Just when you think we’re beginning to clear the woods, and there’s a bigger take-up of environmental responsibility, news breaks about the sneaky Russian nuclear agreement. No less than 8 new reactors planned – to facilitate the 9600 gigawatts of nuclear energy provided for in the IRP 2010 provisions for 2030.
Yet according to the latest calculations we will only need 6600 megawatts. And at the current rate of implementation of alternative energy it may be as little as 1860MW. And, says David Lipschitz, with that planned spend of R1 trillion we could take the country’s entire homeowner load off the grid by means of distributed embedded solar generation – think photo voltaic panels on every roof. This way we would have much more money in the system, and less in the centre, where the powers that be are trying to keep it. Cheap power to the people. Isn't that what the nation wants?
Ok, they will take their waste back, it is said. So in view of the stacked nuclear waste at Koeberg, we should not feel concerned about this aspect of the deal? This, it seems is the least of our worries. We bring you varied opinions on the risky and needless nature of the new wild horse the president has saddled up.
But all is not lost. The approach in international climate negotiations is shifting away from doing what’s best for the globe as a whole – which did not work as governments are focused on their local interests – towards the economic benefits of low carbon economies. The penny is dropping that low carbon economies save huge costs, and in fact feeds positively into growing GDP. Self-interest, it seems, might be the golden key to save our climate dilemma.
In New York major corporations trading in agricultural commodities grown on former rainforest land joined with governments in signing a Declaration on Forests promising to halve net deforestation by 2020 and end it by 2030. This is a huge step forward!
We drink a toast to our own organic wines winning excellent international accolades –showing again that responsible is not only healthier, tastier and innovative, but also provides world leadership. Lots more inspiration – well done to the Eco-Logic Awards winners.
We are proud of every innovation, every step in the right direction. Do now miss out on green inspiration for your week.
Today we take leave of one of our stalwarts, Dylan Barby, after years of dedication to the Green Times and full time forging partnerships with the green industry. Thank you Dylan - we wish you success, happiness and magic green spaces to thrive in.
Dylan hands over to Robyn Morris, who is there to help green business share our almost 7 years of hard work by joining our platform. Working together is the only way we will move this planet fast enough. And yes, of course it makes economic sense. Any responsible business can join our collaboration by contacting Robyn at robbs@thegreentimes.co.za.
PS. The Green Times is self-funded by our community of readers. Our Club 1000 needs 50 members to sustain our future. Please consider joining and making a small monthly donation.
New scientific research confirms that global warming is melting increasingly larger areas of Arctic sea ice − and reducing its vital function of removing CO2 from the atmosphere.
I think one would need a referendum to spend R1,000,000,000,000. But my calculations show that for about R1 trillion one can take the entire homeowner load off the grid between 6am and 10pm.
Green activists on Wednesday cheered the Supreme Court’s decision to cancel 214 coal blocks across many states in India and urged the government to spare forest areas from mining while auctioning new blocks in future.
Can you imagine a bag created from recycled seatbelts, reused car/homestead upholstery and rejected fabric sample books? This is exactly what planet friendly bag company I Scream & Red has done.
A flurry of meetings between President Jacob Zuma and Russian President Vladimir Putin have contributed to growing unease over a nuclear co-operation pact.
Farmers around KwaZulu-Natal are hoping fervently that the rain that has fallen in parts of the province since Saturday night will spell the end of a period of drought that is threatening to ruin many of them.
Months ago, the Avaaz community decided on a crazy goal - the largest mobilisation on climate change in history. Last week, they blew past their wildest expectations, with a climate march 6 times the size of anything before it!
President Obama’s proposal in June to expand a marine sanctuary around seven U.S.-controlled islands and atolls in the central Pacific Ocean drew immediate praise from scientists and conservationists, but has since sparked opposition from representatives of the tuna industry.
Cape Town's Climate Change gathering was rallied together in two weeks and the fact that 200 people turned up on a beautiful Sunday at such short notice confirms Cape Town’s conscience about doing what is good and right.
The City of Cape Town has signed the first small-scale embedded electricity generation contract with Black River Park Investments, an office block in Observatory.
Forests cover a third of our planet’s land. They provide raw materials, maintain biodiversity, protect land and water resources, and play a crucial role in climate change mitigation.
