tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-288229432024-03-05T13:49:29.152+02:00Dennis Laidler's Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environmental Sustainability BlogThis blog is dedicated to climate change, biodiversity and general environmental sustainability issues that I find relevant or interesting. It may develop into a good place to visit regularly if you are involved in biodiversity and climate change issues in the Western Cape.
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(Best viewed using Mozilla Firefox - http://www.mozilla.com)Dennis Laidlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607541985195982833noreply@blogger.comBlogger145125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28822943.post-49597222229111737542008-01-22T22:18:00.000+02:002008-01-22T22:19:58.084+02:00Earth hour ...See Earth Hour<br /><br /><object width="465" height="323"><param name="movie" value="http://www.earthhour.org/flash/earth_hour.swf"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="bgcolor" value="#011c2d"><param name="FlashVars" value="path=http://www.earthhour.org/flash/earth_hour_flv.flv&playerSkin=http://www.earthhour.org/flash/EHAll.swf&img=http://www.earthhour.org/flash/earth_hour_flv.jpg"><embed src="http://www.earthhour.org/flash/earth_hour.swf" flashvars="path=http://www.earthhour.org/flash/earth_hour_flv.flv&playerSkin=http://www.earthhour.org/flash/EHAll.swf&img=http://www.earthhour.org/flash/earth_hour_flv.jpg" quality="high" bgcolor="#011c2d" width="465" height="323" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object>Dennis Laidlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607541985195982833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28822943.post-40512053475255175492008-01-21T20:36:00.000+02:002008-01-21T21:21:22.555+02:00UCT Evening Course on Climate Change ...<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255); font-weight: bold;">The University of Cape Town's Summer School 2008<br />will include an evening course for the public on climate change, </span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">"Transforming society to cope with climate change:<br />impacts, vulnerability and adaptation."</span><br /></div><br />The course runs Monday 28 Jan - Friday 1 Feb in the Leslie Social Sciences Building, LT2, UCT Upper Campus at 18:00 each evening to allow people to attend after work.<br /><br />Lecturers will include IPCC authors Prof Harald Winkler (UCT) and Dr Guy Midgley (SANBI/UCT), as well as Dr Gina Ziervogel (UCT/Stockholm Environment Institute), Mr Arthur Chapman (CSIR), Dr Phoebe Barnard (SANBI/UCT), and the MEC of Environment, Planning and Economic Development for the Western Cape, Ms Tasneem Essop.<br /><br />All wishing to attend should register with the UCT Centre for Extra-Mural Studies at:<br />021 650 2888 or ems@ched.uct.ac.za.<br /><br />For more on the program, see below or p. 45 of the <a href="http://www.ems.uct.ac.za/files/file/ss2008brochure.pdf">2008 Summer School Brochure</a> on the UCT website.<br /><br />As noted below, Arthur Chapman's talk on water resources will now be given on Wednesday 30 Jan, and the one on ecosystems and biodiversity by Guy Midgley and Phoebe Barnard on Thursday 31 Jan (contrary to the programme as listed in the brochure).<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">UCT SUMMER SCHOOL 2008</span><br /><br />*Transforming society to cope with climate change * vulnerability, impacts & adaptation*<br />28 January * 1 February 2008<br /><br />Course organizer:<br />Dr Phoebe Barnard<br />barnard <span style="font-style: italic;">at</span> sanbi.org<br />Tel (021) 799 8722 during working hours<br /><br />Course development officer (UCT):<br />Janet Small<br />janet.small <span style="font-style: italic;">at</span> uct.ac.za<br />Tel: (021) 650 4088 or (021) 650 2888 during working hours<br />Fax: 021 650 2893.<br /><br />Course venue: Leslie Social Sciences LT2 <br />Course time slot: 6 pm<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Monday 28 Jan 2008</span><br />Dr Harald Winkler (Energy Research Centre, UCT)<br />"Science, politics and the SA context of climate change"<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Tuesday 29 Jan</span><br />Dr Gina Ziervogel (Climate Systems Analysis Group, UCT)<br />"Landscapes, livelihoods, natural resources and adaptation - what climate change may bring for Africa"<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Wednesday 30 Jan</span><br />Mr Arthur Chapman (CSIR, Stellenbosch)<br />"Vulnerability and adaptation in the economy, the water sector, commercial agriculture, human health, and impacts on freshwater and coastal environments"<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Thursday 31 Jan</span><br />Dr Phoebe Barnard and Dr Guy Midgley (South African National Biodiversity Institute) - "Vulnerability and adaptation of terrestrial ecosystems and biodiversity to climate change in southern Africa"<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Friday 1 Feb</span><br />Ms Tasneem Essop (Minister of Environment, Planning and Economic Development, Western Cape, or delegate)<br />"Putting knowledge into practical action: what*s happening in the Western Cape?"<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">SOME USEFUL LINKS:</span><br /><br />Global change:<br /><a href="http://www.sanbi.org/frames/gcrg">http://www.sanbi.org/frames/gcrg</a><br /><br />Southern African Bird Atlas:<br /><a href="http://www.sabap2.org/">http://www.sabap2.org</a><br /><br />Climate change & birds:<br /><a href="http://www.fitzpatrick.uct.ac.za/docs/climate.html"> http://www.fitzpatrick.uct.ac.za/docs/climate.html</a><br /><a href="http://www.fitzpatrick.uct.ac.za/docs/phoebe.html">http://www.fitzpatrick.uct.ac.za/docs/phoebe.html</a>Dennis Laidlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607541985195982833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28822943.post-69181231108927499672007-10-03T18:06:00.001+02:002007-10-03T18:31:31.894+02:00TED - Tegnology, Entertainment and Design ...<a href="www.ted.com">www.ted.com</a> - just one of the most inspiring sites I have come across in a long while<br /><br />Here is one reason why:<br /><br /><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=8,0,0,0" width="320" height="285" id="VE_Player" align="middle"><param name="movie" value="http://static.videoegg.com/ted/flash/loader.swf"><PARAM NAME="FlashVars" VALUE="bgColor=FFFFFF&file=http://static.videoegg.com/ted/movies/HANSROSLING_high.flv&autoPlay=false&fullscreenURL=http://static.videoegg.com/ted/flash/fullscreen.html&forcePlay=false&logo=&allowFullscreen=true"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF"><param name="scale" value="noscale"><param name="wmode" value="window"><embed src="http://static.videoegg.com/ted/flash/loader.swf" FlashVars="bgColor=FFFFFF&file=http://static.videoegg.com/ted/movies/HANSROSLING_high.flv&autoPlay=false&fullscreenURL=http://static.videoegg.com/ted/flash/fullscreen.html&forcePlay=false&logo=&allowFullscreen=true" quality="high" allowScriptAccess="always" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" scale="noscale" wmode="window" width="320" height="285" name="VE_Player" align="middle" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></object>Dennis Laidlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607541985195982833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28822943.post-43748128247130010952007-09-11T09:50:00.000+02:002007-09-11T10:00:54.490+02:00Climate Change Modeling in South Africa ...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPUkLAGNnpe917XYQLihMLkHiPyUov0-G66KBA5E6woVMD_d5MrcSBN9jmbnJv5HJb1Fmlp1KsYe08jaZ317Zpm25AXfBzsd6WIFG_FFqaz1j6hIiWSZU-utvwpEXZv2lIjt9mVg/s1600-h/wcglogo.gif"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPUkLAGNnpe917XYQLihMLkHiPyUov0-G66KBA5E6woVMD_d5MrcSBN9jmbnJv5HJb1Fmlp1KsYe08jaZ317Zpm25AXfBzsd6WIFG_FFqaz1j6hIiWSZU-utvwpEXZv2lIjt9mVg/s320/wcglogo.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5108853400282052322" border="0" /></a><br /><br />WORLD COMMUNITY GRID TO HELP BUILD MODELS THAT WILL AID IN UNDERSTANDING THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE<br /><br />Last week I attended the launch, at UCT, of a most interesting South African Climate Change project.<br /><br />Now your own PC can be used, while you are not using it, to assist in climate data processing to improve the reliability of climate change modeling for South Africa.<br /><br />See the <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">"AfricanClimate@Home</span>" link at <a href="http://www.worldcommunitygrid.org/">www.worldcommunitygrid.org</a><br /><br />Please read on.<br /><br />Capetown, South Africa, September 3, 2007 . . . IBM and the Climate Systems Analysis Group (CSAG) at the University of Cape Town (Bruce Hewitson) launched a global computing effort to improve regional climate models in order to make better projections about what effects a changing climate will have in Africa.<br /><br />Climate change is of grave concern in all areas, but in developing regions such as Africa, the impact will be more acute because of the lack of access to healthcare and other social services. Widespread floods, for example, can lead to water borne illness and related diseases such as dengue fever or malaria, which are spread by infected mosquitoes that thrive in water. Droughts can have devastating effects as well by bringing on pervasive food shortages.<br /><br />By making better predictions about how global climate change might realistically affect regions of Africa, resource managers can start to make decisions that might alleviate the adverse effects. For example, they could begin planning an irrigation infrastructure or promoting appropriate drought resistant crops. The project, “AfricanClimate@Home,” will use the vast computational power of World Community Grid, a virtual supercomputer comprised of hundreds of thousands of individuals who donate their unused computer time, making it as powerful as one of the world’s top five supercomputers. Researchers will use the computational power of World Community Grid to improve the models used to predict the climate by conducting simulations in small regions of Africa and then checking them against real observations.<br /><br />While large-scale global climate models provide people with a general idea of what the climate may be like over a wide area, they do not necessarily reflect what will happen in a particular region because the global models do not sufficiently take into account large lakes, mountains, or plains that can affect the local climate.<br />Lead researcher Dr. Mark Tadross, says, “Making predictions about the climate requires an enormous amount of computational power because of all of the variables, such as temperature, wind, pressure, and humidity. In order to improve the models, we need to come up with better algorithms that will more closely match what is observed in a local area. By using World Community Grid, we have the computational power necessary to run the tests we need to improve our models.”<br /><br />Once researchers have access to models that more accurately predict regional weather patterns, they can then begin to run forecasts about how global climate changes may affect the region. People can then use the data to make management decisions related to agriculture and water resources. This is important in an area of the world that is still developing and often does not have adequate infrastructure. Forewarning any potentially dramatic changes in climate, especially those related to extreme events such as droughts and floods, can enable vulnerable communities and disaster management teams to act in advance of the climatic hazard.<br /><br />“We can all have a profound effect on this research by simply by donating our unused computer cycle time,” said Stanley Litow, Vice President of Corporate Citizenship and Corporate Affairs and President of the IBM International Foundation. “If you own a computer and can access the Internet, then you can be a part of the solution".<br /><br />To donate your unused computer time to this project, you can register on <a href="http://www.worldcommunitygrid.org/">www.worldcommunitygrid.org</a> and install a free, small software program on to your computer/s. When computers are idle, for example people are at lunch, their computers request data from World Community Grid’s server. These computers then perform climate modeling computations using this data, and send the results back to the server, prompting it for a new piece of work. A screen saver will tell individuals when their computers are being used.<br /><br />World Community Grid, the largest public humanitarian grid in existence, has an impressive 315,000-plus members and links more than 700,000 computers. However, it’s estimated that there will be one billion computers worldwide by 2008, underscoring the potential for the grid and its computational power to significantly expand and make an even greater impact on a range of humanitarian issues.<br /><br />Seven projects have been run on World Community Grid to date, including "FightAIDS@Home", which completed five years of HIV/AIDS research in just six months. Additional projects are in the pipeline.<br /><br />Contact:<br />Clint Roswell<br />IBM<br />914-499-4045<br />mailto: roswellc@us.ibm.com<br /><br />Let's support CSAG and have as many South Africans as possible signing up to the <a href="http://www.worldcommunitygrid.org/">World Community Grid</a> "ClimateChange@Home" project and see if we can lead the world in regional climate modeling.Dennis Laidlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607541985195982833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28822943.post-80199908857430655022007-06-07T12:33:00.000+02:002007-06-14T22:18:02.345+02:00RECC PresentationsThis post gives access to all the presentations delivered at the <a href="http://www.climatechange.org.za/">Western Cape Renewable Energy and Climate Change Summit</a><br /><br />Click on the links below to download the presentations and documents from the Western Cape Renewable Energy and Climate Change Summit held at the CTICC, Cape Town 7-8 June 2007<br /><br />Correlate these presentations with the <a href="http://www.climatechange.org.za/summit/programme">Summit Programme</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">DAY 1</span> - 7<span style="font-style: italic;"> JUNE 2007</span> - <span style="font-weight: bold;">Renewable Energy</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mediafire.com/?9jj42d3lmv9">Mark Borchers</a> ppt 4.35MB<br /><a href="http://www.mediafire.com/?5qfni2dtlgm">Ronald Chauke</a> ppt 304KB<br /><a href="http://www.mediafire.com/?04z29xjmjxm">Adam Gordon</a> ppt 192KB<br /><a href="http://www.mediafire.com/?9xm9rmump1f">Mark Gordon</a> ppt 7.7MB<br /><a href="http://www.mediafire.com/?9jj42d3lmv9">Daniel Modise</a> ppt 385KB<br /><a href="http://www.mediafire.com/?9xnvhxhtzg1">Raudiyah Sahabodien</a> pps 8.9MB<br /><a href="http://www.mediafire.com/?0ygm7mzmghm">Brian Sechotlho</a> ppt 2045KB<br /><a href="http://www.mediafire.com/?fixv21ebrmk">Nicola Steen</a> ppt 14.11MB<br /><a href="http://www.mediafire.com/?9tpbztz2ymx">M Visage</a> ppt 771KB<br /><a href="http://www.mediafire.com/?62me2ciuzmm">SANERI presentation to RE and CC Summit in CT 070607</a> ppt 579KB<br /><a href="http://www.mediafire.com/?5uxvwxgep2w">NERSA Licensing Rules RE Summit 20070607</a> ppt 175KB<br /><a href="http://www.mediafire.com/?8tjarymrxnb">NERSA Regulatory Support RE Summit 20070606</a> ppt 182KB<br /><br />Today the National Minister, <span class="docHdg">Marthinus van Schalkwyk,</span> delivered his <a href="http://www.environment.gov.za/NewsMedia/Speeches/2007Jun7/07062007.html">budget speech</a><br /><br />Professor Wikus van Niekerk of the <a href="http://academic.sun.ac.za/crses/">Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies</a> of the University of Stellenbosch drew delegates attention to a regular <a href="http://academic.sun.ac.za/crses/pdfs/DISCUSSION%20FORUM.pdf">discussion forum</a> hosted by the Centre relating to Renewable and Sustainable Energy issues.<br /><br />Here is the <a href="http://www.mediafire.com/?9jtrihzmjgo">Draft Sustainable Energy Strategy</a> pdf 16.6MB (Note: this is a full colour pdf of the printed document)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmVJagI6ty8lirQZMX29CX3FKkM5ta1F0YXpAldCZ_wnoDDsBglc3W-4b6_Au3RMar0I82SAUD9ogpn4Phasdm1A2d0QmuMRzlQqp-n4DU5iAGHxhik-EBKnHQw4mmNn1N2YVsEw/s1600-h/DSCN4294.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmVJagI6ty8lirQZMX29CX3FKkM5ta1F0YXpAldCZ_wnoDDsBglc3W-4b6_Au3RMar0I82SAUD9ogpn4Phasdm1A2d0QmuMRzlQqp-n4DU5iAGHxhik-EBKnHQw4mmNn1N2YVsEw/s320/DSCN4294.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5073431482703305922" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Queen Protea, <span style="font-style: italic;">Protea magnifica</span>,<br />on the slopes of Milner Ridge Peak,<br />Hex River Mountains<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">At the end of the day MEC Essop's office issued the following press statement:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">MEC Essop commits to bold actions to accelerate Renewable Energy initiatives in the Western Cape</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Yesterday in Cape Town delivering the first day closure of the Provincial Government’s Renewable Energy and Climate Change Summit, MEC Tasneem Essop acknowledged the contributions, gaps, opportunities and challenges raised by all the stakeholders present.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">This summit was held to create an enabling environment to promote dialogue between stakeholders and government in order to activate the renewable energy sector within the Western Cape.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">The MEC summarized the day’s proceedings and committed to a range of immediate actions.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Essop offered that her Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning would facilitate a process to understand barriers and constraints to implementing Renewable Energy projects. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">The Department will develop a document readily available to provide information to prospective RE developers to explain the regulatory processes involved in implementing Renewable Energy projects. The pamphlet will also include information about incentives and provide specific contact details.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Essop also recognized the urgent need to build smart capacity in government departments, municipalities and other relevant organs of state to efficiently manage Renewable Energy project implementation.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Furthermore, she committed to facilitate the roll-out of the short-term actions identified in the recently finalized Western Cape Sustainable Energy Strategy and establish a Renewable Energy networking forum to regularly debate Renewable Energy issues between all stakeholders including government.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Cognizant of urgent climate change adaptation and mitigation imperatives, Essop announced that she will take the initiative to develop a Renewable Energy Act for the Western Cape in consultation with her national and provincial counterparts.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">In conclusion Essop offered to investigate and promote the creation of funding opportunities for small and medium Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency projects, and facilitate skills development programmes within the Renewable Energy sector (such as installation and maintenance of solar water geysers), where there is currently a shortage of such skills.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">End</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span><span style="font-style: italic;">Contact Person:</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Suraya Hamdulay</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">083 555 4150</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">DAY 2</span> - <span style="font-style: italic;">8 JUNE 2007</span> - <span style="font-weight: bold;">Climate Change</span><br /><br />There is an earlier post on this blog where you can download draft copies of the <a href="http://sustainablehome4all.blogspot.com/2007/06/draft-western-cape-climate-change.html">Western Cape Climate Change Response Strategy and Action Plan and Supplimentary Reports</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mediafire.com/?3dklcct02gd">Belynda Petrie</a> ppt 4.7MB - Presentation on the Western Cape Climate Change Response Strategy and Action Plan<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><a href="http://sustainablehome4all.blogspot.com/"><br /></a>Dennis Laidlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607541985195982833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28822943.post-18754537681571411242007-06-01T10:52:00.000+02:002007-06-01T10:59:53.777+02:00Western Cape Renewable Energy and Climate Change Summit ...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPzjEiIcJW7zR2tDe4qX_6UF-0GdN4oiBjBtKpczHlD67-2pgApxOfsXMlhqgbih6pVho7fiY_1uf_sigbZabnykVRKrBIFhITW8oEWec12z8hvRxlp1mPR4foJVuVQQWlsQRMrA/s1600-h/Climate+Change+Conf+logo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPzjEiIcJW7zR2tDe4qX_6UF-0GdN4oiBjBtKpczHlD67-2pgApxOfsXMlhqgbih6pVho7fiY_1uf_sigbZabnykVRKrBIFhITW8oEWec12z8hvRxlp1mPR4foJVuVQQWlsQRMrA/s320/Climate+Change+Conf+logo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5071009201512997986" border="0" /></a><br />Ms Tasneem Essop, the Western Cape Minister of Environment, Planning and Economic Development, has extended an invitation to participate in the <a href="http://www.climatechange.org.za/">Renewable Energy and Climate Change Summit</a> on 7 and 8 June 2007 in Cape Town during World Environment Week hosted by her <span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><a href="http://www.capegateway.gov.za/eadp">Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning</a>.<br /><br />The Provincial Government of the Western Cape has set a target of 15% of energy production from renewable sources by 2014. The first day of the summit is mainly a business and renewable energy investment forum and exhibition to stimulate the implementation of renewable energy projects in the province.<br /><br />The second day of the summit focuses primarily on the Draft Western Cape Climate Change Response Strategy and Action Plan. A wide range of national and provincial stakeholders are invited to participate. There will be an address by the honourable Marthinus van Schalkwyk, Minister of the <a href="http://www.deat.gov.za/">National Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism</a> and the Premier of the Western Cape on this vital issue. The climate change segment of the summit addresses the impacts of climate change on the poor and most vulnerable sectors of society.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.climatechange.org.za/register">Register for the Summit online</a>. (The number of delegates is limited so to avoid disappointment please register and do not just pitch up on the day)Dennis Laidlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607541985195982833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28822943.post-48624646957008739002007-06-01T09:35:00.000+02:002007-06-01T10:45:30.983+02:00Draft Western Cape Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan and Supplimentary Reports ...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLdHNGnzezRmSbaPIEqENMrLOLt-OdlkiEbwN7Cd-PJzBxhyNBxJzap9YXrnty4E-zHUxZJjgKlW9cCUvcJhjtncZMgX212UbxQweqXfIy-7sExvClO8dAPnfbyUP95iWiFbI8qg/s1600-h/Climate+Change+logo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLdHNGnzezRmSbaPIEqENMrLOLt-OdlkiEbwN7Cd-PJzBxhyNBxJzap9YXrnty4E-zHUxZJjgKlW9cCUvcJhjtncZMgX212UbxQweqXfIy-7sExvClO8dAPnfbyUP95iWiFbI8qg/s320/Climate+Change+logo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5071014177070377010" border="0" /></a><br />The <a href="http://www.wc-climatechange-response.org.za/Portal/response-strategy/draft-final-strategy-documents">Draft Western Cape Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan and Supplimentary Reports</a> are now available online on the <a href="http://www.wc-climatechange-response.org.za/">Western Cape Climate Change Project Website</a>.<br /><br />There will be ongoing opportunities to engage with the department in finalising the report after the<a href="http://www.climatechange.org.za/"> Western Cape Renewable Energy and Climate Change Summit</a> to be held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre on 7 and 8 June 2007 - for further information consult this blog regularly. Click on the link to the Sumit above to register online.Dennis Laidlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607541985195982833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28822943.post-80103739693241572972007-05-18T08:27:00.000+02:002007-05-18T08:31:54.278+02:00NewScientist Special on Climate Myths ...For those who are perhaps confused by all the conflicting claims about climate change and want to find out what's really going on, New Scientist has put together a <a href="http://environment.newscientist.com/climatemyths">special on climate myths</a>.<br /><br />Why? Because time is running out. We need to be debating how to achieve the drastic cuts in CO<sub>2</sub> emissions that are required to reduce our impact on the climate, not wasting time endlessly rehashing a debate that was largely settled half a century ago.Dennis Laidlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607541985195982833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28822943.post-19163994836627058072007-05-11T08:22:00.000+02:002007-05-11T08:34:50.844+02:00Information Sessions on Threatened and Protected Species Regulations ...South African Ministry of Environmental Affairs and Tourism<br /><br />For immediate release<br />STATEMENT BY THE OFFICE OF MARTHINUS VAN SCHALKWYK, MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND TOURISM, 4 MAY 2007<br /><br />Threatened and Protected Species Regulations -<br />to come into force on 1 February 2008<br /><br />On the 20th of February 2007, Marthinus Van Schalkwyk, Minister of Environmental Affairs & Tourism, announced the new Threatened and Protected Species Regulations. After presentations by some Provincial MECs around challenges in implementing these regulations by 1 June 2007, the Minister has decided that these regulations will come into force on 1 February 2008.<br /><br />No further postponement will be considered. The Minister would like to call on all stakeholders to ensure that they are ready for the implementation on 1 February 2008. In the interim, applicants are encouraged to apply for registration of facilities, as well as for elephant ivory, and for possession permits of, for example, cycad species. Even though permits will only be issued after 1 February, early submission of applications will avoid congestion and aid compliance.<br /><br />Enquiries: Riaan Aucamp - 083 778 9923<br /><br />+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<br /><br /><br />Below are the specific venues for the information seminars on Threatened or Protected species regulations. Copies of the regulations as well as the implementation guidelines are obtainable from Amanda Dana (see contact details below).<br /><br />Pietermaritzburg<br />Venue: Queen Elizabeth Park<br />Date & Time: 10 May 2007 (Government officials only)- 14h00-16h00<br />Date & Time: 11 May 2007 (Stakeholders and the General Public)- 09h00<br />till 16h00<br /><br />Pretoria<br />Venue: CSIR- Ruby Auditorium<br />Date: 14 May 2007<br />Time: 07h30-15h30<br /><br />Grahamstown<br />Venue: Grahamstown Foundation-Thomas Pringle<br />Date: 15 May 2007<br />Time: 09h00-16h00<br /><br />Cape Town<br />Venue: Cape Sun<br />Date: 16 May 2007<br />Time: 09h00-16h00<br /><br />Bloemfontein<br />Venue: Bains Game Lodge<br />Date: 17 May 2007<br />Time: 09h00-16h00<br /><br />Nelspruit<br />Venue: Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA)- Auditorium<br />Date: 18 May 2007<br />Time: 09h00-16h00<br /><br />Polokwane<br />Venue: Oasis Lodge<br />Date: 21 May 2007<br />Time: 09h00-16h00<br /><br />Kimberly<br />Venue: Langberg Gasteplaas<br />Date: 22 May 2007<br />Time: 09h00-16h00<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Contact Person:</span><br />(from whom further information and copies of the regulations and an implementation guideline can be obtained)<br />Amanda Dana<br />adana@deat.gov.za<br />+27 12 310 3969Dennis Laidlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607541985195982833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28822943.post-56479307016289603372007-03-20T09:07:00.000+02:002007-03-20T09:18:27.905+02:00Consultant services required by C.A.P.E. ...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYLgOOiREwXWrQXw4SuZfzAqebmCi3LbvjOZGeJMCc1MQhyphenhyphen-uPIQav5V51WbgBK-SQvT3vdUAjCzjhzBLFJ4LrKLudPiGWSU-JQzEmNdo_2rgVqJ-T0nn1-oy836LIe1S1dk9H3w/s320/CAPE+logo3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYLgOOiREwXWrQXw4SuZfzAqebmCi3LbvjOZGeJMCc1MQhyphenhyphen-uPIQav5V51WbgBK-SQvT3vdUAjCzjhzBLFJ4LrKLudPiGWSU-JQzEmNdo_2rgVqJ-T0nn1-oy836LIe1S1dk9H3w/s320/CAPE+logo3.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>General Procurement Notice:<br />Consultant Database Listing<br />C.A.P.E. Fine-scale Biodiversity Planning Project<br /><br />C.A.P.E. is a partnership programme, hosted by the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), that seeks to conserve and restore the biodiversity of the Cape Floristic Region and adjacent marine environment, while delivering significant benefits to the people of the region. Component 5 of the C.A.P.E. programme, which deals with establishing the foundations of the biodiversity economy to enhance conservation stewardship in key lowland landscapes, consists of four sub-components. This project constitutes sub-component 5.1, i.e. Undertaking fine-scale biodiversity planning in five broad priority areas namely the Riversdale Coastal Plain, Nieuwoudtville, Upper Breede River Valley, North West Sandveld and the Saldanha Peninsula. The Fine-scale Biodiversity Planning Project is a four year project, (May 2005 – December 2009), funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF). CapeNature has been appointed as the lead implementing agency for the fine-scale biodiversity planning project and will be working in close partnership with the South African National Biodiversity Institute and other project partners such as provincial departments and agencies, local authorities, planning and environmental consultants and local conservation NGOs.<br /><br />The services of a number of consultants will be required during the production of these English and Afrikaans land-and resource-use guidelines which are to be associated with these conservation maps and plans. These services include:<br /><br />A Guidelines Manager: To produce land-and resource-use guidelines to be associated with the conservation plans and maps;<br />A Guidelines Text Editor;<br />A Guidelines Designer; and<br />An English/Afrikaans translator.<br /><br />Interested consultants are invited to register their interest in any of the above short term contracts related to the project by providing CV’s indicating relevant skills, qualifications and experience together with a covering letter to the <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Project Co-ordinator, Kerry te Roller at teroller@sanbi.org by 26 March 2007</span>. Specific Terms of Reference will be provided after registration.Dennis Laidlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607541985195982833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28822943.post-45398848027094192812007-03-20T08:14:00.000+02:002007-03-20T08:34:38.298+02:00Impact of livestock on the environment ...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFXDuF3OeaveRj9oJCaxF3PYC_U5nRzIbdPU1rjoY9bMby7Y4gQ6qZ7PPZQRmWxjuZzfEHH-oZzKZR1XLa9QyGopEYQp3EZfStIbBgS0i10DxvEnO3l9GJAWsODvbqai9HOh_JBQ/s1600-h/A0701E00.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFXDuF3OeaveRj9oJCaxF3PYC_U5nRzIbdPU1rjoY9bMby7Y4gQ6qZ7PPZQRmWxjuZzfEHH-oZzKZR1XLa9QyGopEYQp3EZfStIbBgS0i10DxvEnO3l9GJAWsODvbqai9HOh_JBQ/s320/A0701E00.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5043888319968834322" border="0" /></a><br />I recently listened to a podcast, '<a href="http://www.thewatt.com/article-category-2.html">theWatt, episode 70</a>' that dealt with the impact of livestock on the environment, icluding energy issues of producing various foods. This is an interesting podcast dealing with energy issues.<br /><br />They mentioned a very interesting report, '<a href="http://www.virtualcentre.org/en/library/key_pub/longshad/A0701E00.htm">Livestock's long shadow</a>', on the subject.<br /><br /><strong>Summary: </strong>This report aims to assess the full impact of the livestock sector on environmental problems, along with potential technical and policy approaches to mitigation. The assessment is based on the most recent and complete data available, taking into account direct impacts, along with the impacts of feed crop agriculture required for livestock production.<br />The livestock sector emerges as one of the top two or three most significant contributors to the most serious environmental problems, at every scale from local to global. The findings of this report suggest that it should be a major policy focus when dealing with problems of land degradation, climate change and air pollution, water shortage and water pollution, and loss of biodiversity.<br />Livestock’s contribution to environmental problems is on a massive scale and its potential contribution to their solution is equally large. The impact is so significant that it needs to be addressed with urgency. Major reductions in impact could be achieved at reasonable cost.<br /><br />By the way my other favourite podcasts include the <a href="http://www.newscientist.com/podcast.ns">NewScientist podcast</a> and <a href="http://www.sciam.com/podcast/">Scientific American podcast</a> and on a lighter note <a href="http://www.morehipthanhippie.com/">More Hip than Hippie</a>Dennis Laidlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607541985195982833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28822943.post-35430600494608041782007-03-17T20:18:00.000+02:002007-03-22T11:35:08.480+02:00Talk by Sir Nicholas Stern ...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYx-YxmEOAKsXUfWMFmsEOWQ4QH2dlJFroLfTunWXmKcgfNTC4cNQdDMwWP9DxIqwTZ-ubJ-JI2D00wYbl4b9QGMgkqnyWfzrjrE65H8ad-2EFzABRlBq79bMZ4HlNjOahqQw7/s320/DSCN6180.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYx-YxmEOAKsXUfWMFmsEOWQ4QH2dlJFroLfTunWXmKcgfNTC4cNQdDMwWP9DxIqwTZ-ubJ-JI2D00wYbl4b9QGMgkqnyWfzrjrE65H8ad-2EFzABRlBq79bMZ4HlNjOahqQw7/s320/DSCN6180.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a>On Thursday last, as the provincial representative on the National Climate Change Committee, I was lucky enough to attend a talk at the <a href="http://www.dbsa.org/">DBSA</a>, Midrand, by <a href="http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/independent_reviews/stern_review_economics_climate_change/sternreview_index.cfm">Sir Nicholas Stern</a><br /><br />A really interesting talk and very interesting discussion with the audience afterwards<br /><br />You can download the actual report and associated reviews <a href="http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/independent_reviews/stern_review_economics_climate_change/sternreview_index.cfm">here</a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwrwNy5eHxBTunUMhPWNKw-apqiXc8HVOUAJk62uQ_vGP56bACWDtwWR8n8A-NbDBvajbemxHzLwrShIVjq8xcU0Dy5QPWQHlAG_Nro3OLF_HWzWKc1DKadetZ2-RcpZbW8Z0X/s320/Mango+bicycles.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwrwNy5eHxBTunUMhPWNKw-apqiXc8HVOUAJk62uQ_vGP56bACWDtwWR8n8A-NbDBvajbemxHzLwrShIVjq8xcU0Dy5QPWQHlAG_Nro3OLF_HWzWKc1DKadetZ2-RcpZbW8Z0X/s320/Mango+bicycles.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a>Passing through Johannesburg International Airport (O.R. Tambo Airport) was the evidence of last weekend's <a href="http://www.cycletour.co.za/">Cape Argus Cycle Race</a> - boxes and boxes of bicycles transported free by <a href="http://ww1.flysaa.com/">SAA</a> on the new cut rate airline <a href="http://www.flymango.com/">Mango</a><br /><br />This year just over 30 000 cyclists from around the globe participated in the world's largest timed cycle race, including familiar names and faces like Nicholas Laidler, Francois Pienaar and tandem partner, Lucas Radebe, as well as Tour de France greats, Greg LeMond, Jan Ullrich and Steven Rooks.Dennis Laidlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607541985195982833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28822943.post-57034611288309794102007-03-10T08:02:00.000+02:002007-03-10T08:06:03.493+02:00Whatever you do don't mention Polar Bears ...American censorship of science, particularly of climate change, is still alive and well.<br />See <a href="http://www.newscientist.com/blog/environment/2007/03/polar-bear-gagging-order.html">the latest daming report</a> on the NewScientist blog.Dennis Laidlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607541985195982833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28822943.post-42903976163741528592007-03-08T08:09:00.000+02:002007-03-08T08:13:31.153+02:00Short course on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Procedures ...Rhodes University: Short course on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Procedures<br /><br />Course dates: Monday 7 May to Friday 11 May 2007<br /><br />Rhodes University's Departments of Environmental Science and Botany, in conjunction with Coastal & Environmental Services (CES), are offering another short course on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Procedures at Rhodes University, Grahamstown during May 2007.<br /><br />For more information on this course, please obtain a brochure (in pdf format) and registration form (Word document) from the contact person below.<br /><br />Please forward this information to anybody you feel may be interested in attending a course in Environmental Impact Assessment procedures.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Should you have any queries about this EIA short course, please contact :</span><br /><br />Lisl Griffioen<br />Short course coordinator<br />Coastal & Environmental Services<br /><br /> lisl@cesnet.co.za<br /><br />P O Box 934<br />Grahamstown<br />6140, South Africa<br />Tel: 046-622 4455<br />Fax: 046-622 6564<br /><a href="www.cesnet.co.za"> www.cesnet.co.za</a>Dennis Laidlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607541985195982833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28822943.post-87813770098831619062007-03-07T11:52:00.000+02:002007-03-07T20:37:40.689+02:00Draft guideline on biodiversity offsets - comments requestedIn December 2005 the Department of Environment Affairs and Development Planning (DEA&DP) commissioned the preparation of a provincial guideline on biodiversity offsets. A draft guideline was produced in June 2006 (<!--NOVELL_REWRITER_OFF--><a class="weblink" href="http://www.capegateway.gov.za/eng/pubs/guides/P/133948/2" target="browserView">www.capegateway.gov.za/eng/pubs/guides/P/133948/2</a><!--NOVELL_REWRITER_ON--> ) but, due to a number of issues, was not finalized.<br /><br />In January 2007, the Department appointed Susie Brownlie (deVilliers Brownlie Associates), together with Mark Botha (Botanical Society of South Africa), Nick Helme (Nick Helme Botanical Surveys) and Hugo van Zyl (Independent Economic Researchers), to strengthen and finalize the draft guideline.<br /><br />Drawing on a focused biodiversity offsets workshop, and input from a number of stakeholders, the draft guideline has been revised. This revised draft will be available for comment by interested and affected parties on DEA&DP's website [(<!--NOVELL_REWRITER_OFF--><a class="weblink" href="http://www.capegateway.gov.za/eadp" target="browserView">www.capegateway.gov.za/eadp</a><!--NOVELL_REWRITER_ON-->) from Friday 9 March - please go to 'publications' and then 'guidelines', and look for the 'biodiversity offsets' guideline].<br /><br />Should you have any comments on the revised draft guideline, please send them to Susie Brownlie (email: dbass@icon.co.za) by the very latest 20 March 2007.<br /><br />Please contact Susie Brownlie [021-6744 253] should you have any queries.Dennis Laidlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607541985195982833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28822943.post-42087708714897187882007-02-27T10:57:00.000+02:002007-02-27T11:00:13.257+02:00Transforming the global energymix - What role for biofuels? ...INVITATION TO LECTURE: Transforming the global<br />energymix - What role for biofuels?<br /><br />Biowatch South Africa and the University of Cape Town's Environmental<br />Evaluation Unit are jointly hosting a lecture which will focus on<br />biofuels.<br /><br />Biowatch is an environmental organisation concerned with issues of<br />biodiversity, biosafety, food sovereignty and social justice.<br /><br />The Environmental Evaluation Unit is an independent self-funded unit<br />based at UCT. Founded in 1985, the Unit has established itself as a<br />centre of excellence in the fields of integrated environmental<br />management and sustainable development.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Please RSVP to Feroza</span> at biowatch@mweb.co.za or on 021-447 5939 by<br />Friday, 2 March 2007.<br /><br />To find out more about Biowatch South Africa, please go to<br /><a href="www.biowatch.org.za">www.biowatch.org.za</a> or ring us on 021-447 5939.<br /><br />To find out more about the Environmental Evaluation Unit, please go to<br /><a href="www.eeu.uct.ac.za">www.eeu.uct.ac.za</a><br /><br />Transforming the global energy mix<br />What role for biofuels?<br /><br />Dr Karin Kniessl discusses some of the geopolitical and market issues<br />which dominate the current debate on transformation of the global energy<br />market - the "third industrial revolution" - as coined by some<br />scientists. She will examine the role of the European Union, OPEC and<br />international energy companies in this debate and its implications for<br />South Africa.<br /><br />Seminar Room<br />Chemical Engineering Building<br />Upper Campus, UCT<br />Wednesday, 7 March<br />5 pm (17.00)<br /><br />Refreshments will be served after the discussion<br /><br />Dr Karin Kniessl is an academic and author who teaches international<br />relations with a focus on the Middle East and energy affairs at the<br />Diplomatic Academy in Vienna, Austria. She is a former Austrian Ministry<br />of Foreign Affairs official and a member of the board of the Society for<br />Political and Strategic Studies.Dennis Laidlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607541985195982833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28822943.post-12118360740825264692007-02-23T12:02:00.000+02:002007-02-23T12:04:19.811+02:00Dioxin and Furan info ...Around the dioxin / furan issues of Energy-from-Waste facilities.<br />See the United States Environmental Protection Agency<br />(USEPA) Air Pollution Training Institute (APTI) manual on the<br />characteristics, formation and control of dioxins and furans. The following<br />are links to 1-page explanations. For your info:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.epa.gov/eogapti1/module6/dioxins/character/character.htm">http://www.epa.gov/eogapti1/module6/dioxins/character/character.htm</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.epa.gov/eogapti1/module6/dioxins/formation/formation.htm">http://www.epa.gov/eogapti1/module6/dioxins/formation/formation.htm</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.epa.gov/eogapti1/module6/dioxins/control/control.htm">http://www.epa.gov/eogapti1/module6/dioxins/control/control.htm</a>Dennis Laidlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607541985195982833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28822943.post-3520383834470058732007-02-23T10:43:00.000+02:002007-02-27T11:15:07.743+02:00Threatened or protected species regulations ...Ministry of Environmental Affairs and Tourism<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">EXTRACTS FROM A SPEECH BY MARTHINUS VAN SCHALKWYK, MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND TOURISM, AT THE LAUNCH OF THE THREATENED OR PROTECTED SPECIES REGULATIONS ON TUESDAY 20TH FEBRUARY 2007</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">MINISTER STARTS CLEANING UP HUNTING INDUSTRY, BANS CANNED HUNTING</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Introduction</span><br /><br />Today, it gives me great pleasure to publish the regulations that pertain to threatened and protected species. <span style="font-weight: bold;">These regulations will come into effect on 1 June 2007</span>.<br /><br />The regulations are a culmination of a three year period of consultation between government, civil society, the wild life industry as well as animal welfare groups. They also take into account several recommendations by a panel of experts which I appointed in January 2005.<br /><br />For the first time nationally listed species will now have uniform conservation status across the country. Government will have new muscle to ensure that our biodiversity is utilised in an ecologically sustainable way. A broad range of restricted activities will now require permits. The illicit trading of our endangered fish, bird and plant species, like cycads, will be rooted out. The same legal standards will apply throughout the country, closing loopholes and removing discrepancies between provinces.<br /><br />In support of these regulations, our initiatives to improve law enforcement demonstrate Government’s resolve to protect our biological heritage. The Green Scorpions will continue to play a key role in ensuring compliance.<br /><br />Let me turn to some of the specifics:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Registration and self-regulation</span><br /><br />The Regulations introduce a uniform national system for the registration of captive breeding operations, commercial exhibition facilities, game farms, nurseries, scientific institutions, sanctuaries and rehabilitation facilities. These institutions will be required to meet strict criteria. For the first time, provision will be made for the recognition of hunting organisations and the application of codes of ethical conduct and good practice.<br /><br />The introduction of game farm hunting and nursery possession permits will streamline the permit issuing process. It will also compel permit holders to provide critical information to the authorities, which will assist in assessing the status of biodiversity in the country.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Meeting International Commitments</span><br /><br />In order to meet our CITES commitments, we are establishing a national scientific authority, which will replace the current fragmented system. The new authority will enable uniform implementation and provide access to scientific information beyond just CITES species.<br /><br />As a signatory to the international Convention on Biodiversity, South Africa has a commitment to the sustainable use of our natural resources. We understand the huge responsibility that rests on our shoulders to nurture the ecological and economic value of our biodiversity. Therefore, we must protect the integrity of our ecosystems to ensure their long term contribution to tourism and job creation. These regulations empower us to do this.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Canned Lion Hunting</span><br /><br />We are putting an end, once and for all, to the reprehensible practice of canned hunting. The regulations specifically prohibit hunting large predators and rhinoceros that are “put and take” animals - in other words, a captive bred animal that is released on a property for the purpose of hunting within twenty four months.<br /><br />South Africa has a long-standing reputation as a global leader on conservation issues. We can not allow our achievements to be undermined by rogue practices such as canned lion hunting.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Cleaning up the Hunting Industry</span><br /><br />More broadly, the regulations signal the start of a clean-up of the hunting industry. They lay the basis for a well regulated and ethical hunting and game farming industry in South Africa.<br /><br />Whilst we applaud their substantial and positive contribution to conservation management and economic growth, we also have a responsibility to preserve the resource base and ensure that the industry has a sustainable future. In order to do this, we must balance economic objectives with conservation management objectives. Hunting is an important industry, but we must manage it in accordance with ethical and defensible standards.<br /><br />The regulations include prohibitions and restrictions on certain activities and methods of hunting. For example, hunting thick skinned animals and large predators with a bow and arrow will be prohibited and hunting from vehicles will no longer be allowed.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Two-step process</span><br /><br />The implementation of these regulations will be the first step of a two-step process to clean up the hunting and game farming industry. The next step will be to promote even greater uniformity with regard to elements of the hunting industry that we are not dealing with today. We will introduce national norms and standards that provide a framework for provincial regulation and further streamline permitting. This will also be developed in close consultation with the industry, provincial authorities and other stakeholders.<br /><br />The regulations are available on <a href="http://www2.blogger.com/www.environment.gov.za">www.environment.gov.za</a><br /><br /><br />MEDIA ENQUIRIES:<br /><br />Chief Director: Communications, Blessing Manale - 083 677 1630<br />Director: Ministerial Liaison, Riaan Aucamp - 083 778 9923Dennis Laidlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607541985195982833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28822943.post-24411326033159950802007-02-23T08:30:00.000+02:002007-02-23T08:37:18.804+02:00Electronic Database on African Plant Information ...The three larger SANBI herbaria, The National Herbarium, Pretoria, The<br />Compton Herbarium, Cape Town, and the KwaZulu-Natal Herbarium, Durban,<br />during the past three years collaborated with Aluka in building an<br />electronic database on African plant information. SANBI was one of the<br />34 participants in the project and contributed more than 20 725 high<br />resolution images of type specimens held in the three herbaria, together<br />with numerous images of slides and artwork held in its collections. The<br />Aluka resource now holds more than 260 000 images and<br />descriptive texts of plants from Africa and Madagascar contributed to<br />date by the participants. This resource will be officially launched at<br />the AETFAT congress that will be held in Yaounde, Cameroon in February 2007.<br /><br />This resource can now be accessed at <a href="http://www.aluka.org">http://www.aluka.org</a>.<br />A help facility can be accessed at <a href="http://www.aluka.org/page/help/index.jsp">http://www.aluka.org/page/help/index.jsp</a>,<br />and contents areas and descriptions at<br /><a href="http://www.aluka.org/page/content/index.jsp">http://www.aluka.org/page/content/index.jsp</a>.<br /><br />It is inevitable that you will come across mistakes in the database.<br />These you can report to the contact person below.<br /><br />CONTACT:<br /> Dr J.P. (Koos) Roux<br />Curator: Compton Herbarium<br />Private Bag X7<br />Claremont 7735<br />South Africa<br /><br />Tel.: +27 21 799 8681<br />Fax: +27 21 761 4151<br />e-mail: roux@sanbi.org<br />website: <a href="http://www.sanbi.org">www.sanbi.org</a>.Dennis Laidlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607541985195982833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28822943.post-32870442989647904902007-02-20T21:21:00.000+02:002007-02-20T21:23:37.967+02:00EU Agrees to cut green house emissions by 20%European environment ministers <a href="http://environment.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn11219&feedId=earth_rss20">have agreed</a> to cut greenhouse gas emissions to 20% below 1990 levels by 2020.Dennis Laidlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607541985195982833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28822943.post-88753771712482970852007-02-20T20:05:00.000+02:002007-02-20T21:11:37.648+02:00Climate Change themes ...<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Some useful links in climate change related themes</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />Climate change communications:</span><br /><br />Defra <a href="http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/climatechange/uk/individual/comms/index.htm">climate change communication</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Carbon allowances:</span><br /><br />Defra <a href="http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/climatechange/uk/individual/pca/index.htm">personal carbon allowances</a><br />Evaluating emissions - <a href="http://www.safeclimate.net/business/">guidance and tools for calculating your organisations emissions</a><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">Individual Actions:</span><br /><br />Individual and political action on climate change - <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_change_response">Wiki</a><br />Focus on climate change - <a href="http://www.globaleye.org.uk/secondary_spring05/focuson/individualaction.html">individual action<br /></a>Dennis Laidlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607541985195982833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28822943.post-12071189155285148822007-02-20T19:17:00.000+02:002007-02-20T19:41:39.634+02:00Reality show deals with climate change reality<a href="http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0702/S00350.htm">Reality show deals with climate change reality</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.tv3.co.nz/Programmes/Wasted/tabid/222/Default.aspx?showid=14314">WA$TED!</a>, which was supported by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority, visits a different household each week targeting energy efficiency, water use, transport choices, rubbish and recycling.<br /><br />Come on SABC - get WA$TED!Dennis Laidlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607541985195982833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28822943.post-54299550304402508622007-02-15T22:47:00.000+02:002007-02-15T22:50:54.474+02:00New Blog for DEADP ...I have just created a <a href="http://sustainablehome4all.blogspot.com/">new blog</a> for the Western Cape <a href="http://www.capegateway.gov.za/eng/yourgovernment/gsc/406">Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning</a>Dennis Laidlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607541985195982833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28822943.post-7685751703548163622007-01-22T13:52:00.000+02:002007-01-22T14:00:55.349+02:00UK Climate Impacts Programme ...I have just received the <a href="http://www.ukcip.org.uk/news.asp">latest news and events</a> of the <a href="http://www.ukcip.org.uk/">UK Climate Impacts Programme</a>.<br /><br />Of particular interest is the latest edition of the <a href="http://www.ukcip.org.uk/news_dets.asp?news_id=38">UKCIP Climate Digest</a>, a monthly digest of climate change adaptation research from the academic literature.<br /><br />The digest covers the science of climate change, impacts, adaptation and decision-making. It aims to provide a broad coverage of a range of sectors and regions. Full references for each article are provided.<br /><br />Western Cape can learn many lessons by studying Climate Change programmes in other countries.Dennis Laidlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607541985195982833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28822943.post-66848972259807788872007-01-22T13:34:00.000+02:002007-01-30T13:48:58.057+02:00Western Cape Climate Change Website ...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8oqMXrL7Fkqb5iEukdSDYAdD-B7ezQd0h3AcyAdleUvbItg1wLxTwDspkFpZGEjRmDLIslijPt88b7_rcMK5XM_DRHPp8iNuB7CLm_vLuSvwIwnfUoWiX_yr52U6Od6ZN8_xatQ/s1600-h/DSCN4298.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8oqMXrL7Fkqb5iEukdSDYAdD-B7ezQd0h3AcyAdleUvbItg1wLxTwDspkFpZGEjRmDLIslijPt88b7_rcMK5XM_DRHPp8iNuB7CLm_vLuSvwIwnfUoWiX_yr52U6Od6ZN8_xatQ/s320/DSCN4298.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5025788899842439906" border="0" /></a>The <a href="http://www.capegateway.gov.za/">Western Cape Provincial Government</a> has commisioned <a href="http://www.oneworldgroup.co.za/">OneWorld Sustainable Investments</a> to develop a Provincial Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan.<br /><br />OneWorld has created a <a href="http://www.wc-climatechange-response.org.za/">Western Cape Climate Change Website</a> where information about climate change in the Western Cape is available.<br /><br />There is also an on line <a href="http://www.oneworldgroup.co.za/frames.asp?p=bulletinboard.asp">bulletin board</a> with all the latest news about the project such as announcements of workshops. You can also register there as a project stakeholder.Dennis Laidlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607541985195982833noreply@blogger.com