Green Home Magazine Issue 16

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Sasol Homegas brings

your home to life Sasol Homegas is an alternative source of energy for your home. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) provides energy to heat your water, power your cooker and heat your home for less. Sasol Homegas is not just clean, safe and reliable but will also assist in tackling the current energy challenges and contribute to the economic wellbeing of the country. Aside from reducing electricity consumption and costs, Sasol Homegas contributes to a greener home and smaller carbon footprint. The future is Sasol Homegas.

For more information, please contact Itumeleng Mashigo, Cell: 079 884 5836 Thulani Mavimbela, Cell: 082 445 8282

A word from the Editor

T

his is my eighth edition of Green Home magazine and marks a year at the helm of this publication. My first issue was hastily edited in a flat in Istanbul where I was hiding out after being tear gassed (I’d been caught in a violent cross-fire) when the demonstrators were taking on the might of Erdogan’s security policemen in protest against the bull dozing of Gezi park. I was visiting the city to attend Al Gore’s Climate Leader’s Training but the realities of climate science and climate change were quickly replaced with visceral fear as I had to walk (don’t run they said) away from a phalanx of Turkish armed forces; the men in black. As this magazine goes to press there is a worldwide outcry against the atrocities being perpetrated against the innocent people in Palestine and insane actions of rebels who chose to shoot a civilian aeroplane out of the sky. The art of diplomacy and reason is totally out to lunch and the barbarians are running the slaughter house. With this in mind and the day to day harsh truths that South Africa’s story dishes out it may be churlish to think that there is anything an individual can do to make any impact on the out of control forces. But there is, still. In each day a new option is given to do your best, be kind, help someone in need and make a difference by giving a smile or offering an acknowledgement of work well done. I say this to remind myself to keep on keeping on and do what I can in the sphere of life I can influence. And one of these ways is through this magazine.

It makes an editors day to get a ‘letter’ so do let me know what you think of the publication and what you enjoy reading, as well as what you’d like to see more of.

On the 9th August it is Women’s Day; remember to give thanks to the remarkable women in your life and honour those who have lost their children, husbands and lovers in the escalating conflicts around the world.

My wish is for there to be peace: Peace within us, peace around us and harmony between humanity and the natural world that sustains us.

Melissa

GREEN home

living informed today

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magazine R 29 (VAT INCL)

Green Home magazine is printed on FSC approved paper. the

Design Edition

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Issue 16 09016

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Cover: Products chosen from The Green Elephant Collective and Mzansi Store South Africa www.greenelephantcollective.co.za www. mzansistore.com www.greenhomemagazine.co.za

IMAGES AND DIAGRAMS DISTRIBUTION MANAGER ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES

Melissa Baird Nicole Kenny Annie Pieters Elna Willemse Esther Kabaso nicole.kenny@alive2green.com Gordon Brown, Lloyd Macfarlane, Andrew Fehrsen Chevonne Ismail www.alive2green.com www.greenhomemagazine.co.za Cape Media House, 28 Main Rd, Rondebosch.

TEL: 021 447 4733 FAX: 086 694 7443 2006/206388/23 4130252432 First Published July 2011 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any way or in any form without the prior written consent of the publisher. The opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the publisher or the editor. All editorial contributions are accepted on the understanding that the contributor either owns or has obtained all necessary copyrights and permissions.

Publishers do not endorse claims by advertisers.

Space limitations and source format have affected the size of certain published images and/or diagrams in this publication. For larger PDF versions of these images please contact the Publisher.

Edward MacDonald, distribution@alive2green.com sales@alive2green.com

PUBLISHER

greenhome

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August/September 2014

CONTENTS

7

TALKING GARBAGE making your own nifty things

9 PLANTING GUIDELINES

seasonal planting and companion guide 12

12

31

39

Subscribe and win

LIVING one gorgeous green house

19 KNOW IT

the why and how about organic wine 22

PRODUCTS a round up of green home ideas and nifty solar devices

27

BOOKS white lions and crazy healthy food

29

GAME CHANGERS farmer Glen

31

TRAVEL tree planting in Zambia

35

FUTURE LEADERS careers and icons of the future

39

TRANSPORT the very first electric car race

42

RENEWABLE ENERGY solar cooling and wind power

Green Home is renewable and recyclable. Don’t let it go to waste. Recycling reduces greenhouse gas emissions by diverting paper from landfill, reduces litter and creates sustainable business and job opportunities.

Visit www.mywaste.co.za

Locally based designers Ballo have launched their first product range- eyewood – a range of wooden sunglasses that are as environmentally friendly as they come. Using wood veneer off-cuts from local furniture manufactures and recycled paper material means that this statement accesory is not only trendy but also a responsible fashion choice. One lucky, new subcriber to Green Home Magazine stands a chance to win the pair of new Warman Grey lensed Imbuia wooden eyewear. Enter via the website: www.alive2green.com/ghm-subscriptions. Entries close on the 28th August 2014 and the winner is selected via a lucky draw.

The prize is sponsored by a wonderful initiative called the Green Elephant Collective. They have a wonderful product range of designed and specialised green items for the home and are supporting South African designers. Please visit their website to see the full range of delightful home wares on offer. twitter: GreenElephantCollective • www.greenelephantcollective.co.za

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Garbage

TALKING

BY Melissa Baird and Lizl Naude

talkinggarbage

O

ver the last eight editions of this magazine you have been introduced to the concept that every day waste can be transformed into other things after their initial life cycle. Now it’s time to turn your hand and try out a few funky ways of making new items out of things we thought weren’t that useful after all. Have fun and send us your pictures of what you make. We’ll feature the most creative expressions in the next issue.

MAKE A SCARF HOLDER We’re getting ready for winter in the southern hemisphere. And boy it get’s cold in Jozi! What better way to prepare for the cold season than organise your scarves! Let’s make a DIY scarf holder:

RECYCLED T-SHIRT SCARF This week’s project is perfect for these autumn-springy days!

Material needed:

Wood hanger Curtain rings Sellotape Spray paint

GREAT NEWS

1. Gather the material together 2. Take a solid wood hanger 3. Use big wooden curtain hooks and tape them to the hanger 4. Use your preferred colour and spray-paint the whole unit!

5. Hang your scarves and voila!

You can make more than one for all your scarves. Also, remember this is quick art using normal household items, so no expenses needed!

What you need:

An old ladies t-shirt Scissors

1. Start by laying the t-shirt on a flat surface 2. Cut off the top section (just below the armpits) 3. Started snipping away.

This is a really cool project to try. It is cheap and a great way to recycle old t-shirts! Enjoy!

HOW TO MAKE A TABLE USING OFF-CUTS I had a vision of a puzzle and immediately knew I wanted to have that kind of effect. I used free supawood off-cuts from my wood supplier. I also bought mistints from my local paint store.

Once primed and painted, I used super-strong glue to mend the pieces and clamped it together overnight. I updated my old table by giving it a lick of paint and place the new top on top! Voila!

Another recycled masterpiece! Go on and try it! It is a real conversation piece!

Grabbing the recycling-for-cash opportunity with both hands has transformed Thys Wanyane’s life. He’s gone from running an informal recycling operation to owning a successful business, Wanyane Trading Enterprise in Klerksdorp.

Four years ago, Thys Wanyane, now owner of Wanyane Trading Enterprise, also known as ‘Thys Recycling’, started his operation with only one employee. He spent his time cleaning up the local taverns and parks in Jouberton, Klerksdorp.

After entering the Collect-a-Can National School Competition applying to become an agent for them, he has turned his world around and is now a successful business owner. Awesome!

Wanyane is grateful for the chance that was granted to him by Collect-a-Can and describes it as one that opened doors for him. “It was an opportunity to clean the environment, grow my business and generate an income”, he explains.

Wanyane has big goals for the future of his recycling operation. “In the next five years, I would like to support an employment team of 60 people with my recycling operation and also reach out to more companies to encourage them to recycle their recyclable waste.”

www.greenhomemagazine.co.za

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Water Wise Gardening Originally the Highveld was a grassland ecosystem, surviving on rainfall alone.

However, through urbanisation, Gauteng has become the world’s largest urban forest, with over 10 million trees in gardens, parks, golf courses, sports grounds and streets.

The urban landscape has changed from one that could survive on rainfall alone, to one that requires regular, year-round watering. The required watering means that water used in landscapes and gardens now accounts for between 31% and 50 % of water supplied for domestic/urban use.

Applying Water Wise principles in a garden or landscape can reduce water consumption, saving you 10% to 32% of your water used.

Saving water will save you money but it will also save the environment we rely on so much to provide us with fresh air, clean water and food.

For more information on how to implement Water Wise principles, please visit our stand at Decorex or contact us on 0860 10 10 60 or go to www.randwater.co.za and click on the Water Wise logo.

landscapes

AUGUST

& SEPTEMBER

PLANTING GUIDELINES

BY Matthew Koehorst

I

f you’re lucky, you may begin to feel the first few touches of spring in August, especially as the month progresses. August can be a busy month in the garden, preparing for the flush of life that the longer and warmer days will ultimately bring. Prepare unused beds for planting by clearing winter weeds or cover crops and applying a good layer of mulch. Get a jump on your spring and summer crops by getting seedlings started under cover in a greenhouse or simple cold frame.

Be wary of cold snaps country wide and late season rainfalls if you live in winter rainfall regions. You can amend your soils with bone meal and compost, especially beds that you plan to plant out in a couple of months.

September brings even longer and warmer days and your garden should really shake off it’s winter coat by this point. Work with the rhythm of nature and plant out seedlings that are well enough established to join in the growth spurt of the first few warm days of the season. Make sure to keep some seedling protected for late season cold spells. Mid to late September is a great time to start a salad plot, but watch out for hungry slugs, snails and other insects that are growing along with your plants. Spring , while the sap is rising, is a perfect time for taking cuttings, so propagate some of your favourite herbs and trees this way.

Beautifully useful garden plants:

Keen to design your garden as something beautiful, as well as edible, fragrant and functional? Try these fantastic plants this spring to add colour, taste and texture to your home garden.

CROP LIST Root Crops Carrot Beetroot Turnip Radish Onion Leek Leaf Crops Spinach Lettuce Cabbage Cauliflower Broccoli Parsley Morog Fruit Crops Tomato Chilli Aubergine Kohlrabi Cucumber Pumpkin Squash Marrow Mealie Melon

Purple leafed basil Cultivars like Purple Russels will add a touch of colour and vigour to your garden beds, as well as your salads.

Cosmos These pretty, flat, daisy like flowers make a great landing platform for bees and beneficial insects and are easy to germinate from seed.

Geraniums The geranium family brings colour, fragrance and texture to your garden beds, as well as attracting beneficial predatory and pollinating insects.

Try getting your hands on the beautiful indigenous fynbos varieties that we’re blessed with if you live in the Cape.

Rosemary and Sage These classic herbs are not only delicious in the kitchen, but are rumoured to be fantastic companion plants that repel insects like cabbage flies and other flying pests. Rosemary takes well from cuttings and sage should be planted from seed.

www.greenhomemagazine.co.za

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landscapes

GARDEN FRIENDS: SOME COMPANIONS FOR EARLY SPRING

C

ompanion planting is the practise of combining two or more types of plants to create symbiotic or win-win relationships in your garden. Some companion plants ward off pests, while others attract beneficial and predatory insects to your garden. Other plants grow simply grow well together because they don’t compete with one another for light or root space.

There are hundreds of different tested and untested companion planting arrangements, but to get you started, why not experiment with some tried and tested combinations?

Keep a notebook of how your companions are faring and try combinations several times to really get a good idea of what works and what doesn’t.

This spring, try some of these great companion plants: Beets Gardening lore holds that beets thrive in the company of cabbage and its relatives as well as onions. Try intercropping beets, onions and kohlrabi and even throw in some mint (Mentha spp.) to ward off flea beetles.

Beets thrive in a sunny spot with loose, fertile and well drained soil. Sow seeds 2.5 cm deep and 5cm apart in early August (or a month before the last frost in frost areas). Thin seedlings to 5cm apart and enjoy young seedlings and tender leaves in salads or steamed.

Dill Dill can be very useful in a companion garden. Not only are the flowers a popular place for predatory insects and smaller beneficial insects to visit, it’s also alleged to repel aphids and spider mites, probably due to its aroma. It can also act as a ‘trap crop’ (a plant that attracts pests to allow for easy removal) for green tomato hornworms. You can sow dill alongside lettuce, onions, cucumbers and the cabbage family.

Dill sprouts in cool rather than warm weather, so sow early. Sow seeds 6mm deep and 10cm apart in average well drained soils in spring. Thin seedlings to stand 20 to 30 cm apart.

Marigolds Marigolds are well reputed in companion planting circles for their reputed insect repelling properties.

Companion gardeners suggest planting them ¬¬cabbages, tomatoes, potatoes and roses as a means of controlling aphids, cabbage loopers, nematodes and cabbage worms.

Plant marigolds in separate beds to your vegetables as they may have alleopathic qualities. Grow marigolds as a cover crop in a dormant bed and turn them into the soil at the end of the season to prevent against nematodes.

Sow seeds in lean to average soil with full sun spaced 30 to 60 cm apart. Pinch off spent flowers to promote bush growth and more flowers.

10 10

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1 living

GORGEOUS

GREEN HOUSE

The quest for a home with a beneficial environmental footprint that enabled birds and urban wildlife to flourish and secured water and food for their family has taken Jane, Greg and their children on a seven year adventure, and when complete, will be one of the greenest, most beautiful homes in South Africa.

BY Melissa Baird

1. Roof garden 2. Garden reflection in facade 3. Re-cycling old doors. They are solid Oregon so will be gorgeous when sanded down 4. Roof garden and facade 1.

2.

3.

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4.

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living

“

“

CONTEMPORARY BEAUTY IS NOT INCOMPATIBLE WITH GREEN

J

ane and I finally found each other after various technological communication amusements, like email addresses that looked like spam and blocked numbers on cell phones, that prevented an easy introduction. But it was well worth it when we finally did speak to one another as her warmth, enthusiasm and down- right “can do” anything attitude won me over immediately.

Her house is an example of this extraordinary attitude towards life and the journey she and her family have been on since making their decision to live as lightly on this planet as possible, has been nothing short of a books worth of information and first hand experiences when it comes to making the shift towards a low-impact, self-sufficient lifestyle.

She made it clear “Our vision was not just to put some green technology into a house , but to develop a gentler and kinder way of living on the planet.” And with all great stories it had to have a beginning which was the demolition derby (of sorts) of the original house that they had bought that was built circa 1940. But there was very little waste and every bit that could be recycled, was and what could not, was re-used and shared within the community.

Old doors were re-purposed into cupboards, an old gate was turned into a garden trellis and even the old tiles have had a face lift and are used to beautify the garden patio.

Jane and her life - partner are taking the green principals of living to another level, literally, by investing in a living roof

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and a hanging garden that maximises use of space and adds a whole new dimension to the property, ensuring abundant biodiversity and a haven for the urban wildlife that will find a space of tranquility to live in next to their human inhabitants.

A living roof does more than just create a naturally beautiful and fairly astonishing sight; it also acts a wonderful insulator that reduces the amount of cooling and heating required. It also acts a sound buffer and is a rather novel fire retardant.

The whole family has been living through the regeneration of their home ( taking up residence in an outbuilding during the renovations which is not everyone’s cup of tea but once again, her humour and positivity beat any of the irritations that result from the process of change. Utilising permaculture techniques their garden will provide organic vegetables, offer a safe haven for bees and chickens will not only act as garden pest control agents and provide amazingly fresh and healthy eggs on a daily basis. The pond that is planned for the entrance to the house will be full of Tilapia fish – that will also be a source of protein for the family. The pond system will utilise all waste from the fish as nutrients for the garden so there is a complete cycle at work. In nature nothing is wasted and these principals are firmly in place in this home design.

An important element of the homes green features is its rain water harvesting and recycling capabilities. Jane and Greg have two children ( Caitlin 20 and Peter 17 ) and figures prove that an average family of four uses between 300 – 350 litres

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13 13

ALL WATER IS RAINWATER Harvest yours today… it’s free!

“Don’t blow it, good planets are hard to find.”

W

ith the cost of water likely to increase and the escalation in water outages in many urban areas, smart homeowners are supplementing their municipal water supply by installing JoJo rainwater-harvesting tanks.

Good news is that JoJo tanks offer a range of sizes (from 750Lt to 20 000Lt) and fashionable colours that suit most home colour schemes.

It’s also the only tank with an 8-year warranty.

013 262 3021

www.jojotanks.co.za

JoJoTanksSaveWater

@JoJo_Tanks

Owl House

living

of water per day. Over a year that adds up to a staggering 127 750 litres and almost 90% of that water simply leaves the home as wastewater!

That is a terrible waste and with water resources becoming more and more threatened it makes perfect sense to recycle (up to 60% of wastewater can be) and store (from rain water) as much of one’s own as possible. Their tank has the capacity for 20 000 litres and it is a matrix tank system designed by Pula. This system allows water to be stored for long periods without stagnating. Recycled plastic bottles were turned into roof insulation and there are 20 solar panels on the roof generating all the energy the family needs.

All in all it adds up to one jolly gorgeous ‘green’ house that will provide beautiful off the grid living that is cost effective and as secure as can be.

You can follow Jane and Greg’s journey into awesome energy efficient and low impact living further on her blog: gorgeousgreenhouse.wordpress.com

Water Harvesting – Absolute Sense Water that comes from hand basins, showers and baths is called grey water and it is perfectly safe to recycle this water for use in the garden. By recycling this “grey” water you can save hundreds of thousands of litres per year which per annum saves on your water bills, not to mention our fresh water resources.

There are two options for harvesting your grey water:

>1. The simplest grey water system consists of gravity feeding water to an underground sump (JoJo Water Tanks supplies a 50Lt drum, placed in an enclosure and fitted with an inspection cover) where it passes through a macro filter to remove hair fluff and lint and this water is immediately pumped or drip-irrigated into the garden. With this system the greywater must be utilised within 24 hours. If stored for longer, it becomes what is known as “black water” which can develop an offensive odour.

>2. A more sophisticated WHAT IS GREYWATER? Greywater is defined as water from showers, baths, hand basins in the bathrooms and washing machine water. It does NOT include water from the toilets, kitchen/ scullery sinks or dishwasher. This water is classified as black water.

The pit that will house the water harvesting system.

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system pumps the water from the 50Lt tank into an above ground 750Lt tank, passing through a Venturi valve, that injects ozone into the greywater, cleaning, disinfecting and oxidizing all impurities. This system allows greywater storage for a much longer period of time. A pressure booster pump attached to the tank, can pump the water to an irrigation system.

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of Rain Harves SuppliersSuppliers of Rain Harvesting Prod & & of Rain Harvesting Suppliers ofSuppliers Rain Harvesting Products &Products Irrigation Products Irrigation Produ Irrigation Products & Irrigation Products Suppliers of Rain Harvesting Products & Irrigation Products 5.

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First Flush Diverter - Cleaning Mechanism for 1mm Rainwater captured from roof

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Leaf Catcha - Self cleaning 12. Tank Gauge - Shows water level Captures all dirt from of tank Mike Breslauer : Director | Wetec (Pty) Ltd gutters

Tel: +27 11 708 7950 • Fax: +27 11 708 4780 • Fax2Mail: 086 577 7140 mailto: mike@wetec.co.za • Website: www.wetec.co.za

12.

living

Family Matters...

Install a Heat Pump, which can potentially cut your water heating costs by up to 67% compared to a regular geyser- 49m

Reducing the energy consumption of a large family home seems an insurmountable task and many better-off households are too entrenched in old habits that are not efficient.

This is why the Green Building Council decided to showcase a family’s journey towards being a whole lot smarter with the way they use energy and dispose of waste.

“

If it’s not in use, switch off the juice!

For easy energy saving tips go to www.49m.co.za

www.greenhomemagazine.co.za

“

They have lived in their double-story home in Cape Town for 11 years. It has five bedrooms, three lounges, a dining room, a kitchen and two bathrooms. There is a swimming pool and some ‘outbuildings’, as well as a double garage. The erf size is about 880m2.

According to the WWF Planet report we currently consume 50% more natural resources than the Earth’s ecosystems can replenish and we generate more waste and pollution than is healthy for the Earth or for us. The people with the highest disposable incomes are responsible for consuming the most and producing the most waste. Most of them understand that this is not a sustainable way to live but lack the inspiration to change entrenched habits.

The Ngewana family were selected to receive a ‘green makeover’ for their home, and in turn will document the ‘what’ and ‘how to’ be more cost-effective in their choices and what’s possible working with what they have and what needs to be changed.

Their journey began in March and at the end of August the results will be available so see what impacts the behaviour change and retrofitting of their home’s appliances will be.

You can follow the simple tips and suggestions via the web site www.mygreenhome.org.za . These are just a few of the things that can be done and that will make the most difference. But of course all the little things do add up, and so we encourage everyone to do everything they can at home.

greenhome

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knowit

THE ORG DE RAC FLAGSHIP RANGE FOR THE REFINED CONNOISSEUR

WHY YOU SHOULD BUY ORGANIC WINE ORG DE RAC SETS A SHINING EXAMPLE

BY Gordon Brown

S

outh Africans love wine, and like all wine lovers we associate wine with all things pure and true.

Images of vines so green they shock the senses, growing in fertile soil of origin and hung with fruit pregnant with the nectar of the Gods; of young maidens trampling the grapes in the winery, of wine fermenting in oak barrels, and the wise and expert wine maker tasting and perfecting his creation. Ah yes – fruit of the vine and work of human hands… a spiritual pursuit!

The truth however is that modern intensive wine production is not quite so pure and natural, and is taking a heavy toll on our natural resources. Water intensive farming methods, exploiting every arable square meter, using petrochemical based fertilizers and pesticides, and dumping cellar waste water, are just some unsustainable practices found in varying degrees among many of South Africa’s wine producers.

Some wine producers however are leading a movement to return wine production to somewhere close to the ‘ideal’ we perceive and indeed expect (without the trampling maidens of course), and certified organic wine estate Org de Rac,

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based near Picketberg in the Swartland Region is a shining example.

Through a combination of state of the art technologies in the winery, and some ancient ecologically intelligent strategies in the vineyards, Org de Rac has been able to produce exceptional wines that are internationally certified Organic.

Our philosophy from the outset, says Frank Meaker, general manager at Org de Rac, has been to change the perception that organic wines should taste different to conventionally produced wines.

It’s been our mission to produce wines of excellence from organically farmed grapes that meet every expectation of the consumer, and to do so at competitive price points.

According to Frank, the winery has been producing Organic wines since 2005, currently exporting 80% of its produce to established markets predominately in Scandinavia and East Asia. Frank believes however that local demand for organic wines is increasing, and Org de Rac is now gearing up to expand South African sales and distribution.

What a pleasure - I’ll take a case of the Chardonnay please…

ODR Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2011**** R120 per bottle Vineyard selected balanced ripe fruit vinified and aged for 24 months in New French oak 300 litre barrels. Aged 12 months in the bottle, this is a classical full bodied Swartland Cabernet rich in weight, fruit and wood integration.

ODR Shiraz Reserve 2011 **** R120 per bottle Vineyard low yield select vinified and aged for 20 months in new American and French oak barrels. Rich in black berry fruit with a melange of exotic spices and supported with a strong wood integrated back drop.

La Verne Blanc de Blanc MCC 2011**** R120 per bottle This fine Chardonnay cuvee was bottle fermented and had spent 24 months sur le (on lees) enriching the wine with the richness of the yeast autolysis actions.

It is a Blanc de Blanc in the true sense of the tradition, the finesse and elegance that is expected from a Cape classic.

ODR Reserve Merlot Reserve 2011 R120 per bottle The one that did not get the 4 Star Platter award but the one with the form that shows the most potential. Rich in structure, full bodied wood integrated very subtle leather berry and cigar undertones.

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PRODUCING WINE SUSTAINABLY AND EARNING ORGANIC CERTIFICATION IS NOT EASY - FRANK SUMMARISES SOME OF THE SUSTAINABLE APPROACHES USED AT THE ORG DE RAC WINE ESTATE AS FOLLOWS: At Org De Rac we adhere to a holistic approach in all our actions starting with vineyard soil preparation, planting of selected vines, irrigation practises, vine nutrition supplements, spraying for diseases and natural predatory pest control.

We use organic fertiliser, produced on the farm from manure and hay, supplemented with organic guanno and organic fish emulsions as growth stimulants, and invested long term in symbiotic fungi to improve root function.

Soil is managed using alternate working rows, leaving the other row fallow, growing cover crops, and taking care to prevent soil compaction.

Pest control begins with the location of the vines in relation to the prevailing winds, ensuring good air circulation during the growing and ripening season.

Actions include using natural pest predators to manage the insect balance, keeping geese to eat the snails for example.

Crops are sprayed with a centuries old Bordeaux recipe of sulphur and copper to inhibit potential vineyard diseases, and we aspire to run a weed-free estate resulting in less competition for water and fewer pests.

Green cellar practices are adhered to in the winery, resulting in lower levels of contamination of cellar effluent, which combined with an investment in a Microbiological effluent plant, reduces the COD and solids of the effluent, renders waste water useable for irrigation.

This in turn prevents river pollution and reduces the demand for river water for irrigation.

It also saves energy as water does not need to be pumped from the river.

Irrigation throughout the Vineyards is prescribed by continuous loggers underground that determine the water needs of the plant as the fruit develops and begins to ripen, enabling a high rate of water efficiency.

Organic wines thus have a much reduced carbon, water and river foot print.

To this end Frank and his colleagues are looking toward an investment in Sola PV in the future to minimise the carbon footprint even more, and as part of the holistic thinking, investing in people is also part of Org de Rac’s approach, caring for workers through various upliftment programs.

By committing large tracts of land to farming a single crop, biodiversity is negatively affected and to counter this Org de Rac has set aside 20 hectares of wetland, actively removed alien plant species replanting indigenous natural Cape floral species.

Org de Rac is a proud member of/participants in the following organisations/ initiatives: Integrated Wine Production of Wine Schemes www.ipwc.co.za WWF –SA BIODIVERSITY &WINE INITATIVE www.bwi.co.a Agricultural Ethical Trade Initiative of SA www.wieta.org.za SGS Organic Certification Austria

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livewell >>

GETTING THE GREEN LIGHT Since 2001, Restio Energy has been at the forefront of tackling energy poverty in Africa – whether through creating the necessary enabling environments, developing innovative delivery models for sustainable energy access, or practically commercializing clean energy products. However, it is not only in the electricity absent areas that Restio provides energy without a plug. These products can be seriously nifty while out camping, during load shedding, or even on long car journeys!

If you are a keen camper and are looking to buy or replace a gas cooker, why not invest in an efficient rocket stove, using wood/charcoal providing a low cost, low emission and environmentally friendly solution. Compared to an open fire this stove uses at least 50% less wood/charcoal, cooks 2-4 times quicker, produces 70% less smoke and 50% less greenhouse gases. And if you find yourself feeling the chills of the outdoors, this nifty little stove is just as effective as a heater. www.restio.co.za

Product showcase

Recyled and upcyled, check out these innovative solutions for every day items COMPILED BY Melissa Baird and Jess Handley

As many people will agree, there is nothing more frustrating that trying to get hold of someone only to have your cell phone die mid call, especially since modern day smart phones have a very short battery life. This neat solar cell phone charger is smaller than pocket size, charges all kind of cell phones (and has a built in mechanism that lets you know when it is fully charged) definitely the answer to avoid the cellphone crisis. www.restio.co.za

Think Lifestyle – Think Dan-Neil Lifestyle Solutions DAN-NEIL AWNINGS are designed to allow the warmth and sunshine in during winter months, while also giving you shade during summer days. You can choose between the waterproof ceiling sheets or adjustable aluminium Louvre’s. Protect your doors or windows with the classic aluminium curved, wedge or stylish ‘VGlass’ awnings or cool your building down and save energy with the beautiful aluminium eco cladding or vertical and horizontal sun screens. The stylish designs are perfectly incorporated into any architectural design. So whether you are building from scratch or renovating, Dan-Neil Lifestyle Awning Solutions offers you choice options.

011 791 1064 •sales@dan-neil.co.za •www.dan-neil.co.za

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livewell

If convenience and compactness are more your thing, why not get your hands on the all in one package, the Power Box. An all-in-one solar electricity system that powers phones, radios and up to four lights. BrightBox is one of the brightest Lighting Africa certified products and provides more light per charge than any other product tested. If charged for long enough, this magic box can provide up to 40 hours of energy; an ideal investment for regular festival goers or outdoor aficionados. www.restio.co.za

Be kind. Rewind

Before you out with the old and in with the new, overpriced and often non-refundable, seize the moment to take a piece of junk and turn it into something marvellous. As many of us will agree that at this time of the year outdoor excursions are not the most enticing idea, you can still keep yourself busy indoors with cool, crazy up cycling ideas.

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On a lighter note, take an old instrument or some paper cupcake holders that may have been lying around for quite some time and transform them into beautiful light features for the house.

Thanks to Restio’s innovative thinking, now you really can have the sun in your pocket. If you are someone that enjoys cool, funky items for your home or simply something different, try out this fun lighting accessory named “Little sun,” which is quite literally a ball of sunlight shaped as a sun. Only 12cms across, this small light can provide up to three hours of bright sunlight if left in the sun for a couple of hours. www.restio.co.za

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How about planting some new life into a couple of empty jam cans; if you are planning on keeping the cans indoors, try growing some tasty herbs for the kitchen such as basil or rocket. Be careful with rocket however, it can get a little enthusiastic when given too much water and might grow out of its can home sooner than anticipated

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Need a bit more hanging space for scarves and hats? Turn your old cutlery that is not dishwasher friendly into nifty little hooks that require minimal effort to assemble.

This bright little bulb is a great substitute for normal bulbs in the home, outdoors or during a power outage. Simply hang it out anywhere outside during the day and let it charge for three hours or more to produce a bright light. This product is so clever; it automatically turns off when other light sources are detected. Additionally it has an on and off switch that functions the same as a normal light. It is also extremely durable and waterproof, so you don’t have to worry if you have forgotten to bring it indoors and it starts to rain. www.restio.co.za

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How about doubling up some old suitcases to make a vintage nightstand?

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livewell LOCAL IS LEKKER

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Selected by the World Design Capital to be one of their official “lifestyle enhancer projects” and chosen by us because we love their socially minded initiative that supports small-scale creators and producers of quality handcrafted products in order for them to reach a broader market.

Furthermore, MzansiStore.com have launched an initiative to donate 5% of the sale of all products depicting South African birds or animals that are not already donating to wildlife causes. This donation will go to the Cape Parrot Project - Wild Bird Trust.

These are just some of the #HandmadeInSA products on offer. Follow their progress in WDC 2014 # WDC516.

Pretty proteas placemat with plate and fly away birds placemat

Handmade by Me with their Save the Rhino Tea Towel of which 10% of the sale goes to the Forever Wild Rhino Fund.

Protea coaster bowls Heart aloe-white on grey cushion and gun metal-blue skull cushion

D&M Made with Love with their Cape Vulture Wallmounted Chalkboard. 10% of all it’s sales is donated to Vulpro.com.

www.greenhomemagazine.co.za

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YOUR FAVOURITE NEWSPAPERS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE DIGITALLY NOW!

CONVENIENCE AT YOUR FINGERTIPS! Buy your favourite newspaper on your iPad from Apple’s App Store or log onto www.inlsubs.co.za.

independent THE

SUNDAY

shelftalk

REVIEWS Melissa Baird and Jess Handley

The Story of the Princess Alia Foundation

SMALL MIRACLES

SMALL MIRACLES

Miracles: The Story of the Princess Alia Foundation

Let us read, and let us dance; these two amusements will never do any harm to the world.

C Small

HRH Princess Alia Al Hussein and Sharifa Sarra Ghazi

o-authored by HRH Princess Alia, eldest daughter of the late King Hussein of Jordan, and Sharifa Sarra Ghazi, Small Miracles, the Story of the Princess Alia Foundation tells of an extraordinary charitable endeavour. When it was established in 2009, the authors little knew how the Foundation would fundamentally change their lives, as well as the lives of countless others – both animal and human.

When Lyn White, an animal cruelty investigator, suggested the need for an organisation to alleviate and prevent the appaling abuse of animals she was daily witness to, Princess Alia immediately embraced it and saw in it a wider mandate to include special needs and public health, as well as animal welfare. Tireless in her charitable work and a woman of limitless compassion, she nonetheless needed support to get the idea off the ground, and the obvious choice was her cousin Sharifa Sarra Ghazi, someone already committed to animal welfare and to general education, and highly organised and motivated besides.

The Foundation is now well established. Originally staffed entirely by volunteers and still dependent on donations and support from kindly individuals and organisations within Jordan and around the world, its reputation and reach continue to grow. The New Hope Centre was launched in 2010 to provide medical care and rehabilitation for rescued and confiscated wildlife and endangered animals, and Growing Together (Equine Therapy), initiated in late 2010, has shown remarkable results with troubled and autistic children.

More recent projects include partnership with Vier Pfoten International to establish the Al Ma’wa Wildlife Sanctuary, and Learning Today, Leading Tomorrow, whose mission is to help troubled youths become the agents of change and lead the world towards a brighter future The story of the Foundation, its triumphs and tragedies, hopes and dreams, and the small miracles that take place each day, is told here – at times harrowing and heartbreaking, at times joyful and uplifting. Above all, it is indisputable evidence of the humbling and transformative power of kindness.

Written with passion and humour and gloriously illustrated, this book should be compulsory reading in every part of the world. It will do much to reawaken the seeds of compassion which reside in us all, but all too often lie dormant through inertia, ignorance or social conditioning. This is an inspiring story that will remind us that we share this planet and our destiny with all living things and will help to promote balance, harmony and respect for all creation.

The title is a classic example of understatement in that the story tells of THe SToRy of THe PRinceSS AliA foundATion nothing short of HRH Princess Alia Al Hussein an abundance of and Sharifa Sarra Ghazi miraculous events, interventions, intricate collaborations and the dogged action of a group of people, spearheaded by Princess Alia of Jordan and her cousin Sharifa Sarra Ghazi, determined to alleviate suffering and neglect wherever they encounter it. The at times harrowing accounts of rescue and intervention for the animals (lions, tigers, bears, hyenas, dogs, donkeys et al) confiscated from zoos, pet shops and illegal trade, and the descriptions of the appalling conditions of the abattoirs, are interspersed with the universal synchronicity that visits those who hear the call to action; one that embodies Ghandi’s injunction to us all: “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”

Written with passion and humour and gloriously illustrated, this book should be compulsory reading in every part of the world, to reawaken the seeds of compassion that live in all mankind but all too often lie dormant through ignorance or social conditioning; to remind us that we share this planet and our destiny with all living things, and to promote the balance, harmony and respect of all creation.

Published by: MEDINA PUBLISHING LTD www.medinapublishing.com ISBN: 978-0-9564170-8-4

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Books etc

- Voltaire

Funny Food Feeding children and making sure they receive all the necessary vitamins, minerals, fatty acids etc that are pivotal for healthy development, can sometimes prove to be a rather uphill battle.

But if figuratively, there are many ways to skin a cat, in this case there are as many ways to peel a vegetable.

Bearing in mind that when it comes to healthy food nothing is as good as the real thing; a married couple from New York has devised an interesting and slightly wacky way of making healthy food more appealing.

Published in 2012, Bill and Claire Wurtzel’s book Funny Food is an entertaining recipe book that disguises healthy foods in a variety of shapes, objects, animals and other things.

The couple, who are from creative directing and education backgrounds respectively, decided that after hearing too much about child obesity and heart disease they would work towards making healthy food more agreeable to youngsters.

The hardcover book consists of 365 silly and creative food ideas that will have even the most sensible person giggling at the breakfast table. A silly (but healthy breakfast) is a great way to start the day as a family with young children or for anyone that feels they need to bring more health and humour into the home. Irrespective of age, who could say no a canary look-alike fried egg on toast with olives and mushrooms?

Published by: Welcome Enterprises For more information of Funny Food, please visit: www.funnyfood.us Funny Food ISBN-13: 9781599621111

Saving the White Lions This memoir of conservationist Linda Tucker describes her struggle to protect the white lions of South Africa from the trophy-hunting industry. The story of the white lion is a curious one and steeped in mystery and legend. No wonder they are much sought after by trophy hunters and fetch a very high price in their demise.

Her story starts when she is stranded at Timbavati and faced by a pride of lions but saved by a local medicine woman. She leaves her life in Europe behind to find the woman, Maria Khosa, again and is told a prophecy about the Queen of the White Lions. In 2000 a snow white lion, Marah, is born and Tucker then decides to devote her life to freeing the white lions from trophy hunters and establishing a safe home for them.

The book is easy to read and illustrated with some photographs. A percentage of the proceeds is donated to the Global White Lion Protection Trust to ensure the white lions’ survival in their natural habitat.

ISBN 978-1-58394-605-3 Published by North Atlantic Books

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gamechangers

Social Entrepreneur EXTRAORDINAIRE!

BY Gordon Brown

G

len Haw master minded a business model that has earned millions for community partners, triggered many more millions of Rands worth of tourism spend into rural areas of South Africa, while at same time weaving a magical thread of trust and (dare I say) love amongst people who, but for these experiences, may otherwise have feared each other.

Affectionately known as ‘Farmer Glen’, he founded and co-founded several mountain bike stage races; the biggest of which is the Nedbank Sani2C. In seeking out the best possible mountain biking terrain for his events, Farmer Glen had to negotiate passage for several hundreds, and nowadays thousands of mountain bikers across nature conservancies, virgin forests, private farms, beaches, and tribal lands.

The small South African miracle that Farmer Glen has achieved is to connect otherwise completely disconnected people. To ride through farms and the tribal lands (former Bantustans under Apartheid) in particular, and see happy ,welcoming villagers along the route cheering you through’ is heart-warming.

No city slicker would voluntarily traverse these ‘no-go’ areas, let alone with their spouse, and on an expensive bicycle.

However this is no incidental or snap shot relationship - the farming communities that host the race villages of the Sani2C, the conservation areas, and the tribal villages that maintain the tracks that pass through their land, have been made partners, earning them tens of millions of Rands to date.

These earnings will continue to be used to build classrooms and libraries, to maintain and even grow conservation areas and to provide livelihoods to people in rural areas for as long as the world’s biggest mountain bike stage race continues.

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From left: Richard Coram, Farmer Glen and Gordon Brown at the finish line of the Sani2C. mountain bike race.

THE SMALL SOUTH AFRICAN MIRACLE THAT FARMER GLEN HAS ACHIEVED IS TO CONNECT OTHERWISE COMPLETELY DISCONNECTED PEOPLE. TO RIDE THROUGH THESE AREAS, AND SEE HAPPY WELCOMING VILLAGERS ALONG THE ROUTE, CHEERING YOU THROUGH, IS HEART-WARMING. It all started as an effort to raise funds for the Underberg Primary School, near the Sani Pass in the Drakensberg Mountains in KZN, where Farmer and adventure sportsman Glen Haw (inspired by his experience at the then brand new Cape Epic mountain bike stage race from

Knysna to Cape Town), decided to undertake a mountain bike stage race from Underberg to Scottsburg, from the Sani Pass to the sea. The Sani2C route was born.

Farmer Glen, in achieving success through the Sani2C approach has birthed a socially based business model, emulated by so many other mountain bike event entrepreneurs that there is now a mountain bike stage race almost every other week of the year in South Africa.

The combined direct and indirect tourism income derived from all these oversubscribed events must run to the hundreds of millions, but the good will created amongst the people involved is incalculable and invaluable. Thanks Glen!

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Your Destination for

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destinations

Zambia on my mind

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Impressions from Greenpop Zambia’s Festival of Action

BY Matthew Koehorst

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ivingstone, Zambia is an interesting place. It’s a melting pot of national and international diversity, a hotspot for tourism, a center of trade, an obstacle to migrating animals, and the so called ‘adventure capital of the world’.

It’s a modern day African city, abounding with aging colonial buildings, looming mango trees, wattle and daub villages, overwhelming craft and food markets filled with colourful Chitengi cloths, fragrant dried fish, Cassava chips, Teak charcoal, quality imported second hand clothes and hundreds of smiling Zambians.

People push heavily laden bicycles brimming with imported Zimbabwean neon orange cooldrink through the

streets, vendors sell Nyami Nyami necklaces, carved from river stones and said to represent the god of the thunderous Victoria Falls, and children play barefoot dusty soccer matches in copper coloured sands as the sun blankets the sky in tangerine tendrils of African light.

The people are as warm as the sunsets, with massive smiles, extended handshakes and open faces eager to discuss things with anyone passing, especially if there is a Mosi, the locally favoured beer named after the indigenous name for the Victoria Falls, Mosioa Tunya, in the mix.

Like many African cities, it’s also a place of struggle and hardship, and a place where people are intimately 02

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connected with the landscape they live on. Rural communities around Livingstone in particular rely on their land for survival.

This reliance, which underpins a thriving informal economy, has had a severe impact on the landscape itself, due to rising demand for natural resources and access to land. As a result of deeply complex issues, the land is currently being ravaged, with deforestation happening at alarming rates resulting in a swath of related knock-on effects from food insecurity to changing micro climates, reduced incomes, and an increasingly desperate situation for the country and region as a whole.

According to the UN, between 250,000 and 300,000 hectares of land are deforested yearly in Zambia. That’s the equivalent of around 600 rugby fields every day being cleared for firewood, construction, charcoal and timber export.

Deforestation is having a lasting impact in the area, reducing people’s income and productivity on the many small farms of the region. Slash and burn agriculture, charcoal burning, and a poorly regulated timber industry are all taking their toll on local ecological and economical systems.

Some predict that the deforestation may even result in the powerful Zambezi River losing most of its flow as rainfall drops with reduced evapotranspiration from trees. It’s serious stuff.

However, despite the challenges that the Zambian landscape faces, its people

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I planted trees with young children, old people, strangers and friends. I got dirty, got silly, got blisters and sampled my fair share of local beers.

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are some of the most amazing, kind, open and inspiring individuals you could ever have the privilege of meeting. It’s a great place to visit, a rewarding place to work, and a country with lots of potential.

Greenpop, a Cape Town based tree planting organisation, has been working in Livingstone for the past three years, hosting ‘Festivals of Action’ that attempt to tackle the diversity of environmental and social issues in the area by spreading information, inspiration and action in an attempt to activate people to ‘be the change’ and create the solutions that are needed in the area.

This year’s festival was the biggest and most diverse yet. Over 180 volunteers from around the world joined nearly 200 Zambians in planting trees, building eco structures, dancing the night away and sharing, learning and growing as a collection of ‘Human Doings’.

Above and beyond the planting of nearly 4000 trees, Greenpop also facilitated ‘participation projects’ which were run by partner organisations that focused on creativity, art, photography, self expression, alternative building practises and more. The organisation also hosted regular speaker evenings, musical events and workshops that encouraged engagement over key issues in the area, empowerment via the sharing of knowledge and a good dose of fun thrown in for good measure.

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I was lucky enough to be part of the Trees For Zambia 2014 Greenpop Team, and though I worked the hardest I have probably ever worked in my life, I had some truly magical and memorable moments that will stick with me forever.

I planted trees with young children, old people, strangers and friends. I got dirty, got silly, got blisters and sampled my fair share of local beers.

I fulfilled a childhood dream of climbing a Baobab tree and spent the sunset perched high in its gnarled and welcoming branches, watching the colours of the sky shift from burnt copper to deep purples as the tree reached its branches

to the stars and the sounds of the night rustled in the bushes.

I played the a most serious soccer team I have ever played against a merciless team of 13 year olds deadly with their precision and driven to a win by their supportive fans. I was brought to tears by the speeches of local Zambians about their environment and the need for change. I worked closely with inspiring local volunteers who could teach the oldest person there a thing or two about humility and quiet strength. I took part in a 200 person tree planting ceremony that honoured Nelson Mandela and was moved to tears by the words of Uncle

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destinations Benji, Greenpop’s Zambian Director of Trees- an octogenarian with more energy and spunk than most twenty year olds. I danced like crazy to disco music at 7am just after breakfast, and went on to be part of a team that planted 500 trees in a single morning, carrying the energy of our morning dance with us.

I learnt that there is massive power in people, getting active is better than getting anxious, giving is receiving, and smiling is a common language.

Thank you Zambia for your warmth, hope and hospitality.

01 The beautiful Baobab under the light of the stars 02 A student and Uncle Benji share a moment at Colour Ikhamava’s Mural project at Linda Farm School. Participation projects were a key feature of this years event.

03 Gathering for a game of soccer under the Arican sunset 04 The planting team gets a group photo in front of Jackaberry, the old trusty overlander truck.

05 An Orange tree stand proud in a field of 500 citrus trees planted last year at Sons of Thunder Farming Cooperative.

06 People join hands for Uncle Benji’s ceremonial tree planting

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futureleaders

Careers...

AUTHOR Jess Handley Last month we looked at how you could take your artistic talent and turn it into a possible career in design with endless possibilities, including industrial or eco design. But if you are feeling that the creative gene might have skipped a generation, why not consider venturing off into the legal field?

And in particular, defending the rights of something that does not have a voice, namely our precious environment. When we are accused of something, we have a constitutional right to legal representation. This is not the case

of the matter (i.e. whether the decision made is good or bad), but confines itself to deciding whether the correct procedural formalities were followed in arriving at the decision.

LAW OF THE LAND with a river, a forest or wetland; hence the growth of environmental law as a budding branch of law developing around the world and especially in South Africa.

As issues such as land dispute, illegal dumping, deforestation or excessive pollution are not going anywhere anytime soon and are in fact continuing to grow at a rapid pace, there is a need for lawyers that cater particularly to those seeking assistance with environmental matters. In order to find out what is required to become an environmental lawyer in South Africa, we spoke to Mr. Greg Daniels, a director at Cullinan and Associates, an environmental and green business law firm.

In order to practice environmental law as an attorney in South Africa you need a law degree, have completed a period of articles which varies from 18 to 24 months, have passed the Attorneys Board Exam and have been admitted as an attorney. It is highly recommended, although not essential, that you also complete a master’s degree in environmental law given that it is a specialised area of law.

On a day to day basis, environmental lawyers focus on activities that may have a significant effect on the environment usually requiring environmental and some other authorisation from the political head of organs of state. The decision to grant or refuse these authorisations can be challenged in a court. The court generally does not consider the merits

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Cullinan and Associates has been the recipient of a number of awards in their capacity as an environmental firm; most recently the prestigious Acquisition International environmental firm of the year award for 2014.

If you are interested in becoming an environmental lawyer, you can begin by studying law at any of the major universities in South Africa such as WITS, UCT, Stellenbosch, UKZN or UJ; many of which offer environmental law as an elective subject.

If you wish to do a masters in environmental law, take look at some of the following programmes offered by South African universities: http://www.llm-guide.com/south-africa Other research taken from: www.cullinans.co.za www.werksmans.com/legal-services-view/ environmental-law A special thanks to Mr. Gregory Daniels, Director, Cullinan and Associates environmental and green business attorneys.

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Enhancing Your Environment

Ecomist is the most effective insect and odour control system used extensively in all commercial, industrial & domestic establishments.

Ecomist Insect Killer has used natural pyrethrins to effectively control insects for decades. Natural pyretrins are bio-degradable, decomposing rapidly in the environment, making it an excellent and safe choice for controlling pests.

Perethrin comes from the Chrysanthemum flower which has a unique combination of insecticidal properties and is one of the safest insecticides known.

Pyrethrin, is effective against a wide range of insect pests including flies, ants, mosquitoes, cockroaches, fleas, etc.

Ecomist uses a unique dispensing system which is battery operated and emits the pyrethrin aerosol at set time intervals and dosages. It is interchangeable between insect and odour aerosols.

Ecomist has over a 100 different fragrances to choose from.

Contact details: 15D Riley Road, Bedfordview, JHB • Tel: +21(0)11 450 4472 • Fax: +27(0)11 455 6011 • Email: info@ecomist.co.za • www.ecomist.co.za •

futureleaders

Worthy I One of Elon Musk’s Space X projects

Musk observing an assembly demo at the reopening of the NUMMI plant, now known as the Tesla Factory (Fremont, CA) in 2010

f there were a hypothetical planet, and that planet was named philanthropy, some of the permanent residents would be Bill Gates, Patrice Motsepe and Mark Shuttleworth while others such as Madonna, Brad and Angelina and Desmond Tutu would be a few of the continents. However, there are other residents on this planet that are definitely making waves in the ocean of good work Meet Elon Musk; founder of Space X, co-founder of Tesla motors and current chairman of Solarcity. If none of these ring a bell, think of Paypal, the most successful electronic payment system to date. He started that too.

Musk’s early innovation and success in internet technology paved the way for him to focus on his lifelong passion for science, engineering and space. He taught himself computer programming at age 12 and by the age of 24, he co-founded his first company named Zip2. In 2002 he founded Space X, with the intention to focus on advancing rocket technology. Musk is also considered a pioneer of green technology and in June this year he declared that Tesla will open source its technology patents, in a bid to entice automobile manufacturers to speed up development of electric cars.

Solarcity is the largest provider of solar powered units throughout the United States, and has powered the likes of eBay, Intel, the U.S Armed Forces, the Department of Homeland security and over 400 schools (including Musk’s alma mater, Stanford University).

Musk does not only possess a unique finesse for business and green technology, but is also a rather a cool dude; so cool that his biggest ambition is to send people to Mars in the next 10-20 years. Not bad for a home-grown guy from Tshwane.

For more information to see what Elon Musk is up to, please visit: http://www.solarcity.com/

Electric car

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ecosport

Driving Force for Change Electric cars are still undergoing a frustratingly slow journey to mass consumer viability, but the arrival of a new international racing series this September is set to make that journey much faster.

BY Richard Asher PHOTOS Courtesy of Formula E

M

otorsport, often regarded with the streets of city centres. Think London, justifiable suspicion by environ- Buenos Aires, Berlin and Miami. If this mental types, is perhaps the last is the first you’ve heard of Formula E, it topic you might expect to find in a publi- probably won’t be the last.

We’ve seen our share of motorsport cation championing greener living. But when you stop and think about it, the pipe dreams come and go, but this feels arrival of the world’s first fully-electric different. Not least because the cars acturacing series is likely to be good news ally exist, and have already completed sefor tomorrow’s sustainable automobile. rious public test mileage – which began So what is at Donington Park in Formula E and what the UK this English makes it more than So what is Formula E summer. But what just another gimand what makes it more lends it true credimicky exhibition of than just another gimmicky bility – and should glorified golf carts? exhibition of glorified golf make greenies leap For one thing, it’s big carts? for joy – is that major news. This is a worldmotor manufacturwide series of races, ers are putting their contested by drivers whose names you names and technology into it. will have heard. It’s sanctioned by the Audi, Renault and Indian giant Federation Internationale de l’Automo- Mahindra are among the companies bile (FIA), the worldwide governing body to have officially partnered with comof motorsport - and the FIA is not an or- peting teams, and you can almost feel ganisation known for putting its name the rest itching to throw their hats into to pipsqueak PR stunts. this golden ring of PR and development Not convinced? Formula E closed off opportunity. Only a week before the first Westminster Bridge for its global launch test, BMW decided to jump in, if only in London. It got away with that by play- as supplier of race safety and medical ing its green card: this is news that goes cars in the form of its all-electric i3 and beyond the sport pages. It’s going to hybrid i8. be very difficult for Joe Public to ignore It’s this manufacturer interest that races that will take place exclusively on should have the biggest impact for the

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Global launch, London

Formula E driver preparing to race

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ecosport

planet. They’ve all seen where the world is going, and they’re all seeking to get a technological edge in the electric sphere.

Racing in the public spotlight puts intense pressure on them to achieve that.

Whatever one says about the wastefulness of traditional fuel-burning motorsport, its advocates have always had the argument that racing’s knack of pitting highly competitive boffins against each other improves efficiency and technology faster than any other method.

That line of defence may have become tenuous when the internal combustion engine’s development flatlined, but when there’s a vertical learning curve – as is the case with fully electric cars – it’s a compelling case. The technology we want in our cities will get to us sooner with Formula E on the scene. With those big car firms, highly-regarded race teams, ex-Formula 1 drivers such as Jarno Trulli and Nick Heidfeld, and free-to-air television in most major markets, that is almost inevitable.

The focus will all be on the electric stuff, because everything else is restricted in keeping with the sustainable philosophy.

For example, the standard-issue tyres are all-purpose, rain or shine. And the limited use of peak power (200kW) in the

Formula E hosts prestigious Global launch, London

Formula E driver, Katherine Legge

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hour-long races will ram home the economy ethos. So will the compact, single-day event format.

For now the power package (a collaboration involving great F1 names McLaren and Williams) is standard-issue to all teams, but from season two (2015-16) the plan is to allow teams (and their partners…) to work on their own technology in their quest to win. That prospect is very good news for planet earth.

The people behind the championship are bold, but seem to have their hearts in the right place. Spanish businessman (and former politician) Alejandro Agag is the chap at the helm, and when he speaks about how Formula E can help change the world he does so with passion that’s hard to judge with cynicism.

Perhaps more than the technological strides we’ll reap from Formula E, Agag loves to stress his series’ role in changing mindsets. By going into cities and racing high-performance electric machines that look like real racing cars, change-averse city folk will be made to see electric cars as viable. So, as he never fails to point out, where better to hold the first race than Beijing, a city whose sudden obsession with fossil-fuel cars has made the sky disappear behind smog shroud.

There may well be teething problems with the near-silent single-seaters in Beijing. There certainly were on that first day’s testing at Donington. But there were far fewer on the second, and if that’s the kind of progress, we can look forward to, then Formula E can only be good news for those of us itching for cheap and practical electric cars to arrive.

www.greenhomemagazine.co.za

ecosport

Global launch, London

Formula E racing car

Edams drivers

Renewable Energy Solutions for your Green Home BUILDING POWER INITIATIVES Our unique Turnkey approach covers Energy Assessment, System Design through to Project Implementation Customized RESIDENTIAL POWER SOLUTIONS from houses to apartment blocks and Off-Grid Systems WORKING WITH BOTH OWNERS AND ARCHITECTS ALIKE, we offer best of Breed Quality Products and Services: • Grid Tie Photo Voltaic Power Systems • Solar and Heat pump HOT WATER SOLUTIONS • OFF-GRID and Hybrid PV systems Access Renewable Energy to cover your power needs Creating LONG-TERM ENERGY SAVING SOLUTIONS for your home

Tel. +27 (0)21 424 1935 l info@bluesunenergy.co.za l www.bluesunenergy.co.za GREEN DESIGN FACILITATION • ENERGY MANAGEMENT • INTEGRATED PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS • SOLAR HOT WATER

energy

RENEWABLE

•DID YOU KNOW?•

ENERGY UPDATE

The land used for renewable energy projects, like wind farms, can still be used for farming and cattle grazing.

International experience has shown that livestock are completely unaffected by the presence of wind farms and will often graze right up to the base of wind turbines. However birds and bats can be affected depending on their migratory paths.

BY Robyn Brown

MTN has reaffirmed its commitment to using renewable energy resources and has unveiled Africa’s first concentrated solar cooling system that will power its energy-hungry data centres.

The system was designed by REACH Renewable and AOS Consulting Engineers and is driven by a cutting-edge technology called Linear Fresnel Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) that uses heat generated from the sun and has a peak cooling capacity of 330 kW. The system consists of 242 solar mirrors covering a total area of 484 square metres, which track the sun to generate pressurised hot water at 180 degrees Celsius. The hot water in turn powers an absorption chiller that produces chilled water circulated into the data centre for cooling of IT equipment.

The mirrors follow the movement of the sun, based on the GPS location, orientation and the date and time. This information guides the system to track the sun to concentrate on the central absorber tube where heat is generated.

This has zero impact on carbon emissions and when it rains, the mirrors move into a self-cleaning position. On cloudy days, the mirrors turn down into a protective stow position.

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greenhome

PORTABLE RENEWABLE POWER SOLUTION

SOLAR POWER COOL AS EVER

Continual load shedding and rising electricity prices are taking their toll on consumers but with the amount of sunlight South Africa has it is becoming much easier to access alternative solutions to on grid electricity.

The recently launched EcoBoxx and WakaWaka, are cost-effective, safe, reliable examples of such options and require only 6-8 hours of sunlight to provide an average sized household with light during power cuts and load shedding and can charge cell phones and laptops. They are also great to take camping.

A selection of the EcoBoxx and WakaWaka range can be purchased online via takealot.com, iWarehouse.co.za, sustainable.co.za, outdoorwarehouse.co.za and ACDC.co.za

NEWS GERMANY BANS FRACKING!

Germany are leading the way in using renewable energy technology to power their country and have now taken the bold step to ban fracking sending a clear message to the fossil fuels producers that their time is up.

BLOW WIND BLOW One of Africa’s largest wind farms has just begun operation. Located between Jeffreys Bay and Humansdorp in the Eastern Cape, this R 3-billion wind farm will provide 138 megawatt (MW) wind energy powered by sixty 80metre high turbines spread over 3 700 hectares. This means 100 000 homes will access clean, renewable electricity every year and 420 000 tonnes of pollution removed from the atmosphere.

The wind farm will also contribute to the development of the local community providing jobs and necessary social investment.

www.greenhomemagazine.co.za

ENERGY SAVING MATERIALS Floor Insulation Ceiling and Roof Insulation Wall Insulation Plaster Systems for Insulated Façades

Inner leaf Ties at 340mm minimum vertical centres (horizontal as specified)

Outer leaf Polykey insulation board Damp-proof course

Damp-proof membrane

Floor slab

Weep holes in vertical joint 600mm centres Ground level

Polykey- cavity wall insulation for Bricks Dynamic R-value = 1.8 x static R-value

Inner leaf

External acrylic plaster on fibre glass mesh Outer leaf Façade insulation board

Damp-proof membrane

Floor slab

Damp-proof course

Ground level

Nuwall exterior façade insulation Dynamic R-value = 2.5 x static R-value

Contact us for more information Tel: 011 363 2780 • Fax: 011 363 2752 • 9-17 Wright Road Ext. Nuffield, Springs www.technopol.co.za

ISOVER`S Insulation is environmentally friendly Isover is a leader in the manufacture of thermal and acoustic insulation. Our products are some of the most popular & widely used environmentally friendly, stable and sustainable insulation materials available today. Isover`s insulation can save 100 times the energy consumed and CO2 emitted in their manufacture, transport and disposal.

LOCAL MANUFACTURING Isover South Africa invested in the latest TEL fiberizing technology which has improved the quality and performance of our products. Glasswool, ULTIMATE and EPS are manufactured according to ISO 9001 Quality Management System standards and our Springs plant achieved ISO 14001 environmental management certification in 2012.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT Buildings typically account for 40% of all energy consumed in countries and by insulating with Glasswool it is possible to significantly improve the energy efficiency and comfort of buildings.

Glasswool is made from a combination of naturally occurring silica sand, fluxing agents and up to 80% recycled glass. Glasswool has a Zero Ozone Depleting Potential (ODP) and no CFC`s or HCFC`s are produced in the production process. Glasswool can be compressed by a factor of up to 5 which saves on storage and reduces transport costs.

Sagex is Isover South Africa`s EPS division which manufactures a range of expanded polystyrene products. Sagex offers a choice of lightweight, high compressive strength and water resistant insulation solutions for use in industrial, commercial and domestic applications. Sagex EPS is recyclable and is manufactured using a pentane blowing agent which ensures that the product is CFC and HCFC free.

INDOOR AIR QUALITY VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds) are a major contributor to interior air pollution and have been linked to various health issues, including headaches, sore eyes, respiratory complaints and the possible impairment of our immune systems. Glasswool has been tested according to ASTM D55116 “Standard Guide for Small-Scale Environmental Chamber Determinations of Organic Emissions from Indoor Material/Products.” Glasswool is well below the minimum emissions level per mg/m2/hour as stipulated by the Green Building Council of South Africa.

For more information log onto www.isover.co.za or download our Isover SA app in the app stores

Tel: 0860 ISOVER (476837) Fax: 086 673 1088 www.isover.co.za

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Architect:

Thomashoff & Partner Architects

Re-imagining an ideal South African home.

Stand 47

Monaghan Farm, Gauteng

At Saint-Gobain Gyproc, we are always looking for ways to build smarter and better. Stand 47 is a good example of our commitment to innovation. By redefining adaptability and sustainability, and challenging architectural norms we can make homes work better.

Stand 47 offers a case study for efficient design and building, using Saint-Gobain Gyproc products in conjunction with a light steel frame construction. The state-of-the-art high performance materials include Gyproc Activ’Air and DuraLine boards and Isover Cavitybatt for its thermal and acoustic properties. To learn more about the innovative products used take a virtual tour at www.stand47.co.za

0860 27 28 29 | www.gyproc.co.za