Copy
Your monthly green news digest.
View this email in your browser

August 2017


Welcome to our latest news sweep.

Please find more stories on our
website, events on our calendar and support our work here.

Sierra Leone mudslides: responding to the crisis


Street Child has appealed for help in supporting the folk of Sierra Leone, West Africa, where mudslides and floods killed 500 people earlier this month when an entire mountain side collapsed.

Fears of another Fukushima linger as tropical storm pummels Texas


Nuclear reactors are still running in East Texas despite clear potential for a major disaster in the wake of Tropical Storm Harvey.

Environmental Media Awards open for entries


Entries have opened for the annual SAB Environmental Media Awards and Environmentalist of the Year 2017.

Coal and nuclear lobbies threaten renewables in South Africa


The power utility’s stand threatens the viability of the entire renewable energy sector in the country.

Rhino conservation heroes honoured at awards dinner


At a gala dinner in Joburg last week, Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa celebrated people and organisations who have made a marked impact in the war against rhino poaching.

Cape Town’s bleak water future: time to call in the groundwater experts


The Western Cape province in general and the City of Cape Town in particular are facing an unprecedented water crisis.

Canada ablaze amid record heatwave


With temperatures toppling 100-year-old records, British Columbia’s raging wildfires have already set the record for the most acres burned.

Weathering the violence of climate change


With India experiencing its worst drought in 140 years, Indian farmers have taken to the streets. At a protest in Madhya Pradesh this summer, police opened fire on farmers demanding debt relief and better crop prices, killing five.

Help ban toxic dicamba and protect seed sovereignty


This extremely toxic pesticide flies through the air, destroying most plants and animals in its path – even on neighbouring land. It’s so bad, that it’s only been used in very limited amounts – until now.

 

East Rand hospital the latest to take on zero waste challenge


The latest health care facility to join the Global Green and Healthy Hospitals initiative, Bertha Gxowa Hospital has launched its recycling campaign, with moving to zero waste as a long-term goal.

An interview with brave Dakota pipeline eco-saboteurs


Jennifer Murnan and Max Wilbert interviewed Ruby Montoya and Jessica Reznicek following their press release claiming responsibility for multiple incidents of sabotage of the Dakota Access Pipeline and construction equipment.

Upcycling gives waste an exciting new purpose


Upcycling is a fun and creative way to transform old products and packaging into something with a new purpose.

Insist the DEA challenges seismic surveying of our coastline


Environmental impact assessments are no longer mandatory for oil and petroleum exploration activities in South Africa.

Elon Musk’s big battery brings renewables’ viability into sharp focus


Elon Musk’s agreement to build the world’s largest battery for South Australia is an extraordinary technological breakthrough that signs coal’s death warrant. 

Rise the women in food


Women are still stripped today in a variety of their ways. If not of their clothes – well, there’s that too – but of the equal place they aspire to in our society.

Landowners called to report invasive plants as fire risk looms


Landowners who have listed invasive species must notify any relevant competent authority, in writing, of the listed invasive species occurring on that land.

Bluefin tuna on the brink of extinction


Pacific bluefin tuna has unique worldwide status as one of the most awe-inspiring remarkable creatures on the planet. They grow to 12 feet and 1,500 pounds and live up to 35 years whilst swimming super-fast, crossing the entire ocean in 21 days.

New research exposes health risks of GM mosquitoes and salmon


Just when genetically modified (GM) mosquitoes got their approval by the Cayman Islands and the government of Canada’s Prince Edward Island is trying to approve GM salmon, new research reveals unexpected and potentially dangerous effects of genetic engineering.

A look at SA’s budding green economy


Historically, South Africa’s development path centred on the greenhouse gas (GHG) emission-intensive mining and energy industries.

Putting a new spin on waste: green is the new gold


The IWMSA’s Eastern Cape branch hosted its regional waste conference, titled ‘Green is the new Gold’ at the World of Windows in the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium last week.

World Elephant Day: Ecologists join forces to save revered animal


The goal of World Elephant Day is to create awareness of the urgent plight of captive and wild elephants, and to share knowledge and positive solutions for their better care and management.

African Marine Waste Conference highlights need for more collaboration


The 2017 African Marine Waste Conference took place from the 9th to the 13th of July in Port Elizabeth, and was attended by approximately 200 delegates from 9 African states and a further 10 countries from other continents.

Norwegian billionaire funds world’s largest yacht to scoop up plastic


Norwegian billionaire Kjell Inge Røkke aims to scoop up and melt down 5 tons of plastic a day with his giant marine research yacht in an effort to clean up the ocean.

Should healing CBDs become a schedule 4 prescription drug?


Last month, the Medicines Control Council gazetted a regulatory notice scheduling various substances. Hidden at the bottom was Cannabidiol, more commonly known as CBD.

Annual clean-up competition urges schools to recycle


Schools around the country stand a chance to once again win big prizes in annual schools competition Let's Clean-up South Africa.

Climate and water threatening Thabametsi coal plant still on the cards


The Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) could be giving the go-ahead for what will be one of the most greenhouse gas (GHG) emission intensive coal-fired power stations, not only in South Africa, but in the world.

Climate change could push staple food prices up 130%


Climate change could lead to shortages and punishing 130% price rises in staple foods within our lifetime, raising the spectre of riots and civil unrest, a new study warned today.

The legal challenges of selling clean electricity directly to municipalities


Government needs to set the rules to favour renewable energy.

China lauded for efforts towards greening of Kubuqi Desert


The core pillars of the Kubuqi Model are government policy support, industrial investment, market-oriented participation of farmers and herdsmen and sustainable ecological improvement.

Indian farmers mourn dead after debt crisis turns violent


India’s farmers are in crisis. Their frustrations became palpable in a 10-day long protest in June wherein six protesters were killed.
With love from Elma and the team.

Please share this news with your friends and social media contacts:
Share
Tweet
Forward
+1
Share
Copyright © 2014 The Green Times, All rights reserved.

www.thegreentimes.co.za

subscribe here

unsubscribe here