| Enviro-Chat - Special Earth Day Edition 2008 |
| Posted by Enviroadmin |
| Monday, 24 May 2010 19:47 |
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Welcome to Enviro-Chat Earth Day Edition. Yes it’s Earth Day today and many concerts and events have been taking place worldwide. Herewith is the latest in environmental news from South Africa and around the globe. SOUTH AFRICA ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS Joburg Observes World Earth Day 2008 In observing the 38th Earth Day aimed at encouraging people to take care of our planet, the City of Johannesburg will on Tuesday unveil the newly developed community park in Bramfischerville, Soweto. World Earth Day is an event where the world's citizens commit to building a safer, healthier, cleaner and sustainable world ... read more <http://www.environment.co.za/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1921> . GreenPeace Supports Historic Launch of National Coalition Against Nuclear Energy (CANE) If the nuclear industry thinks they’re on the edge of a nuclear renaissance, they’ll have to think again, at least in South Africa ... read more <http://www.environment.co.za/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1916> . Warning Issued On Shellfish in Cape West Coast Members of the public have been advised not to collect or eat any shellfish, oysters and abalone on the West Coast (north of Cape Point) until further notice from the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism ... read more <http://www.environment.co.za/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1897> . Towards a New and Improved Green Revolution As food prices soar and hundreds of millions go hungry, experts from around the world will this week present a new approach for ensuring food security, at the intergovernmental plenary for the International Assessment of Agricultural Science and Technology for Development (IAASTD) ... read more <http://www.environment.co.za/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1898> . Biofuels pose a moral problem Biofuels pose a moral problem and the worst of rioting prompted by soaring food costs may be yet to come, Dominique Strauss-Kahn, head of the International Monetary Fund, said on Friday. "When we make biofuels from agricultural products not used for food, that is fine. But when they are made from food products, this poses a major moral problem," Strauss-Kahn told Europe 1 radio station on Friday ... read more <http://www.environment.co.za/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1908> . Protest swells against change to environment laws More environmental groups have joined in condemning proposed new laws on the environment, saying the amendments appear to boost mining and development at the expense of the environment and local communities. The newly formed Federation for a Sustainable Environment has told the Cape Times it is to investigate whether to take legal action against proposed amendments to the National Environment Management Act (Nema) ... read more <http://www.environment.co.za/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1852> . Climate Change Key Driver to Biodiversity Loss Scientific evaluations on climate change have confirmed that climate change is indeed a key driver to biodiversity loss and stress to the country's resources, says Environmental Affairs and Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk ... read more <http://www.environment.co.za/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1896> . SA, Norway Joins Forces for a "Green" 2010 World Cup South Africa and the Norwegian government have joined forced to ensure the 2010 FIFA World Cup is "green" and environmentally friendly through the reduction of CO' emissions ... read more <http://www.environment.co.za/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1912> . Kulula Plants Trees to Help Counter Carbon Footprint LOW-cost airline Kulula became the first South African airline to tackle the thorny issue of carbon emissions when it formally launched Project Green in Katlehong yesterday. The project, which has been taking shape over the past few months, aims to plant trees and grass in impoverished communities as well as build sports fields in rural and township schools around the country in a bid to offset the airline's carbon footprint ... read more <http://www.environment.co.za/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1913> . Wild Coast mining can be stopped SOUTH Africa's environmental authorities have strongly rejected heavy minerals mining plans that could cause irreversible and extensive damage to pristine parts of the Wild Coast - but the Department of Minerals and Energy is still considering granting a mining licence ... read more <http://www.environment.co.za/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1885> . Coal mining plans put fresh water at risk Plans to mine for coal in the catchment areas of major rivers present a serious threat to South Africa's fresh water resources. Acid pollution caused by coal mining has already destroyed the Wilge River that flows through the Ezemvelo Reserve near Bronkhorstpruit, Mpumalanga, and has caused mass deaths of fish and crocodiles at the Olifants River inlet to Loskop Dam, between Middelburg and Groblersdal ... read more <http://www.environment.co.za/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1660> . Eco Innovators Honoured in Green Awards Ecological integrity and planet-saving ambitions are among the traits of individuals and companies that have been honoured in the inaugural ‘Real Simple’ Green Innovation Awards ... read more <http://www.environment.co.za/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1890> . Cape Town Unveils Air Pollution Awareness Campaign Free vehicle diesel emission testing stations are to be set up around Cape Town for three days, aimed at raising awareness around the importance of controlling air pollution in the city. Motorists who drive heavy vehicles suspected to emit heavy pollutants in the city will be allowed to test their vehicle's diesel emissions for free, without the fear of being charged ... read more <http://www.environment.co.za/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1895> . Solar powered street lights for Johannesburg City Solar power was playing an illuminating role in Johannesburg inner city regeneration efforts, as solar streetlights have been installed on Kenmare street, in Yeoville as a part of the Hillbrow, Berea, Yeoville upgrade being carried out by the Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) ... read more <http://www.environment.co.za/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1887> . Sasol to Produce Synthetic Jet Fuel The world's leading producer of synthetic fuels, Sasol, is the first company worldwide to receive international approval for its 100 percent synthetic jet fuel, the organisation has announced. Sasol, which produces synthetic fuels from coal and natural gas, will now also produce a jet fuel produced by its proprietary Coal to Liquids (CTL) process at Sasol's Synfuels facility in Secunda in Mpumalanga ... read more <http://www.environment.co.za/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1888> . WORLD ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS Earth Day 2008 Concerts Played, Pledges Made It rained and it poured, but thousands of people enjoyed Earth Day on the Washington Mall anyway. A few performers were heard before concert organizers pulled the plugs as thunderstorms threatened ... read more <http://www.environment.co.za/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1917> . 10 reasons why GM won't feed the world Genetic modification can't deliver a safe, secure future food supply. Here's why... read more <http://www.environment.co.za/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1910> . 10 reasons why organic CAN feed the world Can organic farming feed the world? Ed Hamer and Mark Anslow say yes, but we must farm and eat differently ... read more <http://www.environment.co.za/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1909> . Wind replacing Oil in one Texas Town What could be more Texan than an oil rig? How about a wind turbine? Soon, Texas may be as famous for its whirling windmills as for its ubiquitous oil and gas rigs. Concern over the greenhouse gas emissions created by burning fossil fuels and a growing demand for green energy have the Lone Star State turning its attention to the power (and profits) of renewable wind energy ... read more <http://www.environment.co.za/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1872> . Migratory Shorebirds Vanishing Along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway SYDNEY, Australia, April 21, 2008 (ENS) - One of the world's great wildlife spectacles is under way across Australia. Two million migratory shorebirds of 36 species are gathering around Broome before an amazing 10,000 kilometer (6,200 mile) annual flight to their breeding grounds in the Northern Hemisphere. The birds are preparing to make an annual flight along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, a route which passes through 22 countries ... read more <http://www.environment.co.za/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1918> . Tobacco and oil pay for climate conference The first international conference designed to question the scientific consensus on climate change is being sponsored by a right-wing American think-tank which receives money from the oil industry ... read more <http://www.environment.co.za/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1815> . Bush Climate Speech Covers Familiar Ground President George W. Bush today outlined a new climate goal for the United States, calling for the nation to halt the growth of its greenhouse gas emissions by 2025. Bush touted his new climate strategy as ambitious, but environmentalists and Democratic lawmakers criticized the plan as feeble and contend it falls far short of what is needed to fend off climate change ... read more <http://www.environment.co.za/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1905> . Gold's dirty little secrets The world’s favourite precious metal is hiding a dirty little secret. Laura Sevier reports on the truth behind the glitter, and asks whether gold can ever be green ... read more <http://www.environment.co.za/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1911> . Babies' Teeth Radioactive Near Nuclear Power Plant Vermont -- At the behest of local organizations, the Radiation and Public Health Project will be examining the levels of Strontium-90 in baby teeth belonging to children living within a 50-mile radius of the Vermont Yankee Nuclear reactor in Vernon. Strontium-90 is one of the many radioactive byproducts of nuclear fission believed to cause cancer. Its release from power plants is monitored by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission ... read more <http://www.environment.co.za/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1914> . Navajo Challenge Uranium Mining Permit on Tribal Land For the first time in history, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, NRC, will be challenged in federal appeals court for its approval of a source materials license for an in situ leach uranium mine. The Navajo communities of Crownpoint and Church Rock, New Mexico will fight the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the permitted company, Hydro Resources, Inc., demanding that they stay off Navajo lands in New Mexico ... read more <http://www.environment.co.za/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1919> . World's Water Needs Grow More Urgent The international community needs to start creating strategies for using water more efficiently and sharing it more fairly, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today, warning that unless action is taken soon, the conflicts and problems caused by water shortages around the world will multiply ... read more <http://www.environment.co.za/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1839> . Greenpeace Dumps Coal at Philippines Environment Ministry, Wins Review Philippines Environment Secretary Lito Atienza has agreed to review the environmental compliance certificate for a proposed coal plant in Iloilo City following a dialogue with Greenpeace representatives. Greenpeace activists dumped half a ton of coal at the entrance of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, DENR, on Thursday and unfurled a banner with the message "Atienza, don’t be a climate criminal” ... read more <http://www.environment.co.za/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1920> . Traffic pollution linked to thousands of deaths Thousands of people in England have died from pneumonia caused by pollution, a report suggested today. There is a "strong correlation" between deaths, engine exhaust fumes and other transport-related substances, according to the study, published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health ... read more <http://www.environment.co.za/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1901> . |
