22 January, 2007

UK Climate Impacts Programme ...

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 ...

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.

16 January, 2007

ExxonMobil Disinformation on Climate Change ...

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 ...

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 ...

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

12 January, 2007

Western Cape Biodiversity Conservation Bill - Call for expression of interest

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

08 January, 2007

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


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

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

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 ...

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.

02 January, 2007

Imagine earth without people ...

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 ...

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 ...

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

19 December, 2006

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

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 ...

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 ...

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

W Cape PGDS - Extension Granted for Comment ...

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 ...

See Edward Nathan Sonnenberg's latest newsletter - interesting

18 December, 2006

SKEP News ...


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.

17 December, 2006

Colophon beetle ...

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

12 December, 2006

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

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".