DIGIMAG
YOUR LEADER IN ECO-BUSINESS & LIFESTYLE
ISSUE 1 • 2016
simply
10 l 20 enta nm sm iro nali v En our ard J Aw er nn Wi
Inside
ican Afr ited uth Lim e So ies Th er Brew
News
Features
10 General 14 SA Eco Film Fest 36 Water 91 Conservation
17 The global water crisis is here 22 Blue-green algae 26 How SA water shapes up? 30 SANBWA 32 Water in SA 35 SAWEA 40 Does COP21's Paris agreement mean anything? 44 COP21 report back
Reviews 70 Cooking 72 General
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Publisher Robbie Sammers robbie@insightspublishing.co.za
Project Manager Kyle Villet kyle@insightspublishing.co.za
Editor Chris Erasmus editor@simplygreen.co.za
Design Kevin Rule studio@simplygreen.co.za
Creative Director Silke Erasmus silke@simplygreen.co.za
Issue 1 • 2016 Volume 9 No.1 •
Office
Lifestyle
Conservation
52 Greening your office 54 E-waste
60 Greening your home 66 Microgreens: vegetables all year round 68 Recipes 74 Tintswalo: risen from the ashes 80 Wheeling the globe
86 Why the albatross matters 85 Garden route walking
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ISSN 1998-1309
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SOUTH AFRICA'S ENVIRONMENTAL CAMPAIGN www.indaloyethu.co.za
EDITORIAL SG 6
'Water, water everywhere' goes part of the famous poem by Coleridge (more fully quoted elsewhere in this edition). But these days, not even that part applies. We are so grateful for the very late summer rains that are now falling in some parts of the desperately-affected drought region across Southern Africa. This year's especially severe summer drought has devastated the livestock, crops and lives of millions of people living in a swathe of territory across the southern and central parts of Africa, putting many in dire danger of death by both dehydration and/or starvation. By some estimates it will take up to 15 years for many agriculturalists to recover from these hard times, especially those who have lost most of their livestock to the drought. But even if the late rains break the current drought – doubtful in many areas – they cannot solve the underlying problem. Water is, despite its occasional propensity to invade our land spaces from swollen river systems or from the sea, a scarce resources. And fresh, potable drinking water is even more scarce. One may throw around statistics, like the fact that even though earth is by all reasonable measures a water planet, with more than 70% of its surface covered in oceans, barely 3% of that total is 'fresh', and most of that is, in turn, locked up in ice or deep underground in hard-to-reach aquifers. We are using, in effect, around 1% of the planet's water supply as potable drinking water – and even with recycling and effluent removal, that figure is falling all the time as a growing percentage of the water 'meant' for our drinking needs is becoming toxified beyond use – take, for example, what has happened in Flint, Michigan, in the USA. And that is by far not the only such event in America, here in South Africa or elsewhere. We have, in Southern Africa, even more pressing issues given that we are already a water-scarce region and likely to suffer increasingly severe and frequent bouts of serious water under-supply as a warmer, more urbanised and more populated future looms before us. So what to do? As with all big problems, one should start to address this question with the small, easy steps which fall within everyone's ambit of 'do-ability'. Stop wasting water is the first and most important step. Then we move onto other forms of conservation and to ensure that what fresh water
bodies we have, such as the Hartebeespoort Dam, and any number of rivers, are not continuing to be contaminated with sewerage and other effluent. We also have to stop the spread of blue-green algae, which the alarming report on page 22 of this issue demonstrates is yet another threat to our fresh water resources. It's hard to know exactly what to say about water since everyone is aware that it is essential to life. And yet we act, so often in our day-to-day lives, as if it is a 'given', that it will always be there and that we can do with it as we like, without consequence. Well, the hard news is that there are consequences, that water is scarce and rapidly getting scarcer and that the 'good old days' of plenty of water for all, and cheap too, are long gone. We have to start treating water like the prescious source of life that it is. This issue, therefore, is dedicated, to water and its proper use – as well as some of threats we face around water, its availability and how to deal with those threats. Water-saving is not merely good for the bottom line, good as a general idea or a 'feel good' thing to do. It is a necessity and we should all be applying ourselves to it rigorously and with focused intensity. People say that when the chips are down, and when the food runs out, everyone will find that chasing the 'great god of money' has been a fool's enterprise because one can't eat money. Cynics reply that one can use money to buy food. Perhaps, but only if there is any food to buy. If we run out of water – and every indication is that we are facing exactly that scary prospect in just some few years time – then there certainly won't be enough food for all, and those with water will be protecting it with all their might against those without. No-one has to play that scenario out to its logical conclusions to see that is something we all want to avoid. So let's think about water in a different way. Let's try to adopt a respect for our precious water and treat it like the critical life-source that it is and without which we are all doomed. Then maybe we have a chance at a future which is something other than dusty, deathly dry and littered with the whitening bones of the animals and people that once lived in a green and pleasant land.
Green greetings Chris & the Team
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ADVISORY BOARD Contributors
Brian Wilkinson is the CEO of the Green Building Council. He joined the GBC in 2011 as Chief Executive Officer after some creative encouragement out of what he thought was his ‘early retirement’. At the time he was working with ILIMA Trust, an NPO involved in supporting leaders in the public sector.
Gareth Burley is the CEO of Green Business Synergy, a company that brings business together for sustainable energy solutions and projects. He consults to companies and organisations such as the SAEE, Measurement and Verification Council, Energy Saving Company QDM, Microcare Solar Manufacturers and local government.
Jane Griffiths is a television producer, writer, artist and traveller, who has grown organic vegetables and herbs in her Johannesburg garden for 20 years. Her best-selling book Jane’s Delicious Garden has led to a vegetable revolution in South Africa, with thousands of people now following in Jane's green footsteps.
Jeunesse Park established ProGreen, SA’s first environmental communications and public relations company, as well as Food & Trees for Africa and has won many awards. She continues her work as a social activator with the African Climate Reality Project.
Kevin James Kevin James is a sustainable business strategist and futurist. He applies systems thinking to tackle some of the most pressing environmental and social challenges facing business today, He believes that the only way to solve the many problems that our current sustainability conundrum presents to us, is to connect the dots between stakeholders, their activities and the various systems within which they all interact.
Richard Duckitt has a BSc in Environmental and Geographical Studies (UCT), an Honors degree in Oceanography and is a registered Green Star Accredited Professional for New Buildings and a Green Star SA Assessor. Promoting sustainability solutions through an integrated and collaborative approach, he considers how all elements of a building’s design, construction and management work together to meet the needs of its owners, occupants and the environment.
Richard Sherman serves as a technical advisor on multilateral environmental agreements, international environmental governance, climate change and sustainable development. He is a member of South Africa’s Official Negotiating Delegation to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and is currently the Advisor to the Co-Chair of the Board of the Green Climate Fund and is the convenor of the African Group of Negotiators Finance Working Group.
Susanne Karcher is a chemical engineer who runs her own Environmental Consultancy called EnviroSense. Her company specialises in the planning, development and facilitation of tailor-made governmental, industrial/commercial and residential 'Integrated Resource and Waste Management' programmes. Susanne is also the coordinator and chair(wo) man of the Southern African e-Waste Alliance (SAEWA).
Johan van den Berg is the CEO of the South African
Wind Energy Association, the Chair of the South African Renewable Energy Council and the African Private Sector Focal Point for the Africa-EU Energy Partnership. A barrister, he has spent 18 years in dispute resolution; environmental mediation; climate change avoidance/ emissions trading; and efforts to deploy renewable energy in Southern Africa.
Prof Mark Swilling is an internationally-recognised expert in sustainable development and is Academic Director of The Sustainability Institute, University of Stellenbosch. Swilling has published eight edited and co-authored books, over 54 book chapters, 37 articles in refereed journals, and compiled 22 major technical reports.
Lise Pretorius is a sustainability economist at GCX Africa and heads up the Sustainable Investment division. Lise has worked on various sustainable investment/economics projects in South Africa, the UK, and Bhutan. She was previously a senior writer at Financial Mail – mostly on energy and sustainability issues – and still likes to write about things to do with new economic thinking. She has a masters degree in Environmental Economics from the London School of Economics. Bernard Jacobs is water management specialist and associate at GCX Africa. He has been involved in the development of global water treatment solutions for the marine and potable water sector for the last 14 years. His financial background coupled with the legislative requirements for international approvals of the water systems, test facilities and regulative water standards has established him as an authority on the design, implementation and management of water related challenges. Mark Ledger is a water management specialist and associate at GCX Africa. Mark is a highly qualified and experienced water management professional. He holds a BSc Chem Micro degree from UCT and has over 20 years in the field of industrial water treatment and water resource management. Companies he has worked with include Anikem. Chemical Services Group, Nalco Chemserve, Nalco Global, Ondeo Nalco, ImproChem and besides being part of GCX expert advisory panel he is also the managing partner of Agua Africa / Liquid Science. Mark Matthews is a proudly South African earth observation scientist and entrepreneur specialising in the detection of harmful cyanobacteria blooms from space. Mark is an honorary research associate at the university of Cape Town and is registered as a professional natural scientist. He is the founder and director of CyanoLakes, a startup company aimed at significantly advancing the use of earth observation for monitoring harmful cyanobacteria blooms and eutrophication in the world’s lakes.
Carole Knight is a freelance environmental writer with specialisations in sustainability, emerging trends, and globalisation. She lives in the Western Cape of South Africa. The website for BirdLife South Africa is www.birdlife.org.za
Jaco Du Toit holds a BA and an MPhil from Stellenbosch University. He has lectured on Decision Making Theory and Economics and completed research projects on solar energy for local government and business. He currently works for WWF International as a Programme Manager in the Global Climate and Energy Initiative, primarily on policy coordination and team management for the WWF delegation to the UNFCCC.
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www . simplygreen . co . z a 9 SG
N ews 5 reasons not to underestimate the power of plants and trees We humans have a wide range of feelings about members of the kingdom Plantae, from total disregard to thinking they are clever friends, but what does science have to say about our botanical cohabitants? This is what the BBC World Service Inquiry program wondered when they asked four scientists what they thought about plants. Here are their responses: 1. Plants could be cognitive and intelligent Professor Stefano Mancuso runs the International Laboratory for Plant Neurobiology at the University of Florence. In an experiment with two climbing plants, they found that both competed for a single support when it was placed between them. The plant that didn’t make it to the pole first immediately 'sensed' the other plant had succeeded and started to find an alternative. 'This was astonishing and it demonstrates the plants were aware of their physical environment and the behaviour of the other plant. In animals we call this consciousness. We are convinced that plants are cognitive and intelligent.' 2. They're all brain; and we're dependent on them Mancuso continues, 'Plants distribute all along the body the functions that in animals are concentrated in single organs. Whereas in animals almost the only cells producing electrical signals are in the brain, the plant is a kind of distributed brain in which almost every cell is able to produce them.' Underestimating plants can be very dangerous, he says, 'because our life depends on plants and our actions are destroying their environments.' 3. They could be sentient beings Professor of Forest Ecology in the Department Of Forest and Conservation Sciences at the University of British Columbia, Suzanne Simard talks about the ways in which trees are linked together underground. 'We grew Douglas fir in a neighbourhood of strangers and its own kin and found that they can recognise their own kin and we also grew Douglas fir and ponderosa pine together. We injured the Douglas fir by pulling its needles off and by attacking it with western spruce bud worm, and it then sent a lot of carbon in its network into the neighbouring ponderosa pine. My interpretation was
the Douglas fir knew it was dying and wanted to pass its legacy of carbon on to its neighbour, because that would be beneficial for the associated fungi and the community. 'We haven't treated them with respect that they are sentient beings.' 4. They can help us better understand nature to advance our future Dr Barbara Mazzolai is the co-ordinator at the Centre for Micro-BioRobotics at the Italian Institute of Technology. She uses plants as a biomimetic starting point to design robots. She says they can use a plant-inspired robot for environmental monitoring, space applications or rescue under debris, because, as she says: 'It can adapt to the environment like a natural system. The robot doesn't have a predefined structure, but can create on the basis of need. Medical robotics could also be a key application.' 5. Their ability to adapt is crucial for us to learn from Professor Daniel Chamovitz, the Dean of Life Sciences at Tel Aviv University, pulls back from declaring that plants are smart. 'Anyone who claims they're studying plant "intelligence" is either trying to be very controversial or is on the borderline of pseudoscience,' he says. But he admits they are exquisitely aware of their environment and how to adapt to that and understanding them is important for our survival. 'We've completely underestimated plants. We look at them as inanimate objects, completely unaware of the amazing, complex biology that allows that plant to survive. If we don’t learn from them,' he says, 'we might find ourselves in a big problem 50 to 100 years from now.'
The great 'green wall' of Africa Eleven African countries (Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Sudan, Chad, Niger, Nigeria, Mali, Burkina Faso, Mauritania, and Senegal) are moving ahead with an ambitious pan-African effort in the Sahel-Saharan region of the continent to protect arable land from the encroaching Sahara desert – by planting trees. The countries came together in 2007 to execute the $2bn dollar project to arrest the creeping desertification in the region. The 15km wide and 7.8km long tree wall will stretch all the way from Senegal in west Africa to Djibouti in the east. The original idea for the tree wall was first proposed by former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo in 2005 and the African Union took it up in 2007. The World Bank helped co-finance it and the UN has been a supporter. Senegal has so far been able to plant over 12 million trees up 150km covering 40 000ha worth of land. S G 10
Power from the people
Disruption: The movie ‘When it comes to climate change, why do we do so little when we know so much?’ Through a relentless investigation to find the answer, Disruption takes an unflinching look at the devastating consequences of our inaction. The exploration lays bare the terrifying science, the shattered political process, the unrelenting industry special interests and the civic stasis that have brought us to this social, moral and ecological crossroads. The film also takes us behind-the-scenes of the efforts to organise the largest climate rally in the history of the planet during the UN world climate summit. This is the story of an unique moment in history. We are living through an age of tipping points and rapid social and planetary change. We’re the first generation to feel the impacts of climate disruption, and the last generation that can do something about it. The film enlarges the issue beyond climate impacts and makes a compelling call for bold action that is strong enough to tip the balance to build a clean energy future. For more and to download the movie click here.
A renewable energy project in Lagos, Nigeria, has taken an incredibly smart — and sporty — approach to people-generated power through the reinvention of the humble soccer pitch. The people-powered soccer pitch in question, located at the Federal College of Education in Akoka, is the result of two rather unlikely entities, Anglo-Dutch oil behemoth Shell and frequently shirtless 'Smack That' rapper Akon, coming together for a single good cause. Grammy-nominated Akon, a St Louis-born Senegalese-American hip-hop star-turned-solar entrepreneur, has dedicated much of his recent energy to Akon Lighting Africa, an organisation dedicated to spearheading various electricityproviding clean energy projects across Africa. For the project, Akon and Shell collaborated with Pavegen, a lauded British clean tech startup and self-described 'market leader in the footfall energy harvesting sector' headed by Laurence Kemball-Cook. While the recently unveiled Lagos project isn’t the first of its kind in the world – nor the largest – it is a first for Africa, a continent that’s seen a flurry of sustainable energy projects that aim to help bring light to communities where it’s needed most. With 100 energy-harnessing tiles hidden away under the artificial turf (the Rio installation, by comparison, has 200), the soccer pitch at the Federal College of Education helps to power floodlights that illuminate the grounds at night along with supplementary help from an on-site solar array. Normally, the area is plunged into darkness after the sun sets while the college itself is powered by polluting diesel generators. The very hustle of the players that use the field has, in effect, rendered the pitch a safer and more accessible place for all.
'City of Habitarbres' One of the biggest and most pressing issues today is making our cities more livable, efficient and self-sufficient – especially as urbanisation is projected to increase dramatically in the next few decades. For more than 30 years, Belgian architect Luc Schuiten has taken a visionary approach to rethinking cities, in a biomimetic fashion. In his lush and fantastical renderings of what he calls 'vegetal cities', urban centres are transformed into living, responsive architectures that merge nature with the man-made. Watch Schuiten's speech above to hear his incredible take on future living (turn on subtitles in the video's settings).
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N ews SA cities score at COP21 The City of Cape Town and Johannesburg have been named international winners for climate action at the Paris Climate Conference (COP21). The City of Cape Town was presented with the C40 Cities Award for 'Adaptation Implementation', recognising the City’s Water Conservation and Demand Management (WCWDM) Programme, while Johannesburg was the winner in the Finance and Development category for its Green Bond initiative. The two cities were Africa’s only winners. The C40 Cities Awards spans 10 categories, all recognising cities demonstrating 'climate action leadership', this according the awards’ website. The WCWDM programme began in 2007 and focuses on water conservation and water demand management, aiming to minimise water waste and promoting the efficient use of water. It includes raising public awareness, free of charge plumbing repairs for low-income households, and the training of 'community plumbers'. Johannesburg’s award-winning Green Bond is a funding model for green projects which previously did not have any financing and could thus not be implemented.
What lies beneath?
Geologists studying satellite imagery of the remote Princess Elizabeth Land in East Antarctica, one of the largest unsurveyed land surfaces on Earth, have discovered evidence of a massive subglacial canyon system buried beneath the ice. Tipped off by the physical hints, the team of researchers utilised radio-echo sounding to pull back the white curtain and peer through the ice. What they found is an absolute monstrosity of geology, a canyon system believed to be more than 1 096km long and as much as a kilometre deep. In some places, the measurements failed simply because they were too deep to be recorded. Should the initial study's results be verified, the Princess Elizabeth canyon system will take the title of largest ever discovered, dwarfing the Grand Canyon and stealing the crown from Greenland's Grand Canyon, itself buried under thick ice. A more comprehensive radio-echo sounding analysis of the remote region is expected to be completed later this year. S G 12
This new matter matters
Researchers at Japan's Tohoku University are making a bold claim: an entirely new state of matter. The team, led by Kosmas Prassides, says they've created what's called a Jahn-Teller metal by inserting rubidium, a strange alkali metal element, into buckyballs, a pure carbon structure which has a spherical shape from a series of interlocking polygons. While combining buckyballs and rubidium, the researchers created a complex crystalline structure that seemed to conduct, insulate and magnetise while acting as a metal. According to the researchers, It goes far beyond what ordinary matter can do. Applying pressure to the compound when it's in the conductor/insulator phase turns it into the weird state of matter, and also makes it superconductive at (relatively) high temperatures. Understanding and then mastering high-temperature superconductors, which this strange state of matter could help researchers to do, could make all sorts of new things possible in computing, transportation and infrastructure among others.
Leo the Eco-hero
Leonardo DiCaprio announced that his foundation will be give more than $15m to fast-track cutting edge sustainability and conservation projects around the world, during a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. While giving an acceptance speech for the Crystal Award (which celebrates the achievements of leading artists who have shown exemplary commitment to improving the state of the world), Dicaprio shared his astonishment at seeing ancient glaciers rapidly disappearing while travelling making a new documentary on how the climate crisis is changing the natural balance of our planet. 'We simply cannot afford to allow the corporate greed of the coal, oil and gas industries to determine the future of humanity. Those entities with a financial interest in preserving this destructive system have denied – and even covered-up – the evidence of our changing climate. Enough is enough. You know better. The world knows better. History will place the blame for this devastation squarely at their feet.' DiCaprio announced that his grants will support projects that have expanded protected areas on land and at sea, protecting iconic endangered species and empowered indigenous communities to fight back against corporate encroachment on their lands for the past decade. The donations are divided up among a number of organisations: $6m to Oceana and Skytruth for Global Fishing Watch; $1m to the Nature Conservancy for its Seychelles debt-for-nature swap project; $3.2m to Rainforest Action Network and Haka to protect the Sumatran rainforest, $3.4m to Clearwater and the Ceibo Alliance in South America; and $1.5m to the Solutions Project.
'We simply cannot afford to allow the corporate greed of the coal, oil and gas industries to determine the future of humanity.' 'Our oil-based society depends on non-renewable resources. It requires relentless probing into vast reaches of pristine land, sacrificing vital bioregions, and irreplaceable cultures. The possibility of catastrophic climate change is substantially increased by the 40 million barrels of oil burned every day by vehicles. We must all move shoulder to shoulder in a unified front to show this administration that the true majority of people are willing to vote for a cleaner environment and won't back down.' – Leonardo DiCaprio
TRUTH IN PICTURES 'When the Last Tree Is Cut Down, the Last Fish Eaten, and the Last Stream Poisoned, You Will Realise That You Cannot Eat Money.' This prophecy is becoming a more and more brutal reality. But, even today, not every person is aware of the horrible effects our lifestyles have on nature. Hefty.com recently published a series of evocative photographs that will leave you speechless. We will share a few of them over the next few editions.
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The SA Eco Film Festival will take place at the Labia Theatre in Cape Town and will aim to bring you a world-class programme of beautifully shot and engaging short and feature-length films exploring a wide range of environmental topics. And in 2016 we'll be bringing you some environmental surprises too, under the theme 'Future Possible' With the festival growing each year, we're experimenting a little with Multiple screenings, a focus on local content in our shorts and the very first SA Directors Showcase. Like us on Facebook, we'll be doing some fun thing's there too: www.facebook.com/ecofilmsa
LANDFILL HARMONIC
BIKES VS CARS
RACING EXTINCTION
HOPE FOR ALL
Preceded by Short Film: Sak en Pak (SA)
Preceded by Short Film: Unwieldy Beast
Preceded by Short Film: Vulture Culture (SA)
Preceded by Short Film: The Spinach King (SA)
Thursday 1 April 18:15 Saturday 2 April 12:00
Friday 1 April 18:15 Sunday 3 April 12:00
Saturday 2 April 14:00 Sunday 3 April 16:00
Sunday 3 April 14:00
Full Programme and Festival Time Table available for download at saecofilmfestival.com TICKETS AVAILABLE AT WEBTICKETS.CO.ZA
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AFRISAM-SAIA AWARD 4 SUSTAINABLE ARCHITEC TURE + INNOVATION
THE WORLD NEEDS VISIONARIES. WE RECOGNISE THEM. Online entries for the 2015/16 AfriSam-SAIA Award for Sustainable Architecture + Innovation are open for submissions in four categories:
• • • •
Sustainable Architecture Research in Sustainability Sustainable Products and Technology Sustainable Social Programmes
ENTER NOW ENTRIES CLOSE 24 MARCH 2016
Visit our website
sustainabledesign.co.za for all the details
4SA4tmrw
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@4SA4tmrw
Feature
The global
water crisis is here already
The day we started writing this story there was no water at our office in Westlake. There was no water in the block of offices; or in the office park; or in the entire suburb. As a consultancy whose main inputs are computers and human capital, the effect of this supply disruption was mere inconvenience. But for sectors such as agriculture, energy, mining and industry, where water is indispensable for production, a day without water could mean millions in lost revenue. Lise Pretorius and Mark Ledger of GCX Africa report.
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In 2015, only 403mm of rain fell on South African soil (on average) according to the country's weather service – the lowest rainfall in over 100 years.
T
he risk of days like this is becoming a fact
sanitation services to 768m people and 2.5bn people
of life as the demand for water continues
respectively, while at the same time supporting the
to grow. In many regions around the world, the
growth of economic activity. Water consumption
confluence of economic, urban and population
by energy may need to increase by 85% by 2035 to
growth, combined with an emerging middle class
keep up with energy demand. Irrigated agriculture,
demanding improved services, means that almost
which gobbles up 70% of freshwater globally, will
exponentially more people are starting to demand
need to use 15% more water to feed some 9bn
water-intensive foods and products. At the same
people by 2050. These sectors will also impact water
time, urban sanitation and treatment systems often
quality through their usage, further exasperating
can't keep up with the amount of waste water
the pressures.
going into them. Add to this that climate change is rendering floods and droughts the norm, and
The local challenge
it is not hard to understand why, by 2030, global
In South Africa, the global challenge is amplified.
demand is likely to outstrip supply by 50%.
Average annual rainfall is around 464mm compared
The challenge has become so pressing that the
to the global average of 860mm, making this a
World Economic Forum (WEF) named water as one of
relatively water-scarce country. The added effects
its top challenges in 2013 and 2014, and it reached
of climate change and this year's extreme El Niño
the top of the list last year. This year WEF recognised
event have lead to five SA provinces being declared
it as the defining risk of the next decade.
drought disaster areas, with others severely affected
Nature of water
rainfall in Southern Africa while climate change
To understand the implications of this, we need
causes more extreme and variable rainfall patterns).
only to take a moment to think about the nature of
In 2015, only 403mm of rain fell on South African
water. Water is indispensable to economic activity,
soil (on average) according to the country's weather
but more importantly, to all life on earth. There are
service – the lowest rainfall in over 100 years. On
also no substitutes or alternatives. In other words,
top of this, ever-increasing pollutants in our rivers,
the one resource needed for human survival and
neglected infrastructure, and a lack of capacity and
progress, and which has no substitute, is becoming
skills are putting strain on what is left. The result
increasingly scarce and of increasingly poor quality.
is that demand has already outstripped available
This makes the water crisis unique.
supply in Gauteng, and is projected to do so
The result will be felt in competition for water
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by water shortages (El Niño causes a reduction in
nationally by 2025.
between countries; between communities and
Addressing these challenges will put huge
sectors within countries; and between companies
strain on the public purse – current infrastructure
within sectors. There will also be tradeoffs between
challenges alone will cost the Department of Water
economic and social goals as governments are
Affairs an estimated R671bn. This will be passed on
expected to increase the reach of water and
through higher water tariffs for all users – domestic,
Vulnerable communities are already feeling the social, economic and environmental consequences of what is nothing less than a national disaster.
industrial and commercial.
become less reliant on water; or as McKinsey has
Vulnerable communities and economic sectors
argued, they are going to have to start doing more
are already feeling the social, economic and
with less. But what has the business response been?
environmental consequences of what is nothing less than a national disaster. In some parts of the
The response
country communities have gone weeks without
The latest CDP Water Report for South Africa
water, with News24 reporting cases of people
– an investor initiative to understand water-risk
turning to drinking sewerage water. Food price
in JSE-listed companies – suggests a sluggish
increases are predicted to go well past 10% as
recognition of water risk in corporate South Africa.
shortages have forced the importation of staples
In all, 58 companies were asked to respond to a
such as maize.
questionnaire; only 32 responded. Given that these
Ongoing water challenges will affect all business
companies were chosen due to their vulnerability to
in one way or another – through supply disruptions,
and impact on South Africa's water challenges, we
floods or droughts, deteriorating quality, price
were intrigued by the lack of response. After all, the
increases, or other user regulations. There are also
platform is one of the first that allows businesses to
less obvious risks like operation shut downs due
report their exposure to water in a way that assists
to competing interests for water rights between
them in identifying risks and risk exposure.
industry agriculture, and local communities. Both
Through engagements with industry we have
Pepsi and Coca-Cola learned this the hard way when
learned that there is still a general sense of willful
in 2007 they lost their social license to operate in
disbelief about the crisis. There is also uncertainty
parts of India.
around what value can be gained from understanding
Closer to home, the unreliability of re-supply of
the implications of water for business risk. Perhaps
the national water reserves has been an evident and
more fundamentally, many companies just do not
growing concern for some years, while recycling
have the relevant data to meaningfully understand –
and sanitation capacity has diminished: extreme
let alone report on – their risks.
flooding forced Sasol to shut down its Synfuels
That being said, those that did respond gave a
plants at Secunda in 2010, causing R130m in
clear message: 90% are exposed to risks in their
losses; water scarcity in the Garden Route area saw
direct operations; and 57% to risks in their supply
a PetroSA shutdown; and, since 2014, we have been
chains.
experiencing contaminated municipal supplies in
As for the rest of the over 400 listed companies
growing number of towns and regions all across
on the JSE, as well as thousands of private companies,
the country.
the extent of preparedness for the physical,
South African business is inescapably intertwined
regulatory, and reputational risks around water
with this reality – businesses both impact and are
remains unknown. In our experience with a wide
impacted by the quality and availability of water. To
range of clients and industries, many companies
continue operating, businesses are going to have to
have not yet responded with the level of urgency
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that a crisis of this magnitude and seriousness should inspire. To understand why, we need to look at the drivers for corporate action on water: cost, risk, and sustainability.
Cost Cost has always been, and will always be, a key driver for corporate action on water. Almost all companies that have implemented water solutions to date have done so to save operating costs. To date the business risk has largely been seen as the embedded cost of water, and therefore risk mitigation responses have mostly been geared towards lowering this bill. But while these initiatives
While holistic water management strategies that integrate cost savings, risk mitigation, and sustainability in context are rare, many companies have started on this journey in one way or another. Any reason – even if it is experiencing a water-related impact – is a good reason to start this journey.
have a positive impact on the bottom line, they cannot guarantee that the taps won't run dry. In
or contaminated areas. While this can be an
this sense, it is now becoming clear that water is a
uncomfortable realisation, it is also critical business
strategic risk factor for business, rather than just a
intelligence. To add to the complexity, some of the most
cost to be controlled.
material risks can and do originate outside of the
Risk
boundaries of any one organisation. For many
A risk-based approach goes one step further. It
large companies, the majority of water embedded
asks the following question: if there was no water in
in their products is attributable to suppliers, which
your operations for 1 hour, 1 day, or 1 week, what
often span international boarders. The question
would it cost your business? For some industries
then becomes: what happens to your business if
the answer would be shocking. This translation of
a supplier faces water disruptions or water quality
water risk into rands and cents begins to uncover
issues?
the true cost of water. This approach also goes
Understanding the true risks of water – the
beyond merely trying to reduce the utility bill and
risks beyond the utility bill – can leave directors of
attempts to understand how water supply, quality,
companies in a difficult position. It now becomes a
regulations and prices can put entire business
fiduciary duty to address them, but to successfully
processes at risk.
do so requires more than just installing waterless
The first step is simply to identify and understand company – and sector-specific risks. Questions to ask include: where does my water come from? Is
– comes in.
the quality of the source water reliable? How much
Sustainability
water does my organisation use? How much water
Sustainability refers to the ability of solutions to
will we use in the next 2, 5, or 10 years? Where and
provide longevity for business and its stakeholders.
how is my water discharged and what impact do I
This is about integrating the use of and impact on
have on the resulting quality?
water with land, energy, waste, and local social and
Of
S G 20
urinals. This is where the third driver – sustainability
course,
a
company
can
have
two
economic contexts, with the aim of maximising
manufacturing plants with exactly the same answers
economic, social, and ecological values. The aim is
to the above but in completely different contexts.
to create systems, ecosystems, and infrastructure
What really matters, then, is where your current
required to support businesses and societies in the
and planned operations are based geographically
long run.
and whether water availability and quality in these
This context-driven approach is based on the
areas are in line with your demand expectations.
fact that it is too late to simply conserve our way
Perhaps you will uncover that 80% of your revenue
out of water scarcity. Conservation is about using
comes from operations in extremely water-scarce
less water as an input and discharging less water as
a byproduct. But given the increasing population,
water-harvesting solutions, are already in
urbanisation, and demand dynamics that will play
development and have proven viable in certain
out in the coming years and decades, even our best
conditions.
efforts at becoming more efficient will still result in increased demand for water in absolute terms.
The opportunity
If we are to lift millions out of poverty and give all
While
citizens access to toilets and showers, for example,
that integrate cost savings, risk mitigation, and
the conservation equation will never work out.
sustainability in context are rare, many companies
holistic
water
management
strategies
have started on this journey in one way or another.
A water scarce future
Any reason – even if it is experiencing a water-related
If we are to truly find solutions that will allow us all to thrive in a water scarce future, two things need
impact – is a good reason to start this journey. But the business case for water stewardship
to happen simultaneously:
changes significantly when the question changes.
•
The first is that we need to implement a
The main question for determining a payback
circular approach to water management; we
period for water-related capital investment is not
need to reuse, recycle, and even to create new
how much money you'll save on current water
sources of water through technologies like
consumption, but rather what would it cost you
desalination. This will allow us to continue
if you didn't have water at all. As water-risk and
creating economic and social value with a
sustainability increasingly make their way onto
given supply of water. Initiatives based on
boardroom tables, companies will be pushed further
a combination of conservation, reuse and
along the journey of integrated water management.
recycling will assist in reducing both demand
•
Companies
wishing
to
get
a
handle
on
for water and discharge volumes. This will
their risks and opportunities can start with the
lighten the load on our crumbling wastewater
disclosure process through CDP Water. The scoring
facilities' capacity-stretched infrastructure. But
methodology is about supporting progress towards
this alone will not save us from water scarcity.
water stewardship, so companies should use this
The second half of the solution is ensuring that
as a benchmark and guide, and approach it with
technologies used are sustainable. Almost all
a no-judgment mind-frame. Disclosure is merely
technical solutions are energy-intensive, which
about gaining insights into the current state of
means we cannot solve the water crisis except
things, which is already one step further than many
through sustainable investment in renewable
businesses currently go. Awareness, management,
energy technologies. Some of these renewable
leadership, and, ultimately, resilience all follow on
energy-linked solutions, as well as innovative
from there.
SG
wATER TARIFFS UP BY 20% environment COSTS
landfill fees development
CHANGE Is the only CONSTANT aquaculture biomass windpower FIND THE RIGHT STRATEGY solar sustainable agriculture supply chain
optimisation
systems thinking
zerogreen economy www.gcxafrica.co.za
Innovation waste aquaponics
WASTE DISPOSAL FEES ARE UP 34% CARBON REDUCTION BY 2020
ESG WASTE MANAGEMENT
risk
biomimicry water
compliance
renewable
energy verification
carbon
tax
climate change
efficiency
circular economy carbon neutral
waste
CDP Carbon penalties
responsibility
SUSTAINABILITY strategy resource scarcity
bio-energy
Legislation
Policy
9.8% ELECTRICITY TARIFF HIKE
21 S G
W ater
SA's
Blue-Green Pr S G 22
roblem
At a time when much of South Africa is experiencing a crippling drought – the worst on record – it is difficult to swallow that 62% of the country's freshwater is, quite simply, toxic. Mark Matthews reports. 23 S G
A 
fter decades of all sorts of waste water
drinking water across the entire country. It also
being discharged into SA's rivers and
makes treating water much more difficult as cells
dams, a build-up of nutrients from
build up in the water and release toxic compounds
fertilisers, households, and industrial wastewater
when treated.
has exceeded nature's capacity to maintain its
Apart from the obvious environmental impacts,
natural nutrient balance. In theory, all effluent must
eutrophication – and its sidekick cyanobacteria – is
be treated to a certain standard that is in line with
a significant economic burden. It affects the cost
keeping this balance, but often it is not (see story
of water treatment (which is already costly and
pg17).
over-burdened); it has negative effects on water-side phosphorus
property values; it impacts recreational use of water
from detergents are two of the main causes of
and therefore tourism; and it worsens public health
'eutrophication'. Just how 'trophic' water is depends
from its association with diarrhea, cholera, and
on how enriched with nutrients it is. Water can
other water-borne diseases.
Nitrogen
from
fertilisers
and
be 'oligotrophic' (little-nourished), 'mesotrophic'
The economic cost of eutrophication is likely to
(medium-nourished), 'eutrophic' (well-nourished)
extend to hundreds of millions of rands per year,
or 'hypertrophic' (very well-nourished). The latter
and although it will affect all levels of society, the
two are the problem and describe the majority of
livelihoods and health of the poor and vulnerable
the country's water supply. Consequences include
will be hardest hit. Studies in the USA and Great
taste and odour problems, dying fish, and loss of
Britain found that the cost of eutrophication was
biodiversity.
greater than $2.2bn per year in 2009, and $160m per year in 2003 respectively.
Cyanobacteria Eutrophic and hypertrophic waters also create
SA situation
the perfect breeding ground for cyanobacteria, or
But how dire is the situation in South Africa? Until
blue-green algae. This is more than just a green
recently, the monitoring of water quality in SA
nuisance; it poses significant health risks. Some
has been dependent on taking samples of surface
species contain toxins that are fatal when ingested
water quality from around 160 dams, lakes, and
in large quantities by humans or animals. Poisonings
rivers every month. But the efficacy of this method
of domestic and wild animals by cyanobacterial
is under pressure from rising costs of sampling,
toxins are widespread and threaten the supply of
limited budgets, an uneven distribution of skills and
Recent advances in space technology and remote sensing have made it possible to monitor eutrophication and cyanobacterial blooms from space. Supplementing national and local government statistics with this data can help us to get a clearer picture of the country's water quality.
S G 24
laboratories, and the need to constantly sample
targeting isolated cases that are most impacted,
more widely. Recent advances in space technology
such as Hartebeespoort Dam. Secondly, a number
and remote sensing have made it possible to
of Catchment Management Agencies have been
monitor eutrophication and cyanobacterial blooms
set up to deal with catchment scale problems like
from space. Supplementing national and local
eutrophication. While these can play a key role
government statistics with this data can help us to
going forward, not all have been established and
get a clearer picture of the country's water quality.
those that have are not yet mature.
Using this technology, 50 of South Africa's
The reality is that government is facing
largest water bodies were studied in almost-real-time
significant constraints. The success of interventions
from 2002 to 2012. They were analysed for their
is limited by stretched resources, a high staff
chlorophyll levels (a proxy for eutrophication), their
turnover rate, tightening budgets and rising costs.
cyanobacteria area coverage, and instances where concentrations of cyanobacteria pose extremely
Big business's role
high health risks.
What is needed is a more concentrated effort from
In most cases the findings were broadly aligned
all players; one that focuses on proactive solutions
with national data. Of the 50 water bodies, 36
rather than remedial ones. Big business has both
were hypertrophic and three were eutrophic.
the capacity and responsibility to innovate to find
Cyanobacterial blooms were identified in all 50
solutions. Legislation and appropriate regulations
of the water bodies. Five of these had visible
must also create the appropriate incentives.
cyanobacteria covering more than 30% of their
We can start with the most impacted catchments
surface area (including Hartebeespoort Dam with a
and come up with holistic strategies for these
shocking 48.5%). The Barberspan and Koppies dams
catchments. Are the farmers in the area educated
were also severely impacted with an average area
about their impact? Are local agencies adequately
coverage greater than 45%. Lake Chrissiesmeer,
funded and resourced? How can we engage with
Spitskop and Vaal dams were also heavily impacted
sources of nutrients such as agricultural feedlots
with close to 30% average coverage. Cyanobacteria
or water treatment works?
blooms posing a high health risk were recorded in 26 of the 50 water bodies in varying extents.
Of course, there is an urgent need to get our non-functional water treatment works functioning
But some of the results differed from national
properly, but we also need to reduce the amount
data. The Vaal Dam, for example, was found not to
of nutrients coming into them. Particularly, an
be the rosy picture suggested by national quality
active commitment to reduce runoff and the use
tests.
of fertilisers is needed from the agricultural sector.
Across all quality measures, the most impacted
We can optimise water treatment systems by
reservoir was Hartbeespoort, which may come
harnessing the power of nature itself. For example,
as no surprise to anyone familiar with area. This
by putting water through biological filters such
reservoir is hypertrophic and heavily impacted
as wetlands before applying chemical treatment,
by frequent and extensive cyanobacterial blooms
we can significantly reduce the pressure on our
and often exceedingly dangerous concentrations.
reservoirs and river systems. This is one of the
These findings support many studies which have
cleanest and most cost-effective solutions.
found this reservoir to be one of the most affected in the world.
Consequences
Water investment What is ultimately required of all South Africans is a greater appreciation of what our natural water
These findings have significant consequences
resources mean for our livelihoods. That water is
for potable, recreational and agricultural uses.
the one input into all life and economic activity that
Government is attempting to tackle the problem
has no substitute is enough of a business case for
on two main fronts. Firstly, remediation plans are
investing in solutions.
SG
25 S G
W ater
?
How does SA shape up in water stakes
S G 26
?
As global demand for water starts to outstrip supply, efforts to become more efficient are intensifying. But this can only ever be part of the solution. In the coming years, as a growing proportion of a growing population enters the middle class, absolute demand for water will almost certainly rise no matter how efficient we become. Lise Pretorius and Bernard Jacobs of GCX Africa report.
T 
he only way out of the water crunch we are facing is innovation. Not only do we need to develop affordable technologies that will allow us to reuse and recycle
water sources, these technologies must also be powered by energy sources which themselves do not put undue demand on water, do not compete with other sectors' energy needs, and do not contribute to climate change. Like with many innovations, countries that have already felt the urgency of severe scarcity are leading the way in finding solutions. This is certainly the driver behind Israel's, Singapore's and Namibia's leadership in this space.
Israel For Israel, efforts to accelerate solutions in an already water-stressed country were spurred during the seven year drought that started in 2005. Through a combination of desalinating Mediterranean Sea water and recycling waste water, the country now has enough water to meet its needs, even in the face of drought. Today, according to The New York Times, over half of Israel's water used by households, agriculture and industry, is produced 'artificially' – 86% domestic water is treated and reused in agriculture, for example. To put this into perspective, the country with the second highest reuse rate is Spain at 17%.
Singapore For Singapore the driver for innovation was more independence from Malaysia. Despite high rainfall, the densely-populated nation has little space to collect and store rainwater and has therefore been dependent in imports from its neighbour. Under a programme called NEWater, the country further purifies treated waste water to make it safe to drink. This already makes up 30% of Singapore's water needs. Desalination meets another 25%.
Namibia In Namibia, where evaporation exceeds rainfall, water authorities have for decades been turning sewerage into drinking water at the Goreangab Water Reclamation Plant in Windhoek. Following an upgrade in 2002, the now high-technology plant is set to remain a global leader in potable water research and technology.
South Africa Solutions for South Africa must take into a variety of factors including cost, energy demands, energy type, and accessibility. In this context, how viable are some of the leading technologies discussed above? In terms of treatment technologies for re-using water, the
27 S G
economics of water innovation look a little different in SA. The costs for treating water are generally very high, while the option exists for organisations to pay a fine to the municipalities rather than to treat effluent water that comes from their production processes. As long as this balance exists, it becomes difficult to find the business case for capital expenditure for water treatment initiatives. A further problem is that the municipalities have become used to receiving the income from the fines and would find it difficult to operate without this additional income source. The upshot is that water municipal treatment plants are put under extra strain and are unable to treat these volumes of wastewater. A surplus of untreated water is therefore landing up back in our water sources without being treated. This is one of the major causes of South Africa's cyanobacteria crisis (see page 22). Solutions were being developed through a partnership between the University of Johannesburg and Israel's Ben-Gurion University – which has expertise in this space – but this partnership was severed in 2011 due to political reasons. The obvious solution to solve this would be to find innovative ways to treat water that are cost-effective.
Treatment technologies Viable treatment technologies are already emerging and being implemented where the business case makes sense. For example, trickling filter technologies are able to treat domestic or industrial waste water to standards safe for re-use in agricultural or industrial processes or for potable use. Home-grown innovations include HWT's SOG filter treatment plants, which use earthworms, fungus, and bacteria to treat sewerage. The technology allows sewerage to drip through layers of this biological filtration system, cleaning it such that when this water reaches the bottom it is sufficiently cleansed to be ready to be re-directed for its next use.
Desalination & renewable energy Desalination has traditionally been an extremely energy-intensive water solution, with energy costs accounting for up to half of the cost of desalination. Until recently, this has meant that renewable energy sources have not been viable. This has made desalination a difficult sell in energy-stressed
S G 28
No single entity or technology will be able to solve SA's water issues. Individuals, all levels of government, and private and public companies will all have to work together to achieve a sustainable solution to the crisis this country is facing.
countries, while going forward it would also be impossible to reconcile with climate change mitigation efforts. But with advances in both renewable energy technologies and with desalination technologies becoming more energy-efficient, this is changing. It has now become viable, for example, to produce fresh water from sea or brackish water using the energy of the sun alone. On its own, desalination was already a game-changing solution for water-starved areas like the Middle East and North Africa (the most water scarce areas on Earth). But given that many of the direst places on Earth also have the highest potential for solar power, this could be a global game-changer if the economics are right. Saudi Arabia (which runs 38% of global desalination capacity) is at the forefront of investment into solutions that merge solar energy and desalination technologies. Other areas investigating solar desalination include Australia, Chile and California.
SA desalinisation South Africa already has at least 13 publicly-run sea-water desalination plants, as well as a few privately-owned plants which treat brackish water from industrial use. All of these are fossil fuel-based, which makes the water they produce vulnerable to energy price increases. Local research has been looking at whether there are optimal combinations of renewable energies and desalination, and while not yet competitive with municipal water rates, this is expected to change as water starts reflecting its true cost and as renewable energies become more efficient.
What's next? No single entity or technology will be able to solve SA's water issues. Individuals, all levels of government, and private and public companies will all have to work together to achieve a sustainable solution to the crisis this country is facing. Some of the solutions will be structural or technical, such as infrastructure systems that allow us to separate potable from other water (so that we no longer flush our toilets with drinking water); some of them will be behavioural; some of them will be about getting the business case right. Maybe the silver lining of the current drought is that it will get us thinking out the box – if business as usual is based on the assumption of cheap and available water, what will business unusual look like?
SG
29 S G
S G 30
One Of Key Challenges
Misleading Information
W ater
The formation of the South African National Bottled Water Association (SANBWA) in 1997 addressed the biggest challenges facing the fledgling industry at that time, namely a lack of standards and legislative uncertainty. We take a look.
F
SANBWA,
food and beverage contact by the FDA and similar
and in line with international trends,
regulatory agencies throughout the world. It is
the Department of Health drew up new
biologically inert if ingested and used for packaging
legislation specific to the bottled (packaged) water
for many foods, including everything from ketchup,
industry based on the Codex Alimentarius. This
peanut butter, soft drinks, and juices to beer, wine
legislation classified bottled water as a food product
and spirits.
ollowing
representation
from
category of its own, and is therefore regulated by the Department of Health as such. It means that, for the first time, all enterprises in
Myth 4: The bottled water industry is a poor user of water resources
the country producing bottled water for sale to the
Bottled water production in South Africa is a very
public were officially regulated and monitored by
water-efficient business in that it has an extremely
the Department of Health. It also means that South
low 'water usage' factor (how much water is used
Africa has amongst the best legislation in the world
to make a finished product). The measure includes
when it comes to the packaged water industry.
both direct and indirect water usage (in the bottled
And, that the challenges facing the industry have
water industry, that would be water for rinsing
changed.
and sanitising bottles, plant and general cleaning
The key challenge SANBWA faces today is
and sanitation, vehicle washing, floor washing,
misinformation. Despite the fact that bottled
toilets etc) and includes water from boreholes and
water is one of the safest, healthiest and most
municipal sources.
environmentally-friendly packaged beverages in the
The local industry benchmark is 1.8:1 (there
retailer's fridge, its detractors persist in repeating
are plants that achieve ratios of as low as 1.3 – 1.4
disproved data and blatantly incorrect facts,
by recycling their bottle rinse water). This means
according to CEO Charlotte Metcalf.
it takes 1.8 litres of water to 'make' 1l of bottled water, equivalent to 1kg. 'Manufacturing' 1kg of
Myth 1: Bottle or tap, never both
beef takes 16 000l of water, 1kg of maize 900l and
One of the biggest misconceptions about bottled
one cup of coffee 140l.
water is that people drink it instead of tap water, most people who drink bottled water also drink
Myth 5: All water sold in a bottle is the same
tap water, and they choose accessible, calorie-free
Not all water sold in a bottle is governed by the
bottled water as an alternative to less healthy
same legislation. When a shop or a restaurant fills a
packaged drinks.
customer's own container with water (as can happen
which is not the case. Research in the US shows
in settlements where the reticulated water supply is
Myth 2: Bottled water is not necessarily pure
sporadic or residents don't like its taste or believe
Locally, about 90% of bottled water producers belong
water', and is not subject to legislation. However,
to SANBWA and they are required to subscribe to
should a shop or restaurant fill their own containers
SANBWA's stringent standards. Developed over many
with water and seal those containers, the product
years and based on wide review and consultation,
is regarded as 'packaged water'. Under South Africa
this single standard benchmarks favourably against
law this means it is a food (see above), falls under
international standards and provides existing and
the auspices of the Department of Health, and must
new bottlers with a vision for future improvements.
comply with all requirements including tamper
it to be contaminated), this is regarded as 'drinking
proof seals, hygienic filling area, periodic testing
Myth 3: PET bottles leach carcinogenic substances
regime, batch labelling, and so on.
SG
The myth that PET (polyethylene terephthalate) leaches carcinogenic substances into bottled water stems from a concern about phthalates and BPA – which do not exist in PET. PET is approved as safe for
Further Reading 1. Thoroughly debunked as a junk science 2. SANBWA's stringent standards
The feature has been made possible with kind assistance of SANBWA 31 S G
W ater
Water in SA John Lucas is an award-winning nature conservationist, photographer, educator and youth developer, as well as the founder of explore4knowledge. He has found that the need for conservation in some instances is not purchasing land, fencing animals in and protecting vanishing species. Instead he sees the importance and need for the understanding of holistic systems, community-based conservation initiatives and connectivity through all industries for a common goal. His company has various projects to promote a better understanding of the planet's vanishing resources. In this article he explains what these projects have been doing for the last few years.
E 
arth is known as the blue planet with 97% of its surface being covered with water, though only 3% of the
water is fresh water. Of that 3% only 0.3% is surface water, 30% is ground water with some 97% of all ground water is available for human consumption. With the number of people on the planet having doubled in the last century alone, the demand for fresh water has increased six-fold. Figures suggest that if the current population growth trend continues that by 2025 as many as 4.2 billion people will be living in countries which will be unable to meet the minimum requirements of 50l of water a day. This means that one
in two Africans will live within an area faced with water scarcity or stress. Considering that Africa has the world’s most unstable rainfall, it is vital that conscious efforts are made in conserving this water and using it in a sustainable manner. A way of ensuring water safety and security into the future would be to not only look at the river courses or ground water and the human effects on them, but to conserve the water towers of catchment areas. According to the
S G 32
Millennium Ecosystem Assessment any mountains
this number is dwindling. Fresh drinking water is
which act as water towers by storing water in
considered a basic human need globally, but should
glaciers, permafrost, snow-packs, soil or ground
not be treated as a right. For this reason, it is
water are the source of major trans-boundary rivers
essential for consumers to share the responsibility
globally, with most water towers in arid regions
for water usage, using it efficiently and with little or
providing 70-95% of water to the downstream
no waste. Considering the rate at which we utilise
catchment.
and pollute water resources globally, water could
Recent stats released as part of the WWF South Africa – Journey of Water campaign show that 8% of South Africa’s land mass produces 50%
be considered to be our greatest non-renewable resource on the planet.
of its drinking water and with current trends in
Olifants River – Western Cape
urbanisation, land use and industrial practices
This 260km river found on the South African West
33 S G
Coast forms the main stem of the second largest water catchment area in South Africa at 46 625km2. Second only to the Orange River Catchment, of
explore4knowledge
which historically it has been found that the Olifants
Between 2013-2015, I have been able to work
River mouth was once the mouth of our mighty
with over 15 000 students and educators through
Orange River.
this self-funded sponsor supported, award-winning
Much has changed along this river course from
syllabus-based
environmental
education
and
its first European settlers in 1700s, though still
citizen science orientated workshops, projects and
considered the citrus basin for South Africa the once
expeditions. This work has empowered participants
free-roaming wildlife has been hunted, urbanisation
with a holistic and hands on understanding of
has altered the riparian zones of rivers and the dam
natural resources, the plight of fresh water and
and irrigation schemes have increased in size, but
how to make a sustainable difference into the
its name has stood the test of time. Originally, it
future. Through focusing on Biology (Life Science),
was named by Jan Danckaert in 1660 on his siting
Science and Geography, the programs are able to
of a herd of 200-300 elephants in the vicinity of
practically facilitate learning outcomes and provide
Clanwilliam, and later described as the 'Nile of
opportunities for schools to adopt rivers through
South Africa' in 1970 by Burman on account of the
monitoring tools such as miniSASS and actively
vast extent of the irrigation scheme along the lower
become involved in his research project through
reaches of the river.
organised sampling sessions.
The Bulshoek barrage and canal system were
In
addition
to
the
award-winning
constructed in 1919, providing farms along 90km
community-based projects managed alongside
of the lower Olifants River with irrigation water
conservation partners CapeNature, WWF South Africa,
up to the town of Ebenhaeser 15km from the sea.
The Fresh Water Research Centre and EWT within the
Originally constructed in 1932, the Clanwilliam
Olifants River Catchment, explore4knowledge also
Dam was raised 1966 and is currently being raised
facilitates 'learning expeditions'. Aimed at national
once more to assist with the growing demands for
and international school, tertiary and corporate
irrigation water.
institutions, these 'learning expeditions' aim to
This river and catchment area has been the
provide participants with a holistic environmental
focus of my masters research project since 2013,
awakening
focusing on metal concentrations within the river
research and educational camps managed within
from source to sea as well as explore4knowledge
Southern Africa.
focus for sustainable community education projects
S G 34
along the rivers course.
through
hands
on
environmental
The Water Warrior Expedition In addition to the educational camps and Learning expeditions managed through explore4knowledge, I am also proud to promote the plight of vanishing resources through film productions and expeditions managed through explore4knowledge. September 2015, found the e4k team managing the Water Warrior Project. Conceptualised in 2011, having taken almost two years to plan due to high river flows in 2014 and drought in 2015, this 10-day Source-to-Sea expedition on the Olifants River was proudly supported and funded by Land Rover N1 City, Total South Africa, Pick n Pay and Cape Union Mart and K-Way. Our aim was to take 10 students on a 10-day expedition using five inflatable crocs, three Land Rovers and inviting South Africa’s leading fresh water researchers, conservationists and organisations to host lectures, workshops and data collecting sessions along the river course. Students from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology together with guides from Gravity Adventures embarked on this first of its kind independently organised expedition within the Western Cape. Resulting in the first official sighting of the alien
We believe we are truly promoting education through adventure in all we do through managing unique one-of-a-kind environmental research and educational expeditions.
The Future In the first five years (September 2011-2016) we have been able manage projects, expeditions and environmental campaigns through the support of numerous individuals, sponsors, organizations and partnerships. Without belief in my vision for explore4knowledge this would not have been possible. To all the panels that have awarded me with national and international recognition through awards and fellowships for my work, I thank you and most recently I thank The Explorers Club for recognising my passion in merging science, education and exploration. Over the next five years we will be managing many more unique environmental education projects, workshops and expedition including our vision for 2020. I invite you to view our website, contact me directly and discuss how we can host your schools, tertiary or corporate institutions in the field as part
species Sharptooth Catfish (Clarias gariepinus)
of our unique learning expeditions.
in the Olifants River main stem, evenings were
info@explore4knowledge.com www.explore4knowledge.com All Social Media: @explore4knowledge
spent under the starlit skies of the Cederberg and watching a film on the impact we are having on marine resources in a cave at the mouth of the Olifants River covered in bushman rock art.
SG
Many thanks to Intrepid Explorer Magazine for permission to run this story.
35 S G
W ater
news
Drought: Cut red tape preventing farmers from accessing water
Place of Sweet Waters – Sven Harding – sH2Orts 2016 Cape Town, like much of South Africa, is currently in the midst its worst drought in two decades, yet millions of litres of naturally-occurring fresh water run under the city's streets, to be dumped straight into the sea, every day. This film aims to raise awareness of this almost criminally neglected, but desperately needed, resource, in the hope that it might be reclaimed to help sustain Cape Town's booming, and increasingly water-stressed, population. The above video was made as part of the sH2Orts film competition – a film competition from WaterAid in partnership with Public Media Alliance's WorldView project. www.wateraid.org
S G 36
In a presentation to a joint Standing Committee on Environmental Affairs and Development Planning and Economic Opportunities, Tourism and Agriculture in the Western Cape Provincial Parliament, it was revealed that farms need immediate action to unblock the red tape and streamline the process of applying for water licensing. DA spoesmen have called for a water symposium, where all key stakeholders, together with Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, the Western Cape Department of Agriculture and the National Department of Water and Sanitation can find a common ground on how to solve the bottlenecks in drought alleviation. The Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning proposes that the environmental impact assessment process and the application for water licences should run concurrently, this will do much to streamline the lengthy application process. A report from the Department of Water and Sanitation on the outstanding water allocations has been called for. The livelihoods of agri-workers and farmers are on the line. The sustainability of farms in the long term may be at risk if government doesn’t adequately assist in alleviating the damage caused by the drought. Many seasonal farmworkers will now face a double blow, firstly by losing income and secondly an expected increase in food prices. The wheat industry has been the most severely affected and will continue to negatively impact wheat supply to the Southern African region. To battle the drought many farms have applied for water licenses and for the building of dams. It came to light in the committee that there is a lack of knowledge among farmers of the requirements for receiving approval of dams and water licences. This is in addition to an existing backlog, and lack of co-operation between different entities. This drought has highlighted the scarcity of water, and its importance for farmworkers, farms and food security. Government has been called upon to do everything in its power to assist farmers, so that South Africa can continue to have a sustainable agricultural sector.
Covered pools – the reservoir already in your back yard South Africa is experiencing one of its driest periods in history and with many provinces now under tough water restrictions, pool owners are being called on to change behaviours and critically examine their pool’s water footprint and water-saving practices. While tanks and boreholes enable a self-sufficient alternative when it comes to water for the home, many homeowners overlook their existing water storage solution – the swimming pool. Homeowners don’t always turn to pool water for domestic use as the chlorine content can make it unsuitable for the home. The one alternative is to stop chemical treatments but the pool quickly turns green and unsightly, and becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes. The better solution is a pool cover that allows for reduced chlorine input while maintaining water hygiene at a level that makes the water suitable for use in the kitchen and bathroom. www.powerplastics.co.za
Bestmed joins ‘Water Shortage South Africa' In an effort to assist with the drought crisis, Bestmest staff members joined forces and collected 11 925l of water since the launch of the water drive during 20–22 January. Bestmed, as part of its commitment to healthy living, has pledged its support to Water Shortage South Africa, joining other corporates and individuals who seek to bring relief to affected areas. Click here for the Water Shortage SA Facebook page
37 S G
W ater
news
Operation: Hydrate You may be aware of the water disaster in Flint, Michigan, USA, where tap water became contaminated with too much lead after the city switched its water supply in to save money while under state financial management. Local officials first declared a public health emergency in October in response to tests that showed children with elevated levels of lead. There have been stories about the National Guard being called in to assist with water distribution and filtration, others detailing water donations by other cities, church groups, families and the like, as well as those explaining how ordinary citizens can donate to help Flint residents in need. Meanwhile, here in South Africa, the South African National Bottled Water Association (SANBWA) has joined the Operation Hydrate Initiative that was recently formed following urgent calls for drinking water by several desperate communities impacted by the current drought (see page 30 for more). Since its formation, scores of volunteers from Gauteng have been deployed to Senekal, Aliwal North and other areas to distribute about two million litres of drinking
water donated by members of the public to affected towns in the Free State and Eastern Cape. However, it is currently appealing to the public to make financial donations. According to the operation's co-ordinator, Yaseen Theba, while the organisation is grateful for all water, it is unable to distribute re-filled water to humans as this has quality and health risk considerations. Re-filled water is used to water livestock and household pets while sealed bottled water is safe for distribution and consumption by humans. The preferred support from the public is donations of money, because this will allow us to purchase sealed water from producers closer to the stricken areas, which reduces the footprint of delivering water to the relevant communities. They use the funds to purchase water from bottlers at a subsidised price and distribute it. In terms of the support SANBWA has offered to #OperationHydrate, its members will – in addition to the donations several have already made – provide water at cost price and assist with transport. SANBWA is also using its Twitter and Facebook activity to call for donations. Visit www.sanbwa.org.za for more
Pick n Pay steps in on drought relief Pick n Pay is donating R500 000 through different initiatives to provide respite for communities in drought-stricken areas. This is just one of the measures the company is putting in place to help those who are affected, and to assist the public wanting to make contributions to those most in need. Smart Shopper members will also be able to donate Smart Shopper points to the drought relief fund, and Pick n Pay will match customer donations up to an amount of R100 000. There are a number of organisations which have been encouraging people to donate water at collection points for distribution. Pick n Pay will work with Water Shortage South Africa, who have representatives distributing water from collection points in all regions, and act as a drop-off point for bottled water.
S G 38
Leading analytics company to mitigate the impact of drought The drought bringing vast farming regions to their knees has highlighted the importance of better management of the country’s scarce water resources, says Kroshlen Moodley, GM Public Sector and Utilities at SAS, Moodley says that while it isn’t possible to combat the El Niño weather pattern, better resource management and more effective water conservation could help prevent communities from running completely dry in future. 'Averting future water crises is a matter of informed decision-making at local, regional and national level. And in order to make these informed decisions, the authorities must have all the relevant data to hand,' he says. With aggregated data and advanced analytics, the public sector is positioned to make more effective decisions about water conservation, allocation and management. 'When talking about water management and advanced data analytics, we have to consider the whole picture. This includes water sources and treatment plants, the distribution network and usage, as well as overarching legislature and weather and demand/supply analysis to obtain a holistic view of the current situation,' Moodley says. He notes that the relevant data needed extends to rainfall data, historical and predicted weather patterns, waste water treatment management, water quality management, distribution systems maintenance, loss and wastage management, and even population growth and demand forecasting. Advanced analytics can also help government better understand population growth and the effect that new residential and industrial developments could have on supply and demand. This information, combined with weather data, can help government decide where to build new dams and reservoirs. Using Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, combined with mobile and social media to engage public participation in water management, as well as advanced data processing and analytics, the public sector would be able to monitor and manage water supply, distribution and treatment systems more effectively, Moodley says. These integrated systems could enable the public sector to better control usage by individual households and encourage public participation in water conservation efforts. 'While the El Niño phenomenon may pass, all indications are that water will remain a scarce resource. It’s important that we look to all available solutions now to better manage the supplies that we have and avert future crises,' says Moodley. www.sas.com
Hippo Water Roller When the Madagascar Biodiversity Partnership was launched in 2009, the average child in Lavavolo, Madagascar spent much of the day fetching water from a nearby well and few had the luxury of attending school. The introduction of Hippo Water Rollers has been a life-changing solution to the lack of water available in the region. Hippo Rollers allow women and children an opportunity to free up time spent collecting water, acting as a catalyst for conservation and education. The Hippo roller provides quick transport of water into a storage tank for reforestation to restore critical habitat for endangered species and reduces impacts of climate change. The addition of an aquaponics system, filled with water from the Hippo Water Roller, grows fresh produce and fish providing improved nutrition and income generation. www.hipporoller.org
39 S G
C limate
change
Does COP21's Paris Agreement
mean anything? S G 40
The Paris Agreement was the conclusion of a four-year multilateral diplomatic exercise that was initiated in Durban in 2011. South Africa played a significant role through this process, chairing and leading the developing country group of 135 countries in the last year of this diplomatic effort. In the final days of the negotiations, the French Presidency implemented a series of conversations among Ministers and high-level officials using the 'Indaba' style setting first used at the Durban Climate Conference (COP17). Reaching agreement with over 190 sovereign states is no minor effort, and it took almost four years of protracted negotiations to reach a universal agreement to arrest rising levels of greenhouse gas emission for the post-2020 period, while simultaneously increasing countries' ability to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change. Richard Sherman reports.
T
he Paris Agreement has been hailed as
the UN Environment Programme suggesting that
a turning point in global climate change
an additional 12 gigatonnes (Gt) of carbon dioxide
governance. This is the first time that a
equivalent per year (GtCO2e/yr) is required by
comprehensive and universal agreement under the
2030 to keep the temperature below 2°C increase.
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Under the Paris Agreement, these INDCs will be
Change (UNFCCC) has been adopted. The other legal
translated into new commitments to be submitted
instrument under the UNFCCC is the Kyoto Protocol,
and reviewed every five years, starting in 2020.
which only elaborates further emission reduction commitments of developed countries. The Paris
Aiming for 1.5°C
Agreement is a decision in four parts: Adoption
One of the cornerstones of the Agreement and
of
Nationally
resulting decisions is the focus on adaptation and
Determined Contributions; Giving effect to the Paris
the
actions to limit global temperature increases below
Agreement; and enhanced action prior to 2020.
1.5°C. The Paris Agreement established a global
While
Paris
Agreement;
recognising
the
Intended
importance
of
the
goal on adaptation, with a link to the temperature
outcome, it must be recognised at the same
goal and ensuring an adequate adaptation response
time that substantial work remains to be done to
to that. It further articulates adaptation as a global
convert the potential of the agreement into an
effort, with a reflection of the relationship between
outcome that keeps global warming to levels that
the adaptation burden and mitigation, including
averts the worst impacts of dangerous climate
the recognition of adaptation efforts by developing
change on African and other developing countries.
countries.
With its focus on implementation, the Agreement
Linked to these goals is the equally important
builds on the political momentum contained the
recognition that over time all financial flows
submissions made by countries on their intended
should be consistent with a pathway toward low
national contributions in the period before 2020. In
emission and climate resilient development. With
total, 145 countries submitted their so-called INDCs
an estimated US$90tn in infrastructure investment
by the October 2015 deadline. However, initial
expected to be deployed by 2030, the linking
assessments have shown that current commitments
of avoiding dangerous climate change with the
will result in global warming of about 3°C, with
concept of shifting investments and avoiding high
41 S G
COP 21: Heads of delegations
The Paris Agreement established a global goal on adaptation, with a link to the temperature goal and ensuring an adequate adaptation response to that. It further articulates adaptation as a global effort, with a reflection of the relationship between the adaptation burden and mitigation, including the recognition of adaptation efforts by developing countries. carbon lock-in is now an agreed global priority. It
Germany France, UK and Canada committed to
further implies a significant political signal to the
mobilise at least $10bn between now and 2020 to
financial and public sectors to redirect flows of both
increase the number of countries accelerating efforts
public and private investment away from high-risk,
to harness Africa's renewable energy potential and
high-emissions infrastructure towards low-risk,
expand energy access across the continent. The
low-emissions and more resilient infrastructure
second initiative, the Africa Adaptation and Loss
investments.
and Damage Initiative, aims to identify activities
In order to give effect to the Agreement, the
that will enhance climate resilient development
decision provides guidance and establishes elements
throughout the continent, by focusing on measures
of a work programme for the period 2016-2020, in
to increase countries access to climate finance.
order to provide more substance to the key issues
For the South African delegation, the journey
in the Agreement including mitigation, adaptation,
that started in Durban and ended in Paris was
loss and damage, finance, technology development
a significant achievement, and a display of the
and transfer, capacity-building, and transparency of
country's multilateral standing in the climate
action and support.
change negotiations. President Zuma summed up South Africa's role as follows 'under South Africa's
Legal future
leadership the Group of 77 plus China was more
In terms of its legal future, the Agreement will be
united than ever before in the history of the climate
open for signature for a year following the ceremony
change negotiations and South Africa managed
to be convened by the UN Secretary General on 22nd
to rally this group of developing countries, which
April 2016 in New York. The Agreement provides for
made a decisive difference in building the political
its entry into force on the 30 day after 55 parties
will that was required to reach agreement on this
have acceded to the Agreement, while also covering
important issue'.
th
S G 42
55% of the total global greenhouse gas emissions,
In addition to providing the political direction
suggesting that the Agreement can enter into force
for developing countries, South Africa also played
well before 2020.
a crucial role in the African Group of Negotiators,
On the sidelines in Paris, African ministers
co-ordinating the Group in the negotiations that led
launched two continental-wide initiatives. The first,
to the overall agreement on the Paris outcome, as
called the African Renewable Energy Initiative, aims
well as on pre-2020 implementation, transparency
to increase the share of renewable energy to 10
of support, pre-2020 action, components of the
GigaWatts (GW) by 2020 and to 300GW by 2030.
mitigation outcomes, and on finance.
SG
Passat Energy
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Our shareholders are strategically aligned
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Passat offers a range of renewable
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our solutions include EUREKA DIY Solutions,
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+27 11 894 4283 43 S G
COP21
looking back thinking forward S G 44
On 12 December 2015, in Paris, an exhausted Laurent Fabius, French Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development and the President of COP21, brought the gavel down that signalled that all 195 countries of the United Nations had finally agreed on a single global agreement to combat climate change. Jaco du Toit, part of WWF's team that works on UNFCCC matters and who attended COP21, reports. 45 S G
A
fter 21 years of negotiation the Paris Agreement finally offers a fairly comprehensive accord that calls on all signatories (virtually all
the world's countries) to take appropriate action to combat climate change. However, as with any compromise agreement, much room is left for interpretation and much more work remains to be done. The decisions on implementation and national actions by countries that will follow in the coming year will determine whether the Agreement is ultimately an effective catalyst for much more ambitious action or if it becomes another empty international treaty that fails to drive any real action. This is all the more pertinent when it is considered that the Agreement is largely focussed on longer term actions rather than the urgent interventions that are needed to scale up collective efforts to be in line with what is required to keep global warming at safer levels. The most important signals that the Paris Agreement provides can be summarised as follows: •
All governments will work together to keep
Assessment of the remaining carbon budget
warming well below 2ºC and to make strong
•
•
•
efforts to keep warming to under 1.5ºC. This is
take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and
the first time that these temperature thresholds
to adapt to the impacts of extreme weather and
have been captured in an international climate
changing weather patterns, fall far short of the
agreement. Yet, without urgent action these
stated temperature objective. The most generous
goals will be unachievable – the global average
estimates of the efficacy of pledged actions leave
temperature in 2015 was already 1ºC above
the world on track for 2.7ºC of warming by 2100.
pre-industrial levels.
Some assessments still project global warming of
Almost all countries now have climate action
more than 3ºC by 2100. Most frighteningly – the
pledges as captured in Intended Nationally
Paris agreement is only set to enter into force in
Determined Contributions (INDCs)
2020. Yet, at current emissions levels the total
There is a clear recognition that vulnerable
amount of allowable emissions that still gives us
communities everywhere are already having to
any chance of keeping warming below 1.5ºC will
adapt to a changing climate and that they will
be exhausted within 15 years, after which it will be
increasingly face irreversible loss and damage
inevitable that warming will exceed levels that the
due to climate change impacts.
most vulnerable countries can bear.
Countries will have to come back every five years to take stock of collective progress and to resubmit or update their targets.
One of the stronger points of the Paris
As we look back almost three months later, a
agreement is that it creates structured international
more sober assessment of the agreement, beyond
opportunities or 'stock-takes' at which countries
these headline signals, is necessary and possible.
have to come together again and reconsider their
Does the agreement 'solve' climate change?
level of effort. The first trial run for a dialogue on
Not yet
S G 46
So what does the Agreement do about this shortfall in collective efforts?
enhancing efforts takes place in 2018 and then every five years from 2023. In the run up to COP15 in
That answer, pretty obviously, is not yet, no. The
Copenhagen and again in the months before COP21
pledges of domestic actions that each country will
in Paris we've seen that such moments of focus
on climate change action drive governments to develop and/or update their climate change actions, because they do not want to be left behind when all other countries stand up and announce new actions. Some of the decisions taken during the negotiations in Paris also create an ongoing action agenda under which countries can work collaboratively on climate change actions that go beyond the targets they have already pledged. In a world where there is constantly a gap between the level of effort required by climate science and the political realities of politicians having to win near-term elections, this platform for urgent, incremental action creates a much-needed space for an alternative approach. While countries will have to continue to update their national targets every five years, the urgent action platform should drive state and non-state actors to take actions beyond national targets as collaboration and technological advances open up new opportunities.
Legally binding?
Is the Agreement legally binding? Strictly speaking – no, not really. But was it ever realistically going to be? For a long time the legal nature of the international climate agreement was seen as the most important discussion point. The belief was that the only way to get adequate action on climate change would be to ensure that there is a strong legal framework that entails sanctions for non-delivery on commitments. Such an approach is particularly problematic for the USA (currently the second largest emitter globally
and still the largest cumulative emitter) where the domestic political context would make it extremely hard for the Federal Government to sign and ratify
One of the stronger points of the Paris agreement is that it creates structured international opportunities or 'stock-takes' at which countries have to come together again and reconsider their level of effort. The first trial run for a dialogue on enhancing efforts takes place in 2018 and then every five years from 2023. an internationally legally binding agreement on climate change. The failure of the USA to ratify the Kyoto Protocol, which meant that they escaped having formal international targets, emphasised the dangers of fixating on legal 'bindingness' above all else. Even though the Kyoto Protocol contained relatively stringent enforcement stipulations,
and
penalties for non-compliance, Canada was still able to find legal loopholes to 'withdraw' before they could be found to be in contravention of their commitments. After the first commitment period ended, Russia and Japan also simply withdrew and refused to take up further targets. Given this Kyoto history, the emphasis on a strong legal form was much-reduced in the Paris negotiations. Ultimately, there is very little in the final agreement that would legally bind any country to a specific action. In the absence of an international climate court or international climate police force, it is debatable whether stronger legal language would have made any difference to the level of action or the intentions of countries to deliver on their promises. In exchange for this weaker legal form the likelihood that the USA will be able to sign and ultimately ratify the agreement is increased while the larger emerging economies
Responsibility for Cumulative Global CO2 Emissions
47 S G
like China and India probably feel a little more comfortable that there will be less international interference in their domestic policies as well. In lieu of strong legal sanction, the Paris agreement sets up an international climate change framework that requires countries to publicly report on the action that they are taking and to resubmit or update their targets as part of the five-yearly global stock-taking exercise. These moments of public scrutiny and reporting requirements are probably the best form of accountability that can be created under current international law and geopolitical relations. IPCC AR5 assessment of predicted climate risks
Is the Agreement fair?
Equity and fairness were the largest casualties of the
clarity on who has to take on the bulk of actions
Paris agreement. At the heart of the climate change
only leaves poorer, smaller countries more exposed
problem lies the harsh reality that poor developing
and unfairly treated. The new arrangement offers
countries have to find alternate development
almost no guidance on how the responsibility for
pathways that do not rely on fossil fuels, while
action should be divided between countries, which
rich developed countries still reap the benefits of
only means that there will be a continued aggregate
centuries of fossil fuel exploitation without paying
shortfall and that developing countries will unfairly
the full cost of such resource use. On top of this, the
be pushed to take more and more action.
countries that are least responsible for causing the
On top of this, the Paris agreement failed to
problem are generally those that are geographically
secure clear pathways to scaled-up climate finance.
positioned to face the worst impacts while they are
Though it is clear that trillions of dollars need to be
also the least able to afford adaptation actions or
shifted from high-carbon investment to low – and
reconstruction.
zero-carbon alternatives, the Paris agreement only
For this reason the original 1992 United Nations
entrenches $100bn per annum between 2020 and
Framework Convention on Climate Change recognised
2025 as the floor for international climate finance.
that countries have 'common' but 'differentiated'
Without access to international climate finance it is
responsibilities and capabilities. This was translated
hard to see how poorer developing countries will
into a list or 'annex' of 'developed' countries that
be able to bear the initial costs of a transition to a
had the responsibility to lead on climate change
low – or even zero-carbon developmental pathway,
action, while other 'developing' countries would
especially considering that they have been 'robbed'
take voluntary actions and could request financial,
of their fair share of the carbon budget in the
technological
atmosphere.
and
capacity-building
support.
Developed countries have largely failed to deliver
In 2015 a broad coalition of civil society actors
their fair share of action while some developing
presented an equity review process that illustrated
countries have even exceeded the efforts that they
how indicators could be applied to determine more
could fairly be expected to have made.
equitable climate contributions based on both
Despite this, the Paris agreement implicitly
domestic action and, where applicable, support for
breaks the strict divide between the categories of
action in developing countries. Many countries were
countries that were established in 1992. Though
found wanting, notably, the EU, USA, Russia, Brazil
it is arguably legitimate, that those 'developing'
and Japan.
countries that have become rich since 1992 (such
So what's next?
as Singapore and Qatar, which are both in the top 10 of countries according to per capita income levels) should have more responsibility, the lack of
S G 48
As the final gavel came down in Paris many civil society activists felt a momentary sense of
relief. In an international context where so many countries have sanctions against each other, or where negotiators that faced each other over the table in Paris were actively engaged in supporting opposite sides of armed conflicts elsewhere, the outcome could have been worse. From a political perspective the Paris Agreement probably delivered close to as much as was possible. However, from the perspective of how little time we have left to act decisively on climate change, the agreement is
We cannot take another 21 years to conquer the true peaks that have to be summited for by then it will be far too late.
probably 20 years behind schedule. At this point a Marshall Plan or Apollo Programme level of action is
In her closing speech at COP21 SA's Energy
required. Paris does not give us that. All that it does
Minister Edna Molewa quoted President Mandela:
is to take us a step in that direction and by creating
'I have discovered the secret that after climbing a
spaces that have to be leveraged.
great hill, one only finds that there are many more
If we are to avoid catastrophic levels of climate
hills to climb. I have taken a moment here to rest,
change, citizens and civic organisations will have to
to steal a view of the glorious vista that surrounds
work domestically on their governments to ensure
me, to look back on the distance I have come. But
that leaders come back to the negotiation table
I can rest only for a moment, for with freedom
in subsequent years with much more ambitious
comes responsibilities, and I dare not linger, for
efforts and that they interpret the Paris decisions
my long walk is not yet ended.' In the end that is
in the most stringent possible manner while a
all that the Paris Agreement was. An important hill
much stronger framework for equity and fairness
that had to be climbed, but only one of many. The
will have to be negotiated in the coming years. The
time is now past to stare at the one little slope we
five-yearly stock-takes will provide opportunities
have overcome. We need to collectively ensure that
to hold governments accountable while the action
much more action is delivered in a much shorter
agenda provides a space for businesses, local
timeframe over the coming years. We cannot take
government and other actors to launch additional
another 21 years to conquer the true peaks that
initiatives to help to close the ambition gap and
have to be summited for by then it will be far too
build momentum for more action in future.
late.
SG
Civil Society Equity Assessment of INDCs
49 S G
Toshiba paper reuse system
ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS
VALUE ADDED BENEFITS
enables the creation of an
• Reduces waste paper by 1/5
• Reuse of the paper by
efficient office environment where information is not kept on hand as “paper” but is saved, shared and used as digital data, preventing the accumulation of “paper” and
by reusing the paper over and
erasing the prints (average
over again
recommendation of 5 times)
• Reduction of energy used to make paper by reduction of paper consumption • Reduction of water resource by 800 tons
• Automatically scans and archives • Automatically sorts reusable and nonreusable paper • Writings with Pilots Frixon ball point pen can be scanned and erased
“information” in the office. That is to say, it achieves a no paper-stagnating office. With its ability to erase print instantly, the e-STUDIO306LP/ RD30 multifunction printing system offers a new work style that will reduce the environmental impact, reduce paper costs and bring about changes in the way of working in the office.
www.ecotoshiba.co.za S G 50
OFFICE Greening your office 52 E-waste 54
51 S G
O ffice
Photo http://www.modulyss.com
10
WAYS TO GREEN YOUR OFFICE
Greening the office is easy. Many businesses have undertaken at least some of the following steps, but have you done them all in your office? Read our list and find out – and if you have a great idea send it to us as we shall be looking at greening the office over the next few issues. Meanwhile, the following tips for greening your office should be under the belt in no time.
S G 52
1
USE ELECTRICITY WISELY Turn
off
all
computers,
printers,
photocopiers, and other equipment
5
MAKE ECO-FRIENDLY FOOD CHOICES Encourage use of the 100km diet: local
that doesn't need to be left on at the end of the
first; organic for high consumption foods. When
day and leave them off until you need to use them
ordering lunch for an office meeting, how about
again. Check that all computers/monitors are set
going vegetarian (or even vegan, if you dare)?
to their most energy-efficient settings (monitors
Cutting down on meat can have a huge impact on
should be set to shut off after 15 minutes of
the health of the planet.
no use). When leaving a room for more than a few minutes, switch off the lights. Use compact fluorescent bulbs instead of incandescent ones. Take advantage of natural sunlight as much as possible.
6
TELECOMMUTING Encourage
working
from
home,
particularly for workers who would
normally drive to work. This cuts down on pollution and increases time availability.
2
REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE 'Reduce, reuse, recycle' means more than just throwing old notepaper in
the paper recycling bin (though you needn't stop
7
TRANSPORTATION For those who do come to the office on a regular basis, encourage (and help
doing that). Really think about everything you use.
arrange) car-pooling, use of public transit, biking,
Do you need disposable cups at the water cooler?
or walking.
Can you use the other side of the used sheets of paper you've thrown in the recycle bin? Australia has added a fourth R – Refuse. Simply put: Don't buy stuff you don't need. And, when you do make a purchase, bring your own bags.
8
AIM FOR A PAPERLESS OFFICE Though the paperless office may still
seem unrealistic to many, at least try to cut down on printed material when possible. Read on-screen
USE ENVIRONMENTALLYFRIENDLY PRODUCTS
and only print documents when absolutely
On average, eco-friendly products only
paper products in the office and when getting
cost around 5% more than their non-friendly
promotional material professionally produced, ask
equivalents, which is a small price to pay to cut
your printer for FSC-Certified paper.
3
necessary. Use only 100% recycled content
down on waste and pollution. Start small – 100% recycled paper, refillable ink cartridges, non-toxic highlighters, etc. Check online to stock up on office products that go easy on the environment.
9
INSTITUTE A CASUAL DRESS CODE Not having to wear suits in hot summer
months can help keep cooling costs down (and
4
NON-TOXIC CLEANING PRODUCTS There
are
many
brands
make for a happier workplace). available
nowadays. Check online for locally-produced products with low carbon kilometres for the best
10
FAIR TRADE & ORGANIC Buy fair trade, organic coffee and teas for the office. If employees prefer to
eco cleaning solution. Encourage your cleaning
go out for their hot beverages, encourage them
company, if you have one, to use green cleaning
to take their cups or mugs so that there is an
products and if they won't, switch to one of the
automatic reduction in waste from not having
many companies that now do use environmentally-
to throw out paper or polystyrene cups, if the
friendly products.
beverages are purchased from an outlet using such containers.
53 S G
Tech
Gamers can be green too
S G 54
One does not tend to think of computer gamers as especially socially-aware and eco-aware people given media images of them being self-obsessed geeky types in darkened rooms with virtually the only light coming from their computer screen. But that picture, like so many others used to perpetuate stereotypes, is just plain wrong. We spoke to the folks at Landmark Computers, specialists in PC gaming components, and this is their story.
55 S G
I 
n the age of electronic storage it's hard to imagine that many more trees are being cut down in our forests for the production of paper.
The Amazon forest, for example, once covered 14% of the Earth's surface but today, due to exploitation and the need for more timber, it now only covers less than half (6%) of that original area. Experts believe that at the current rate the remaining forest will be consumed in less than 40 years and many species of plants and animals will be wiped out. Some of these species may have special properties, including medical and technological applications, but once they are gone we will never know. Besides
that,
the
collapse
and
effective
disappearance of the intricate web of life that rain forests embody represents a devastating loss to the global eco-system, with knock-on effects from increased local droughts through to changed regional weather patterns that are incalculable and very likely extremely harmful to the very human beings now taking advantage of rain forest resources. Aware of facts such as outlined above, the people behind Landmark Computers have made a real effort to 'go green'. They have started with a Zero Paper Policy whereby they commit themselves to 'absolutely no paper usage internally'. They have also urged their suppliers to issue no paper to them in the form of invoices and receipts. All of the traditional paperwork is now transmitted via email and all their customers' invoices are kept online
While only some plastics can be effectively recycled, metals can be reused almost without limit. Those plastics that are suited for recycling can be made into useful and long-lived products like garden furniture. Printed circuit boards, which are the heart of every PC and which are to be found in almost every other electronic device these days, contain many precious and special metals that can be recovered by specialised smelters.
in PDF format for download at their convenience. This makes Landmark Computers among the first
by Landmark Computers is dismantled and divided
companies locally to implement such a policy.
into the different material groups, which are mainly
They
have
also
collaborated
with
www.
steel, light steel, plastic, aluminium, copper and
greenworks.co.za in an effort to give back by
several other materials. Hazardous materials are
planting a tree for every 10 customers who place
cautiously removed and safely disposed of so that
confirmed orders with them. Translating words into
they cannot harm the life and health of others. The
effects means that even spending R50 contributes
recovered materials are sold to other companies that
directly to some form of forestry rehabilitation or
specialise in the recycling of each specific material
re-afforestation.
where this material goes through further processing.
E-Waste Policy
metals can be reused almost without limit. Those
Importantly for a company dealing exclusively
plastics that are suited for recycling can be made
with specialist computer components, Landmark
into useful and long-lived products like garden
has also aligned themselves with e-waste recycling
furniture. Printed circuit boards, which are the heart
experts to safely recycle all left-over hardware and
of every PC and which are to be found in almost
accessories from old or broken computers.
every other electronic device these days, contain
All electric or electronic waste (e-waste) collected
S G 56
While only some plastics can be effectively recycled,
many precious and special metals that can be
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57 S G
recovered by specialised smelters. E-waste recyclers make sure that all data
now spreading rapidly. The following are ordinary hazardous substances:
on received electronic devices is physically or
•
Americium: smoke alarms (radioactive source).
technically destroyed, so you don't have to worry
•
Mercury:
tubes
(numerous
applications), tilt switches (pinball games,
hands – and will even issue destruction certificates,
mechanical doorbells, thermostats). With new
if required.
technologies arising, the elimination of mercury in many new-model computers is taking place.
What is e-waste made of?
•
Sulphur: lead-acid batteries.
By now almost everyone – and certainly most people
•
PCBs: prior to their banning, almost all 1930s
reading this – has heard of e-waste. But what is
to 1970s equipment, including capacitors,
it exactly? The list of substances found in your
transformers, wiring insulation, paints, inks,
otherwise not very exciting work or home computer
and flexible sealants contained PCBs. This
is surprisingly long and exotic. A read through the
means that while your new computer may not
list quickly makes it obvious why e-waste recycling
have this particular substance in it, that old
is both necessary and, when done correctly, not only
radio sitting in the garage very well may have
good for the environment, but actually profitable.
– and it's one reason that e-waste products are
Most obvious is that e-waste constitutes all electronic waste substances. Those substances
not to be burned. •
found in the highest quantities or volumes toxic and carcinogenic), PVC (polyvinyl chlorides),
Cadmium:
light-sensitive
resistors,
corrosion-resistant alloys for marine and aviation
include epoxy resins, fibreglass, PCBs (highly
environments, nickel-cadmium batteries. •
Lead: old solder, CRT monitor glass, lead-acid
thermosetting plastics, lead, tin, copper, silicon,
batteries, some formulations of PVC. A typical
beryllium, carbon, iron and aluminium.
15-inch cathode ray tube may contain 1.5
Elements found in smaller but still significant
pounds of lead, but other CRTs have been
amounts include cadmium, mercury and thallium. All three can be extremely hazardous to human
estimated as having up to 8 pounds of lead. •
and all forms of organic life and must be removed
Beryllium oxide: filler in some thermal interface materials such as thermal grease used on
from waste streams whenever possible. To put this
heat sinks for CPUs and power transistors,
into context, it is well know that the former Soviet
magnetrons,
Union, among others, used thallium as a nearly
windows, heat transfer fins in vacuum tubes,
untraceable but universally fatal poison against its foreign political opponents and critics.
S G 58
fluorescent
about sensitive information falling into the wrong
X-ray-transparent
ceramic
and gas lasers. •
Polyvinyl chloride: Third most widely produced
The list of elements found in trace amounts
plastic, contains additional chemicals to change
in e-waste, which is surprisingly long and varied,
the chemical consistency of the product. Some
include americium (which is somewhat radioactive
of these additional chemicals called additives
and rather rare), antimony, arsenic (another
can leach out of vinyl products. Plasticisers that
well-known poison), barium, bismuth, boron, cobalt,
must be added to make PVC flexible have been
europium, gallium, germanium, gold, indium,
additives of particular concern.
lithium, manganese, nickel, niobium, palladium,
Just reading through the list of what is in your
platinum, rhodium, ruthenium, selenium, silver,
computer and other electronic gadgets is enough to
tantalum, terbium, thorium, titanium, vanadium,
make anyone realise that e-waste is a very real and
and yttrium. Some of these elements are amongst
growing problem. That a company like Landmark
the rarest on the planet and are very expensive
Computers, who also do custom gaming systems,
to mine or isolate, so recycling them makes both
has made its commitments to removing e-waste
economic and eco sense.
from landfills, recycling and reducing its paper
Almost all electronics contain lead and tin (as
consumption to as close to zero as possible is
solder) and copper (as wire and printed circuit
therefore a positive which should be applauded and
board tracks), though the use of lead-free solder is
emulated.
SG
LIFESTYLE Greening your home 62 Microgreens 66 Recipes 68 Reviews 70 Tintswalo 74 Global Wheeling 80 59 S G
Home
Green your how to
Many people believe that their car is the largest single source of air pollution
for which they are personally responsible. But, in fact, the average home causes the emission of more than twice as much carbon dioxide – one of the principal greenhouse gases – as the average car. This is because most of the energy consumed in our homes is produced by burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas. This pollution is actually a hidden cost for the energy we use. We take a look at how to green your home – or how to green it even more, if you have already started this process.
S G 60
r home
I
f you're going to do just one thing for the planet, make it the switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). Although they cost several
times more upfront than regular incandescent light bulbs, they also last about 10 times longer, which means that for every CFL you screw in, you'll be
saving eight incandescent light bulbs from landfill purgatory. Plus, you'll save some serious cash in the long run. This is because CFLs use 75% less energy, so swapping one incandescent bulb for a CFL reduces carbon dioxide by about 225kgs a year. This is significant – replacing 17 such bulbs has the equivalent effect of taking one car off the road for a year. Just remember to recycle spent bulbs responsibly – CFLs contain trace amounts of mercury, which although not enough to be hazardous to you, could pose a problem in landfills when mercury from multiple bulbs leaches into the ground and accumulate there.
Seeing
stars
So the average home pumps out twice as much greenhouse-gas emissions as the average car. Who knew? Following on the light-bulbs story come all the other domestic appliances which today are to be found in ever-greener forms, which is to say, that they are more energy-efficient, and perhaps also water-efficient, than predecessor versions. Purchasing
energy-saving
Energy
Star-rated
appliances, electronics, and lighting can help mitigate your home’s CO2 output, while slashing up to a third off of your electric bill. (A power-guzzler is nobody's friend.)
Simply
switch off
A key to a greener home is something everyone can do every day – switch off energy-consuming appliances and devices when they are not in use. First on the list is the geyser itself. Either install a timer, with some companies supplying control units at surprisingly low cost, or manually switch the geyser off when continuous supplies of hot water are not required. A hour’s heating should suffice to get most geysers to an adequate heat. Then switch off and everyone needing to shower does so before the in-coming cold water makes the remaining hot water merely tepid. The specifics of every home will dictate exactly what schedule of on or off is required to keep everyone in the home
61 S G
happy and clean, but this one step alone could save as 40% of your entire electricity bill, and leave a lot of carbon ‘unburnt’, as it were.
Paper Eschew
nor plastic
plastic
bags
by
bringing
your
own
reusable canvas totes the next time you're at the supermarket or store. Because petroleum-based plastic isn't biodegradable, it's certain to outlive you – by up to a millennium or so. Each year, thousands of marine animals, including the endangered leatherback turtle, choke to death on plastic trash they mistake for edible morsels. Our unholy love for plastic disposables has also bred a swirling vortex of plastic trash the size of Texas in the North Pacific Ocean – which is not at all surprising when you consider that Americans alone run through about 100bn plastic bags annually, using up an estimated 12m barrels of oil in the process.
No
soliciting
Deforestation is responsible for 25% of all carbon emissions into the atmosphere through the burning and cutting of 13.8m hectares of trees annually. Save some virgin and old-growth forests by opting out of paper catalogues and browsing online instead. Shed that junk mail by removing yourself from direct-mail mailing lists and recycling everything, plastic and paper.
Get
better mileage
Most people are vaguely aware that some of
is to reuse something, and it’s less environmentally
their food comes from abroad. But many would
taxing to reuse a product than to have it recycled.
be horrified to discover the ‘carbon-kilometres’
Separating recyclables from your regular trash,
attached to their favourites summer veggie eaten in
which barely takes any effort, is a no-brainer, of
the depths of winter. Best way through this issue is
course; recycling aluminum, for instance, takes as
to buy local and in season whenever possible. Also
little as 5% of the energy we'd need to manufacture
organic is almost always far superior to mechanised
virgin aluminum.
hi-carbon agri-industry produce, without the risk of contaminants from pesticides and herbicides to
Get
fungicides and chemical fertilisers.
Opt for clean, renewable energy if it's offered in
The 3 Rs
S G 62
better to reduce your personal consumption than it
off the grid
your area, or if you can afford to install a solar water geyser and/or PV power supply (with a small
Start rolling those Rs: Reduce, reuse, and recycle-and
wind turbine as a back-up, if possible). Low-impact
in that order. We're mired deep in ecological
sources such as wind, solar, and hydroelectric
debt because we're consuming more resources
power reduce our dependence on coal-burning
than nature can replenish. By gorging on more than
power plants, a major source of greenhouse-gas
our fair share of the world's resources, we're also
emissions. And because harnessing the power of
diverting essentials such as food, clothing, and water
renewables such as sun and wind are free, your
from communities in greater need. So let's recap: It's
electric bill is going to plummet.
Plug into The Current Future
lizette@freedomwon.co.za / +27 (0)82 256 7430 / www.freedomwon.co.za
63 S G
Opt for clean, renewable energy if it's offered in your area, or if you can afford to install a solar water geyser and/or PV power supply (with a small wind turbine as a back-up, if possible). Low-impact sources such as wind, solar, and hydroelectric power reduce our dependence on coal-burning power plants, a major source of greenhouse-gas emissions. And because harnessing the power of renewables such as sun and wind are free, your electric bill is going to plummet. of a drag but really it is no effort to simply switch things off at the socket when they are not in use.
Go
au naturale
Our chemical arsenal may be able to exterminate creepy crawlies and polish our countertops, but they're also slowly killing us. The man-made chemicals we favour, on average around 200 industrial
compounds,
pollutants
and
other
chemicals, per home, get everywhere – as shown in a recent study that found some of these chemicals
Slay
in the umbilical-cord blood of newborns. Included in
energy vampires
that study were seven dangerous pesticides, some
You may not know it, but households across the
of which were banned more than 30 years ago.
globe are infested with vampires. Energy vampires,
Pesticides have also been implicated in Parkinson’s
that is. Cleverly disguised as innocuous household
disease, infertility, brain damage, and cancer. So
appliances (your television is one of them), their
ditch the poisons and choose natural, non-toxic, and
power cables permanently plugged into your wall
equally effective methods of cleaning and controlling
socket and constantly draining power all hours
pests. As mentioned, eating organically-grown food
of the day and night, even after you've switched
will cut out pesticides from your diet, as well.
SG
them off. It is estimated that this form of electricity ‘usage’ draws some consumes around 1 000 kWh a year per household. In the list of culprits might well be your toaster, coffeemaker, hair-dryer, PC, printer, cable box, and cell phone charger. It may be a bit
S G 64
This is the first in a series we shall run over the next few issues as we continue offering helpful hints, tips and guidelines to greening your home.
Think smart lighting Busting the myths on LEDbulbs
65 S G
Garden
Microgreens Vegetables all year round
A  s
a
result
of
volatile
and
deteriorating eco, economic and political systems, this means the
availability of fresh produce will continue to decrease and food prices to increase. We are not excluded from this global issue and it now is time for all to start growing some food at home. I would like to introduce how to grow microgreens, a tasty 'fast food' in just a few easy steps, which will solve any fear or excuse of limited time, space or gardening skills any one might have. Microgreens, is a term for a variety of leafy greens or shoots harvested at a very early stage of the first leaves (cotyledon) and the quickest food crop urban gardeners can grow. Micro mix can consist of many different kinds of vegetables and herbs – amaranth, basil, beets, broccoli, cabbage, chia, fennel, kale, mustards, peas, radishes, sunflower to list a few, and can be grown all year round. Growing microgreens are also known to be gardening for the impatient as it takes only 1 – 3 weeks depending on the variety to harvest.
Food security is one of the most pressing global issues due to it being a complex problem with interconnections and interdependencies within a global system that is fundamentally linked to soil fertility, precipitation and water availability, stable climate and other ecosystem services. Add to this the further and significant influence that anthropogenic issues such as trade, urbanisation, logistics, changing demographics, economics and political and agrarian policies, and you effectively have an extremely complex minefield to navigate. Liesel James offers her gardening guidance.
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In addition to their strong flavors, microgreens are praised for their health benefits, which vary depending on the type of seed used and which contain digestible vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients that provide nutritional health benefits and are packed with flavour, colour,
1. Buy seeds: Organic or untreated (no fungicides
texture, living enzymes and nutrients. Leafy greens are a good source of beta-carotene as well as iron and calcium. Dark
7
Easy Steps for Growing Microgreens
green leafy
vegetables such as kale and chard are also high in lutein and zeaxanthin USDA researchers recently published a study
assessing the nutrition content of 25 commercially available microgreens, seedlings of vegetables and herbs that have gained popularity in upscale markets and restaurants. Microgreens won hands down (leaves down?), possessing significantly higher nutrient densities than mature leaves. For example, red cabbage microgreens have a 6-fold
and insecticides) This is very important and a great health risk if commercially treated seed is used. Seeds intended for growing sprouts or microgreens are always untreated. All organic seeds are untreated, but not all untreated seeds are organic. Always read labels. Available at health stores and www.kitchengarden.co.za 2. Get a shallow seeding tray (not more than 6 cm deep) or shallow pot or recycle take-away trays and poke drainage holes and fill to the top with seedling mix. Moisten lightly with water. Trays and soil are available at any nursery close to you. 3. Soak seeds in water for 6 – 8 hours. Drain. 4. Sprinkle seeds evenly over the soil so
higher vitamin C concentration than mature red
they are close but not touching, piled or layered. Sift a
cabbage and 69 times the vitamin K.
thin additional layer of soil over the top just to cover the
Because microgreens require only minimal
seeds. Use a spray bottle to lightly mist the soil.
sunlight and space to grow, they can be grown in
5. Give your budding plants light and
your kitchen, windowsill or balcony, allowing you
water. Place trays in southern – or western-facing
to control the type of microgreens as well as their
windows in rooms that are between 15 – 22 degrees/
growing conditions. Home-grown microgreens are
Avoid drafty spots. Keep the soil moist with a daily
much more beneficial as they are not exposed to as
misting, ideally in the morning. Don't let the soil dry out.
many pollutants as commercially-grown varieties
6. GIVE THEM LOTS OF LIGHT. Once the seeds have
and do not contain pesticides or fertilisers.
germinated (poked up through the soil), which should
Sunflower, mung and peas shoots offer an easy
take three to five days, make sure your emerging
way to start. Not only will you reap the rewards of
microgreens get 12 to 14 hours of light per day – but not
growing nutritious food in a short period of time
in direct sunlight for all that time, especially in our South
but you will also comply with the water restrictions in your home. Happy conscious growing.
SG
For more contact liesel@creatingchange.org.za
African summers. Six hours of direct sunlight is enough. Keep the soil moist at the roots, but try not to saturate the leaves. 7. READY. When seedlings have reached 3-5cm in height and have about two sets of leaves, snip and eat.
67 S G
Food
rb eeze
a e r a s e p i c re
Almond Breeze is all about taste and texture while making sure that their almond milk is well balanced with just the right flavour and an undeniably smooth texture. Even though Almond Breeze initially appealed to people with lactose intolerance, they have since discovered that it’s also a great milk alternative for people with other conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, celiac disease and obesity. Here's a few recipes for you to enjoy trying at home.
Almond Breeze Banana Bread Ingredients ½ cup Almond Breeze Original 1/ 3 cup margarine ¼ cup sugar 2 cups flour 1½ tsp baking powder ½ tsp baking soda ¼ tsp vanilla extract Two shakes of cinnamon 2 mashed, ripe bananas Optional: ¼ cup of walnut pieces Directions Mix the margarine, sugar, flour, baking powder, and baking soda together until it creates a nice batter that sticks together. Then add the almond milk, vanilla extract and mashed bananas. Add cinnamon and walnuts to taste, if desired. Pre-heat the oven at 180°C. In a normal sized bread pan that is lubricated with margarine, pour the batter into the pan and bake for about 50 minutes, checking back every five until baked to your satisfaction.
Blueberry Almond Milk Ingredients 1 cup of Almond Breeze Original almond milk ¼ cup fresh blueberries Directions Simply blend together and enjoy!
For more info and recipes please visit almondbreeze.co.za S G 68
Shelf
The Natural Cook: Eating the Season from Root to Fruit Tom Hunt Quadrille Publishing • 978 1 8494 9418 2
The Natural Cook is an inspirational book for the way we eat now. It puts fresh, flavoursome, veg-focused food centre-stage, and features recipes that make use of every ounce of an ingredient. Each of the 26 seasonal 'hero' ingredients featured is represented first by three simple cooking techniques that teach you how to make a delicious simple dish. These techniques are then followed by three world-inspired recipes, which make use of the prepared ingredients as well as drawing in other seasonal fruit and vegetables. At the end of each recipe, the 'Cook's Notes' give clear tips and ideas for turning uneaten extras into other delicious meals, ensuring that absolutely nothing is wasted. Hunt is an acclaimed eco-chef, and author. He founded the Forgotten Feast, a campaign working on projects throughout the UK, to revive British cooking heritage and help reduce food waste. He also owns Poco, an award-winning restaurant in Bristol and now in London. Hunt is an official chef of Feeding the 5 000, a global event, which aims to highlight food waste by feeding more than 5 000 people with
S G 70
delicious food that would otherwise have been wasted. He works closely with various food charities. Keeping true to his zero-waste ethos, he cooks from 'nose to tail' or as he calls it 'root to fruit', using every part of a fruit and vegetable, foraged foods and gleaning vegetables from the land. Visually, a stunning book.
More Life's a Beach Cottage Neil Roake Jacana Media • 978 1 4314 2256 2
More Life's a Beach Cottage is the third cookery book in the series featuring a collection of best holiday feasting recipes. It is as beautiful and quirky and set to follow in the successful footsteps of the author's previous publications. Roake explains: 'This third Life's a Beach Cottage offering includes some tasty "OMG, I can easily make that" recipes and some "WTF, that looks hard" ones – but there are no OTT airs and graces (life's a just too short). Don't stress about following every recipe to the letter. This cookbook is just your springboard for culinary creativity. Many of the recipes were sourced on my travels abroad and all are big on flavour – there's nothing "shy" here. Expect muscular curries, potent cocktails, desserts that argue back and deliciously robust salads.' So take
off your shoes, bring out the wine, put on the music and let Roake take you through More Life's a Beach Cottage.
The Banting Baker: Low Carb High Fat Treats Catherine Speedie Jacana Media • 978 1 4314 2266 1
The Low-Carb High-Fat diet, known more colloquially as the Banting diet, is not just about upturning the food pyramid and thus the conventional wisdom around food and nutrition that has ruled for the last 40-odd years. It's about waking us up to what our bodies are naturally 'wired' for in terms of optimal sustenance and body weight. It's about realising that along the trajectory of commercial and industrial 'progress', we've lost sight of our humanness – our basic biology, if you will. That said, giving up carrot cake is not so easy. Sweet treats and baked goods are deeply associated with comfort, time out and good times, rewarding us after a day's hard work. The good news is that we don't have to deny ourselves these little pleasures. This book will hopefully show you that the low-carb highway is not about deprivation but about substitution. Once you've got your head around it, stocked up your pantry with the right ingredients and armed yourself with a spirit of adventure,
you'll discover that you can create the most sublimely satisfying goodies. The Banting Baker introduces the reader to low-carb logic, as well as how to soak nuts and seeds and make meal and butter from nuts. It includes recipes for breakfast, snacks, breads, wraps, pizza as well as sweet treats. Speedie is the owner of Gingko, an organic and 'clean food'-oriented restaurant, bakery and catering business, and the creator of Primal Chow, a brand dedicated to the world of Paleo and Banting goodies. A passionate traveller, she brings flavours from all over the world into her cooking, believing strongly that food must be delicious and nutritious if it is to be fulfilling on all levels.
The Earth Diet: Your Complete Guide to Living Using Earth's Natural Resources Liana Werner-Gray Hay House • 978 1 4019 4497 1
Beauty queen Miss Earth Australia Liana Werner-Gray got a wake-up call at the age of 21 when she was diagnosed with a life-threatening health issue. Realising that health issues were holding her back, including in her entertainment career, she decided to change her lifestyle. Through juicing and using the whole-
food recipes shared in this book, she healed herself in only three months. This success inspired her to create the Earth Diet and make information on the incredible power of plant-based and natural food available to others. She has since used her recipes to help thousands of people with diabetes, acne, addictions, obesity and more. When you get the essential vitamins, minerals and micro-nutrients your body needs, you can't help but feel better. In this book, you'll find more than 100 nutrient-dense recipes that provide proper nutrition. The Earth Diet is inclusive, with recipes for every person, ranging from raw vegans to meat-eaters. It also features specific guidelines for weight-loss, boosting the immune system, increasing your energy, juice cleansing and more. If you're looking for great-tasting recipes to help you live your healthiest life ever, then this book is for you.
(or two), but what's the real cost of that meal? The rates of chronic disease – specifically diseases like diabetes, caused by our lifestyles – have grown exponentially in recent years, edging medical expenses ever higher while threatening to give America (and the rest of us) the first modern generation to actually live shorter lives than their parents. Unfortunately, finding good nutrition is no walk in the park, with more and more Americans (and the rest of us) living in cities, far from a farmer's field. To overcome distance and undercut price, we rely on industry to put dinner on the table – yet this system has valued efficiency and short-term profits over our health and the health of our environment. So how do we keep America and the rest of the world thriving? Congressman Tim Ryan may have a soft spot for chicken wings and ice cream, but he also knows the joy of farm-fresh produce and the feel of soil between his fingers. Here he presents easy, actionable steps that anyone can take, from starting a herb garden on your windowsill to helping implement food education in your child's school to petitioning your elected officials. Ryan also introduces some of the current food revolutionaries who are shining examples of people who saw a problem with how we think about food today, rolled up their sleeves, and raised a crop of positive change. The common sense ideas in these pages come big (replacing dilapidated neighbourhoods with farms) and small (sitting down for a fresh, healthy meal with your family), and each will help you improve the quality of life for you and future generations.
The Real Food Revolution: Healthy Eating, Green Groceries and the Return of the American Family Farm Tim Ryan Hay House • 978 1 4019 4640 1
Today a buck gets you a quick burger
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Editors Choice Wildlife Southern Africa National Parks & Reserves Map Studio • 978 1 7702 6801 2
With over 300 parks and reserves covered, this is not only a beautiful coffee-table style book, it is also a somewhat larger than usual field guide to the best and most popular wildlife
illustrate and highlight are also
homes. Spotlight is on Bully,
excellent, as are the variety of
who experiences the gamut of
tips and info boxes sprinkled
good and bad, but takes part
throughout. This is one for the
in several TV programmes and
dedicate naturalists and reserve-
commercials, and is successful in
goers, though the range on offer
helping to treat young children
in this excellent work is such that
with psychiatric problems.
even if you and the family are
Although perhaps told a little on
only occasional bushveld visitors,
an emotional level, Giant Steps
there is bound to be something
will fascinate anyone with an
new and exciting to be found
interest in elephants.
in these pages around which to plan your next bush getaway.
sanctuaries in the country. In addition, it also covers parks and reserves in neighbouring states, including Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Lesotho. The variety and range of these reserves and parks is extraordinary. This book provides all relevant info, from size of parks, fauna and flora, nearest town and airport, to contact details, camp facilities, accommodation, as well as seasonal information, not least being malaria high-risk areas. Being a production of Map Studio, one would expect the maps to be good, which they are, but the images used to
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Giant Steps Richard Pierce
The South African Bike Book & Events Guide Tim Brink Map Studio • 978 1 7702 6765 7
Struik Nature • 978 1 7758 4330 6
Cycling continues to be one of
The author sets out the tone of
the most popular and rapidly
this book about elephants in
growing sports in South Africa.
South Africa with his comment
This book takes you through not
that 'elephants have a
only everything about bikes, but
sizeable brain that renders
also about racing gear, running
them intelligent, sensitive and
repairs, essential equipment and
vulnerable'. The narrative traces
fine tuning your two-wheeled
the lives of several young
steed, through necessary road
elephants from the trauma of
skills, training tips, requisite skills
surviving the culling of their herd,
for different types of bike racing,
through many experiences on
and even personal elements such
commercial ranches where
as training schedules, nutritional
treatment was both good
preparation for racing, as well as
and bad, to their long-term
all the top events, and how best
to prepare for them. Really, it has
that most people have about
machines together; and who
everything that opens and closes
these still somewhat mysterious
could forget the Kreepy Krauly
on bike racing, so if that is your
and awe-inspiring objects from
which, in some incarnational
bent this is the one for you.
space. All the different types
variant or the other, is chugging
of meteorites are pictured
its way across pool bottoms
and explained in terms of their
around the world as you read
constituents and appearance,
this. But it's a long time since
while famous strikes and finds are
Christiaan Barnard performed
also explored. Excellent as either
the world's first successful human
Random Struik • 978 1 7758 4098 5
a primer on the subject or for the
heart transplantation in 1967.
Meteorites are the usually
active meteorite hunter, this is a
Many would see innovation and
fragmentary remnants of meteors
great addition to the bookshelf.
South Africa as not really having
from outer space which have
Our review copy even came with
much to do with each other. This
survived the fiery journey through
a thin slice of actual meteorite,
book puts that misconception
the earth's atmosphere and
which is an added bonus and
right, showing that there is in fact
come to land on he planet's
is now in our crystals and rare
a wave of innovative thinking
surface and which, obviously,
objects collection.
running across the length and
Meteorites: A Southern African Perspective Ronnie McKenzie
have been found. Tons of this
breadth of the country, with
fraction is ever found. But not
Innovation: Shaping South Africa Through Science Sarah Wild
all meteorites are small and
Gordon Institute of Business Science
are perhaps a little hopeless
inconspicuous – the Hobe
978 7701 0438 9
about where the future might
meteorite in Namibia weighs
Innovation is not unknown when
take South Africans and their
some 60 metric tons and is the
it comes to South Africa. Pratley's
country, perhaps this is a good
largest known to date in the
Putty made it to the Moon;
read to help bring some balance
world. Clearly meant as either
duct tape is a universal 'fix-it-all'
back into your thinking. There's
a field guide or a handbook for
without which many people in
certainly more worth positive
the enthusiast, this great little
many industries would be using
consideration which is going on
book also works on the level of
something much less satisfactory
than you will find in your average
satisfying the many questions
to hold their lives and their
newspapers.
material falls onto the earth daily but most of it lands as tiny fragments and a still tinier
some ideas already making it into the international arenas and others set to follow. If life feels a bit rough at present and you
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Travel
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rise th
en from he ashes One of the most devastating aspects of the fire that last year destroyed Tintswalo Atlantic was that the owners were confronted with not only a charred and burnt building, but a charred and burnt mountainside. It looked so destroyed that the owners thought it was going to take years to recover. But with the rains came regeneration of the mountain fynbos – and meanwhile, work was completed on rebuilding this now famed Cape hospitality venue boasting some of the world's finest views. We went to visit and this is our report.
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FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Co-owner, Gaye Corbett, planting a tree (of which there were several hundred) on site • Serious discussions, with t
R
ecently Simply Green was invited to attend a re-opening celebration of Tintswalo Atlantic,
But perhaps it should be in co-owner Gaye's words
reduced by last year's devastating mountain fires
that Simply Green readers should learn about the other
to literally a pile of ashes. Undeterred by the misfortune
aspect of the fire that destroyed what they had built – the
which had befallen this much-loved destination, the
recovery of the vegetation on the mountain that looms
owners and staff of the lodge that had stood in this
high above this gorgeous place, tucked as it is almost
magnificent location overlooking Hout Bay rose to the
invisibly beneath those driving along the mountainside
occasion and rebuilding began almost immediately.
road above.
What has been created is every bit as beautiful, classy and world-class as its predecessor.
This is Gaye's story of what happened: 'All the experts constantly assured us that the
Owners Ernest and Gaye Corbett are extremely proud
(fynbos) regrowth would come, and after the first winter
of their 'Phoenix risen' and how, in consultation with Cape
rains in Cape Town, the mountain indeed started to take
Nature officials, experts and their staff, they have not
on a green haze, with some very beautiful red lilies dotted
only rebuilt and even improved upon the old Tintswalo
here and there.
Atlantic, but exceeded even their own expectations of
'After a few weeks of rain the transformation was
how well they could recover from what initially seemed to
spectacular, and added to this the Tintswalo team has
be a devastating and terminal loss.
been hard at work planting a few hundred trees that were
Their story has many parts. The buildings have all
donated to us. Ryno (the lodge manager) got very busy,
been reconstructed (and as before, since it lies in a nature
and with a little help from some of our friends, managed
reserve, all the venue's buildings are made entirely from
to get one hundred trees planted in one week end. I must
wood) but the style and taste which marked Tintswalo
validate them for their hard work in doing their part in
Atlantic when Simply Green first visited a few years back
restoring our magnificent mountain.
are there in their full glory.
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reconstructed and truly 'green' lodge.
'We have planted some large Milkwoods on the water's
The rooms are lavish, views spectacular, and
edge in front of the main area buildings. These trees had
thoughtfulness literally oozes from aspect of the
to go in before the building was laid out as they had to be
the construction gang • A personal touch from Gaye Corbett gluing shells to the bathroom walls • The main lodge area, going up
lifted and planted by crane. They are, of course, nowhere near the size of our 300-year-old trees that we lost in the fire, but they will still offer the wonderful feeling of nature, and some shade from the harsh afternoon sun. 'The excitement mounted for the opening in November, and we look forward to having all our supporters back enjoying the wonderful experience that is Tintswalo Atlantic.' The commitment and true hearts of the Tintswalo Atlantic team is evident, even in Gaye's telling of the recovery process – and it radiates from the staff and the buildings, as well as the location itself where sea, sky and land meet. This is a place which words do not necessarily adequately describe. What one experiences is direct and personal – a feel, a sense of care and caring. There is a spirit here, something of a synergy between the natural energy of the place and the human energy that has recreated a most beautiful and relaxing place for people who can appreciate all that nature and human ingenuity can combine to make. You just have to visit, is all we can say. O
For more visit www.tintswalo.com/atlantic/
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Travel
Wheeling
Globe
the
South African solo adventurer, inspirational speaker and filmmaker Kayden Kleinhans is on his second revolution around the world on human energy. Having cycled 52 000 carbon-free kilometres across six continents around the globe since 2005. He has navigated civil war in West Africa's Ivory Coast, bribed rebel soldiers for access across war torn zones, navigated the Sahara desert,
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and criss-crossed the Andes solo and unsupported, all on two wheels. Kayden's Charity/NPO the Global Wheeling Foundation has been nominated for various environmental awards and certificates of merit in South Africa as a result of Kayden's carbon-free message as he highlights our over reliance on fossil fuels by leading by example. We take a look.
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K
ayden
has
been
converting
the
sponsored carbon-free kilometres he's been accumulating on his expeditions
into trees which he has been planting in the Western Cape, South Africa. With thousands of trees planted in South Africa as a result, The global Wheeling NPO is doing its part to combat
climate change. Kayden's last expedition saw him undertake a 20 350km 50-week expedition of cycling from Afrikaburns across 15 countries through the Americas to Burningman. The expedition was filmed and turned into an eight-episode television series produced by local production company Cooked In Africa Films, the same folks that produce Ultimate Braai Master and is currently airing on Outside TV in the US and Channel O in Europe. Kayden's next expedition and season two of the Global Wheeling TV series will be across Asia which will take him to one and a half times around the world by bicycle and commences in June 2016. In the meanwhile Kayden will be training and touring South Africa on his public speaking circuit. SG To book Kayden for an event or for a sponsorship opportunity please head to www.globalwheeling. org website where you can also find the Global Wheeling Americas DVD boxset for sale.
'Whether you're a climate change carbon crusader or a global warming sceptic, at the end of the day, the world's a cooler place with more trees.' – Kayden Kleinhans
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THE DIGITAL VERSION OF
The Intrepid Explorer
IS NOW AVAILABLE ON APPLE IPAD AND ANDROID TABLETS www.intrepidexplorer.co.za • 3rd Quarter Edition 2015 R29.90 Incl. VAT
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FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME
Traversing 45 countries to Rugby World Cup
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A LEGACY OF HOPE
Tribute to Dr Ian Player
FIRE & ICE
Hiking Iceland’s volcanoes
GIRLS GONE BIRDING
Lessons and laughter in the Kruger
SA FREEDIVING CHAMP HANLI PRINSLOO LEADS THE WAY IN OCEAN CONSERVATION OUR INTREPID CONTRIBUTORS: Braam Malherbe, Casey B. Dolan, Jeremy Loops & AJ Calitz
The official Cape Union Mart magazine
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• WIN! A five-night stay for two at Kurland Hotel, worth R23 100! • LIVIN’ IT UP IN L.A. – Hiking and cycling in the City of Angels • IN THE LINE OF FIRE – The heroes of the Volunteer Wildlife Services • SHARK SPOTTERS – Keeping both swimmers and sharks safe • LIGHTHOUSE FAMILY – Our beacons of life and death • EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED – Unearth the gems of the Northern Cape
CONSERVATION Why the albatross matters 86 News 92 Garden Route walking 94
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Conservation
the reason behind the rime
why the albatross
matters
E 
arly sailors considered the albatrosses that followed their wooden ships to be harbingers of good fortune and in the
'Water, water every where'
famous Coleridge poem an albatross appears out
Coleridge's mammoth poem, considered to be
of fog to lead the ancient mariner's ship out of the
one of the most influential in English literature,
'wondrous cold' of the Antarctic waters into which
popularised lines like 'Water, water, every where/
it had been blown by a storm, only for the mariner
Nor any drop to drink' in modern culture. It also
to shoot the albatross with his crossbow. This
entrenched the albatross as an enduring symbol
unwarranted and ill-advised act angers the crew of
in the myths and legends of maritime lore. More
the mariner's ship who force the mariner to wear the
than two centuries later, the albatross as a powerful
dead albatross around his neck as a penance. After
metaphor, is still deeply relevant, because with 15
encountering wrathful spirits on a ghostly ship, the
of the world's 22 albatross species being at risk of
mariner's shipmates perish one by one, leaving only
extinction, albatrosses are under extreme pressure,
the mariner alive to wander the earth, telling his
making them the seabirds of highest conservation
story and teaching his lesson to all who will listen;
concern.
the mariner's atonement for the albatross's death
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transforming him into 'a wiser and a sadder man'.
One remarkable albatross conservation success
Using an albatross as a central motif for his epic poem, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, which was published in the first edition of Lyrical Ballads in 1798, the English poet, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, explored the theme of unintentional and dire consequences brought about by a wilful act of desecration to the natural world. Carole Knight reports on a modern-parallel,
story is resulting in dramatic reductions in albatross
massive seabird population declines.
and other seabird deaths, as well as bringing
In a landmark seven-year study undertaken by
pride and independence to a team of people with
BirdLife South Africa, the Department of Agriculture,
disabilities who are working to ensure there are
Forestry and Fisheries of South Africa, and other
albatrosses 'for our children's children to come'.
collaborators, albatross deaths have been reduced
Threatened
by 99% and other seabird deaths by 90% in the South African hake trawl fishery; these huge reductions
Seabirds are among the most threatened group
having been made possible by a single mitigating
of birds in the world. Of particular concern are
measure – a bird scaring line made in a collaborative
accidental seabird deaths during fishing which
project between BirdLife South Africa and the
constitutes the single greatest threat facing many
non-profit organisation, Ocean View Association for
seabird populations – with a global fishing fleet of
Persons with Disabilities (OVAPD).
approximately 4.3 million vessels, around 300 000 seabirds, 100 000 of which are albatrosses, are
Albotrosses
caught each year by tuna longline fleets and trawl
Albatrosses are the largest flying birds on earth
fisheries as bycatch, which has been the cause of
with the longest wingspan of any bird species.
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Most albatrosses are only found in the Southern Hemisphere, and these magnificent long-distance ocean travellers live primarily at sea where they forage and rest on the ocean waves, travelling thousands of kilometres to find food, and only returning to large natal colonies at islands like the Marion and Prince Edward Islands, Falklands Islands, Gough Islands, Tristan da Cunha, Tasmanian Islands, Crozet Islands and Kerguelen Islands, to breed. Exceptionally long-lived, albatrosses may live for 50 years or longer and a pair bond may last for life. Initially, birds engage in breeding dances with many partners before one partner is finally chosen and a pair formed. The great albatrosses take over a year to raise a chick from laying to fledging, with egg laying and chick rearing constituting an enormous investment by both parents. Albatross incubation is the longest incubation period of any bird, lasting from 70 to 80 days, and great albatross chicks can take up to 280 days to fledge. Because both partners take it in turns
Exceptionally long-lived, albatrosses may live for 50 years or longer and a pair bond may last for life. Initially, birds engage in breeding dances with many partners before one partner is finally chosen and a pair formed.
to brood and guard the chick, one of the parents foraging at sea while the other guards the chick on land, the death of an albatross at sea may have an exponential effect as both the brooding parent and chick may die when the albatross they are waiting for to bring them food, fails to return. Also, with delayed sexual maturity and few offspring produced, population decreases can occur even with relatively modest increases in adult mortality rates.
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Task Force
BirdLife, and working in a remarkable programme
To address the global threat of albatross extinctions,
like the Albatross Task Force, is a great privilege.'
in 2005 the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
In 2006 South Africa became the first country
and BirdLife International, formed the Albatross
to establish an ATF team. Through constructive
Task Force (ATF) as the world's first international
engagement between ATF team members and
team of dedicated instructors to work directly
fishermen, as well as the promotion of bycatch
with fishermen to demonstrate the correct use of
mitigation measures such as setting lines at night so
mitigation measures to reduce albatross and other
that seabirds can't see baited hooks, reducing deck
seabird bycatch.
lighting, and weighting lines so that they sink, South
Dr Ross M Wanless, Seabird Conservation
African longlining fisheries have reduced incidental
Programme Manager and Africa Co-ordinator –
seabird mortality by 85%. The most dramatic results
BirdLife International Marine Programme, says:
in the reduction of seabird deaths observed by the
'Working with a team to help prevent the extinction
ATF team, however, have been in the hake trawl
of iconic seabirds such as albatrosses is one of
fishery, where albatross deaths have been reduced
the most gratifying achievements of my life. I've
by 99% and other seabird deaths by 90%.
devoted most of my professional career to seabird
ATF Leader (South Africa), Bronwyn Maree, has
research and conservation, and I'm particularly
led her team with distinction and in recognition of
passionate about albatrosses. So being part of
her leadership capability and the pivotal role she
43 460 people. With an annual catch of 130 000 to 150 000 metric tons, the deepwater hake trawl fishery which targets Cape hakes, Merluccius paradoxus
(deep-water
hake)
and
Merluccius
capensis (shallow-water hake), is the country's most economically valuable fishery. In 2004 it also became the first fishery in Africa to obtain Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Certification. This ensures that fished stocks in the hake fishery remain stable and healthy, that ecosystem-wide impacts are minimised and not significant, and that there is continued monitoring and compliance to prescribed fishing regulations. MSC certification has been instrumental in the
reduction of albatross and other seabird deaths. Southern Africa Programme Manager of the Marine Stewardship Council, Martin Purves, says: 'This fishery should be commended on their approach and support which enabled such huge successes to be achieved in a relatively short period of time.' Hake spend the day on the seabed and are caught in nets towed behind fishing vessels. Processing of the catch takes place while fishing continues with wet fish vessels storing the processed fish on ice during trips lasting from three to eight days; while freezer vessels process fillets on board into frozen, boxed products, fishing trips lasting on average from two to six weeks. Wet fish vessels, which constitute from 60-70% of the South African hake fishery, have a higher rate of discards as unwanted headed and/or gutted fish off cuts are thrown overboard, a practice has played in albatross conservation, Maree was the
which attracts seabirds, especially albatrosses and
recipient of an international competitive award for
petrels, in their thousands. The seven-year BirdLife
young conservationists, the Future for Nature Award
South Africa study was conducted during daylight
2014, for which she was chosen from a total of 126
trawls on wet fish vessels.
applications from 58 countries.
Special
Vulnerable Scavenging
seabirds
are
most
vulnerable
to
Maree says: 'It has been incredibly special to be
becoming entangled with cables and being dragged
out on the boats with the fishermen as they realise
underwater and drowned during the 15-20 minute
how special an albatross is – in fact some skippers
setting phase of the fishing process when the large
have even taken up photographing albatrosses
nets of the trawlers, which are held in the water
while out at sea through our work. This project
by thick cables, are deployed in the early morning
is also an excellent example of how collaboration
when there is intense seabird activity as the seabirds
between government, environmental NGOs and
are then at their hungriest. During setting the vessel
fishing corporations can result in hugely significant
moves fast and the exposed cables move downwards
conservation successes.'
as the net sinks, exacerbating the downward force
South Africa's commercial fisheries constitute
of the water against the cables, and forcefully
0.5% of the country's GDP and employ approximately
dragging entangled birds downwards. Seabirds may
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Although the deployment of bird scaring lines (BSLs) has been mandatory in the South African hake fishery since mid-2006, compliance was not widespread. also strike the trawl cables while in flight, sustaining serious injury such as a broken wing. Although the deployment of bird scaring lines (BSLs) has been mandatory in the South African
hake fishery since mid-2006, compliance was not widespread. Through positive engagement with fishermen and demonstration that BSLs are relatively inexpensive (under US$100 per line), easy to use and extremely effective at reducing seabird deaths from cable interactions, the ATF team has helped to change this. A trawler's BSL consists of a 30m main line of strong rope with 5-10 paired streamer lines of a lighter, visible material, attached at two metre intervals. The main line is secured to and deployed off the stern of the moving vessel, typically with a road cone, providing drag that tensions the line and keeps it aloft behind the vessel, usually parallel with the trawl cables. The paired streamer lines which hang downwards from the main line distract and confuse seabirds enough to keep them away from the trawlers' cables.
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Collaboration The BSLs are made through a collaborative project between BirdLife South Africa and the Ocean View Association for Persons with Disabilities (OVAPD), by a team of eight men and women with various intellectual and physical disabilities from OVAPD. Their construction takes less than an hour. They are made on demand and then sold to the fishing industry to bring in an income for the OVAPD centre. Deborah Gonsalves, manager of the OVAPD centre says: 'The bird scaring line project is very important to us because it helps to sustain the centre and the fact that we are helping to save seabirds is quite a feather in our cap. It proves that people with intellectual and physical challenges can still have something to offer, doing good to save the environment.' With
conservation
success
stories
being
increasingly hard to find, every project that provides win-win benefits to all concerned should be inestimably valued.
SG
Conservation news
Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2015 Winners Now in its 51st year, the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition provides a showcase for the world’s very best nature photography. The competition is owned by the world-renowned and trusted British institution, the Natural History Museum. Wildlife Photographer of the Year presents an attractive proposition for corporate partners that share the Museum’s principles and values. The Wildlife Photographer of the Year series consists of a major exhibition at the Natural History Museum in London and a worldwide tour. The winning images appear on this website and leading publications worldwide. As a result, the photographs are seen by millions.
For more visit www.nhm.ac.uk
FRESH PRODUCE FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL MySchool together with partners Woolworths Financial Services and Urban Harvest have established a school food garden at Chapel Street Primary School in Woodstock, Cape Town. At Chapel Street about 350 learners are in need of meals on a daily basis, but the feeding scheme only provides for around 100 to 150, so the garden will supplement the meals, but will also be a learning/educational tool for all the grades. Recently, the edible garden was launched with a harvest table created by ex-MasterChef finalist Sue-Ann Allen and some of the learners from the school's garden club. All the dishes were prepared with produce from the garden. 91 S G
Conservation news
Critical water resources gobbled up by alien invasives As South Africa continues to battle the drought which is further impacting on already scarce water supplies, the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) is implementing measures to conserve wetlands – a primary source of fresh water – and to prevent the loss of water resources to alien invasive plants. The Chrissiesmeer Protected Environment (which forms part of the protected area network of South Africa) comprises over 300 lakes and pans, as well as other wetland types. Due to its richness in wetlands and water birds it is a proposed Ramsar site (wetland of international
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iSimangaliso signs contract to restore Lake St Lucia The iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority signed a R10 million contract with Cyclone Engineering Projects (Pty) Ltd to remove some 100 000 m3 of dredge spoil obstructing the natural course of the uMfolozi River. A further R20m has been allocated to continue the work, and additional funding will be sourced to complete the restoration.
importance). Many of our threatened bird species depend
Dredge spoil was artificially deposited in the natural
on wetlands for their survival. These include the grey
course of the uMfolozi River to separate it from the
crowned crane which uses the Chrissiesmeer wetlands
St Lucia Estuary in the belief that it would protect the
for breeding in the summer months. The health of these
estuary from silt inflows. This significantly reduced
wetlands is negatively impacted by invasive alien plants
freshwater to Lake St Lucia from the uMfolozi River,
such as black wattle and bluegum trees, which take up
the largest of the five rivers entering the system. It also
huge amounts of water which would otherwise have
interfered with nature’s ability to regulate the opening
flowed into the wetlands, thus impacting negatively on
and the closing of the estuary mouth.
the amount of water available within the wetlands for use
Today the impacts of this approach are still evident. With
by plants, animals and humans.
current rainfall levels the lowest in 65 years, the Lake
Communities living within the Chrissiesmeer Protected
system has compartmentalised. Presently, only some
Environment celebrated the start of a new invasive alien
30% of the Lake’s surface area has water and species
clearing project on World Wetlands Day (2 February).
recovery is slow.
Funded by the Department of Environmental Affairs,
'Freshwater from the uMfolozi River is critical – even
the project focuses on local job creation through the
more so in times of drought,' says Andrew Zaloumis, CEO
clearing of invasive alien plants, and is undertaken in
of iSimangaliso. 'The restoration of the uMfolozi’s natural
partnership with Eastern Wetland Rehab. This ensures
course is important for the hydrological functioning of
the improved health of the wetlands and surrounding
Lake St Lucia. Without this, Lake St Lucia will not recover.
grasslands and thus has a positive impact on water
'The signing of the contract with Cyclone Engineering is a
availability for communities and cranes within the
moment that will stand alongside the day in 1996 when
Protected Environment. The value of this is especially
former president Mandela and his cabinet saved Lake St
pertinent during this current dry period.
Lucia from dune mining,' Zaloumis points out.
Rhinos without borders Great Plains Conservation has committed alongside industry partner andBeyond to undertake a relocation of rhinos on a magnitude never done before – to relocate no less than 100 rhino from South Africa to safe havens in Botswana. This relocation operation will take place with an assertive and elaborate anti-poaching force and strong commitment to save this species. This initiative is about taking rhinos from existing, high-density populations which are attracting more and more poaching, and releasing them into the wild within a country that has low densities of rhino and the best anti-poaching record on the continent. It also secures rhino breeding diversity and provides a nucleus of stock in a different location, so that these animals are not all concentrated in one location. It’s not a rescue, but it could be considered an Ark for rhino genes. This is, however, a story of hope for rhinos, where conservationists, individuals, as well as industry and tourism professionals roll up their sleeves and do something positive for two species that cannot speak for themselves and cannot protect themselves from our greed, corruption and abject stupidity. ‘Rhinos Without Borders’ is a joint venture between Great Plains Conservation and andBeyond combining joint fundraising and project management efforts.
Bird declines show that climate change is more than just hot air Scientists have long known that birds are feeling the heat due to climate change. But a new study of a dozen affected species in the Western Cape suggests their decline is more complex than previously thought – and in some cases more serious. There could be several reasons why birds are being negatively affected by man-made climate change, according to the study by scientists from the Percy Fitzpatrick Institute at the University of Cape Town and the Centre for African Conservation Ecology, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. The study, which was published in the Oxford University Press journal Conservation Physiology, suggests that contrary to expectations the birds' heat tolerance – or lack thereof – is not necessarily the main factor chasing species out of their preferred habitat. Other factors like changing fire and rainfall patterns, and new bird behaviour patterns could also be responsible for the decline, according to the study which includes some well-known species such as the malachite sunbird and the familiar chat. The main findings are that physiology, though often considered
the
ultimate
factor
limiting
species
distributions, may not be the factor responsible for warming-related declines in most Fynbos birds.
Click here for more info.
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