Simply Green Magazine - Issue 3, 2013

7Myths

Leading the eco-lifestyle

about Wind Energy

DIGIMAG

simply

ISSUE 3 • 2013

16| pg

Plastics SA Insert

Nano tech

110%

Carbon Free Cape Town Greening

Conscious Conservation

Smart Homes

• Towards Zero Energy • The Green Shack

Boost your Immunity Winter Warming

Hot Giveaways

For the love of the Ocean

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

08 General 12 Energy 32 Wind Energy

Features

14 110% Green

Tech

18 Nanotech 26 7 Myths of Wind Energy

63 150 Mobility

34 Mercedes BlueDirect 38 News

82 Energy efficient consumption 86 Energy efficient appliances 122 Energy Barometer Survey

Home & Buildings

Kids

40 Why Build Green?

42 Zero energy home 46 Living off the Grid 50 Japanese Eco-Buildings 56 Green Shack 60 Building News

simply Leading the eco-lifestyle www.simplygreen.co.za • admin@simplygreen.co.za Cape Town Office • P O Box 30946, Tokai, 7966 Tel 27 (0) 21 713 0018 or 27 (0) 21 712 4665 082 579 7915 • Fax 27 (0) 21 715 2809 SG 2

DIGIMAG

News

72

58 Growing Tomorrow 112 Eco-experiment 117 AppWorld

Winter Warming 66 Special section

Publisher & Executive Editor Chris Erasmus publisher@simplygreen.co.za Consulting Editor Nicole Sherwin editor@simplygreen.co.za Creative Director Silke Erasmus admin@simplygreen.co.za

National Sales Consultants Kyle Villet kyle@simplygreen.co.za Tamzen Scoulelis adverts@simplygreen.co.za Studio Manager Kevin Rule

Assistant Editor Lenard Roos studio1@simplygreen.co.za

studio2@simplygreen.co.za

Issue 3 • 2013

122 130

Volume 6 No.3 •

82 76 Food

Garden & Environment

72 Immunity 92 Recipes 98 SASSI Update 100 Think, Eat, Save 102 Food News 104 Antinori Winery

122 Jane Griffiths 127 Books 128 Responsible tourism

Conservation

144 Emerging Explorers 150 Rhino Crisis 151 Orange River Project

Pet

118 News

House GS Publishing Green Spaces Publishing House

Webmaster Garry Doel web@simplygreen.co.za

GREEN SPACES PUBLISHING

HOUSE

Regulars

70 Eco-Diva 103 Hot off the press 108 On Safari 154 Listings 140 Shelf 161 Plastics|SA Insert

Copyright Simply Green is a registered trademark and is copyright protected worldwide. Material

Webdesign Michael-Ray Erasmus

Disclaimer

published in Simply Green, including all

webdesign@simplygreen.co.za

Opinions expressed in this magazine are not

artwork, may not be reproduced without

necessarily those of the publishers or staff.

the permission of the editor.

Accounts Tracy Lee Nash accounts@simplygreen.co.za Green Spaces.indd 1

2/20/2008 3:51:48 PM

Flagship Member

3 SG

PUBLISHEr's note

Times it does fly, and here we are publishing the third digital issue of Simply Green.

Leaping, as we did, literally into the deep end of the digital domain, we weren't 100% certain that we could immediately achieve the kind of following that the print title had enjoyed – an average circulation of just under 10 000 per edition and a readership (very difficult to accurately measure) of something like eight or nine times that number, with many copies going to schools, universities and major

corporations where they were read multiple times each.

It took four years of hard work to reach those numbers, bearing in mind that we somehow managed to time our launch, in October 2008, to be right into the teeth of the worst global downturn since the Great Depression of the late 1920 and early '30s. Despite initial positive responses from major companies who, we correctly thought, would be natural allies in wanting to get their leading-edge green initiatives out to the public, 2009 felt like being stuck in the middle of the Sahara without water, with only the false promises of mirages on distant horizons to keep us going. But keep on going we did, for we knew that the time for a magazine like Simply Green had come, downturn or not, and so we kept on trucking.

Slowly we made progress and, by 2012, were well know and, we were frequently told, well regarded in relevant 'thought leader and decision-maker circles', having won an SAB enviro-journalism award and having in effect forged an entirely new genre – really a multi-genre publication, with leading corporates communicating their greening and sustainability visions and activities, emergent green businesses popping up all over the place and consumers developing an increasing awareness of the many positives in greening their own lives, homes and families.

And then came 2013. Though we had prepared to run digital publications in parallel with our print offerings through 2013, circumstances conspired to make it screamingly obvious that we could and should make the switch to digital not merely gradually or in parallel with print, but entirely and immediately. And so we did. Nerve-wracking and difficult as the process was – with a few clients a little annoyed that they had planned to participate through their print advertising departments with us through the year now having to switch all that planning across to their digital colleagues – it has proved itself to have been more than merely wise.

We promised every one of our stakeholders that we would report back on what the digital switch meant in terms of readership, extended reach and so on – what the advertising types love to talk about as our 'metrics'. The great advantage of the digital zone is that many things which live in much greyer areas when working with print become crystal clear in the digital domain in terms of hard numbers. We said we would do a thorough report back after six months, but we can already tell you all that we are seeing significant trends after just two editions.

Issue 1 of Simply Green's digital magazine, launched with almost no fanfare and pre-warning, has achieved at the time of writing this some 10 000 reads/downloads through our host site Issuu (www.issuu.com). This figure does not reflect all the secondary, tertiary and other reads or shares that have taken place (and we know that there are many). This is the number of times individual urls (unique web addresses) have accessed the magazine in question – and does not reflect that fact that many of the people we've talked to about it have gone back to it online numerous times. Others are taking a look and then downloading the mag for later reading at leisure, which is also fine, though one loses the page-turning facility of the online option (a small penalty). Once downloaded, we are encouraging organisations, advertisers, schools, universities etc to share the magazine far and wide. Some people, preferring to read hard copy, or selecting stories that are more detailed, or in which they have a particular interest or for reference purposes, are printing out their selections, as we knew would happen. Others are copying the whole magazine to flashdrives and then passing those around. We love it all – and it's all for free. The point is to spread the word and get the message out. On a rough estimate, some 90 000 individuals were exposed to the first issue of this title in digital format and the number who've seen it, read it in part or whole, or otherwise interacted with it has, according to our website, Facebook other social media and mailer responses, gone close to 40 000.

Issue 2, which is now just five weeks old as this edition goes live, exceeded that excellent start. Indeed, some 22 134 individual users had read or downloaded the magazine from Issus's site by the start of this week. We estimate between 100 000 and 110 000 people have been exposed to it, including through key partner organisations, about which we will speak at greater length shortly, and some 75 000+ had in some way interacted with it, including the growing number who are getting the magazine, as it were, second or third hand.

To say we are happy with all the above is a vast understatement. We are thrilled and delighted. Even though South Africa has yet to really experience broadband, as is standard and free, or nearly so, in developed countries, and despite periods when even those with relatively 'fast' ADSL lines have little to no connectivity, we have greatly exceeded our initial reach hoped-for numbers.

Because Issuu is one of the world's largest digital magazine host sites with well over 52 million users, our title is now being read literally around the world by a growing number of enthusiastic readers.

So, we invite you, our most valued and growing band of readers, into this next issue of Simply Green – the largest edition of this title published yet. There are whacks of hints and tips to help you green your lives, homes and businesses, as usual, but there are also some great in-depth articles, including many how-tos and practical advice pieces – and then there are a whole lot of fantastic giveaways and prizes to be won.

Read, beloved readers, read – and enjoy, for bringing you this magazine is our passion.

Chris

Consulting Editor Nicole Sherwin is on an extended sabbatical, but sends her fans and followers her fondest regards.

SG 4

ODYSSEY

SA's leading integrated living mag

DIGIMAG

Odyssey Magazine, SA's oldest and leading integrated lifestyle magazine, now in its 36th year, has arrived in the digital realm, and is FREE of charge.

Issue 1 here Issue 2 here

ODYSSEY

April 2013

SA's leading integrated living mag

The Mother Archetype Caroline Myss Barbara Marx Hubbard Hildegard of Bingen

Contact Cape Town Head Office

Passing over with dignity

Tel 27 (0) 21 713 0018 or 712 4665 • 082 579 7915 • Fax 715 2809 info@odysseymagazine.co.za • www.odysseymagazine.co.za

Health Tips For optimal living Animal Whisperer

Earth Guardian

A 12-year-old activist speaks

Movement Medicine

Nature's Blueprint for the Economy BUMPER LAUNCH EDITION

howzit DYSSEY

•

DIGIMAG

Options & insights for people seeking practical steps towards integrated living in the 21st Century

5 SG

GreenViews

SG HAS GONE DIGITAL Well done Simply Green. You’ve created a highly visual, well laid out magazine filled with valuable and topical information. Not only is this relevant to the new wave of alternative energy sweeping South Africa and the world, but brings the reader rapidly up to speed by making sense out of science. Your DigiMag version offers a particularly effective, fast-flowing read, quick to download, easy to navigate and effortless to browse.

Roger Metcalfe, technical writer Very cool digi mag. Spotted it for the first time yesterday. Just one comment, I tried to enter comps but when I clicked on 'here', nothing would happen. Adam Collingwood PUBLISHER'S RESPONSE: Yes, sorry about that. Our host site was having some technical difficulties, but all is sorted now.

I used to be a subscriber (I subscribed in January 2013). Love the magazine, but would have preferred a hard copy, digital is not for me. Annetjie du Toit I love it – I'm new to this way of reading but I really appreciate the possibilities.

Chris Schonenberger Hello, I am still a bit at sea with the digital copy of Simply Green – we do not appear to have received any email notifications for either April or May digimags?

Kind regards, Sue Bentley. Maritzburg College Media Centre

SG 6

Dear Sue, To answer your various questions: Simply Green (and its sibling title Odyssey Magazine) are indeed scheduled to come out monthly.

On the other hand, we have been dealing with some elements not in our control, like various major corporate advertisers and partners still engaged in a combo of their internal planning for the year and getting their heads around our switch to digital. That's all settling down and we are getting used to literally producing twice as many magazines per unit of time than previous when in print, so please forgive us if the first couple of issues have taken slightly longer than four weeks to follow up on. However, we're pretty well on top of things and we should be regularly producing a digimag per month henceforth. As to being notified, you should have received a Simply Green weekly mailer which would carry a notification about and link to the new issue.

The click-through link makes it easy to access the new issue. Alternatively, you can go directly to the Issuu site (www.issuu.com) and in the search field on their home page type 'Simply Green'. You will see a results screen with our various issues on it. There you will see if there is a new edition up and you can then just click on it.

I hope all the above helps, but if you have any further problems, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Regards, Chris Erasmus – Executive Editor.

SG Advisory Board

Contributors

Sean Doel is the founding editor of Simply Green. A Technical Director at WSP, specialising in contaminated land investigations and remediation. He is also passionate about what we can all do to address climate change.

Suzanne Perrin is a specialist in Japanese history, art & culture, and set up Japan Interlink in 1995 to promote the understanding of Japan in the UK. She has published articles on traditional and contemporary aspects of Japan, and is currently working on research projects in Japan on traditional family-run businesses.

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.

Our Eco-Diva, Nicole Sherwin is also our Consulting Editor, and a trailblazer in the areas of sustainability, wellness and social responsibility, inspiring people to make greener choices.

Liz Eglington (Western Cape Woman Farmer of the Year for 2005/2006) owns Buffelshoek Farm, is Chairperson of Terra Madre SA and Director and Secretary of the SA Organic Sector Organisation.

Cormac Cullinan is an enviro-attorney and governance expert who has worked on environmental issues in more than 20 countries and founded the specialist enviro-governance consultancy, EnAct.

Vanessa Ascencao is a dynamic, inspirational and highly qualified nutritional consultant. She’s helped celebrities, business executives and many others transform their lives through a unique mind-body approach to health and nutrition.

Prof Bruce Hewitson is the director of the Climate System Analysis Group (CSAG) and was the co-ordinating lead author on regional climate projections for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

Roger Metcalfe is a freelance journalist/ photographer specialising in the environment, technology and medicine. He is an ex-diplomat, and former TV producer and currently runs his own alternative energy business 'Solar Connect' which advises architects and developers on alternative energy designs.

Prof Mark Swilling is an internationally-recognised expert in sustainable development and is Academic Director of The Sustainability Institute, University of Stellenbosch.

Raj Lochan is CEO of the Rose Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to the recycling of used oils in South Africa, and has served on the regional committee of the Wildlife and Enviro-society of SA.

Jane Griffiths has been growing organic vegetables and herbs in her Johannesburg garden for more than 15 years. She has published a few books and now shares her knowledge and tips with Simply Green readers.

Dr Pat Garratt is Managing Director of the Two Oceans Aquarium in Cape Town, currently sits on the Steering Committee of the International Aquarium Congress and is vice-chair of the International Aquarium Forum.

OUR PLANET NEEDS YOU Calling all sustainable and green businesses

Anchor your market share and own your space in Sustainability. : @GreenExpoSA

: TheGreenExpo

www.thegreenexpo.co.za JOHANNESBURG SCC 1 - 3 NOVEMBER 2013

CAPE TOWN CTICC 29, 30 NOV - 1 DEC 2013

7 SG

N ews Cameroon palm oil development

Palm oil is the world's most important vegetable oil used in everything from margarine and soap to biofuel, with annual production around the world worth about R192b. Critics say the palm oil industry is taking part in a land grab in Africa that reduces local food output in favour of crops for export, often stirring local opposition. A company owned

by NY venture capital firm Herakles Capital has suspended work on a giant palm oil plantation in Cameroon after protests by enviro-groups and villagers, highlighting opposition to land acquisitions in Africa. Herakles Farms, which also has operations in Ghana, said it halted development of its proposed 60 000ha plantation – an area 10 times the size of Manhattan – and laid off 690 workers while the Cameroonian government reviews the 2009 deal. The company said in a statement the government had ordered it to cease preparing land near its Talangaye palm oil nursery pending an assessment of the public usefulness of the project to the region. Enviro-groups including Greenpeace and WWF have said the project violates Cameroon's laws, could endanger wildlife and deprive locals of their livelihoods. Some villagers around Herakles' Talangaye nursery, where it is growing saplings for the plantation, have warned it would leave them without land for hunting and growing their own crops. Herakles has denied the allegations and has insisted it had received official permission to proceed. It said it was working with the Cameroonian government to resolve the issue quickly and it remained committed to the project.

In Liberia, an independent study into Golden Veroleum's palm oil plantation recently demanded the company review its social and enviro-policies.

SG 8

Did you know?

To date, around 67 Hippo Water Rollers x 67 Water Stresses Communities = 4 489 Families Transformed by this invention.

WATCH THIS!

The Hippo Water Roller Project By By askiawhite

Miss Earth – SA's top Young Entrepreneurs at SA Premier Business Awards

The Miss Earth SA, in association with Consol, have walked away with top honours in the Young Entrepreneur category at the Inaugural South African Premier Business Awards held at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg. The awards, initiated by the Department of Trade and Industry, Proudly South Africa, and Brand South Africa, recognised top businesses in a wide range of categories, including Woman-Owned Enterprises, SMME, Technology, Rural Development and an Investor Award, to name a few.

America's first hemp crop in 60 years was planted recently in Colorado.

Trees for Zambia doccie Last edition we featured the UN Forum on Forests Short Film Awards (Africa) Winner. Here is the full mini-documentary about deforestation in Zambia

by Makhulu Productions and Greenpop.

WATCH THIS!

Trees for Zambia Makhulu Productions & Greenpop

World 1 st – 3D -printed gun

The world’s first 3D-printed gun was successfully fired recently, officially ushering in a new era of 'wiki weapons'.

University of Texas law student Cody Wilson launched an Indiegogo campaign to fund the Liberator project, but the site suspended the campaign and refunded contributors’ money. Undeterred, the self-described 'crypto-anarchist' raised around R193 000 independently through his own website, accepting funds via PayPal instead. The gun is made entirely from 3D-printed ABS plastic, save for its metal firing pin, and blueprints will be available to anyone through Defense Distributed’s website. Wilson told the BBC that he was motivated by liberty to design the gun printed on a R76 500 printer purchased on eBay. 'I’m seeing a world where technology says you can pretty much be able to have whatever you want. It’s not up to the political players any more,' says Wilson. The US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) issued Wilson a license to make the gun, which is perfectly legal in the US, according to an ATF spokesperson. However, if he wanted to sell it, he would have to have a special permit.

What major US cities would look like if sea levels rose 7.5m

Artist Nickolay Lamm of http://StorageFront.com created a series of shocking images that show what eight major locations across the US could look like in a few centuries, or perhaps sooner if sea-level rise rates continue to accelerate.

Taking his inspiration from the New York Times article What Could Disappear, Nickolay took eight well-known locations (ranging from the Thomas Jefferson Memorial – pictured above – to Harvard Campus and the Statue of Liberty) and figured out what they would look like it sea levels rose 7.5m.

WATCH THIS!

WATCH THIS!

Can a 3D printer make guns?

Greenpeace & your support

CNNMoney

Greenpeace Africa turns 5

9 SG

In love with nature

'I am in love with nature; I am sure you can see and feel that (with the work I produce, here). The Richtersveld is paradise for me. It's so isolated, so pure – it's nature magic. I have been there many times, so I chose this amazing desert for the first landscape photographic movie of that new inspirational series,' says Paul Godard (pictured).

WATCH THIS!

Richtersveld Paul Godard – Soul Photography

2012-2013 Fresh Talent Sustainable Design winners

The winners of the competition, hosted by local NPO Shift were announced recently. Results: 1st place: Bronwen Smith and Rudolph Jordaan for their Integrated Sustainability Awareness System (SAS). An online points-based system, that incentivises citizens to be more ‘green’ by measuring households’ impacts through collating data related to their sustainable consumption habits, such as electricity savings, enviro-friendly purchases or using public transport. 2nd place: Colin Tomas from Cape Town for his Seeding Guide. This instructional guide has seeds embedded in biodegradable paper that dissolves quickly and allows the seeds to germinate. The guide features indigenous (regional) medicinal and food plants and will be produced in SA’s national languages. 3rd place: Gaironesa Clayton and Chad Atkins, Cape Town, for their design titled R3 – a mechanism that uses old newspaper and turns it into a briquette which replaces firewood, which promotes recycling and helps deforestation. For more info visit here.

Photos Nicky Newman

WATCH THIS!

WATCH THIS! Sustainable Design Improves Lives Shift

Anti-Monsanto March, Cape Town, 25 May Mark Seath

Cape Town saw a large turnout which started at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology and ended at the Grand Parade square.

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Events OZCF Market

Saturdays. Cape Town. Oranjezicht City Farm is open daily and has an organic market on the weekend. Visit here for more.

District Six Sunset Walk

Cape Town. 27 June, 17h30-19h00. A walk through the historic District Six, starting at the Museum and ending in the home of a local family. Bookings: District Six Museum, Tel 021Â 466 7200.

Stellenbosch University's Hope Project

Spring Festival at Garden World

Stellenbosch University's Hope Project has produced a disposable water filter shaped like a tea bag. When placed in the neck of a water bottle, the bag removes all harmful chemicals and microbes. Each bag cleans one litre of water. Nanofibers on the inside of the bag contain biocides, which kill all waterborne microbes.

Chemicals are removed by the active carbon that replaces the tea in the bag. The bag functions properly as long as it fits snugly in the mouth of the bottle, in such a way that all water passes through it.

26 July-1 September. Beyers NaudĂŠ Drive, Muldersdrift. Spring is in the air and the annual Spring Festival at Garden World offers 10 ways to celebrate the new season. Visit here to find out more.

Decorex

7-11 August. Johannesburg. Decorex SA has grown extensively to become a well-known pioneer brand in South Africa's interior design landscape. Visit here for more.

WATCH THIS!

Robertson Slow Festival

9-11 August. A unique wine and food festival where 30 Wineries and Guesthouses from Ashton, Bonnievale, McGregor and Robertson will welcome visitors into their homes. Visit here for more.

Chefs Who Share

5 September. Cape Town, City Hall. A unique star studded gala evening destined to become the black tie event of the year, featuring 14 acclaimed South African chefs cooking in aid of underprivileged children. Visit here for more.

Water Institute

WATCH THIS!

The Hope Project

Peninsula Paddle

Peninsula Paddle is an annual Cape Town event, held to coincide with World Environment Day (5 June) celebrations which aim to raise awareness of major social and environmental concerns that affect the Cape Peninsula, to highlight the need for rehabilitation; and to encourage communities to change the way in which waterways are utilised. Visit here for more.

Water Planet Leonardo DiCaprio

DiCaprio has an important message to share about the state of the world's water.

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Energy

news

WATCH THIS!

Abengoa

from Juan Rayos

Plant that produces energy from waste

Abengoa is a company that applies innovative technology solutions for sustainable development in the energy and environment sectors, generating electricity from the sun, producing biofuels, desalinating sea water and recycling industrial waste. The company's Arizona project involves an investment of approximately $110m and will create about 50 jobs directly and indirectly. Abengoa will undertake the design and construction, as well as subsequent operation and maintenance for a period of 30 years. The project includes the receipt, sorting and recycling of up to 180 000 tons of municipal solid waste (MSW) per year. A gasification based process will be utilised that will allow the maximum use of MSW fractions.

Up to 350 tons of gas will be produced each day, which will be used to generate 15MW of electricity. Abengoa’s solution is not limited to the organic fraction of municipal solid waste treatment, but also allows the use of other components, both recyclable and non-recyclable waste plastics by using different technologies to obtain biodiesel and energetic valuation for the steam and electricity generation. Visit www.abengoa.com for more.

SA Energy department

signs solar deal

The Department of Energy has signed a deal with a solar production company to produce electricity from the sun. The agreement specifies that Solar Capital, chaired by Danny Jordaan, will build a solar project in the Northern Cape town of De Aar. The R11.5bn project is estimated to create employment for 700 people during the construction phase, which will be reduced to 200 when the project is up and running. 'Solar PV energy will continue to reduce in price over the coming decade and it will be found by governments to be at a far lower cost than traditional fossil fuel and nuclear energy,' said Solar Capital CEO Paschal Phelan. The plant will take up 276ha and consist of around 225 000 photovoltaic panels, producing 75MW of energy at peak times.

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Solaris Solar Table

The Solaris Solar Table is a unique concept that allows guests to solar charge their cellphones and tablets while enjoying a meal or beverage on the terrace of Winchester Mansions in Sea Point, Cape Town. An initiative of Lumière Technologies, the table combines the latest in PV (photovoltaic), lithium-ion technology in a compact robust table frame. The tabletop provides power-on-demand to top up smart phones and tablet devices. Other low-power DC devices can also be powered by the lithium-ion battery backup located inside the table.

Visit here and here for more.

World's largest solar-powered boat sets Transatlantic speed record

MS Tûranor PlanetSolar, the world’s largest solar boat, set a

WATCH THIS!

new record for the fastest transatlantic crossing by a vessel powered entirely by solar energy, smashing its own 2010 record by four days. The 34.5m Swiss catamaran travelled 5 310km across the Atlantic Ocean in 22 days, conducting experiments along the Gulf Stream as part of the PlanetSolar DeepWater expedition. The catamaran left from Las Palmas, Spain, on April 25, 2013, and sailed across the Atlantic Ocean, travelling at the speed of 5.3 knots before it reached Marigot, St Martin, in the West Indies on May 18. Despite several consecutive days of cloudiness, the boat reached its destination four days earlier than in 2010. In order to manage the boat’s energy consumption, based entirely on solar power, the crew had to adjust the route several times along the way, which resulted in a 7% increase in travelling distance. The catamaran has set five world records to date for a solar-powered boat, including longest journey with the first trip around the world, the fastest solar-powered crossing of the Atlantic and of the South China Sea. The newest Atlantic record, which beats the one from 2010 by four days, is currently undergoing an authorisation process at Guinness World Records.

WATCH THIS!

Solar powered flight across US

Recently, the Solar Impulse airplane embarked upon the next leg of its sun-powered journey across the US. The solar-powered giant has already travelled from the San Francisco Bay Area to Arizona, and recently took off from Phoenix’s Sky Harbour Airport en route to Dallas. The record-breaking flight marks a pivotal point in the team’s attempt to be the first to fly across the the country without using a single drop of fuel. The first part of the Across America journey was flown by Andre Borscberg who will also get the plane to Texas. Solar Impulse pilot and co-founder of Bertrand Piccard will then take over the controls and take the plane from Dallas to St Louis. Each segment of the cross-country journey will be streamed live on Solar Impulses’ website as well as on social media sites. Viewers will be shown altitude and speed information in real time. Names of those who join the global clean technology movement promoted by Solar Impulse will be carried on a USB key kept in the cockpit and transported across America as virtual passengers. As part of the initiative, the pilots are carrying five custom-designed flags displaying the Clean Generation slogan, which they'll hand over to civic leaders at each stop.

Eco-Logic Awards 2013

Entries are now open for the annual Eco-Logic Awards, hosted by The Enviropaedia. The Award entries close on the 30 June and winners will be announced during a celebration at Maropeng –the Cradle of Humankind, SA World Heritage site, Gauteng) on 26 September 2013.

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E co - governance

Cape's Green Campaign Grows

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O

n World Environment Day 2012, Western Cape Premier Helen Zille launched this

of their commitment to the Green Economy'.

This year's three inspirational speakers were

pull

Christina Kaba, Sizwe Nzima and Nokwanda

together regional and local government efforts,

Sotyantya. Many of the Flagships that joined one

along with those of NGOs, business, non-profit

year ago were able to report back great strides

entities and others under the umbrella of 'Flagship'

made in meeting their commitment statement.

province's

cutting-edge

drive

to

enterprises designed to show the way to greener, cleaner future.

This year, on the anniversary of that event and

110% Green: Smart Innovation on Tour

timed to co-incide with World Environment Day

Aside from the Flagship event, the 100% Green

2013, another 20 organisations joined the original

initiative also boasts several other events and

30 Flagship enterprises, plus various others which

activities. For example, under the 'Green Economy

have signed up in the last 12 months, at an event

Working for the Poor' theme, the province's Smart

hosted by Zille and the Western Cape government at

Innovation Tour aims to showcase green innovations

the VPUU in Khayelitsha.

in the Western Cape to encourage government and

Simply Green was there to record the event as well as to proudly take possession of our 110%

business leaders to support their development.

The Tour has two objectives:

Green flag signifying our participation in this

to raise awareness amongst Western Cape

worthy undertaking. Despite some noisome and

Government leaders and business leaders of

noxious efforts on the part of handful of protesters

green-related innovations in the province, and

outside the event, there was a celebratory feel to

the potential of such innovations to support the

proceedings as various green-minded entrepreneurs

growth of the emerging green economy in the

explained their motives and activities as part of

province; and

The government of the Western Cape, under Premier Helen Zille, has recently expanded its 110% Green initiative with a further 20 organisations – including Simply Green – joining the ranks of greening and sustainability organisations and businesses at the leading edge of greening in SA. We take a look. the initiative. Aside from the location of the event,

to encourage the participating leaders to agree

all the speakers were from what is termed among

to new, practical measures that will support

the politically-minded, 'formerly disadvantaged

the development and commercialisation of

communities'. That fact alone was deeply significant,

innovations under the theme, making the 'Green

though almost certainly lost on the noise-makers

Economy Work for the Poor'.

outside the venue.

The Tour will cover the Cape Metropolitan and

The Western Cape's 110% Green initiative aims to

Cape Winelands region and will take place over

position the province as the 'Green Economic Hub of

two days in the middle of July 2013. Four different

Africa'. Now an annual event, the Flagship awarding

tours of innovation will be organised with selected

ceremony for enterprises joining the initiative on

participants partaking in two tours each day.

World Environment Day is designed to highlight

Two events will also be convened as part of the

each of these participating organisations and to

tour. At the end of the first day, dinner, hosted by

'share and celebrate their impacts and achievements

Premier Zille, will be held with inspiring and unique

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presentations by leading experts in the area of innovation. The second day will conclude with a lunch at which participants will be invited to take up the challenge to support innovation.

Financing the Green Economy A focus area for the 110% Green initiative is understanding the global finance landscape and what this means for the 'Green Economy' in the

110% Green Flagships A Flagship is an organisation (be it a municipality, NGO or business) that has made more than the usual commitment towards the Green Economy. They have taken up the call towards building an economy that connects the well-being of

Western Cape. WWF consultant, Pamela Papapetrou,

our environment with the growth of our

explains that the Western Cape Government (WCG)

economy.

has long been at the forefront of advocating a transition to a low-carbon economy, reducing its dependence on fossil fuels for energy supply. In order to achieve the goals the WCG has set forth, through its Green Economy Strategy Framework,

Interested

organisations

submit

their proposed projects to 110% Green.

Following evaluation they are selected as a 110% Green Flagship project and become

a significant scaling up of efforts and projects is

part of the dynamic network of Flagship

required and has been undertaken.

organisations. These Flagships commit to

The Green Economy investment opportunities in the Western Cape are estimated to amount to tens of billions of rand in the next decade – to put this figure into context, a 140MW wind farm costs approximately R2.5 billion. In order to unlock capital

a project, are required to act upon this commitment and report on their impact.

110% Green is not an endorsement of a project by the Western Cape Government.

to flow to these high-priority projects, it is clear that

Each Flagship project is rather an expression

a holistic approach will be needed to address a

of co-responsibility by participants to

potential funding gap. In November 2012, a Green

contribute to building the Green Economy.

Economy Finance Working Group was established

If you have a project that can fly under

under the Green Economy Work Group and includes

the banner of 'COMMIT-ACT-IMPACT.', go to

representatives from various departments – Human Settlements, Transport and Public Works, Economic Development and Tourism and Environmental Affairs and Development Planning of the WCG,

www.westerncape.gov.za/110green

and

click the 110% commitment button to take up the call.

Wesgro, Green Cape, and National Treasury. The key objective of this working group is to mobilise finance for the Green Economy in the Western Cape by creating an enabling environment through provincial government support mechanisms.

In partnership with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), this working group convened a series of breakfast engagements with public and private sector financiers. The purpose of convening these engagements was two-fold: to enhance the WCG's knowledge of the financial resources, funds and vehicles available for green-related investment in the Western Cape; and to use these engagements as an opportunity for the WCG to build relationships with public and

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private entity financiers.

These engagements have been successful in this regard, and have provided a clear understanding of the platform from which the WCG's Green Economy will be financed, as well as the key stakeholders involved. Using the outcomes of these meetings as a basis, the next step for the Finance Working Group

COMMIT ACT IMPACT

Pic Newest flagship members of the 110% Green initiative Pic Simply Green publisher, Chris Erasmus, receives the 110% flag from Western Cape premier Helen Zille

will be to identify specific mechanisms to create an enabling environment for the financing and implementation of high-impact Green Economy projects.

Those interested in participating or just sharing their thoughts or relevant stories around greening are invited to connect with 110% Green team (inter hyperlink here: http://www. westerncape.gov.za/110green).

Greening Efforts Among other elements in the broad 100% Green drive, November 2012 saw

Green is to start vegetable gardens in the local schools, provide

municipalities compete for the title of

training to emerging entrepreneurs and assist in creating

Greenest Municipality in the province,

employment through recycling.

while Nedbank provided 1000 free online

The festival brought around 400 people to the Green Park

courses to Western Cape businesses as

which is slowly transforming the old Greyton dumpsite into

part of the bank's commitment to the

an open green space. Festival goers engaged in a range of

province's 100% Green campaign. The

workshops around upcycling and recycling, leather stitching,

courses assisted businesses to create a

composting and retreading tyres. A key activity at the festival was

sustainability plan.

the Eco-Brick Challenge which saw children of all ages stuffing

Recently, Greyton Transition Town

'bottle bricks' (2lt plastic bottles stuffed with trash) which were

received their signed flag as one of

then used as alternative currency for discounts, food items and

the newest Flagships at their second

prizes at the various stalls. The Eco-Bricks will now be used in

Trash2Treasure annual festival. Part

the building of the Red Cross Youth Centre as well as low-income

of Greyton TT's commitment to 110%

housing models.

SG

Upcoming 110% Green Events 110% Green: Smart Innovation on Tour, Monday, 15 July 2013, 12:30 to Tuesday, 16 July 2013, 17:30 Launch of Genius of Place Project, Monday, 2 September 2013, 10:00 to 12:00 Start of the Growing Eco Entrepreneurs Challenge, Tuesday, 1 October 2013, 15:00 to 16:00

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www.geminitelecom.com

Tech

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In Simply Green Issue 1 we looked at graphene – an emerging material set to change the way we live. Here we take a look at nanotechnology and the many ways it is set to shape our world.

Pictured: Nanotech shows innovative new ways to approach eco-lighting

nanotech

N

anotechnology (or 'nanotech') is the manipulation of matter on an atomic and molecular

scale.

The

description

earliest, of

widespread

nanotech

referred

to the particular technological goal of and

precisely

manipulating

molecules

for

atoms

fabrication

of

macroscale products, also now referred to as molecular nanotech. A more generalised description of nanotech was

subsequently

the

National

established

Nanotech

by

Initiative

(NNI), which defines nanotech as the

manipulation of matter with at least one dimension sized from 1 to 100 nanometers. This definition reflects the fact that quantum mechanical effects are important at this quantum-realm scale, and so the definition shifted from a particular technological goal to a research category inclusive of all types of research and technologies that deal with the special properties of matter that occur below the given size threshold. It is therefore common to see the plural form 'nanotechnologies' as well as 'nanoscale technologies' to refer to the broad range of research and

applications

whose

common

The definition of 'nanometre' reflects the fact that quantum mechanical effects are important at this quantum-realm scale.

WATCH THIS!

What is Nanotech?

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WATCH THIS!

www.yalescientific.org

Nanorobotics centers on self-sufficient machines of some functionality operating at the nanoscale.

There are hopes for applying nanorobots in medicine, but it may not be easy to do because of several drawbacks of such devices.

The Future of Nanotech

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trait is size. Because of the variety of potential

WATCH THIS!

applications (including industrial and military), governments have invested billions in nanotech research. Through its NNI, the US has invested $3.7b. The European Union has invested $1.2b and Japan $750m dollars.

Nanotech as defined by size is naturally very broad, including fields of science as diverse as surface science, organic chemistry, molecular biology, semiconductor physics, microfabrication, and so on. The associated research and applications are equally diverse, ranging from extensions of conventional device physics to completely new approaches based upon molecular self-assembly, from developing new materials with dimensions on the nanoscale to direct control of matter on the atomic scale.

Scientists are currently in debate over the future implications of nanotech. Nanotech may be able

Life at the Nano-scale Doug Linman Douglas Linman (above) , PhD, is a Solar Energy Science Innovator, Founder/Chief Executive of SUNTCO (sun technologies company) is the pioneer behind the leap in electrochemistry and nano science capturing solar energy in a new way and delivering it as Liquid Power. As its inventor he has become the Father of Solar Liquid Power (SLP).

to create many new materials and devices with a vast range of applications, such as in medicine, electronics, biomaterials and energy production.

goals, and applications.

On the other hand, nanotech raises many of the

These products are limited to bulk applications

same issues as any new technology, including

of nanomaterials and do not involve atomic control

concerns about the toxicity and enviro-impact

of matter. Some examples include the Silver Nano

of nanomaterials and their production, and their

platform for using silver nanoparticles as an

potential effects on global economics, as well as

antibacterial agent, nanoparticle-based transparent

speculation about various doomsday scenarios.

sunscreens, and carbon nanotubes for stain-resistant

These concerns have led to a debate among

textiles (see video).

advocacy groups and governments on whether special regulation of nanotech is warranted.

Areas of physics such as nanoelectronics, nanomechanics, nanophotonics and nanoionics have evolved during the last few decades to provide

Origins

a basic scientific foundation of nanotech.

The concepts that seeded nanotech were first discussed in 1959 by renowned physicist Richard Feynman in his talk There's Plenty of Room at the

Nano machines Molecular nanotech, sometimes called molecular

Bottom, in which he described the possibility of

manufacturing, describes engineered nanosystems

synthesis via direct manipulation of atoms. The

or nanoscale machines, operating on the molecular

term 'nano-technology' was first used by Norio

scale. Molecular nanotech is especially associated

Taniguchi in 1974, though it was not widely known.

with the molecular assembler, a machine that can produce a desired structure or device atom-by-atom

Commercial use Commercialisation

of

products

using based

on

the

principles

Manufacturing

in

the

of

mechanosynthesis.

context

of

productive

advancements in nanoscale technologies began

nanosystems is not related to, and should be clearly

emerging by the mid-2000s when new and serious

distinguished from, the conventional technologies

scientific attention started to flourish. Projects

used to manufacture nanomaterials such as carbon

emerged to produce nanotech roadmaps which

nanotubes and nanoparticles.

centre on atomically precise manipulation of matter

When the term 'nanotech' was independently

and discuss existing and projected capabilities,

coined and popularised by Eric Drexler (who at the

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www.technologyreview.com

Nanotech allows for the possibility that solar cells can be printed onto plastic instead of glass without any issues with melting – resulting in a flexible solar panel that can be shaped to fit anywhere. time was unaware of an earlier usage by Norio Taniguchi) it referred to a future manufacturing technology based on molecular machine systems. The premise was that molecular scale biological analogies of traditional machine components demonstrated molecular machines were possible: by the countless examples found in biology, it is known that sophisticated, stochastically (whose state is non-deterministic – thought of as a sequence of random variables) optimised biological machines can be produced.

It is hoped that developments in nanotech will make possible their construction by some other means, perhaps using biomimetic principles. However, Drexler and other researchers have proposed that advanced nanotech, although perhaps initially implemented by biomimetic means, ultimately could be based on mechanical

WATCH THIS!

engineering

principles,

namely,

a

manufacturing

technology based on the mechanical functionality of these components (such as gears, bearings, motors, and structural members) that would enable programmable, positional assembly to atomic specification.

Future nanosystems In general it is very difficult to assemble devices on the atomic scale, as all one has to position atoms on are other atoms of comparable size and stickiness. Another view, put forth by Carlo Montemagno, is that future nanosystems

The Power of Nanotech

will be hybrids of silicon technology and biological molecular machines. Yet another view, put forward by the late Richard Smalley, is that mechanosynthesis

Above, middle: The nanotech concept of Gecko Tape. Adhesives based on synthetic setae have been proposed as a means of picking up, moving and aligning delicate parts such as ultraminiature circuits, nano-fibres and nanoparticles, microsensors and micro-motors. In the macroscale environment, they could be applied directly to the surface of a product and replace joints based on screws, rivets, conventional glues and interlocking tabs in manufactured goods.

In this way, both assembly and disassembly processes would be simplified. Gecko adhesive (dry adhesive) would also suit the environment in outerspace where liquid adhesives are unsuitable.

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is impossible due to the difficulties in mechanically manipulating individual molecules.

Though biology clearly demonstrates that molecular machine systems are possible, non-biological molecular machines are today only in their infancy. Leaders in research on non-biological molecular machines are Dr Alex Zettl and his colleagues at Lawrence Berkeley Laboratories and UC Berkeley.

Quantum effects Materials reduced to the nanoscale can show different properties compared to what they exhibit on a macroscale,

The 'buckyball', is a representative member of the carbon structures known as fullerenes – a major subject of nanotech research. enabling unique applications. For instance, opaque substances can become transparent (copper); stable materials can turn combustible (aluminum); insoluble materials may become soluble (gold). A material such as gold, which is chemically inert at normal scales, can serve as a potent chemical catalyst at nanoscales. Much of the fascination with nanotech stems from these quantum and surface phenomena that matter exhibits at the nanoscale.

Applications As of August 21, 2008, the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies estimates that over 800 manufacturer-identified

nanotech

products

are publicly available, with new ones hitting the market at a pace of 3-4 per week. The project lists all of the products in a publicly accessible online database. Most applications are limited to the use of 'first generation' passive nanomaterials which includes titanium dioxide in sunscreen, cosmetics, surface coatings, and some food products; Carbon allotropes used to produce gecko tape (see opposite); silver in food packaging, clothing, disinfectants and household appliances; zinc oxide in sunscreens and cosmetics, surface coatings, paints and outdoor furniture varnishes; and cerium oxide as a fuel catalyst.

Further applications allow tennis balls to last longer, golf balls to fly straighter, and even bowling balls to become more durable and have a harder surface. Trousers and socks have been infused with nanotech so that they will last longer and keep people cool in the summer. Bandages are being infused with silver nanoparticles to heal cuts faster. Cars are being manufactured with nanomaterials so they may need fewer metals and less fuel to operate. Game consoles and PCs are set to become cheaper, faster, and contain more memory.

Lux Research (which provides strategic advice and on-going intelligence for emerging

Are there risks to 'playing God'?

As nanotech makes the jump from the lab to the market, regulators are faced with the challenge of ensuring safety without stifling innovation.

G

et the regulation correct and all stand to benefit from the economic and technological payback that this science can bring. Get it wrong, and people, nature and business all lose. Advancement has been made towards addressing the challenges of this emerging tech, covering: exposure monitoring, toxicity testing, predicting and avoiding harmful behaviour, evaluating material impact from cradle to grave, and establishing strategic research programs for addressing possible risks. Yet developers and regulators are still a long way from understanding how to predict and manage the potential risks associated with these new materials. Government and industry partnerships are essential to ensuring access to relevant and trusted data on the risks. Small firms and start-up companies need help to address potential risks and meet regulatory requirements. Innovative data transfer mechanisms are required between information producers and information users.

And nanotech-relevant regulations need to be streamlined and clarified, reducing unnecessary work for industry while ensuring safe use.

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technologies) speculates that commercial sales in both Europe and the US of nano-enabled products will attain revenues of over $1 trillion by 2015.

Nanotech offers immense promise for developing new technologies that are more sustainable than

Health concerns

current technologies. All major industrial sectors

Extremely small fibers used in commercial nanotech

incorporation of nanomaterials into their products.

products, called nanofibers, can be as harmful for

For example, nanotech has improved the design

the lungs as asbestos is, warn scientists in the

and performance of products in areas as diverse

publication Toxicology Sciences after experiments

as electronics, medicine and medical devices, food

with mice. Nanofibers are used in several areas and

and agriculture, cosmetics, chemicals, materials,

in different products, in everything from aircraft

coatings, energy, as well as many others.

have felt nanotech's impact, mainly from the

wings to tennis rackets. In experiments the scientists

The goal of green nanotech is a conscious

have seen how mice breathed nanofibers of silver.

minimisation of risks associated with the products

Fibers larger than 5 micrometers were capsuled in

of nanoscience. The green products of nanotech are

the lungs where they caused inflammations.

those that are used in either direct or indirect enviro-

The Royal Society report identified a risk of nanoparticles

or

nanotubes

being

applications. Direct enviro-applications provide

released

benefits such as monitoring using nano-enabled

during disposal, destruction and recycling, and

sensors, remediation of hazardous waste sites with

recommended that manufacturers of products that

nanotech, or treatment of wastewater and drinking

fall under extended producer responsibility regimes

water with nanotech. Indirect enviro-applications

such as end-of-life regulations publish procedures

include, for example, the saved energy associated

outlining how these materials will be managed to

with either lighter nanocomposite materials in

minimise possible human and enviro-exposure.

transport vehicles or reduced waste from smaller

Reflecting the challenges for ensuring responsible

products.

life cycle regulation, the Institute for Food and

The production and process aspects of green

Agricultural Standards has proposed that standards

nanotech involve both making nanomaterials

for nanotech research and development should

in a more enviro-friendly fashion and using

be integrated across consumer, worker and

nanomaterials to make current chemical processes

enviro-standards. They also propose that NGOs and

more enviro-acceptable. Examples of this would

other citizen groups play a meaningful role in the development of these standards.

Enviro-impact

involve the use of supercritical CO2, water, or ionic liquids to replace a volatile organic solvent.

Self-assembly

and

templating

might

also

be used to eliminate waste in manufacturing.

The manufacturing of nanomaterials for commercial

Renewables could be utilised as replacements

products uses many processes equivalent to

for either non-renewable and/or toxic starting

chemical manufacturing processes, like volatile

materials. Microwave techniques might potentially

organic solvents, for instance (see video for more).

help to conserve energy, as could both facile

As a result, manufacturing nanomaterials can

thermal and hydrothermal processes. Catalytic

produce either harmful pollutants or have adverse

and photocatalytic reactions could also increase

enviro-impacts similar to those from chemical

efficiency and decrease the formation of harmful

manufacturing. Unlike the chemical industry,

by-products. In addition, engineered nanomaterials

however, those same processes are not ingrained

themselves can be used as catalysts in current

in the manufacturing of nanomaterials, and the

chemical processes and as separation membranes

opportunity exists at the initial design stage to

to aid in the efficiency of these operations. In the

purposely account for and mitigate out potentially

emerging nanotech industry, green nanotech offers

harmful enviro-impacts. While prevention has not

the opportunity for industry to 'get it right from

been a priority in current industries, it can become a

the start', thereby by-passing enviro-concerns later

main concern for the new and future industries that

down the line.

manufacture nanomaterials on a bulk commercial scale. This is where green nanotech comes in.

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Green nanotech

SG

25 S G

W ind Energy

The footprint of a utility-sized wind turbine powering more than 2 000 homes can be as little as 5m in diameter

Excuse the pun, but there is a lot of hot air being blown about, especially in the mainstream news media, regarding wind energy and its feasibility as a reliable way to address base load demands on a national grid. Here are some answers to the questions such debate has posed, based on experience in the UK where wind energy has been in widespread use for much longer than SA where large-scale wind energy projects are still in their early phases.

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www.evwind.es

7 Myths

Wind Energy

ths of

Myth 1: Wind farms affect the value of nearby houses Fact: Recent UK studies show no clear relationship

between the proximity of wind farms and property prices.

'There was no evidence to suggest that wind turbines sited within an 8km radius of property had a negative impact on value'.

Study shown from 24 300 property transactions from 10 locations within the US over a period of six years by the US Renewable Energy Policy Project.

A 2007 survey by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors on the potential impact of wind farms on house prices concluded that 'proximity to a wind farm simply was not an issue'. Estate agents in the case study areas analysed reported that there were generally other factors that had a more significant effect on property prices than a wind farm.

A Scottish executive study found that those living nearest to operating wind farms are their strongest advocates, stating: 'The overwhelming majority of people living within 20km of a wind farm support an increase in the proportion of electricity generated in Scotland through the use of wind power over the coming 15 years (82%), while just 2% feel that there should be a reduction.'

In the world's most comprehensive study on the subject to date, the US's Renewable Energy Policy Project, compiled a survey of house values in the vicinity of wind turbines compared with those with no turbines in the vicinity. They examined 24 300 property transactions from 10 locations within the US over a period of six years and concluded that

there was no evidence to suggest that wind turbines sited within a 8km radius of property had a negative impact on value. In fact, property values appeared to rise above the regional average within the case study locations, suggesting that wind turbines actually had a positive effect on value.

Myth 2: Wind farms are noisy Fact: A 2007 Salford University survey showed

that the occurrence of complaints about wind turbine noise is very low.

In 2007, as part of research into wind farm noise commissioned by the UK government, the University of Salford surveyed all local authorities in the UK where wind farms were in operation. Out of all UK

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wind farms (133 at the time of the report, some operating for up to 16 years), only one wind farm has ever been found guilty of causing a nuisance to the nearest residents – and the issue has since been resolved through management of the turbine control system. In comparison, the report highlights that in one year alone (and for only 69% of local authorities in England and Wales, not the entirety of the UK), there were 39 508 cases of noise nuisance not related to wind farm noise.'

To

summarise,

advances

in

wind

turbine

technology mean noise levels are difficult to detect or inaudible at distances to housing prescribed by planning guidelines.

The strict guidelines on wind turbines and noise emissions contained in the 'ETSU Working Group' guidelines are reflected in the UK national planning policy for renewable energy developments. Local authorities also have the power to impose additional limits in the UK.

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Myth 3: Wind speeds vary so wind energy needs backup capacity from traditional energy sources Fact:

In 2009 three reports published by

respectively

the

UK

National

Grid,

energy

company Poyry and a coalition of NGOs, produced the same conclusion: large amounts of wind energy capacity on the system need relatively small amounts of backup.

Commenting on additional fossil fuel capacity required as backup once the UK has 33GW of installed wind capacity, the National Grid stated that only around 7GW to 10GW will be required, up from around 3.5GW used as backup today. The report by four leading UK NGOs claimed that 'thermal plant

www.filmsforaction.org

Turbines have a life expectancy of 20-25 years, generating 24 times the energy used in manufacture and installation

'Thermal plant breakdowns generally pose more of a threat to the stability of electricity networks than the relatively benign variations in the output of wind plant'.

Report by four leading UK NGOs breakdowns generally pose more of a threat to the stability of electricity networks than the relatively benign variations in the output of wind plant.'

An earlier UK Energy Research Centre report reviewed more than 200 studies on intermittency and none showed that introducing significant levels of renewable energy to the grid would lead to reduced reliability. It also found that '100% backup' for individual renewable sources was unnecessary; extra capacity will be needed to keep supplies secure, but 'will be modest and a small part of the total cost of renewables'.

In addition, energy experts see the problem of balancing the grid covered by a combination of retained capacity, greater interconnection between energy markets (including the EU super-grid) and demand-side management, including smart metering.

Currently, in Britain, there is close to 4GW of installed wind energy capacity, this is saving 6m tons of coal per year as well as the associated 4.33m tons of CO2 annually.

Myth 5: Wind farms have a negative effect on tourism Fact: A Scottish Government-commissioned report

in 2008 showed that wind farm developments have a minimal impact on tourism.

Of the visitors surveyed in the study 93-99% said wind farms would have no impact on their decision to return to Scotland. Some 68% said they felt positive that a 'well-sited wind farm does not ruin the landscape' with a further 12% neutral about this statement.

Wind farms are also attracting visitors in their own right: the UK's first commercial wind farm at Delabole, Cornwall, received 350 000 visitors in its first 10 years of operation, while 10 000 visitors a year take the turbine tour at the EcoTech Centre in Swaffham, Norfolk. In a visitor survey undertaken on behalf of the Wales Tourist Board, 68% of respondents said that if the number of wind farms

Myth 4: Wind power development uses more energy than it generates Fact: Modern

being available for agriculture.

wind turbines pay back the

energy used in manufacture within 2-10 months depending on the wind speed of the site and the type of turbine used.

increased in Wales it would have no difference to the likelihood they would take holidays in the Welsh countryside. A further 9% said any impact would be negligible and only 2% said they would be 'less likely to come back'.

Myth 6: Wind farm developments rely on government subsidies

Wind turbines generate electricity without

Fact: The planning and construction of UK wind

generating CO2 or any other greenhouse gases,

farms is financed entirely with private capital, no

the fuel is cost-free, and it will never run out. Most

matter what the costs are.

turbines have a life expectancy of 20-25 years, so

Furthermore, wind energy does not require

they will generate at least 24 times the energy used

government money for any of its life-cycle phases,

in manufacture and installation.

such as decommissioning. Only when the wind

At the end of a wind farm's working life,

farm is fully operational and starts delivering

the area can be restored at low financial and

electricity to the grid, it qualifies for Renewable

enviro-costs. The footprint of a utility-sized wind

Energy Certificates (ROCs) for each megawatt unit of

turbine powering more than 2 000 homes can be as

electricity it produces. Much the same applies in SA.

little as 5m in diameter, with all the land around it

The ROC payments are fixed by the electricity

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market, not by the government, and are a necessary incentive, protecting and encouraging investment in low-carbon energy technologies. All sources of renewable electricity qualify for ROCs in the UK. In SA, wind power will be delivered at about double current coal-fired costs. However, future coal-fired or nuclear costs will be much higher than they have been in SA, and will become more expensive over time, while

wind costs will likely come down significantly – and as a renewable, will come with virtually no secondary eco-costs such as carbon emissions or radioactive waste which must be stored and/or disposed of.

According to a report by the Sustainable Development Commission, in 2007 the average cost of ROCs was £9 per household, with only a part of this going to wind energy, as the money from ROC payments was distributed to all qualifying technologies, including land fill gas, biomass and combined heat and power.

Myth 7: Denmark, an early adopter of wind energy and one of Europe's leading proponents of this alternative energy source, has stopped building wind farms Fact:

Currently

around

20%

of

Denmark's

electricity is supplied by wind power, with the Danish government setting out plans to meet 50% of its electricity needs with wind energy by 2025.

Wind turbines are available in various shapes and designs

Currently around 20% of Denmark's electricity is supplied by wind power, with the Danish government setting out plans to meet 50% of its electricity needs with wind energy by 2025.

There is a myth that Denmark has cancelled its wind program – reportedly due to either the inefficiency of turbines or health risks associated with them. The reality is very different. Currently around 20% of Denmark's electricity is supplied by wind power, with the Danish government setting out plans to meet 50% of its electricity needs with wind energy by 2025. This includes doubling its wind power capacity from 3GW to 6GW. As a stage in reaching this goal, the plans were to have an additional 1300MW of capacity by 2013, bringing the country's total to 4.4GW. Denmark has

reinforcing its main electricity transmission grid.

Increasing support for wind energy is very much part of the Danish government's energy policy.

In Feb 2008, the Danish Climate Change Minister Connie Hedegaard said: 'We are increasing subsidies for wind turbines, biogas and biomass. Never has Danish society staked so much on renewable energy as we are now doing. In the coming years we will be undertaking massive development of wind power in Denmark, especially offshore.'

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estimated that it can connect 2.25GW of offshore wind turbines and 3.5GW of onshore turbines without

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Source: http://www.metrowind.co.za

Switch/A101697/enviroment/print

Find partnerships in unlikely places. Since 1993, we have collected no less than 950 000 tons of cans from our surrounding environments. By partnering with Collect-a-Can, we can increase this recovery rate and further conserve and sustain the environment. To find out how we can keep our country beautiful contact us on (011) 466 2939 or visit www.collectacan.co.za. Recycle cans today. Sustain tomorrow.

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W ind

energy news

DID YOU KNOW?

2012 was full of surprises for the global wind industry. Most surprising, of course, was the astonishing 8.4GW installed in the US during the fourth quarter. The annual market grew by about 10% to just under 45GW, and the cumulative market growth of almost 19% means 2012 ended with 282.5GW of wind power globally. For the first time in three years, the majority of installations were inside the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

www.sawea.org.za

Retired veteran Raymond Green has developed a wind turbine system that prevents birds and bats from being injured in comparison to traditional three-blade turbines. Typically, high-speed spinning blades hit and knock airborne animals to the ground, in most cases killing them. By removing external components within the unit and integrating all moving parts within the interior space of a specifically designed compression cone, the concept nearly eliminates the chance of disabling avian species in their natural environments. By reducing larger blade elements, the 79cm diameter turbine virtually cancels sounds, eradicating the negative associations with loud wind farms. Weighing just under 20kgs, the light-weight prototype considerably reduces installation, maintenance and manufacturing costs. Where current turbines are required to be mounted 130m high to achieve optimum power generation, the alternative system compresses wind, allowing for the unit to be placed lower to the ground, doubling the energy output it creates at a much lower level.

www.globalwindday.org

Bird friendly wind turbines

SA 's renewable sector takes a R28bn step

Amid growing concerns that SA's economy will be further hamstrung by another round of Eskom load-shedding, government and the private sector are quietly taking the next step in the country’s renewable energy journey.

The second bid window for the procurement of 1 043.9MW of renewable energy capacity from independent power producers reached financial closure recently. It clears the way for the construction of seven new wind farms and nine solar energy projects worth a collective R28bn and will be a step toward alleviating the country’s energy shortage. The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) estimates that the 2008 load-shedding cost the country around R50bn. In parallel, last week the Department of Energy issued bid documents for the third-bid window request for proposals (RFPs), which is expected to close in August.

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Wind farms in South Africa

Image http://cleanenergysolutions.org

There are currently no large-scale wind farms operational in SA, though a number are in the initial planning stages. Most of these below are earmarked for locations along the Eastern Cape coastline. Eskom has constructed one small-scale prototype wind farm at Klipheuwel in the Western Cape and another demonstrator site is near Darling with phase 1 completed.

Denmark to help fund SA renewable energy Denmark has committed to help SA meet its future goals of a low-carbon economy and reducing the growth of greenhouse gases through the deployment of low-carbon tech. An agreement signed between the two governments recently will see Denmark providing financial support to SA to invest in wind-based electricity generations while the Danish will also give technical support to Eskom to integrate renewable energy into the electricity supply.

While the full financial details of the agreement were not immediately available, Deputy President Kgalema Motlante said that the contract will provide much-needed assistance as SA embarks on its clean technology trajectory. It’s understood that the Danish International Development Assistance (DANIDA) will make available an interim grant of DKK40 million to SA. Some of the money will be used to further develop the Wind Atlas of SA in order for the country to pursue and invest in wind-based electricity as opposed to power generation using fossil fuels.

World's largest offshore wind farm goes online

DONG Energy, E.On and Masdar have just announced

that their joint venture – the London Array – went online recently. The wind farm, which started construction in March of 2011, is situated 20km off of the coasts of Kent and Essex in the Thames Estuary. It will be the largest off-shore wind farm in the world when completed, and it will boast 175 wind turbines by the end of its first phase, which is projected to be at the end of the year. Phase one of the London Array will cover approximately 90km2, and it is projected to produce 630MW of energy – enough to power 470 000 homes. Currently, 15 out of those 175 turbines have been installed and they are already generating power. Phase two is projected to produce a total of 870MW. Plans for more wind turbines had to be scaled back due to concerns over the negative impact of the wind farm on the red-throated diver population in the estuary.

33 S G

M obility

&

Efficient, intelligent emotional A

s a result of its redesign, the new Mercedes

story of the E-Class, adds Mercedes. The models of

E-Class

step

the E-Class are making a significant contribution to

forward when it comes to efficiency and

the growth of Mercedes-Benz, and are setting clear

ecology. This comes courtesy of new, powerful

standards in the areas of safety, design, quality and

BlueDIRECT four-cylinder petrol engines featuring

efficiency.

has

made

a

significant

sophisticated direct injection TEChnology, a new,

Estate models, new or optimised assistance systems

Radiator variants: classic or sporty

from the future S-Class are celebrating their world

For the first time, the E-Class is available with two

premiere. This development is reflected in the design

different front ends: the ELEGANCE equipment line

efficient six-cylinder engine as well as even more economical diesel engines. In both the Saloon and

of the E-Class. With a new front, new bumpers, and

will be offered with the classic 3D Saloon grille

revised side view, it encapsulates, says Mercedes,

with 3-louvre look and Mercedes-Benz star on the

efficiency, intelligence and emotional appeal in a

bonnet, while the AVANTGARDE equipment line (not

visually superior manner. 'In this way the E-Class

available in SA at this time) incorporates the sporty

is securing its leading position in the luxury class

front end with central star, and as such boasts an

vehicle sector at the very highest level: dynamically

independent, front-end look with a sporty emphasis.

elegant, it combines intelligent TEChnology with

The headlamps have been redesigned and

superior style,' says the vehicle manufacturer.

The Saloon and Estate are continuing the success

S G 34

comprise all functional elements with a single headlamp lens. The low-beam headlamps and the

daytime running lamps feature LED TEChnology as standard. Full LED headlamps are also available as an option for the first time in this class.



Mercedes-Benz has completely revised the Saloon and Estate models of its E-Class range.

We take a look.

The revised models provide 23% less CO2 emissions over its life cycle, and an efficiency class A+ rating.



standard.

The six-cylinder petrol engine in the E 400 is state-of-the-art – and for the first time features a

A modified side view with new feature line and

bi-turbo drive. The V6 E 350 BlueTEC (diesel) is single

repositioned trim strip make both the Saloon and

turbo. The same advanced engine TEChnology

the Estate appear longer. Overall the E-Class not

enables the V8 in the E 500 to achieve outstanding

only looks more elongated, but also more elegant

levels of performance and efficiency.

yet at the same time dynamic.

The four cylinder diesel engines in the E 250 CDI, and the brand new E300 BlueTEC Hybrid, are

Efficiency meets performance

economical, thanks, among other things, to a

The E-Class Saloon is available with a broad range

revised drive train. This is also the case for the E 300

well known for their efficiency and featuring the latest injection TEChnology, are now even more

of powerful and efficient petrol and diesel engines

BlueTEC HYBRID, currently, says Mercedes, the most

– all fitted with ECO start/stop function. New

economical luxury-class saloon, which in addition

units include the BlueDIRECT four-cylinder petrol

to the four-cylinder diesel engine also has a 20kW

engines in the E 200 and E 250, featuring the

electric motor under the bonnet.

same sophisticated technology used in the latest

The V6 diesel engine in the E 350 BlueTEC have

six-cylinder engine from Mercedes-Benz. Both of

been revised and fitted with enviro-friendly and

the four-cylinder petrol engines meet the future EU4

efficient BlueTEC TEChnology, such that it currently

35 S G

already meets the future EU6 emissions standard.

WATCH THIS!

Virtually all of the E-Class models with diesel engines fall into efficiency class A, while the E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID is even classified in efficiency class A+.

Hybrid eco-award The Mercedes E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID has obtained its Environmental Certificate in accordance with ISO standard 14062. This award is based on a Life Cycle Assessment, in which the independent inspectors of TÜV Süd subject the vehicle to comprehensive tests

covering the entire life cycle.

With the new E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID, Mercedes-Benz is launching its first diesel passenger car to feature a hybrid drive. Claimed to be 'the world's most economical luxury-class model', this vehicle is rated in energy-efficiency class A+ and has now received the coveted Environmental Certificate from TÜV Süd. The Environmental Certificate and associated explanations will be made available to the public as part of the Life Cycle documentation series, which can be viewed here.

'After introducing the S 400 HYBRID in 2009, Mercedes-Benz is now setting new standards for luxury-class business vehicles with the E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID,' explains Professor Herbert Kohler, Chief Environmental Officer for Daimler AG. 'The modular hybrid TEChnology is opening the way for us to quickly expand other model series with the addition of hybrid models.'

Over its entire life cycle, from production and use over 250 000km through to recovery, the Mercedes E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID gives rise to 23% less CO2 emissions than a comparable E 300 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY. This is largely a result of the significant reduction in consumption. Compared with the equivalent E 300 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY diesel model, the consumption

of the E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID has been reduced from 6.1-5.8l/100km to between 4.3-4.2l/100km (109g CO2/km) - depending on tyres fitted. This represents

a considerable reduction of up to 28%.

The E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID meets the mandatory

components with a total weight of 41.5kg, some of which have been produced from recycled plastics.

In addition, the E-Class also features 44 components with a total weight of 21kg which have been produced using natural materials. The floor in the luggage compartment, for example, is made of a honeycomb cardboard structure, and olive coke is used as an active filter.

Intelligent assistance systems In the main markets, both the Saloon and Estate models are fitted as standard with COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST, a radar-based collision warning

system with adaptive brake assist systems. Also forming part of the standard equipment is ATTENTION ASSIST, which is now able to warn of inattentiveness

and drowsiness across a wider speed range, and also inform the driver about his level of fatigue and the amount of driving time which has elapsed since the last break.

In addition, also optionally available in the new E-Class are a number of additional assistance systems which are mostly new or now feature significantly extended functions.

As with all Mercedes-Benz passenger cars, the new E-Class comes standard with PremiumDrive 6-years/100 000km maintenance contract with no customer contribution.

SG

recycling rate of 95% by weight that will come into

The E 300 BlueTEC Hybrid will cost R634 000

force on 1 January 2015. The future requirements of

(including VAT) with no CO2 tax due to its emissions

vehicle recycling were already taken into account at

of just 110g/km.

the development stage, and closing material loops plays an important role here, not only in terms of the metals used. The vehicle makes use of 43

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Mercedes-Benz BlueDirect

Makes an impact on you, not the environment.

The new Mercedes-Benz E-Class Hybrid, the world’s most efficient luxury sedan.* The new E-Class E300 Hybrid turns power and sophistication into a cleaner, greener experience. By reducing fuel consumption by up to 28% while producing up to 23% fewer CO2 emissions, it changes the way the world sees you.

For more information visit www.mercedes-benz.co.za/e-class

A Daimler Brand

Vehicle specifications may vary for the South African market. *The world’s most fuel-efficient model in the luxury segment.

37 S G

Motoring News



Terrafugia – the makers of the Transition – has many obstacles to overcome and are realistic about the challenges. Not only do they need some serious capital, but they will be required to develop the technology necessary to make this flying craft as safe as possible.



World's 1st flying hybrid-electric car

WATCH THIS!

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After successfully testing their first flying vehicle, Massachusetts-based startup Terrafugia just unveiled plans for the world's first hybrid-electric flying car. The semi-autonomous flying car is small enough to fit in any single garage, and drivers will be able to take the four-seater vehicle for an easy cruise down the road or an exhilarating sky drive. Take-off and landing will be powered by electric motors that provide quiet and clean lift off, while long-range flights will rely on a gas turbine for power. Designed to exceed current aviation safety regulations, the self-driving TF-X flying car is expected to have an 800km range.

Founded by MIT graduates in 2006, Terrafugia has recently tested their first flying car – the Transition. A sleek vehicle with fold-up wings, it has two seats and a loud engine. The company has over 100 pre-orders for the craft, which will cost R2.6m, according to Xconomy. In addition to the improved hybrid engine system, the TF-X will feature rotor blades on each wing-tip that will assist take off and landing and fold away during flight. In order to lift off, the TF-X needs an open space of least 30m in diameter, so people won’t be able to hit the skies straight from their driveways, but as Xconomy puts it, it will be easier than getting to landing strips – particularly if cities and parks begin to set aside space for just that reason. That being said, Terrafugia has many obstacles to overcome and the craft's developers are realistic about the challenges. Not only do they need some serious capital, but they will be required to develop the technology necessary to make this flying craft as safe as possible. The semi-autonomous vehicle should be able to avoid air traffic and bad weather, land in an emergency when the operator becomes unresponsive, land in non-approved zones in an emergency, which would be instantly communicated to air traffic controllers, and it should come with a full vehicle parachute system. 'It’s an eight-to-10-year process,' co-founder and CEO Carl Dietrich told Xconomy, 'but we believe it’s possible to increase the required level of safety while simultaneously making it easier to operate an aircraft.'

WATCH THIS!

Ford eWheelDrive

The eWheelDrive project

Ford Motor Company and Schaeffler recently demonstrated the Fiesta-based eWheelDrive car, a driveable research vehicle that could lead to improvements in urban mobility and parking by making possible smaller, more agile cars. Powered by independent electric motors in each of the rear wheels, eWheelDrive technology offers space under the hood that in conventional cars is occupied by the engine and transmission, and in electric cars by a central motor. This technology could in the future support the development of a four-person car that only occupies the space of a two-person car today. At the same time, eWheelDrive steering system designs could enable vehicles to move sideways into parking spaces – a potential breakthrough as cities become more populated and congested. Ford will next partner with Schaeffler, Continental, RWTH-Aachen and the University of Applied Sciences, Regensburg, on project MEHREN (Multimotor Electric Vehicle with Highest Room and Energy Efficiency) to develop two further driveable vehicles by 2015.

Chrysler Environmental Leadership Awards 2013

Chrysler SA (Pty) Ltd, importer of Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge brand vehicles locally has been awarded the runner’s up trophy in the annual Environmental Leadership Awards presented by Chrysler Group LLC in the US. These awards are sponsored by Chrysler Group LLC with the aim of promoting and improving enviro-performance not only within the company, but throughout the Chrysler dealer body and affiliates worldwide.

The awards are divided into four sections: production-related enviro-protection, product-related enviro-protection, extraordinary efforts for the environment/extraordinary enviro-responsibility, and dealership enviro-programs and initiatives.

DHL goes electric

DHL Germany presented a pilot project that will see the deployment of electric delivery vehicles in its fleet, starting in mid-2013 in the Bonn city centre and surrounding region.

79 EVs will be put into service by the end of the year, and 141 EVs are expected by 2016.

This pilot project is unique worldwide and can serve as a role model for other cities and regions, said Frank Appel, CEO of Deutsche Post DHL.

Did you know?

5.1m hybrid vehicles were sold worldwide since the launch of the first hybrid 18 new hybrid vehicles are planned by December 2015 34 tons of CO2 and 12m kl of fuel has been saved by hybrid vehicles, worldwide to date.

In 1997 in Japan, TMC launched the Coaster Hybrid EV in August that year and launched the Prius – the world's first mass-produced hybrid passenger vehicle – in December that year. Since then, TMC hybrid vehicles have received tremendous support from consumers around the world.

39 S G

Buildings

why build

Green?

Green building is smart building. Aside from the obvious benefit to the environment, green buildings deliver financial savings, are more comfortable, healthier, return higher productivity rates and have higher resale values. Though LEED-certified buildings cost just 1-2% more than conventional buildings, public perception is quite a different thing. This infographic makes a case for the financial, environmental, health and productivity benefits of building green.

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41 S G

Home

ZeroEnergyHome Virtually everything we interact with in the home involves energy (think of it as money) at one level or another. Switch on a light, make toast, boil an egg, turn on the TV, make tea, or take a hot shower and cash flows. Most of us hardly give energy a thought, but energy awareness can profoundly enhance our lives. In the end it all comes down to energy management and a higher level of awareness enables us to practice intelligent energy management, resulting in reduced energy bills and thereby putting money back into your pocket that would have gone to your energy supplier. Roger Metcalfe investigates.

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A

zero-energy building is a popular term to describe a building with zero net energy consumption and zero carbon emissions.

In view of SANS 10400 XA and recently-gazetted SANS 204, it is instructive (especially for architects) to

understand the meaning of a low- or zero-energy building.

Zero-energy buildings can be independent from Eskom but an interactive system is more practical and cost-effective in South Africa. An interactive building is a building that generates its own energy but has a connection to the grid which it uses only when the building itself fails to generate sufficient energy. In other words Eskom acts as a back-up.

A well-designed system should result in zero-energy At this stage of our energy development, it may be more practical to think of a low-energy building. The low- or zero-energy design approach is becoming

reduced through intelligent air-flow design, smart

more practical to adopt due to the increasing costs

landscaping, using building automation and the

of traditional fossil fuels and their disturbance to

latest LED lighting technologies.

the ecological balance. A low-energy building is

South Africa, especially the Highveld, has one

normally connected to Eskom, but supplements its

of the highest solar irradiation factors in the world.

energy drawn from the grid by generating some of

This simply means we have the most days of

its own electricity (like via a photovoltaic/battery/

sunshine with minimal clouds. In order to practice

inverter system).

intelligent energy management we need to know

To reduce energy consumption, one needs to consider both active and passive energy strategies.

how much energy is being consumed by what. This is not rocket science so bear with me.

In a normal home with one geyser, this chart (above) gives a typical breakdown of what consumes electrical energy. It is clear that a traditional geyser,

Active: Energy can be actively generated on-site –

usually on most of the time, is what consumes the

usually through a combination of energy producing

highest energy.

technologies like solar water heating, photovoltaic Passive: Because of the design challenges required

So how do we lower our energy profile?

to efficiently meet the energy needs of a building,

Solar power: If the sun shines on a building for

architects should ideally apply integrated or passive

most of the day, especially in winter, harnessing

design principles and take advantage of free,

solar energy will substantially reduce energy costs.

naturally-occurring assets, such as solar orientation,

This includes solar water heating and photovoltaic

natural ventilation, natural lighting (such as

systems.

systems, biogas and wind generators.

skylights), window over-hangs, good insulation and

However a good solar design will also allow the

thermal mass. Note that passive energy designs

winter sun to reach a thermal mass like a natural

are much more cost-effective than active energy

tile floor or north-facing walls made from concrete,

strategies. A building that is passively well-designed

clay, stone or rammed earth. These retain heat and

will naturally heat and cool the building through

can radiate warmth into the building for several

the harnessing of solar energy and ventilation.

hours after sunset, resulting in great savings on

The overall consumption of energy can be further

heating systems.

43 S G

Water Heating: Hot water is the greatest single energy consumer in a home. However north-facing solar water heating (SWH) panels on the roof of a building can virtually eliminate this cost factor.

Payback period is generally under two years at present which makes it an excellent investment.

To prevent freezing and damage to the roof panels in winter, it is advisable to go the indirect method where glycol is used as a heat exchange fluid. This is less of a problem in freeze-free coastal areas where direct systems work perfectly.

A high quality LED with efficient cooling fins.

Heat pump technology can be used with equally good effect. Essentially a heat pump is mounted on an external wall and acts like an air conditioner in reverse. This technology is extremely efficient and cost-effective and can power one or more geysers in a home, or a boiler and ring feed system in larger buildings.

The use of efficient 'on demand' immediate

common currency at present but environmentalists

hot water systems (which eliminates the need to

are concerned with the mercury content of this

store hot water) can also be considered for hot

technology and their future is not bright. This is

water in the home. Unlike SWH, both heat pumps

further driving the trend towards LED lighting which

and 'on demand' electric hot water systems, while

is set to dominate the market in the near future.

cost-efficient, remain dependent on utility power.

Water heating can also be done using a gas

which has a life of six months to a year, a

geyser, although LPG gas is not cheap. Town gas is

good-quality, cool-running LED bulb, while more

a better option.

costly, has a life of up to or over 20 years. Dimmable

Insulation: This is a passive form of energy

ones are already available, and easy to retrofit.

saving and should be used wherever possible.

A new system which uses daylight involves

This includes all hot water pipes, ceilings, ducting,

fibre-optic powered down-lighters. Here light is

cavity walls, window overhangs, double-glazing of

generated by a roof-top or exterior wall-mounted

windows, efficient sealing of windows and doors.

light-capturing unit. Using highly efficient fibre-optic

HVAC (Heating, ventilation, air-conditioning):

cables, light is transported to multiple interior

Using low consumption units for heating and

installation points. This is an elegant solution for

air-conditioning and

bringing daylight into a multi-storey building, for

utilising maximum solar

radiation for passive heating, combined with

example.

ventilation control also adds to the total green

Photovoltaic

solution. Latest aircon systems work on a DC basis

increasingly viable mode of off-grid or supplementary

(via an inverter) and consume around 40% less

electrical

energy than conventional systems.

clean, low-maintenance and silent technology. It is

Lighting: This consumes a significant slice of the

important for developers and home owners to know

energy cake, especially in commercial/industrial

that even though these systems may add around

environments and advantage should be taken of the

10% to the cost of a new building, it has been

latest technologies. For example, high-efficiency LED

proven that the ROI is excellent and the cost savings

lighting systems are becoming more popular and

during the life-span of the home or building are

are highly efficient, especially when combined with

substantial. Most buildings have flat or pitched roofs

advanced lighting controls (like movement sensors).

which favour efficient arrays of North-facing panels.

This option is still costly, but prices are gradually

While the PV/battery system may be set to generate

coming down.

Compact fluorescent lights or CFLs are also

S G 44

Compared to a ceiling halogen down-lighter,

(PV)

generation,

panels: representing

This a

is

an

reliable,

48V DC, this is converted via an inverter to 220V AC

which suffers little voltage drop when distributed to

'Imagine living in a home that treads lightly on the environment, generates its own electricity, heats and cools itself and consumes very little electricity while thinking for itself. Well that's the home of today and that's the home that you can invest in.'

Alastair Armstrong, Elec Engineer the rest of the building. One option is an integrated

A diesel-powered generator, although itself

(grid-tied) set-up where PV technology is combined

not 'green', is often a vital back-up component in

with Eskom power where and when practical. If

an off-grid or 'green' set-up. Bio-diesel is a more

designed properly, these systems are scalable,

eco-friendly option.

meaning the system capacity can be increased over time, as and when needed.

We have to realise that times are fast changing, cheap electricity is a thing of the past, and if we fail

Other areas which contribute to a zero

to adjust our lifestyles and thinking accordingly, we

energy building include the choice of materials

will be paying far more than we should, especially

and efficient water management (this includes

over the short- and medium-term. Becoming more

rain water harvesting, eco-pools and grey water

energy aware and investing in new technologies is

reticulation). These are specialist areas in their own

the best way forward.

right and will not be detailed in this summarised

To contact Roger see ad below, or call 082 456 4233 or

article.

email roger@solarconnect.co.za

SG

45 S G

Energy

Pictured: Louise Williamson, 2012 winner of an Eskom eta Award

Living off the grid wins award Living off the electricity grid is not only possible but comfortable too. That's the view of the winner of the 2012 Eskom eta Awards in the household category.

We take a look.

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'M

y husband, four children and I are proof that one can live an everyday life that is comfortable with all modern necessities without being connected

to the electricity grid,' says Louise Williamson, 2012 winner of an Eskom eta Award in the energy savings in household category.

'Living off the grid is not only still comfortable and convenient but is also cost-effective for us as a family in the long run, and it is good to know that we are playing our part in creating an energy-efficient SA.' It all started when the Williamsons' former home went

'Living off the grid is not only still comfortable and convenient but is also cost-effective for us as a family in the long run, and it is good to know that we are playing our part in creating an energy-efficient SA.'

through a land claim process forcing them to look for another place to live. This is when they came across a vacant piece of land in the Lowveld that was being formed into a conservancy by other families. After purchasing a plot on the conservancy they set to work and built an elevated tent house in six weeks.

At the time that entries to the 2012 Eskom eta Awards opened the Williamson's had been living off the grid for 56 months using solar power for cooking and powering the fridge and deepfreeze.

The 'Boondocks Tent Camp', as they call their home, has three solar panels (390W each), a 210W solar geyser and 10 batteries. They also use borehole water and gas to cook on when necessary. They use their solar panels to electrify eight appliances within the house while the majority of the cooking is done in clay ovens that use fire.

Utilising Management

the (IDM)

Eskom

Integrated

calculator,

the

Demand

Wiliamsons

recorded a total energy savings of 33 908kWh over 56 months, which is estimated at a R20 000 savings.

Dr Steve Lennon, Eskom Group Executive of Sustainability, says: 'SA families who have heeded the call to make their properties more energy efficient are true leaders in our quest to save

Louise sporting lovely homecooked bread from her natural clay oven at her off the grid home

WATCH THIS!

energy; we all need to play our part in leading a lifestyle that does not deplete our energy resources and have a negative impact on our environment.' S G Entries for the 2013 awards opened on 2 May 2013 and close on 2 August 2013. Winners of the awards in each category could receive a cash amount of R30 000, subject to the judges' discretion. Visit www.eta-awards.co.za for more info, follow the eta Awards on Facebook and Twitter, and watch videos of previous winners on YouTube.

Living Off the Grid

47 S G

Energy

V&A Waterfront

wins energy award The commercial sector contributes about 10% to South Africa's total electricity demand and most of the energy consumed goes to lighting, heating and cooling buildings.

In order to make a real dent in energy consumption those in the commercial sector need to play their part – and companies across SA are doing their bit.

We take a look at the latest eta Awards for the commercial sector.

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T

he Commercial Category in the annual Eskom eta Awards is hotly contested with

the banks, wine farms and even shopping

precincts vying for the top spot. Eskom's eta Awards have been around since 1985 and in that time have been recognising and rewarding outstanding work in energy-efficiency. Since first being established the awards have grown and now garner increasing interest with the growth of the green economy.

Business has taken on the challenge to become more energy-efficient and has been leading the charge to reduce its consumption and cut costs.

In 2012 the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town took home the top honours and R30  000 prize money for the comprehensive energy-savings project it has initiated. Starting back in 2008, the operations division at the Waterfront launched an energy-efficiency project to turn the precinct into a green zone.

of the entire V&A Waterfront area – 85 buildings in total. Those behind the initiative took a holistic approach and their green endeavours include waste reduction, recycling and reducing their energy consumption.

The eta judges were impressed with their

www.greenbusinessguide.co.za

The project aimed to optimise the efficiency

comprehensive solutions that include: installation of lighting controls, installation of energy-efficient lighting, upgrading the air conditioning BMS, installation of new chillers and variable speed drives on pumps and motors and the installation of meters, replacing lifts and escalators.

To date the V&A Waterfront has spent R22m on these projects which was entirely self-funded. All these initiatives have resulted in an annual saving on electricity of 11m kWh, worth R5.6m, while reducing demand on the development's grid by 10.53%.

Dr Steve Lennon, Eskom Group Executive of Sustainability, says: 'We were really impressed by the V&A Waterfront's energy savings. Not only does this approach make business sense for them by helping to reduce their operating costs but it also has positive spin offs for the environment. At the Eskom eta Awards we are always on the lookout for organisations that are working to reduce their demand on the national grid and the V&A Waterfront is a great example of an organisation that is doing

In 2012 the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town took home the top honours and R30 000 prize money for the comprehensive energy-savings project it has initiated. a chance of winning a prestigious eta Award in recognition of this important work,' explains Dr Lennon.

SG

WATCH THIS!

its bit for the country.'

In addition to the technical changes the V&A Waterfront has also looked at innovative ways to help change behaviour and establish an energy-efficient mind-set among staff and tenants. Now targets are built into staff performance contracts and a sustainability committee has been set up. But perhaps the most effective initiative has been the energy-efficiency training for tenants in the precinct that has helped to instil an energy-efficiency culture that is seeing real results.

Colin Devenish, Executive Manager of Operations at the V&A Waterfront says: 'One of the biggest

V&A Waterfront Holdings reaps

the rewards of an energy-efficient approach

challenges is getting the support of our tenants but we have educated them and provided them with the necessary skills to bring them on board.'

Entries for the 2013 awards opened on 2 May 2013 and close on 2 August 2013. Winners of the awards

'The success of the V&A Waterfront's green

in each category could receive a cash amount

initiatives show that energy-efficiency and green

of R30  000, subject to the judges' discretion. Visit

initiatives make real business sense. We encourage

www.eta-awards.co.za for more info, follow the eta

all commercial organisations implementing energy

Awards on Facebook and Twitter, and watch videos

efficient projects to enter the eta Awards and stand

of previous winners on YouTube.

49 S G

B uilding

greening j Suzanne Perrin – a specialist in Japanese history and culture – looks into the greening initiatives in Japan's industrialised cities.

Top: The Oasis 21 of Nagoya's Central Park area in Japan Right: The roof of Oasis 21, which has an effect like an 'aquatic Zen garden'

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Post-war Japanese architects responded to technological advances, creating a new identity that discarded the stereotypes of the previous age. were tuning up in the bus depot preparing for the inaugural evening concert.

The clue lies in the name, for it is only when one ascends to the top of the structure – via the elevator or the stairs – that one discovers the 'oasis'.

The whole huge dish is filled with water, like a large transparent swimming pool, reflecting light beams through the water to the plaza and the bus depot below. It has the effect of an aquatic Zen garden – nothing to look at but exuding calm and tranquility.

'Oasis 21' ('21' refers to the 21st century) is a cooling water feature among the densely packed buildings of Nagoya city. Open to all, it allows a refreshingly cool space to its citizens in the hot summers.

In rebuilding the Japanese economy in the post-war years, the boom in industry brought wealth and advancement for society, and business groups became the new patrons of art and architecture for a new age. Japanese architects responded to technological advances, creating a new identity that discarded the stereotypes of the previous age. Art became accessible in department store galleries,

japan

fashion boutiques and street culture; museums and shopping malls became the creative focus for a new generation of architectural style, innovative design and consumer culture.

With the urbanisation of Japanese cities and the increasing density of population, overcrowding and pollution were inevitable outcomes. Most Japanese cities did not have any green space – the Imperial Palace in Tokyo has its own huge park which acts like a lung for the city, but the public are not allowed access to it. Nagoya proudly has its Central Park as it was a 'planned' city being rebuilt after

'O

oval dish placed on top at a height of around 30m,

created an innovative building – called 'ACROS' –

and it straddles an open pit that connects to the

as its new government HQ and cultural centre. As

Nagoya bus depot below. On the opening day on 2nd

well as government offices, the building housed

October 2003 when I visited, Nagoya City Orchestra

a conference centre, concert hall, retail outlets,

asis 21' is a curiously-shaped tubular steel structure located half-way down Nagoya's Central Park area in Japan. It has a large

the war.

Back

in

1995

the

Fukuoka

prefectural

government in Kyushu demolished its old HQ and

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To combat the growing pollution problems in the city areas, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government issued the new 'Greening the City' ordinance in 2001, requiring that every new building project over 2 1 000m must provide 20% of their roof area as green space with vegetation, and to have greenery occupying at least 20% of its non-building area in the overall plan.

restaurants, an outdoor stage, terrace and plaza.

The structure was glass-faced on the front three sides, but the rear was like a pyramidal step-building with terraces going from top to bottom. The terraces were accessible with steps and people could walk up and down and along them, and sit and relax in them.

They were planted with over 60 000 different shrubs and flowers and provided an unexpected green space for the general public, overlooking a large plaza area that was used for public events.

Nearly a decade later the innovations of the ACROS building began to catch on. To combat the

growing pollution problems in the city areas, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government issued the new 'Greening the City' ordinance in 2001, requiring that every new building project over 1 000m2 must provide 20% of their roof area as green space with vegetation, and to have greenery occupying at least 20% of its non-building area in the overall plan,

Left: Architect Shigeru Ban uses recycled paper, card, wood, and plastics to create dwellings and shelters, particularly where they are needed quickly in disaster zones. Top: One of Shingeru's creations using cardboard tubing • Bottom: Architect Jounan Kensetsu's 'Quad Roof House' which can be large or small depending on the number of components used, and has a usable roof space in four sections.

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Shigeru's Pompidou of the South's roof structure is composed of timber that intersects to form hexagonal wooden units resembling the cane-work pattern of a Chinese hat (see design detail opposite).

thus allowing for plants and gardens

specialising in equipment for rooftop development.

to be used as public access areas for

The project gained momentum and six months later

recreation.

the green results were clear to see on 13 rooftops

These measures not only create

observed from the 25th floor of the Bunkyo ward

pleasant green spaces within the

building. The Sky Front Forum was created as an NPO

city, they also aim to address the

which promotes the use of urban rooftops for green

enviro-problems of the so-called

space, and advises on appropriate construction and

'heat island phenomenon'. Densely

building materials for installation and safety.

built cities like Tokyo, Hong Kong

So it was that rice was harvested in the autumn

and New York have suffered 'localised

of 2005 in the middle of Tokyo's Roppongi district,

warming' caused by the high density

a feat unimaginable since the days of pre-modern

of heat-retaining concrete used in their

Japan. The Mori Building Company developed the

building structures, as well as the human activity

Roppongi Hills entertainment and retail complex

concentrated

therein.

Planting

vegetation

on

which opened in 2005, and were enthusiastic

rooftops helps to insulate buildings from heating

about creating a 'biotope' on top of the Keyakizaka

up in summer, which can save on energy used to

complex that housed the Virgin Cinema group.

cool them down with air conditioning.

Forty metres above the ground they created a green

This initiative has also spread to existing

space of 1  300m2, which included a rice paddy,

buildings, whereby newly-created green space areas

vegetables and herb plantings, a traditional garden

are being added for public access, in neighbouring

with pool and bridge, walkways and trees of the four

wards and counties around the Tokyo area. Local

seasons planted around the perimeter to give added

government buildings in Shibuya, Shinagawa and

seasonal stimulus. The rice paddy was planted by

Shinjuku wards have turned the roof areas of their

local school children on 5th May, and harvested

offices into gardens and plantations to set an

around 60kg of rice in the autumn. At ground level

example, and also provide information to private

in the Roppongi Hills complex there are open spaces

sector building owners on how to utilise their

planted with trees and shrubs, another garden with

existing roof space. They advise on what kind of

flowers and a pond, and seating and play areas for

plants, vegetables and herbs can be grown, as

mothers and children.

well as the varieties of earth and containers that

It's not only vegetation that can be grown on

are suitable for rooftop use. The Bunkyo ward

rooftops. In the Nagatacho area of central Tokyo,

government office in Tokyo started an initiative by

home to sprawling government administration

inviting owners of buildings around its ward offices

buildings, some of the hardest workers are flying

to participate in a 'greening' project with firms

in the air rather than sitting at desks. Beekeeper

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Seita Fujiwara has installed his wooden beehives on the roof of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) headquarters, and tends them every morning. While pen-pushers sit below, thousands of bees fly off to

The Sky Front Forum is an NPO which promotes the use of urban rooftops for green space in Japan.

do their work over the road in the Imperial Palace grounds, enjoying free access to all the areas that

and some younger architects have focused on these

are restricted to citizens. There is an abundance

as their main building materials for relief aid in

of yellow and orange flowers of the yurinoki tulip

devastated areas.

trees planted around the moat, and rape and cherry

example,

upcoming

architect

Jounan

blossoms abound in other parts of the grounds.

This produces a yield of more than 250kg of golden

uses standard unit style components to build a

honey, some of the best quality ever produced

house, the first being erected in Sagamihara city in

by Fujiwara, who is a 3

generation beekeeper

2012. The house can be large or small depending

from the northern prefecture of Iwate. 'They are

on the number of components used, and has

doing a lot better than I expected,' he said. Atop

a usable roof space in four sections (hence the

the 7 floor SDP building, the bees do very well as

name) for gardening, recreation and play. It can be

the 'heat island' phenomenon actually keeps the

constructed in an urban or rural setting, and can

rooftop temperature at an ideal level for the queens

be extended at any time with more components.

to lay their eggs and to feed and raise the young.

With a minimum lot size of 55m2 this dwelling can

Fujiwara was delighted to find that his bee colony

be constructed quickly and easily in almost any

had increased five-fold in the six weeks of his initial

location where the ground is flat.

rd

th

experiment. Now he brings over 200 000 bees each

Another young architect has concerned himself

spring to the SDP rooftop to do their work in the

with using only recycled materials for his building

heart of the city.

projects. Shigeru Ban uses recycled paper, card,

In other efforts to combat the effects of urban

wood, and plastics to create dwellings and shelters,

warming, solar panels and wind turbines are also

particularly where they are needed quickly in

being located on under-used rooftops in city areas.

disaster zones. His shelters made from recycled

The Imperial Hotel in Chiyoda ward in Tokyo has a

cardboard were used after the Kobe earthquake in

vast number of solar panels placed on one side of

1995, and withstood normal weather conditions

its huge rooftop, which powers the lighting for the

for several months afterwards, temporarily helping

roof garden on the other side. In Chuo ward the

people in the region before they were re-housed

Eitaibashi Eco Piazza Building has 25 wind-powered

at a later time. He created a traditional tea house

generators which illuminate the building's sign and

with modern features, called the PTH-2 – Paper Tea

provide additional cooling for the building's interior.

House 2 – in 2006 using recycled paper and card.

Admittedly they are not a pretty sight, but then

His designs have won awards and he has inspired

they are only visible from other rooftops, so one

other young designers to think more creatively

bypasses them at ground level.

about the materials they use, and the effect on

In other areas new designs for low-cost housing have been generated in urban and rural areas since

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For

Kensetsu has designed a 'Quad Roof House' which

the environment of over-utilisation of dwindling resources.

the 1990s, and a growing awareness for ecological,

In contrast to the moribund aspects of Japan's

bio-diverse and sustainable environments has

recent economic stagnation and political weakness,

become a main theme in contemporary building

the new building projects that are embracing

projects.

enviro-awareness with green spaces and biodiversity

With the recent natural disasters affecting Japan,

in urban situations show that Japanese ingenuity

particularly the Hanshin jishin (Kobe earthquake) of

is not all lost. Japan is using its creative skills to

1995 and the Tohoku jishin/tsunami (Tohoku region

combat the negative effects of urban warming by

earthquake and tsunami) of March 2011, the role of

creating green spaces and using new technology

architecture has been put in the spotlight regarding

to show us the way to create a better, cleaner and

the rapid re-housing needs for disaster victims.

more sustainable environment for humans and

Recycled materials are being used to greater effect

other creatures alike.

SG

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the green shack

I nnovation

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The veg fire wall It is fixed to the north and east facing walls of the shack with a dpc layer between the corrugated iron and the garden. The wall is constantly wet (the biddum and the soil) preventing combustion.

The garden is protected from the South Easter as it is enclosed in a lockable cupboard system. Sunlight is allowed through the transparent sheeting.

Plants are fed worm-farm nutrients (vermi-composting).

The veg wall is simple to maintain, irrigate and harvest and has a dramatic effect on regulating the temperature of the shack and provides insulation.

The vertical food garden also brings insects, pollinators, into previously 'dead' areas, and creates 'corridors' for insect life.

SG

The 'Green Shack' is a low-tech, fire prevention design by Stephen Lamb of Touching the Earth Lightly to mitigate the spread of shack fires and prevent flooding of temporary shelters on the Cape Flats. We take a look.

3

1

2 1. 'Wet' vegetable fire wall 2. Sandbag & succulent (vygie ) wall 3. Solar bulbs – can create as much light as outside

4

4. Raised floor to prevent flooding

WATCH THIS!

The solar bulb in action

A Litre of Light

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Y outh

GROWING 22 year old Khethi Ngwenya, MD of SchoolMedia, is expanding his business and has moved to new premises. This modern-day media company’s vision is to shape communities by connecting them with relevant products and services and to provide corporates and government access to the youth market. We take a look.

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choolMedia’s new head office is based on the corner of Wolmarans and Klein Street, Joubert Park, Johannesburg. The building itself

comprises of 100% recyclable material which is completely green, forming part of the inner city GreenHouse Project. The location and building was chosen in an effort to support inner city development.

One way in which SchoolMedia plans on tackling environmental issues is at the ‘grass roots’ level and by providing incentives for the cleanest schools in the city centre, supplying recycling bins for different materials, as well as working with the surrounding community churches and organisations so that it becomes a joint effort.

SchoolMedia is a youth-based, 100% black-owned, media company that imparts relevant information and advertising to the youth. The company also implements development initiatives ranging from environmental awareness, crime awareness and sports development in schools. SchoolMedia places

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TOMORROW

media display systems in schools and has the

publications and campaigns, as well as the resources

exclusive right to do so with the National Association

received from Khethi Ngwenya. Campaigns that

of School Governing Bodies.

are run by the NASGB involve safety of schools,

Ngwenya continuously strives to grow his

promoting parental involvement and talking to

company while providing an invaluable service to

communities about the importance of education.'

corporates and enhancing the community. A key

SG

factor in his collaboration with schools is to reinvest back into them by utilising a percentage of the

For more info on SchoolMedia call them on

company’s proceeds into improving the schools.

+27 11 720 7174 or visit www.schoolmedia.co.za.

Companies today have become more involved in community projects as well as environmental

About SchoolMedia

projects, SchoolMedia is seen as the channel

With an understanding of what information is relevant and

through which organisations can communicate and

accessible to youth, SchoolMedia serves its partners by

be seen in the youth market.

imparting valuable information on issues like furthering

Mr Matakanya Matakanye, General Secretary of

one’s education, environmental awareness, crime and

the National Association of School Governing Bodies,

sports development as well as pertinent company and

says: 'The National Association of School Governing

product information. Driving to spread these messages

Bodies is working closely with SchoolMedia to

as far and as wide as possible, SchoolMedia’s aim is

promote all that is needed through education,

to connect communities 'one school at a time' while

this includes quality education for all, through

providing a unique platform to advertisers.

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B uilding N ews Hatfield Manor Hotel goes green

The 88-room Hatfield Manor Hotel has been revamped and renovated to become one of the premier destinations for diplomats and business travellers to the Pretoria area.

The Boulevard Group who owns the hotel, also used the opportunity to reduce the hotel’s carbon footprint. In addition the Boulevard Group is rebranding the Manor and making it part of the Protea Hotel Group. The Boulevard Group commissioned commercial solar thermal specialist Selected Energy to design an energy-efficient system that would deliver 150l of water at 55˚C to each room. 'Hotels are subject to high hot water demand during peak hours. It was thus imperative for us that we supplied a sufficient volume to our guests while still being cost-effective and enviro-sensitive,' says Victoria Mclachlan, GM of the Protea Hotel Manor. The hot water solution, in addition to the LED lighting, Bokashi organic waste management system and fair trade coffee, makes the Protea Hotel Manor one of the most enviro-friendly oriented hotels in Tshwane.

Green Building Convention open for bookings

The leading green building event in South Africa – the 6th annual Green Building Council Convention – is officially open for registration.

This year this 'must-attend' convention has not only been revitalised with the thought-provoking theme 'ReWire' – Connecting Minds. Building Value – featuring several exciting new offerings, but will also integrate with the World Green Building Congress, powering one exceptional global event. Being held on African soil for the first time ever, South Africa will play host to the largest international network influencing the green building marketplace, comprising 92 global councils, making this the most distinctive sustainable building gathering ever hosted on the continent. The convention takes place at the CTICC, 16-18 October 2013. Visit here for more.

WATCH THIS!

GBCSA Convention & Exhibition 2012 Exhibitor testimonials

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Imagining buildings of the future

The bioreactor façade at the BIQ house in Germany quite literally went ‘live’ recently with the introduction of microalgae into the building’s shading system. The microalgae façade was installed as part of the International Building Exhibition in Hamburg. Once up and running, its performance will be monitored to determine whether bio-chemistry can produce a viable source of sustainable energy in real-life urban scenarios. This is a milestone for the team that developed the bio-reactor concept – Colt International, SSC Ltd and Arup (with support via funding from the German Government’s ZukunftBau initiative). And it will be a huge coup if the team can demonstrate that bioreactor façades can provide biomass energy at the same time as offering dynamic shading, thermal insulation and noise abatement.

This technology is merely one step toward a whole raft of new thinking that could fundamentally change the way we live.

WATCH THIS!

How Algae feed a House By amoceanorg

Tips for designing an eco-home

Apart from the installation of green roofs to increase the efficiency of a particular building and photovoltaic panels (PV), there are other ideas that can help you achieve a green design for your home that are sometimes costly at the outset, but worth it in the long run.



Fireplace – Wood can be substituted by using natural gas fireplaces. Solar panels are the ultimate green home design strategy that help you save money on your utility bills while creating additional energy.

Water Heating Systems – Reduce your energy bill by more than 50% and never run out of hot water.

Bathroom – There are so many vanity designs that can be used, but this depends on the general layout of that particular building. Each of these designs require great architectural skills to install and for this reason, you should always work hand-in-hand with a professional interior design company.

Furniture – Energy conservation experts recommend the use of bamboo, teak, rattan and recycled wood as the best alternatives for an eco-friendly home design. As for the painting, it is advisable to use special types of paints that use plant oils, minerals and extracts that are free from volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

UKs greenest shop

The new Sainsbury's features include: A recycling rate for construction waste of 98% 42 solar panels 30% less heat required due to insulation from double-glazing and internal insulated panels Natural refrigeration – 33% CO2 reduction LED lighting Signage made from recycled materials

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Leaks and leak fixing ‘Taps’ D

Website Contact Leaks

id you know that a leaking or dripping tap can waste between 30 - 60 litres of potable water a day?* Fixing a faulty tap can be as simple as replacing a worn washer or seal and can be done at home - quickly and easily! Always remember to switch off the mains water tap before attempting any work on household plumbing. *Up to 10% of households have leaks. Repair your household leaks and save money as well as our most valuable natural resource, water.

For more information on how to fix a leaking or dripping tap, click on the ‘Leaks’ link above.

For more information on being Water Wise® please visit www.randwater.co.za and click on the Water Wise logo or contact us on 0860 10 10 60.

Endorsed by:

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C ompany

profile

Nature

Faith in

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We connect with Robyn Smith, co-foundeder of Faithful to Nature – one of South Africa’s original and leading online organic and natural stores.

Smith claims that while the company deals in natural and organic products, what they really sell is transparency, honesty and peace-of-mind – services, she says, the market place is really craving.

I

t all began in 2005 when Robyn, trained as a marketer herself, wanted to get to the bottom of what really was the best night cream from

the 20 or so options facing her in a leading chemist. She figured that what really differentiated the products must be the ingredients in them.

Picking up a 'green' moisturiser she was surprised to not recognise a single botanical listed in the ingredients. The disappointment and awareness of how little transparency existed in the labelling of cosmetics started a passionate journey for her, and the company was born. Faithful to Nature was one

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of the first businesses globally to procure products

how many other mothers on our planet have to

against a strict set of ingredient guidelines, and by

stand by and watch their children drink dirty water

doing so created South Africa’s first truly authentic

and breathe in toxic air every day. For me it is

natural and organic store. The mission was to

inconceivable that there is any job more important

cut past the noise of greenwashing, and to check

than finding a way to motivate and inspire a greater

first-hand that every single product sold under this

respect for our natural home and ourselves. I believe

brand was truly safe for use by people, animals and

that the best way to do this is to give people real

the land that it would eventually seep back into.

and ethical information so they can be empowered

Asked, what keeps her motivated, Smith says,

to make more informed decisions. When people

'Like most woman I am house-proud and I don’t

understand the true costs that come with buying

see a distinction between my own home and the

toxic products, they stop buying those products.

natural environment around me – the planet is our

The danger, of course, is when people are fed false

home. Fresh clean water and air are not elements

information from those posing to care – and this is

that I take for granted and I don’t want to imagine

where Faithful to Nature is on a mission to make

a world where my children don’t have access to

a difference. My team and I are passionate about

these things. It saddens me very deeply to know

rallying to keep "green", green.'

The first thing you will notice when visiting this comprehensive website is that every product is clearly differentiated by its organic status and whether it is vegan/vegetarian/imported or local. In fact, Smith says that many people are not clear on the difference between natural, organic and certified organic (see box, right).

Every product listed has a full ingredient list, and in some instances you will even find warnings about some of the ingredients in the products. Robyn says that information on the toxicity of ingredients is developing all the time, and that while some ingredients may still be allowed by all the major certification bodies, she feels her customers have a right to know that contentious information regarding the safety of the ingredient

Faithful to Nature interprets the Organic Status of Your Green Product Certified Organic: These products have been certified organic by a third party. This means that although the organic products may contain some synthetic ingredients, the certification body has concluded that the products are safe to use, and that the ingredients have been sourced from manufacturers that practice pesticide-free and sustainable farming. For more information on all the organic certification bodies used, go to Organic

has started to circulate. That way they can decide for

Certification.

themselves if it really is a product that they wish to use.

Non-certified Organic: This means that the

Another myth in the green market that Faithful to

supplier has an organic product that has not yet been

Nature wishes to dispel is that 'going green' means

certified organic. These suppliers are using some

taking a step back in terms of luxury and choice, and

organically-sourced ingredients and, if you look at the

the wide and diverse selection of green products is

ingredient lists of the products, you will be able to tell

testament to this.

which are organic by an asterisk next to the product.

Whether you are looking for cruelty-free make-up; vegan nail polish; organic gluten-free pasta; bamboo socks or eco-friendly toys, this organic mecca has it all.

Plus, every single order is shipped with a free gift; and if your order is over R250 (it would be a feat to keep it below this threshold anyway, with the wide choice) delivery is on the house too.

Faithful to Nature is a business that clearly wears its heart on its sleeve, and is a business we look forward to watching closely as the market grows.

Certified Ingredients: These products have some certified organic ingredients but the products are not yet certified.

All Natural Ingredients: These products use only natural ingredients. Please note that we have included soaps in this category even though all soaps contain sodium hydroxide (lye). The reason is that there is no sodium hydroxide left in the final product and it is also not possible to make soap without sodium hydroxide.

For more info visit www.faithful-to-nature.co.za or call

Part Natural: These products are predominantly

021 785 3268.

natural but have some safe synthetic ingredients.

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Hot off the press Winter Warming Faithful to Nature is one of South Africa's most loved online organic and natural store. You'll be amazed at the eco-friendly variety on this green shopping mecca with products ranging from eco-friendly & organic toys and kids tableware; to mineral make-up; vegan nail polish; gluten free foods and organic household cleaning products. Organic products are now just a click away as they deliver to every corner of the country; no matter where you hail from - and for free too!

With a few awards for great customer service under their belts; you can expect your order being delivered to your door within days of placing it with a few sneaky samples added in to delight too. Many a customer have asked the owners if they could please run the country with their old fashioned efficiency.

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Tjerrie Mohair Knee High Socks

R88.00 per pair Slim fitting elasticised mohair stocking sock with a layer of lace trim at top peeps out below knee high boots. Insulating and breathable for odour free comfort.

Amorganic Winter Throat Immune Booster Oral Spray

R87.00 for 20ml spray bottle The Amorganic Throat Spray is alcohol free and provides instant protection & sore throat relief.

Cape Mohair Wellies Socks

R109.00 per pair These classic welly socks, made with natural fibres keep your feet warm and ensure a snug fit. Available in size 4-7 for ladies and 8-11 for gentlemen.

Cape Mohair Ecokids Infant Bamboo Socks

R49.00 for 2 pairs Treat your baby's feet to a luxurious delight with these Bamboo Socks.

Feels like no other: super-soft, anti-bacterial and wicks moisture away from tiny feet. Tiny feet live happily ever after.

Good Life Organic Spicy Cocoa R40.00 for 150g This spicy cocoa makes for a wonderful hot cup of spicy chocolate decadence. Enjoy hot or cold!

Meadowsweet Rejuvenation & Circulation Bath Milk R79.00 for 125ml Luxury awaits with this soothing all natural bath milk. Great for tired muscles, indulge in this creamy skin soothing delight.

Rare Earth Incense Cinnamon & Orange

R20.50 for 12 sticks A true cinnamon spice fragrance. This beautiful range of incense is classic in the traditional and better-know fragrances to create an uplifting or enhancing mood or environmental effect.

All products on this page available at www.faithful-to-nature.co.za

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Hot off the press Winter Warming

 50

ECO FIRE & BRAAI This 100% natural product is made of compressed grape seeds and provides long lasting hot coals. With no added chemicals and 80% less soot than normal wood, the logs burn to a fine ash, making it so easy to clean. Ideal for fire places (heating), braais and pizza ovens. www.ecofireandbraai.com We have FIFTY 5kg bags of Eco Fire & Braai logs to give away. Send your name and postal address HERE by 10 July to stand a chance of winning.

New Eco-Friendly Firelighter Protect your environment, braai smart with the Ecofire Fidibus Firelighter which is made exclusively from natural and renewable raw materials with wood from sustainable forests (certified FSC) and vegetal wax. They firelighters are: non-toxic and odorless lighting – no soot; do not leave a taste when grillingl; can be universally used to light wood and charcoal; do not dry, even if stored for a long time; safe to handle with children; last 8 to 10 minutes and are enough to light up a big fire or braai; easy, quick and safe to use; and made in Germany.

For more info visit www.eco-fire.co.za or email info@eco-fire.co.za

 4

We have FOUR boxes of Ecofire Fidibus Firelighters (24 firelighters in each box) to give away. Send your name and postal address HERE by 10 July to stand a chance of winning.

 2

ECONO HEAT

The Econo-Heat eCare extra low voltage electric blanket is the world's first electric blanket to operate on less than 21V DC, earning it the unique classification status of a Safety Extra Low Voltage (SELV) Class III appliance. This means it is machine washable, shock proof, energy and cost saving and that it eliminates harmful electromagnetic radiation. The Econo-Heat eHeater wall panel heater is an economic, eco-friendly, asbestos-free wall-mounted heater that also contains no harmful chemicals and metals. Similar in concept to a central heating system yet far more cost effective, the eHeater makes use of efficient convection technology and is designed to be left on for long periods of time, giving you comfortable background heat at a low cost.

Available at leading retail stores nationally. www.econo-heat.com We have TWO Econo-heat hampers to give away.

Send your name and postal address HERE and please indicate the size blanket you would prefer (single, double, queen or king) by 10 July to stand a chance of winning.

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Spindel

ď Ť

Spindel is an energy efficient laundry dryer that saves you time and money, whilst also reducing your impact on the environment. Spindel uses superfast spin power instead of heat to remove up to 80% of the leftover moisture from fabrics in just three minutes. Now you can dry your laundry in a fraction of the time and save electricity. www.spindel.co.za

2

We have TWO Spindels to give away. Send your name and postal address HERE by 10 July to stand a chance of winning.

WATCH THIS!

ONE FOR ALL supplements One For Flu contains enzymes that literally dissolve virus and bacteria membranes in the bloodstream and works to create a more alkaline pH in the body, which micro-organisms do not like. Added to that, One For Flu also contains natural antibiotic herbs to make double sure the disease causing micro-organisms are killed off properly.

One For Throats is great for a variety of ailments such as: sore throat, coughing, upper respiratory tract infections, common cold and influenza. It is antiviral and antibacterial and prevents viral and bacterial infections from moving down from the throat into the lungs. www.oneforallsupplements.co.za

Created by Natural Health Therapist and Iridologist, Leonie Vorster, One For Flu provides relief for: Flu | Hayfever | Sinusitis Bronchitis | Rhinitis | Sore Throat

One For Flu with Pelargonium, Feel Better Naturally 082 937 7581 www.oneforallsupplements.co.za

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Eco Diva’s

Snuggie Heat Pad Winter is here and many of us want that

What you will need:

snuggle-up, cosy feeling on cold winter

An old T-shirt to ‘up-cycle’

nights. It’s super easy to make your own

A pair of scissors and pins Cotton thread and needle

up-cycled heat pad that you can pop into

About 2 bags of rice 5-10 drops lavender essential oil

the microwave to soothe aching muscles

5-10 drops peppermint essential

and keep you warm and toasty. Eco Diva

oil

Nicole Sherwin offers DIY tips.

Start by finding an old T-shirt. Cut the T-shirt in half from one armpit line to the other. Disregard the upper part of the T-shirt for this recipe. Fold the remaining piece in half. Pin and then sew by hand or machine along the open areas apart from one side area which will be used to fill with the rice mixture. Empty rice into a mixing bowl. Add in the essential oils and mix thoroughly. Pour the rice mixture into the open side area until you feel there is enough ‘stuffing’.

Pin the open side together and sew up by hand or by machine. Shake your new Eco Diva Snuggie Heat Pad until all the rice is even. Heat your Eco Diva Snuggie in the Microwave for 1 minute on high.

NB The lavender and peppermint essential oils act as muscle relaxants and anti spasmodic, great for tired or stressed neck, back and shoulder muscles.

Contact Nicole on Twitter or Email S G 70

THE MISSING PIECE IN THE : BIOMASS SUSTAINABLE ENERGY PUZZLE.

Join the Green Revolution to save our planet, electricity and money.

The price of electricity and gas are steadily increasing. Their

heating. It costs less than half to run than electrical heating

availability can be annoyingly erratic, especially during peak

and the energy is always there when you need it.

winter times. Biomass, in the form of wood and wood pellets, is

Live warm, live green and join the Green Revolution this winter.

the latest alternative green heating solution in South Africa.

Find out more at www.calore.co.za or visit one of the Calore

Biomass is a highly effective fuel for both spatial and water

stores listed below.

facebook.com/calorefireplaces Cape Town: Italcotto - 021 425 4192

twitter.com/caloresa

LIVE WARM. LIVE GREEN.

Port Elizabeth: Selective Lighting - 041 365 2636

Johannesburg: Calore Jhb - 011 796 5098

Potchefstroom: Gas World - 018 297 4001

George: Stiles - 044 871 3222

Pretoria: Stocks Flooring - 012 809 0971

Klerksdorp: Gas Man - 018 462 3494

Namibia: Calore Namibia - +264 61 246 021

Knysna: Metelerkamp’s - 044 382 0274

Bloemfontein: Opening Soon Hermanus: Opening Soon

www.calore.co.za 71 S G

Health

Immunity   supercharge your

Winter's here and so are the coughs and sneezes. Wellness and nutritional expert Vanessa De Ascencao tells us more.

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A

s the temperature drops and darker days

science – was that eating wholesome food is the

descend upon us, it's evident that the

basis for good health and that illnesses, especially

winter months affect us all emotionally and

lifestyle-linked chronic conditions, usually stem

physically – but this doesn't have to be the case.

You can make 2013 the year to lose the thermals

from inadequate nutrition and poor food choices.

Hippocrates believed that that if people practiced good eating habits then optimum health would be

and get off the couch.

The ideal immune and energy-boosting diet

restored. Slowly, over recent centuries, we have

starts with the basics: natural, whole foods,

moved away from the understanding of the healing

comprising fresh fruits, vegetables, good quality

power of nature and our bodies' innate ability to

protein and good fats. The key, however. lies in the

heal.

So, for example, since immune cells are produced

quality of your food.

The reality is that today's commercial foods are

rapidly during an infection, sufficient protein to

heavily processed, sugar-laden and loaded with

help build them is essential. Eating the right kinds

chemical and foreign substances. Not only have we

of fats is important too. Diets high in saturated

shifted away from the simplicity of nature but we

or hydrogenated fat suppress immunity and clog

have completely changed and altered the food we

up the system, while essential fats – found in oily

digest, assimilate and absorb.

fish, nuts and seeds – boost immune function. The

Scientists,

the

medical

world

and

health

practitioners are now linking the role of nutrition directly to our health, for prevention, management,

conclusion must be that we should avoid the former foods and eat more of the latter.

treatment and even reversal of chronic illnesses. This

Benefits of Good Nutrition

understanding may be described as nutrigenomics –

An improved diet that incorporates balanced

the notion that food is information communicating

nutrition can help to overcome a variety of conditions

to our genes and triggering messages that create

and provides a plethora of benefits, including:

health or disease. This theory creates awareness

Getting all the essential nutrients we need to

around our health, the foods we eat, our lifestyles

carry out normal bodily functions;

and even our thoughts.

Maintaining a healthy weight;

I strongly believe that good, simple, nutrition

Assisting in reducing stress;

is the foundation for good health. There are

Ensuring our digestive and intestinal system

many factors beyond food that culminate in ill

functions correctly;

health including stress, the environment, hormone

Keeping bones strong;

imbalance, the health of our gut and elimination

Helping maintain muscle strength and joint

organs, and even our relationships and our

mobility;

thoughts.

Maintaining high-level energy;

Going back 2 500 years ago, the 'father of

Preventing disease and long-term illness (heart

Western medicine', Hippocrates, said: 'Leave your

disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, strokes);

drugs in the chemist's pot if you can heal the patient

Reducing your susceptibility to short-term illness

with food.' Indeed it was the same man who coined

(colds and flu); and

and often used the phrase 'food is medicine'. His

Keeping your teeth and gums healthy.

notion – subsequently proved through the test of

All of these contribute to a greater feeling of

time and increasingly by analytical Western medical

well-being, vitality and zest for life.

DID YOU KNOW? In Chinese medicine, winter is believed to be connected to the kidneys which are involved with adrenal function (energy) and water. When the days get shorter so should yours, so ensure that you get adequate sleep. Winter is a time to rest your adrenal glands, detox, conserve energy perhaps introducing meditation and do gentle exercise such as walking.

Eat your evening meal as early as possible and ensure that it isn't too heavy.

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Vanessa's top tips Ensure you stock up with immune-boosting nutrients by eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. Eat what you can raw, and lightly steam the rest. Avoid frying anything as this introduces harmful free radicals that increase your toxic load.

You want to make sure that you avoid raising blood sugar levels constantly because this will have you crashing throughout the day.

Foods to avoid are: white flour, white sugar, processed foods, coffee, etc.

Eat whole foods, whole grains, fruits and veggies which all promote serotonin production and ensure you eat enough protein. Sugar is never advised and studies show that it can actually depress immune activity, so avoid any forms if you are fighting an infection. Also avoid refined grains (which quickly digest down to sugar and contain few nutrients), rather opt for whole grains (oats, rye bread, brown rice etc). Don't try to cheer yourself up with carbs.

Watch that you don't gain extra pounds due to

Get happy Researchers have confirmed that joy and laughter trigger the release of chemicals in the brain that enhance your immune function, protecting

over-eating the wrong foods. Comfort foods in moderation are fine, but in winter it is tempting to over indulge. Don't turn into a couch potato just because the temperature drops a few degrees.

you from invading germs. A study from Wilkes University found that stroking a dog for 18 minutes

system, it actually enhances the body's ability to

caused a significant increase in immunoglobulin A

generate new blood cells which fight bacteria and

(IgA), your body's natural antibody against colds

protect your body.

and flu. No pet? Don't fret. Many recent studies

According to a paper by Richard Kozlenko, DPM,

have found that simply touching a loved one

PhD, MPH, and Ronald H Henson, in the Healthy

affectionately – giving them a shoulder rub, for

& Natural Journal, Volume 3, Issue 5: 'Feeding

instance – causes a similar benefit, and also helps

studies show that even small amounts of spirulina

lower the levels of stress hormones that interfere

build up both the humoral and cellular arms of the

with white blood cell function.

immune system. Spirulina accelerates production

Supercharge your system with spirulina

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of the humoral system (antibodies and cytokines), allowing it to better protect against invading germs.'

Medical studies show spirulina stimulates immunity

The cellular immune system includes T-cells,

which helps fight colds and flu. I always use Marcus

macrophages, B-cells and the anti-cancer natural

Rohrer Spirulina as it's a powerful tonic for the

killer cells. These cells circulate in the blood and

immune system and helps prevent colds and flu

are especially dense in organs like the liver, spleen,

during winter and change of season. These studies

thymus, lymph nodes, adenoids, tonsils and bone

found that spirulina not only stimulates the immune

marrow.

C

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There are so many things you can do to lift your spirits, don't let the weather get you down.

In Russia spirulina is categorised as 'medicine food' for treating radiation sickness due to its rich

This is a sure way to get your mood elevated.

source of phycocyanin which scientists have found

The weather may leave you wanting to stay inside

stimulates blood production.

and hibernate and if this is the case you can still

Apart from its immune-boosting properties, spirulina, is also used to boost energy and stamina and help detox the body. It is quite simply the most powerful multi-nutrient nature has to offer.

Get some sun Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is on the rise

find ways to move your body. Turn the radio on or put on your favourite music and dance.

Massage and reflexology are also very good – they are not only relaxing but a great way to get energy moving in the body and the lymph system going. Give yourself a treat.

as the days become shorter and people are being

Laugh

exposed to less sunlight. Research shows that 25

Watch a funny movie. Go out with a friend who puts

million people suffer from SAD, with the majority

you in a good mood. Take a warm bubble bath with

being women. The lack of sunlight results in

a scented candle, get into a good book. There are

less serotonin – the mood enhancing chemical

so many things you can do to lift your spirits, don't

responsible for controlling hunger and feelings of

let the weather get you down.

well-being. When serotonin levels are low people often experience feelings of depression, change

The immune diet

in appetite, shift in sleep patterns, irritability and

The ideal immune-boosting diet is, in essence, no

so on.

different from the ideal diet for anyone. Here are

Serotonin levels are lowest in winter due to

seven easy tips you start now:

limited sunlight, however some people are prone to

Avoid sugar – it suppresses the immune system;

low serotonin levels and a lack of light can tip them

Load up on fruit and veg – get creative and aim

into depression.

for different colours;

The mood-boosting vitamin D also relies on

Have a clove or two of garlic a day;

sunlight for production, so spend more time

Eat sufficient protein – aim for lean (preferably)

outdoors or aim to combine exercise with sunlight

organic meat, fish, game, quinoa (a South

exposure for maximum happiness benefits.

American grain), eggs, pulses combined with

Sleep & You-time

Along with garlic, add some ginger to your food.

Studies show that your immune system function

These foods are both naturally anti-viral and

drops by an average of 60% after just three nights

anti-bacterial;

grains, dairy foods or tofu.

of poor sleep, so be sure to get at least eight hours

Have a healthy warm breakfast such as rolled

of quality rest each night. Carve out some time in

oats made into a porridge with seeds and berries

your schedule for relaxation, further control stress

or grated apple, or some rye with a boiled egg.

with meditation, yoga and other exercise.

This will get your mood up first thing;

Body work & movement

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a brisk, invigorating walk in the cold.

Take plenty of Vitamin C – usually 1 000mg is essential daily but if you even suspect that you

Physical activity is essential for a strong, healthy

are getting sick, go immediately to double that

immune system; find a fun activity that gets your

amount and if you do get a cold or flu, then

heart pumping three to five times a week. I love

you can, in the initial stages, use high-potency

training in the winter – first thing in the morning,

Vitamin C almost hourly or every two hours until

nothing beats the feeling. Try it – go to gym or for

you feel your body getting the infection under

clinically proven natural medicines

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control, then slowly reduce the intake back to

boosting properties.

Research suggests that Tulsi (Ayurvedic herb),

your daily standard.

And whatever else you do, remember to dose up

also called holy basil, helps manage levels of the

with spirulina.

stress hormone cortisol, helping to boost your mood. Look for teas and supplements in health-food

Food

stores and follow package directions.

Focus on whole, plant-based foods. Fill most of your plate with fruits and leafy green vegetables.

Omega-3 fatty acids

Include a variety of whole grains, beans, and

One study found that children taking a half teaspoon

legumes to give you filling fibre and keep you going

of flax oil a day experienced fewer and less severe

throughout the day. Choose minimally-processed or

respiratory infections as omega-3 fatty acids act

locally-grown foods whenever possible and make

as immune boosters by increasing the activity

these the mainstay of your diet.

of phagocytes, the white blood cells that eat up

Cut back on alcohol and caffeine. Women who

bacteria. Essential fatty acids also protect the body

have more than two alcoholic drinks a day are at

against damage from over-reactions to infection.

higher risk of osteoporosis. Caffeine consumption

When taking essential fatty acid supplements,

interferes with hormone levels and also increases

combine them with additional vitamin E to further

the loss of calcium. Try to limit alcohol consumption

boost the immune system. One way to get more

to one glass a day and caffeine to one cup a day.

omega-3 fatty acids in your diet is to add one to

Nuts and seeds are not only healthy but you can eat them as snacks and add them to your salad or vegetable dish. Almonds, walnuts, and sunflower

three teaspoons of flax oil to a fruit and yogurt smoothie.

these to a small handful a day, due to their high

Hot foods for sinus relief

calorie content.

Hot foods such as chili peppers, hot mustard,

seeds are good brain health choices, try to limit

Zinc deficiency can greatly increase your risk of

radishes,

pepper,

onions,

and

garlic

contain

infection, so ensure you supplement with this metal.

substances

Zinc helps develop white blood cells, the cells that

over-the-counter expectorant cough syrups) that

we really need to fight off those foreign bacteria and

liquify thick mucus that accumulates in the sinuses

viruses.

and breathing passages.

called

'mucolytics'

(similar

Selenium increases natural killer cells and

Remember, food is your body's fuel. It's the

mobilises cancer-fighting cells. Best food sources

source of the building blocks (vitamins, minerals,

of selenium are tuna, red snapper, lobster, shrimp,

fat, protein, etc) your body needs to stay healthy,

whole grains, vegetables (depending on the selenium

grow, fight illness, and heal. Your body functions

content of the soil they're grown in), brown rice,

at its very best when you choose the foods it's

egg yolks, cottage cheese, chicken (white meat),

designed to use as fuel. Change your diet and

sunflower seeds, garlic, Brazil nuts, and lamb chops.

dramatically improve your life and health.

SG

Adding raw or lightly cooked garlic and onions to your meals may help keep you healthy this winter

For more info visit www.vdanutrition.com or

as they possess antiviral and antibacterial immune

check out the VDA Nutrition on Facebook here.

ď š 2

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to

We have TWO super health hampers valued at R1 550 each and comprising OTC Pharma products, including Marcus Rohrer Spirulina. Email your full name and address details here by 10 July 2013 to stand a chance to win.

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your green tv show guide The must-see shows for all things green, organic & healthy on the home front. june 2013 Get It Done

The Gardener

Tues: 7.30pm • Wed 10pm • 11.30am • Fri 3.30pm • Sat 2.30pm &

Tues 9pm • Wed 9am • Thurs 1pm • Fri 5pm • Sat 10am & 7pm • Sun

10.30pm • 9.30am & 7.30pm

3pm & 10pm

Our DIY experts Annelien and Peter are back with more great projects for you to tackle. From cupboards to garden chairs, wine racks to bookshelves, they’ll show you what you need, how to do it and what mistakes to avoid. DIY for people who don’t.

SA’s favourite gardener Tanya Visser is back again. This practical gardening show will inspire you to get creative in your garden with easy-to-do projects. From containers and hanging baskets to sowing seeds and dividing perennials to replant for spring, Tanya has the know-how to get it just right. She’ll also tackle some bigger DIY garden projects that you can really get your back into as well as save you money, like a pebble creating a water feature and sleeper steps.

Local Series: New Season

Colin & Justin Home Heist Mon 8pm • Tues 8am • Wed 12pm • Thurs 4pm • Sat 12pm & 5pm • Sun 7am & 1pm

Britain’s most outrageous decorating duo are on a mission to overhaul Canada’s tackiest interiors and bring good taste and design to all. They hijack hideous houses and put the tasteless owners under house arrest until they atone for their design sins by redecorating to Colin and Justin’s new design. From boring bedrooms and calamitous kitchens, to delinquent dens and dreary dining rooms, Colin and Justin seek out the worst infractions, and then they strike. While still reeling from the ambush pertinent homeowners are forced to undo their style crimes under supervision from the experts.

Local Series: Season 12

Garden Angels Tues 9.30pm • Wed 9.30pm • 1.30pm • 5.30pm • Sat 11.30am & 8.30pm • Sun 4.30pm & 11pm

This brand new series presented by eminently qualified horticulturalists Melissa King, Jody Rigby and Linda Ross. The Garden Angels will help you bring the confidence you feel inside your home out into the garden. Whether you’re an absolute beginner or simply want ideas and inspiration this series will show you how to get out into your garden, get your hands dirty and start growing.

Leave it to Bryan Mon 7pm • Tues 10.30pm • Wed 11am • Thurs 3pm • Sat 1.30pm & 9.30pm • Sun 8.30am & 5.30pm

Homeowners get a much needed reality check in the ultimate reno tug of war between wants and needs.

Couples pitch veteran contractor Bryan Baeumler the spaces they want renovated most, but leave Bryan with the final verdict. With Bryan making his choice based on the biggest need, priorities clash and reno dreams are put on pause. Watch as homeowners are forced to re-evaluate their reno expectations and how Bryan takes their renovations from gut to glory.

Extreme Clutter Mon 5pm • Wed 9pm • Thurs 9am • Fri 1pm

garden angels

Organisational expert Peter Walsh is on a mission of helping families whose lives are dramatically affected by the overwhelming presence of clutter. He encounters the biggest, most extreme problems and forces these families to face the truth about the damaging effects of possessing too much stuff. Peter guides families through the emotional journey of overcoming attachment to their stuff. He pinpoints the root of the clutter problem, restores structure, and provides them with practical tools needed to live a clutter-free and more fulfilling life.

Great Taste No Money Mon 10pm • Tues 11.30am • Wed 3.30pm • Fri 7.30pm • Sat 10.30am & 7.30pm, Sun 3.30pm & 10.30pm

Great Taste/No Money delivers great design for little cash, as it spins through design do’s and don’ts by re-organising ordinary people’s houses with opinions, energy, shopping expeditions and other antics. Humorous and inspiring sequences reveal just how easy and accessible good taste and flair can be.

Million Dollar Contract Season 2

Mon 3pm • Wed 7pm • Thurs 10.30pm • 11am • Sat 9.30am & 6.30pm, Sun 2.30 & 9.30pm

MILLION DOLLAR CONTRACT the gardener

Million Dollar Contractor, hosted by 'Contractor to the Stars' Stephen Fanuka, gives us a behind-the-scenes look at some of the most amazing spaces and construction of Manhattan's high-end luxury homes. The series focuses on the details, the materials and the insane amount of money clients spend to allow Stephen to create million-dollar projects. Despite the hefty price tag, many of the same on-site issues and problems also occur in the homes of everyday people. Stephen shares tips and tricks of the trade that first-time DIYers and home improvement aficionados will appreciate.

Live Here Buy This Mon 3.30pm • Wed 7.30pm • Thurs 10pm • 11.30am • Sat 2pm & 10pm, Sun 9am & 7pm

What if you up and sold everything? Where could you afford to live and how? Live Here, Buy This tantalises homeowners with enviable properties around the world that match the cost of their current home. In each episode, a couple sees what they can afford in three locations that fit their lifestyle.

K itchen

Energy-efficient appliances

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What are energy-efficiency standards? Who sets them and how do you, as a consumer, know you are buying the most energy-efficient device? These and related questions are increasingly being asked by consumers aware of the impact of poor energy efficiency in home or office appliances, both in terms of broad eco-impacts and to the wallet. Here are some answers.

E

nergy-efficiency standards are a set of procedures and regulations that prescribe the minimum energy performance of manufactured products.

Together with labelling, energy-efficiency standards can be the most cost-effective means to help South Africa reduce energy demand while stimulating economic growth.

How are these standards indicated?

The label that is used to indicate energy-efficiency is similar to the label used in European Union (EU) member states. The only difference being that the EU flag is replaced by the Energy Star. All products that are legally imported or produced in SA carry the Energy Star, which will be visible in the bottom right corner of the appliance. Appliances will also carry a label indicating energy consumption.

How are appliances graded?

Appliances will also be graded using capital letters from 'A' to 'G' to indicate the energy consumption of a product.

A product with the letter 'A' indicates it uses energy or electricity most efficiently, while a product with a 'G' grading indicates the poorest performing product in that category of products, such as refrigerators. The grading A-G is determined by the SA National Accreditation System (SANAS) and the SA Bureau of Standards (SABS).

It is described in the relevant standard for each electrical appliance.

China has a very similar label with five levels instead of the EU's seven levels. North African countries such as Tunis have the same label in terms of A-G grading, but it is displayed slightly differently. In SA, we have chosen to adopt the label with the same standards used in Europe.

The minimum standards for many appliances have been adopted from the European market. This will enable products to flow freely between the continents without having to be re-tested and re-labelled.

Experience

from

Europe,

which

introduced

energy-efficiency appliance labelling in 1994, has shown a significant increase in the purchase of products with a grading of A to C. A study by the International Energy Agency in 2003 showed how more efficient domestic appliances saved energy and reduced harmful emissions.

Where will I find the label?

The grading A to G will be found as part of the instruction manual inside the box of the appliance, but retailers can

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The kitchen is full of appliances which use energy and/or water so think about how you use them, and when you need to replace them buy the most energy and water efficient model possible.

display the grading on the actual appliance if it has

appliances in SA. The Energy Star label is required

been un-packed and is on display. Initially, the use

by European law to be displayed at the point of

of labels will be voluntary, but it is foreseen that

sale on the following products: washing machines,

this will become mandatory. During this voluntary

washer-dryers, tumble dryers, fridges, freezers

period the use of labelling and the grading of

and fridge-freezers, dishwashers, electric ovens,

appliances will be market-driven. Manufacturers of

energy-saving light bulbs and air conditioners.

household appliances decided to start the labelling

Fridges and freezers have two additional ratings

initiative with refrigerators and freezers. This is

A+ and A++. And, to make it more confusing, from

mainly because most households typically buy a

end of 2011, new A+, A++ and A+++ energy ratings

fridge as their first electrical kitchen appliance. The

for fridges, washing machines and dishwashers

label appeared in retail stores in 2005/6.

were compulsory for all new models on the market.

What does the label show?

are

graded

on

their

energy

hour). So the less kWh used, the more efficient the

The energy label on household appliances is clearly

appliance. Manufacturers are required to self-certify

marked with:

products based on EU criteria set for each product

Name of producer; Model number;

type.

Class number, indicated by a capital letter 'A' or

Energy Star

'B' or 'C' or 'D' or 'E' or 'F' or 'G' to indicate the

The Energy Star logo means

energy consumption of the appliance (with 'A'

that the energy consumption of

being the most efficient, and 'G' being the least

an appliance is in accordance

efficient); and

with regulations as originally

Washing machines are graded both in terms

determined by the EPA in the

of washing performance and spinning

United States.

performance, and water usage too if possible.

For more information on the relevant regulations

Products can earn the Energy Star label by meeting the energy-efficiency requirements set

and ratings go to: http://www.energy.gov.za/files/

forth in the relevant product specifications. The

faqs/faqs_energyefficiencystandards.html

EPA establishes these specifications based on the

Appliances

following set of key guiding principles: Product categories must contribute significant

If you are purchasing a new appliance, there are

energy savings nationwide.

two things to look out for in terms of long-term

Qualified products must deliver the features

sustainability, energy consumption and, depending

and performance demanded by consumers, in

on the appliance, water consumption.

addition to increased energy-efficiency.

European Energy Star label (mandatory in the EU and found

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Appliances

consumption in kWh (units of energy used per

If the qualified product costs more than a conventional, less-efficient counterpart, purchasers will recover their investment in

on many SA imports)

increased energy-efficiency through utility bill

This is a fairly common label seen on many

savings, within a reasonable period of time.

Energy-efficiency can be achieved through broadly available, non-proprietary technologies offered by more than one manufacturer.

Product energy consumption and performance can be measured and verified with testing.

Labelling should effectively differentiate products and be visible for purchasers.

For more on Energy Star ratings go to: www.energystar.gov

How has the Department of Energy implemented these labels in SA?

If you are buying a new washing machine, tumble drier, dishwasher or electric oven, go for an energy-efficient one. By law, they must carry the Energy Label so check if it is there.

Energy-efficiency standards are a set of procedures

dishwasher may use up to 40% less energy than

and regulations that prescribe the minimum energy

an old inefficient model. Look for longevity too,

performance of manufactured products. Together

although it may cost more initially, if running costs

with labelling, energy-efficiency standards can be

are less and the machine lasts for 20 years instead

the most cost-effective means to help SA reduce

of five, it is better for you and the environment.

energy demand while stimulating economic growth.

Cookers, hobs and ovens generally use gas or

The label that is used to indicate energy-efficiency

electricity but some can run on natural or propane

locally is similar to the label used in European Union

gas, kerosene or diesel oil, solid or multi-solid fuel,

(EU) member states. The only difference being that

and can provide hot water and central heating as

the EU flag is replaced by the energy star, which is

well as being cookers. Many people find gas more

the DoE symbol for its Energy Efficiency Initiative.

controllable but good ventilation is essential. If

Effectively, what the SA government has done is

one is buying a separate hob and oven one can

merge the two standards, and to some degree made

choose gas for one and electric for the other, and

things a bit more confusing in the process.

some cookers are dual-fuel. All electric hobs and

The kitchen is full of appliances which use

ovens have to have an energy rating (again, A is

energy and/or water so think about how you use

best). Induction electric hobs are more efficient

them, and when you need to replace them buy the

than conventional electric, ceramic or halogen hobs

most energy and water efficient model possible.

and respond as quickly as gas because they use

When using your washing machine using a 40°C

different technology.

wash cycle rather than 60°C means you use a third

Fridges and freezers are on all the time and can

less electricity. Reduce the wash to a 30°C cycle

use a lot of energy. If you are buying a new one

and the amount of electricity saved (not to mention

make sure you get an energy-efficient model. If

money) will be even higher. Most washing powders

you have an old (over 10 years) fridge or freezer,

work just as effectively at lower temperatures. Only

it could be more cost effective to replace it, as

run the machine when you have a full load, or use

energy-efficiency has improved 25% since 1990. But

the half-load or economy settings. If you have a

don't be tempted to keep your old appliance as a

dishwasher, run it only when it is full.

'second fridge/freezer' as you are then just creating

If you are buying a new washing machine,

a bigger problem.

tumble drier, dishwasher or electric oven, go for

At the end of your fridge or freezer's life, make

an energy-efficient one. By law, they must carry the

sure it's disposed of safely since many still use

Energy Label so check if it is there.

greenhouse gases. The suppliers of your new fridge

For washing machines and dishwashers the

or freezer may be prepared to take away your old

label will also give information and a rating (again

one for safe disposal, or contact your local waste

A is best) for washing performance. Look for

recycler.

SG

information on how much water they use per cycle. A new energy-efficient washing machine or

For more visit www.gogreenguide.co.za

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K itchen

Energy-efficient consumption

Laundry is a necessary part of everyday life – we wear clothes, and then we need to wash them so that we can wear them again. However, how many people stop to think what effect this process has on the environment? With modern technology, it is possible to keep your clothes clean and lessen your carbon footprint at the same time – Brennan Menday, Deputy Managing Director for Miele SA, offers some pointers on how you can do this.

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with a 60°C wash, electricity consumption at 20°C is reduced by up to 75%.' Menday notes that, just like other electrical/electronic devices, washing machines should have a stand-by mode to reduce running costs.

Reducing the amount of detergent Decreasing the amount of detergent and softener you use is another way of being kind to the environment, says Menday: 'The more you use,

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the bigger your carbon footprint, and the more ood husbandry of natural resources has

money you will end up spending on your laundry.'

always been a central issue in product

Some devices, such as Miele's W5968 LiquidWash,

development at Miele,' says Menday.

offer clean, efficient and extremely convenient

'Since the '80s, water and electricity usage required

solutions to liquid soap dispensing. This particular

by our laundry systems has dropped continuously,

machine features a dispenser pump connected via

but our product engineers and lab technicians

a hose to an external supply tank. Automatic liquid

continue their quest for further economies. More

dispensing is fully automatic, extremely reliable

recently, new technologies and innovations in

and also unbeatably simple to use. 'Automatic

washing and drying processes have resulted in

dispensing' is simply selected from the controls and

further potential savings that are not only good for

the user is prompted to select a degree of soiling

the pocket, but good for the environment as well.'

Is the machine energy-efficient?

Consumers really need to take into account how much energy a washing machine needs to run before making their purchase decision, as some machines are considerably more efficient than others, says Menday: 'For example, our washing machines require around 20% less electricity to wash a full load than is needed for an A energy-efficiency rating. And even when their honeycomb drums, which can boast up to a 7-8kg capacity, isn't fully loaded, which is typically the case, these washing machines still put in an environmentally-friendly performance. Even half-loads still achieve an A label rating – a unique achievement.'

Wash on low temperature settings Menday also recommends that consumers try to wash the majority of their laundry on a cold or low-temperature setting to save electricity: 'All our washing machine models offer low-temperature washing (20°C or colder) in virtually all programs, contributing to even greater cost efficiencies.

Washing at greatly reduced temperatures meets calls from a growing circle of consumers and is ideal for processing lightly-soiled textiles. Compared

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between 'light' and 'very heavy', and the detergent is dispensed accordingly.

The heat-pump principle results in enormous electricity savings of up to 50% compared with a

'Automatic dispensing, selectable in all programs,

conventional condenser dryer. Menday explains:

has clear economic and ecological benefits. Over the

'The heat pump is central to the cooling circuit

course of a year, up to 30% detergent can be saved.

and assumes two functions – firstly, heat energy

Over and above this, allergy sufferers will value the

is transferred to the process air and, secondly,

fact that the risk of physical contact with detergent

residual heat from the drying process is recovered,

is eliminated entirely. And, of course, the sticky

which makes for efficient use of spent energy. The

smears that are inevitable when dispensing liquid

heat exchanger is maintenance-free and designed

detergent manually will be a thing of the past, says

to last 5 000 program cycles. This corresponds

Menday who adds that Miele was awarded the 'Focus

to running five drying programs per week over

Green Award' by the Design Centre Stuttgart for one

a period of 20 years. Effective filtration with two

of its LiquidWash models.

fluff filters and three fine filters prevents lint from

Tumble dryers that promote sustainable practices Although tumble dryers have, for the most part,

entering the system, which results in gentler fabric care as this technology allows drying temperatures to be reduced by up to 25%.'

been considered as energy-guzzlers, innovations in

Durability and longevity

technology have made it possible to produce tumble

Menday adds that apart from energy-efficiency

dryers that are energy-efficient.

ratings, consumers should also buy the best quality

'Heat-pump technology, for example, offers an A

machines that they can afford: 'All of our appliances,

energy-efficiency rating. This achievement relies on

for example, are designed and tested to last a

the fact that a heat-pump dryer utilises energy much

minimum of 20 years. Longevity and build quality

more efficiently – at 46% reduction in the case of CO2

represent a much-underestimated contribution

and electricity, potential savings are huge, coupled

towards an appliance's environmental credentials.

with even gentler laundry care as this technology

Simply put, the longer a machine lasts, the less of a

also allows the drying temperature to be reduced

carbon footprint it will leave.'

SG

by approximately 25% – a win-win situation for the environment and domestic finances.'

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For more info visit www.miele.co.za or see ad, overleaf.

Although tumble dryers have, for the most part, been considered as energy-guzzlers, innovations in technology have made it possible to produce tumble dryers that are energy efficient.

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R ecipes

SUPER NATURAL COOKING Heidi Swanson’s approach to cooking whole, natural foods has earned her a global readership. From her Northern California kitchen, she introduced us to a less-processed world of cooking and eating through her award-winning blog, 101 Cookbooks, and in her James Beard Award-nominated cookbook, Super Natural Cooking, she taught us how to expand our pantries and integrate nutrient-rich superfoods into our diets. In Super Natural Every Day, Heidi helps us make nutritionally packed meals part of our daily repertoire by sharing a sumptuous collection of nearly 100 of her go-to recipes.

These are the dishes that Heidi returns to again and again because they’re approachable, good for the body, and just plain delicious. This stylish cookbook is equal parts inspiration and instruction, showing us how to create a welcoming table filled with nourishing food for friends and family. We showcase a few of the delicious treats that await you inside this book.

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Little Quinoa Patties

goat's cheese, garlic, herbs

Any time I have left-over cooked quinoa, I make these little patties. They're good hot or cold and are well suited to fighting afternoon hunger pangs. It's a bit of a stretch, but they could be described as a (very) distant cousin of arancini, Italy's beloved deep-fried risotto balls. In contrast, these are pan-fried in a touch of oil, and smushed flat in the pan to get as much surface browning and crust as possible. I'm including my basic version, but often I'll add a handful of very finely chopped this-or-that: broccoli, asparagus, or cauliflower, depending on the season.

They're great on their own, slathered with ripe avocado or drizzled with hot sauce.

• • • • • • • • • • • •

340g cooked quinoa at room temperature 4 large eggs, beaten ½ teaspoon fine sea salt 15g fresh chives, snipped 1 brown or white onion, finely chopped 15g freshly grated parmesan or Gruyère cheese 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped 100g wholegrain breadcrumbs, plus more if needed Water, if needed 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil or 20g clarified butter

Combine the quinoa, eggs, and salt in a medium bowl.

Stir in the chives, onion, cheese, and garlic. Add the breadcrumbs, stir, and set aside for a few minutes so the crumbs can absorb some of the moisture. At this point, you should have a mixture you can easily form into 12 patties 2.5cm-thick. I err on the very moist side because it makes for a not-overly-dry patty, but you can add more breadcrumbs, a bit at a time, to firm up the mixture, if need be. Conversely, a bit more beaten egg or water can be used to moisten the mixture. Heat the oil in a large, heavy-based frying pan over medium-low heat, add six patties, if they'll fit with some room between each, cover, and cook for 7-10 minutes, until the bases are deeply browned. Turn up the heat if there is no browning after 10 minutes and continue to cook until the patties are browned. Carefully flip the patties with a spatula and cook the second sides for seven minutes, or until golden.

Remove from the frying pan and cool on a wire rack while you cook the remaining patties. Alternatively, the quinoa mixture keeps nicely in the refrigerator for a few days; you can cook patties to order, if you prefer.

Makes 12 little patties

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Ravioli Salad

black olives, pepitas

This pasta salad is right at home at just about any potluck or party-and it's particularly happy parked next to a bowl brimming with a leafy green salad. I made it first for my sister's baby shower, and a dozen times since. As far as choosing the right type of ravioli, I keep capsicum ravioli with silverbeet filling on hand (in the freezer) just for this salad. I like the play between the capsicum and the zesty lemon-coriander pesto. But you can take the idea in a number of directions, and both English spinach and wholemeal ravioli are worthy substitutes. If you can imagine the filling going well with the coriander pesto, you're probably in safe territory.

• • • • • •

45g pepitas, toasted 1 large handful coriander leaves and stems 15g freshly grated parmesan cheese 3 garlic cloves 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice 160ml extra-virgin olive oil

• Fine sea salt • 450g fresh or frozen ravioli • 85g oil-cured black olives, pitted and torn or chopped • Thyme or chive flowers, to garnish (optional) Bring a large pot of water to the boil. In the meantime, make the coriander pesto. Combine most of the pepitas, coriander, parmesan cheese, garlic, lemon juice, and a splash of the olive oil and blend with a stick blender (or in a food processor or standard blender) until smooth. Continue blending as you gradually drizzle in the remaining olive oil, until the pesto comes together into a vibrant green sauce. Taste and add salt or more lemon juice, if needed. When the water boils, salt it generously, add the ravioli, and cook until they float and are cooked through, usually just 1-2 minutes.

Drain immediately and while still hot, toss with a big spoonful of the pesto. Allow the pesto to soak in a bit.

Then add another ½ cup pesto along with most of the black olives. Toss well, but gently, and then decide whether you want to add more pesto or not. Turn everything out into a large bowl or platter and sprinkle with the remaining olives, pepitas, and flowers. Serve warm or at room temperature. Reserve the remaining pesto for tossing with leftovers.

serves 4-6

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Wild Mushroom Tacos

green chilli, garlic, parmesan

There aren't more than a handful of ingredients at play here, but they come together to create my favourite tacos. Steve Sando, the guy to thank for all the Rancho Gordo ingredients I love, taught me to make them. In his tacos, he uses beautiful chanterelle mushrooms. But I can now say they're still pretty darn great with just about any sliced mushrooms: mixed wild mushrooms, porcini, or even plain little brown ones. I'm a fan of a good amount of chilli heat, but if you're sensitive to spicy foods, scale back and use less than 1 chilli. Steve says it best, 'Serranos are technically hotter than jalapeños, but they have a much more lovely heat that attacks your whole being, not just your mouth. I like jalapeños, too, but they're a little like being kicked in the mouth by an irritated donkey. I always tell people who think they don't like heat to start with the serranos, even though they're supposed to be hotter.' The mushrooms are also great in crepes, over quinoa, in risotto, or over pasta.

• • • • • • • • • •

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 40g unsalted butter ½ white onion, finely chopped 1 small hot green chilli (eg serrano/jalapeño), finely chopped 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped Fine sea salt 340g mixed wild mushrooms, sliced 1½ teaspoons dried oregano 8 soft corn tortillas, warmed 30g freshly grated parmesan Cheese

Heat the olive oil and butter in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. When hot, add the onion, chilli, garlic, and ¼ teaspoon salt. Sauté until the onions are translucent, a few minutes. Increase the heat to high, add the mushrooms, stir well, and cook until the mushrooms release their liquid, and then brown, about 5 minutes more. Stir a few times along the way, but don't overdo it; you want the mushrooms to be deeply browned. Remove from the heat, then rub the oregano between your palms and let it cascade down into the mushroom mixture. Taste and add a bit more salt, if needed.

Spoon the mixture into the warmed tortillas and sprinkle the parmesan over all of the tacos.

serves 4

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Black Sesame Otsu

soba noodles, black sesame paste, tofu, spring onions • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

1 teaspoon pine nuts 1 teaspoon sunflower seeds 60g black sesame seeds 1½ tablespoons natural (unrefined) cane sugar or soft brown sugar 1½ tablespoons shoyu,tamari, or soy sauce 1½ teaspoons mirin Scant 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil 2 tablespoons brown rice vinegar 1/ 8 teaspoon cayenne pepper Fine sea salt 340g soba noodles 340g extra-firm tofu Extra-virgin olive oil 1 bunch spring onions, white and light green parts, thinly sliced

Toast the pine nuts and sunflower seeds in a large frying pan over medium heat until golden, shaking the pan regularly. Add the sesame seeds to the pan and toast for a minute or so. It's hard to tell when they are toasted; look closely and use your nose. Remove from the heat as soon as you smell a hint of toasted sesame; if you let them go much beyond that, you'll start smelling burned sesame – not good. Transfer to a mortar and pestle and crush the mixture; the texture should be like black sand. Alternatively, you can use a food processor. Stir in the sugar, shoyu, mirin, sesame oil, brown rice vinegar, and cayenne pepper. Taste and adjust if needed. Bring a large pot of water to the boil.

Salt generously,add the soba, and cook according to the package instructions until tender. Drain, reserving some of the noodle cooking water, and rinse under cold running water. While the noodles are cooking, drain the tofu, pat it dry, and cut into matchstick shapes. Season the tofu with a pinch of salt, toss with a small amount of oil, and cook in a large frying pan over medium-high heat for a few minutes, tossing every couple of minutes, until the pieces are browned on all sides. Reserve a heaped tablespoon of the sesame paste, then thin the rest with 80ml of the hot noodle water. In a large mixing bowl, combine the soba, half of the spring onions, and the black sesame paste. Toss until well combined. Add the tofu and toss again gently. Serve topped with a tiny dollop of the reserved sesame paste and the remaining spring onions.

serves 4

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Macaroon Tart

white wholemeal flour, blackberries, coconut, pistachio nuts For those who can't be bothered with fussy tart crusts, this recipe is expressly for you. The coconut crust is pressed into the pan with your fingers and topped with juicy blackberries that bleed beautifully into neighbouring macaroon dollops.

Don't limit this tart to blackberry season-cherries, plums, and blueberries all work well as substitutes. You can also substitute spelt flour in the crust, if need be.

• 170g white wholemeal flour • 60g shredded coconut • 100g sifted natural (unrefined) cane sugar or soft brown sugar • Scant ½ teaspoon fine sea salt • 140g unsalted butter, melted • 140g shredded coconut • 70g sifted natural (unrefined) cane sugar or soft brown sugar • 4 large egg whites • 225g fresh blackberries, halved • 45g pistachio nuts, crushed Preheat the oven to 180°C (Gas Mark 4) with a rack in the middle of the oven. Butter a 20cm x 28cm tart tin (or equivalent) and line the base and sides with baking paper.

To make the crust, in a large bowl, combine the flour, coconut, sugar, and salt. Stir in the melted butter and mix until the dough is crumbly but no longer dusty looking.

Firmly press the mixture into the base of the prepared tin (it should form a solid even layer). Bake for 15 minutes, or until barely golden. Remove and set aside to cool for a few minutes. In the meantime, prepare the coconut macaroon filling by combining the coconut, sugar, and egg whites.

Mix until well combined. Evenly distribute the blackberries across the tart base. Now drop little dollops of the macaroon filling over the tops of them (I dirty up my hands for this part), and mush and press the coconut topping around into the spaces behind the berries. Be sure to let at least some of the colourful berries pop through for visual flair. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the peaks of the macaroon filling are deeply golden. Let the tart cool, then garnish with the crushed pistachio nuts before slicing into small squares.

makes 24 bite-sized servings

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Food

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news

SASSI r

d e s evi

WWF-SASSI’s (Southern African Sustainable Seafood Initiative) recently

updated seafood consumer guide showcases signs of improvement for key South African marine resources. However, it also highlights significant areas of concern for sustainable fisheries management. We take a look.

U

sing

an

internationally-accepted

best

practise framework, the SASSI list enables

management procedure for the sector, which includes a recovery plan for WCRL.

consumers to make more informed seafood

Basson adds, 'DAFF’s recovery plan for the WCRL

choices, based on the best scientific data. This data

served to avert its red-listing. However, if the recovery

follows one year of extensive expert and stakeholder

plan is not fully implemented and does not include

consultation.

addressing illegal, unreported and unregulated

Previously

classified

as

‘orange’,

Hottentot

catches of WCRL, a red-listing will be likely. The

caught in the traditional linefishery has moved

long-term survival and recovery of both the WCRL

on to the ‘green’ list while longline hake retains

resource and the coastal communities which rely on

its orange-listing. This can be attributed to key

it, is dependent on all fishery stakeholders taking

management and ecological concerns within the

on a shared responsibility to ensure this resource is

fishery. Despite this, hake stocks continue to show

effectively managed,' cautions Basson.

signs of improvement as a result of the long-term recovery plan for the fishery.

She elaborates: 'The sustainable and responsible management of South Africa’s marine resources needs

Manager, Janine Basson explains:

evidence-based decision making. This assessment

'These two examples show how making difficult

process has shown how the lack of an observer

management decisions can have positive effects

programme and regular at-sea enforcement as well

on the sustainability status of important marine

as inconsistent biomass surveys can negatively

resources. This includes the decision to substantially

impact the sustainable management of our fisheries.'

WWF-SASSI

decrease the fishing effort in the traditional linefishery

Basson concludes, 'Those wanting to support

after the declaration of a national state of emergency

responsible procurement practices in the South

in 2000.'

African seafood industry can use the WWF-SASSI list to

The revised list sees the South African West Coast

base their seafood choice on (obtainable via FishMS

rock lobster (WCRL) drop from the ‘green’ list to the

mobi site, and free Blackberry and iOS app). Support

‘orange’ list. This is largely because the stock is at

retailers that have made public commitments to

only 3% of its pre-exploitation levels and is further

seafood sustainability and continue to hold them

threatened by rampant poaching. The SASSI External

accountable to these commitments. You have a

Review Panel was encouraged by the Department of

choice. Make it green.'

SG

Agriculture, Forest and Fisheries’ recent commitment to return to the broadly agreed-upon operational

For more info visit www.wwf.org.za

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WE’RE USING OUR GREY MATTER TO GO GREEN Concern for an increasingly fragile planet is everyone’s business. We took the lead in the move towards a sustainable future when we became the first company in the world to measure the carbon footprint at each and every one of our operations. We continue to lead, reducing our emissions, improving our energy efficiency and developing advanced composite cements with low carbon footprints.

For us, however, sustainability extends beyond practices and products. Social upliftment is a big part of the future too... which is why we invest so deeply in developing the communities in which we operate.

So when it comes to specifying cement, insist on AfriSam.

Leaders in Advanced Composite Cement www.afrisam.com • 0860 141 141

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A MEMBER OF THE

BUILDING OUR FUTURE TOGETHER

S ocial

development

According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), every year 1.3b tons of food is wasted. This is equivalent to the same amount of food produced in the whole of sub-Saharan Africa.

At the same time, one in every seven people in the world go to bed hungry and more than 20 000 children under the age of five die daily from hunger.

Hence the theme for this year’s World Environment Day celebrations is Think.Eat.Save, an anti-food waste and food-loss campaign to encourage us all to reduce our foodprint. We take a look.

T

he enormous imbalance in lifestyles and the

FTFA teaches communities to re-use this waste to

resultant devastating effects on the environment

produce compost and to feed earthworms, which are

gave rise to Think.Eat.Save which further aims

one of the most effective recyclers of organic materials.

to inspire more awareness of the environmental impact

They consume plant and animal ‘waste’, converting it into

of the food choices we make and empower more

valuable plant food. Through their effective school greening

informed decisions.

and food gardening EduPlant program, currently funded by

'Making informed decisions include purposefully

Engen and the Woolworths Trust, FTFA will host workshops

selecting foods that have less of an environmental

for clusters of schools. 'Educators, learners and community

impact, such as organic foods that do not use

members will learn how to improve their soil,' says FTFA

chemicals in their production process, or choosing

Ecopreneur Daniel Chitungo. 'Healthy soil equals healthy

to buy locally so that foods are not transported long

plants, healthy people and a healthier planet.'

distances, resulting in less carbon emissions, or lower

Another World Environment Day event in June 2013

food miles,' says Founder of Food & Trees for Africa

will take place at the Sustainable Organic Farm in the

(FTFA), Jeunesse Park.

Rethabiseng village in Bronkhorstspruit, that won the

FTFA teaches schools and communities to grow

their own nutritious, organic food using sustainable

'Farmer of the Year – 2012' award for the category 'Formal Markets' in Gauteng.

and environmentally-conscious practices, through their

This extraordinary farm was established with funding

EduPlant, Food Gardens for Africa and the Farmer

support from AfriSam SA, one of SA’s largest cement

Eco-Enterprise Development (FEED) Africa programs. In

producers, who are concerned about their carbon footprint

all FTFA's work emphasis is placed on the permaculture

and giving back to communities. It currently produces

principle 'produce no waste', which looks at valuing and

four hectares of organic vegetables for formal markets

making use of available resources , so nothing goes to

using sophisticated growing methodologies such as tunnel

waste. This pertains to all waste, not just food waste.

farming, open field drip irrigation as well as sustainable

The impact of food waste is not just financial.

recycling and earth-worm composting. FTFA is training,

Environmentally, food waste leads to wasteful use of

mentoring and providing sustainable employment for 35

chemicals such as fertilisers and pesticides, more fuel

new organic farmers from the Rethabiseng community and

used for transportation and more rotting food, creating

the World Environment Day event here will showcase how

more methane – one of the most harmful greenhouse

healthy produce can be farmed with minimal waste and

gases exacerbating climate change. Methane is 23

environmental impact.

times more potent than CO2 as a greenhouse gas and the vast amount of food going into landfills thus impacts climate change.

SG

For more info contact info@trees.org.za or visit www.trees.co.za and www.facebook.com/FoodandTreesforAfrica. SMS 'trees' to 42030 to donate R30 towards planting a tree in South Africa.

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Hot off the press

SEED OIL

 10

100% South African, this grape seed oil permits hight heat cooking and can be used for baking, sauteing, stir-frying or as a base for salad dressing. Grape seed oil is rich in polyunsaturated fat that improve blood cholesterol levels, which can decrease your risk of heart disease. Comes in a variety of flavours including 'natural', 'roasted garlic', 'rosemary' and 'chilli'. www.seedoilsa.com We have TEN hampers of grape seed cooking oil to give away. Send your name and postal address HERE by 10 July to stand a chance of winning.



Builders Warehouse

10

We all play our little part in preserving the environment. One slight ‘going-green’ effort can make a considerable positive impact on our environment. To this end, Builders Warehouse is proud to introduce our range of reusable shopping bags so that we can make a difference together. The Builders environmentally friendly shopping bag is re-useable and handmade by a small business initiative in South Africa. These bags not only flaunt different designs, but are great alternatives for single use paper or plastic bags.

Available at Builders Warehouse and Builders Express stores Nationwide.

We have TEN Builders Warehouse bags to give away. Send your name and postal address HERE by 10 July to stand a chance of winning.

I Scream & Red

This planet-friendly company is trying to make the world a better place by creating bags that are made from recycled seatbelts, reused car/homestead upholstery and recycled car parts. They source all their materials within the vicinity of their factory to qualify their products as a complete environmentally-friendly item with no carbon emissions spent on production. Their screen printings are done with non toxic pastes and the bags are bound with organic or natural fibres. They also teach people with disabilities or from rural areas to make these items in order improve and inspire their own lives. www.iscreamandred.co.za

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2013 Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival Oysters are the delicacy of choice for gourmands, romantics, and those who appreciate the finer things in life. And with the 2013 Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival coming up between 28 June and 7 July, Festival Manager Nicci Rousseau-Schmidt takes a look at the festival’s most honoured 'guests' – the oysters.

'Knysna has long been synonymous with oysters and they remain the main feature at the festival. As always, festival-goers will be challenged to take part in the oyster shucking and oyster eating competitions, but the best way to savour the versatility of our oysters will be to attend the Pick n Pay Flavours of Knysna,' Rousseau-Schmidt said. 'This event invites restaurants in and around Knysna to showcase their talents by presenting their best oyster dishes to the judges and public. It’s a firm favourite, with oysters prepared according to a variety of unique and often innovative recipes. Festival-goers can sample oysters – cooked and au natural – at designated Oyster Hotspot restaurants throughout the festival.'

The Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. For more information and program details, please visit www.pnpoysterfestival.co.za or contact Knysna Tourism at 044 382 5510.

SA chefs practice safe

seafood

The Southern African Sustainable Seafood Initiative (SASSI) has launched the SASSI Seafood Circle, sponsored by Pick n Pay, which recognises restaurants and chefs that are actively championing sustainable seafood practices in their restaurants.

Criteria on which the restaurants and chefs were assessed were the restaurant's seafood sustainability policy; the effectiveness of their communication of their seafood sustainability practices to their customers, employees and suppliers; their level WWF-SASSI Trailblazers: Brad Ball (Bistro 1682), Tanja Kruger (Majeka House), Bjorn Guido (The Millhouse), Rudi Liebenberg (The Mount Nelson), Stefan Marais (Societi Bistro), Vanessa Marx (Dear Me) and Henry Vigar (La Mouette)

of engagement in communicating their seafood sustainability practices to a wider audience; and, the 'trailblazer factor', which are those chefs and restaurants that are going the extra mile in promoting and supporting seafood sustainability. The 12 winning WWF-SASSI Trailblazers were from Cape Town, KwaZulu-Natal and Johannesburg.

Cape Town winners were Brad Ball from Bistro 1682; Vanessa Marx from Dear Me; Henry Vigar from La Mouette; Tanjia Kruger from Majeka House; Bjorn Gudio from The Millhouse; Rudi Liebenberg from The Mount Nelson; Chris Erasmus from Pierneef a la Motte; Bertus Basson from Overture and Stefan Marais from Societi Bistro. KwaZulu-Natal Trailblazers were Jackie Cameron from Hartford House; Kevin Joseph from Oyster Box and from Johannesburg, Marthinus Ferreira of DW Eleven-13.

Pick n Pay has also joined forces with SASSI to create a sustainable seafood cook book that can be downloaded for free HERE.

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Travel 'Hidden inside the Tuscan hills of Chianti, the new Marchesi Antinori Chianti Classico Cellar is exemplary: echoing to the family's long history of wine-making, its contemporary architecture holds a vision of the future.

Bold, the new winery is simply not a building, it's a piece of landscape.' Marie Le Fort reports.

D

riving out of Florence on the road to Siena, the rolling hills of Chianti unveil layers of dusty ochre and reddish earth, complete with

the natural scribbling of vineyards running down the slopes and the linear calligraphy of cypresses fencing rich Tuscan mansions. In this picture-perfect, ancient landscape, there is no room for contemporary form.

Yet, as the village of Bargino appears on the left-hand side, one keeps an eye open for the new Marchesi Antinori Chianti Classico Cellar – hardly noticing anything. Almost invisible, it's minimally inserted into the landscape. From the opposite hill, the new winery looks like a double horizontal slit which, in reference to the architect's first drawing – a blurred wavy line charcoaled across the page – merges with the landscape.

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'We didn't want to separate interior, exterior and landscape; yet, from inside, we wanted everyone to have the feeling that the building continued outside.'

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C

ARCHEA ASSOCIATI CANTINA ANTINORI ANTINORI WINERY

sezione CC / seccion CC 0

10

20 m

C

A sideview of the architecture at Antinori Winery

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'The building has no façade, it's a piece of hill,'

while the 20m slope enables the winery to reduce

architect Marco Casamonti, principal of Archea,

energy consumption. From the top of the hill, the

explains. The new winery is indeed a piece of

grapes are processed using a gravity system rather

landscape: carved into the terrain, after an excavation

than a pump – like the old Roman aqueducts.

process that lasted a year (during which 400 000m3

Deeply rooted in traditions and history, the

were removed), the Cantina is an underground gem.

Antinori family suggest here that visionary minds

Mimicking the natural surroundings, the building

can reconcile heritage and modernity: back in

materials were chosen for their timelessness:

2004, Marquese Piero Antinori, 26th generation of a

concrete pigmented with iron oxide matches the

noble Florentine family of wine-makers, decided to

colour of the soil, while terracotta, Corten (rusted

move the company's headquarters from a listed 15th

steel ribbons), oak and glass complete the picture.

Century Palazzo to a state-of-the-art contemporary

Sustainable, the cellar unfolds as an architectural

winery. 'We wanted to bring the heart and the body

extension of the landscape: naturally isolated, the

together again, to bring the mind back to the earth,

temperature of the barrel rooms remains constant

where the grapes are grown.'

'We wanted to bring the heart and the body together again, to bring the mind back to the earth, where the grapes are grown'.

Known for conducting research on wineries,

the building.

Marco Casamonti seemed like the perfect candidate

'We didn't want to separate interior, exterior and

to create a unique building: 'Wineries have an

landscape; yet, from inside, we wanted everyone

interesting typology; they are a hybrid which

to have the feeling that the building continued

combines, at the same time, the idea of a church, a

outside.'

factory and a farm.' So when the passionate patriarch

An ideal blend of classicism and modernism,

told the architect that he wanted 'a monumental, yet

humanity and creativity, Marchesi Antinori Chianti

invisible building', Marco Casamonti knew it would

Classico Cellar holds, within its walls, the true soul

have to be monumental on the inside with the

of Renaissance.

SG

naves and mysticism that one finds in a cathedral; be efficient and flat to work like a factory and draw from the local agricultural traditions the shape

Visit www.antinorichianticlassico.it for more.

of a farm-like vaulted ceiling. Landscape, and landscaping, at last, would be the sole faรงade of

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Extract taken from On Safari by Nadine Clarke, published by Struik Nature, an imprint of Random House Struik

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For info or to purchase visit www.randomstruik.co.za. Also visit www.getbushwise.com, or visit the 'Get Bushwise' facebook page 109 S G

Extract taken from On Safari by Nadine Clarke, published by Struik Nature, an imprint of Random House Struik

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For info or to purchase visit www.randomstruik.co.za. Also visit www.getbushwise.com, or visit the 'Get Bushwise' facebook page 111 S G

Kids

Eco-Experiments

earth's energy cycle S G 112

In this issue, educator Sharon Levy investigates the manner in which solar radiation creates wind power and how the tidal power draws on energy inherent in the orbital characteristics of the Earth-Moon system and, to a lesser extent, in the Earth-Sun system.

Energy flows into the Earth system from three main sources: Solar radiation that powers the winds, rainfall, ocean currents, waves and other processes of the hydrologic (or water) cycle.

The second most powerful source is geothermal energy, the Earth's internal heat that finds its way to the surface through volcanic activity. The smallest source of energy for the Earth is produced by the interaction of tides and the Earth's rotation.

WIND ENERGY

Air seems like the lightest thing in the world, but it actually pushes on you and the ground with a great deal of force. This force acting on a certain area is called air pressure. When air heats up it begins to rise. When it rises the pressure decreases. Air pressure change is measured with a barometer. An area full of light warm air is called a low-pressure zone. Areas with cool, denser air are called high pressure zones. What happens when a low-pressure zone and a high pressure zone are right next to each other? The following experiment requires adult supervision.

WHAT YOU NEED

 Two metal pans  Ice  Sand  Candle  Cardboard box, if necessary WHAT TO DO Ensure that you set up the experiment where there are no drafts (use the cardboard box if necessary). You can check this by lighting a candle – if there is no draft the direction of the smoke from the candle will be straight up. Pour some sand into one of the pans and put it in the oven to heat it up (300° for 5-8 minutes). Fill the second pan full of ice. Put the pan of hot sand and the pan of ice side by side. (Set the hot pan on a pot holder). Light a candle and blow it out. Then hold the candle between the two pans. Which direction does the smoke flow?



WHAT YOU HAVE DISCOVERED? When you set the pans side by side, the ice cooled the air around it, creating a mini high-pressure zone and the sand warmed the air around it to create a mini low-pressure zone. Air always flows from a high-pressure zone to a low-pressure zone

to even up the pressure – this is what causes wind. You made a tiny breeze between the pan of ice and the pan of sand and the smoke floated sideways in the breeze. The same thing happens between cold ocean water and hot beach sand.

On a larger scale, the sun heats the Earth unevenly – more energy comes in at the equator than at the poles. So, the warmer air near the equator rises, and cooler air from poleward comes in to replace it.

Well then, why are the prevailing winds more West-East or East-West rather than North-South or South-North? That's when the spin of the Earth comes in. Just like the center of a record spins slower than the edge because it has a shorter path to travel, so the Earth's equator spins faster than the higher latitudes. So air travelling towards the equator is deflected westward and air travelling towards the pole is deflected eastward.

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

TIDAL ENERGY

Tidal power (also called tidal energy) has potential for future electricity generation. Tides are more predictable than wind power and solar power.

Tidal power is taken from Earth's ocean tides; tidal forces are periodic variations in gravitational attraction exerted by celestial bodies.

Because the Earth's tides are ultimately due to gravitational interaction with the Moon and Sun and the Earth's rotation, tidal power is practically inexhaustible. A tidal generator converts the tidal flows into electricity.

The moon's gravitational pull lifts a tidal bulge in the ocean; as the Earth spins on its axis, the bulge remains essentially stationary running into coastlines causing high tides. The gravitational pull that the moon exerts on the Earth is balanced by an equal and opposite inertial force created by the Earth's movement with respect to the centre of mass of the Earth-Moon system.

THE EXPERIMENT You can feel for yourself how two opposing tugs like the gravitational pulls of the Moon and Earth work.

WHAT YOU NEED  Length of heavy string, about 50 cm long  Metal nut

WHAT TO DO 1. Tie the metal nut to one end of the string to act as a weight 2. While standing outdoors in an open area, swing the weight so it revolves around and around in a circle. Your hand is the Earth and the weight is the Moon; 3. As you swing the weight, try to hold your hand in exactly the same spot. Can you?

WHAT HAVE YOU DISCOVERED? When you swing a weight like this, what you experience is similar to the tug of the Moon at the end of an imaginary string. We see evidence of this pull at the seacoast, in the form of the tide.

You have also discovered the 'centrifugal force' of the weight at the end of the rope, pulling outward so that your hand cannot keep still and moves in a small circle. S G

DID YOU KNOW? Air pressure changes are also responsible for weather changes. A low-pressure zone usually causes clouds and rain, because as the hot air rises it carries with it evaporated moisture that can condense into clouds. A high-pressure zone usually results in clear skies and sunny days because sinking currents prevent moisture from rising up and forming clouds. When the wind blows, it pushes against the blades of the wind turbines. The blades turn around and turn the generator to make electricity.

Sharon Levy is a science and mathematics teacher with a keen interest in the inter-relationships between science, education and society. She co-founded The Institute for Leadership and Education and currently runs Maths-is-Easy, offering individual and group tuition in mathematics to primary and secondary school learners.

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SPUR F O U N D AT I O N

, h s i r u o N Nurture,

N ow!

Born out of the desire to uplift and improve the lives of South African families, the Spur Foundation was launched on Mandela Day, 18 July 2012.

On this important day in the South African calendar, Spur Group donated R670 000 to The Spur Foundation’s beneficiaries.

The Spur Foundation’s aim is to provide ongoing support to beneficiaries who help feed and educate vulnerable children, and focus on sustainable community engagement – encouraging skills development; community improvement and upliftment projects.

In essence, it is our duty as the Restaurant of the South African Family to help nourish and nurture the leaders of tomorrow.

For more info go to: www.spurcorporation.co.za /about_foundation Follow us on @ Spur_Cares #spurfoundation

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2

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Simply send your full name and address details HERE to stand a chance of winning.

Tech

APPWORLD

Space Apps

AMAZON APPSTORE

an

Millions of Amazon customers can now discover their

international mass collaboration focused on space

favourite apps and games online, from their Android

exploration that takes place over 48 hours in cities

mobile devices and Kindle Fires with Amazon Appstore

around the world. The event embraces collaborative

where customers will have access to popular features

problem-solving with a goal of producing relevant

like the 'Free App of the Day' – which offers a paid

open-source

needs

app for free every day. In addition, the Amazon

applicable to both life on Earth and life in space.

Appstore includes popular features like personalised

The

International

Space

solutions

to

Apps

Challenge

address

global

is

NASA is leading this global collaboration along with

recommendations, customer reviews and 1-Click

a number of additional government collaborators

payments. One of the important benefits of the store is

and 100+ local partner organisations. The Challenge

that Amazon tests apps and games to make sure they

exemplifies the principles of transparency, participation

function and perform properly before they are made

and collaboration by utilising openly available data,

available to customers. Apps and games purchased

supplied through NASA missions and technology, and

from Amazon can be used across any compatible

the talent and skill of passionate volunteers from

Android device, enabling customers to buy an app or

around the planet to advance space exploration and

game once and enjoy it everywhere.

improve the quality of life on Earth. For more info on the challenge and recent winners, visit their site at

Rhino Raid

http://spaceappschallenge.org

Rhinos in Africa are in real trouble. They are being

My Door Handle Have you ever been frustrated by not being able to find

killed illegally for their horns and demand from Asia is fuelling the poaching scourge. Through a new mobile gaming app, WWF South Africa is raising awareness

the building where you’re scheduled for a lunch-time

about the myths driving the demand for horn. WWF

interview and the clock is ticking while your GPS refuses

Rhino Raid is about 'Rad', the most radical rhino to

to work? Or lost your car in a parking lot and walked

charge across mobile and tablet screens yet. Rad

for hours in the cold, lonely dark while repeatedly

tackles poachers in a chase that takes him across the

clicking your remote in the hopes that your car returns

African savannah in search of the crime syndicate

your call? Maybe you missed a party because you didn’t

kingpin who is feeding the Asian demand for rhino. The

get proper directions. All of these things happen more

game is also filled with rich information about rhinos

often than you'd think, which is why MyDoorHandle.com

and exposes the truth behind the current plague of

was launched. Simple and seamless, avoid frustrating

poaching. You have a chance to make a difference and

phone calls and text messages and use this app to

save the rhinos of southern Africa as each sale of the

explain directions to your location.

game benefits WWF-SA's rhino conservation work.

SG

117 S G

Pet

Cape Town’s biggest PUGnic yet The 7th of April 2013 was a Sunday. But not like any

the needs of the dogs will be satisfied, this will ensure

other Sunday, on this day hundreds of pugs and

that the dogs will later not need to find another home

'wanna be pugs' joined us at the False Bay Rugby

and you can enjoy a long happy life together. Pug

club in Constantia for a fundraising picnic. What

Rescue hold many events throughout the year so

a sight it was, there were fat ones and thin ones,

please visit www.pugrescue.co.za to find out more

some were dressed up and some were not, but

information or make a donation.

the most special ones, and the reason why we had

If you would like to help out with either adopting a dog

gathered, were our beloved rescued ones.

or making a donation to Lucky Lucy foundation please

It was a day filled with fun, laughs, socialising and entertainment, but most importantly of all education. Letting people know why events like these are so important, why raising funds and networking dogs saves lives. Pug Rescue SA is a remarkable breed-specific rescue centre based in Benoni, Johannesburg. For years Cheryl and Malcolm Gaw have tirelessly fought to rescue, rehabilitate and re-home unwanted, abandoned, neglected and surrendered pug dogs in SA. With the help of volunteers and pug lovers, Pug Rescue has become a well-respected breed-specific rescue service. They also support many other welfare organisations by networking dogs that need homes and collecting much needed food and blankets at our events. At the Cape Town pugnic food was collected to donate to another fantastic welfare, Lucky Lucy Foundation, also based in Cape Town. There are many benefits to adopting a dog through a breed-specific rescue as they have far more information about the special needs of different breeds and what they require in a forever home. Please consider adopting before shopping. If you are interested in any specific breed, first research if there is a rescue group and find out more information to make sure that your lifestyle and

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visit www.luckylucy.org

The Ian Somerhalder Foundation His bad boy alter ego, Damon Salvatore, may have spent the last century breaking hearts and compelling minds on the hit show, The Vampire Diaries, but in real life, actor Ian Somerhalder (above) takes a more subtle approach to changing minds and actions.

In 2010, the Ian Somerhalder Foundation (ISF) was created with the mission to 'empower, educate, and collaborate with people and projects that positively impact the planet and its creatures'. The ISF team view the environment as an interconnected organism of which we are not separate but a part. There is no differentiation between all living things: trees, rivers, animals and humans. We are all one interdependent organism. Nature does not behave independently. It works in unison with all its elements.

Working independently to transform our planet is like trying to play violin without strings. Communities of businesses, organisations, people and projects must begin to connect resources and skills to passions and projects. The ISF will behave in full collaborative spirit by joining with other Non-Profit, For-Profit and governing bodies globally. www.isfoundation.com/

'The coming together of like-minded individuals through action is what's needed to see wide-spread

change for us, our planet and its creatures.' – Ian Somerhalder

Saving Chimpanzees: A Man on a Rescue Mission Eugene Cussons Penguin Books • 978 0 1435 2813 5 In recent times humans have shown scant regard for the welfare of their closest relatives, the chimpanzee. Eugene Cusson travels through strife-torn Africa rescuing and relocating abused and orphaned chimpanzees. He brings them back to his sanctuary Chimp Eden in the South African Lowveld; as seen on Animal Planets Escape to Chimp Eden, Cusson lives there with his wife and daughter. Saving Chimpanzees is the remarkable account of these rescue missions, requiring outstanding courage and dedication. This book is powerful and will take you on a journey you will never forget.

Touching Animal Souls: Life Lessons From the Animal World Gabrielle Harris Kima Global Publishers • 978 0 9869 8583 6 Gabrielle Harris has been an animal trainer since 1990, but her view on animal behaviour is far more spiritual than it is scientific. Compassion and understanding are the ingredients she uses to connect and teach but mostly to receive, receiving the gift of communication, being able to guide and not dominate the animal to an end goal. It is a new way to look at training, behaviour and the relationships between humans and animals.

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Pet

Awaken a Part of Your Soul The World of Dogs and Cats & Pet Expo (WODAC) which takes place from 19-21 July at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand is a magical gateway to discovering the joys, responsibilities and rewards of pet ownership.

It’s the perfect place to search for and find that pet that will complement and complete your family.

If you want to add this magic to your life or reward your pets for their love and loyalty, bring family and friends to shop for special treats, and experience the many ways in which pets of all kinds can enrich your life.

Meet the breeds, talk to the breeders, shop for pet-related products, consider adopting a pet, speak to experts in animal nutrition, behaviour, optimal healthcare and well-being.

This year’s expo will feature such fan-favourites as the halls of dogs, cats, birds, fish, exotic pets and reptiles and the National Cat Show, where you’ll meet the full array of

SOUTH AFRICAN MASS STERILISATION TRUST SAMAST's mission is to radically reduce the number of unwanted puppies and kittens born into communities that are unable to support and care for them, by providing a free sterilisation service to the residents of those communities.

Visit their website for more info: www.samast.co.za S G 120

fabulous and fascinating feline breeds.

Horse lovers will be spellbound by 2013’s exciting, expanded equine attractions with a program devoted completely to The Magic of Horses.

Delight in a packed and entertaining program for the whole family with events like the Dogs of the World Parade; Dog Agility; Canine Survivor; Flyball; Dog Carting Display; 60-Weaving Pole Challenge; the Dancing with Dogs SA Champs; and the WODAC Dog Show.

Anatole France, winner of the 1921 Nobel Prize in Literature, once said: 'Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.' Come awaken a part of your soul at the World of Dogs and Cats & Pet Expo 2013.

For more info visit www.dogscats.co.za

Ad v e r t o r i a l

100% NEW LOOK Tuffy brands, the pioneers in 100% recycled refuse bags, has introduced its new packaging for its refuse bag range with a refreshed look, striking visual appearance and a consumer-friendly infographic to explain ‘What’s in the bag’.

'T

he packaging has been revised to refresh the look of

recyclable.'

the range of refuse bags with the high-quality inside

Murray says the new design has resulted in a cleaner

product remaining unchanged,' says Rory Murray,

less cluttered look-and-feel to make it look more modern and

Marketing Director at Tuffy Brands. 'It is important that our

relevant.

claim of being 100% certified recycled is clearly stated on the packaging, so that you can make a conscious decision on your

WATCH THIS!

purchase of refuse bags knowing that we are contributing to removing waste from the environment by choosing Tuffy as the only certified 100% recycled refuse bag.'

Tuffy has included an easy to understand infographic on pack. 'A lot of confusion exists as to what the difference between "recycled" and "recyclable" means,' he says. 'Our product is made from 100% recycled material and as such assists in easing pressure on landfill, the inclusion of this infographic ensures that this is explained clearly thereby helping you make an informed purchasing decision and effectively transference of the message that we are the only SA manufacturer of 100% certified recycled refuse bags with product also being fully

What's in the bag?

Tuffy is the only South African refuse bag manufacturer to be fully certified 100% recycled.

For more info visit www.tuffy.co.za, or join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter 121 S G

Garden

STARTING Y S G 122

'Growing your own vegetables is a healthy and fun way of introducing children to the magic of nature,' says Jane Griffiths

child’s garden small; otherwise it will soon become unmanageable. If you are in a flat or have a small garden, children can grow vegetables in containers.

Even the smallest balcony or garden patch can boast a crop of vegetables and you don’t have to spend a fortune on pots. Go on a treasure hunt together in second hand shops to find interesting containers.

Wine barrels, paint cans, cheap colourful plastic buckets and even old gumboots can all be used. Just make sure you make drainage holes at the bottom and use good quality potting soil.

T

o be a good gardener you need to be curious, like to learn by observing, and enjoy playing in the dirt – no wonder gardening is

perfect for children. Children are also intrigued by goggas and earthworms; they love playing with water and are fascinated by the magical process of taking a handful of seeds and turning it into an edible garden. By spending time in your garden with your child, you will be cultivating a lifelong love of gardening and nature.

If we observe nature, we see it is not tidy with precise edges and neatly swept surfaces. In a forest when leaves and dead branches fall, they stay there, forming layers of slowly decomposing organic matter. This is what we are aiming for in our organic vegetable garden: we want to invite nature to do what it does best.

Where to put your child’s vegetable garden The first step is involving children in the decision of where to plant their garden. Vegetables are happiest where there is plenty of sun. Spend time observing where the sun rises and sets, where the trees make shadows and think about where the shadows will change as the sun moves throughout the year.

Choose a spot that has water nearby, is easily accessible and can be admired by friends. Keep your

YOUNG

How plants work One of the greatest hazards in your child’s garden is their own curiosity. Many a plant has been killed because it’s been dug up to see if it is growing. Your child needs to understand that the roots of plants play many important roles: they are an anchor, holding the plant firmly in position so it doesn’t fall over. They are also a straw which the plant uses to suck up water. And finally, they are the plant's mouth, feeding the plant yummy nutrients which they find in healthy soil. Children should learn that the roots must never be disturbed.

Attracting the good guys and deterring the bad ones A vegetable garden is a good place to learn about the birds and the bees – literally. Instead of only planting vegetables, include some edible flowers such as echinacea, pansies, Californian poppies, cornflowers and calendula. These attract beneficial insects such as butterflies and bees. Explore your garden and encourage your child to find and watch ladybirds, bees and all the other insects who are so busy in our gardens – both good guys and the bad ones. If something is eating plants, find out what it is. Go out with a torch at night because the bad guys often work under cover of darkness. There are many humane methods to deter bad guys. Snails and slugs love leafy green plants – this is why they make a beeline for our vegetables. My slug and snail arsenal includes razor-wire barriers. Roll brass scouring wool between your hands to form a long sausage. Lay it in a circle around the entire bed.

Snails and slugs won’t cross it, as it will cut their feet to shreds – and they have the same reaction to it as us putting metal on a tooth filling.

Hungry birds can destroy vegetables but they

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The more fun your child has in the garden the more involved they will become. Even the chores of weeding can become a game if you turn it

otherwise your child will soon lose interest. Following are some suggested vegetables and ideas on how to grow them.

Sunflowers

into a competition to see who can

Quick-growing, colourful and edible, sunflowers are

make the biggest pile of weeds.

are easily grown from seed and are available in a

ideal for a child’s garden. Sunflowers like full sun, number of varieties, each with differing flowering

are easily deterred by a CD scarecrow. Instead

times and heights. When positioning them, be

of throwing away DVDs and CDs that didn’t burn

aware of their final height, as you don’t want them

properly or have promo junk on them, rather put

blocking valuable sun. If you have more than one

them to good use in the garden. Birds don’t like

child, a fun game is for each child to choose a

flashy things and reflective CDs tied onto a piece

sunflower and label it. Whoever’s sunflower grows

of nylon and strung up above your vegetables will

the tallest is the winner.

keep them away. A traditional scarecrow is a fun and creative project for children to make – and

Beans

you can take the opportunity to teach them about

Beans germinate and grow quickly. They are best

reducing their impact on the planet by using

direct-seeded, as they don’t like being transplanted.

recycled material. A good scarecrow needs to have

A wonderful project is a bean teepee. Firmly anchor

plenty of moving twirly bits to deter the birds.

three poles in the ground and gather their tops

Child-sized tools

tying it firmly in place. Plant climbing beans around

Encourage your child to become involved in all

the poles, leaving one side open. The beans will

stages of gardening by buying them their own set

quickly climb up the structure and within a few

of gardening tools. There are plenty of brightly

months will have created an edible green bean

coloured, child-sized tools available at hardware

teepee for your children to play in.

stores and nurseries. For a less expensive option, you could recycle old kitchen spoons, forks and

Lettuce

measuring cups.

If you’ve never grown your own lettuces, you are

Making gardening fun and productive

probably used to buying a whole lettuce from the greengrocer. However, a far more practical way of growing and harvesting lettuces, and many other

The more fun your child has in the garden the

greens, is the ‘cut and come again’ method where

more involved they will become. Even the chores

individual leaves are plucked from a selection of

of weeding can become a game if you turn it into

plants. This provides you with far more than if you

a competition to see who can make the biggest

pulled out the whole plant and ate it.

pile of weeds. Your child’s garden can also become

Sow the seeds directly where they are to grow.

productive for more than just their meals. There are

Because you will be harvesting the leaves when

many organic and farmers' markets springing up.

they are quite small, you can grow them quite close

Most of them have a community table where your

together. Keep the surface moist until the seedlings

child can package and sell extra produce from their

appear.

garden. At the Bamboo Market in Melville, I recently saw a three-year-old having the time of her life

Potatoes

selling cherry tomatoes for R3 a bag.

Potatoes are a surprisingly easy crop to grow.

What to plant

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together to form a tripod. Wind some twine around,

Choose potatoes that have started sprouting. Before planting, find a couple of old tyres. Dig a circular

The best plants for a child’s vegetable garden are

hole in the ground, about 30 cm deep, with a

those which germinate quickly and are fast-growing,

slightly larger diameter than the tyre. Loosen the

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soil below and mix in plenty of compost. Settle the

is at the top of the slope. Sow the gem squash seeds

tyre into the depression and firm the soil around the

evenly around the mound.

sides. Place two potatoes on the soil in the middle

As the plants grow, their roots spread down

of the tyre and cover with a 7-10cm layer of rich soil

around the bottom of the pot. When you fill the pot

and compost. Keep them moist until growth appears.

with water, it slowly drains out of the holes at the

Once the foliage has grown about 6cm above the top

bottom of the pot, directly and gently watering the

of the tyre, gently cover the stems with a crumbly,

roots. When the plants start bearing, use the central

loose mixture of soil, compost and leaves, leaving

pot to feed your plants with liquid organic fertiliser.

at least 7cm of growth above the surface. Place a

This delivers the food directly to the roots without

second tyre on top of the first. Continue to cover the

any wastage.

SG

stems and stack the tires as the plants grow, making sure you always leave enough growth sticking out the top. You can go up to about three tyres, any higher and you run into danger of the whole thing collapsing.

Radishes Radishes are the easiest and quickest of all vegetables to grow. From sowing to eating can take as little as three weeks. Radishes do better in the cooler months. They are easily sown from seed and benefit from being buried slightly below the surface: about 1-1.5cm deep. This encourages them to grow fatter roots. If you want regular radishes, sow seeds every week because they mature so quickly.

Cherry tomatoes Cherry tomatoes are ideal for a child’s garden as they produce earlier, more abundantly and for longer than larger varieties. They come in a variety of shapes and colours, from small red cherry ones to larger oval yellow ones. They are rambling plants and benefit from being tied gently to a support. They prefer being watered at their roots than overhead watering. The more you pick them the more they will continue to produce

Gem Squash Although gem squashes usually ramble across metres of ground, they can be grown in a small space if you train them up a vertical support, such as a tripod. This creates a 'gem squash tree'. Under the centre of the tripod create a mound enriched with compost. In the middle of the mound, bury a plastic nursery pot leaving a few centimetres of rim sticking out. Mound the earth up around the pot, so its rim

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Visit Jane's Delicious Garden at www.janesdeliciousgarden.com or email her on info@janesdeliciousgarden.com Photographs: Jane Griffiths & Keith Knowlton.

SOURCES: Jane's Delicious Garden, Sunbird Publishers, a division of Jonathan Ball Publishers.

The Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopedia of Gardening Editor-in-Chief Christopher Brickell DK • 978 1 4093 8394 9 Now in its 4th edition, revised and updated, this is the definitive and classic gardening book – if you live in the UK. For us in Africa, there's obviously some cross-over, given seasonal adjustments – perhaps more so for those living in (nominally) Mediterranean-type climates (mostly that would be the Western and Southern Cape), though these days, with increasingly strange, extreme and variable climatic events, who's to say what is 'normal' and whether the old way of thinking about climactic regions in rough equivalents to each other still applies. In any case, where pertinent, if you are into gardening, this is obviously the go-to book on all matters where you might want a final and 'official' answer.

The Grower's Cookbook: From the Garden to the Table Dennis Greville & Jill Brewis Jakana • 978 1 4314 0615 9 If you like the notion of growing your own food, as well, as cooking it, but lack expert knowledge, experience or have limited space and time, then this is the right book for you. Straight forward, clean design, easy to read layouts some inspiring images and plenty hints, tips and recipes make this book a one-stop solution for most gardeners – especially those new to the game. And the best part is that this is a South African edition, making every page locally relevant.

How to Garden

The Royal Horticultural Society

DK • 978 1 4053 6640 3

A lovely book – and as much a coffee-table offering as a technical one – the only unfortunate thing about this title is that it is, as the name indicates a Royal Horticultural Society publication, designed for British readers. Hard core gardening types will likely love it anyway – and the pictures are great and inspiring. But as to local applicability, one will still have to do research beyond what is in these 350+ pages to be sure that the information offered is relevant to specific conditions in whichever part of Southern Africa you may be located. Once again, a rough equivalency to Mediterranean conditions in the Western and Southern Cape may make this a more immediately useful book than if you live, say, in Natal, the Northern Cape or anywhere in either the Lowveld or the Highveld. But then again, you may want the book for its images of gardens and plants alone.

'The glory of gardening: hands in the dirt, head in the sun, heart with nature.

To nurture a garden is to feed not just on the body, but the soul.'

– Alfred Austin

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responsible tourism

Tourism

1

2

3

4 1 The extremely sensitive table Mountain biosphere. 2 Chairman of the Federated Hospitality Association of SA, Eddy Khoza. 3 Tsogo Sun received five Imvelo awards last year. 4 The Table Mountain Cableway's recycling initiative – over the period July 2011 to June 2012 a 62% reduction in waste to landfill was recorded

The Imvelo Awards for Responsible Tourism, which were launched recently at Tsogo Sun's 54 on Bath hotel in Rosebank, this year extends its reach to ensure that both large and small organisations can benefit from these prestigious awards. We take a look.

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F

or the first time in 12 years since inception, the seven Imvelo Awards categories will each have two prize winners, allowing both large

and small operations to win by not competing against each other, but rather with like-sized businesses.

There will also be an overall winner which will be chosen from the six categories' winners.

The Imvelo Awards categories are: Best social

The Imvelo Awards acknowledge and reward tourism businesses for their sustained responsible practices taking into account their contributions to sustaining their natural, social and economic environments.

involvement program; Best practice – economic impact; Best overall enviro-management system; Best single-resource management program – with

he believes signifies a growing appreciation within

sub-categories for energy-efficiency, water-efficiency

the industry of the value of enviro-friendly practices.

and waste-management; most empowered tourism

'Imvelo has become a benchmark in this regard and

business, and the Investor in People Award. Each of

the work done by the FEDHASA regions has been

the categories will recognise both large and small

excellent. We trust that this year will see a higher

establishments in terms of their contribution to

level of enthusiasm for the awards in the industry as

responsible tourism.

well as a greater number of entries than ever as the

The Imvelo Awards once again will award tourism businesses for their sustained responsible practices

number of winners has doubled and small and large organisations are judged separately.'

through their operations, taking into account their

In addition to the awards, Imvelo now incorporates

contributions to sustaining their natural, social and

the newly launched Responsible Tourism Aftercare

economic environments.

Program. This has been introduced by FEDHASA

According to Eddy Khosa, Chairman of the

to ensure that its involvement in Responsible

Federated Hospitality Association of SA (FEDHASA),

Tourism practices extends beyond the recognition

the custodians of the Imvelo awards, the need for

of best-practice, but also assistance and support

a bold restructuring of the Awards was precipitated

to other businesses who show willingness but are

through discussions between FEDHASA, the National

somewhat lacking in either skills or resources to

Department of Tourism and other partners to give

achieve the required standards.

recognition to both big and small operations and

'In 2013, we will select a handful of qualifying

operators in the tourism hospitality sector. 'In the

establishments in different categories to be included

past, the playing field was not entirely level for all

in the program. A baseline study will be conducted

organisations that wanted to compete – and smaller

on this establishment, which will be followed by

or independent organisations were pitted against

improvement plans to achieve the desired results.

major players. Last year we started this process with

A variety of approaches will be adopted during

two winners in two of the categories – Best Social

the implementation phase, including workshops,

Involvement Program and Best Practice: Economic

mentorships, and so on,' says Khosa.

Impact – and after careful consideration it was

Over and above the selected establishments, the

deemed fair to extend the practice across all the prize

program will also look at various impactful ways to

categories.'

assist the industry in changing from dated practices

The Imvelo Awards are organised by FEDHASA and the National Department of Tourism with sponsors Eskom, Absa, the Industrial Development Corporation,

and adopting a responsible tourism mindset in all facets of business.

Khosa

encourages

all

organisations

in

the

the Department of Water Affairs and Don't Waste

tourism sector – large and small – to assess their

Services, industry leaders whose operations are

enviro-management practices for sustainable growth

synonymous with responsible tourism in SA.

and entering the Imvelo Awards to enjoy the prestige

Imvelo – which means 'nature' in SA's Nguni

that comes from being a finalist or even a winner.

SG

languages – encourages industry members to accept voluntary guidelines promoting responsible tourism.

Khosa notes that each year has seen the number of entries to the Imvelo Awards increasing, which

Entries are now open. To enter visit the Imvelo Awards site here or call the FEDHASA offices on 086 133 3628.

129 S G

Buildings

energyperformance Three Cities Management has embarked on initiatives to improve the energy-efficiency and overall environmental impact of its properties' day-to-day operations by creating group-wide awareness of energy and environmental issues. Besides listing with an environmental certification program, the group entered its building portfolio in the National Energy Barometer Survey for the 2011 utility year to benchmark the various properties' energy intensity on an 'apples-to-apples' basis against each other. We take a look.

S G 130

T

hree Cities Hotels' Group Engineer, Murray

Barometer highlighted the importance of on-going,

Burger, says, 'Three Cities Management

accurate

entered as many of the Group properties

'Too often electricity bills are settled without a

as possible in a concerted effort to gauge the

second thought. It is critical the energy profiles are

respective properties' energy performance and to

analysed, recorded and understood if any property

ensure a preliminary baseline was calculated for

hopes to effectively gauge the site's energy profile –

each property allowing the effective measurement

albeit from a relatively broad perspective.'

of future improvements.' The Energy Barometer is

consumption

profiling.

Burger

says,

a useful tool to steer energy managers in the right

Introduction

direction and is being used by many companies

As technology tends to lend itself financially to new

to decide which buildings in their portfolios will

developments, the Three Cities Group's Gateway

deliver the most significant impact from energy

Hotel (opened in 2011), naturally has the most

management perspectives.

updated efficiency designs and interventions.

Although interventions

varying and

levels

of

behavioural

technological changes

Wherever possible the same interventions are

have

considered, and prescribed as preferred, for the

been implemented across the group, the Energy

Three Cities Management's energy-efficiency strategy

131 S G

as retrofit opportunities at existing properties and

the key-card facility, or the BMS, can shut down

these strategic focus areas are discussed.

air-conditioning systems when doors or windows

Occupancy control One of the most useful tools to have to manage a building's energy is a Building Management System

for public areas to ensure lighting loads are only expended when required.

adds to the flexibility required for an effective

Maintaining room temperature comfort levels

energy management program. For instance, the BMS

It is well-known that HVAC components installed

offers remote monitoring and control of the Heating,

within a building account for a considerable portion

Ventilation and Air-conditioning (HVAC) systems

of the overall energy consumption. In fact, says

thus ensuring areas are controlled from both an

Burger, 'The HVAC components alone may contribute

operating temperature set-point while also ensuring

to as much as 65% of the total electrical load

units are switched-off when not required.

depending on the systems in place. In turn, as much

(BMS). Three Cities Management believes that the ability to control equipment within a hotel remotely

Controlling occupancy through micro-switches,

S G 132

are open, or when residents leave a hotel room or

as 70% of the potential HVAC consumption could

consist of the low-efficiency chiller plant.'

insulation

vermiculite

screeds

(cement

and

Therefore, Three Cities aim to design HVAC and

polystyrene mixture), and rooftop vegetation is

HVAC associated systems with maximum efficiency

part of Three Cities' strategy for retrofits which

in mind, while also ensuring customer comfort

will invariably facilitate lower energy consumptions

satisfaction. Where possible, natural ventilation

and reduced environmental impacts, respectively.

is preferred over extraction fans, but due to this

In addition, feasible building orientation scenarios

carrying possible additional heat loads an energy

and simulations are explored to ensure the most

cost-benefit analysis must be modelled around

efficient models are considered for new-build or

these systems to enable an informed choice.

building additions.

To decrease HVAC requirements, the effective

While

natural

lighting

is

favoured

above

and extensive use of concrete throughout the

electrical light sources, Three Cities Management

Gateway Hotel building has, in addition to satisfying

take complete cognisance of required light levels

the desired means of construction, doubled as a

when choosing the most efficient lighting options.

heat sink or cold beam. Due to high emissions

Solar radiation often accompanies natural lighting

during manufacturing, kiln-fired bricks were used

techniques and thermal performance glass and/or

within limits. In addition, to enhance rooftop

shading techniques are used to limit solar radiation

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'People tend to associate "energy-efficiency" with technical, complicated solutions when the reality is quite different. Energy-efficiency is possible through deliberate, basic actions to reduce energy dependency – it really is as simple as that.'

- Murray Burger, Group Engineer of Three Cities Hotels

(heat energy) into a building to eliminate costly

full load. The chilled air exhaust can be utilised to

cooling requirements. External shading devices are

precondition fresh-air systems thus reducing the

preferred as heat energy is absorbed outside the

electrical demands normally required by the central

building reducing the solar radiation load inside the

air-conditioning plant to chill the supply air.

Hot water pre-heating done through the use

building.

Due to the life expectancy and energy-efficiency

of a plate-type heat exchanger where temperate

of light emitting diodes (LEDs), these are used

air-conditioning condensate heat energy may be

for downlighting in guest rooms, with the added

exchanged with colder municipal incoming water

benefit of a reduction in the overall heat load of

also form part of the Three Cities strategy. In effect,

the room. Compact fluorescent lighting (CFL) is

this preheats the colder water so that a lower

used in general areas to ensure energy usage is

electrical energy input is required to heat the water

maintained at a minimum, however solid state

to the desired output temperature. For instance,

lighting (SSL), LED or induction lighting is preferred

the heat pump system performance is increased

given the environmental concerns associated with

even further while evaporative losses are reduced.

CFL disposal protocols.

Well-insulated hot water storage and reticulation systems ensure that heat energy losses are kept to

Efficient water & hot water supply

an absolute minimum.

Installing a bulk water meter into the BMS

Heat pump technology has been prevalent in the

ensures flow measurements are always available for

hospitality industry for some time. In fact, Three

verification, while any abnormal usage will be easily

Cities introduced heat pump technology into one

identified. Low-flow faucet aerators and shower

of their hotels some 15 years ago, already aware of

restrictors reduce both water usage and associated

the energy-efficient benefits heat pump technology

water heating energy usage and are seen as a

yields on a daily basis.

minimum requirement at Three Cities Hotels.

Three

Cities'

high-efficiency

heat

pump

temperatures can therefore be adjusted according

Verifying the efficacy of a product before installation

to desired operating parameters, and bi-linked

Testing, inspecting and verifying the correct

independent compressors within each heat pump,

technologies is a critical part of the selection/

ensures a single heat pump may perform at 50%

feasibility process and should be completed as

capacity should a single compressor unit fail at any

thoroughly as possible. Apart from this, hotels

stage.

are faced with specific operating requirements

installations are aimed at flexibility with independent control systems for each heat pump. Output

S G 134

Another valuable output of such a heat pump

and this poses its own set of challenges when

installation is the integration of the chilled exhaust

considering the solutions on offer. To overcome

air into the air-conditioning system with monitoring

these challenges every effort is made to sample and

equipment to ensure accurate temperature/flow

verify a technology's use prior to any approval. This

measurement. Variable speed drive (VSD) technology

ensures the end-user is ultimately satisfied and has

allows fan and chiller operating speeds to be varied

the opportunity to comment on any issues before

according to demand for maximum efficiency at

mass implementation.

The Three Cities team proudly show off their National Energy Barometer Survey status.

Conclusion 'The Energy Barometer Survey offered the rare opportunity to effectively gauge the hotel management company's understanding of energy management, and clearly identified shortfalls whilst offering some interesting insight into current consumption profiles,' says Burger.

This peripheral benefit seems to be echoed as significant by many participants with medium and large property portfolios where the Energy Barometer is being used so that internal energy strategies and policies can be formulated.

Burger concludes, 'People tend to associate "energy-efficiency" with technical, complicated solutions when the reality is quite different.

Energy-efficiency is possible through deliberate, basic actions to reduce energy dependency – it really is as simple as that.' Three Cities Management is in the process of driving the marketing opportunities associated with the various interventions currently underway within the group – in partnership with service providers wherever agencies.

possible

including

government

SG

For more on Three Cities green initiatives visit http://www.threecities.co.za/blog/greeninitiatives/

About the National Energy Barometer Survey With support from the National Energy Efficiency Agency (NEEA), the National Energy Barometer was successfully rolled out for the 2009 utility year by the developers of the barometer, Energy Cybernetics (see ad, right). The ultimate objective is to create an awareness of consumption levels and the emissions

The Energy Training Foundation (E TF) APPROVED AEE TRAINING PARTNER FOR THE SOUTHERN AFRICAN REGION AFFILIATED TRAINING PROVIDER OF THE SAEE

Launching in South Africa Certified Renewable Energy Professional (REP™) American-based Steven Roosa, Ph.D., MBA, CRM, CSDP, REP BEP, CDSM, CEM, CIAQP, CMVP, LEED AP will be facilitating the training on:

18 - 21 November 2013, Emperors Palace, Gauteng The training covers: • Renewable energy basics • The latest developments in wind power systems, solar thermal heating, photovoltaic generation, geothermal heating, electrical production, biofuels, waste-to-energy systems, energy storage, fuel cells, hydroelectric power, ocean thermal energy • Assessments of the various forms of renewable energy • Case examples of renewable energy projects • Strengths and weaknesses of renewable energy applications • Opportunities for using renewable energy, including building applications • Strategies for making a business case for using renewables • Economic issues, financial methodologies and incentives • Installation • Lessons learned and pitfalls to avoid The REP™ course is presented by the Energy Training Foundation (EnTF), in conjunction with the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) in the USA. AEE has been promoting the scientific and educational interests of those engaged in the energy industry, and has been fostering action for sustainable development for over 35 years.

E TF is a division of Energy Cybernetics

footprint for each facility, with a view to become more environmentally aware and to play a much-needed role in energy conservation.

Register online www.entf.co.za or email info@entf.co.za for more information.

135 S G

S G 136

Biz

sustainable business

achievements

Mondi, the international packaging and paper group, was recently announced the winner of the 'Sustainable Business – Sector Category' by Nedbank Capital at its Sustainable Business Awards in Johannesburg, South Africa. We take a look.

M

ondi has been recognised as a Sector

and forestry activities on the environment. Together

Category winner in three areas of its

with these NGOs and other research bodies, it helps

work. Firstly, there is the Mondi Wetlands

protect vulnerable ecosystems such as indigenous

Programme (MWP), in which Mondi has taken a

forests, wetlands and grasslands, and limits any

leading role in promoting the awareness, better

degradation of natural resources. Secondly, in

management and protection of wetlands and the

terms of renewable energy-efficiencies and usage,

rehabilitation of damaged or degraded wetlands.

Mondi’s climate change policy considers both the

It does so through its 20-year old conservation

consequences and mitigation of climate change,

partnership with WESSA and WWF. As such, Mondi

not only with regard to its business and business

continues to minimise the impact of its plantations

environment, but also in respect of the communities

137 S G

This award celebrates Mondi’s commitment to sustainable business through its ongoing investment in the management and preservation of ecosystems and biodiversity, its effective management of renewable energy, and in the manufacturing of value-adding innovative products that meet customer demand in a responsible, sustainable way.

within which it works and which it impacts. As a

About the awards

mitigating measure and a commitment to lowering

The Nedbank Capital Sustainable Business Awards

its carbon footprint, Mondi (1) responsibly measures

promote and recognise the contribution that business and

and manages its carbon footprint and (2) conducts

business leaders make to the sustainable development

sustainable forest management practices, including afforestation, reforestation and the use of low-carbon footprint forest products.

And lastly, Mondi’s family of Green Range

with a focus on balancing economic objectives, social upliftment and environmental stewardship.

products. 'The Green Range' is Mondi’s international

About Mondi

brand for packaging and paper solutions that

Mondi is an international packaging and paper group, with

are part of the group’s drive to become more

production operations across 30 countries and revenues

eco-efficient. The products are optimised to save

of €5.8 billion in 2012. The group's key operations are

natural resources and reduce waste, and are certified

located in central Europe, Russia and South Africa and,

accordingly by internationally-recognised bodies

as at the end of 2012, Mondi employed 25 700 people.

for their sustainability. The product family also

Mondi Group is fully integrated across the packaging

promotes environmentally-preferred purchasing and

and paper value chain, from the growing of wood and

provides support for Mondi’s customers in their efforts to be more environmentally-responsible.

This award celebrates Mondi’s commitment to sustainable business through its ongoing investment in the management and preservation of ecosystems and biodiversity, its effective management of renewable energy, and in the manufacturing of value-adding innovative products that meet customer demand in a responsible, sustainable way.

As such, Mondi remains committed to creating long-term value for its stakeholders by transforming renewable

S G 138

of South Africa and the rest of the African continent,

resources

into

innovative

product

the production of pulp and paper (packaging paper and uncoated fine paper), to the conversion of packaging paper into corrugated packaging, industrial bags, extrusion coatings and release liner. Mondi is also a supplier of innovative consumer packaging solutions, advanced films and hygiene products components.

Mondi Group has a dual listed company structure, with a primary listing on the JSE Limited for Mondi Limited under the ticker code MND and a premium listing on the London Stock Exchange for Mondi plc, under the ticker code MNDI. The group has been recognised for

solutions that meet customer needs in a responsible,

its sustainability through its inclusion in the FTSE4Good

cost-effective and sustainable way.

Global, European and UK Index Series (since 2008) and

'I am very proud of this award. At Mondi, it has

the JSE's Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) Index

always been our view that actions speak louder than

since 2007. The group was also included in the Carbon

words. So, with sustainable development an integral

Disclosure Project’s (CDP) Carbon Disclosure Leadership

part of our business, this award is testament to our

Index for the third year and in CDP’s Carbon Performance

ongoing commitment in this regard,' says David

Leadership Index (CPLI) for the first time in 2012.

Hathorn, chief executive of Mondi Group.

For more visit www.mondigroup.com.

SG

Mondi’s commitment to sustainability saw the company win its sector category in the Nedbank Capital Sustainable Business Awards on 29 May 2013, thanks primarily to its approach to renewable energy, wetlands stewardship and Green Range products.

Preserving wetlands Through a long standing partnership with the Mondi Wetlands Programme the company takes a leading role in promoting the awareness, better management and protection of wetlands and the rehabilitation of damaged or degraded wetlands.

An important focus is on minimising the impact of plantations and forestry activities on the environment. This helps protect vulnerable ecosystems such as indigenous forests, wetlands and grasslands, and limits any degradation of natural resources, working in close co-operation with and in support of NGOs and research bodies.

Renewable energy and sustainable practices Mondi is committed to improving energy efficiency and reducing CO2 emissions; conducting sustainable forest management practices; increasing its ratio of renewable energy use over fossil fuels by increasing the use of renewable raw materials; and increasing energy selfsufficiency through combined heat and power energy generation.

Green Range The Green Range is Mondi’s international brand for paper and packaging solutions that are part of a drive to become more eco-efficient. The products are optimised to save natural resources and reduce waste, and are certified accordingly by internationally recognised bodies for their sustainability.

www.mondigroup.com/sustainability

139 S G

P ublisher ' s C hoice

Shelf 50 Ideas you Really Need to Know The Future Richard Watson Quercus Science • 978 1 7808 7159 2 So, with genetic science on the brink of being able to tinker with the human genome, perhaps to remove or fix unwanted or damaged genes, does that mean we will soon see genetically-enhanced humans, or what is being called Homo sapiens 2.0? This is but one of 50 key issues or questions with which, says the author, we will all need to grapple. It would be ridiculous to list all 50 topics here, but they are each as interesting and relevant as the one discussed above. A random selection includes: are we in the midst of the earth 6th mass extinction? The answer to that one appears to be 'yes', which is deeply worrying revelation for those who may not know that, or who don't yet fully appreciate what it means (which is that we humans face a real threat of mass death and possible extinction, along with many of the species on which we depend). What about what we use for energy after fossil fuels?

Or brain-machine interfaces? What (and where) is work? Quantum and DNA computing, regenerative medicine, space tourism, resource depletion, water wars, cyber and drone warfare, and transhumanism are among some of the other fascinating topics covered. This is one that needs to be read and absorbed slowly for the implications of virtually every chapter are profound and very far-reaching.

Sew Your Own

John-Paul Flintoff

Profile • 978 1 8466 8892 8

So the subtitle to this one goes as follows: 'Catch up Clarkson! Here's one man's attempt to survive the economic meltdown, tackle climate change and find the meaning of life by making his own clothes.' There you have it in a single sentence. Well written, a lot of fun but not necessarily very practical (his wife won't let him wear many of the clothes he makes for himself when going out). Read it, laugh – and think about why he's doing what many would write off as a fool's undertaking.

The Lazy Man's Guide to Saving the World To coincide with World Environment Week, Tuffy Brands launched this book for those who are apathetic when it comes to recycling. The book comprises a collection of anecdotal tips and quirky visual imagery told through the eyes of Lazy George who offers the reader planet-saving tips, including; wear skinny jeans because they require less material; don’t heat the house, find someone to cuddle with; and don’t wash your car, it will rain eventually. 'Some people have had enough of being told to save the world, so with this book we hope to speak to the lazy guy inside all of us, that gets across the importance of doing small simple things that impact on the environment in a visually appealing and humorous way,' says Tuffy Marketing Director, Rory Murray.

'The book was created out of the insight that some consumers still tend to be apathetic with regard to recycling and they are tired of thinking about their environmental impact. The book reminds people, in an entertaining way, that every little bit of recycling helps in relieving the pressure on the burgeoning landfills,' he explains. In keeping with being environmentally-conscious, the book has been printed on recycled paper using vegetable ink and the images have been created using recycled household objects. The e-book is available as a free download at http://bit.ly/ZOAO2w or to buy the hard-cover contact Kisha van Vuuren at 021 413 7500. See ad on page 121 for more on Tuffy.

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Ben and the Whales: The Extraordinary Journey Ingrid Mennen & Irene Berg Tafelberg • 978 0 6240 5507 5 A lovely children's book about whales and why they matter to us. Great artwork and a storyline designed to both teach about our whale friends and about developing self-confidence and giving kids 'wings so that they can fly'.

Get it and read it to the little ones.

Jackie Cameron Cooks at Home: Simple & Delectable Home Cooking Jackie Cameron Penguin • 978 0 1435 3067 1 Whether you know Jackie or not, this is a great cooking book, with local ingredients, and designed to be practical, easy and applicable to local palates and home-cooking styles. No liquid nitrogen required here (sorry Hester), just plain old common sense and some great recipes. Use it and make food you, your family and friends will love.

Cook it Raw Edited by Alessandro Porcelli Phaidon • 978 0 7148 6549 2

It is very difficult to review this more than odd (and somewhat massive) book.

Not quite just a cookbook, not even a book about raw food only, it features a number of apparently well-known chefs, pushed out of their comfort zones and into the wilds, in some cases, to forage for ingredients that are obviously local and wild. Actually, the entire undertake is about as far removed from a conventional cookbook as a New York saucier might be up to his or her arms in Japanese swamp water searching for wild wasabi, and that's not even a particularly weird example drawn from these pages. There are pictures in some parts, but other sections look and feel like a partially completed workbook. Given no other option to help describe this one properly, here's a quote from page 64 which may serve better: 'So Cook it Raw is about spreading a message, raising awareness and inspiring the next generation of cooks. Some of their discoveries might land up on their menu for you to try and in trying these unfamiliar ingredients I hope you it will encourage you to consider that if we want delicious food in the future we all have to start caring about where this food comes from. We need to look after nature and our environment if we expect it to keep looking after us.' Can't disagree with those sentiments, but it's still not making understanding this book, or how it's been put together, any easier. This is one you'll just have to see for yourself.

A garden requires patient labour and attention. Plants do not grow merely to satisfy ambitions or to fulfill good intentions.

They thrive because someone expended effort on them. – Liberty Hyde Bailey

141 S G

Photo Ben Brown

In his book 21 Yaks and a Speedo, famed long-distance swimmer Lewis Pugh shares his ability to dream big dreams, build crack teams and get the job done through 21 strategies he has used to achieve what no one thought possible. Here is the introduction to that book.

achiEve the I

had never met a yak before I got to the Hima­layas.

I realised that they were not unlike the quali­ties

a glacial lake, to draw attention to the im­pact of

and principles I’ve relied on during my many swims

climate change on the Himalayan glaciers. And we

and expeditions, key principles that have enabled

had yaks to help us carry the real heavy stuff.

me to push my personal limits and achieve things

During the two weeks it took us to get onto

people assured me were impossible.

Mount Everest, I got to know those yaks. I trekked

Some of these are qualities I found and devel­oped

behind them up endless unforgiving slopes,

in myself. Others are lessons and strategies I’ve

watched them cross ridiculously thin bridg­es over

learned along the way from fellow swimmers and

sheer drops without changing their stride. I listened

other athletes, from soldiers and farmers and

to them breathing outside my tent each night, and

mountaineers, from fishermen and CEOs, from

I witnessed their obstinacy each morn­ing when our

shipowners and kayakers, from billionaires and

Sherpas tried to separate them from their feed bags

lighthouse keepers.

and get them yoked up for a day’s work.

S G 142

to these.

We were on our way to Mount Everest to swim in

In talking to people around the world, whether

I found myself thinking about the qualities of a

individually or in large auditoriums, I have learned

yak, which got me imagining that these are not so

that these principles resonate with people in

different from the qualities people need to meet

busi­ness, in sport, in their personal lives, in whatever

or­dinary challenges (or extraordinary ones, for that

endeavour they take on, whatever challenges they

matter). Focus. Tenacity. Obstinacy. I could relate

face.

SG

Photo Michael Walker

THE 21 YAKS

the impossible 1 Channel – Channel your energies and focus forward. If

can do just about anything with hope. Lose it and you

the desire is deep enough, you'll get it done; 2 Vasbyt – If at

don't stand a chance; 14 Break – Don't be intimidated by

first you don't succeed, perservere until you do; 3 Escape

the size of a task. Break it down into manageable pieces

– Sometimes escape is not an option, it's a necessity; 4

and start at the beginning; 15 Strive – The quickets way

Visualise – If you can see it in your mind's eye, you can

to get a job done is to do it with excellence the first time;

make it happen; 5 Mind – Thoughts are so powerful. How

16 Plan – Never plan for victory and defeat in your mind at

often do you think about what you are thinking about?;

the same time; 17 Switch – When the path you're on stops

6 Blame – Blame no one but yourself; 7 Believe – The

working for you, switch to another one; 18 Trust – Trust

essence of any great achievement is to believe in your

your gut, especially when it comes to risks; 19 Change –

purpose; 8 Push – Sometimes you just have to push past

Just because a strategy has worked for you before doesn't

'go'; 9 Follow – Don't be limited by other's expectations. If

mean it will work again. Be prepared to make a radical

you know a better way to do something, follow your own

tactical shift; 20 Stand Up – If it

set of rules; 10 Grind – Sometimes the hard way is not

doesn't feel right, stand up and fix

just the best way, it's the only way; 11 Test – The most

it; 21 Dream – It's never too late

perfect of plans can fall apart when we forget to test our

to pursue your dreams. Just make

assumptions; 12 Open – Be open to possibilities and don't

sure you are in the right place to

let yourself be limited by negative beliefs; 13 Hope – You

achieve them.

21 Yaks and a Speedo | Lewis Pugh | Jonathan Ball Publishers |978 1 8684 2573 0

143 S G

Emerging Explorer

C onservation

S G 144

National Geographic has identified the next generation of innovative scientists and visionaries who are pushing boundaries of discovery, adventure and global problem-solving.

One of them is South African-born, Steve Boyes. We take a look.

WATCH THIS!

S

teve Boyes, a South Africa born and bred conservation biologist based in between Cape Town, Hogsback Village and the Okavango

Delta, joins a roboticist, an astrobiologist, a glaciologist, a planetary geologist, an artist and an entrepreneur as one of 17 visionary, young trailblazers from around the world who have been

BUSH BOYES: Across the Okavango

selected as this year's National Geographic Emerging South African conservation biologist Steve Boyes

Explorers.

Explorers

is scientific director of the Wild Bird Trust. With a

Program recognises and supports uniquely gifted

passion for the wilderness and parrot conservation,

and inspiring adventurers, scientists and innovators

he works to preserve and protect Botswana's uniquely

who are at the forefront of discovery, adventure

pristine Okavango Delta, to mitigate threats bringing

and global problem-solving while still early in their

parrot species to the brink of extinction throughout

careers. Each Emerging Explorer receives a $10 000

Africa and to plant thousands of trees in his forest

award to assist with research and to aid further

restoration projects. A postdoctoral fellow at the

exploration.

Percy FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, his

National

Geographic's

Emerging

Along with Steve Boyes, the 2013 Emerging

research is on the critically endangered Cape parrot,

Explorers are conservation biologist Erika Cuéllar,

with a focus on better understanding the dynamics

anthropologist Jason De León, planetary geologist

that caused an outbreak of the deadly Psittacine

Bethany Ehlmann, archaeologist Sayed Gul Kalash,

Beak and Feather Disease in Cape parrots in the wild.

computer scientist and roboticist Chad Jenkins,

His work has also resulted in a moratorium on the

wildlife

Sandesh

importation of African Grey parrots into South Africa.

Kadur, artist Raghava KK, humanitarian Lale Labuko,

His most ambitious undertaking is planting the first

innovator and entrepreneur Tan Le, conservation

million trees and mounting hundreds of nest boxes

biologist Andrea Marshall, science educator and

for Cape parrots in the forests they depend on.

filmmaker

and

photographer

astrobiologist Brendan Mullan, geophysicist and

Last year, in his quest to catapult the world's

glaciologist Erin Pettit, computational geneticist

largest inland delta to World Heritage Site status,

Pardis Sabeti, engineer and conservation technologist

Steve, together with his brother Chris (a marine

Shah Selbe, data artist Jer Thorp and adventurer and

ecologist), and his wife, Dr Kirsten Wimberger

conservationist Gregg Treinish.

(PhD zoology), embarked upon an unassisted

Photo Vikki Boyes

The new Emerging Explorers are introduced

crossing of over 200kms of the Okavango Delta

in the June 2013 issue of National Geographic

in mokoros (dugouts). A crew from Cooked in

magazine, and comprehensive profiles can be found

Africa Films accompanied Steve to capture this

here.

treacherous journey, which is soon to become

National Geographic Emerging Explorers may be

a 6-part documentary series entitled The Bush

selected from virtually any field, from the Society's

Boyes: Crossing the Okavango. The documentary

traditional arenas of anthropology, archaeology,

gives viewers a unique glimpse into the fauna,

photography, space exploration, earth sciences,

flaura and inhabitants that co-exist along the Delta.

mountaineering and cartography to the worlds of

It also delivers important scientific data on the

technology, music and filmmaking.

region's endemic wildlife – over 530 species of

'As National Geographic celebrates its 125th

birds, including African fish eagle, crested crane,

anniversary year and looks forward to embracing

lilac-breasted roller, hammerkop, ostrich, and sacred

a new age of exploration, we look to our Emerging

ibis; including the endangered African wild dog,

Explorers to be leaders in pushing the boundaries of

which represents one of the richest pack densities

discovery and innovation. They represent tomorrow's

in Africa, all in a bid to shed light on one of Steve's

Robert

Jane

missions: declaring the Okavango Delta a World

Goodalls,' said Terry Garcia, National Geographic's

Heritage Site, and ultimately saving the world's

executive vice president for Mission Programs.

largest inland delta from imminent destruction.

Ballards,

Jacques

Cousteaus

and

SG

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A LOOKING IN VIEW S G 146

We take a bird's-eye view on the impacts of plantation forestry on biodiversity in South Africa.

A

s a bird, soaring above the South African landscape your flight path will take you over many diverse habitats, from grassland to woodland and fynbos, from farms, mines, factories, cities and

towns with their urban landscapes, to mountains and wetlands and over forestland and timber plantations. At this elevated level, you will plainly observe man's influence on this patchwork quilt below.

From this bird's-eye view it is also clear that plantations do not occur in single contiguous blocks, but rather as a patchwork of their own between natural areas and other farming activities. To understand the impact of plantation forestry on biodiversity at this biome or landscape level we need to look at spatial extent within the biome and the impact on any particular site.

The Grassland Biome is the most impacted by human activity.

Commercial forestry and (planted portions of) timber plantations cover 991 900ha throughout the country, which forms less than 3% of this biome. Forestry plantations also only make up 18% of the grassland that has been transformed by agricultural crops. So the loss in species or change in biodiversity that you observe at this level has been affected by the broader land use impacts – and these are cumulative.

Human development and economic activity creates a loss of sufficient habitat or causes fragmentation resulting in large extents of habitat becoming rare and the connectivity of the fragments less prominent.

At this biome or landscape scale, very wide-ranging species, or species with very specific requirements, are often affected. In the areas where plantation forestry occurs species impacted include oribi, Denham's bustard, secretary bird, ground hornbill, grass owl and blue swallow.

At the same time though, at this level a pattern emerges with species favouring trees in the landscape benefitting. A number of mammal species have benefited from afforestation, especially those species that use forested or wooded habitats for refuge sites or are forest or woodland species. These species include bush pig, baboons, bushbuck, caracal and even leopard.

Bird species that are favoured include fruit eaters, hole-and-tree nesting species and forest and woodland species like woodpeckers, barbets, robin-chats, drongos, bulbuls, mousebirds, and raptors such as crowned eagles, long-crested eagles and sparrowhawks.

Now, as your flight continues and you circle down and get closer to the ground, you observe a typical Sappi plantation. Here you will note that at the plantation estate, or farm level, the impact is generally mitigated by the fact that it is seldom that more than 65% of the land is planted, with over 30% of the land being managed for the conservation of the natural habitats and the biodiversity they contain. These unplanted areas are managed within Sappi's environmental management system (and

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independently certified by the Forest Stewardship Council) and include important sites of conservation significance for many rare or threatened species.

At the estate level, the landscape becomes more heterogeneous with a number of new habitats being created which brings in new species to the area. These species are often the pioneer (weedy) plant species or the generalist animal species that are adapted to mixed or more-woody habitats. An analysis of bird species occurring on timber estates revealed that of the 453 species that have been recorded, over half are forest, woodland and grassland or multi-habitat adapted species.

These species probably benefit from the increase of trees in the landscape.

It is true that as you then descend into the typical stand within a timber planation that you will notice that the natural vegetation cover has been replaced with a single species of exotic trees and, by changing the habitat of the stand from a grassland, woodland or fynbos to a homogeneous stand of trees, that there has been a significant impact on the natural biodiversity, as nearly all the plant and animal species in the natural vegetation have been displaced or replaced by species that are adapted to the shady, tree-dominated, conditions of a plantation.

In mitigation for this severe, localised though not very extensive impact, plantation forest owners control

As your flight continues and you circle down and get closer to the ground, you observe a typical Sappi plantation.

Here you will note that at the plantation estate, or farm level, the impact is generally mitigated by the fact that it is seldom that more than 65% of the land is planted, with over 30% of the land being managed for the conservation of the natural habitats and the biodiversity they contain.

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approximately a further 500 000ha of unplanted grassland, some of which consists of the best examples of pristine moist grassland in the country. This constitutes a 50% offset for conservation by the forestry industry in South Africa, which greatly exceeds the international norm of 10%.

Furthermore, in partnership with SANBI via the

Grassland Stewardship Programme, forest owners have identified an initial 37 sites comprising 45 000ha which are in the process of being proclaimed as protected areas and nature reserves.

Of the 137 831ha of permanently unplanted land owned

by Sappi in South Africa, about 111 387ha consists of open areas with natural vegetation cover which are managed for conservation purposes. About 73% (81 412ha) consists of riparian zones, firebreaks, cliffs, rocky outcrops, dams and small wetlands. These areas are subject to general estate management which consists of the control of alien invader plants and regular burning, if and when appropriate. The remaining 29 975ha are larger zones classified as important conservation areas which receive special management according to specifically developed management plans.

Currently, Sappi has 208 sites classified as important conservation sites. These sites conserve representative examples of grassland, forest or woodland and many of them are home to rare or threatened species. At present, threatened species recorded on Sappi properties include 22 plant species, one insect, two frogs, two snakes, six mammals and 20 bird species. If you are ever soaring above Sappi's plantations, you will be in good company.

Data collected by Sappi over a sustained period of nine years recorded a total of 450 species in and in close proximity to their timber plantations. Considering that South Africa has some 950 species, this means that almost half of the entire list (47%) of Southern African species have been recorded in these air spaces and locations at one time or another.

And, as you soar away over this country which has the third richest biodiversity in the world, you can rest assured that those parts of the natural habitat that have been entrusted to the custodianship of one of the largest landowners – Sappi – are in good and careful hands.

As biodiversity is key to the healthy functioning of the plantations from which Sappi sources its woodfibre, their plantations would not be productive without biotic processes taking place. For this reason their plantations and semi-natural forests are actively managed to enhance these beneficial processes and to restrict harmful processes like pests and disease.

Good news for the planet and not just for the birds.

SG

These pages were made possible with the kind assistance of Sappi

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C onservation

The Rhino

Crisis The rhino poaching crisis being experienced in the Kruger National Park is increasing in magnitude daily. This situation has escalated to the point whereby as of 23rd May 2013, 1065 rhino had been poached within the park since 2010. The Game Rangers' Association of Africa (GRAA) finds the current situation deplorable. We take a look.

T

he GRAA acknowledges the role played

boundaries compared to that of the military. The

by the dedicated field personnel who are

current poaching situation needs to be moved

attempting to keep this situation under

beyond the responsibility of the Department of

control. The sacrifices that these men and women

Environmental

are making in order to ensure the preservation of

being felt through the deflection of duty to the

our natural resources deserve further recognition

Department of Environmental Affairs and ultimately,

and appreciation. The debt we owe these dedicated

conservation, needs to be challenged.

and brave conservationists and their families can never be repaid.

The

financial

pressure

The GRAA therefore calls on the South African government to take a zero tolerance approach to

Professionally trained and armed militia from

what amounts to total disrespect of the country's

Mozambique enter South Africa to plunder the

borders, and calls for an increased South African

country's natural resources on a daily basis. These

National Defence Force presence on the country's

actions are tantamount to acts of war and such

borders to maintain their effectiveness in securing

actions are putting not only South African citizens at

the property, economy and citizens of South Africa.

risk but also one of South Africa's economic sectors,

They urge the South African government to

namely tourism. South Africa's rhino hold significant

address the matter immediately with Mozambique

value within the eco-tourism industry. The GRAA

at the highest possible diplomatic levels, with the

does not believe it is the rangers' responsibility

mandated ministerial departments and to exert

to defend the borders of South Africa against

severe pressure on the Mozambican government to

these armed incursions which aim to slaughter the

address the situation, which has escalated from an

country's rhino and whoever dares to stand in their

environmental issue to one of national security. It is

defence.

time to acknowledge this and act accordingly with

Game

rangers

operate

in

a

constrained

environment in terms of resources and legal

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Affairs.

the full force of the law, says the GRAA.

SG

For info info@gameranger.co.za | www.gameranger.org

C orporate Orange River [A1 poster].pdf

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2013/05/29

social initiative

6:24 PM

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Some of the rapids encountered on Ray's eco-adventure

orange river project

Ray on his plastic riverboard

Plastics|SA and Nampak Rigid Plastics sponsored Ray Chaplin's ultra long-distance adventure of 2 300km with the aim of riverboarding the Orange River from source-to-sea to raise awareness about plastics and other riverine pollution. We take a look.

The majestic Orange River

Ray teaching school kids about cleanup and recycling 151 S G

R

ay slogged through the first section of his adventure, dragging and carrying his Fluid Anvil riverboard and all his equipment and

food from the source and along the Orange River's course through Lesotho's mountains. A week later he got on to the river, braving cold and frostbite to make quicker progress. 'From a tiny trickle to

'The response from schools has been amazing. They have committed to regular river cleanups and in Zastron the schools hold Interschool Cleanup Competitions,' says Ray.

raging whitewater to really slow, I've seen it all,' says Chaplin. The Orange River starts as a marshy expanse on top of the Drakensberg, filtering into a rocky stream that grows as it descends the highlands of Lesotho. Back in SA, the river is wide and shallow, filled with sandbanks and what Chaplin describes as 'horrible, sticky mud'.

That he has chosen winter for this adventure seems odd; cold versus warmth.

'While the river would be deeper and faster flowing – and a lot warmer – in summer, the dangers from high water volume are far too risky, especially as I'm on my own. Rapids and strainers still exist, but the power isn't there so the danger that would usually be presented by these river hazards has pretty much gone. Now the cold is my biggest enemy.'

Chaplin classifies this expedition as 'staged, with unbroken footsteps' as he regularly leaves the river to visit schools in nearby communities to speak to the children about litter and river pollution. And then he returns to the same spot to continue the journey – under his own power – by riverboard and walking, where the river is unnavigable.

'The response from schools has been amazing,' he says. 'Schools have committed to regular river cleanups and in Zastron the schools will hold an "Interschool Cleanup Competition". I've visited a wide variety of schools – both township and private.

The best response has been from the junior schools.'

Chaplin headed to Cape Town recently for the Plastics|SA initiated African Marine Debris Summit (6 to 8 June 2013), which coincided with World Environment Week and World Oceans Day. He had been invited to speak on his up-close observations of the river.

Since Mokhotlong, which is about 120km from the source, Chaplin hasn't travelled more than 100m without seeing waste in the river and along the banks.

'Bethulie was disgusting,' he remarks. 'Raw

away as 10km upstream.'

After spending hours each day in the water, Chaplin has had some stomach issues and skin infections. 'Many cuts and scrapes have become infected despite using disinfectant soaps and antiseptic creams daily,' he explains. This is directly related to water contamination.

The African Marine Debris Summit, which Chaplin attended, highlights marine debris as an international concern. Pollutants – from cans and plastic bags to derelict fishing gear and abandoned vessels – wash up on beaches and shorelines worldwide and can be transferred from one country to another via ocean currents.

Rivers too are links in this chain of pollution as the trash and sewerage dumped and pumped into rivers ultimately ends up in the oceans.

And this is why Chaplin, in partnership with Plastics|SA and Nampak Rigid Plastics, visits schools and communities located on or close to the Orange River.

'Adults and children in these communities have never seen an ocean. They've never been to the sea and so they are ignorant of the end effect of littering.

For them, the river just carries waste away,' he says.

Chaplin shows the community photographs of the ocean and beaches; of birds and turtles trapped in plastics and other man-made waste; and of litter on beaches, which is spread so thick that the sand cannot be seen because of people littering.

'Some laugh, saying that I've staged or set up these images and that this is impossible. Others are shocked and horrified. Others connect the river-litter-ocean association with, "I'm killing these birds and animals",' he explains.

Chaplin has returned to the river to complete the next 1300km, which will take him to the Atlantic Ocean. He expects to complete this journey in September.

SG

sewerage was flowing directly into the river and with a strong wind blowing I could smell it from as far

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For more info visit here and here for more.

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people planet profit

F arming

EN H T

Top & above: animals enjoying a more organic existence on the ZZ2 farm, including the indigenous breed of cattle, the pinzyl

Most people know ZZ2 through their eye-catching trucks on our highways, and many will know them from their long shelf life tomatoes.

Some will also know that they are large producers of avocados, onions, apples and pears, and even livestock (with their own indigenous breed, the pinzyl, developed by Paul Bester). What few people know is that ZZ2 has evolved a whole unique farming approach and philosophy, with exciting implications for the environment. We take a look.

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1

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3 1 Elephants utilised in herding the ZZ2's unique breed of cattle, the pinzyl 2 Natuurboerdery in action 3 Protected wilderness areas and greenbelts under the farm's management comprise over 50 000ha

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4 Donkey carts utilised in transport around the farm, foregoing motorised vehicles.

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s a family enterprise, ZZ2 has always been

committed to sustainability – long before the word became fashionable. They observed

developments in organic farming with interest, but with regret: farming around 2000ha intensively and supplying about 40% of the country's need of affordable tomatoes could simply not be done by these labour-intensive methods. So gradually, and under the initiative and

The compost-project, though more expensive than chemical fertilisers alone, has not only significantly improved soil and product health, but has had a whole range of spin-off benefits.

leadership of their MD since the late 1990s, Tommie Van Zyl, they evolved a large-scale farming approach

1990s, and was developed with inputs from overseas

which could improve sustainability and food health,

experts (Elaine Ingram, US and Michael Raviv, Israel,

and still be affordable to all South African consumers.

among others) under the energetic drive and support of

They branded this approach Natuurboerdery.

Tommie Van Zyl. At present 18 000 tons of high grade

In brief, the philosophy accepts technology and

compost is produced annually, and applied to all crops

mass-production as a necessary part of the mix, but

on farms as wide flung as the Limpopo Valley to Ceres

then explores every way to work with nature rather

in the Cape and the Orange River in Namibia.

than against it. The technology and chemistry used

This compost project, though more expensive than

must also be designed for minimum ecological impact,

chemical fertilisers alone, has not only significantly

and it's carbon footprint offset by nature conservation,

improved soil and product health, but has had a whole

rehabilitation and forestry elsewhere on the farms.

range of spin-off benefits. Improved water retention

Protected wilderness areas and green belts under their

saves on irrigation costs; healthier plants are more

management comprise over 50 000ha.

resistant to pests and diseases; yields increase; and local communities benefit by supplying raw materials.

Technology ZZ2 employs a whole team of engineers under the able

leadership of Johannes Grobler (agricultural engineer, and former chief-of-engineering at Denelon, the G-6 cannon project). The approach of this team is to first of all acquire the best (most efficient) technology. The whole irrigation system is optimised, using natural

Soil health is further augmented by a whole array of organic supplements: compost tea, effective microbes (EM), and plant extracts to combat soil nematodes and

root diseases. All these are produced, and sometimes developed, by the ZZ2 Natuurboerdery team of agronomists, liaising with local and overseas experts.

gravitation where possible, energy-efficient pumps and

Pest Control

water-saving drip application. Vehicles are acquired,

As chemical pest control has become notorious for it's

serviced and applied for optimal cradle-to-grave and

negative impacts on the environment and food-health,

consumption efficiencies. Pack houses and cooling

a concerted effort is made to move towards biological

facilities have to be state-of-the-art. The aim throughout

control

is reduction of carbon footprint while enhancing

enemies) or natural plant extracts for pest control. One

the quality and health of the product. They also

of these extracts, Nemalan (brewed from lantana) alone

work closely with Eskom to optimise electricity usage

has saved the company millions in nematode control.

efficiency.

On the whole, Enviro-Impact Quoficient (EIQ), which

methods

(pheromone

traps

and

natural

measures the deleterious impact of agrochemicals,

Soil Health SA has notoriously poor soils, which in many cases

have been further degraded by a century of industrial chemical farming. One of the pivots of Natuurboerdery was the decision to produce compost to replace most of the chemical fertilisation – no small matter, with over

has dropped dramatically since Natuurboerdery has been introduced, and is now exemplary compared to developed world industry standards.

These days, the company says it's judged not only by what it does, but also who it supports and buys from. The ZZ2 brand may well be one to remember.

SG

3 000ha to be supplied annually. The dream started with the late Ben Du Randt (an agronomist) in the

Visit www.zz2livestock.co.za for more.

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Conservation News

Saldanha & bivalve culture

The marine aquaculture sector in Saldanha on SA’s West Coast has the potential to grow 10 to 28 times its current size, and could provide direct employment for 940 to 2 500 people in the area, provided certain regulatory and market requirements are met. The research, published in the journal Food Security recently, argues that bivalve (oysters and mussels) culture can provide alternative employment in a community which has seen rising unemployment following recent downscaling of the West Coast anchovy, pilchard and hake fisheries.

In the late '90s, a suite of studies found that Saldanha’s natural environment is exceptionally conducive to the rapid growth and superior quality of bivalves. This is because the bay forms part of the Benguela Large Marine Ecosystem which provides nutrient-rich waters for the growth of phytoplankton. Pulses of this rich water move into the Big Bay section of Saldanha Bay every six to ten days, creating an environment that is suitable for oyster and mussel culture in SA.

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Avaaz vs Loftsson

One of the most powerful men in Iceland is about to launch a hunting expedition to kill over 150 endangered fin whales in brazen disregard for international law. But his plan has a major weak link, and the Dutch government could step in to save the day, winning a big victory for endangered species everywhere. Iceland's 70 year-old Kristjan Loftsson’s (pictured above) self-funded whale hunts and outlandish comments – he claims whales 'are just another fish' – have made him one of the whales' worst enemies. But standing between him and his customers in Japan is the Dutch government who can stop his whale meat transiting through the port of Rotterdam. Avaaz has recently called on the Dutch to live up to their enviro-conscious image, to potentially become 'Whale Heroes' and send the whalers back to the drawing board. Avaaz is trying to make sure Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte pledges to uphold the ban on trading endangered whales and keep Loftsson out. Visit http://www.avaaz.org for more.

Eskom powerlines & vultures

The Endangered Wildlife Trust’s Wildlife and Energy Programme (EWT-WEP), in partnership with Eskom Limpopo Operating Unit, the EWT’s Birds of Prey Programme (EWT-BoPP) and the Vulture Conservation Programme (VulPro), is proud to announce the launch of the Limpopo Vulture Project. 'The main aim of the project is to use Global System for Mobile (GSM) tracking devices to obtain further information about the movement patterns of the different vulture species in Limpopo. This data will enable Eskom to make informed and vulture-friendly decisions when new powerlines are planned and erected. The project will also look at the relationship between line faults on Eskom distribution lines and vulture movements, in an attempt to determine whether tracking data can be used to predict where line faults are likely to occur. This will enable Eskom to mitigate potential interactions pro-actively rather than reactively,' commented Constant Hoogstad, Senior Field Officer of the EWT-WEP.

Eco-rangers help youth take back tomorrow

The Eco-rangers project has now been successfully launched at 200 earmarked schools within the City of Johannesburg in peri-urban and urban areas including townships and the city and surrounds, targeting Grade 3 students. The ultimate objective of the project is to fully integrate the Eco-rangers into the schools' program. 'Young people need opportunities to engage in meaningful activities, have a voice, take responsibility for their actions, and actively participate in civic discourse. Pikitup drives development driven resilience for all and an important quality of life, at the same time promoting the importance of not littering and focusing on the value in recycling for SA's economy', said Pikitup’s Executive Director for Waste Minimisation Strategy & Programmes, Musa Jack. The Eco-rangers are namely Litter-X (Anti-littering); Recylo (Recycling); Lynx (Conservation) and Sky (Carbon footprint).

WESSA Eco-Schools Waste to Wealth Competition

In 2012 WESSA Eco-Schools celebrated a ‘Diamond Decade’ of inspiring sustainable development in schools with a launch of an exciting new competition offering prizes to the total value of over R120 000. The competition, called the WESSA Eco-Schools Waste to Wealth Competition is sponsored by Waste to Wealth, an NPO dedicated to educating communities about the thinking and action behind turning waste to wealth. 'Waste to Wealth saw the value in partnering with WESSA, with all its experience and community relationships. We wanted to incentivise and empower hard working schools with prize money for tools that would help them achieve more, grow their own food and use waste wisely', says Waste to Wealth founder, Melanie Jones. The Eco-Schools program is run in 51 countries including Iran, China and Uganda and has over 30 000 participating schools worldwide. The top ten teachers at the Western Cape Eco-Schools will also be nominated by node co-ordinators for a weekend away at Kogelberg Nature reserve in June 2014 Visit www.wastetowealth.org.za and www.eco-schools.org for more.

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1isPET

1isPET

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SOUTHERN AFRICAN PLASTIC PIPE MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION

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Be Visible

Be Credible

Maintain focus

Seek synergies and partnerships

Communicate

Empower entrepreneurs

Decide and Revise Strategy regularly

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