legal glitches, says the government. Ayabulela Ngoqo, the Eastern Cape’s Rural Development and Agrarian Reform Department spokesman, said the project, launched in 1999, had focused on job creation, but in 2006 had come to a halt. Equipment meant to … [Read more...]
Extreme violence & climate change linked by scientists
Scientists are convinced climate change is a contributor to increased interpersonal violence and social upheaval that they say is happening from even small spikes in global temperature. Conflicts of all types are expected to worsen with global warming. But what’s actually causing the increase in human violence from more rainfall and warmer weather remains a mystery. In a … [Read more...]
Poor are most disadvantaged by climate change
"Investment in skills development should be at the centre of our attempts to build a green economy," Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe (pictured) said at the Green Economy National Youth Summit in Cape Town. "All these efforts and initiatives should be aligned to prioritising localisation of energy products and services." He said focus areas for training and capacity … [Read more...]
Showcase how you are saving energy
Bring your behind the scenes energy savings efforts to the front by displaying your performance for all to see. There is always news about energy and electricity. Whether it is the increasing rates, the effect of rising energy costs on the economy or the threat of load shedding, the bad news just keeps on coming. There are, however, many good news stories are out there as … [Read more...]
SA’s top employers are thinking green
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. South Africa is one of the least green countries in the world – in the top 15 for highest carbon emissions; just a few paces behind Japan, the UK and South Korea. The country emits 435 878 000 tonnes of … [Read more...]
