Dennis Laidler's Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environmental Sustainability Blog

Earth hour ...

2008-01-22T22:18:00.000+02:00

See Earth Hour

UCT Evening Course on Climate Change ...

2008-01-21T20:36:00.000+02:00

The University of Cape Town's Summer School 2008
will include an evening course for the public on climate change,

"Transforming society to cope with climate change:
impacts, vulnerability and adaptation."

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.

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.

All wishing to attend should register with the UCT Centre for Extra-Mural Studies at:
021 650 2888 or ems@ched.uct.ac.za.

For more on the program, see below or p. 45 of the 2008 Summer School Brochure on the UCT website.

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).

UCT SUMMER SCHOOL 2008

*Transforming society to cope with climate change * vulnerability, impacts & adaptation*
28 January * 1 February 2008

Course organizer:
Dr Phoebe Barnard
barnard at sanbi.org
Tel (021) 799 8722 during working hours

Course development officer (UCT):
Janet Small
janet.small at uct.ac.za
Tel: (021) 650 4088 or (021) 650 2888 during working hours
Fax: 021 650 2893.

Course venue: Leslie Social Sciences LT2
Course time slot: 6 pm

Monday 28 Jan 2008
Dr Harald Winkler (Energy Research Centre, UCT)
"Science, politics and the SA context of climate change"

Tuesday 29 Jan
Dr Gina Ziervogel (Climate Systems Analysis Group, UCT)
"Landscapes, livelihoods, natural resources and adaptation - what climate change may bring for Africa"

Wednesday 30 Jan
Mr Arthur Chapman (CSIR, Stellenbosch)
"Vulnerability and adaptation in the economy, the water sector, commercial agriculture, human health, and impacts on freshwater and coastal environments"

Thursday 31 Jan
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"

Friday 1 Feb
Ms Tasneem Essop (Minister of Environment, Planning and Economic Development, Western Cape, or delegate)
"Putting knowledge into practical action: what*s happening in the Western Cape?"

SOME USEFUL LINKS:

Global change:
http://www.sanbi.org/frames/gcrg

Southern African Bird Atlas:
http://www.sabap2.org

Climate change & birds:
http://www.fitzpatrick.uct.ac.za/docs/climate.html
http://www.fitzpatrick.uct.ac.za/docs/phoebe.html

TED - Tegnology, Entertainment and Design ...

2007-10-03T18:06:00.001+02:00

www.ted.com - just one of the most inspiring sites I have come across in a long while

Here is one reason why:

Climate Change Modeling in South Africa ...

2007-09-11T09:50:00.000+02:00

WORLD COMMUNITY GRID TO HELP BUILD MODELS THAT WILL AID IN UNDERSTANDING THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE

Last week I attended the launch, at UCT, of a most interesting South African Climate Change project.

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.

See the "AfricanClimate@Home" link at www.worldcommunitygrid.org

Please read on.

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.

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.

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.

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.
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.”

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.

“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".

To donate your unused computer time to this project, you can register on www.worldcommunitygrid.org 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.

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.

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.

Contact:
Clint Roswell
IBM
914-499-4045
mailto: roswellc@us.ibm.com

Let's support CSAG and have as many South Africans as possible signing up to the World Community Grid "ClimateChange@Home" project and see if we can lead the world in regional climate modeling.

RECC Presentations

2007-06-07T12:33:00.000+02:00

This post gives access to all the presentations delivered at the Western Cape Renewable Energy and Climate Change Summit

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

Correlate these presentations with the Summit Programme

DAY 1 - 7 JUNE 2007 - Renewable Energy

Mark Borchers ppt 4.35MB
Ronald Chauke ppt 304KB
Adam Gordon ppt 192KB
Mark Gordon ppt 7.7MB
Daniel Modise ppt 385KB
Raudiyah Sahabodien pps 8.9MB
Brian Sechotlho ppt 2045KB
Nicola Steen ppt 14.11MB
M Visage ppt 771KB
SANERI presentation to RE and CC Summit in CT 070607 ppt 579KB
NERSA Licensing Rules RE Summit 20070607 ppt 175KB
NERSA Regulatory Support RE Summit 20070606 ppt 182KB

Today the National Minister, Marthinus van Schalkwyk, delivered his budget speech

Professor Wikus van Niekerk of the Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies of the University of Stellenbosch drew delegates attention to a regular discussion forum hosted by the Centre relating to Renewable and Sustainable Energy issues.

Here is the Draft Sustainable Energy Strategy pdf 16.6MB (Note: this is a full colour pdf of the printed document)

Queen Protea, Protea magnifica,
on the slopes of Milner Ridge Peak,
Hex River Mountains

At the end of the day MEC Essop's office issued the following press statement:

MEC Essop commits to bold actions to accelerate Renewable Energy initiatives in the Western Cape

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.

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.

The MEC summarized the day’s proceedings and committed to a range of immediate actions.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

End

Contact Person:
Suraya Hamdulay
083 555 4150

DAY 2 - 8 JUNE 2007 - Climate Change

There is an earlier post on this blog where you can download draft copies of the Western Cape Climate Change Response Strategy and Action Plan and Supplimentary Reports

Belynda Petrie ppt 4.7MB - Presentation on the Western Cape Climate Change Response Strategy and Action Plan

Western Cape Renewable Energy and Climate Change Summit ...

2007-06-01T10:52:00.000+02:00

Ms Tasneem Essop, the Western Cape Minister of Environment, Planning and Economic Development, has extended an invitation to participate in the Renewable Energy and Climate Change Summit on 7 and 8 June 2007 in Cape Town during World Environment Week hosted by her Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning.

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.

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 National Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism 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.

Register for the Summit online. (The number of delegates is limited so to avoid disappointment please register and do not just pitch up on the day)

Draft Western Cape Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan and Supplimentary Reports ...

2007-06-01T09:35:00.000+02:00

The Draft Western Cape Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan and Supplimentary Reports are now available online on the Western Cape Climate Change Project Website.

There will be ongoing opportunities to engage with the department in finalising the report after the Western Cape Renewable Energy and Climate Change Summit 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.

NewScientist Special on Climate Myths ...

2007-05-18T08:27:00.000+02:00

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 special on climate myths.

Why? Because time is running out. We need to be debating how to achieve the drastic cuts in CO₂ 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.

Information Sessions on Threatened and Protected Species Regulations ...

2007-05-11T08:22:00.000+02:00

South African Ministry of Environmental Affairs and Tourism

For immediate release
STATEMENT BY THE OFFICE OF MARTHINUS VAN SCHALKWYK, MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND TOURISM, 4 MAY 2007

Threatened and Protected Species Regulations -
to come into force on 1 February 2008

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.

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.

Enquiries: Riaan Aucamp - 083 778 9923

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

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).

Pietermaritzburg
Venue: Queen Elizabeth Park
Date & Time: 10 May 2007 (Government officials only)- 14h00-16h00
Date & Time: 11 May 2007 (Stakeholders and the General Public)- 09h00
till 16h00

Pretoria
Venue: CSIR- Ruby Auditorium
Date: 14 May 2007
Time: 07h30-15h30

Grahamstown
Venue: Grahamstown Foundation-Thomas Pringle
Date: 15 May 2007
Time: 09h00-16h00

Cape Town
Venue: Cape Sun
Date: 16 May 2007
Time: 09h00-16h00

Bloemfontein
Venue: Bains Game Lodge
Date: 17 May 2007
Time: 09h00-16h00

Nelspruit
Venue: Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA)- Auditorium
Date: 18 May 2007
Time: 09h00-16h00

Polokwane
Venue: Oasis Lodge
Date: 21 May 2007
Time: 09h00-16h00

Kimberly
Venue: Langberg Gasteplaas
Date: 22 May 2007
Time: 09h00-16h00

Contact Person:
(from whom further information and copies of the regulations and an implementation guideline can be obtained)
Amanda Dana
adana@deat.gov.za
+27 12 310 3969

Consultant services required by C.A.P.E. ...

2007-03-20T09:07:00.000+02:00

General Procurement Notice:
Consultant Database Listing
C.A.P.E. Fine-scale Biodiversity Planning Project

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.

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:

A Guidelines Manager: To produce land-and resource-use guidelines to be associated with the conservation plans and maps;
A Guidelines Text Editor;
A Guidelines Designer; and
An English/Afrikaans translator.

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 Project Co-ordinator, Kerry te Roller at teroller@sanbi.org by 26 March 2007. Specific Terms of Reference will be provided after registration.

Impact of livestock on the environment ...

2007-03-20T08:14:00.000+02:00

I recently listened to a podcast, 'theWatt, episode 70' 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.

They mentioned a very interesting report, 'Livestock's long shadow', on the subject.

Summary: 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.
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.
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.

By the way my other favourite podcasts include the NewScientist podcast and Scientific American podcast and on a lighter note More Hip than Hippie

Talk by Sir Nicholas Stern ...

2007-03-17T20:18:00.000+02:00

On Thursday last, as the provincial representative on the National Climate Change Committee, I was lucky enough to attend a talk at the DBSA, Midrand, by Sir Nicholas Stern

A really interesting talk and very interesting discussion with the audience afterwards

You can download the actual report and associated reviews here

Passing through Johannesburg International Airport (O.R. Tambo Airport) was the evidence of last weekend's Cape Argus Cycle Race - boxes and boxes of bicycles transported free by SAA on the new cut rate airline Mango

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.

Whatever you do don't mention Polar Bears ...

2007-03-10T08:02:00.000+02:00

American censorship of science, particularly of climate change, is still alive and well.
See the latest daming report on the NewScientist blog.

Short course on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Procedures ...

2007-03-08T08:09:00.000+02:00

Rhodes University: Short course on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Procedures

Course dates: Monday 7 May to Friday 11 May 2007

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.

For more information on this course, please obtain a brochure (in pdf format) and registration form (Word document) from the contact person below.

Please forward this information to anybody you feel may be interested in attending a course in Environmental Impact Assessment procedures.

Should you have any queries about this EIA short course, please contact :

Lisl Griffioen
Short course coordinator
Coastal & Environmental Services

lisl@cesnet.co.za

P O Box 934
Grahamstown
6140, South Africa
Tel: 046-622 4455
Fax: 046-622 6564
www.cesnet.co.za

Draft guideline on biodiversity offsets - comments requested

2007-03-07T11:52:00.000+02:00

In 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 (www.capegateway.gov.za/eng/pubs/guides/P/133948/2 ) but, due to a number of issues, was not finalized.

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.

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 [(www.capegateway.gov.za/eadp) from Friday 9 March - please go to 'publications' and then 'guidelines', and look for the 'biodiversity offsets' guideline].

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.

Please contact Susie Brownlie [021-6744 253] should you have any queries.

Transforming the global energymix - What role for biofuels? ...

2007-02-27T10:57:00.000+02:00

INVITATION TO LECTURE: Transforming the global
energymix - What role for biofuels?

Biowatch South Africa and the University of Cape Town's Environmental
Evaluation Unit are jointly hosting a lecture which will focus on
biofuels.

Biowatch is an environmental organisation concerned with issues of
biodiversity, biosafety, food sovereignty and social justice.

The Environmental Evaluation Unit is an independent self-funded unit
based at UCT. Founded in 1985, the Unit has established itself as a
centre of excellence in the fields of integrated environmental
management and sustainable development.

Please RSVP to Feroza at biowatch@mweb.co.za or on 021-447 5939 by
Friday, 2 March 2007.

To find out more about Biowatch South Africa, please go to
www.biowatch.org.za or ring us on 021-447 5939.

To find out more about the Environmental Evaluation Unit, please go to
www.eeu.uct.ac.za

Transforming the global energy mix
What role for biofuels?

Dr Karin Kniessl discusses some of the geopolitical and market issues
which dominate the current debate on transformation of the global energy
market - the "third industrial revolution" - as coined by some
scientists. She will examine the role of the European Union, OPEC and
international energy companies in this debate and its implications for
South Africa.

Seminar Room
Chemical Engineering Building
Upper Campus, UCT
Wednesday, 7 March
5 pm (17.00)

Refreshments will be served after the discussion

Dr Karin Kniessl is an academic and author who teaches international
relations with a focus on the Middle East and energy affairs at the
Diplomatic Academy in Vienna, Austria. She is a former Austrian Ministry
of Foreign Affairs official and a member of the board of the Society for
Political and Strategic Studies.

Dioxin and Furan info ...

2007-02-23T12:02:00.000+02:00

Around the dioxin / furan issues of Energy-from-Waste facilities.
See the United States Environmental Protection Agency
(USEPA) Air Pollution Training Institute (APTI) manual on the
characteristics, formation and control of dioxins and furans. The following
are links to 1-page explanations. For your info:

http://www.epa.gov/eogapti1/module6/dioxins/character/character.htm

http://www.epa.gov/eogapti1/module6/dioxins/formation/formation.htm

http://www.epa.gov/eogapti1/module6/dioxins/control/control.htm

Threatened or protected species regulations ...

2007-02-23T10:43:00.000+02:00

Ministry of Environmental Affairs and Tourism

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

MINISTER STARTS CLEANING UP HUNTING INDUSTRY, BANS CANNED HUNTING

Introduction

Today, it gives me great pleasure to publish the regulations that pertain to threatened and protected species. These regulations will come into effect on 1 June 2007.

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.

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.

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.

Let me turn to some of the specifics:

Registration and self-regulation

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.

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.

Meeting International Commitments

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.

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.

Canned Lion Hunting

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.

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.

Cleaning up the Hunting Industry

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.

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.

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.

Two-step process

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.

The regulations are available on www.environment.gov.za

MEDIA ENQUIRIES:

Chief Director: Communications, Blessing Manale - 083 677 1630
Director: Ministerial Liaison, Riaan Aucamp - 083 778 9923

Electronic Database on African Plant Information ...

2007-02-23T08:30:00.000+02:00

The three larger SANBI herbaria, The National Herbarium, Pretoria, The
Compton Herbarium, Cape Town, and the KwaZulu-Natal Herbarium, Durban,
during the past three years collaborated with Aluka in building an
electronic database on African plant information. SANBI was one of the
34 participants in the project and contributed more than 20 725 high
resolution images of type specimens held in the three herbaria, together
with numerous images of slides and artwork held in its collections. The
Aluka resource now holds more than 260 000 images and
descriptive texts of plants from Africa and Madagascar contributed to
date by the participants. This resource will be officially launched at
the AETFAT congress that will be held in Yaounde, Cameroon in February 2007.

This resource can now be accessed at http://www.aluka.org.
A help facility can be accessed at http://www.aluka.org/page/help/index.jsp,
and contents areas and descriptions at
http://www.aluka.org/page/content/index.jsp.

It is inevitable that you will come across mistakes in the database.
These you can report to the contact person below.

CONTACT:
Dr J.P. (Koos) Roux
Curator: Compton Herbarium
Private Bag X7
Claremont 7735
South Africa

Tel.: +27 21 799 8681
Fax: +27 21 761 4151
e-mail: roux@sanbi.org
website: www.sanbi.org.

EU Agrees to cut green house emissions by 20%

2007-02-20T21:21:00.000+02:00

European environment ministers have agreed to cut greenhouse gas emissions to 20% below 1990 levels by 2020.

Climate Change themes ...

2007-02-20T20:05:00.000+02:00

Some useful links in climate change related themes

Climate change communications:

Defra climate change communication

Carbon allowances:

Defra personal carbon allowances
Evaluating emissions - guidance and tools for calculating your organisations emissions

Individual Actions:

Individual and political action on climate change - Wiki
Focus on climate change - individual action

Reality show deals with climate change reality

2007-02-20T19:17:00.000+02:00

Reality show deals with climate change reality

WA$TED!, 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.

Come on SABC - get WA$TED!

New Blog for DEADP ...

2007-02-15T22:47:00.000+02:00

I have just created a new blog for the Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning

UK Climate Impacts Programme ...

2007-01-22T13:52:00.000+02:00

I have just received the latest news and events of the UK Climate Impacts Programme.

Of particular interest is the latest edition of the UKCIP Climate Digest, a monthly digest of climate change adaptation research from the academic literature.

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.

Western Cape can learn many lessons by studying Climate Change programmes in other countries.

Western Cape Climate Change Website ...

2007-01-22T13:34:00.000+02:00

The Western Cape Provincial Government has commisioned OneWorld Sustainable Investments to develop a Provincial Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan.

OneWorld has created a Western Cape Climate Change Website where information about climate change in the Western Cape is available.

There is also an on line bulletin board with all the latest news about the project such as announcements of workshops. You can also register there as a project stakeholder.

ExxonMobil Disinformation on Climate Change ...

2007-01-16T16:05:00.000+02:00

On January 3 2007 ABC News reported that ExxonMobil withdrew and reissued, within 20 minutes of publication, an amended response to a report about the company by 'The Union of Concerned Scientists' criticising Exxon's funding of disinformation on climate change science.

Exxon's amended response states, "We recognize that the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere poses risks that may prove significant for society and ecosystems…Human activities have contributed to these increased concentrations [of greenhouse gases], mainly through the combustion of fossil fuels for energy use; land use changes [especially deforestation]; and agricultural, animal husbandry and waste-disposal practices…Even with many scientific uncertainties, the risk that greenhouse gas emissions may have serious impacts justifies taking action." What is clear today is that greenhouse gas emissions are one of the factors that contribute to climate change, and that the use of fossil fuels is a major source of these emissions." amongst other issues.

I first came across this in a Newsweek article published on 4 January 2007.

The fact that an oil company like ExxonMobil now recognises climate change and the links thereof to greenhouse gas emissions, together with the recent political developments in the US, makes me think we will see movement on the issue sooner rather than later by the US National Government.

Reading 'The SciGuy's' blog post on the topic and all the comments that respond to that post really start to give one an idea of the complexities of the political and scientific minefield around the climate change and disinformation issue.

The Carbon Footprint of a Cheeseburger ...

2007-01-16T14:52:00.000+02:00

How much carbon does your cheeseburger habit create?

At 2.85-3.1 kg of CO2 (equiv) per burger, then, that's 428-465 kg of greenhouse gas per year for an average American's burger consumption.

Follow the link, it's an interesting read.
For a real education you must read the 34 odd 'blog reactions' or comments. See the bottom right of the post in question - green text.

Internship with IUCN Species Survival Commission ...

2007-01-16T10:06:00.000+02:00

The IUCN Species Survival Comission (SSC) is advertising a six month internship as assistant to the Chair of the SSC, Dr Holly Dublin.

The internship will be for a total of six (6) months (negotiable), starting as soon as possible in 2007. Applicants must meet at least six of the following eight criteria:
- Be studying towards a Doctoral Degree in the field of conservation biology, zoology, botany, environmental management, or related fields
- Be a newly-qualified Masters graduate in the above-mentioned fields
- Be fully computer literate
- Be able to make use of the public transport to Kirstenbosch Gardens or have their own transport
- Be able and willing to travel or work after hours if required
- Be enthusiastic, willing to learn and eager to undertake any task assigned to them
- Be competent in both written and verbal communication (English essential, French and/or Spanish advantageous)
- Have the flexibility to start in early 2007 and be available for a minimum of four (4) months

The Intern in the SSC Chair’s Office will be expected, amongst other things, to do the following:

1. Fill in for the SSC Chair’s Assistant when necessary and undertake any administrative tasks required
2. Proof-read documents and reports; researching and providing comments on technical information when required
3. Assist in compiling documents and reports by collating information from a variety of sources
4. Assist in researching and summarizing proposals to the upcoming CITES Conference of the Parties (June 2007, The Hague)
5. Liaise with specific SSC Specialist Groups on specific issues
6. Liaise with the Species Programme staff at IUCN Headquarters in Gland, Switzerland and in the other regional offices around the world.

Selection will be based on enthusiasm, the candidate’s ability to benefit from the internship, teamwork capabilities, and academic achievements and relevance. A monthly stipend can be discussed, out of which the intern will be expected to cater for their own accommodation, transport medical aid and other expenses.

The SSC Chair will continuously monitor the Intern’s progress based on specific pre-determined criteria developed in conjunction with the Intern and, if necessary, the Intern’s academic institution. The Intern may be requested to give regular presentations and feedback about their experience. A probationary period will apply.

You can obtain the full announcement from Carol Poole as below.

Applicants should send their CV, together with a covering letter detailing their reasons for applying to Carol Poole, on SSCChairOffice@iucn.org .
Assistant to the Chair
Species Survival Commission (SSC)
IUCN - The World Conservation Union
Private Bag x7
Claremont, 7735
Cape Town, South Africa
www.iucn.org/themes/ssc
Tel: +27 21 799 8762
Fax: +27 21 797 7186

Applications Close on 26 January 2007 Short-listed candidates will be asked to an interview in February 2007

Western Cape Biodiversity Conservation Bill - Call for expression of interest

2007-01-12T12:20:00.000+02:00

CapeNature, in terms of the Western Cape Nature Conservation Board Act, 1998, calls for expressions of interest by suitable persons with respect to the finalisation and promulgation of the proposed Western Cape Biodiversity Conservation Bill and consequent regulations to repeal the Nature Conservation Ordinance, 1974 as well as a Bill to repeal the Problem Animal Control Ordinance, 1957.

For the full text of the proposal call or further information please contact:

Jodie Johnson
Law Administration Manager: Legal
Western Cape Nature Conservation Board
(t/a CapeNature)
CapeNature House
Belmont Business Park
Belmont Road
RONDEBOSCH, 7700
Private Bag X29
RONDEBOSCH, 7701
Tel: (021) 659-3426
Fax: (021) 659-3415
email: jojohnso at pgwc.gov.za

NewScientist Special Reports - Climate Change and Energy & Fuels ...

2007-01-08T15:25:00.000+02:00

See the Jan 2007 NewScientist Special Reports on Climate Change as well as Energy and Fuels

Sign Up for Al Gore's Climate Project ...

2007-01-08T15:03:00.000+02:00

As some of you may know, Gore is training a thousand people to give the climate change presentation made famous by An Inconvenient Truth.

See here for more info

The Darwin Awards ...

2007-01-08T12:59:00.000+02:00

See The Darwin Awards

Evolution in action!

Honoring those who accidentally remove themselves from the human gene pool, thereby ensuring that the next generation is one idiot smarter.

Of necessity, this award is (generally) bestowed posthumously.

Imagine earth without people ...

2007-01-02T14:38:00.000+02:00

Here is a most interesting read from New Scientist about a future without people.

Also see NewScientist.com's other most popular stories of 2006

Chance to comment on draft EIA guidelines ...

2007-01-02T10:59:00.000+02:00

PUBLICATION OF DRAFT GUIDELINES FOR COMMENT IN TERMS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT REGULATIONS PROMULGATED UNDER CHAPTER 5 OF THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT ACT, 1998 (ACT 107 OF 1998)

Minister of Environment, Planning and Economic Development: Western Cape, Tasneem Essop, has published the following draft guidelines for comment in terms of the requirements of Regulation 76 of Government Notice 385 of 21 April 2006 (the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations):
(a) Guideline on Public Participation
(b) Guideline on Transitional Arrangements
(c) Guideline on Alternatives
(d) Guideline on Exemption Applications
(e) Guideline on Appeals
(f) Guideline on the interpretation of the Listed activities
(g) Generic Best Management Practise Guidelines for Aquaculture Development and Operation in the Western Cape

All comments must be submitted before 31 January 2007, to:
Paul Hardcastle at phardcas@pgwc.gov.za

or in writing to:

The Chief Director
Environmental and Land Management
Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning
Private Bag X9086
Cape Town
8000

The draft guidelines are available on the website of the Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Western Cape:

Copies of the relevant documents are available on request from:
Ms Laurin Wilson
Tel: (021) 483 5113
1 Dorp Street
Cape Town

or

Ms Adri Pienaar
Tel (044) 874 2160
York Building
George

Public lecture in SA by Sir Nicholas Stern ...

2007-01-02T08:46:00.000+02:00

NOTE POSTPONEMENT OF SIR NICHOLAS STERN'S TRIP TO SOUTH AFRICA:
I have just been informed that, due to unforeseeable circumstances, Sir Nicholas has had to postpone the trip, probably until mid-March.
I know that you will disappointed at this news, but please feel free to contact me some time around the beginning of March to enquire if new dates for the trip have been confirmed.
Regards,
Ann Herd
3 January 2007

Sir Nicholas Stern is proposing to visit South Africa in January, and will be giving a public presentation on "The Stern Review : The Economics of Climate Change" on the morning of Friday 19 January, probably at Wits University . You may be interested in attending the presentation on 19 January. Please contact Ann Heard as soon as possible - but by the first week of January at the latest - please provide names, plus title/designation, phone number & e-mail address of anyone you consider might have an interest in attending (attendance at the presentation will be by invitation only).

CONTACT:
Miss T Ann Herd
2nd Secretary Climate Change and Sustainable Development
British High Commission
Hill Street
Arcadia
0002
Pretoria
South Africa
Tel : +27 (0)12 421 7591
Fax : +27 (0)12 421 7540
FTN : 8303 7591
ann.herd@fco.gov.uk
http://www.britain.org.za/
http://www.i.uk.com/southafrica

First SA Integrated Coastal Management Bill for public comment ...

2006-12-19T16:45:00.000+02:00

Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk, the South African Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, gazetted South Africa's first Integrated Coastal Management Bill for public comment for a period of 90 days. You should be able to download it from the following website later today: http://www.deat.gov.za.

You can get the bill in two parts in pdf, (they are about 1.9 Mb each), and a press release for information from Dr Niel Malan (see contact details below).

Please note that DEAT will release a brief user-friendly guide to assist coastal stakeholders during the comments period. It will also hold a series of information sessions along the coastline. Dedicated provincial coastal committee meetings will also be held. Details will be made available in due course, but will fall over the period end January to beginning March 2007.

It will be appreciated if you can distribute the Bill widely.
Comments from our overseas colleagues will also be appreciated.

Further info and comments to:
Dr D.E. (Niel) Malan
Deputy Director: Coastal Planning & Environmental Protection
Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
Private Bag X2
Rogge Bay
Cape Town
8012Tel: +27-21-4023021
Fax: +27-21-4023009
Email: dmalan@deat.gov.za
Web: http://www.deat.gov.za

C.A.P.E. Capacity Building update ...

2006-12-19T15:45:00.000+02:00

As you may know, Marlene Laros finalised her report on the
capacity-building needs analysis after presenting interim findings to
the CIC in May last year. The report was reviewed by Martin Hollands, of
the Cambridge Centre for Conservation Policy, before it was finalised.
The final report is attached for your information. It was presented to
the CIC in August for comment, and again in November, where it was
agreed that a number of important actions would be undertaken.

In particular, these involve the appointment of two staff. The first is
a Capacity-Development Co-ordinator who is to be appointed in SANBI.
The TORs for this position are attached. The key responsibility is to
provide continuity from the CEPF-funded CBP project that was being
undertaken under the auspices of WWF/TMF. The project is to be
transferred to the CCU as the staff based in WWF have taken up other
functions, and will not be able to complete all outputs of the project.
At this stage, it would be appropriate to thank both Rodney February and
Zohra Parkar-Salie for their excellent work in mobilising the programme.
I am sure that many of the beneficiaries of this programme will recall
this opportunity to make progress in their conservation careers, and the
efforts of Rodney and Zohra to make this possible. Thanks again, Rodney
and Zohra, and all of those who contributed to this programme, including
Brett Myrdal, Ursula Titus, Julia Wood, Rob Little and Hettie Gets.

The second position is a C.A.P.E. Technical Advisor, who is to be
placed in CapeNature, at their request, to assist programme management
and co-ordination of complex projects. This is one of the primary needs
identified in the Needs Analysis. The responsibilities of this position
are not limited to CapeNature, and the person will be working across a
number of agencies providing similar kinds of support and mentorship.

These positions were advertised in the press and on e-news during
November, and employment agencies are being requested to identify
suitable candidates. Should you know of suitable people, please let us
know, so that we can approach them.

In addition to these staff positions, there will be ongoing investment
in internship placements. During 2007, a total of 10 internship
opportunities will be made available on a competitive basis. These will
require commitment by the agency concerned, the mentor, the individual
and the proposed course of capacity-development. A call for nominations
will be going out early in the new year. Look out for this.

Finally, there will be scope for technical skills development in key
areas of work, e.g. through short courses, specific mentorship etc.
Taking this forward will be the responsibility of the Capacity
Development Co-ordinator.

I would like to thank you for your patience while this whole process
has unfolded. From inputs at the CIC, it appears that we may need to
rethink the composition of the Capacity-Development Task Team to more
effectively steer this process and you will be provided with further
information early in the new year.

For the Capacity Building Needs Analysis Strategy and Action Plan and advertisements for the vacant positions contact:

Trevor Sandwith - Co-ordinator: Cape Action for People and the
Environment (C.A.P.E.)
Deputy Chair: World Commission on Protected Areas
Tel: +27 (0)21 799 8790
Fax: +27 (0)21 797 3475
Mobile: +27(0)82 321 2747
e-mail: trevor@capeaction.org.za

Accountability reporting - Materiality Report ...

2006-12-19T13:59:00.000+02:00

New AccountAbility Report linking strategy, performance and reporting….around Sustainability issues. Called ‘Materiality Report.’

W Cape PGDS - Extension Granted for Comment ...

2006-12-19T13:07:00.000+02:00

Kindly note that the deadline for public comments on the PGDS Green Paper has been extended to 30 March 2007 in order to give interested and affected stakeholders adequate time to engage with such a crucial draft policy framework.

A copy can be downloaded from www.capegateway.gov.za

Regards
Ms Nthato Gobodo
DIRECTOR: PROVINCIAL GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY
Policy Development Unit
Department of the Premier
Western Cape Provincial Government
t: +27 (21) 483 3878
f: +27 (21) 483 4868
m: +2783 310 0111
ntgobodo@pgwc.gov.za
7 Wale St CAPE TOWN

Enviro Law Newsletter ...

2006-12-19T12:49:00.000+02:00

See Edward Nathan Sonnenberg's latest newsletter - interesting

SKEP News ...

2006-12-18T09:55:00.000+02:00

I'd like to commend the Succulent Karoo Ecosystem Programme (SKEP) team on an outstanding December 2006 newsletter .

For those who need to be informed about the variety of initiatives going on beyond the Fynbos biome this newsletter gives a wonderful insight into SKEP activities in the Succulent Karoo, from the Western Cape right up into Namibia.

Don't miss reading this newsletter.

Colophon beetle ...

2006-12-17T09:40:00.000+02:00

See the post on my general blog about the suspected Colophon Beetle that Gigi and I came across while walking last Friday evening

Cows, pigs and sheep: Environment's greatest threats ...

2006-12-12T20:00:00.000+02:00

Cows, pigs, sheep and poultry have been awarded the dubious honour of being among the world's greatest environmental threats, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

The report, entitled Livestock's long shadow, says the livestock industry is degrading land, contributing to the greenhouse effect, polluting water resources, and destroying biodiversity. In summary, the sector is "one of the top two or three most significant contributors to the most serious environmental problems at every scale".

GM Yeast to speed Ethanol production for biofuel ...

2006-12-10T07:44:00.000+02:00

Interesting article here

Ancient concrete reduces pollution by 90% ...

2006-12-10T07:08:00.000+02:00

I've just come across a post by a Materials Engineer about the Pyramids being partly constructed of cast concrete blocks.

This is the paragraph that particularly interested me:

"The type of concrete pyramid builders used could reduce pollution and outlast Portland cement, the most common type of modern cement. Portland cement injects a large amount of the world's carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and has a lifespan of about 150 years. If widely used, a geopolymer such as the one used in the construction of the pyramids can reduce that amount of pollution by 90 percent and last much longer. The raw materials used to produce the concrete used in the pyramids -- lime, limestone and diatomaceous earth -- can be found worldwide and is affordable enough to be an important construction material for developing countries, Barsoum said."

If we set up a plant to produce this type of concrete in the Western Cape could we register it as a CDM project?

Picture of the Great Pyramid (Kheops pyramid). (Taken by Alex lbh in April 2005 / Courtesy of Wikipedia)

Environmental Officer vacencies ...

2006-12-09T07:32:00.000+02:00

Various Environmental officer vacancies exist, within Western Cape DEA&DP, in Cape Town and George

These were was advertised in the Weekend Argus/Sunday Argus on 2 December 2006.
Closing Date 22 December 2006

For a copy of the advertisement or other info contact:
Ms Iptieshaam Bekko
Directorate Integrated Environmental Management
Department of Environmental Affairs & Development Planning
Private Bag X9086 Cape Town 8000
Tel: +27 (0) 21 483 3370

Keysers River Restoration Project ...

2006-12-05T21:05:00.000+02:00

To all environmental volunteers here at home in Cape Town and those worldwide, "Thank you for all your efforts"

Great work!

And a big thank you to all those sponsors as well

Choose the right seafood ...

2006-12-05T20:34:00.000+02:00

Hngry 4 fsh?

WWF’s FishMS text line helps you choose the right seafood.

You can bank with it, play music, send text messages, browse online and even make calls. Now your cellphone can also help you make choices that limit your impact on our oceans.

A new tool from SASSI (The Southern African Sustainable Seafood Initiative) helps you make informed choices about the fish you eat. Simply text the name of a fish to the number 079-499-8795 and you’ll immediately get a message telling you whether to tuck in, think twice or avoid completely. It’s called SASSI FishMS and it puts WWF’s knowledge of seafood resources at your thumb-tips.

The feature resulted from cooperation between The Southern African Sustainable Seafood Initiative (SASSI), local IT company iVeri Payment Technology and developer Tony Seebregts. SASSI has condensed the research on the impact of fishing on fish stocks into guidelines available in a handy pocket card.

In laymen's terms this distils information on the status of local seafood species into one of three colour categories, much like a traffic light. Species marked with a green fish can generally be eaten with a clear conscience because their population numbers are healthy. Orange means they're legal to sell, but if you have a choice you should opt for one of the “green” species. Species marked in red are illegal to buy or sell in South Africa. Full details of how the classification system works are online at www.wwf.org.za/sassi

Now you can still make the right choice, even without the card. The more specific the query, the more detailed the information received.

Jaco Barendse, coordinator of SASSI, says: “Cellphones are the one common possession of everyone from surfers to stockbrokers, taxi drivers to taxidermists - even my dad has one.

“That’s why this is the ideal way to combine technology and information with the variety of seafood available and the growing awareness among seafood lovers, chefs, food buyers and so on that the oceans’ resources aren’t infinite.”

He adds that the system not only helps consumers make informed choices, but demonstrates to retailers and restaurateurs that those consumers are willing to use their spending power.

“When shoppers and restaurant patrons start texting to check whether the Catch of the Day is okay to eat, it’ll hopefully help drive suppliers’ buying habits.”

SASSI is funded by The Green Trust (a partnership between WWF-SA and Nedbank),

“We believe SASSI FishMS provides consumers and anyone else working with fish with a handy and extremely cool tool to help choose fish from healthy populations and relieve the pressure on overexploited species. By giving them a break their populations can recover and they can once again become more widely available.

“By not buying fish caught and sold illegally you can help to fight unsustainable environmental practice. Your choices can help ensure the sustainable use of our marine resources.”

SASSI FishMS is charged at standard text message rates.

SASSI partners
SASSI was initiated in November 2004 in order to inform and educate all participants in the seafood trade, from wholesalers to restaurateurs through to seafood lovers. The initiative builds on an earlier project started in KwaZulu-Natal which sought to educate restaurant dealers about marine conservation issues. It has The Green Trust and the South African Department of Environmental Affairs & Tourism (DEAT) as primary funding/support partners, and Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife, Two Oceans Aquarium, TRAFFIC, Sea World at uShaka, the Endangered Wildlife Trust, The South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB), and Bayworld as implementing partners.

About The Green Trust
Celebrating 15 years last October, The Green Trust is a partnership between WWF-South Africa, the conservation organisation, and Nedbank. This innovative trust has been cited as a hugely successful mutual-benefit partnership internationally and has raised over R70 million for conservation. It’s funded and supported over 140 sustainable conservation projects that have covered a significant range and diversity of environmental interventions, with a significant focus on community-based conservation and species of special concern.

About Nedbank Green Affinity
The Nedbank Green Affinity is a range of bank accounts that allow you to do your daily banking whilst at the same time helping conservation in South Africa. It includes a credit card, a savings account and a chequebook. When you use your Green Affinity bank account, Nedbank donates to The Green Trust. In the last 15 years Nedbank and the Green Affinity clients have helped raise nearly R70 million for conservation.

For more information contact
Jaco Barendse
Southern African Sustainable Seafood Initiative (SASSI)
+27 (0)21 402-3423
+27 (0)21 421-7406
+ 27 82-511-6368
jbarendse@wwf.org.za
http://www.wwf.org.za/sassi

Issued by
William Smook
Meropa Communications
+ 27 21 683-6464
+27 83 357 2837
williams@meropa.co.za
www.meropa.co.za

Caption: Interactive technology like SASSI FishMS, which gives consumers instant access to information about which fish to buy could help accelerate the trend toward responsible consumerism.

Proposal call to finalise the WCape Prov Guideline on Biodiversity Offsets ...

2006-12-05T08:46:00.000+02:00

Please note that the call for proposals to finalise the Western Cape Provincial Guideline on Biodiversity Offsets was advertised in the Government Tender Bulletin on Friday 24 November 2006 (Open Tender EADP 20/2006).

The relevant advertisement can be obtained from the Provincial Tender Bulletin .

Please note that the Tender closes at 11:00 am on 15 December 2006.

For tender documentation please contact Ms Inshaaf Brennen at tel: (021) 483 3572, fax: 483 5112 and e-mail: ibrennen@pgwc.gov.za

CONTACT:
Gerhard Gerber
Directorate Integrated Environmental Management
Department of Environmental Affairs & Development Planning
Private Bag X9086 Cape Town 8000
Tel: (021) 483 2787 & fax: (021) 483 4372
E-mail: Gegerber@pgwc.gov.za

Draft Provincial Growth and Development Strategy for comment ...

2006-12-04T21:25:00.000+02:00

Here is your chance good people.

The draft Provincial Growth and Development Strategy (PGDS) is published for public comment.
(CLOSING DATE: 15 DECEMBER 2006)

The PGDS is available through the hyperlink above.

Sorry this is late notice but it only came to my attention by e-mail a few moments ago.

Typical brilliant provincial communications - our e-mail is full of the most trivial garbage - but the really important policy for comment arrives days before the due date!!!

This is the chance you have been looking for to provide environmental input to the PGDS which is THE principle development policy in the province. If you miss your chance to provide sound environmental input now - forever hold your peace.

This document is in draft (unedited). The Green Paper will be available in the three official languages of the Western Cape.

Please note: only written comments can be accepted.

closing date: 15 December 2006

email: ntgobodo@pgwc.gov.za
fax: 021 483 3827
post: The Director: PGDS, PO Box 659, Cape Town, 8000

CONTENTS:

Pdf Version: Draft Provincial Growth & Development Strategy (File type: pdf; size: 1.6 MB)
Doc Version: Draft Provincial Growth & Development Strategy (File type: doc; size: 2.7 MB)

Western Cape Climate Change Stakeholder Workshop ...

2006-12-03T22:18:00.000+02:00

See here.

Richard Fuggle's retirement address ...

2006-11-29T23:55:00.000+02:00

This evening I attended Prof Richard Fuggle's retirement address

DEADP Aquaculture Workshop ...

2006-11-29T20:54:00.000+02:00

Dear stakeholder,

The Provincial Government of the Western Cape: Department of
Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (DEA&DP) has recognised
the need to develop measures and guidelines to manage and promote
aquaculture. Although the aquaculture industry can possibly impact on
the environment negatively it may also serve as a vehicle for the
achievement of socio-economic development and redress and improve food
security.

The core purpose of the project was defined as the creation of
frameworks and tools for DEA&DP to be able to regulate and facilitate
responsible and sustainable aquaculture development within its mandate
as a legislative authority over the environment in the Western Cape.
DEA&DP plays a significant role in the co-operative governance of
aquaculture and the enhancement of a better understanding among
authorities in relation to aquaculture. In this manner resources will
be protected, used, developed, conserved, managed and controlled in a
sustainable and equitable manner.

These documents are now finished and training sessions for interested
parties are scheduled on these two documents on 6 Dec 2006 (George) and
7 Dec 2006 (Cape Town). Please note that this opportunity is not just
open to Western Cape government officials but also to industry,
consultants, pdi's etc.

Please send as much of your colleagues as possible. Attached, you will
find and invitation that explains the training workshop.

If you are are NOT based in the Western Cape Province but would like to
attend, take note that you are welcome to attend but that your traveling
and accommodation costs will not be covered by DEADP.

Interested parties should RSVP by no later than 01 December 2006 .

Toinette van der Merwe
Principal Environmental Officer
Directorate: Integrated Environmental Management (Region B1)
Department Environmental Affairs and Development Planning
Provincial Government of the Western Cape

Tel: +27 21 483 2761
Fax: +27 21 483 4372
Email: tvdmerwe@pgwc.gov.za

Protocol - EIA Applications over the festive season ...

2006-11-29T20:50:00.000+02:00

PROTOCOL: DEALING WITH NEMA EIA AND ECA EIA APPLICATIONS
WESTERN CAPE: DEPARTMENT OF
ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND DEVELOPMENT PLANNING

THE CHIEF DIRECTORATE: ENVIRONMENT AND LAND MANAGEMENT

PRESS RELEASE

PROTOCOL: DEALING WITH NEMA EIA AND ECA EIA APPLICATIONS DURING THE FESTIVE PERIOD 2006/7 (15 December 2006 to 7 January 2007)

1.Issuing of ECA Authorisations and NEMA Environmental Authorisation

The Department will issue the last authorisation in terms of the Environment Conservation Act, 1989 (Act No. 73 of 1989) (“ECA”) for this calendar year on 8 December 2006 and will recommence with the issuing of ECA authorisations on 8 January 2007.

Due to the legislated timeframes with respect to the issuing of environmental authorisations in terms of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No. 107 of 1998) (“NEMA”), no cut-off date may be implemented. It must be noted that there are a number of public holidays over this period and that many officials will be taking their annual leave during said period. If required, appropriate arrangements must be made.

2. Public participation process (PPP)

The Department recommends that the applicant(s) and/or environmental assessment practitioner (“EAP”) do not conduct public participation process (“PPP”) over the festive season, i.e. 15 December 2006 to 7 January 2007.

However, should the PPP extend into the festive period, the Department recommends that the PPP period is adjusted and/or extended to ensure that that Interested and Affected Parties (“I&AP’s”) have sufficient time to participate in the PPP. Adequate motivation is however required should the applicant wish to proceed with a PPP during the festive period (e.g. if the location of the proposed activity is in a recognized holiday destination such as coastal towns).

3. Submission of Notice of Intent, Application Forms and Reports

The Department recommends that applicant(s) and/or EAP’s refrain from submitting Notice of Intents, Application Forms and Reports (Basic Assessment, Scoping and Environmental Impact Assessment) after 8 December 2006. This would ensure that all timeframes as stipulated by the NEMA EIA regulations are adhered to by all parties concerned. The Department will therefore issue the last acknowledgement letter for the year on 22 December 2006.

PLEASE FORWARD ANY ENQUIRES TO:

Mr C. Rabie
Director: Integrated Environmental Management * Region A
Tel: (021) 483 4793
Fax: (021) 483 3633

Mr A. Barnes
Director: Integrated Environmental Management * Region B
Tel: (021) 483 4094
Fax: (021) 483 4372

Postal Address
Private Bag X 9086, Cape Town, 8000

Physical Address
Utilitas Building, 1 Dorp Street, Cape Town

UNFCCC COP/MOP - Nairobi ...

2006-11-27T21:42:00.000+02:00

See the post about the trip to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of Parties (COP) on my other blog.

Calvin Jones has posted a useful list of Climate Change Blogs - most useful.
Also some of the persons who commented have added extras - so read the comments as well.

How to talk to a climate sceptic ...

2006-11-20T16:34:00.000+02:00

See the very comprehensive post on 'How to talk to an environmental sceptic' at the environmental news blog GristMill

Communicating Climate Change ...

2006-11-15T13:24:00.000+02:00

One of the most interesting panel debates that I attended at UNFCCC was the one on Communicating Climate Change. Read the articles at the URLs listed at the end of the document.

These include:

• “Global Warming: An Inconvenient Principle”. Jules Boykoff and Maxwell Boykoff. Common Dreams, 6 July 2006.
• “Warm Words: How are we telling the climate story and can we tell it better?”. Gill Ereaut and Nat Segnit. Institute for Public Policy Research, August 2006.
• “Yelling 'Fire' on a Hot Planet”. Andrew C. Revkin, The New York Times, April 23 2006.
• “The Next Big Storm: can scientists and journalists work together to improve coverage of the hurricane-global warming controversy?”. CSICOP, 3 August 2006.
• “Scientists fear new attempts to undermine climate action”. The Guardian, 21 April 2006.
• “Climate of scepticism: US newspaper coverage of the science of climate change”. Liisa Antilla. Global Environmental Change Part A Volume 15, Issue 4, December 2005.
• “Journalistic Balance as Global Warming Bias - Creating controversy where science finds consensus”. Jules Boykoff and Maxwell Boykoff. Fair, November 2004.
• “A Challenge to Journalists Who Cover Global Warming”. Sen. James Inhofe. October 24 2006.

Links to more info about the references listed above are available here.

Check out Liisa Antilla's blog One Blue World and particularly the links on her post about the debate.

There is also an interesting BBC article on communicating climate change titled, "Chaotic world of climate truth", By Mike Hulme, Director, Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research.

Communications strategy for the GRI ...

2006-11-15T12:50:00.000+02:00

Call for expressions of interest for the development of a communications strategy for the GRI.
Contact Andrew Brown for details.

Andrew Brown
Coordinator, Garden Route Initiative
P O Box 3542, Knysna, 6570
Tel: (+27) 044 382-0479
Fax: (+27) 086 6501691
Cell: (+27) 082 9040787
Email: andrewb@sanparks.org

Southern Cape Wetlands Forum ...

2006-11-15T12:46:00.000+02:00

At long last… notice of the next Southern Cape Wetlands Forum meeting, the arrangements as follows:

Date: Wednesday 29 November 2006
Time: 14h00 to 16h00
Venue: Ashmead Resort, off George Rex Drive in Knysna (for those who may need directions to the venue please get hold of me).

At the next meeting, the following items will be on the agenda:
1. Discussion on the status of wetlands in the Southern Cape after the recent flooding
2. Presentation of the Working for Wetlands rehabilitation plans for 2007/8 for Duivenhoks, Goukou, and Tsitsikamma wetlands.
3. Presentation and discussion on the draft prioritisation of wetlands requiring rehabilitation work in the Southern Cape
4. Feedback from the Working for Wetlands Programme
5. Feedback on the national Wetlands Indaba held in Stutterheim recently

Any other matters put onto the agenda for discussion, please let me know within the next week.

Please also pass this notice on to anyone that may be in interested in attending this or other Southern Cape Wetland Forum meetings, and let me have their email addresses for inclusion onto Forum the mailing list.

Contact:
Andrew Brown
Coordinator
Garden Route Initiative
P O Box 3542, Knysna, 6570
Tel: (+27) 044 382-0479
Fax: (+27) 086 6501691
Cell: (+27) 082 9040787
Email: andrewb@sanparks.org

Mkambati and the Wild Coast - book launch

2006-11-10T10:02:00.000+02:00

The Wild Coast is one of Africa's jewels, but it remains a forgotten wilderness, waiting to be rediscovered and nurtured for all people to enjoy. This book uncovers some of the mystique of the area and exposes secrets that have been known only to local people, shipwreck survivors
and adventurous explorers. It focuses mainly on Pondoland, the most scenic and biodiversity rich part of the Wild Coast. This is where the Mkambati Nature reserve lies nestled in a centre of endemism where hundreds of unique species of plants wait to be discovered. Stunning photographs reveal the rugged beauty of land and sea and are accompanied by comprehensive text about the rich history of the area, colourful culture of the amaPondo people, fascinating plant and animal life and marine treasurers only found on the Wild Coast. It has something of interest for everyone. To quote Dr. Ian Player, "It is much more than a simple guide or coffee table book. It has been well researched, but combines science with the heart, and, most important of all, it is a story of our time. It is to be treasured, continually referred to, and acted upon".

You are cordially invited to the launch of the book

"Mkambati and the Wild Coast" to be held at:

The Center for the Book, 62 Queen Victoria Street, Cape Town,
on Tuesday 21st. November at 5.30pm.

Please RSVP to Di Mellon.

Email:secretary@safcei.org.za

Fax 021 762 098 Cell 072 277 6035 A/H 021 797 4589

Business and Biodiversity Offsets Program Meeting ...

2006-11-09T10:41:00.000+02:00

Perhaps you would be interestedto see the docs from the recent Business and Biodiversity Offsets Program Meeting, See the info from Mahlette Betre below:

Greetings!

Thank you to all of you who were able to attend the Business and Biodiversity Offsets Program Meeting on September 29th, 2006 in Pretoria, South Africa.

We had a very succesful workshop and have now posted the results of the workshop: meeting summary and presentations on our website. Please use the following web address to access those documents:
http://www.forest-trends.org/biodiversityoffsetprogram/ln_meetings.php

Best Regards,

Mahlette Betre

Manager, Energy & Mining Program
Center for Environmental Leadership in Business (CELB)
Conservation International
1919 M Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (202) 912-1220
Fax: (202) 912-1047
Sign up for CELB's Quarterly eNewsletter: <<http://www.celb.org/xp/CELB/enewsletter.xml <http://www.celb.org/xp/CELB/enewsletter.xml> >>

Books on Climate Change ...

2006-11-08T08:23:00.000+02:00

A colleague forwarded me information from the NHBS Environment Bookstore.

It looks like a very interesting list of books on the subject.

The contact details in the e-mail are:
"NHBS Environment Bookstore"

Sir Nicholas Stern has just presented his Review on the Economics of Climate Change, commissioned by the British Government last year during its G8 Presidency. The Review marks a watershed in that it brings economics squarely into the debate and thus provides a firm and compelling basis for policy. The former World Bank Chief Economist estimates that the impact of global warming could cost as much as 20 per cent of the world's GDP He urges immediate action since postponement will only increase the eventual costs.

All countries will be affected by climate change, but the poorest countries will suffer earliest and most. Deeper international co-operation will be required in many areas, most notably in creating price signals and markets for carbon, spurring technology research, development and deployment, and promoting adaptation, particularly for developing countries.

The Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change is available for pre-order now with NHBS Environment Bookstore: publication is due in December. In addition we have put together a list of key titles on climate change below, to help give you all the facts you need to stay informed. To browse our full list of titles on Climate Change online click here

The Atlas of Climate Change

Kirstin Dow and Thomas E Downing

Rigorous in its science and insightful in its message, this atlas examines the possible impact of climate change on our ability to feed the world's people, avoid water shortages, conserve biodiversity, improve health, and preserve cities and cultural treasures. It also reviews historical contributions to greenhouse gas levels, progress in meeting Kyoto commitments, and local efforts to meet the challenge of climate change. More...

softcover | 2006 | #160430 | £12.99

Heat

George Monbiot

Limited Number of Signed Copies Currently Available.
Combining his unique knowledge of political campaigning and environmental science, Monbiot analyses the potential of energy efficiency, renewable resources, carbon burial, nuclear power and new transport and building systems to discover what works, what doesn't, what costs the least and what needs to be done to make change happen. Rigorous, passionate and totally surprising, this book could change the world. More...

hardcover | 2006 | #160465 | £17.99

An Inconvenient Truth

Al Gore

The truth about the climate crisis is an inconvenient one that means we are going to have to change the way we live our lives. Our climate crisis may at times appear to be happening slowly, but in fact it has become a true planetary emergency and we must recognise that we are facing a crisis. So why is it that some leaders seem not to hear the clarion warnings? Are they resisting the truth because they know that the moment they acknowledge it, they will face a moral imperative to act? Written by former Vice President of the U.S., Al Gore. More...

softcover | 2006 | #161568 | £14.99

The Rough Guide to Climate Change

Robert Henson

"The Rough Guide to Climate Change" is a complete guide to one of the most pressing problems facing humanity. From the current situation and background science to the government sceptics and possible solutions, this book covers the whole subject from an array of different angles. More...

softcover | 2006 | #160466 | £9.99

High Tide

Mark Lynas

Tipped as the No Logo of climate change, this book travels the world to show that the impacts of global warming are already having a tangible effect on people's lives. But this isn't just an inventory of disaster - it looks at how people are coping as the world they've always known changes at unprecedented speed. Mark Lynas has abandoned the scientific disputes and the political wrangling, and spent three years travelling to find out from ordinary people how massive changes to the climate are devastating their lives, not in the future, but now. More...

hardcover | 2004 | #144142 | £16.99
softcover | 2005 | #149236 | £7.99

Climate Change and Biodiversity

Edited by Thomas E Lovejoy and Lee Hannah

Comprehensive assessment of the state of knowledge on climate change and biodiversity, an essential reference. Written for the specialist as well as the concerned citizen, this important book presents a comprehensive view of the newest research and thinking on climate change and biological diversity. More...

hardcover | 2005 | #149246 | £45.00
softcover | 2006 | #160656 | £22.50

Global Warming

John T Houghton

"...the best single-volume guide to the science of climate change." - Times Literary Supplement
A completely revised and updated edition of a well-known textbook. Comprehensive guide exploring the scientific basis of global warming and the likely impacts of climate change on human society. Houghton addresses the action that could be taken by governments, by industry and by individuals to mitigate the effects. More...

hardcover | Edition 3 | 2004 | #144209 | £55.00
softcover | Edition 3 | 2004 | #144208 | £24.99

The Last Generation

Fred Pearce

Nature is fragile, environmentalists tell us. The truth is far more worrying. She is strong and packs a serious counter-punch. And, it could be on the way. Man-made global warming is on the verge of unleashing unstoppable planetary forces - and the process will not be gradual. New scientific findings about how our planet works show that it does not do gradual change. Under pressure, it lurches into another mode of operation - virtually overnight Nature's revenge will be sudden and brutal. More...

softcover | 2006 | #158787 | £12.99

Global Warning

Paul Brown

This visually stunning book aims to educate the public at large. It features graphics and maps, hard-hitting text, and powerful pictures showing the plight the world is already facing. The tone is serious, but ultimately positive and outlines what we all need to do to safeguard our future. It provides an honest appraisal of a critical situation, and some practical advice about solutions - whether making small adjustments in everyday life, or raising public awareness across the globe. More...

hardcover | 2006 | #161074 | £19.95

Climate Change Begins at Home

Dave Reay

This book argues that while government and industry dither, we could all cut our personal greenhouse gas emissions by 60% - the level necessary to halt the current trend according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Climatologist Dave Reay explores the climate impact of housing, gardening, food, money, work, transport, death even. This entertaining and authoritative book makes climatology understandable and challenges readers to rethink their notions of 'doing their bit'. More...

hardcover | 2005 | #153570 | £16.99
softcover | 2006 | #161359 | £8.99

Plant Growth and Climate Change

Edited by James IL Morrison and Michael D Morecroft

Climatic conditions are key determinants of plant growth, whether at the scale of temperature regulation of the cell cycle, or at the scale of the geographic limits for a particular species. The climate is changing, due to human activities - particularly the emission of greenhouse gases - and therefore the conditions for the establishment, growth, reproduction, survival and distribution of plant species are changing. More...

hardcover | 2006 | #157216 | £99.95

The Revenge of Gaia

James Lovelock

New installment of Lovelock's writings on Gaia, in which he argues that the only way for humankind to come to terms with Gaia now, and have a chance of surviving, is to embrace science and technology, not reject them. This includes an acceptance that nuclear energy is a necessity in order to counter global warming. More...

hardcover | 2006 | #156593 | £16.99
softcover | February 2007 | #162741 | £8.99

Field Notes from a Catastrophe

Elizabeth Kolbert

In writing that is both clear and unbiased, Kolbert - an acclaimed New Yorker journalist - approaches global warming from every angle. She travels to the Arctic, England, Holland and Puerto Rico, conducts interviews, explains the science, draws frightening parallels to lost ancient civilizations, unpacks the politics, and presents the personal tales of those who are being affected most - the people who make their homes near the poles. More...

hardcover | 2006 | #158770 | £14.99

The Weather Makers

Tim Flannery

Flannery reveals how the earth's climate has changed, across millennia and decades, and how the slightest imbalance has far-reaching, unexpected consequences. The weather - everything from hurricanes to heatwaves - cannot be understood in isolation. Flannery transports us as we share his wonder at the magnificence and diversity of nature, and grips and inspires us as he conjures up a vision of our past, present and future. More...

hardcover | 2006 | #156587 | £20.00

Climate Change and Managed Ecosystems

Jagtar Bhatti, Rattan Lal, Mick A Price and Michael J Apps

Featuring contributions from leading experts in the field, Climate Change and Managed Ecosystems examines the effects of global climate change on intensively constructed or reconstructed ecosystems, focusing on land use changes in relation to forestry, agriculture, and wetlands including peatlands. More...

hardcover | 2006 | #157076 | £92.00

The Science and Politics of Global Climate Change

Andrew E Dessler and Edward A Parson

In spite of the scientific community's warnings of the imminent dangers of global warming, politicians worldwide have failed to agree on what to do about this potentially devastating environmental problem. Dessler and Parson combine their respective expertise in the areas of atmospheric science and public environmental policy to help scientists, policy makers and the general public sort through the conflicting claims of the debate. More...

hardcover | 2006 | #147457 | £45.00
softcover | 2006 | #147458 | £19.99

Avoiding Dangerous Climate Change

Edited by Hans Joachim Schnellnhuber, Wolfgang Cramer et al

The Arctic sea ice shrank to its lowest extent last summer and devastating hurricanes show how sensitive even developed societies are to extreme weather. In 2005 the UK Government hosted the 'Avoiding Dangerous Climate Change' conference to take an in-depth look at the scientific issues associated with climate change. This volume presents the most recent findings from those who attended the conference, including Tony Blair and Margaret Beckett. More...

hardcover | 2006 | #157618 | £70.00

To browse the NHBS Environment Bookstore's full list of titles on Climate Change click here

Western Cape Wetlands forum ...

2006-11-07T08:26:00.000+02:00

The Western Cape Wetlands forum meetings are open to all with an
interest in wetlands and related issues.

Please find attached the agenda for the last meeting of 2006. It is on
the 15 November from 13.30 to 16.15 in the Congress Room of the
Biodiversity Centre at Kirstenbosch.

You can read an add on at the end of the agenda about the City of Cape
Town's Wetland database and come prepared for an interesting interactive
workshop.

Contact person for agenda and further info:

Philippa Huntly
(Forum Secretary)
Urban Conservation Unit; SA National Biodiversity Institute
(SANBI)
Kirstenbosch; Pvt Bag X7; Claremont; Cape Town
7735; South Africa Tel: 27 21 799 8692; CELL: 082 57 96521; Fax: 27 21
797 8390
website: http://www.sanbi.org/
project website: www.capeflatsnature.org

New Book on Climate Change in South Africa - "Scorched" ...

2006-11-06T16:30:00.000+02:00

New Book on regional impacts of Climate Change

See also the book's website

The following book has just been launched - it gives a uniquely South African perspective on the problem of climate change and how it will impact on the region. Thought the following information might be of interesting to all of you:

Scorched: South Africa's Changing Climate (Wits University Press)

Leonie S Joubert

Scorched is a vivid journey through southern Africa's mesmerising landscapes as climate change sets in. It wanders through the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands to capture the last faltering calls of a rain frog that was named after the hobbit Bilbo Baggins. The author pauses for thought following an elephant stampede to consider how savannahs might shift in an altered climate. She trails the wading birds of the West Coast into the high Arctic tundra for their annual breeding season before returning to a Cape which is crisping over as drought continues to grip the province.

Another world exists somewhere beyond the global politicking of super powers and petrostates. This is the place where a solitary bee continues to pollinate the pale, demure flower of an orchid near Darling, or where the limey coral skeleton hosts its colourful algae on a Sodwana reef. These plants and animals – many of which are unique to the region – continue to do what their ancestors have done for millions of years. Yet the world is shifting its shape around them. In places it is warming and drying, elsewhere the rains come in greater deluges. Some are abandoned by the other plants and animals with which they have cohabited, as species retreat before the onslaught of rising greenhouse gases and altered weather patterns.

Scorched marvels at the world in which we live: the improbable balance of the air round us and the way it banks away the Sun's energy to keep us warm and thriving, the way life has evolved in this planetary incubator and how one species has risen up to become a potent geophysical force with the ability to shift a system which has evolved over 4 600 million years.

Scorched gives powerful local colour to a global problem. It ponders the morality of the changes humankind has wrought, and the future of life as we know it.

Leonie Joubert studied journalism and history at the universities of Rhodes and Stellenbosch. It was her enduring fascination with the human condition and its place in the natural order of things that led her to take up science writing from a small study in Wynberg, overlooking the Cape peninsula. She is the recipient of a Merit Award in the 2006 SAB Environmentalist Journalists of the Year Awards – Print Media "in recognition of an outstanding contribution to the field of environmental journalism".

1 86814 437 2
210x190, 264pp
November 2006
R180.00 / US$29.95
978 1 86814 437 2

Please send orders to:

Africa:
Book Promotions, PO Box 5, Plumstead 7800
Tel: 021 707 5700
Fax: 021 707 5795
orders@bookpro.co.za

US:
Transaction Publishers, 390 Campus Drive, Somerset, NJ 08873, USA
Tel: 732 445 1245
Fax: 732 748 9801
http://www.transactionpub.com/

UK / Europe:
The Eurospan Group
Tel: +44 207 845 0803
Fax: +44 207 379 3313
http://www.eurospanonline.com/

Cape Nature Biodiversity Review ...

2006-11-06T11:58:00.000+02:00

Today I'm attending the Cape Nature Biodiversity Review.

Here is a pic of the gathering

National People and Parks Workshop ...

2006-11-05T19:16:00.000+02:00

Here is a link to a post on my other blog about the National People and Parks workshop that I attended recently

The Stern Report on the Economics of Climate Change ...

2006-11-05T13:31:00.000+02:00

You can download the actual report and associated reviews here

Climate change special: State of denial ...

2006-11-04T22:30:00.000+02:00

Interesting article from NewScientist here

New NEMA EIA Regulations workshops ...

2006-10-12T11:02:00.000+02:00

The Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (Western Cape Province), in conjunction with Strategic Environmental Focus (Pty) Ltd, cordially invites you, as an interested party, to attend an informative and expounding workshop on the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No. 107 of 1998) (NEMA) and the new NEMA Regulations (GN No. R. 385, GN No. R. 386 and GN. R. 387 of 21 April 2006).

The intention of the two-day training workshop is to provide clarity on issues and/or concerns regarding the new NEMA Regulations and how they will be implemented in the Western Cape.

The target audiences for these workshops include municipalities (in particular, Councilors, Town & Regional Planners, Technical Services Engineers, Environmental staff and Project Managers), government departments, consultants, business and industry and members of public.

There will be a series of workshops throughout the Western Cape. However, the workshop that falls within your area will be held at the location as set out below:

Karoo (Prince Albert) 19-20 October (RSVP 12 October )
Overberg (Caledon) 31 October & 1 November (RSVP 23 October)
Cape Town 6-7 November (RSVP 30 October)
Boland (Stellenbosch) 8-9 November (RSVP 1 November)
South Coast (George) 13-14 November (RSVP 6 November)
West Coast (Piketberg) 16-17 November (RSVP 9 November)

Please ensure that you register before the RSVP date, by replying to the contact details as set out below, so that the necessary catering and logistical arrangements can be made.

Strategic Environmental Focus (Pty) Ltd
P. O. Box 1330
Durbanville
7551
Tel: (021) 979 3822
Fax: (021) 979 3830
E-mail: Victoria@sefsa.co.za

You are urged to make use of this opportunity to gain a greater understanding of the new environmental regulations.

Draft Off-Road Route Guidelines ...

2006-10-12T10:57:00.000+02:00

Dear Stakeholder

Draft Off-Road Route Guidelines that are now available for public review.

A detailed letter about the whole guideline process is available from the contact person detailed at the end of this post.

Unfortunately these document are too large to send as attachments, and you are requested to download them from either www.savannahSA.com or www.capegateway.gov.za/eadp

I have downloaded them on my dial-up system and it took a total of 18 minutes to download all three documents. I recommend that you 'right-click' on "View" and use "Save Target As" - this should facilitate the download process.

The files are as follows:
* Planning and Managing Sustainable Off-Road Routes: A Guide for Route Planners and Operators - 3,196kb

* Assessment and Evaluation of proposed and existing Off-Road Routes: A Guide for Environmental Assessment Practitioners and Authorities, and Route Planners - 1,968kb

* Environmental Ethics and Sustainable Use of Off-Road Routes and Trails: A Practical Guide for Recreational Trail Users - 133kb

The letter also includes details of two public meetings that will be held to discuss comments regarding the guidelines.
They are as follows:

a.. Cape Town - Wednesday 25th October, 9.30am, Kirstenbosch Stone Cottages (2-3 hours as needed)

b.. George - Thursday 26th October, 10.30am, King George Protea Hotel (2-3 hours as needed)

Contact:
Please reply to Kathy Leslie, wleslie@iafrica.com if you are able to attend
either meeting. Any other comments or queries can be forwarded to Kathy or
Karen Jodas of Savannah Environmental by 9th November 2006.

Kathy Leslie 083 325 5615 or 021 671 9350 (fax 088 021 671 9350)

All ISO certified companies - capacity building opportunity ...

2006-10-12T10:50:00.000+02:00

A must attend for all ISO certified companies to keep you up to date with the latest information - 24 August at the Plastics Federation, Midrand.

You are invited to attend this highly informative workshop to be held at the Koeberg Visitors Centre in Koeberg on 26th October 2006. The programme is designed to inform on a range of important topics which currently challenge industry and are of particular importance to those who manufacture, fill, use, empty, dispose, reprocess or recycle industrial packaging and especially those who have ISO certification to keep them up to date with new legislation and best global industry practice.

Speakers include Provincial Government on the Green Scorpions approach to compliance, monitoring and enforcement and new Waste legislation, SANAS on what SANAS Accreditation means and why it is important to your certification body to several innovative ways for recycle of common waste streams including ewaste as well as feedback from the recent International Industrial Packaging Conference in San Francisco.

Secure your place by completing and returning the attached registration form by fax 032-942 8328 or email liz@rcmasa.org.za and do pass on a copy to anyone you know who should attend.

For more information on this stunning venue, please visit the Eskom Website on www.eskom.co.za.

Look forward to seeing you on the 26th.
Best regards, Liz and Lee-Anne

PO Box 894
Umhlali
4390
liz@rcmasa.org.za
tel: 032-942 8256
fax: 032-942 8328

Wetland service provider required ...

2006-10-12T10:41:00.000+02:00

Dear wetlanders

SANBI is acting as the national focal point for a project on the
sustainable management of inland wetlands in southern Africa, funded
by the Global Environment Facility and implemented through International
Water Management Institute, IUCN and Food and Agriculture Organisation.

IUCN Regional Office for Southern Africa, which is responsible for the
component of the project dealing with assessment of needs for capacity
development, would like to appoint a service provider to undertake a
short study on policies, strategies, curricula and institutional
arrangements for wetland management in South Africa. A ToR is available for more information.

Anyone interested in undertaking this work should submit to me the CVs
of a proposed two person team before 18 October 2006.

Please note that the budget for this work is fixed and is included in
the ToR, so it is implicit that you will need to scale the intensity
of the study to fit the funds available.

Contact person:
John Dini
Programme Manager
Working for Wetlands
South African National Biodiversity Institute
Private Bag X101, Pretoria, 0001
South Africa
Tel: +27 12 843 5292
Fax: +27 12 843 5205
Cell: 083 420 7988
Email: dini@sanbi.org
www.sanbi.org

Global ocean cooling ...

2006-09-24T09:33:00.000+02:00

See this interesting post about a measured recent cooling in ocean temperatures - global warming with speedbumps!

Global Warming ! ...

2006-09-24T01:41:00.000+02:00

Global warming is essentially caused by the energy that is normally reflected back off the earth's surface being absorbed by the polluted atmosphere rather than passing through unpolluted air back into space. This is due to the recent dramatic increase in carbon dioxide and methane largely caused by the burning of fossil fuel, coal and oil.

On 12 Sept I flew up to a meeting in Pretoria. The following pics are just three of a series that I took as I flew back from Johannesburg to Cape Town. I was hoping to illustrate the improvement in air quality as we flew south, intending to use the pics in a schools presentation on Climate Change that I am preparing. I was not disappointed.

This first picture was taken shortly after we took off from Johannesburg (now Oliver Tambo) International Airport. You can just see the airport through the smog on this fine spring day!

This picture was taken about half way through the two hour flight over the southern Free State, just approaching the Great Karoo. The poluted air mass, left, that covers the northern half of the country where all our coal fired power stations are situated can be clearly seen. The cloudy area on the right of the picture was the extreme northern limit of the cleaner unpolluted southern ocean airmass.

This pic is taken about 18h00, two hours after the first picture. It shows the mountains about 60km north of Cape Town. Compare the great visibility through the atmosphere with the first picture.

Eish, Im glad to live in Cape Town.

GEF Assembly 7 ...

2006-09-05T09:53:00.000+02:00

Launch of a book on the GEF funded C.A.P.E. Programme - see here

The C.A.P.E. publication, Fynbos Fynmense – people making biodiversity work, was launched at the Cullinan Hotel in Cape Town on the 28th of August 2006. The event, which was held together with the 2006 EnviroMedia Conference, was well attended. Attendees included the Western Cape Provincial MEC for Environment, Planning and Economic Development, Tasneem Essop, as well as representatives from the World Bank, United Nations Development Programme and the Critical Ecosystems Partnership Fund.

The book is a culmination of the efforts of members of the C.A.P.E. Coordination Unit, Ally Ashwell and Sandra Turck and is the fourth volume of the SANBI Biodiversity Series. It illustrates the results of the C.A.P.E. partnership and provides examples of creative thinking in promoting biodiversity conservation in the context of sustainable development. It is hoped that the book will contribute to the dissemination of lessons learned from the C.A.P.E. Programme to other bioregional programmes.

Trevor Sandwith, co-ordinator of the programme at the podium, Ally Ashwell on his left (holding a copy of the book) the primary editor and others on the editorial team.

Minister Tasneem Essop (W Cape Prov Minister for Economic Affairs and Environment), and others receiving boquets after the book launch.

The Hoerikwaggo Table Mountain Trail Guides telling their moving story - see here for details.
They were all previously unemployed persons who were given a chance of a lifetime and seem to have grasped the opportunity with both hands.

Cape minstrels taking part in the opening ceremony. In my oppinion this ceremony was kitch in the extreme and exposed among the poorest cultural offerings Cape Town had to offer! But then I'm no expert in that field.

Formalities of the opening ceremony. Left to right, W Cape Premier Ebrahim Rasool, National Environment and Tourism Minister, Martinus van Schalkwyk, National Deputy President, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka and GEF CEO, Monique Barbut.

GEF Assembly 6 ...

2006-09-04T12:52:00.000+02:00

I won't bother to report all the formal stuff from the GEF Assembly but you can find the comprehensive IISD reports here and the Assembly documents here

When and if I get an evening free I'll post some of my own photographs of the event.

I also spent the weekend up the west coast with Nicolle Glineur of GEF and have lots of lovely photos of spring flowers.

International Day for Biological Diversity Theme - 22 May 2007 ...

2006-09-04T12:20:00.000+02:00

The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity announced that the focus of the 2007 International Day for Biological Diversity (IBD), 22 May, will be on Biodiversity and Climate Change.

See here for details.

Spring flowers in the Bidou Valley, east of Clanwilliam, over the Pakhuis Pass through the Cedarberg. Western Cape Province, South Africa

GEF Assembly 5 ...

2006-08-28T00:26:00.000+02:00

Registration for the GEF Assembly got underway today.
Gigi and I went down early to avoid the queues

Cape Town's International Convention Centre (CTICC) where the GEF Assembly will meet and most of the side events will take place

Banner above registration.

The registration desk before the mad rush

Display of crafts in the foyer of the CTICC

Street banner outside the CTICC - please excuse the alien invasive Cassurina/Beefwood on the left!

At 15h00 an informal reception was held at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden.
It was a warm sunny day, what we call berg (mountain) wind weather that preceedes a cold front! Tomorrow is going to be cold and rainy in the afternoon - that should surprise many of the delegates after todays perfect spring weather!

What a pitty that not a single member of our department, other than myself, attended this event. The only ones that were there were a few souls that had been roped in as volunteers, standing around handing out 'goodie' bags to the deleates. What a great opportunity to network with very influential international and and national luminaries involved in biodiversity funding. All the senior officials of the national department's international relations and biodiversity management divisions from Pretoria attended. Here we sit with two biodiversity hotspots of international significance in our province and all our .......... resists making career limiting statements .......... Ag shame - its only about biodiversity and ecosystem services!

The 'Silvertree' restaurant where the reception was held.

Some of us decided to walk in the garden in the beautiful spring weather. Nicole Glineur, right, is Programme Manager: Biodiversity of the GEF and Rachael S?? is with the GEF's small grant facility in New York. That's yours truely in the middle - the grey one not the dark brown one, thank you!

William Boshoff's 'Garden of Words III' - On the lawn above the visitor centre a local South African artist, Willem Boshoff, had put up an extremely interesting atistic installation. You can read all about it on the notice above (Click on the picture to enlarge it).

Below are a range of pictures that I took of the installation.

The installation comprises 15 000 'artificial flowers' representing 15 000 endangered species and has been set up in Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden to bring to the attention of the visitors the plight of the worlds plant biodiversity.

The inspiration comes from the fields of gravestones at Flanders

The red cups represent poppies

The folded handkerchiefs represent sadness and as well as forming petals when pressed into the 'poppies'

Willem posing in front of his installation with Nursery Buttress behind.

The words are species names and localities of endangered plants. You can't really read them, folded as they are into the 'poppies'. This represents the fading of the species. Soon they will just be memories. Eventually they'll be forgotten!

I'm extremely tempted to nip into the garden late one evening and add an extra row of poppies with certain selected names of my own.

Willem Boshoff, the artist discussing his installation with a couple of visitors to Kirstenbosch

GEF Assembly 4 ...

2006-08-28T00:17:00.000+02:00

The IISD Reporting service that will report on the GEF have their links page here.

IISD's main 'Linkages' page is here.

GEF Assembly 3 ...

2006-08-27T23:11:00.000+02:00

On Friday 25 August Gigi and I were invited to a small cocktail function of UNDP staff and some leading South African biodiversity luminaries arranged by Gugu Agha, head of GEF's Communications division.

The function was held at Gugu's appartment in Camps Bay.

Gigi (SANBI, Cape Town), Nik Sekhran (UNDP, Pretoria)

Sally Nittman

Eddie Russell (UNDP, Pretoria), ?, Judy Beaumont (DEAT, Pretoria)

Merle Huntley chatting to Alan Rodgers (UNDP, Nairobi)

Judy Beaumont, ?, Gugu Agha (UNDP, Geneva)

Shame, Gugu was down with a really bad cold.

Nik Sekhran, Brian Huntley (Acting CEO, SA National Biodiversity Institute SANBI) and Nicole Glineur (GEF, Biodiversity Programme Manager, Washington)

Nik Sekhran, Kristal Maze (SANBI, Birector Biodiversity, pretoria) and Nicole Glineur

Phil Desmet and Nick ? (UNDP)

Gigi, Alex Cote (UNDP, Pretoria) and Trevor Sandwith (C.A.P.E., Cape Town)

GEF Assembly 2 ...

2006-08-27T01:10:00.000+02:00

See my first post on the 4th GEF Assembly here.
Michelle Garforth has published some useful info here and there is some other useful perspectives here particularly on biosafety projects.

I'm off to register for the Assembly tomorrow and will keep you posted.

Biofuels workshop - 15 September ...

2006-08-23T09:28:00.000+02:00

The 'Western Cape Task Team for Renewable Fuel' presents a simposium at the University of Stellenbosch on 15 September 2006. The purpose of the simposium is to discuss the key issues relating to the development of a bio-ethanol industry in the Western Cape

For programme, registration forms etc contact:
Wessel Lemmer
> Agricultural Economist
> Department of Agriculture: Western Cape
> Private Bag X1,
> Elsenburg,
> 7607,
> South Africa
> * Tel: + 27 21 808 5193
> * Cell: + 27 21 (0)82 907 3396
> * Fax: + 27 21 808 5210
> * E-mail: wessell@elsenburg.com
> * Web: www.elsenburg.com

Directorate Srategic Environmental Management, Strategic Planning Session ...

2006-08-22T14:37:00.000+02:00

Mark Gordon addressing the Directorate: Strategic Environmental Management at our Strat Planning meeting.

The placing of this photo on this blog was a demo to Mark that the quickest way for him or the Minister to see what is going on at a site of environmental damage or illegal activity was for someone in the area to photograph the activity and blog it using cell phone connection to the internet. The pics would then be instantly available to anyone who had access to the internet.

Oh, the marvels of instant communication.
I had this picture up within 15 minutes of him quering the issue during the strat planning session!

Shutdown of Prudhoe Bay Oilfield - BP, Alaska ...

2006-08-09T08:03:00.000+02:00

The oilfield at Prudhoe Bay in Alaska has been shutdown following a failure of the trans-Alaska pipeline and a major oil spill. This seems to be a major environmental incident that has received very little news coverage here in South Africa. Apparently the pipeline is in a very poor state of repair and a large section will need to be replaced, causing a two to three month shutdown of the oilfield and having a significant impact on the price of oil.

For more information see Google News links to stories about the incident.

You can see lots of pictures of the incident here.

Revision of Table Mountain National Park Management Plan ...

2006-08-07T11:32:00.000+02:00

The TMNP is currently reviewing/developing the TMNP Management Plan.
The three documents (Park management Plan, Conservation Development Framework and Tokai-Cecilia Management Framework) are all interrelated management tools that will guide the management of the Park into the future.

Open days, with a focus on Tokai-Cecilia, will be held for the purpose of presenting these draft documents for public comment:
Date: Monday 14th and Tuesday 15th August 2006 Time: 14h00 to 19h00
Tokai-Cecilia Workshops: 17:00 on both days
Venue: The Main Hall, Chrysalis Academy, Porter School, Tokai

For further information please contact:
Park Management Plan:
Mike Slayen (michaels@sanparks.org)
Chad Cheney (chadc@sanparks.org)
Table Mountain National Park
Tel: 021 – 701 8692
Fax: 021 701 8773

Conservation Development Framework:
Rod Cronwright (rodc@setplan.co.za)
iKapa Enviroplan
Tel: 021-422-1946
Fax: 021-424-3490

Tokai-Cecilia Management Framework:
Sarien Lategan (sarien@geostratics.co.za )
Geostratics CC: Town Planners, Environmental consultants, Research
Tel. 021-8510078
Fax 021-8520966

Suggestions for improving vehicle fuel economy ...

2006-08-03T21:25:00.000+02:00

... and minimising atmospheric carbon emissions

– Dennis Laidler

As an environmentalist, particularly concerned with climate change, I must admit to ‘getting off’ on minimising my vehicle’s fuel consumption rather than ‘voet in die hoek’ or aggressive driving. Fortunately or unfortunately I spent my formative driving years during the era of extremely severe fuel rationing in the then Rhodesia and later during the South African fuel restrictions of the late 1970’s. As a university student I remember driving a Volkswagen beetle regularly between the then Salisbury and Cape Town at a very strict 80km per hour - whew! Unfortunately the backgrounds to both of these fuel shortages were political. However, today we have other reasons prompting us to pay attention to our vehicle’s fuel consumption. Firstly, every vehicle user should take the issue of minimising their personal contribution to global carbon emissions seriously. Secondly it’s cost. The recent increase in fuel price affects almost every vehicle user, and in my humble opinion we are not going see hydrocarbon fuel prices decrease in future.

This all said, I’ve compiled the following suggestions for saving fuel, minimising your personal carbon emissions and saving you money. To supplement my own thoughts on the issue I did some research on the Internet, including the United States Environmental Protection Agency and other sites, and was reminded of many tips that had not immediately come to mind. I can’t, of course, claim that any of these ideas are unique or new and I’m sure you are aware of some of them already.

Having two sons that relatively recently obtained their driving licences caused me to refocus on the quality of my own driving style. I have now come to regard my driving time as ‘quiet quality time’ rather than ‘stress time’. As a positive side effect I have found that focusing on minimising my fuel consumption on every trip, even commuting to work, has taken a lot of the aggression out of my driving style.

I hope that you find the suggestions below useful and that they prompt you to reduce your fuel usage and modify your driving style.

Fuel saving suggestions:

1. Plan your trips – the easiest way to save fuel is not to drive your vehicle! If you have to drive plan your vehicle use and try to do as many chores on a single trip as possible. Use a bicycle or your two legs for short trips.

2. If you have to drive take the shortest and/or least traffic congested route possible – the less time you are on the road or idling the engine while going nowhere the better.

3. Don’t idle your car’s engine for more than 1 minute - If you need to idle your vehicle’s engine for a while, just turn the engine off. Contrary to popular belief, having to restart your car isn't worse for your fuel economy if you're going to idle for longer than 1 minute. Don’t use the drive through at your local burger joint. Park your vehicle and turn off the engine!

4. Use your right foot as lightly as possible on the accelerator – The greatest fuel waster while driving is rapid acceleration. From a standstill or when rolling, accelerate GENTLY up to your desired speed and change up to the next higher gear as soon as reasonably possible. Always use the highest reasonable gear for your speed. Generally speaking, the lower the engine revs the more fuel efficiently it is running.

5. If your vehicle has one, display your vehicle’s trip fuel consumption meter every time you drive and you’ll be surprised at the positive impact it has on your driving style and fuel consumption.

6. Use your right foot as lightly as possible on the brakes – If you have to apply the brakes hard at any time while you’re driving, then you are not using your powers of anticipation and your vehicle is wasting fuel. Applying the brakes hard merely converts all that expensively fuelled momentum into heating your car’s brake disks. What a waste! Keep an eye well ahead while you are driving and take your foot off the accelerator AS SOON as it appears that you may have to slow down or stop. Rather apply the brakes gently, and coast slowly up to the obstruction. The traffic lights will turn green again or the obstruction may clear and you can continue without having to waste fuel accelerating from a standstill.

7. Load your vehicle as lightly as possible – Every kilo of weight in your vehicle has to be accelerated and decelerated every time you use your right foot so don’t carry around any unnecessary load.

8. Check your tyre pressures regularly – If your tyres are under-inflated, your vehicle has to work that much harder to spin the wheels. The friction caused by these soft tyres could be significantly increasing your fuel consumption. Not to mention the premature tread wear that will cost you serious money sooner rather than later. If you’d like to test this for yourself just try cycling a bicycle with under inflated tyres compared to one with correctly inflated tyres.

9. Have your vehicle’s wheel alignment checked regularly – Poor wheel alignment not only wears your vehicles tires unnecessarily but adds extra rolling resistance to your vehicle, unnecessarily increasing fuel consumption.

10. Reduce wind resistance – Do you ever go on a long trip and stack luggage on the roof of your vehicle? These bulky items can increase your fuel consumption by up to 5%. Instead of putting your bags straight onto the roof rack, try using an aerodynamic roof box for storage. Hard aerodynamic hard roof box models offer a sleek shaped storage bin that keeps wind resistance to a minimum. You can reduce fuel consumption by completely removing the box and roof rack from your vehicle when you don't need to use it. Even though they are aerodynamic, these roof boxes are only completely drag-proof when they're off the vehicle.

11. Truck/Bakkie/LDV owners – Adding a hard or soft tonneau cover over the load bay of your truck prevents airflow against the tailgate that will give you an immediate 5% to 10% improvement in fuel consumption, to say nothing of the extra security.

12. Have your vehicle serviced and tuned regularly in accordance with the manufacturers directions – The better tuned and lubricated your vehicles engine the better your fuel consumption will be.

13. Use your air conditioner as little as possible – your car’s air conditioner can increase your vehicle’s fuel consumption as much as 10%. Rather open the car windows a little for ventilation, especially at low speeds.

14. On the other hand don’t drive fast with your car windows wide open unnecessarily – open windows will increase your car’s drag, especially at high speed, and increase fuel consumption.

15. Don’t free-wheel downhill with the vehicle out of gear – This urban legend is a popular fuel saver myth. Not only is this ineffective at saving fuel, but it is extremely dangerous. There's no reason to cut-off your acceleration control – coasting with your foot off the accelerator uses the same amount of fuel. And, letting your vehicle free-wheel downhill can generate dangerous speeds.

16. It doesn’t make financial sense to sell your current vehicle merely to replace it with a more fuel economic one – The money saved through fuel economy will not compensate for the cost of the new vehicle. It’s expensive in both money and energy to make and to buy a new vehicle. But when the time comes to replace an old vehicle, you can get a very large reduction in your fuel bill by making an informed choice. Choose a small fuel-efficient vehicle rather than the typical South African ‘pocket rocket’! Luckily in this day and age this doesn’t mean having to forgo quality or luxury. My wife and I have recently replaced her city commuter with a Fiat Panda, European car of the year 2004, 2005 and 2006. Surprisingly this modern fuel-efficient 1200cc (4.6 litres/100km or 50 miles/gallon) vehicle is even available in two 4x4 versions if that is your ‘hot button’!

17. Diesel vehicles are generally 20% more economical than a similar petrol powered vehicle – Diesel should always be the first choice for anyone concerned with fuel economy. Modern diesel engines are also much more powerful and cleaner than those of 10 or 20 years ago but they are more expensive to make so you need to decide if the extra purchase price would be covered by the fuel savings. I found this not to be the case in South Africa for the vehicles in the price range I was considering.

Third Global Environment Facility (GEF) Assembly in Cape Town ...

2006-08-02T21:46:00.000+02:00

The Third Global Environment Facility (GEF) Assembly is being hosted by the Government of South Africa from August 29-30, 2006 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC).

All the relevant information is at the Assembly's Website

The most interesting document I have discovered is the Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel (STAP) Report on the Broad Scientific and Technical Issues that emerged during the Preceding Phase of the GEF and on Emerging Issus and Gaps

The GEF home page is http://www.thegef.org/

Champion Trees Project ...

2006-08-02T20:18:00.000+02:00

Gigi just sent me an interesting link to DWAF's Champion Trees Project

The Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) initiated a project to identify and protect trees worthy of special protection throughout South Africa. Such projects have been established in several countries, but this is the first of its kind in Africa. Champion trees are trees of exceptional importance that deserves national protection because of their remarkable size, age, aesthetic, cultural, historic or tourism value.

I see there is also info on protected trees here and you can download the latest list of protected trees here as a pdf file.

Clinton Foundation to Work to Reduce Greenhouse Gases ...

2006-08-02T13:19:00.000+02:00

See link here

South Africa's Environmental Awareness Campaign appoints CEO ...

2006-08-02T10:22:00.000+02:00

"Today, we start building an institution which will primarily seek to encourage all of us to further increase our appreciation for the role of the environment in growing our economy" said Onkgopotse JJ Tabane as he announced JP Louw as the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of INDALO YETHU, South Africa's national environmental awareness campaign.

"Mr Louw emerges from a successful tenure as head of communications in the department of environmental affairs and tourism. He has earned an admirable reputation throughout the political terms of both Ministers Valli Moosa and Marthinus van Schalkwyk. It therefore came to us as an opportunity not to be missed when he applied for the post of Chief Executive Officer." Tabane further added that Louw comes as a seasoned communicator, with an impeccable organizational development experience and good exposure and understanding of environmental deliberations at both a local and international platform.

Expressing his appreciation about his selection to the post of Chief Executive Officer, Louw committed himself to work with his board members, other partner organizations and the general public in raising consciousness about the interrelated nature of economic growth, social development and environmental protection.

"The challenge is to ensure that whilst we host a successful 2010 Soccer World Cup, we realize the ideals of ASGISA and overall transform our society, we do so in a manner that will ensure that benefits are accrued to us today as well as to our future generations" said Louw. "Our intentions are to put all necessary systems in place and conduct relevant consultations between this period and the end of the year" further added Louw. "Come 2007 and we should be in the mode of all systems rolling".

INDALO YETHU is a national environmental awareness campaign and is also a legacy project of the World Summit on Sustainable Development legacy.

For further info contact:
JP Louw
CEO
INDALO YETHU
082 569 3340
jplouw@indaloyethu.co.za
visit us at www.indaloyethu.co.za

Presentation - Long-term greenhouse gas mitigation scenarios for SA ...

2006-08-02T09:39:00.000+02:00

The South African Cabinet has approved and initiated the development of a greenhouse gas mitigation strategy for South Africa, utilising scenario building and options generating processes.

The process will be overseen by DEAT, who have asked ERC to manage the project.
Harald Winkler will give a short presentation on this new work.

Topic: Long-Term Mitigation Scenarios
Date: Friday, 4 August 2006
Time: 12:30 - 13:30
Venue: ERC seminar room, 6th floor, Menzies Building, University of Cape Town

Please feel free to forward this invitation to others who might interested.

Harald Winkler
Programme leader: Energy, Environment & Climate Change
Energy Research Centre, University of Cape Town
Private Bag
Rondebosch 7701
Cape Town, South Africa
Tel: +27 21 650-2100
Fax:+27 21 650-2830
www.erc.uct.ac.za

PS: You can even do your own personal bit for mitigating green house gas emissions, see here

Fuel Consumption Converter ...

2006-08-01T13:59:00.000+02:00

My wife and I are about to purchase a new Fiat Panda to replace her aging VW Golf Chico 1600.
One of the primary factors that influenced our decision is its remarkable fuel efficiency.
Here is a link to a very useful Fuel Consumption Converter.

Don't bother to tell your American friends that your new car does 4.6 litres/100 kilometers, they won't understand at all. Maybe if you tell them your car does 50 miles/gallon it may cause them to pause for a moment (only a moment mind you) to think of their own outrageous contribution to atmospheric carbon emmissions and global climate change.

Heat Wave Shows Limits of Nuclear Energy ...

2006-07-28T08:51:00.000+02:00

And, the Western Cape is apparently not the only region with Nuclear Reactor woes!

Here is an interesting article on the nuclear situation in Europe as a result of the current heatwave.

Are our Koeberg nuclear reactors on the coast cooled by sea water or fresh water? Sea water I guess. Or is sea water so corrosive it is used to cool a closed freshwater cooling system that actually cools the reactors themselves?

Global warming will sink the insurance industry? ...

2006-07-28T08:47:00.000+02:00

See this thought provoking article from Climate Change News Digest

Sustainability Atlas of the Western Cape 2006 ...

2006-07-26T09:49:00.001+02:00

The following items are on the Cape Gateway site.

Official Launch of Sustainability Atlas of the Western Cape 2006

Sustainability Atlas Provides Statistical Spatial Maps for Stakeholders

Sustainability Atlas of the Western Cape 2006

The Atlas is a visual display of statistics by geographical region, developed as an information tool to assist and guide stakeholders.

See also the Concept Paper on Sustainable Development: May 2005.

Earth Policy Institute ...

2006-07-25T13:11:00.000+02:00

I've just added a permanent link under the 'Sustainable Development Links' in the right hand sidebar, to the 'Earth Policy Institute'. That site seems to have some very useful information and links.

For example see these articles on:
* The World After Oil Peaks;
* The Coming Decline of Oil; and
* U.S. Mayors respond to a Washngton Leadership Vacuum on Climate Change here

Supermarkets and Service Stations Now Competing for Grain ...

2006-07-25T12:43:00.000+02:00

A thought provoking article about the competition between using grain to produce food and animal feeds or ethanol for vehicle fuel. In the light of the collapse of the recent international trade talks it looks like ethanol is leading by at least a head!
See this link.

For similar articles and more information on Earth Policy Institute,
please see http://www.earth-policy.org.

District Workshops for the Supplementation of the National EIA Regulations ...

2006-07-24T08:28:00.000+02:00

Dear Stakeholders

We have finalised the details for the forthcoming series of district
workshops for the Supplementation of the national EIA Regulations project.
The project has been following a process of 1) mapping of geographical
layers (e.g. rivers, wetlands, rigdes, sensitive vegetation, urban areas
etc.), and 2) the parallel drafting of inclusion (NEMA 24(2) b) and
exclusion (NEMA 24(2) c) lists of activities for the WC Province.

At each district workshop a composite map (all layers) will be on display
for that district with one area selected for 'zooming in' to show some
detail. The DRAFT associated lists of activities for Basic Assessment,
EIA/Scoping and exclusions will be available, and the team will demonstrate
how these link in with the maps.

All workshops will take the form of an open-house session followed by a
discussion (Q&A) session. The open-house will allow stakeholders to view the
maps and get an idea for how the lists link to areas on the map, before
coming together for the discussion.

Workshop times will be as follows:
Cape Town - Belville Town Hall, 24 July - open house 14h00-15h30, discussion
15h30-17h00

West Coast - Saldanha Bay Protea Hotel, 25 July - open house 14h30-15h30,
dicussion 15h30-16h30

Beaufort West -Karoo National Park Conference venue, 25 July - open house
14h30-15h30, dicussion 15h30-16h30

Winelands - Joie de Vivre Paarl, 26 July - open house 14h30-15h30, dicussion
15h30-16h30

George - Far Hills Hotel just outside George, 26 July - open house
14h30-15h30, dicussion 15h30-16h30

Caledon at the Caledon Town Hall next to the Caledon Museum, 27th July -
open house 14h30-15h30, dicussion 15h30-16h30

Please note: This is not a capacity building session as the project is still
going through its development process and all products presented are DRAFTS
for discussion. (DEADP will be conducting capacity building sessions on the
new national EIA regulations (effective 1 July 2006) in the six districts
shortly after these workshops).

It is also recommended, although not essential, that stakeholders have a
look at the lists of activities for Basic Assessment and EIA/Scoping prior
to attending the workshops in order to better understand the additions and
exclusions that are to be discussed. These lists are available on
www.capegateway.gov.za and www.environment.gov.za

We have not been able to confirm every response we have received. If you
have emailed a reply to Shawn Johnston or Kathy Leslie, you can assume you
are down to attend the relevant workshop. If you are no longer able to
attend, please let us know soonest. If you have not yet replied, please do
so asap.

Regards,

Kathy Leslie - 021 671 9350 or 083 325 5615 (wleslie@iafrica.com)

Shawn Johnston - 083 325 9965 (swjohnston@mweb.co.za)

DEADP Annual Performance Plan ...

2006-07-20T16:01:00.000+02:00

The Western Cape Provincial Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning's (DEADP) latest Annual Performance Plan is available on the departmental home page

Click on the top link under 'Latest Publications'.

National Wetlands Indaba 2006 ...

2006-07-20T13:05:00.000+02:00

Organised by the Eastcape Wetlands Forum
Dates: 23-27 October
Venue: Stutterheim, Stutterheim Theatre

Programme and other details available from:
Conference secretary:
Juanita McLean
JUANITA@IWR.RU.AC.ZA