Louisiana's coastal marshes will be the key focus of $8.8 billion BP will pay to restore vast natural resource losses caused by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010, part of a $20.8 billion settlement with federal and Gulf state governments announced Monday (Oct. 5). The environmental portion also includes targeting significant money on Gulf of Mexico resources, federal … [Read more...]
Creating awareness begins with you
It is that time of year again when Green Beings conducts an annual campaign called Ethoma ka wena (Sepedi for: begins with you) in celebration of Arbour Week and National Clean up Week. The Campaign is hosted in eight Cosmo City schools, North of Johannesburg. The aim of the campaign is to create awareness of the importance of trees and a clean community. This year Green … [Read more...]
Only love can save us from climate change
Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh, one of the world's leading spiritual teachers, is a man at great peace even as he predicts the possible collapse of civilisation within 100 years as a result of runaway climate change. The 86-year-old Vietnamese monk, who has hundreds of thousands of followers around the world, believes the reason most people are not responding to the threat of … [Read more...]
Plastic is killing the planet - here’s how we can turn the tide
“EVERY single piece of plastic that has ever been created since the 19th century is still SOMEWHERE on our planet. So if it never goes away, where does it go?” — this is the startling idea behind the eye-opening documentary, Plastic Paradise. Plastic is difficult to escape. Simply walk through your local supermarket and take in the sheer number of products housed in plastic. … [Read more...]
Climate scientists reading planet’s distress signals
I have been researching and writing about anthropogenic climate disruption (ACD) for Truthout for the past year, because I have long been deeply troubled by how fast the planet has been emitting its obvious distress signals. On a nearly daily basis, I've sought out the most recent scientific studies, interviewed the top researchers and scientists penning those studies, and … [Read more...]
Patriarchy is killing our planet - women alone can save her
The global epidemic of violence against women and their systematic exclusion from the power structures that rule us are integral to man's violent exploitation of Earth and her resources, writes Nafeez Ahmed. The fight to save the Earth must begin with the empowerment of women - and that means ending our complicity in their oppression, and servitude. Last Sunday was … [Read more...]
Eco advocate and folk singer tells her coal story
The unmistakable voice of Grammy Award winner Kathy Mattea explores music’s most basic human essence through timeless melodies and uplifting narratives. Singer, musician, songwriter, public speaker, activist: Mattea’s music and message have taken her to venues across America from Maine to Alaska, and overseas from England to Morocco, from college campuses to capitol buildings, … [Read more...]
Local rangers to bring nature conservation into Cosmo City
A team of ten local residents are being trained to bring nature conservation to a neglected conservation area in Cosmo City. A new inspiring project funded by the EPWP (Expanded Public Works Program), facilitated by Joburg City Parks and implemented by Green Beings NPO has started in Cosmo City. This project will run from February - June 2015. Green Beings has employed 10 … [Read more...]
Al Gore’s climate observing spacecraft gears up for launch
After nearly 14 years in limbo, an Earth-monitoring spacecraft built by NASA is finally set to fly. The Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR), scheduled to launch as soon as January 29, will constantly observe Earth’s sunlit side from a distance of 1.5 million kilometres. It will track daily weather patterns and seasonal vegetation changes, monitor atmospheric pollution … [Read more...]
Nigeria joins the world climate march
Climate Change is a matter of justice. The world’s most vulnerable people have done the least to cause global warming and yet they are suffering most from its devastating efforts. Climate Change threatens to undermine progress on fighting poverty and hunger. It is still possible to make a difference but we have to act quickly. The momentum to galvanize positive actions to … [Read more...]
New study proves: Livestock is safer from predators with guardian animals
Guardian animals offer far better livestock protection than lethal methods, according to new research. They’re more effective, need less work, and are cheaper. A formal study of eleven South African livestock farms has revealed that lethal methods to combat livestock losses to predators are not only less practical but more costly than non-lethal methods. The report, by … [Read more...]
7.3 million underage girls give birth every year
On World Population Day, Friday 11 July 2014, the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) reflected upon the links between human population growth and the impacts that this has on our environment, and how declining environmental health affects marginalised and poor communities the most. The first World Population Day was marked on 11 July 1987; the day the United Nations estimated … [Read more...]
R80 000 fine for disregarding environmental standard
Recent developments in the enforcement of our country’s environmental laws are likely to see directors place greater emphasis on their company’s environmental management systems and result in improved ecological monitoring and compliance. The past few years have seen the National Prosecution Authority (NPA) placing more emphasis on the prosecution of environmental offenses, … [Read more...]
