Being Green

Being Green - 5 May 2017

AFRICAN UTILITY WEEK - the continental showcase for the utility sector in Africa - Energy and Water. John Richards talked to EVAN SCHIFF, event director, on the challenges and exciting innovations in utility management and governance that will be highlighted in Africa’s biggest industry conference and exposition. At the Cape…

5 May 2017 6 min

Being Green - 28 April 2017

Developments in the Nuclear Power Saga – and the DOT Challenge What with the Freedom Day holiday yesterday and other distractions, the ruling of the Western Cape High Court on Wednesday didn’t get the spotlight it deserved. So a recap here – the Court was approached by Earthlife Africa and…

3 May 2017 6 min

Being Green - 21 April 2017

John Richards talked to FELIX PHILIPP about energy resources for communities ‘at the base of the pyramid’, those informal settlement and township dwellers who have a great need for fuel for cooking and living, and electricity, but who often end up paying far more than mainstream consumers. Felix is project…

21 Apr 2017 6 min

Being Green - 14 April 2017

Fracking hasn’t been in the headlines much recently, but it’s not going to go away. The current state of play is that a limited number of licenses for exploration are going to be issued for the designated region in the Karoo to three entities – 3 to Shell, and one…

14 Apr 2017 7 min

Being Green - 7 April 2017

Do One Thing - D –O-- T – Dot. That’s the challenge thrown out from the Cape-to-Rio rowing pair of Braam Malherbe and Wayne Robertson. Do One Thing for the environment. Well, they’re doing one huge thing by rowing across the South Atlantic in their 6.8 metre craft, the Mhondoro,…

7 Apr 2017 5 min

Being Green - 31 March 2017

Over 2 billion PET plastic bottles were recycled in South Africa last year. Plastic bottle recycled tonnage in SA has grown by over 800% since 2005. PETCO* has announced their 2016 recycling figures. These indicate that the annual PET recycling rate has grown from 52% of post-consumer bottle PET in…

31 Mar 2017 6 min

Being Green - 24 March 2017

Climate change won’t go away, despite many, including the champion of fossil fuels Donald Trump, wishing it would. Climate science is really very advanced today, and I often hear remarks from those who should know better decrying or putting down the findings. Nothing like ignoring uncomfortable news – but hey,…

24 Mar 2017 5 min

Being Green - 17 March 2017

The energy debate simmers on, and has been relatively quiet for a while, but don’t be lulled into a sense of false security. At the moment we’re in a holding pattern, with the decision on Nuclear new-build programs in the pending tray. The Government has passed the hot potato on…

17 Mar 2017 9 min

Being Green - 10 March 2017

If you’re wondering why there are so many recreational cyclists out on the roads in colourful outfits on sporty racing bikes or chunky mountain bikes – well, you’re probably from another planet. Yes, the 40th Cape Town Cycle Tour is dominating the scene this weekend and this is just a…

10 Mar 2017 3 min

Being Green - 3 March 2017

The Chameleon Survey – and the Kenilworth Racecourse Conservation Area John Richards talked to Ismail Wambi, a senior Field Conservation Officer for the KRCA, about the unique conservation status of the 52-hectare area and its vital role in conserving the few remaining natural sites in the urbanized Cape Peninsula region.

3 Mar 2017 6 min

Being Green - 24 February 2017

Humankind has benefited immensely from the natural abundance of biodiversity in the world. And evolved and adapted through technology to the point where we now control the environment, or think we do. No other species has changed and transformed nature – we call it agriculture and industrialization. And now we…

24 Feb 2017 6 min

Being Green - 17 February 2017

The political season is in full swing, and we will all soon be wishing fervently for a little relief from politicians’ antics and expostulations. But bear with me for this one edition of B-G – it is something we should be concerned about, because it’s about health, our health and…

17 Feb 2017 7 min

Being Green - 10 February 2017

"Army Worms on the March in Limpopo – and a Rhinoceros In Norfolk". In this nervous time of environmental uncertainty let me add one more thing to worry about. Don’t take your eyes off the water crisis in the West of the country, but do be aware of the fall…

10 Feb 2017 5 min

Being Green - 03 February 2017

Emphasis on personal responsibility for managing your own ecological footprint and keeping it to the absolute minimum - some tips and ideas from ROBYN SMITH, founder of FAITHFUL TO NATURE, an online supply enterprise committed to providing ethically endorsed organic products, with every product sourced and checked for credible labelling…

3 Feb 2017 9 min

Being Green - 20 January 2017

"Hydro-geologist Dr CHRIS HARTNADY of Umvoto, an environmental consulting group specialising in hydrology applications, outlined the history of the original TMG Aquifer studies, which have been on hold since 2011. He talked about the geological formations containing the aquifer, prospects for development and exploitation, and the proposed Pilot Study drilling…

20 Jan 2017 6 min

Being Green - 13 January 2017

"You have probably glimpsed on TV news, like me, the odd scenes of people on the streets of Beijing hurrying along, many with surgical-looking masks. And the murky, fog-like, smog or vapour that hangs in the air, through which the high-rise buildings loom; and the street lights just seem to…

13 Jan 2017 5 min

Being Green - 06 January 2017

"The Fire Season is upon us and it’s early in the cycle. Yesterday a sample from the Vital Fire website, which offers a forestry-based Fire Index information service, said that, for instance, in the Breede River region the wind was SSW, 5kmh, the temperature at 10 am 17 degrees and…

6 Jan 2017 6 min

Being Green - 30 December 2016

"This is BEING GREEN for week 52 of 2016. Yes, the final one of the year. Well we all know what we think of 2016, so will 2017 be better - or worse? Funny how we talk like that. How can any year be better or worse? What does ‘year’…

30 Dec 2016 7 min

Being Green - 23 December 2016

"A message from someone who has uniquely earned the right to remind us. He was speaking atop a skyscraper overlooking the centre of London; Sir David Attenborough, winding up the final episode of PLANET EARTH’s second series on BBC Television. A supremely poignant moment, as Attenborough has just turned 90,…

23 Dec 2016 5 min

Being Green - 9 December 2016

"I’m always keen to refresh my understanding of the basics of environmental science that underpins our understanding of where we’re at on the planet. The 7-plus billion humans that share the planet with all other living creatures, vegetable or animal."

9 Dec 2016 5 min