Environmental Management Mar/April 2016 by New Media B2B

Environmental Management

Southern Africa’s leading sustainable development publication

www.emmagazine.co.za March/April2016

Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.

-William James

GLOBA L T Y RE WASTE • CA RBON TO ZERO •WATER FOR ALL

ED’S NOTE

www.emmagazine.co.za

Contents

BY SAMANTHA MORGAN

04 TAKE NOTE Earth Hour, shining a light on climate action ....................................4

Dear Reader

As I started work on this issue, in which the key feature is Landfill, I was exposed, through various chance encounters with people in the industry, to the ramifications of having numbers of vehicles on our roads increase year-on-year, and the dangers of tyre waste. Waste tyres are bulky and difficult

hence breaking the sanitary cap and

metal. The discarding of waste tyres

to dispose of. Their nature does not

creating further problems.

in the environment has become an

allow for compression or folding in

Shredding of the waste tyres

almost insurmountable problem.*

order to reduce the space occupied

before disposal has been suggested

during disposal at landfills, and

and tried for size reduction before

decided to turn things around

Thanks to companies who have

they also do not degrade easily. In

disposal. The high operational

and treat tyres not as waste but

addition, when whole waste tyres

costs of this process made it an

rather as a resource, we are able

are disposed of, they trap air in their

unattractive option. Subsequently,

to find answers that are viably

curvatures with the possibility of

many landfills around the world

sustainable both economically and

migrating to the top of the landfill,

have stopped accepting waste-tyres

environmentally.

due to the problem of size, where

Remember these wise words? “Put

the land becomes filled too quickly.

your shoulder to the wheel.” (Aesop’s

This situation eventually leads to

proverb called “The Tale of Hercules

waste tyres becoming litters in

and the Waggoner”).

the environment. It is estimated that 160 000 tons of scrap tyres are generated in South

Enjoy the read. Sami

Africa each year: about 28 million used tyres are dumped illegally

* Mpanyana Lucas Mahlangu –

or burnt to recover the steel wire

Dissertation 2009 University of

annually, which is sold as scrap

South Africa

The new look Environmental Management - Keeping you up to date

Black Rhino returns to Akagera National Park, Rwanda .................8

09 SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS & SERVICES First lightweight solar photovoltaic panel in Africa ……10

12 LANDFILL

LEAD Rubber ﬂooring to be made from STORY truck tyres ..........................................12 Treatment of tyre-waste set for a revolution ......................... 14 Waste-to-Energy initiatives to minimise landﬁll ........................ 16

18 CARBON Global emissions of carbon need to be set at zero............................... 18 South Africa needs to get better at responding to environmental signals ................. 22

RESOURCE 23 WATER MANAGEMENT Reducing water consumption in manufacturing ............................... 25 Atlas Copco’s Water for All project ..................... 26

28 LANDSCAPE A future volcanic eruption could create a monster tidal wave...... 28

30 WILDLIFE CONSERVATION DRC intends to re-open rainforests to logging companies ..................30

31 CLASSIFIEDS THE TEAM EDITORIAL

SUBSCRIPTIONS

CONTACT

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ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT MARCH/APRIL

TAKE NOTE

New junior environmental consultant joins the I-CAT team

-CAT is proud to announce that Melissa Heunis has been appointed as the company’s new junior environmental consultant. Heunis, who joined the team in January 2016, boasts a BSc in Environmental Science and an Honours Degree in Environmental Analysis and

Management from the University of Pretoria. She started her working career at an auditing firm as a junior consultant in the climate change and sustainability department, before moving to I-CAT, where she is responsible for conducting environmental licensing and permitting, compliance monitoring, sustainability and Integrated reporting as well as undertaking legal and performance audits for clients. Her passion for the environment makes her a perfect addition to the I-CAT family. www.icat.co.za

Earth Hour, shining a light on climate action has inspired hundreds of millions of individuals and organisations in more than 7 000 cities and towns in more than 170 countries and territories.

WHAT IS WWF DOING ABOUT IT? Pollution from burning fossil fuels (oil, coal, gas) is the single biggest source of greenhouse gases causing climate change. Other main sources are deforestation, agriculture and land-use change. This is why WWF is putting its weight behind efforts to change the way we use energy – without depriving people of the right to thrive – and aiming for a complete phase-out of fossil fuels by 2050 and 100 percent renewable energy.

SOME GOALS: • Empower communities to supply arth Hour is the world’s

the Earth Hour platform on the WWF

biggest grassroots

website (http://www.earthhour.org.

discouraged by the scale of the

movement for the

za/) and state how you intend to play

problem, but the fact is that if

environment. This year

your part in addressing climate change.

thousands of individuals make

• Help businesses cut emissions, keep

the World Wide Fund for Nature

To make it even simpler, the pledge

everyday changes, the positive

deforestation out of their products

(WWF) shone a light on one of the

platform allows for commitments to

effect will be felt. This is the power

most challenging issue of our times –

be made under one of four categories:

of Earth Hour.

climate change.

food, energy, water and waste.

WWF knows that awareness leads

Food, energy and water are the three

As individuals, it is easy to get

“Collective action is effective and inspiring. The switch off of lights,

to action and action leads to change

essentials we need to survive and

which this year happened from 8:30-

which is why they have thrown down

thrive. However, each of these is under

9:30pm on Saturday, 19 March 2016,

the gauntlet to all South Africans

pressure in the face of a changing

was a simple act which symbolises

to take individual or group actions

climate. This pressure is exacerbated

unity and a common desire for

that collectively translate into

by our waste management, including

change.” said Morné du Plessis, CEO of

meaningful impact.

the more than nine million tonnes of

WWF South Africa.

Getting involved is easy. Simply visit

food that is thrown away each year.

MARCH/APRIL 2016 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

Across the world, Earth Hour

renewable energy and protect forests • Promote a transition to 100 percent renewable energy

and go green • Promote investment in renewables and divestment from fossil fuels • Achieve ambitious targets and laws with government www.wwf.org.za

TAKE NOTE

Sustainable drought relief solutions P

ick n Pay is assisting with drought relief, and the plan, in conjunction with AgriSA, looks at

offering sustainable methods for drought relief. The Crocodile River is now so low that Nelspruit cannot draw water from it, as it could compromise the supply towards Malelane and Komatiepoort. These towns which are considered to be ‘bread baskets’ for the country are just some of those hard-hit by the drought.

WATER TRUCKS SENT TO VRYHEID TO ASSIST IN ALLEVIATING WATER SHORTAGES The small town of Vryheid in KwaZulu–Natal is suffering from the effects of the prolonged drought in the area, but relief was at hand

MP Khoza from Vryheid District Hospital, Glenn Volmink from Pick n Pay and Nolan Logan from Pick n Pay with bottles of precious life-saving water which were donated to assist the hospital in this crucial time.

as two trucks piled with arrived in the town in early February. One

EMPTY DAMS

Smart Shopper points to the drought

of these was a Pick n Pay truck

According to residents of Vryheid

relief fund, and Pick n Pay will match

which delivered 26 pallets of 5-litre

the town is fed by two dams. The

customer donations up to an amount

containers of water to the Vryheid

Klipfontein Dam is 19 percent full, but

of R100 000.

Community Hospital – this equates

will have to stop pumping when it

to around 14 000 litres.

falls to 15 percent because of the risk

problem of water scarcity, and the

The other truck that travelled with

of contamination by slime and algae.

impact it has on food security, we

them was from Gift of the Givers,

The other dam that feeds the town

have begun discussions with AgriSA

who raised money with the support

is the Groot Gewacht Dam which

on identifying the extent of the

of East Coast Radio.

has more water than this, but the

need for water tanks in drought-

municipality is in the process of laying

stricken areas. Pick n Pay will pay

Transformation Director at Pick n

pipes to get water from that dam to

for a number of these tanks to be

Pay, said, “Pick n Pay is donating

the town’s water purification plant.

installed,” said Ackerman-Berman.

half a million rand through different

Currently, there are high-level areas

initiatives to provide respite for

in the town which have no water

installation of water tanks through

communities in drought-stricken

supply. The lower areas do still have

the Ackerman Pick n Pay Foundation

areas. This is just one of the

water, but strict water restrictions

Food Garden projects where we

measures the company is putting

have been imposed. Water has

have installed boreholes and water

in place to help those who are

been dropped off at the Klip Kerk in

tanks to help people to grow their

affected, and to assist the public

the town; however, this is already

own food, in many cases to the point

wanting to make contributions to

starting to run out.

where they can sell produce and

Suzanne Berman-Ackerman,

Ackerman-Berman said, “We are

those most in need.” Salim Sayed of Gift of the Givers

“We have experience in the

take responsibility for their own food

always honoured to partner with

security. Through the Foundation,

said, “We sent a truck up with

Gift of the Givers, and in this case

248 community gardens of this kind

14 000 litres of water. The gift was

we hope that the donation of water

have been set up to date.”

made possible through a call to

Pick n Pay donated

14 000

will go some way to alleviating the

“Part of Pick n Pay’s corporate

stress of those who live in Vryheid.

culture is that we get involved in

We would like to celebrate the

community work, and so we will

generosity of our customers who

also be challenging our staff across

have been donating water at Pick n

our five regional offices to collect

Where there is a disaster we are

Pays around the country, and which

100 000 litres of bottled water that

free to move fast, and in this case

is being delivered by Pick n Pay

will be donated to areas in need,”

we are doing just that.”

trucks to areas in need.”

noted Ackerman-Berman.

action by East Coast Radio. Gift PHOTO CREDIT: THE VRYHEID ADVERTISER

“As a sustainable solution to the

of the Givers was made aware of the situation in Vryheid and we are happy to be able to offer assistance.

litres of water

Pick n Pay’s Smart Shopper members will also be able to donate

www.agrisa.co.za www.pnp.co.za

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT MARCH/APRIL

TAKE NOTE

4 0 years

SRK story finally gets told S RK Consulting’s four-

the unknown, as well as their vital

decade anniversary book

quality of retaining a sense of humour.

– ‘SRK: 40 years in the

deep end’ – was recently

What SRK founders Oskar Steffen,

Andy Robertson and Hendrik

launched to clients and media

Kirsten built in 1974 was a magnet

during the Investing in African Mining

that attracted many of the best

Indaba in Cape Town, at a special

brains to their cause – described

event held at Shimmy Beach Club.

by the book’s author, Ian Mulgrew,

The book captures a roller-

as an “overachieving, intellectual

coaster journey, from SRK’s early

individualism, a work-hard-play-hard

days in 1970s South Africa, to its

professional camaraderie within a

global presence today – charting

loose communal framework.”

a course started by three young

This was clearly not going to be

engineers with a zeal to do things

like any other consultancy of its day,

differently and better.

which tended to favour corporate-style

“Reliving SRK’s past through the

bureaucracy with autocratic leanings. Gordon Bulmer, senior quantity surveyor of Turner & Townsend

stories in this remarkable book has

For a start, partners were to remain

reminded us of the main reason for

involved in delivering engineering

SRK’s success – the high calibre of

services, and all levels of staff were to

and technological progress that

“getting the best people in their field

its people,” said Group Chairman

be drawn in to all stages of a project.

universities ignite in their students

… and keeping the best by giving

– and transfer it to the ‘real world’

them the freedom to grow.”

Mike Armitage. “Thrown in at the

The business model itself was

deep end and expected to swim,

revolutionary: employees would

of science and engineering. The link

numerous individuals have risen

own the company, being allowed to

with universities has remained vital to

Graham Howell, the group has

to the challenge and performed

purchase shares and being required to

SRK’s modus operandi.

now grown into 20 countries on six

at levels exceeding even their own

sell them back to the firm when they

We set out to take on young people

continents, with quality systems

aspirations.”

left or retired. This was to foster the

every year so that we could continually

to optimise integration between

culture of belonging and responsibility;

bring the latest technologies into the

practices and continuously raise the

characteristically not just through

indeed, staff were encouraged to

business,” said Kirsten. Early on, they

bar of global standards.

its achievements but rather through

stand on their own feet rather than

invited an overseas professor to spend

the lives and voices of its staff.

look to the company for job security.

his sabbatical in the office – and that

its size,” said Howell, “binding

became a regular practice.

colleagues in pursuit of excellence.”

The SRK story is told

Its title reflects both the reality of consultants often having to tackle

What all this accomplished was to keep alive the fire of discovery

What mattered, said Steffen, was

Turner & Townsend provides QS expertise on SA’s major asbestos mine rehabilitation project

lobal programme and

are preparing tenders on another

has been selected by SRK as one of

construction consultancy

three, with possible additional projects

the teams supporting the ongoing

Turner & Townsend

in the pipeline, notes Bulmer.

government programme.

is providing quantity

The rehabilitation programme falls

“We are involved in these projects

surveying expertise as part of a major

under the Department of Mineral

from the very outset when the

programme by the South African

Resources, which appointed Mintek –

engineer draws up the preliminary

government to close and rehabilitate

a global leader in minerals processing

design, from the point of preparing

some 660 abandoned asbestos mines

and metallurgical engineering

the tender document and

and shafts in various regions around

products and services, to provide the

putting a price to it for budgeting

the country.

professional project management.

purposes, and again to financially

SRK Consulting has taken the

manage the project. This includes

“So far we have worked with the SRK Consulting team on nine abandoned

engineering design lead on these

making monthly payment

asbestos mine sites in the Northern

projects over the past three years,

assessments, evaluating any

Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo,”

as a sub-contractor to Mintek,

changes in design or unexpected

says Gordon Bulmer, senior quantity

delivering the conceptual design,

site conditions, through to final

surveyor of Turner & Townsend.

final design, quality control and

project completion,” says Bulmer.

“With three of these now closed and

project management. Chosen for its

Turner & Townsend

completed, we are currently involved

international track record and world-

T + 27 (0) 11 214 1622

on a further six mine sites, while we

leading expertise, Turner & Townsend

www.turnerandtownsend.com

MARCH/APRIL 2016 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

According to SRK Chairman

“SRK’s culture endures despite

www.srk.co.za

TAKE NOTE

South African solar power plant wins PFI solar deal of the year The Ilanga 1 CSP Project recently

he government’s Renewable

According to Hartmut Winkler,

Africa (DBSA), the Public Investment

won the 2015 Project Finance

Company (PIC), the Industrial

International (PFI) solar deal of the

Development Corporation (IDC),

year. The award ceremony took place

Nedbank, Investec, Standard Bank and

on 3 February 2016 in London. The

ABSA. “The Ilanga 1 CSP Project aligns

plant is located about 30 kilometres

perfectly with ABSA’s CSI initiatives

east of Upington and forms part of the

aimed at enhancing business relevance,

Karoshoek Solar Thermal Park. Ilanga 1

sustainability and social upliftment.

is a 100MW parabolic trough plant with

It is great to see projects geared at

a thermal energy storage system.

creating a better future recognised at

Apart from the significant job-

the PFI awards”, said Shaun Moodley,

creating opportunities, the project

Vice President Banking-Resource

Energy Independent Power

Professor of Physics at the University of

promises to deliver over half a billion

and Project Finance at ABSA Capital,

Producer Procurement

Johannesburg, the REIPPPP contributed

Rand annually to socio-economic

regarding ABSA’s involvement in

Programme (‘REIPPP’) is

over 6 000MW to date. It is envisioned

development over a 20-year

the project.

rapidly contributing to South Africa’s

that this figure should reach 9 600MW

period. The surrounding areas will

growth as one of the fastest growing

of solar power capacity by 2030. All

benefit from these socio-economic

Nedbank, said: “Nedbank is committed

renewable energy sectors in the world.

completed solar power plants form

development initiatives.

to green funding and supporting

The Minister of Energy has determined

part of South Africa’s electricity supply

Jen Stolp, partner in Baker &

that 3 725 megawatts of renewable

and are fully linked to the Eskom power

McKenzie’s banking and finance

proud to be part of the Ilanga 1 project.

energy sources is required to ensure

grid. Currently, solar power already

department, acted as lender counsel.

It is projects like these that help us

the continued uninterrupted supply

contributes more than 1MW onto the

Lenders of the project included

build on our long history of promoting

of electricity.

grid on a sunny day.

Development Bank of Southern

environmental responsibility.”

years of cleaning success at annual cape argus cycle race

Emile Malan, Principal: Energy at

sustainability initiatives, and we’re

Plastics|SA clean-up teams report visible drop in litter left behind by cyclists and spectators at 2016 pick n pay cape argus cycle race Plastics|SA commemorated their tenth year of involvement in the annual Pick n Pay Cape Argus Cycle Race that took place in Cape Town on the 5 and 6 March 2016. Under the guidance of Plastics|SA’s Sustainability Manager John Kieser, two teams of clean-up crews recruited from local townships near Ocean View ensured that Saturday’s Mountain Bike race was kept clean at all various water and spectator points, the start and the finish as well as the hospitality park, while they had to cover 100 km of the total 109 km distance on Sunday’s road race, as well as all the refreshment points. Learning from previous years’

made light work of the day’s efforts. Six truckloads of litter were collected

and the athletes about the importance of recycling their plastic, and being

using PETCO’s red bins and transported

able to demonstrate practically our

experience, the Plastics|SA team

away for sorting and recycling. The

commitment to ensuring that plastic

knew that they had to focus much of

main culprits continue to be plastic

litter does not end up in nature or our

their attention on the litter hotspots

energy sachets and decals that were

environment. They keep on inviting us

located at the uphill sections along

handed out by one of the sponsors.

back, which means that the organisers

the route, namely Smitswinkel,

The Plastics|SA team will again be in

see a benefit in the work that we do!”

Chapman’s Peak and Suikerbossie.

action later this month when the Two

Kieser concluded.

However, the use of designated “chuck

Oceans Marathon takes place. “We are

www.plasticsinfo.co.za

zones” and friendly rivalry between

excited about being involved in these

members of the clean-up teams to

big sporting events as we see it as an

see who could collect the most litter,

ideal opportunity to educate the public

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT MARCH/APRIL

TAKE NOTE

Black rhino to return to Akagera National Park, Rwanda after 10 year absence

BY CYNTHIA WALLEY

frican Parks’ plans

poaching. They were last seen in

to reintroduce black

park in 2007. The reintroduction of

rhinos into Akagera

rhinos will solidify Akagera’s Big Five

National Park, Rwanda

status, a classification that will help

have been given a £100 000 boost by

increase tourism and generate further

the players of the People’s Postcode

employment opportunities for local

Lottery in the United Kingdom. It

communities. Since 2010, African

is estimated that the initiative to

Parks has managed Akagera National

reintroduce the species into the park

Park in partnership with the Rwanda

after an absence of 10 years will cost

Development Board (RDB), and in

more than £1million.

just five years, poaching of wildlife

The £100 000 funding for the rhino initiative was announced at

under control.

the People’s Postcode Lottery gala

The oldest of Rwanda’s three

function in Edinburgh recently. The

national parks, Akagera is 1 120km²

funding will go towards the sourcing,

in size. The only protected savannah

translocation and reintroduction of

region in Rwanda, the park also

10 black rhinos into Akagera National

consists of rolling hills of acacia,

Park later this year.

woodlands and a labyrinth of lakes

African Parks was one of 57

and papyrus swamps; it is home to

beneficiaries that also received

more than 8 000 large mammals

additional, unspecified funding of

and more than 500 bird species. In

£25 000 at the gala event.

July 2015, African Parks successfully

The rhino project in Akagera is an

reintroduced seven lions into the park,

important conservation initiative that

bringing the species back to Rwanda

will restore black rhino in the park, a

after almost 20 years.

species that was nearly eradicated in the 1980s due to wide-scale Patricio Ndadzela, African Parks Country Director accepted the cheque for £100 000.

has been greatly reduced and is now

“African Parks has a proven track record of conservation restoration across the continent, including re-establishing and successfully protecting populations of locally extinct wildlife,” said Peter Fearnhead, African Parks CEO. “Akagera, with its rich wildlife, strong law enforcement, community development and tourism opportunities, is a symbol of hope, and rebirth, and serves as a shining example of what conservation can look like in 2016.” www.africanparks.eu

MARCH/APRIL 2016 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

PHOTOS: PEOPLE’S POSTCODE LOTTERY AND AFRICAN PARKS/ BRYAN HAVEMANN

SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS & SERVICES

Sika restores PE Tramway building O ne of the oldest buildings

once housed off-duty trams will be

in Port Elizabeth recently

restored to their former grandeur for

enjoyed a multi-million

conferences and exhibitions.

Rand facelift and Sika

The Aurecon Group, together

products formed an integral part of

with Dominic Bonnesse

the operation. At well over a hundred

Architects, designed the extensive

factories or laboratories. It is supplied

colour quartz mortar screeds. This

years old, the Tramways building once

transformation and, keeping in mind

in various colours in either gloss or

low viscous binder provides good

formed part of the city’s tram network

the heritage status of the old building,

matt finish. On completion of the

mechanical and abrasion resistance

system. The building, situated in the

decided to restore most of the exterior

project, contractor Pab Trading had

and has a low VOC content.

Baakens Valley, gradually deteriorated

façade. Since the old floors were in

coated the main floor area measuring

and after being gutted by fire in the

need of replacing, Sikafloor-66 ZA, a

approximately 1000m2, with

been significantly modernised and

late 1990’s, became an eyesore.

solvent-based polyurethane coating

Sikafloor-66 ZA (Clear Matt).

restored to its previous glory, the

As part of a substantial urban

that is both decorative as well as

Sikafloor-161 is a two-part,

Now that its dilapidated state has

grand old Tramways building will once

renewal programme, the Mandela

protective, was specified, to keep the

solvent-free, low viscosity epoxy

again stand proudly to the north of

Bay Development Agency (MBDA)

restoration as authentic as possible.

resin for normal to strong absorbent

the Port Elizabeth harbour. With Sika’s

substrates while Sikafloor-263 SL is a

internationally approved flooring

decided to transform the dilapidated

Sikafloor-66 ZA provides excellent

building into an impressive

adhesion and its hard, extremely

two-part, multi-purpose binder based

products giving it a new lease of life,

development incorporating new

durable surface is quick-drying.

on epoxy resin. It is highly fillable

this major development is envisaged

offices for the agency itself as well

Its UV resistance and chemical

and liquid proof with a gloss finish.

as the catalyst in transforming the

as a rooftop garden, a mezzanine

resistance allows for Sikafloor-66

Sikafloor-169 is a two-part, very low

whole Baakens Valley area into a

floor, a restaurant and a large artwork

ZA to be used internally or externally,

yellowing transparent epoxy resin

vibrant section of the city.

display area. Two large halls that

on floors and walls in workshops,

used as a sealer coat for broadcast

www.sika.co.za

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT MARCH/APRIL

SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS & SERVICES

Port Elizabeth factory installs first lightweight solar photovoltaic panel in Africa

“

Du Plooy added: “The installation

We estimate that as much as 30 percent of commercial

itself was quite remarkable as the

and industrial buildings with

product requires no power tools,

roofs are not able to hold the

framing, special handling and other

weight of traditional solar panels,

common installation aspects. The

making owners and developers think

installation team working at a normal

that solar panels are not an option

pace installed 1-watt per second.

BENEFITS OF LPV PANELS

for their facilities. This is no longer the

There was no need for special rigging

SoloPower panels have a CIGS

case since Dumont Power introduced

equipment to get the panels in place,

(Copper, Indium, Gallium,

the SoloPower lightweight

no need for a large storage area to

Selenium) composition - ideal

photovoltaic (LPV) panel,” said

keep the panels before installation:

for thin-film solar applications.

Director, Raymond du Plooy.

it was really a very simple and

Some of the benefits of LPV

fast installation. We even had two

panels include: low installation

manufacturer of fibre-glass products,

uninstalled panels blow off the roof

costs; high energy performance;

Cape Composite, recently installed a

and fall 30m to the ground and they

built to meet/exceed UL 1703,

new factory roof, after a fire destroyed

were completely undamaged.”

IEC 61646 and IEC 61730

A leading South African

the previous one. “The new roof was

Cindy Oberholzer, Financial Director

unable to hold the weight of normal

at Cape Composite (Pty) Ltd said: “As

ultra-thin, flexible solar panels which

superior performance under all

photovoltaic panels, whereas our

a company we continually strive to ‘go

offered us the perfect solution. The

light conditions, including low-

SoloPower LPV panels, weighing

green’, to cut down on waste and curb

main advantage and reason we

sun angle; easy to install and

a mere 2.4kg/sqm were the only

costs. Traditional glass photovoltaic

decided to go the SoloPower route

mounted with commercially

alternative. Phase One of the Cape

panels were not an option for us,

is because their LPV panels are

available adhesives.

Composite site has been completed

as they were too heavy for our roof

extremely light. Other positive factors

Dumont Power

with a total of 304 panels producing

structure which could not support

were that the LPV panels were not as

Tel: (041) 401 6702

60kWp of power,” said du Plooy.

them. We came across SoloPower’s

fragile as glass.”

www.dumontpower.com

MARCH/APRIL 2016 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

standards; designed for

MANAGING STORM WATER WITH CRB WALLS

unicipal by-laws

Dealership in Gauteng, also

19mm stone filled blocks plus

now require that

illustrates this method very

a 200mm stone drain with

storm water

well. Space constraints,

a non-woven geofabric to

run-off at all

municipal requirements for

prevent soil contaminating the

new property developments be

storm water attenuation and

stone were detailed to provide

channeled into attenuation ponds

economical considerations

rapidÂ drainage.

to prevent erosion, flooding and

required alternatives to

the blocking of storm water

conventional reinforced

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Laser Transportâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; in Chloorkop,

systems. The ponds release

concrete structures.

Kempton Park, two attenuation

Proposals were submitted

water drainage pipes gradually,

and accepted, using Terraforce

water management, again using

thereby alleviating the sudden

L11 blocks that met all the

the CRB method.

rises in water levels caused by

requiredÂ criteria. Retaining block wall structure

ponds were installed for storm

The construction had to take

access ramps up to 4m high

and consisted of double skin

urbanisedÂ areas.

were built at 87Â° slopes, using

Terraforce L11, all filled with

the geofabric fill reinforced

19mm stone, and Bidim â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;A2â&#x20AC;&#x2122; to

designed precast CRB (Concrete

design technique, utilising high

separate the stone from the

Retaining Block), are well

tenacity polyester unidirectional

in-situ cut face material from

suited to attenuation pond

geotextiles. Design loadings of

being contaminated, which could

design, owing to a closed-face

10k/Pa were allowed for.

result in the stone clogging. The

configuration, which prevents

Gravity wall designs

stone fill allows rapid draw down

erosion behind the blocks. Their

utilising double and triple skin

of water within the blocks and

tubular design allows blocks to

combinations were constructed

behind them as the attenuation

be filled with stones, resulting in

at the attenuation pond up

pond discharges water slowly

rapid drainage and rapid draw-

to seven meters high at 65Â°

over a short period of about

down. The stones also provide

slopes. S-tone drains behind

oneÂ hour.

greater frictional resistance, even

the eRB walls ensure rapid

when ponds are completely full.

water discharge once the water

supplies a range of retaining

The first example of using CRB

level in the pond has drawn

wall block and erosion control

down, preventing phreatic

products in the Gauteng and

at Chilli Lane, a new shopping

pressures from developing.

outlying regions. In addition,

The most interesting technical

it offers a retaining block wall

Five and a half metres deep, the

feature is the innovative

design service. Silvio Ferraris

pond was built with Terraforce

construction of the four meters

is a registered professional

L11 blocks at a slope of 650. The

high attenuation pond dam wall,

engineering civil technician and

lower three and a half metres

with Terraforce blocks on both

ReMaCon Products cc carries

section of the wall consists of

sides, a 70Â° slope inside the pond,

the necessary professional

a double skin of blocks, and

an 87Â° slope on the outside,

indemnityÂ insurance.

the top two metres comprise

lining up to the access ramp wall

a single skin. Geofabric was

maintaining the same slope.

placed vertically between the

A combined geofabric

c o m p e t i t i o n i s

g o o d fo r t h e

c o n s u m e r Imitators are

NOT

TERRA FORCE

Retaining wall design engineer â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Silvio Ferraris

retained soil and a 200mm skin of

reinforced and cement stabilised

Manufacturer â&#x20AC;&#x201C; ReMaCon

19mm stone was laid behind the

fill design was used to limit

Products cc

Terraforce blocks.

possible saturation of the

Products used â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Terraforce L11

dam wall fill for short periods.

www.terraforce.co.za

Another project, at a BMW

G e n u i n e

ReMaCon manufactures and

walls shows an attenuation pond centre in Sunninghill, Gauteng.

place within an excavated hole

paved surfaces and roofs in Terraforce L11 blocks, locally

And finally, at a warehouse for

run-off into streams and storm

rapid storm water run-off from

SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS & SERVICES

Find your nearest supplier www.terraforce.com

Te l : 0 2 1 4 6 5 1 9 0 7 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT MARCH/APRIL

LANDFILL

outh Africa is currently dealing with a major environmental challenge as it works to recycle 60

million waste truck tyres that have piled up over the years. An estimated 10 million truck tyres more are added to this each year. Envirobuild, KwaZulu-Natal’s first manufacturer of eco-friendly rubber flooring for commercial, industrial and residential use, has launched an extensive range of rubber paving tiles and bricks made from recycled truck tyres. A joint venture between entrepreneur Jaco Snyman, carpeting and flooring giant Van Dyck and Hammarsdale-based Mathe Group, Envirobuild will produce a high quality product that is suitable for the local market and export. Jaco Snyman, Managing Director of Envirobuild, says that the new products, which include 93 percent

Mr Vusumuzi Mathe, Head of Mathe Group

recycled materials, are a perfect fit

r o o i l Rubber flooring

to be made from truck tyres in KZN

MARCH/APRIL 2016 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

with increasing demand for greener flooring options. Internationally, architects, interior designers and the construction industry are under pressure to meet their clients’ sustainable building requirements in order to ensure green building certifications. “There is very little high quality flooring of this nature produced locally, so there is definitely a market for it. We are the first company to produce eco-friendly rubber flooring in KwaZulu-Natal and one of very few in South Africa,” he said. A wide variety of flooring products, including rubber paving bricks (200mm x 100mm), Dog Bone paving bricks (200mm x 100mm), rubber paving tiles (500mm x 500mm), a twin brick pattern Tile (1000mm x 1000mm) and an interlocking tile (1012mm x 1012mm) will be manufactured at Van Dyck’s factory.

LANDFILL

Seated left is Jaco Snyman, Envirobuild Managing Director, standing Dr Mehran Zarrebini, Van Dyck Carpets Managing Director, and right Vusimuzi Mathe, Mathe Group Director

They will be available in a variety of thicknesses – from 13mm to

entrant into the market. He said that although he had initially

the need for increased flexibility to

program based on life cycle

mould to the shape of the surface.

assessment (LCA).

38mm for the paving tiles and from

looked to importing environmentally

20mm to 50mm for the bricks - and

friendly rubber flooring products from

towards receiving Green Tag

by the fact that Van Dyck is both

colours, including black, rust, green

Canada and America, he had quickly

certification in order to further

ISO 9001:2008 and ISO 14001

and speckled.

abandoned this as the exchange

enhance its presence in the

accredited. In 2013, it became one of

rate made this unaffordable. Imports

sustainable building materials

just a handful of companies with ISO

flooring is rubber crumb that is

would be landed at ten times the price

market. GreenTag is a unique,

14064-1 accreditation due to massive

sourced from Mathe Group.

of locally made products.

independent third party, green

reduction in greenhouse emissions.

There is a ready supply of used

building and other sustainable

www.envirobuild.co.za

Dr Mehran Zarrebini, said the

tyres in South Africa and Envirobuild

product rating and certification

www.vandyckcarpets.com

collaboration between the partners

will be able to both make and deliver

was exciting as there were significant

mats to America more cheaply than

synergies in place. Van Dyck produces

they can produce them here, opening

rubber based acoustic cradles and

up significant export opportunities.

underlays for commercial carpeting

Rubber flooring is suitable for a wide

and sporting applications while Mathe

range of applications. It absorbs

is a well-established tyre recycler.

impact and cushions falls, making it ideal for use in play areas, schools and retirement facilities. Together with

Durban factory meant that production

increased grip, this also makes rubber

could begin immediately. “However,

flooring particularly suitable for use

because we anticipate volumes going

in gyms, dance studios and sporting

up both quickly and appreciably, we

facilities. It is also ideal for use around

have invested R800 000 in additional

swimming pools and wet areas such

machinery which is due to arrive within

as saunas and Jacuzzis.

the next three months and is expected

Snyman said that rubber flooring

to be operational by the beginning

was also suitable for industry and

of June. This will quadruple existing

warehousing as it was able to

capacity,” said Zarrebini.

withstand impacts as well as high

“This is an exciting venture for us. We are about to commission a new plant

footfall and the movement of heavy equipment such as hoists and fork lifts.

in Hammarsdale that has capacity to

Envirobuild products are low

recycle 250 000 truck tyres. This will

maintenance and durable and are

be an important market for our rubber

quick and easy to lay. Because rubber

crumb. It is particularly exciting venture

bricks are much lighter than brick or

as there are still very few secondary

concrete paving and some products

rubber products made from recycled

come in sheets, they can be laid more

rubber in South Africa,” says Head of

quickly and easily with the added

Mathe Group, Mr Vusumuzi Mathe.

bonus of far less breakage. This

Snyman added that the partnership with Van Dyck, a highly respected brand within the flooring sector,

negates additional outlay to cover damaged materials. In addition, they are easy to lift and

was particularly important as that

replace should repairs to water pipes

company not only provided the

or under floor cabling be necessary.

manufacturing expertise but also

Rubber paving is ideal for slopes where

enhanced the credibility of a new

there is the risk of moving ground and

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ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT MARCH/APRIL

c S rap tyr s

LANDFILL

Over 10 billion scrap tyres are stockpiled globally per year

a global issue

mages of stockpiled tyres

burned for fuel, 12 percent is used in

for use as fuel in cement kilns and

exacerbates the problem.

scattered around the countryside

‘crumb’ rubber products (such as door

paper mills. In 2007 the European

http://harmonicenergyinc.com/

or in vacant lots are familiar to

mats), and 16 percent is used for civil

Union banned tyre shred from landfill

scrap-tires

most people. According to the Rubber

engineering applications. However,

and yet 50 percent of all scrap tyres

Manufacturer’s Association (RMA),

this means at least 14 percent is

produced in the EU are still landfilled

TACKLING TYRE WASTE

there are 450 million scrap tyres

ground and sent to landfills. The fuel

as engineering cover.

Technology to recover higher value

generated annually in the United

and crumb rubber applications are

States (over one per person per year).

constructive uses of scrap tyres, but

tons of scrap tyres are generated in

is moving forward. With the rapidly

With an average scrap tyre weight

have technical limitations and only

South Africa each year and about

growing number of vehicles around the

of 12 kilogrammes, this represents

marginally attractive economics.

28 million used tyres are dumped

world, the disposal of end-of-life tyres

illegally or burnt to recover the steel

is a growing issue.

nearly 3 billion kilogrammes of

In virtually all environmentally

According to a survey, 160 000

materials and energy from waste-tyres

predominantly hydrocarbon based

responsible countries, burying tyres or

wire annually, which is sold as scrap

materials generated annually that are

tyre-shred in landfills is now against

metal (SATRP, 2008). This amount

from used tyres is big business.

largely underutilised.

the law. Similarly, several countries

is thought to increase by 9.3 million

According to a report by the World

and many state and provincial

annually (SATMC, 2005).

Business Council for Sustainable

Constructive use of scrap tyres has accelerated over the last ten years

governments have banned the use of

and significantly alleviated historic

tyres or tyre derived fuel (tyre shred)

Indiscriminate and illegal discarding of waste tyres in the environment also

The recovery of energy and materials

Development, in 2008 around one billion End-of-Life Tyres (ELTs) were being

tire dump issues (which create fire

produced globally each year. A further

and disease hazards). The RMA

four billion were estimated to be held in

reports 52 percent of scrap tyres are

stockpiles and landfills.

MARCH/APRIL 2016 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

LANDFILL

in 2006 banned even their shredded

the disposal chain. Retailers usually

its headquarters from Memphis

some 1.5 billion new tyres are produced

remains from landfills. In the US,

pass the associated costs of the

Tennessee to Dallas, Texas. The

annually.

38 states ban whole tyres from

scheme onto the customers, with a

company has initiated the prototype

landfills, 35 states allow shredded

disposal surcharge attached to the

phase of a project to validate its patent

Manufacturers Association estimate

tyres to be landfilled, 11 states ban all

purchase of a new tyre.

pending technologies to extract high

that the US – the world’s largest

tyres from landfills, 17 states allow

producer of ELTs–generated 291.8

processed tyres to be placed into

Association (TRA) was formed to

tyres. DEAC’s process involves using

million tyres in 2009. With an average

monofills (a landfill designated for

support the RRS. All TRA members

pyrolysis to process ELTs with the

weight of 15 kilogrammes, that

a the disposal of a single material)

are fully accredited, which guarantees

production not only of energy, but of

equates to some 4.4 million tonnes.

and eight states have no restrictions

that all tyres collected, recycled or

five marketable products – recycled

According to statistics published

on placing scrap tyres in landfills.

reprocessed by them are disposed of

carbon black, pyrolysis oil, fuel and

by the European Tyre & Rubber

According to the US Environmental

or reused appropriately.

extracts, a high BTU gas and steel.

Manufacturers’ Association (ETRMA),

Protection Agency (EPA), 48 states

in 2010 Europe produced around

currently have laws or regulations

become the largest of its kind in

PYRECO

2.7 million tonnes of ELTs.

which specifically deal with scrap tyres.

Europe and currently handles some

Based in Redcar in the North East of

45 million used tyres every year.

England, PYReco is planning a facility

Around the world it is estimated that

Figures published by the US Rubber

In 1999 in the UK, to promote more

With so many ELTs being produced,

In 2004 the Tyre Recovery

value organic compounds from waste

The programme has gone on to

as well as the huge stockpiles from

robust standards in the collection and

Other countries including Germany,

which will use pyrolysis to breakdown

the past, waste tyres pose many

disposal of end-of-life tyres, and to

Switzerland, Austria and New Zealand

tyres into high tensile steel, carbon

potential dangers.

help eradicate rogue operators, the

operate similar voluntary systems, as

black, diesel oil and syngas without

Tyre Industry Federation launched a

well as many US states.

producing any waste. Initially the diesel

Often the result of arson, fires at tyre dumps are not uncommon. In 1990

voluntary initiative, the Responsible

Hagersville, Ontario was the scene of

Recycler Scheme (RSS). Under the

HIGH VALUE ALTERNATIVES

electricity for the national grid, while

one of the worst tyre fires in history.

scheme, tyres are stored, collected,

Using traditional recycling techniques,

the carbon black will be used to make

As a mechanised army of fire fighters

recycled or reprocessed in line with all

granulated rubber recovered from

new tyres and other rubber products.

struggled to gain control of the situation,

UK and UE legislations. Independent

waste tyres can be used variously

Upon completion the facility is

for 17 days 14 million tyres packed onto

audits and full traceability mean

as an aggregate, in tiles, adhesives,

expected to process 60 000 tonnes

the 11 acre site spewed toxic clouds of

that tyres handled by RRS member

asphalt, sports surfaces, and extruded

of tyres per year, reaching 120 000

thick black smoke into the air.

companies can be tracked throughout

rubber products, to name but a few of

tonnes at full capacity.

oil and syngas will be used to generate

its uses. In terms of energy recovery the natural rubber fraction of the tyre can

SCRAP TYRES ARE CONSIDERED HARMFUL WASTE BECAUSE THEY:

CONCLUSIONS

be considered as a renewable energy

While there are still some concerns

source. While the recovery of rubber,

surrounding illegal dumping or

• Leach harmful toxins into the environment

steel and energy from a potentially

exporting of ELTs, the high recovery

• Become a home for mosquitoes, rats

hazardous waste stream is certainly

rates both in the US and Europe are

a big improvement from the not too

encouraging. However, in common

• Have the potential to create harmful fires

distant past, increasingly a number of

with other waste streams, the

• Emit significant amounts of CO2 and

projects around the world are looking

greatest environmental and economic

to ELTs as a potential source of much

benefits from the treatment of ELTs

higher value materials.

lie furthest up the waste hierarchy.

and snakes

dioxins when burned as fuel • contaminate groundwater • are not only flammable, but once ablaze, extremely difficult to extinguish

One example of this is Dynamic

Given the expanding global vehicle

Energy Alliance Corporation

base, and the consumable nature

(DEAC), which recently relocated

of tyres, prevention is probably unattainable. Indeed, for the

Sources: MPANYANA LUCAS MAHLANGU, http://harmonicenergyinc.com/scrap-tires,

According to the New York Times,

foreseeable future, the number of

in addition to the toxic fumes, around

waste tyres being generated globally

600 000 litres of oil was released by

will continue to grow. And for

the melting rubber was collected from

passenger car tyres, reuse options,

the site. Chemical pollutants, suspected

such as re-treading, are limited.

to have been caused by the operation

While the use of tyres as Tyre

to extinguish the fire were also found in

Derived Fuel is certainly better than

the aftermath of the blaze.

landfilling or stockpiling, there are

In a separate incident an

many interesting projects on the

underground dumpsite in Wales,

horizon which offer the potential

thought to contain around nine million

of recovering not only energy or

tyres, burned for an astonishing

low value materials, but a wide

15 years following its ignition in 1989.

range of high value materials and energy. Around the world such

REGULATIONS

projects are numerous. Not all will be

Because of the hazards associated

commercially successful, but there

with scrap tyres, nearly all developed

are simply too many to think that

countries regulate their disposal. In

none will make it. The date may not

the EU, while no single directive or regulation targets ELTs, the Landfill Directive banned them from being disposed of to a landfill in 2003 and

Tyres are a resource

yet have been set, but the way in which waste tyres are treated looks set for a revolution. www.matmarketingint.co.za

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT MARCH/APRIL

LANDFILL

Minimise waste to landfill

outh Africa’s municipal

WtE INITIATIVES

However, she cautions that WtE

waste sector has

This recent Biogas Report, examines

should not be the primary driver for

enormous energy

the potential biogas has as a source of

implementing alternative waste

are often waste-stream specific,

potential. By incorporating

composting costs. “Biogas WtE extraction technologies

transport, based on the relevant waste

management options. Waste is a

as each stream has different

Waste-to-Engery (WtE) initiatives,

sources in the country. From these

resource and therefore the economic

energy potential depending on its

waste being sent to landfill sites

findings the total biogas-potential from

benefit that can be derived from waste

composition,” says Oelofse. “Decisions

can be minimised while at the same

sources, captured within South Africa’s

should be maximised. She highlights

on which technology will fit best to

time energy concerns are being

biogas inventory, is around three million

that the implementation of successful

each waste stream needs be based on

addressed. The Institute of Waste

normal cubic meters (Nm3) per day. The

biogas WtE programmes relies on

sound evidence,” she adds.

Management of Southern Africa

interesting part is that with the majority

effective MSW characterisation. The

(IWMSA) explores this notion and its

share of 38 percent of the total volume,

characterisation of waste allows us

feasibility in South Africa.

the municipal solid waste (MSW)

to evaluate the country’s MSW, and

The Biogas Report indicates that

sector is the largest contributor to the

highlight important indicators such

the extraction of biogas as part of

country’s biogas potential.

as: appropriate technologies that

a WtE programme holds additional

address discrete segments of the waste

high-level strategic benefits for the

THE CASE FOR BIOGAS A study to facilitate the large-

Professor Suzan Oelofse, President

scale commitment to finding

of the IWMSA, explains that this

streams; accurate decision support

country as an alternative transport

alternative transport fuels in

information serves as a clear indicator

regarding the best management

fuel, such as:

South Africa entitled, ‘The case

that South Africa has the potential to

option for different materials or waste

for Biogas’ has recently been

successfully incorporate Waste-to-

streams; material flow modelling and

biogas for the generation of

released by the Department of

Energy (WtE) initiatives.

facility size; and potential recycling and

electricity could provide a 240- to

Environmental Affairs. The main objective of this study is to establish an understanding of the

Economic/ﬁnancial Utilising

320-MW capacity to the strained South African electricity grid Environmental – Biogas would

economic and practical potential

reduce the impact on air quality in

for compressed biogas (CBG) as

urban areas

an alternative transport fuel and

Socioeconomic The upgrading/

greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation

compression of raw biogas for

measure. This could provide the

transport could result in one to two

basis for the further development

additional jobs per sizeable facility,

of policies promoting biogas for

as well as jobs created related to

transport and the emergence of a

infrastructure upgrades

national CBG industry.

Infrastructural development Incorporating biogas extraction

BACKGROUND

will lead to the development of the

This study is part of a programme

virtually non-existent compressed

under the Strategic Climate Policy

biogas infrastructure

Fund (SCPF), established by the Department for International Develºpment (DFID) of the United

Due to the fact that a number

Kingdom (UK) government and

of sources within the MSW sector

managed by Cardno Emerging

are among the ten largest potential

Markets (UK) Ltd on behalf of the

biogas point sources identified in

Department of Environmental

the Biogas Report, and controlled by

Affairs (DEA). The purpose of the

local governmental municipalities, it

fund is to translate the mitigation

can be concluded that the extraction

plans outlined in the National

of biogas through WtE programmes

Climate Change Response White

can be implemented on a large-scale

Paper (NCCRWP) (Republic of

within the country as the South African

South Africa, 2011) into feasible

government has direct control of the

mitigation actions.

majority share.

The implementation of successful biogas WtE programmes relies on effective MSW characterisation

“Biogas offers the potential to reduce the amount of organic waste ending up at landfills. In putting strategic WtE programmes into place nationwide, it also helps improve the effective utilisation of MSW,” concludes Oelofse. www.iwmsa.co.za

MARCH/APRIL 2016 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

PROBLEM Approximately 160 000 tonnes of rubber tyres are discarded every year. Currently most of these go into landfill sites or are simply burnt. This results in a very negative impact on the environment. SOLUTION EnviroBuild turns this problem into innovative new products for re-use. All EnviroBuild products are 100% recyclable at end of life. This solution has been proven in Canada and America. Advantages: Safety – Impact when falling, Non-abrasive. Easy maintenance – no oil absorption, etc. Noise reduction – Tyre noise in residential complexes. 100% Recyclable. Weight – lighter than conventional paving; transport savings. Does not break or crack on uneven surfaces. Pending Certifications: SABS, GreenTag, ECO Standard. Level2 B-BBEE contributor Colours: Black, Grey, Brown, Red Clay, Terracotta.

INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS FROM RECYCLED RUBBER TYRES

INTER-LINKING PAVING MAT

FLEX-GRID

RR FLOOR TILE

A large 1.2m² mat that inter links to create a strong uniform surface for pedestrian and light vehicle traffic. Perfect for driveways, playgrounds, walkways, around shopping centres, hospitals, etc. Advantage: Save on installation time by laying down 1.2m² at a time – save about 80% on labour cost.

A 1200mm x 1200mm, 50mm thick rubber grid that is strong and flexible enough to withstand daily abuse.

A 900mm x 900mm, 12mm thick tile that is durable enough for garages, workshops and gym floors.

Perfect for embankment rehabilitation, Dairy and Equine stands (prevents ruts where animals frequent) and various mining applications.

Decorated with different patterns: brick pattern, circular pattern.

PRODUCT AVAILABILITY - JULY 2016

www.envirobuild.co.za | www.vandyckcarpets.com | info@envirobuild.co.za | Tel: 082 902 9573

All EnviroBuild products are manufactured by Van Dyck, a trusted name in sustainable flooring solutions since 1948. Van Dyck is a market leader and synonymous with Quality and Style.

CARBON

lobal emissions of carbon

its economy, but there is also a

dioxide are likely to

contribution from the very fast growth

stall and even decline

in renewable energy worldwide, and

slightly this year, new

this is the most interesting part: can we

data suggests. Researchers say it is

actually grow renewable energy enough

the first time this has happened while

to offset the coal use elsewhere?”

the global economy has continued to

At the rate humans are emitting

grow. The fall-off is due to reduced

carbon into the atmosphere, Earth

coal use in China, as well as faster

may suffer irreparable damage that

uptake of renewables, the scientists

could last tens of thousands of

involved in the assessment add.

years, according to a new analysis

But they expect the stall to be

published recently.

temporary and for emissions to grow again as emerging economies develop.

LONGER-TERM IMPACTS

According to the study (www.earth-

Too much of the climate change policy

syst-sci-data.net/7/349/2015/),

debate has focused on observations

published in the journal Nature Climate

of the past 150 years and their impact

Change and presented at COP21

on global warming and sea level rise by

in Paris late last year, emissions of

the end of this century, the authors say.

carbon dioxide from fossil fuels and

Instead, policy-makers and the public

industry are likely to have fallen 0.6

should also be considering the longer-

percent in 2015.They increased by

term impacts of climate change.

around the same amount in 2014. Since 2000, global emissions have

“Much of the carbon we are putting in the air from burning fossil fuels will

grown annually by two – three percent.

stay there for thousands of years –

The slowdown has occurred, while the

and some of it will be there for more

global economy has grown by three

than 100 000 years,” said Peter Clark,

percent in both 2014 and 2015.

an Oregon State University paleo-

“We’re expecting a stalling in

climatologist and lead author on the

emissions, possibly even a little

article. “People need to understand

decrease,” said Professor Corinne

that the effects of climate change on

Le Quere from the University of East

the planet won’t go away, at least not

Anglia, UK, who led the data analysis.

for thousands of generations.” The

“The main cause is from decreased coal use in China. It’s restructuring

researchers’ analysis was published in the journal Nature Climate Change.

Coastal erosion of the cliffs at Skipsea, Yorkshire on the Holderness coast

is the target Much of the carbon we are putting in the air from burning fossil fuels will stay there for thousands of years – and some of it will be there for more than 100 000 years

irreversibility is placed into the focus of policy-makers. The long-term view sends the chilling message about what the real risks and consequences are of the fossil fuel era,” Stocker added. “It will commit us to massive adaptation efforts so that for many, dislocation and migration becomes the only option.”

SEA-LEVEL RISE Sea level rise is one of the most compelling impacts of global warming, yet its effects are just starting to be seen. The latest IPCC report, for example, calls for sea level rise of just one meter by the year 2100. In their analysis, however, the authors look at four different sea level-rise scenarios based on different rates of warming, from a low end that could only be reached with massive efforts to

Thomas Stocker of the University

MARCH/APRIL 2016 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

“It is high time that this essential

eliminate fossil fuel use over the next

of Bern in Switzerland, who is past-

few decades, to a higher rate based on

co-chair of the IPCC’s Working Group

the consumption of half the remaining

I, said the focus on climate change at

fossil fuels over the next few centuries.

the end of the 21st century needs to

With just two degrees Celsius warming

be shifted toward a much longer-term

in the low-end scenario, sea levels

perspective. “Our greenhouse gas

are predicted to eventually rise by

emissions today produce climate-

about 25 metres. With seven degrees

change commitments for many

warming at the high-end scenario,

centuries to millennia,” said Stocker,

the rise is estimated at 50 metres,

a climate modeller and co-author on

although over a period of several

the Nature Climate Change article.

centuries to millennia.

Sources: Oregon State University, Matt McGrath Environment correspondent, BBC News

CARBON “It takes sea level rise a very long time to react – on the order of centuries,” Clark said. “It’s like heating

kind of environment we are passing along to future generations.” “Sea level rise may not seem like

a pot of water on the stove; it doesn’t

such a big deal today, but we are

boil for quite a while after the heat is

making choices that will affect our

turned on – but then it will continue

grandchildren’s grandchildren – and

to boil as long as the heat persists.

beyond,” said Schrag, a co-author on

Once carbon is in the atmosphere, it

the analysis and Director of Harvard’s

will stay there for tens or hundreds of

Centre for the Environment. “We need

thousands of years, and the warming,

to think carefully about the long time-

as well as the higher seas, will remain.”

scales of what we are unleashing.”

Clark said for the low-end scenario,

The new paper makes the

an estimated 122 countries have at

fundamental point that considering

least 10 percent of their population

the long-term scales of the carbon

in areas that will be directly affected

cycle and of climate change means

by rising sea levels, and that some 1.3

that reducing emissions slightly or

billion – or 20 percent of the global

even significantly is not sufficient.

population – live on lands that may be

“To spare future generations from

directly affected. The impacts become

the worst impacts of climate change,

years alone, humans have changed

greater as the warming and sea level

the target must be zero – or even

the climate on a global scale, initiating

rise increases.

negative carbon emissions – as soon

the Anthropocene, a new geological

as possible,” Clark said.

era with fundamentally altered

“We can’t keep building seawalls that are 25 meters high,” noted

“Taking the first steps is important,

Stocker said that in the last 50

living conditions for the next many

Clark, a professor in OSU’s College

but it is essential to see these as

thousands of years. “Because we do

of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric

the start of a path toward total

not know to what extent adaptation

Sciences. “Entire populations of cities

decarbonisation,” Schrag pointed

will be possible for humans and

will eventually have to move.” Daniel

out. “This means continuing to invest

ecosystems, all our efforts must

Schrag, the Sturgis Hooper Professor

in innovation that can someday

focus on a rapid and complete

of Geology at Harvard University, said

replace fossil fuels altogether. Partial

decarbonisation – the only option to

there are moral questions about, “what

reductions are not going to do the job.”

limit climate change,” Stocker said.

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT MARCH/APRIL

CARBON

‘Rich countries should be the ones coughing up for climate change’

Photo: 360b Shutterstock

President Jacob Zuma says the globe needs a legally binding agreement to cut carbon emissions. BY NASTASYA TAY AND MIA LINDEQUE

resident Jacob Zuma put cash front and centre in his address to world leaders at the COP21

AMBITIOUS ATTEMPT TO HOLD BACK THE EARTH’S RISING TEMPERATURES

climate talks in Paris at the end of

World leaders have launched an

last year.

ambitious attempt to hold back the

Speaking to the largest gathering

earth’s rising temperatures, with the

of heads of state in history, he said

French president saying the world

the globe needs a legally binding

is at ‘breaking point’ in the fight

agreement to cut carbon emissions,

against global warming. Hollande

but one that takes inequality into

told delegates that developed

account. Common but differentiated

countries must take responsibility.

responsibility was a sticking point in

“All the local leaders, investors,

negotiations for years. Now it comes

economic and social actors, citizens,

down to a matter of money. Should

even the great thinkers and religions

poor countries have to foot the bill

must move forward and know

for the damage to their countries that

that things have changed. This is

emissions from rich countries have

the key in order to rise up to the

caused? President Zuma says no.

climate challenge.”

Zuma wants rich countries to

Obama says decisive action

scale up their climate finance

and a lasting solution are needed.

commitments beyond the $100 billion

“Nothing will deter us from

a year from 2020 that they agreed to

building the future we want for our

not one of strong economies, nor is it

carbon dioxide emission over the

in Copenhagen. He says it is a legal

children. What greater rejection of

one where fragile states can find their

years and emerging countries must

obligation to support developing

those who tear down our world,

footing. That future is one that we

accelerate their energy transition.”

countries, otherwise privileged

than marshalling our best efforts to

have the power to change.”

nations will appear selfish. Analysts

save it. The declaration that for all

hope debates about cash won’t derail

the challenges we face, the growing

chief Ban Ki-moon said this is

been in years. Obama also added

the very sensitive talks and prevent a

threat of climate change could

a perfect opportunity for world

that one the greatest enemies

global deal.

define the contours of this century

leaders to change how the future.

they are fighting is cynicism. Trying

more dramatically than any other.”

“We have never faced such a curse,

to put the demons of the failed

Obama appeared to be on the same

a political momentum like this may

Copenhagen negotiations to bed,

track, hinting in his speech that they

not come again. But neither have

he acknowledged the responsibility

we encountered as such a great

of the United States in contributing

Concurrently, US President Barack

He further acknowledged that the

might be open to those discussions.

At the same time, United Nations

There was more optimism at these COP21 talks than there has

World leaders have called for a strong

US has also contributed massively

opportunity at this time; you have the

climate change and say they will help

will to act urgently to end climate

to the trouble the world finds itself in

power to secure the wellbeing of this

solve it.

change. Obama told delegates that

today, but vowed to work even harder

and succeeding generations.”

http://ewn.co.za/2015/11/30/

now is the time for lasting solutions.

to stop climate change.

Zumas-address-at-COP21-focuses-

change could define the contours of

of the world’s future that if drastic

PRESSURE MOUNTS FOR LEADERS

this century more dramatically than

action is not taken to stop climate

The pressure is also mounting as

any other. What should give us hope

change. “A glimpse of our children’s

world leaders acknowledge the

that this is a turning point, that this is

fate if the climate keeps changing

enormity and gravity of the task ahead

the moment we finally determine we

faster that our efforts to address

of them, with many calling for urgent,

would save our planet, is the fact that

it; submerge countries, abandoned

binding and sustainable solutions.

our nations share a sense of urgency

cities, fields that no longer grow

about this challenge and a growing

and even more floods of desperate

said: “Developed countries must take

realisation that it is within our power

peoples seeking the sanctuary of

on their historic responsibility. They

to do something about it.”

nations not their own. That future is

are the ones who’ve emitted the most

Obama has painted a bleak picture

“The growing threat of climate

MARCH/APRIL 2016 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

French President Francois Hollande

on-money

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT MARCH/APRIL

CARBON

South Africa needs to get better at responding to environmental signals

COMMENT BY DR MARCO LOTZ, SUSTAINABILITY CARBON SPECIALIST ost people who are

but it seems this has already been

an increased tax burden on polluters.

This is because of the financier’s trust

concerned about the

pushed to the back of our minds

There was even an outcry to be more

in the asset value of the car.

environment would

by what we consider to be more

sustainable at the recent Oscars. So

have taken note of the

immediate concerns.

what is holding us back from achieving

panels or solar water heaters?

these great goals? I have my views.

Arguably not, as these pieces of

At the end of 2015 there were

United Nations’ climate conference

Can we say the same for solar

at the end of 2015. This meeting is

arguably no bigger immediate

commonly referred to as COP21 as it

concerns for South Africans than

of progress, in my opinion, are the

resale value. So we do not trust the

was the 21st Conference of the Parties.

the fast-depreciating rand and other

short time horizons of investors.

asset value of such equipment and

A simple version of the outcome is

domestic developments, including

Frequently, investment time horizons

it is funded accordingly. This implies

that countries will start to disclose

the upcoming National Budget

are between 12 and 18 months,

that my creditworthiness is mainly

their greenhouse gas (GHG) pollution

Speech. Many people, including me,

with quarterly feedback sessions

used as security to fund such assets

rates by 2020, which must be in

waited to hear whether there would

on progress in financial growth.

because the resale of the asset is

accordance with agreed pollution

be any mention of the proposed

But before we are too hard on the

questionable. This view has enormous

limits to keep global warming below

domestic carbon tax in the Budget

institutional investors looking

limitations as it implies that solar

2 °C, and ideally below 1,5 °C. This is

Speech. There was none. Afterwards,

after our pension funds, we must

panels and solar water heaters are

an enormously strong international

one school of thought said that the

remember that they simply execute

funded as expenses, like an overseas

environmental signal to the market,

proposed domestic carbon tax was

on the mandates we provide. How

trip, and not as an asset, like a car. This

clearly not important as it had not

often do we ask where our money

ultimately impacts on the clients of

been mentioned. Another school

goes, how it is used and how we

the manufacturers and retailers.

of thought, however, said that one

incentivise the people who administer

should look at the annexures of the

our money? Remember, some

consumer base is changing worldwide

Budget Speech that do refer to the

sustainable investments could have

and Generation-Y might make our

proposed domestic carbon tax, and

longer performance time horizons,

business models look outdated before

that the tax will probably be tabled to

which make them less attractive

we have time to adjust. There is a

Parliament in 2016.

to investors who are rewarded for

growing awareness among young

performance over the shorter term.

people because they care about

Whatever the outcome, I think it is safe to say that there have been clear Dr. Marco Lotz

The first major reason for a lack

A second major concern for me is

equipment currently have little

But times are changing. Our

environmental issues. This is not a

signals from government in the past

the way we define an asset. I know

simple sentiment instilled only in

few years that pollution, in its broader

there is a more accurate textbook

the affluent youth; lower-income

sense, will be taxed more heavily in

definition, but to me an asset is

groups also have an environmental

future. One example of this increased

something that can be sold in order

consciousness, combined with a price

pollution tax in the Budget Speech was

to recover money. According to this

sensitivity, which businesses currently

the increased levy on plastic bags.

definition, a car is an asset. While my

struggle to cater for.

So, we have increased international

creditworthiness is important to the

The older generations might still be

pressure to be more green or

financier when I buy a car, there is

arguing about the asset value of the

sustainable and we have domestic

also a belief that the money I owe on

technologies as Generation-Y puts us

developments that imply there will be

the car can be recovered by selling it.

out of business.

MARCH/APRIL 2016 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

iSimangaliso signs historic contract to restore Lake St Lucia

he R10 million contract with Cyclone Engineering Projects is the culmination of five years’ work by

iSimangaliso and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife. Cyclone Engineering will be removing some 100 000m3 of dredge spoil (sand, silt and vegetation) that was placed in the natural course of the uMfolozi River impeding its flow into Lake St Lucia. With the support of the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) and World Bank, a further R20-million has been allocated by iSimangaliso to continue the

The mouth of the Lake St Lucia

work of restoring Africa’s largest

system in 1937 (left) and 2013

estuarine system.

(right). The 2013 photograph

“This is a landmark moment that

shows the dredge spoil pile that

will stand alongside the day in 1996

was placed in the river course

when former President Mandela

from the 1950s for a period to

and his cabinet saved Lake St Lucia

try and separate the uMfolozi

from dune mining. This marks the

River from Lake St Lucia. The

beginning of nature’s renewal and

yellow boundary shows the

a return to wholeness for the Lake

first portion of dredge spoil

St Lucia system,” said iSimangaliso

that will be removed by Cyclone

CEO Andrew Zaloumis, on signing

Engineering (Pty) Ltd. The

an agreement with Cyclone Engineering’s Gerrit van Ryssen.

equipment, adapted for salt From left: Gerrit van Ryssen, Andrew Zaloumis, Bronwyn James (iSimangaliso GEF Project Manager), Nicolette Forbes (Estuarine Ecologist, Marine and Estuarine Research)

water use, will be on site in May.

THE HISTORY OF LAKE ST LUCIA’S SEPARATION

separate the uMfolozi River from the

It also interfered with nature’s ability

This was first proclaimed in 1895. It

The uMfolozi floodplain was modified

St Lucia Estuary in 1952 by depositing

to regulate the opening and the

was also recognised as a wetland of

in the 1900s for sugarcane farming.

dredge spoil in the natural course of

closing of the estuary mouth.

international significance and made

This modification comprised inter

the river impeding its flow to the St

Today, the impacts of this

alia the canalisation of the uMfolozi

Lucia Estuary and artificially breaching

approach are still evident. With

largest estuarine lake and comprises

River and the clearing of indigenous

the uMfolozi River into the sea at the

current rainfall levels the lowest

over 60 percent of South Africa’s

wetlands. This raised red flags about

south near Maphelane to prevent its

in 65 years, the Lake system has

estuarine area and 90 percent of its

the possible impacts of silt/sediment

natural northward migration.

a Ramsar site in 1986. It is Africa’s

compartmentalised. Presently,

protected estuarine area. It is one of

Dredge spoil was deposited on and

only some 30 percent of the Lake’s

five coastal estuaries in South Africa.

vegetation that ordinarily acted as a

off until early 2000. This significantly

surface area has water and species

filter for the water was no longer.

reduced freshwater to Lake St Lucia

on the estuarine system – the

To mitigate this risk to the system, measures were taken to partially

from the uMfolozi River, the largest of the five rivers entering the system.

recovery is slow. And so in 2011/12, iSimangaliso

South Africa is a water scarce country and finds itself in one of the worst droughts in living memory.

with Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife

Innovation is key to conserving and

launched its publicly consulted

managing our water resources. The

management strategy for the

struggle to save Lake St Lucia is

Lake St Lucia Estuary: minimum

central to this issue. Estuaries, with

interference, no artificial breaching

their surrounding wetlands, comprise

and the re-establishment of the

some of the most productive yet

natural river course.

threatened eco-systems in the world. They are important in the moderation

A UNIQUE RESOURCE

of global climatic conditions,

The world recognised the uniqueness

naturally improve water quality, and

of Lake St Lucia, when it said there “is

provide important economic and

no other place like this on the globe”

recreational opportunities. They form

and accorded it the privilege of World

a vital link between marine, aquatic

Heritage status. Lake St Lucia is the

and terrestrial eco-systems.

world’s oldest protected estuary.

www.isimangaliso.com

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT MARCH/APRIL

MARCH/APRIL 2016 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Reducing water consumption in manufacturing eading South African

and waste management initiatives

flooring manufacturer,

have been implemented. These have

Belgotex Floors have

not only reduced their consumption

implemented stringent

and managed any pollution, but also

water management and operational

resulted in significant cost savings

changes to address the water crisis

and product improvements. These

in South Africa. EM examines how

initiatives include an on-site water

the company has reduced water

treatment plant, swopping water-

consumption in manufacturing.

intensive processes and product lines

Water management and conservation was identified as a key

to more efficient alternatives, and rain water harvesting.

sustainability priority for Belgotex’s ongoing “Green Journey”, which began

WATER CONSERVATION

in 1991 and focuses on resource

A Total Water Management (TWM)

efficiency and cleaner production at

system was implemented, reducing

their Pietermaritzburg-based factory.

the factory’s water consumption by

The current drought deepens the

40 percent since 2009. This includes

imperative to reduce consumption and

an on-site effluent treatment plant

institute further effective waste water

which removes chemicals and oils

management and recycling systems. Since Belgotex’s certification to

drought conditions (with projections

before discharge into the municipal

WATER-EFFICIENT PRODUCTION PROCESS AND PRODUCT LINES

sewage system. All water lines were

The adoption of a dry-manufacturing

being purchased directly from the

ISO 14001 Environmental Standards

also raised above ground so that leaks

process and complete switch in

municipality. This investment also

in 2009, several water conservation

would become evident very quickly.

production and product development

allows certain production processes

to only solution dyed (SDX) ranges

to continue during unexpected

resulted in a 100 percent reduction

leakages or breakdowns in the

in water consumption for yarn

municipal supply.

processing, as well as reductions in

of a deepening crisis), this project reduced operational costs due to less

“We are continuously upgrading

chemical and energy inputs. Replacing

our machinery and processes and

wet space-dyed processes and

pushing the limits for operational

products with SDX not only reduced

efficiency,” explains chief operations

water consumption and chemical

officer Kevin Walsh.

waste output, but also improved

“Our lifecycle management approach,

the stainproof characteristics of

which we undertook for our recent

their carpets, offering superior

LCARate (LifeCycle Analysis) where we

colourfastness and fade resistance to

were rated Silver, enables us to quantify

its consumers.

our water consumption per functional unit. This helps us reduce the associated

RAINWATER HARVESTING

environmental and financial impacts

The company’s Rainwater Harvesting

appropriately facilitating responsible

Initiative (RWH) in 2015 uses

consumption of our natural resources

rainwater stored from their factory

and capital,” he concluded.

roofs in non-critical applications and achieved a 24 percent reduction

(033) 897-7500

in municipal water consumption.

CT (021) 763-6900

Future targets for water usage are

JHB (011) 380-9300

set at 45 percent less. Not only

www.belgotexfloors.co.za

does this protect a scarce resource

www.facebook.com/belgotex

increasingly pressurised by severe

Twitter: @ belgotex

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT MARCH/APRIL

WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT Atlas Copco’s Water for All project changes the lives of primary school children in KZN

Water for all

hrough the Water for All project, Atlas Copco, a leading provider of sustainable industrial

productivity solutions, sets out to make clean, potable water a possibility for all and the latest beneficiaries of this remarkable initiative are learners from the Mhlazane Primary School in Rorke’s Drift, Kwa-Zulu–Natal.

that is gripping large regions of

The Water for All project finances

southern Africa, the importance of

the installation of infrastructure and

this project cannot be overstated,”

facilities that promote accessibility

notes Kgothatso. “Water gives

to clean water for disadvantaged

life and the Water for All project

communities in the rural areas.

is making a difference in the lives

The project was first introduced to

of many people and is also in line

the Rorke’s Drift area in 2011 and

with Atlas Copco’s commitment to

commenced with the drilling of

sustainable productivity through

three boreholes by Atlas Copco,

standing by our responsibilities

in association with local NGO, the

towards our customers, our

David Rattray Foundation. “Mhlazane

environment and the people around

Primary school was one of the

us. The school visit was a huge

beneficiaries of the project which

success; the board members were

was completed in late 2012,” explains

most impressed with the efforts

Kgothatso Ntsie, Atlas Copco South

and left feeling proud of their

Africa’s Corporate Communications

association with Atlas Copco.’

Water for All is Atlas Copco’s

Manager, South and sub-Sahara Africa. Prior to the introduction of the

primary community engagement

boreholes, the school of over 465

initiative that was founded by

learners, collected water from the river

Copco’s Senior Vice President of

must see to it that we continue doing

Atlas Copco employees in Sweden

or depended on rainwater harvested

Corporate Communications and

these projects.”

31 years ago. This non-profit,

in Jojo tanks. However, this has now

Corporate Governance as well as

Atlas Copco donated 10 soccer

all changed thanks to the Water for All

Peter Wallenberg Jr, whose father

balls to the learners and the cheerful

representation in over 40 countries

initiative which has made a huge and

helped start the initiative back in 1984.

atmosphere became even more festive

and supports projects all over

positive impact on the school. Easier

Peter Wallenberg Jr gave a moving

when the learners entertained the

the world. Through voluntary

access to water is facilitating some of

speech on the history of the Water for

delegation with singing and dancing.

donations boosted by the Atlas

the primary school’s projects including

All initiative where Atlas Copco is one

School Principal, Mrs Ndlovu, was

Copco Group, this organisation has

the vegetable garden which is used in

of the larger contributors.

thrilled to have international guests at

thus far provided clean drinking

her school and expressed her gratitude

water to more than 1.5-million

which has opened the eyes of the

stating that the project had changed

people around the globe. The

of eight Atlas Copco board members

board members to a region that has

their lives for the better and has

local Water for All initiative was

visited Mhlazane Primary School

not has any rainfall since April 2015 and

alleviated some of the many problems

started in 2009 and has provided

to witness the project’s efforts and

to see the good effect this project is

they were experiencing in the area.

clean water for disadvantaged

growth in South Africa.

having on the school,” remarks Peter.

Grade 7 learner, Amanda Ndebele, says

communities in KZN and Limpopo,

“Atlas Copco South Africa was host

Commenting on the good work being

that they are so grateful for this project

thanks to the generous support of

to the very first visit by board members

done by the David Rattray Foundation

because it is very important to drink

approximately 15 percent of Atlas

to a Water for All project site,” says a

helping some 19 schools in the area,

water especially during this drought

Copco employees.

very proud Ntsie.

Peter highlights the fact that such a

when temperatures are extremely high.

www.atlascopcogroup.com

their learner feeding scheme. On 13 November 2015, a delegation

The delegation included Atlas

“This is an exceptional experience

small foundation can do so much. “We

MARCH/APRIL 2016 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

“Given the protracted drought

employee-run initiative enjoys

www.water4all.org/us

secret that one the greatest challenges facing the planet our increasing dependence our It’sIt’s nono secret that one ofof the greatest challenges facing the planet is is our increasing dependence onon our scarcest and most valuable natural resource – water. scarcest and most valuable natural resource – water.

TripleOrange Orangemeans... means... Triple

Booming population growth and escalating industrialisation has dramatically affected both quantity and Booming population growth and escalating industrialisation has dramatically affected both thethe quantity and quality of increasingly limited natural resources, with the most visible negative impact felt across oceans, quality of increasingly limited natural resources, with the most visible negative impact felt across oceans, lakes, rivers and subterranean water sources. lakes, rivers and subterranean water sources.

Chemicalfree freecleaning cleaning Chemical

Water pollution has many sources – domestic and industrial garbage, dirt and gravel, masonry and concrete, Water pollution has many sources – domestic and industrial garbage, dirt and gravel, masonry and concrete, scrap metals, trash, solvents, chemicals, weed grass, wood and scrap lumber account over billion scrap metals, trash, oil,oil, solvents, chemicals, weed grass, wood and scrap lumber account forfor over sixsix billion kilograms trash dumped into natural water sources every year. Much this polluted water has become kilograms of of trash dumped into natural water sources every year. Much of of this polluted water has become unsuitableforforhuman humanconsumption consumption– –whether whetherforfordrinking, drinking,recreation, recreation,agriculture agricultureororindustry industry– –and andhas has unsuitable damaged aquatic such extent that aquatic animals become extinct five times faster than land animals. damaged aquatic lifelife toto such anan extent that aquatic animals become extinct five times faster than land animals.

Incredibledegreasing degreasingproperties properties Incredible

Studies have shown that increased levels toxicity water have contributed a significant rise people Studies have shown that increased levels of of toxicity in in water have contributed toto a significant rise in in people sufferingfrom fromallergies, allergies,headaches, headaches,depression, depression,Alzheimer’s, Alzheimer’s,cancer, cancer,chronic chronicfatigue fatigueand andother otherailments. ailments. suffering More critically, million children under age five every year a result consuming polluted water. More critically, 1515 million children under thethe age of of five diedie every year asas a result of of consuming polluted water.

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LANDSCAPE

BY STEVE CONNOR, SCIENCE EDITOR, THE INDEPENDENT â&#x20AC;&#x201C; LONDON

Scientists warn of a massive tidal wave from Canary Island volcano

wave MARCH/APRIL 2016 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megatsunami

wave higher than Nelson’s Column and travelling faster than a jet aircraft will

devastate the eastern seaboard

LANDSCAPE

Nelsons column in Trafalgar Square, London, stands at

53 meters high

valuable window of time in which to plan and respond,” he said.

of America and inundate much of

BRITAIN MAY BE HIT BY A MONSTER WAVE

southern Britain, say scientists who have analysed the effects of a future volcanic eruption in the

Scientists warn that the UK would

Canary Islands.

probably not escape the disaster

A massive slab of rock twice the

unscathed. A weaker, but still hugely

volume of the Isle of Man would break

destructive, wave is likely to hit Britain’s

away from the island of La Palma

Atlantic coastline.

and smash into the Atlantic Ocean

Travelling at speeds of up to

to cause a tsunami – a monster

800 kilometres, the tsunami would be

wave – bigger than any recorded, the

water 900 metres high and tens of

scientists have warned..

kilometres wide. The bow of this

much smaller when it reached Britain,

is expected to be the West Saharan

collapsing dome of water would

it would still breach sea defences

coast of Morocco, where the wave may

equivalent to the combined output

become a giant wave, but also, as

because it would be larger than the

measure an awesome 100 meters from

of America’s power stations for six

the landslide continued to move

biggest storm waves for which they

crest to trough.

months, would travel westwards to

underwater, a series of crests and

were designed, Dr Day said. “For low-

the American coast but enough would

troughs would soon generate the

lying land along the south coast it

Florida, Brazil and the Caribbean

be flicked north towards the English

‘wave train’ of the tsunami.

could penetrate up to a mile,” he said.

are expected to suffer the greatest

Most of the wave’s energy,

Channel to cause catastrophic coastal damage. A computer model has been designed to show the way the tsunami

With the leading wave in front and

Even though the wave would be

an unstoppable force. Its first target

But the built up coastal areas of

Although there is little doubt that

destruction, according to a new

crests pushing it on behind, it would

the landslide on La Palma will happen

forecast by Dr Simon Day, of the

sustain the power for the nine-hour

after a volcanic eruption, the difficulty

Benfield Greig Hazard Research Centre

journey to the American east coast.

is knowing exactly when it will occur.

at University College London.

will build after the volcano, called

Tsunami means harbour wave in

Cumbre Vieja, erupts on La Palma,

Japanese and, though the occurrence

at intervals of decades to a century

of 50 meters – higher than Nelson’s

at the western end of the Spanish

has nothing to do with the tides, it is

or so and there may be a number of

column – and travel up to eight

island chain. It describes the almost

often called a tidal wave in English.

eruptions before its collapse,” Dr Day

kilometres inland flattening everything

unimaginable scale of an event that

Throughout history they have caused

said. “Although the year-to-year

in its path.

the scientists say could happen at any

widespread devastation, with

probability of a collapse is therefore

Previous research by Dr Day

time within the foreseeable future.

Britain last being affected by one in

low, the resulting tsunami would be

predicted that a future eruption of

“We’re looking at an event that

“Eruptions of Cumbre Vieja occur

Here, the wave may reach heights

1755 when an earthquake in Lisbon

a major disaster with indirect effects

the Cumbre Vieja volcano was likely

could be decades or a century away -

caused an unusually large wave to hit

around the world.”

to cause the western flank of the

but there will be a degree of warning

southern ports.

The scientists are calling for better

mountain to slide into the sea.

The computer model, compiled in

warning instruments to be placed

the Benfield Greg Hazard Research

collaboration with Steven Ward of the

on La Palma so that an impending

could be equal to the electricity

Centre at University College London.

University of California, Santa Cruz,

eruption can be detected quickly

consumption of the entire US in

predicts that the tsunami will have

enough to alert other areas that

six months.

Cumbre Vieja is unstable enough to

a height of 100 metres from crest to

might be affected by a tsunami.

be dislodged in the next big eruption

trough when it crashes into the shores

of the volcano, which is active enough

of nearby north-west Africa. By the

monitored closely for any signs of

now produced a new model which

to explode at least once or twice a

time it reached its final destination,

impending volcanic activity and

predicts more accurately how big the

century. Its last big event was in 1949.

the east coast of Florida and the

for the deformation that would

tsunami will be and where it will strike.

Caribbean islands, the tsunami would

precede collapse. The collapse will

still be up to 50 metres high.

occur during some future eruption

stridently differing views about

beforehand,” said Simon Day, of

Most of the rocky western flank of

Such a landslide from a future eruption could travel up to 60 kilometres from La Palma’s

Low-lying land in Florida would be

“Cumbre Vieja needs to be

The energy released by the collapse

Working with Dr Steven Ward, from the University of California, Dr Day has

Geologists and volcanologists hold

after days or weeks of precursory

whether an eruption on the Cumbre

coast, causing the formation

vulnerable to a sea wave that would

deformation and earthquakes,”

Vieja would cause a single large

and then collapse of a dome of

inundate the mainland for several

Dr Day predicted.

gravitational landslide or a series of

kilometres inland. Everything in its

Did you know

“An effective earthquake

smaller landslides, or whether a slide

path would be flattened, the computer

monitoring system could provide

is likely at all. Day and Ward have

model predicted.

advanced warning of a likely

admitted that their original analysis

collapse and allow early emergency

of the danger was based on several

management organisations a

worst case assumption, but still agree that it could happen and our global

The Pacific Oc ean is prone to earthquake-in duced tsunam is caused by the so-called ring of fire volcanoes that girdle it. Ten le thal big waves have struck Japan, Ha waii, Alaska, Chile, Nicaragua an d New Guinea over th e past 100 year s.

landscape will change.

One of the mos

t terrifying rred in 1792 w hen part of the Un zen volcano in Japan collapsed into the sea, settin g up 100m waves th at killed 15 00 0 people in near by fishing villa ges. tsunamis occu

In 1868, a pow erful tsunam i killed 10 000 people when it smas hed into the coast of Peru with en ough energy to carry an American warship three kilomet res inland.

When the Indo nesian volcano of Krakatoa blew itself apart in 18 83 , it generated a w ave that killed 36 00 0 inhabitants of Java and Sum atra.

Just 13 years la ter, in 1896, Japanese deep -water fisherm en returned to th eir home port s to find their homes de stroyed and 26 000 dead from a ts unami that m ust have slipped below the keels of th eir ships without them noticing.

WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

South Africa’s Black Mambas

“

The Black Mambas are

has seen them pick up their second

Park. In the 12 months after, fatalities

winning the war on poaching,”

international conservation award

were reduced to just three rhinos.

disadvantaged communities on the

insists Siphiwe Sithole. “We

recently.

Thousands of snares to catch

border of the park, have been given

have absolutely zero tolerance

Since forming in 2013, the Black

The 26 Mambas, all from

animals for bush-meat have

six weeks of paramilitary training and

for rhino poaching and the illegal

Mambas have seen a 76 percent

been removed, 10 poacher camps

wildlife education and work alongside

wildlife trade. The poachers will

reduction in snaring and poaching

destroyed, three bush-meat kitchens

29 armed guards and an intelligence

fall – but it will not be with guns and

incidents within their area of

put out of action and six poachers

team that seeks to stop the poachers

bullets.”

operation in Balule nature reserve in

arrested. Such is their success

before they can kill.

the north-east. As well as the famous

that South Africa’s national parks

members of South Africa’s Black

big five, the 40 000-hectare private

authority is looking at replicating the

that local people from disadvantaged

Mambas, the world’s first all-female

reserve is home to zebra, antelope,

model, with plans for another team

communities can get jobs and

anti-poaching unit that has captured

wildebeest, cheetah, giraffe, hippos,

of six female rangers.

education in the reserves too. Being

the public’s imagination. But it’s their

crocodiles and hundreds of species of

success in reducing rhino deaths and

trees and birds.

Sithole and Felicia Mogakane are

breaking down the barriers between

In the six months before the

The Mambas were founded by

It is hoped the Mambas can show

role models for ‘social upliftment’, and

Craig Spencer, head warden of Balule,

educating the local community is how

to act as an unarmed but visible

the war on poaching will be won – not with guns and bullets, they say.

poor communities and elite wildlife

Mambas were set up, 16 rhinos were

frontline presence in the ongoing

reserves that is their most powerful

lost in Balule, one of several private

battle against the poaching of rhino

weapon in the war on poaching, and

reserves bordering Kruger National

and other endangered species.

Courtesy of Guardian News & Media Ltd.

DRC announces intent to reopen its rainforests to logging companies BY MORGAN ERICKSON-DAVIS

he Democratic

DRC government seems to be

Republic of the

undermining the commitment

Congo (DRC) has

to reducing emissions that

DRC’s forests to new logging

one of the world’s

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has the world’s second-largest tract of rainforest, home to unique and threatened species like okapis and bonobos.

MARCH/APRIL 2016 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

The move to reopen the

it presented [at December’s

companies is reportedly driven

biggest remaining tracts of

Paris climate summit],” said

by economic benefits, according

rainforest (second only to

Lars Løvold of Rainforest

to a statement by Environment

the Amazon in size), home to

Foundation Norway.

Minister Robert Bopolo Bogeza,

unique and threatened species

Did you know

water, and other needs.

Congo Basin rainforest

who said measures are already

like okapis and bonobos. In

covers the northern half of the

effort to protect its forests,

DRC, much of it still existing

the DRC implemented a

as Intact Forest Landscapes

refute the move would

moratorium in 2002 that

(IFLs) – an official term for

benefit the DRC’s economy,

prohibited the granting of

tracts of primary forest that are

saying the financial gain

industrial logging licenses. But

big and undisturbed enough

would be negligible for the

recently, the DRC government

to retain their original levels of

average citizen. Instead of

announced that it is considering

biodiversity. In their depths live

encouraging industrial logging,

ending the moratorium and

species found nowhere else, like

conservationists say the DRC

reopening its rainforest to new

the endangered okapi (Okapia

government should focus on

logging companies.

johnstoni) and bonobo (Pan

long-term forest protection

“At a time when the global

paniscus), and the critically

and community investment to

community is working together

endangered Dryas monkey

help mitigate climate change,

to protect the world’s last

(Cercopithecus dryas). Around

preserve biodiversity, and

rainforests, a vital defense

40 million people depend on

maintain livelihoods.

against climate change, the

the DRC’s forests for food, fuel,

www.mongabay.com

underway to lift the ban. But conservationists

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ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT MARCH/APRIL