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I living informed today I
magazine R 29 (VAT INCL)
the heights of eco chic
Renewable energy
wind power
Subscribe andWin Issue Issue 17 17 11017
Gardening
make your own vege patch
Adventuring
green routes in SA
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your home to life Sasol Homegas is an alternative source of energy for your home. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) provides energy to heat your water, power your cooker and heat your home for less. Sasol Homegas is not just clean, safe and reliable but will also assist in tackling the current energy challenges and contribute to the economic wellbeing of the country. Aside from reducing electricity consumption and costs, Sasol Homegas contributes to a greener home and smaller carbon footprint. The future is Sasol Homegas.
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A word from the Editor
W
elcome spring and the change of seasons as the September equinox heralds longer days and a lot more sunlight. Heritage day is an example of how we play out our primal enjoyment of fire and the delights of cooking scrumptious fare over coals and an open flame take more precedence than the recognition of other historical aspects that give South Africa is rainbow hued heritage. As I type this editorial I am sporting a few severe burns that came as a result of playing with fire – literally. It made me think of the intensity of energy and how our lives are so dependant on the energy we use and the energy we need to live. One of the biggest consumers of energy and producers of waste is the building industry and this is why, in each magazine, we look for homes built by architects that follow a different methodology and work with the natural environment to create master-full home spaces that enable living at a less energy intense level. If you have ever been into an energy efficient and well designed home, that maximises sunlight for natural warmth, works with cooling aspects to ensure heat regulation, has a living wall or roof and is made from ingredients from the earth you will notice the distinct difference in the place. This trend in ‘green’ building is taking precedence around the world as new buildings with top green star ratings are popping up in some of the world’s major cities. This is changing the built environment and the beginning of a new heritage of clever and cool buildings. At home we can do many things to create a space of sanctity and use products that are gentle to the water system we depend on and that don’t add more toxins in to an already overloaded chemical carnival of waste. We can also be more energy efficient, look at ways of upcycling our waste and, at all costs, avoid setting fire to ourselves. Enjoy the read.
Melissa
GREEN home
living informed today
EDITOR MANAGING EDITOR AND DESIGNER DIVISIONAL HEAD OF SALES SALES EXECUTIVE PROJECT MANAGER CLIENT LIASON MANAGER EDITORIAL DIRECTORS ACCOUNTS AND ADMINISTRATION WEBSITE PHYSICAL ADDRESS
greenhome I living informed today I
Living the heights of eco chic
magazine R 29 (VAT INCL)
Green Home magazine is printed on FSC approved paper. Renewable energy
wind power
Subscribe andWin Issue Issue 17 17 11017
COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER VAT NUMBER
Gardening
Green Home magazine is audited by ABC
make your own vege patch
Adventuring
green routes in SA
9 772223 540014
Cover: Nico van der Meulen Architects
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IMAGES AND DIAGRAMS DISTRIBUTION MANAGER ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES
Melissa Baird Nicole Kenny Annie Pieters Elna Willemse Esther Kabaso Eunice Visagie nicole.kenny@alive2green.com Gordon Brown, Lloyd Macfarlane, Andrew Fehrsen Chevonne Ismail www.alive2green.com www.greenhomemagazine.co.za Cape Media House, 28 Main Rd, Rondebosch. TEL: 021 447 4733 FAX: 086 694 7443 2006/206388/23 4130252432 First Published July 2011 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any way or in any form without the prior written consent of the publisher. The opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the publisher or the editor. All editorial contributions are accepted on the understanding that the contributor either owns or has obtained all necessary copyrights and permissions. Publishers do not endorse claims by advertisers. Space limitations and source format have affected the size of certain published images and/or diagrams in this publication. For larger PDF versions of these images please contact the Publisher. Edward MacDonald, distribution@alive2green.com sales@alive2green.com
PUBLISHER
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October/November 2014
CONTENTS
7
10
TALKING GARBAGE making your own nifty things
8
PLANTING GUIDELINES grow your own veggies
10
LIVING the height of eco-chic
15
KNOW IT responsible investment
18
PRODUCTS a green shopping list
20
BOOKS tisse salts for kids and curious cats
22
TRAVEL the green route
24 FUTURE LEADERS smart careers and eco-logic winners
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26
ECO-SPORT surf’s up
27
GAME CHANGERS marine champions in Gansbaai
28
RENEWABLE ENERGY the wonders of the wind
Green Home is renewable and recyclable. Don’t let it go to waste. Recycling reduces greenhouse gas emissions by diverting paper from landfill, reduces litter and creates sustainable business and job opportunities. Visit www.mywaste.co.za
Subscribe and win Be responsible, be inspired! Locally based company Treemedous Gifts have found the perfect way to advertise your pledge to a more eco-aware world with their unique corporate gifts. Indigenous live saplings housed in fully recyclable tubes are the perfect gift idea for the carbon conscious consumer. Ten lucky, new subcribers to Green Home Magazine stand a chance to win a Treemendous sapling. Enter via the website: www.alive2green.com/ghm-subscriptions. Entries close on the 28th November 2014 and the winner is selected via a lucky draw. Well done to Kay Cooper the winner of the Org de Rac case of wine and to Zane Gomes who will recieve a pair of Warman Grey lensed Imbuia wooden eye-wear.
Start your fire with a
greener alternative
LIVING OUT natural woods harvested sustainably from invasive wild bush
Get to Builders. Get it done! Contact our Customer Care Line on 0860 284 533 or visit us at www.builders.co.za
Garbage
talkinggarbage
TALKING
BY Lizl Naude
The re-purposing trend is more popular than ever due to people seeking creative alternatives to store-bought furniture and household products. Re-using and recycling creates a culture of ownership and a sense of empowerment. People sometimes frown at me and look twice when I pull over on the side of the road to pick up what they consider garbage! Just by searching through your everyday environment you might find hidden treasures.
EASEL SHELVING UNIT
2
Adequate storage is a much needed aspect for a good, working home. You can never have enough storage space. A working home also needs decorative elements and you can merge the two. I made a decorative shelf for use in a private library or lounge area. I used two old artist’s easels and joined them together like a long ladder. I then used old pine off-cuts as the shelves. It looks pretty cool and is super practical!
FREEDOM 2.0 LIGHT
I entered this design into the Eskom Lighting Competition 2014. The brief was to design a light in the theme: “20 Years of Democracy”. I once again used off-cuts I found in a dumpster and created a beautiful light symbolising Mandela’s life and our walk of democracy. Proof that all it takes is just a little creativity.
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SPICE RACK
I made this cool spice rack using off-cuts I found in a skip outside a carpenter’s shop. Passersby use the wood in the skip to fuel their fires at home. How about lighting up your life with this very practical shelving unit?
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landscapes
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GROW YOUR OWN FOOD IN EASY STEPS:
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t may seem overwhelming to start growing your own food if it’s something you’ve never tried before. There are so many different things to consider, like soil type, garden placement, what to plant, how to deal with pests and it may seem so complicated and confusing that you never end up trying at all. But in reality, growing your own vegetables is easier than you think. October and November are fantastic months to dig in and get your green fingers growing- so don’t hesitate, step outside and plant your patch.
preventing water logging. They also tend to warm up quickly in winter, so are particularly suitable for cold areas. Container gardening is great for small spaces like balconies, and is also a good option if you are want to garden in an urban area that is covered in concrete. Any container can do, from an ice cream tub to a hand-made planter box. The most important thing here is making sure your containers have drainage holes. Plants don’t like soggy ‘feet’.
4. Selecting your vegetables HERE ARE 6 EASY TIPS TO GETTING STARTED: 1. Don’t bite off more than you can chew. The best way to begin a vegetable patch is to begin with a small space that is easily manageable and won’t be too difficult to maintain. One square meter is more than enough space to keep yourself busy and learning. Once you get the hang of it you can move on to bigger spaces.
2. Find a sunny spot One of the main requirements of a vegetable garden that you can’t change at a later stage is access to sun. Look for a sunny place in your garden or on your balcony. You can always reduce the amount of sun that your vegetable patch receives by using shade cloth or other techniques, but you can never really add more sun. Try and choose a place that is still sunny in the middle of winter as the sun moves North.
3. Choose your vegetable bed method There are many ways to make a space for your vegetables to grow. The main things vegetables want are access to nutrients in the soil, energy from the sun, and water. With a traditional bed you dig compost about 20cm into the ground. Make sure to remove grass roots and weeds to prevent excess maintenance later. It may take a bit of hard work in the beginning, but you can lay a good foundation for growing vegetables into the future. Raised beds are created using planks, bricks or logs to border a mix of compost and sand which is raised above the ground. These beds drain well during a rainy season,
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This is potentially the most intimidating of stages in beginning a vegetable garden. How on earth do you decide what you want to grow? The best technique when getting started is visiting your local garden center and choosing a selection of in-season seedlings. Ask for advice if you need it! Take a look at Green Home Magazine’s handy monthly planting guidelines for more information on seasonal planting. Tomatoes, salad greens, and herbs are always a rewarding place to start. There is nothing more exciting than biting into your first delicious home grown tomato. Spinach and kale are also great crops as they are easy to grow organically and pack a high nutrient punch. Once you’ve got your confidence up you can start growing from seed, expanding to more exotic vegetables, and getting more creative.
5. Spend a little time, regularly, tending your garden Once you’ve got your bed made and your seedlings selected, it’s time to plant the seedlings out. Take time and care making sure that you treat the young plants gently. Be sure to give them ample water to settle in, and add mulch (old leaves, straw or other organic materials) to keep the soil cool and moist. When your seedlings are in the ground, make a habit of spending 10 minutes a day tending, watering and weeding your garden. It is a rewarding and therapeutic experience watching your plants grow and flourish.
6. Have fun! Enjoy the process, read and learn as you go, experiment, and celebrate your harvest!
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landscapes
OCTOBER
& NOVEMBER
PLANTING GUIDELINES
BY Matthew Koehorst
PLANTING CHART Crop
Time for Seedlings to Emerge (days)
Root Crops Carrot Beetroot Turnip Radish Leaf Crops Spinach Lettuce Cabbage Cauliflower Broccoli Parsley Morog Fruit Crops Tomato Pepper Chilli Aubergine Cucumber Pumpkin Squash Marrow Mielies Melon Potato Tubers Sweet Potato Legumes Climbing beans Lucerne
3-20 10-20 10-14 6-10 3-5 6-21 7-10 8-10 6-10 6-10 6-10 21 7-10 6-14 10-14 10-14 10-14 10-14 6-10 6-10 6-10 6-10 7-10 6-10 21-28 7-10 7-10 7-10
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Time to harvest 5-20 8-14 10-15 10-16 5-8 8-20 9-12 10-14 10-16 10-16 10-16 12-14 8-12 8-20 12-20 14-16 14-16 14-16 16-20 14-17 10-12 12-16 11-12 14-16 16-20 18-20 10-18 10-12 8-10
October in South Africa is an important month for any home gardener. It’s a great time of year to watch the miracles of nature as your garden bursts into abundance. Make sure you are prepared to maintain your garden well and nurture your young seedlings through this month. Any beds that have been resting over the winter are probably ready to be planted out with a combination a great diversity of summer crops. The days in October are nice and long, providing many hours of sun for your plants to absorb and convert to energy. Make sure that any plants that are sensitive to too much heat are protected by shade cloth or are planted in an area that only gets sun for part of the day, however, as hot spells can cause wilting and plant stress. October also marks the end of winter rains in winter rainfall areas and the beginning of a potentially very long, hot and dry period, so be sure to conserve your water early on. Water in the mornings and evenings to prevent massive losses of water due to evaporation. Plant cucumbers next to fences and train them upward. Plant beetroots and feed with compost tea every couple of weeks. Plant mixed salads and continue to plant them regularly throughout the coming months to ensure an ongoing supply. By November the days have grown even longer and the warmth of Spring is truly felt, before the scorching summer days have truly arrived. But be wary of hot snaps that can dry out and damage your vegetables and continue to conserve water through the month in winter rainfall. Summer vegetables should be coming along nicely and significant growth should be noticeable. Harvest salad greens as and where needed and replace spent or harvested plants with new young seedlings.
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Boz
Beauteous
House
BY Nico van der Meulen Architects PHOTOS Barend Roberts and David Ross
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 his house prides itself in its design for luxury indoor/outdoor living in the heart of nature where internal spaces effortlessly expand beyond their often invisible borders to a world of beauty outside. The variety and combination of textures used in this design create a synergy in this home which makes it truly unique. Nico van der Meulen Architects have years of experience in designing sustainably. A well designed energy efficient home not only takes the environment into account but also ensures that the overall running costs of the home are significantly reduced. All the firm’s designs are based on passive design principles which incorporate the study of sun angles as opposed to shading devices, the correct placement of windows and doors, incorporating well insulated materials into the design and recycling and reusing waste water and rain water on the site. These are but a few principles incorporated into all designs undertaken by the architects. House Boz situated on
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a hill within a secluded nature estate in Pretoria East was originally destined for a very different location on a hillside in Mafikeng. Boasting 180 degree views of the whole of Pretoria, this monumentally elevated site close to a hectare in size, boldly exhibits the latest architectural masterpiece by Nico van der Meulen Architects. The homeowners requested a spacious and luxurious four bedroom house with an emphasis placed on the design of the living rooms. Ensuring that the magnificent views were optimised was of utmost importance and the design of this 770 sq.m house responds well clearly allowing the views to take centre stage. The concept of a bush lodge arose from the vastness of the site and the natural setting of the stand within the estate. Werner van der Meulen was inspired to design a house that resembled a bush lodge in the way it responds to nature and its immediate surroundings. Translating this concept into a contemporary home was almost effortless
thanks to the location, orientation and natural beauty of the site. Every design decision communicates and reinforces the concept, as can be seen in the selection of materials used and the way the internal spaces relate to the outdoors. Limiting the choice of materials to predominately natural materials and earthy colours, it is evident that even the smallest of details make reference to the concept in a very unique way. Encouraging the use of natural materials reduces the carbon footprint of a project because sourcing local building materials reduces transportation costs. For this reason, the firm decided to use the quartzite rock quarried from site and cladding main feature walls in this stone. Approaching the stand via a long driveway, you are afforded the opportunity to appreciate the design from a distance before actually getting close enough to appreciate its spaces. The striking square and rectangular forms are strategically positioned to capture your attention while the rusted steel boxes
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living
Main en suite bedroom
Western view
and stone-cladded walls aid in camouflaging the house creating a sense of unity between building and site. The stretched screen walls seem to want to reach beyond their borders while floating steel boxes are gracefully suspended in mid air. The prominent east-west and north-south axes link and connect all the spaces while this point of collision and interception of the axes becomes the centre of the home and it is here where we find the living room and covered patio. Thanks to the views being orientated towards North, the entire northern faรงade has the ability to open up and live out onto the expansive views thus also naturally lighting and heating the house in winter, while carefully designed overhangs and brise-soleil keep the summer sun out; all of these features make the home energy efficient. The entrance hall positioned between the double garages is distinctively located alongside a partially covered atrium that gently introduce you to several views
Living room
Open plan kitchen opening out onto the veranda www.greenhomemagazine.co.za
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living
Entrance hall
through the house as you’re welcomed in.The koi pond introduces water as you approach the front door while various podiums add depth and dimension to this space. An elevated sculpture podium and interlocking planters bring this atrium to life. At the same time it makes it possible to sleep with open doors as it is impossible to get into the atrium once the Mentis grating gate to the driveway is locked. The double volume entrance hall is framed by a back-lit perforated skin of scaffolding boards bolted to a wall, creating the perfect backdrop for the sculptural looking concrete staircase with steel inlays. The kitchen overlooks the veranda and garden while the frameless folding doors create an invisible threshold between the inside and out. These doors, when completely open, allow for the kitchen and dining room to overflow onto the porch and bar, making entertaining effortless and enabling adults to keep an eye on kids in the pool, a mere meter away. The veranda with a sunken Jacuzzi is snuggly positioned between the pool on one side and a stone-cladded wall on the West which screens the afternoon sun to ensure the veranda’s temperature remains moderate. Design decisions such as these is what truly sets this house apart from the rest. All four en-suite bedrooms are situated on the first floor with all of the bedrooms
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Children’s en suite bathroom
Main en suite bathroom
Northern view having their own private balcony. The three children’s bedrooms are situated on the western wing of the house while the main bedroom is located on the eastern wing. A suspended walkway with steel sheeting as floor tiles, overlooking the atrium links the two wings and creates a sense of privacy for the main bedroom. Challenges arose during the construction process however Nico van der Meulen Architects clearly pushed the boundaries on this design.
Project: House Boz Firm: Nico van der Meulen Architects Designed by: Werner van der Meulen Location: Mooikloof Heights, Pretoria Residence size: 777 m²
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BRINGING NATURE BACK
Advance Seed offers a faster, more effective seed solution for mines to ensure the effective rehabilitation of the natural environment in mining. Agricote Enhanced Seeds are used both in agricultural production and for rehabilitative purposes in mining. When it comes to a reliable rehabilitation process that is guaranteed to work, call Advance Seed!
Johannesburg: 8 Jacobs Street, Chamdor, Krugersdorp, South Africa, 1740 • Tel: +27 11 762 5261 • Fax: +27 11 762 4111 Cape Town: Tel: +27 21 552 0456 • sales@advanceseed.com • www.advanceseed.com
knowit
Responsible Investment
What is it and what does it mean for you and I BY Gordon Brown
Let’s start by understanding investment in the conventional sense – it can be described as the purchasing of an asset as a store of wealth, with the expectation that its value will increase over time at a rate at least equal to inflation. Putting money in a savings account, buying an annuity, contributing to your employers pension fund, are all financial investments typically made by individuals, and this money is then reinvested by the banks and insurance companies who seek to outperform the return they have agreed to pay their clients. Investments typically range between low risk, low return and high risk high return, and discerning between these investments by making the right choice and having the right spread of investments is both a science and an art form, and it’s what drives the modern economy. Investing in individual companies can be very risky, but public listed companies are much safer because they have to disclose everything about their business and their financial performance, and they have to report on multiple levels. This gives investors the comfort to invest. Companies need investment to grow and compete for investment, which they in turn invest in increasing their capacity
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and by acquiring other companies, and all of this is visible to investors who judge the management teams of companies on their ability to fulfil their business strategies, and return projected profits. These profits drive return on investment and underpin a country’s tax base. Emphasising the gravity of these markets - we all experienced the impact of what happens when investors get it wrong – the financial crisis was brought on by too many investors investing too much of their funds in an investment category they thought was low risk when in fact is was high risk, and along with most other major negative events such as Enron, could be ascribed to a lack of corporate governance, and a lack of discernment on the part of investors. A relatively new, but rapidly growing area of reporting and analysis of companies relates to their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) rating. ESG rating is a function of the actions that listed companies take to minimise the negative and maximise the positive impacts of their businesses on people and the environment, and the level of transparency they demonstrate in running their business responsibly i.e. governance. Using ESG as a fundamental
pillar of the investment decision is what’s known as ‘responsible investing’. South Africa has emerged as a world leader in the field of governance and sustainability reporting due in no small part to the work of Judge Mervin King, whose committees on governance in South Africa produced what is known as King III and which broadened the scope of corporate governance in South Africa to include leadership, sustainability, transformation and corporate citizenship. But perhaps we could go one step further, and like Domini Social Investments in the US, actively delist certain categories of businesses, and actively leverage investment to convince companies to make key changes in their operations and value chains (www.domini.com). Through these mechanisms and the desire of investors to invest in companies with the best long term outlook, to make the best and highest performing investments, companies are now being forced to disclose environmental and social impacts, and will be judged in part on how they are performing in these areas, which means that companies will compete on the basis of their sustainability performance. The upshot of this is that you and I can expect the investments being made on our behalf and those that affect our lives to be more and more likely to return great long term yields and to advance sustainable objectives at the same time, bearing in mind it’s seldom an obvious and rapid process.
The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) also has a Responsible Investment Index, and the top performing companies on this index for 2013 may surprise you, (listed in alphabetical order): Anglo American Platinum; Illovo Sugar; Netcare Limited; Standard Bank; Steinhoff International; and Vodacom Group – see www.jse.co.za
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The Painted Picture advertorial
W
hen there is a baby on the way to join a family, there is huge amount of preparation to welcome the bundle of joy before he or she can be brought home. Many things are taken into consideration in order to make one’s home a more “baby friendly” environment, such as covering up sharp edges, placing small objects that could be easily swallowed out of reach, as well as preparing a comfy, calm place for baby to sleep. But sometimes even the most prepared parents to be may miss something, as it is quite possible that some of the most hazardous things are those that are unseen; in this instance – toxic chemicals, and in particular, toxic chemicals in paint. Toxic chemicals can be found in just about every household cleaning product in one form or another which can have adverse effects on children’s’ health. Kelly Preston, wife of John Travolta went on record saying that she believes that it was these chemicals that were responsible for her late son Jett’s extreme illness from which he suffered as a baby. Nevertheless, the more people have become aware of the dangers of toxic chemicals in cleaning products, the wider the range of non-toxic, organic
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AUTHOR Jess Handley
cleaning products has become. It may be easier to change your window cleaner; however the same cannot be said for brands of paint. Painting a new nursery is one of the most common tasks on a parents-to-be’s to-do list. Although most interior paints sold in shops these days are water based to keep the harmful paint vapours at bay, many solvent-based paints are however still on the market in South Africa. The vapours from solvent-based paints can cause harm to the unborn child and also the infant who will occupy the room after the painting is finished and the effects of the vapours and the extent of the harm are dependent on a number of factors. In solvent-based paints, the ingredients that release these toxic vapours come from a family of chemicals called VOCs-volatile organic compounds. The reason why these compounds are so dangerous is because they have a high vapour pressure at ordinary room temperature and are invisible to the naked eye. This means that they their high vapour pressure results from a low boiling point, which causes large numbers of molecules to evaporate or sublimate from the liquid or solid form of the compound and enter the surrounding air (i.e. large
amounts of these fumes are released into the air as opposed to other chemicals). Bearing in mind that all this unseen chemical activity in an enclosed space, the net result is that there is very poor indoor air quality which will affect the health of a small infant. In terms of tangible health issues, short term exposure may cause irritated lungs, coughs and other respiratory troubles as well as eye irritation. The long term effects of VOCs can contribute or the development of asthma and skin conditions. If you would like a brightly decorated nursery but refuse to settle for any kind of paint that may have the above mentioned effects on baby’s health, take a look at a new range of paint formulas named BabyBreathe, developed by Eco Afrika Lifestyle Paints that contain zero lead, zero VOCs, are anti fungal and require no primer. The paint is available in both powder and liquid form (powder paint simply requires water as a mixer) and comes in a wide spectrum of colours. Baby Breathe is the latest edition to the Eco Afrika Lifestyle Paints family, and can be purchased from: http://eacltd.co.za/ For more information on Baby Breathe, please visit: www.babybreathe.co.za/Home/
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livewell >>
SUPERB SPRING BUYS Traditionally, spring marks the beginning of warmer weather, the awakening of plants and animals that have been asleep for winter, and new life. This is what Green Home’s selection this month is all about; whether it is for you, your baby, your home or your friends.
Baltic Amber teething necklace Amber encompasses light and warmth and has been said to reduce inflammation and accelerate the healing of wounds; both of which are factors in the teething process for babies and young children, Note: the necklace is not for chewing, but rather to be worn at night as a soother for little ones with niggling new teeth. To purchase a teething necklace, please visit: www.ecobabyco.co.za/ amber-teething-necklaces
Adventurous tents Last month we features a number of products that harness the power of the sun, this month we went for something more playful that still maintains a similar idea. Developed in the UK for festival goers who were tired of not being able to charge their phones and other items, ‘Bang Bang’ tents contain a solar power ‘bank’ consisting of a panel that is slipped into the back of a tent with a number of power points. The specially designed fabric is durable enough to withstand downpours or the baking sun. Additionally the brightly coloured patterns will help you navigate your way through seas of tents in the dark. This tent is an investment in more ways than one (as it comes at a price; excluding shipping from the UK). To see the range, please visit: http://bangbangtents.com/collections/all
Product showcase
Recyled and upcyled, check out these innovative solutions for every day items COMPILED BY Melissa Baird and Jess Handley
Bamboo dream blanket for babies Bamboo fibre is a great alternative to other fibres, yet has the same good qualities of cotton. It is soft, light and breathable, allowing the baby’s body heat to regulate more efficiently preventing him or her from overheating. Bamboo fabric is not only great from a durability and heat regulation point of view, but is it a more sustainable option than other textiles. Cultivating bamboo requires less water than growing cotton and there is no chemical treatment needed in order to smooth down the fibre, preventing the baby’s skin from becoming irritated. To view more products, please visit: www.littlelabels.co.za
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livewell Luxury Linen
Be Smart about cooling The AIRCOSAVER is a cost effective retrofit control unit, 100% engineered and manufactured in Germany, which adds intelligence through smart control to most existing air conditioners. This small, easy-to-install device will improve the energy efficiency of your air conditioners by up to 30%, resulting in immediate and affordable electricity savings and carbon footprint reduction. It has a proven and reliable track record with tens of thousands of AIRCOSAVER units being installed worldwide since 2001. At less than 10% of the cost of a new air conditioner the AIRCOSAVER will suit every budget and meets all environmental requirements. To enjoy the benefits of comfort cooling without sweating the cost and environmental impact, contact us on 011 823 2820 or 082 440 6153. Also visit www.bodacious.co.za for more information.
Not all linen is made equally. And although linen may be the umbrella term given to anything that goes onto a bed, (a pillowcase, duvet cover, sheets etc.) real linen is made out of flax, compared to other sheets and sundries that are made out of cotton or polyester (which is what one would usually find in the “linen� section of Mr. Price Home or Sheet Street). Real linen made out of flax is far stronger than cotton or polyester textile blends; therefore it will last much longer. Additionally the flax plant uses far less water than cotton and its cultivation requires no toxic chemicals, making it a more environmentally sound choice. The Linen Drawer based in the Western Cape has recently launched a pure linen range that comes in three different styles. Linen sets can be ordered online. www.linendrawer.co.za/bed-linen/ pure-linen-ranges
Organic baby food that still tastes delicious
The perfect pick Take advantage of the warming weather and go picnicking. Dial-a-picnic caters to individual tastes and events through bespoke picnic planning that can cover any occasion; whether it is a romantic picnic for two, a high tea picnic with friends, or a themed picnic for a birthday party. Dial-a-picnic provides everything one would need for a picnic including baskets, food, blankets and specialised decor. One of the other great draw cards of this business is their sustainable philosophy and ethos, as they use as many fresh and organic products as possible, as well as using biodegradable, re-usable or recyclable packaging. To book a picnic or to see what Dial-a-picnic has to offer, please visit: www.dialapicnic.co.za
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Available in a number of flavours and textures of various fruits and vegetables, Olli Organic is the first certified organic baby food group in South Africa that specialises in food for newborn babies to nine months and beyond. The purees come in three groups designed for various developmental stages. Olli Organic also makes teething biscuits designed for all ages as well as cereals for babies in the more advanced developmental stages. www.olli.co.za/products
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shelftalk
REVIEWS Lia Lubuscagne
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his edition we look at an excellent book for cooks who want to make best use of fresh ingredients from your own garden, and we investigate natural healing through tissue salts. We also included a new book on one of the most popular of pets, namely cats, and two books for the younger members of the family
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STAIRCASE TO
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Books etc
BOOKS ARE A
UNKNOWN WORLDS.
-Jason Ellis
Famous Dinosaurs of Africa Did you know there once lived dinosaurs everywhere in Africa from the Sahara to the Karoo? The African dinosaurs were just as fascinating as those in other parts of the world, and there were very many different kinds of dinosaurs here until they became extinct about 65 million years ago. This book by palaeo-biologist Anysuya ChinsamyTuran explains how we know what we know about dinosaurs, tells us which mysteries still remain about these ‘terrible lizards’ of the past, and explains the facts that we already know about their physical characteristics, behaviour, and diets. Very good illustrations by Luis V. Rey and interesting boxes with facts and figures make this something for anyone interested in dinosaurs. Although it is intended mainly for children who can already read, adults and younger children would also find the information interesting. The language is too advanced for beginner readers, but this will be a very useful book for school projects, and also for expanding the whole family’s general knowledge. ISBN 978-1-77584 214-9, Struik Nature
Tissue Salts for Children Margaret Roberts needs little introduction for her books about herbs and healthy living. But in this book she concentrates on the twelve key tissue salts that should be present in our bodies to ensure optimal health. All of these minerals are found in rocks and soil, but also in food grown in mineral-rich soils. Ms Roberts already looked at the broader topic in her Tissue Salts for Health Living, but this time she narrows down her focus to look at the way that tissue salts could enhance the development and wellbeing of children – from babies to teens. There are chapters devoted to each of the minerals, and the information covers the most important information background to each. There are thoughts on diet, some recipes for creams and healthy drinks, and tips on treating ailments. Important to note is that Ms Roberts does clearly warn readers to ‘discuss any home treatment with your doctor before starting a course of treatment’. Also available in Afrikaans as Weefselsoute vir Kinders. ISBN 978-1-77584-113-9 (English) 978-1-77584-144 9 (Afrikaans), Struik Nature
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shelftalk
My Cape Town ABC This is just the thing for children living in Cape Town and who are beginning to read. But it will also be useful to take along if you are going to Cape Town on a family holiday. It teaches the ABC in a fun, relevant way, and at the same time it also conveys information about some of the sights and attractions of the city. There are lovely illustrations by Sandy Lightly and the book includes some useful background information for parents. ISBN 978-1-92821 307-9, Struik Travel & Heritage
Stephanie Alexander’s Kitchen Garden Companion If you were allowed only one book as a guide to planting for the kitchen and cooking from your own garden, this would be a very good candidate. From its cloth cover to the beautiful photographs by Simon Griffiths and Mark Chew and the neat layout of its more than 700 pages, the latest edition of this book is the perfect combination of a kitchen garden book and a cook book – thus integrating those activities in the way they are natural, but which many of us have almost forgotten – or never learnt. Stephanie Alexander is a celebrated Australian chef and restaurant owner and the author of many cook books. She is passionate about growing food for your own table in gardens of every size, and the idea for the book came when she was working with children and kitchen gardens in primary schools. Being Australian in origin, most of the recipes and advice would also be applicable to us here in South Africa. After a short introductory garden section, notes about gardening with kids and kitchen equipment, the book’s contents is arranged according to ingredient. From amaranth to zucchini, it offers inspirational advice and hints. The recipies look delicious, have detailed descriptions of the method and are generally not complicated. Included is a useful glossary and index at the back of the book. The only problem may be that the measurements for recipes are given in oz and fl oz, although the instructions relating to gardening are in decimal units. ISBN 978-1-84400-878-0 Quadrille Publishing
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The Domestic Cat: the Biology of its Behaviour How do you make friends with an adopted adult cat or build a strong bond with a new kitten? Where do their distinct personalities come from? What should you do if you want to show your cat without causing too much stress to you or it? Every person who has shared their space with a cat, or who lives with them as companions will know that their behaviour is often difficult to understand. They are funny, sweet, and often referred to as aloof – yet also as affectionate. They are independent and clever, curious and cute - and sometimes behave in unexpected ways when they encounter other animals or humans. What makes them behave the way they do? In the past decade or so, scientific discoveries have been made that do explain a lot about our feline friends. This book edited by Dennis C. Turner and Patrick Bateson, who have included contributions by an impressive list of experts, answers some of those questions and is a valuable resource for anyone intrigued by these fascinating animals. The experts take us through the entire life span of cats, look at their social lives and ecology, and examine their complex interactions with people.There are also chapters on cat breeding,cat welfare and population management. ISBN 978-1-107-02502-8 Cambridge University Press
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destinations
Green Route Discovering the
A winter road trip to discover how to live better
BY Jezebel
E
ver wanted to save the world? You’re not alone. Let’s be honest, though, living sustainably “is a lovely idea, but it’s an IDEA” as my fellow eco-worrier mentioned at the start of our two weeks on the road together. She’s from the United Kingdom and is taking an adult gap year to reassess her professional direction. I’m taking a few gap months to do the same and neither of us is ever going to look at urban living the same way again. Speaking for myself, I did mean ‘worrier ‘. When the United Nations published their Climate Change report earlier this year, I started following green organisations on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to figure out where (not) to contribute my consumer rands. Ideally, I want to correct our carbon bulimia, support the ethical treatment of all living creatures and encourage equality. Not a tall order at all, right? Wrong. Learning more about how we currently do things alarmed me. Tsunami nightmares ensued. Eventually I was overwhelmed. Then a friend told me she was running a life-affirming eco-edu road trip and would I like to come along and write about it? This was a chance to see change in action. Nothing better than getting your hands dirty on a good idea, I thought. This time I was right. Clare and Indigo are Bridging The Gap. They’ve teamed up to take small groups of gentle souls who like hard work and grand adventure on journeys of discovery across South Africa. Their first trip covered the Cape Province, stopping at a variety of natural attractions and eco-sensitive locations from Cape Town to Hogsback and back. Their idea is to bridge the gap between learning and doing, adventure and information and intention and its effect. We came armed with thermals, gloves (well, I did: three different kinds) and mp3s. We slept in recycled homes, used compost loos and planted trees. Our hosts opened their hearths and hearts to us, revealing how very personal holistic practises are, whether they’re non-profit or not. Here are some of my favourite locations and the lessons they taught us.
The nuts and bolts in Nature’s Valley
Hogsback indigenous forest. This waterfall is known as Mother and Child and attracts many admirers.
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A key principle of sustainability is to work with what you have. That means following the lay of the land, letting the weather dictate and using the abundant resources around you. There’s a steep slope at Wild Spirit Lodge covered in ferns. With smart use of beds and swales, it will become a healthy vegetable garden. We took advantage of a sunny winter’s day to clear the area and
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destinations make some compost. Gardening is dirty and sunlight is free, and we were happy that the water we washed in was solar heated.
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Putting the ‘humans’ into the ‘dorp’ in Honeyville When you’re doing things by hand, there’s great power in numbers. Honeyville is a young hamlet near Humansdorp in the Eastern Cape. It combines nature reserve and human nurturing to develop a space that honours the land, its wild creatures and the domesticated ones that have settled on it, including those with thumbs. John Barrett and Karolien Vollaers want the farm to be officially recognised as the first eco-village in South Africa and are negotiating its legislation. Both permaculture practitioners, they’ve developed a constitution and strict list of eco-requirements for interested investors. We were delighted to assist in throwing a floor in a former labourer’s cottage that John is renovating for a new stakeholder. We shovelled, hauled and stomped natural and recycled materials and were invigorated instead of exhausted afterwards. This home gym is a real win: it’s cheap and you can live in it later. 02
Letting the land lead in Hogsback Shane gave it all up to become a farmer, a horse whisperer, and a business owner. Formerly a city soul, he now runs Terra-Khaya Earth Home Project in the magical kingdom of Hogsback where he taught us about the power of observation. When he started the backpackers there four years ago, he didn’t know what a challenge his land would be, or what a great teacher. Today he’s resurrecting ravines, discovering ways to re-forest that surprise even the experts and he attributes most of this to watching (and thinking). His keen eye saw that the locals build good homes, and he followed suit, combining our brawn and some mud and dung to add new walls to his new building during our stay.
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THIS TRIP COULD BE A SWITCH TO LIVING DIFFERENTLY
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– Sarah, UK.
Watching helped him develop an understanding of his horses so that he never has to ”break” them in or use bits. So how many trees we should we plant to clear the trip’s carbon footprint? “Don’t count,” he replied. “Just plant.” Winding back to the mother city through Knysna forests, hot springs and game reserves, I realised I’d gone from eco-worrier to eco-warrior in two weeks. I’m going to grow herbs at home, look for land to coax my own house out of and give professional time to earth-friendly causes. I’ve learnt that I like creature comforts but I also like living simply. From building by hand to listening to the land, it takes great effort to live more considerately and it starts with changing the way we think. Hop on the bus and see for yourself. Bridging the Gap has a summer trip coming up. www.facebook.com/bridgingthegaptours
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01 Indigo Basset-Smith, shows some muscle on the slopes of Wild Spirit Lodge in Nature’s Valley. 02 The Terra-Khaya Earth Home project is a wonderland example of off-grid living, boasting a popular eco-backpackers. 03 Terra-Khaya Lodge is using mud, manure, rock and wood to expand its empire more sustainably. 04 Honeyville’s hollows are a little less bare after Bridging The Gap Tours lent a hand. www.greenhomemagazine.co.za
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CAREERS futureleaders
Careers...
A BUDDING START
AUTHOR Jess Handley and Melissa Baird
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The final years of teenage hood and one’s early twenties are a time of great fun, self discovery, and the beginnings of building or studying towards the career of one’s dreams. However, not all paths are easily laid out and even when on the course towards a chosen career (to quote Robert Burns), “some of the best laid plans often go awry.” When it comes to finding or developing a career in the sustainability arena, predominantly in South Africa this is particularly true as one may find there are more challenges presented than other conventional career paths. Fortunately, there is a dedicated space where one can embark on such a career path, namely The Sustainability Institute in Stellenbosch, founded in 1999. As well as playing a vital role in the cultivating and development of young sustainability leaders, The Sustainability Institute is a great place to start one’s career in the field. It’s by no means an end-point, but the wide range of topics that one can choose to focus on, and the small classes - led by experienced academics and experts - make it an ideal place to start one’s learning in such a broad field. Importantly, issues such as ethics and complexity are explicitly dealt with and practically relevant examples are provided throughout your studies - for example renewable energy, development planning and agriculture. Lastly, The Sustainability Institute is a great place to network and that’s vital, considering that South Africa’s sustainability industry is still in its infancy. The Sustainability Institute attracts a lot of passionate people from various backgrounds who you will no doubt go on to collaborate with in your career, and having that as a basis is priceless. The Sustainability Institute offers a post graduate diploma as well as a masters (MPhil) in sustainable development. For more information, please visit the Sustainability Institute’s website: http://www.sustainabilityinstitute.net/
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futureleaders
growing green capital
INVESTMENTS THAT WORK
John Lucas accepts his award from Pick n Pay’s head of sustainability Andre Nel and Miss Earth 2014.
The joke about money being green, made of paper and technically growing on trees is possibly older than the King James Bible. The irony however is that although money may not really grow on trees, there are ways to make green money-literally and figuratively. No, this does not include “hedge” funds or “grass-root capital,” but real initiatives that can be very lucrative if cultivated correctly. Out of the world’s current billionaires, there are some that have made their fortune based on environmental and sustainable initiatives. Topping the list with an estimated $3.0 billion dollar net wealth is Aloys Wobben, founder of German wind turbine company Enercon, which enjoys 45% of patents in the field of wind energy technology in the world and has turbines in over 30 countries. Wobben is regarded by many to be the pioneer of wind power technology after he founded Enercon in 1984, an applaudable feat as the issue
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of the shortage of fossil fuels in the mid 80s was arguably treated with the same regard as the dangers of smoking. Other green billion/millionaires include individuals such as China’s Zhu Gongshan and Fan Zhaoxia, both of whom built their wealth on solar power technology and poly energy. Although in the last year Gongshan’s company GCL-Poly Energy Holdings took a slight dip in its net value, hopefully Gongshan and GCL-Poly Energy Holdings will see benefits from the demand for renewable energy being promoted by the Chinese government. (Although already having banked a cool $1.4 billion dollars in green wealth, Gongshan might not be too upset). Interestingly enough, it is not only the energy investors that are amongst the ranks of some of the world’s wealthiest people; cousins Adi and Jamshyd Godrej have banked an estimated $480 million and been included in Forbes magazine as two of the richest green millionaires on the basis of the valuable mangrove swamps the Godrej family has owned and preserved in Vikhroli, Mumbai. Although the final irony is that trees (specifically mangrove trees) are a source of wealth, it is assuring to know that green investments are not something done on a whim or an extra add on that companies feel obligated to create in order to look like they are doing the right thing; but that they are in fact something that can be taken into consideration as serious profitable ventures.
ECO-LOGIC AWARDS
At a wonderful ceremony in the Cradle of Mankind the green glitterati of South Africa (all dressed up in wonderful garments celebrating nature) got together to celebrate the winners of the 2014 Eco –Logic awards. In the Eco-Youth category John Lucas was recognised for his incredible work within the conservation sector. From the age of 15, the now 25 year old conservationist and environmental educator, John Lucas has been tirelessly campaigning (through his volunteer work) to promote environmental awareness amongst the youth of this country. Pursuing his passion he has worked across Southern Africa, the SubAntarctic and has recently become an Ambassador for WWF South Africa. In 2011 he formed explore4knowledge® to promote the spirit of Ubuntu by engaging local communities through workshops, classes and river clean-up projects alongside his scientific research projects (#e4k_ water). A massive number of 12 000 young people have been inspired by his work. As a young representative of this new generation that cares about the earth we celebrate and applaud his work and wish him the very best for the future. (Facebook) @explore4knowledge (Twitter)@explo4knowledge
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ecosport
Surfing
Growing Up
I grew up surfing Winkle Beach in Kingsborough on the KZN South Coast, a spot not worth noting for anything really, quality surf included. Characterised by a big pile of rocks with a swimming pool on top, surrounded by the Indian Ocean on one side and a hilly little beachside settlement on the other. But back then around the late 70’s, when I started hanging around the beach, it was a fascinating place. My entré into the scene was the Winklespruit Lifesaving Club — frequented by jocks who happily cruised around all day in bright blue budgie smugglers, with moustaches and sunglasses concealing their hangovers. The lifesaving club was a constant hive of activity – a double garage with walls lined with ocean toys – surf boards, long boards, surf skis, even boogie boards, and by night it was party central. The babes wore their bikinis by day then left them on at night too. On those same surf toy stacked walls, and at the entrance to the club, were three plaques in memory of people who had been taken by sharks, Winkle at the time was among the spots world wide with the highest rate of shark attacks. A rock positioned at backline to the left of the beach, and which was smack bang in your path if you had a long wave, was named after one of the victims — Joe Leese. Like many South Coast beaches with rocks, Winkle was a haven for angling, and while some of the surfers were also fishermen, it was not a happy relationship as often the best waves form next to the rocks where the fishermen were casting in and we would be in the way and sometimes get tangled in their lines. The fishermen would leave their half used bait and bait packaging, old knotted gut, and fishing tackle all over the rocks, and we would accuse them of attracting sharks. Surfers generally have a harmonious relationship with marine life – I have always had the world view of ‘live and let live’, hoping of course that marine animals would share this view. On the south coast we would be greeted by a large pod of dolphins most mornings as they cruised up or down the coast. At one stage we had a resident whale shark at Winkle, and of course the small grey sharks that could be found around the rocks would get spotted occasionally. At Winkle even the locals were wild - across the car park from the Lifesaving Club near the stairs that led towards the rocks is where the ‘Zol Balls’ hung out, an eclectic group of surfers that pretty much kept to themselves, but were mistrusted and looked down on by the Lifesavers, who gave them their label. They were scary at first but over time I would get to know many of them well, surfing together every day through big surf and small, storms, flat spells, high tides and low – you build quite a bond, even though you don’t necessarily say much to each other. You just appreciate having that familiar face there, that familiar surfing style, someone who you know will tell you when they are going in, and not leave you out there alone. Growing up as a surfer all you want to do is surf, and even though we would go through months of onshore winds and blue bottles, it didn’t seem to matter. We were not happy unless we were at the beach, and better still, in the water. As we grew up we became more discerning, and the hunt for
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BY Gordon Brown good surf began to consume us. We would watch the weather forecast every night as if it was a new episode of CHiPs, and spend the whole week planning safaris down the coast that weekend. This is where the trouble began. The surf spots we missioned off to when the conditions were just right already had a crew of surfers who lived there, or at least a crew that frequented the place, and who laid claim to it – the ‘locals’. Locals can be pricks! It becomes territorial and potentially unpleasant when a big crowd forms at a spot that is really firing, and there are simply too few waves to go around – but there is a pecking order and rules of etiquette that generally help to solve problems before they arise. Sport and lifestyles that bring you closer to nature (surfing does this in a profound way) dial you into her diurnal rhythms, and before long you find yourself living like some earth worshipping pagan. But it’s not a Zen thing actually – it’s a practical reality. Full moon means high tide, which means that mid-break bank that forms next to the rocks might start going, so you start thinking about it, building up expectations from the day before, or from several years ago when that otherwise mediocre bank was all-time for one week solid. But it’s always different, sometimes better, sometimes not as good, and you always love it. I have never regretted paddling out no matter how lousy it looked from the beach. July in KZN means sardine-run time, and in order not to obstruct one of the planets greatest annual fish migrations, the Sharks Board lifts all the shark nets, and issues strong advisories not to enter the water. This marine fiasco coincides with school holidays and the best time of year for surf, with the prevailing wind blowing westerly and land breezes every morning creating perfect surf conditions, so we’d surf anyway. In the Cape there are no sardines or shark nets, instead multiple other climatic and marine variables come into play. The Cape gets more swell but the water is cold and surf spots tend to be fickle – too big or too small, swell too Westerly, tide is too low, wind direction is wrong, so you have to be super dialled in. Surfers have an interesting relationship with the climate – when the storms hit and everyone else runs for cover, surfers dig out their big wave boards and start salivating over the prospect of big perfect waves kicked up over vast distances and brought to land fall when the African continent gets in the way. But it doesn’t matter if its Jeffreys Bay or Winklespruit, as long as you are on a mission for waves, you will soon score another perfect session with just you and your buds out – ah yes I can just picture it now...
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gamechangers
The Dyer Island Conservation Trust BY Melissa Baird
BY Melissa Baird
D
ynamic marine conservationists are making huge waves in Gansbaai in the Western Cape, teaching kids about endangered marine species, cleaning up beaches and enabling more student PHD’s to be written about the conservation of the great white shark than any other eco – tourist destination in the world. Wilfred Chivell is the passionate man behind the project and he and his team are achieving tremendous results in marine research, growing awareness and developing young marine champions from the school children of the region and leading the innovation and implementation of fishing line bins to help clean up the detritus left by fishermen on the coast (that can seriously injure sea birds and seals). Wilfred Chivell Each year new interns come from all over the world to work with the team at Dyer Island Conservation Trust to learn more about the southern right whales, the endangered African Penguin and the critically endangered great white shark that returns year after year to the dazzling blue waters of Gansbaai. Their experiences are relayed across the world and the collective force of wonder that is generated through working with international students and local students is creating a groundswell of action and cause orientated learning. The great white shark has to be the world’s most demonised apex predator –a result of the horror movies and the occasional attack on surfers. In reality more people are killed by coconuts falling and accidental electrocution than by sharks. I too was terrified of seeing them ‘face-to-face’ so to speak but on first sighting, my heart stopped and the word that sprung to mind was ‘majesty’. The conservation efforts of the Dyer Island Trust is being enhanced by the building of a sanctuary that will care for endangered African penguins and seabirds. As Wilfred says “The African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary (APSS) will be dedicated to the unconditional welfare of distressed seabirds in the Overstrand region, and words cannot express how grateful we are for the support of our donors which have made today possible.” The Dyer Island Conservation Trust is driving the establishment of the healing centre and is supported by Volkswagen South Africa (VWSA), Wildlands, Grindrod Bank and the Blue Fund. The need for a rehabilitation centre in the area is paramount as injured birds currently have to be transported long distances to SANCCOB (Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds) in Cape Town. Travelling long distances causes unnecessary stress for the injured birds and they can experience difficulty in finding their home colony due to the distance travelled on release. Part of the sanctuary will include a laboratory, an education centre, equipment and specialised flooring. This centre will add to the already amazing work in conserving our Marine Big 5 – African penguins, great white sharks, seals, dolphins and whales and makes Dyer Island a hot spot on the conservation champion list. More information at www.dict.org.za
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energy
RENEWABLE
ENERGY UPDATE
BY Melissa Baird
There are some amazing renewable projects happening around the country and most exciting is news that there is going to be a wind atlas developed in order for the really big wind projects to be planned with utmost efficiency and efficacy. The South African National Energy Development Institute, along with various partners, are using this as a research opportunity and the project will be ready in 2018 covering all areas of South Africa. As renewable energy sources become more viable and their potential to deliver energy needs to communities long denied conventional electricity it is time to take their contribution to the country’s energy grid a lot more seriously. Here are a few myth busting facts to bring you up to speed:
It’s too expensive Right now, renewable energy is actually already cheaper than coal and nuclear power at every step. A unit of electricity from Eskom’s new coal plants will cost about 97c while a unit of electricity from renewable energy will only cost 89c. In addition, there are no input costs for wind and solar energy. So for example, while one needs to buy coal for a coal-fired power plant to generate electricity (and coal mining itself has massive environmental costs), solar and wind energy don’t have input costs like that – sunlight and wind are free. Market price aside, coal and nuclear power have huge hidden costs that aren’t included in the price that you and I pay for electricity. For instance, Eskom is currently building the Kusile coal-fired power plant, and it’s estimated that the coal plant will cause damage of up to R60 billion for every year it operates. We’re talking the costs of water pollution, human health impacts, the plant’s huge water footprint, and climate change. These massive costs aren’t taken into account when the price of coal power is calculated -- but they are still very real!
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Inspiring sites to learn more about what is happening with wind in SA:
It’s Science Fiction Renewables technology is ready to go, and is working reliably in countries around the world. Germany, Europe’s biggest economy, already gets over 25% of it’s electricity from renewables, and is aiming for 80% renewable energy by 2050. In 2012 China generated 104 billion kilowatt hours of electricity from solar power and wind power. Portugal generated more than 70% of its electricity from renewable energy sources during the first quarter of 2013. South Africa is the third-best solar location globally as it has one of the highest and most stable solar radiations in the world.
It’s not enough The key to getting a constant supply of electricity from renewable energy is to have a mix of sources: solar and wind power, natural gas, and anaerobic digestion plants. By having a mix of sources which are spread over a wide area, we ensure there will always be a supply of energy. As the sun goes down, so wind production generally increases, and as the winds drop in one region they pick up in another. During peak times, biogas and natural gas can bolster our energy supply, and can also be used to meet sudden peaks in electricity demand.
South Africa’s grid can’t handle it The reality is that South Africa’s grid – the system that connects power stations to consumers – needs to be improved or replaced regardless of the power source we use. It would be far more efficient to upgrade to a new smart grid system than waste money on old system that will continue having problems down the line. It’s similar to the the choice between repairing an old VCR or buying a new DVD player.
It’s bad for the environment Birds and bats: A common argument against wind farms is that they kill birds and bats. However, if environmental
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impact assessments are conducted and migratory patterns are assessed before construction, this impact is greatly reduced. Also, while every effort should be made to minimise this impact, it should also be looked at in the context of other projects and their affect on birds. Coal and nuclear power plants have a far greater affect on birds, as do power lines, domestic cats, and cars. NOISE: Studies have shown that noise complaints, especially those related to wind farms, are often unrelated to actual noise. In most cases it was found that people were actually opposed to the farms on aesthetic grounds — which would be the same with coal or nuclear plants. It was also found that ‘noise’ complaints dropped off rapidly when local communities derived income from the renewable energy projects in question. LAND USE: The land used for renewable energy projects, like wind farms, can still be used for farming and cattle grazing. International experience has shown that livestock are completely unaffected by the presence of wind farms and will often graze right up to the base of wind turbines. FOOTPRINT OF RENEWABLES: Unlike coal and nuclear RE pays off its carbon footprint and does so relatively quickly. Depending on where they are made, solar panels offset their carbon footprint in about four years. Thanks to Greenpeace Africa for the energy information www.greenpeace.org/africa www.greenhomemagazine.co.za