Environmental Management
Southern Africa’s leading sustainable development publication
www.emmagazine.co.za September/October2015
‘Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter’ - Martin Luther King Jr
CLEAN-UP WEEK
DRONES PLANT TREES
LIONS BRED FOR THE BULLET
Tribe Sauce | TG R C 07 / 1 5/ E M M 004
ALL GOOD THINGS COME FROM NATURE
Since the beginning, when the earth itself was formed, nature has given us a substance that today forms an integral part of our lives – glass. Not merely a socially conventional activity, recycling glass makes a material difference – saving energy, water and natural resources, while reducing waste to landfill. Glass can also be recycled an unlimited number of times without compromising its quality and the product integrity is thereby retained. When using recycled glass (cullet) there is no wastage in the melting process – one ton of cullet will generate one ton of bottles. In contrast it takes approximately 1.2 tons of raw material to manufacture 1 ton of glass. To find out where the nearest glass bank is in your area, SMS* the word: GLASS and the name of your suburb to 32310 or visit our website. *SMS costs R1.00
@TGRC
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ED’S NOTE
Contents
BY SAMANTHA MORGAN
Dear Reader
04 TAKE NOTE
As we stride towards summer, and rejoice that the chill of winter is fast disappearing, it is hard to believe that temperature statistics published by NASA, by the Japan Meteorological Agency, and the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the USA show that the average global land and ocean temperature for July was the hottest for any month since record-keeping began in 1880.
WWF SA Living Planet 2015 award winner ..................................04 Honouring heroes ..........................06 Unearthing South Africa’s future engineers............................ 09
Land temperature last month was
year between 2002 and 2006, while
longer optional – it is a necessity.
0.96˚C above the 20th-century
the Antarctic lost 152km3 between
National Clean-Up and Recycle Week
average, while that of the sea was
2002 and 2005.
South Africa takes place from 14 – 19
0.75˚C above the average. The
To add, increased carbon dioxide
September. This is a time to reflect on
combined temperature of the land
emissions have had other effects,
what we have around us. If we protect
and sea was 0.81˚C above the
such as increasing the acidity of the
and nurture the environment, we are
20th-century average.
oceans. The Industrial Revolution,
safeguarding our own health.
NASA reports that in Africa, the
widely recognised as marking the
average temperature for July was the
beginning of the sharp increase in
Sustainability at Plastics SA and
second highest on record, the hottest
carbon emissions brought about
Chairman of the National Recycling
being in 2002.
by human activity, has resulted in
Forum (NRF) says: “Mother Nature
the acidity of surface ocean waters
supplies us with the food we eat,
caused mainly by our fossil fuel
increasing by about 30 percent, as the
the air we breathe, and the water we
economy, are being measured in
ocean absorbs increasing amounts
drink. If our environment isn’t clean
other ways, such as melting glaciers.
of carbon from the air. The amount
and healthy, neither are we.”
NOAA said the average Arctic Sea
of carbon dioxide absorbed by the
ice extent in July last year was 9.5
upper layer of the world’s oceans is
percent below the 1981 to 2010
increasing by about 2 billion
average. Worryingly, Greenland lost
tons a year.
The effects of global warming,
between 150 and 250km3 of ice per
As Douw Steyn, Director:
Let’s clean-up and recycle – it is an investment for a sustainable future. Enjoy the read!
Taking care of our planet is no
Sami
The new look Environmental Management - Keeping you up to date
12 SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS & SERVICES
Print and paper industry goes green..........................................13 How do we contain our waste? ........................................ 15
16 ENVIRONMENTAL REHABILITATION
Sustainable land-use practices ........................................... 16 Oil and chemical pollution control by Spill Tech ...................... 18
20 ENERGY Mercury treatment tecniques of compact flourescent lamps ......20
22 DEFORESTATION Reversing deforestation using drones .................................... 22
24 WILDLIFE CONSERVATION
COVER STORY
Bred for the bullet ........................ 24 Plight of the pangolin .................. 26
28 LANDSCAPE 2 000 year-old termite mound .............................. 28
30 CLASSIFIEDS THE TEAM EDITORIAL
SUBSCRIPTIONS
CONTACT
HEAD OFFICE: New Media House,
EDITOR: Samantha Morgan
Felicity Garbers
Johannesburg
19 Bree Street, Cape Town, 8001
CELL: 082 218 6273
EMAIL: felicity.garbers@newmediapub.co.za
Ground floor, Media Park, 69 Kingsway Avenue,
POSTAL ADDRESS: PO Box 440,
Auckland Park, 2092
Green Point, Cape Town, 8051
EMAIL: samanthamorgan@telkomsa.net LAYOUT: Julia van Schalkwyk
PUBLISHING TEAM
TEL: +27 (0)11 877 6111 FAX: +27 (0)11 713 9024
TEL: +27 (0)21 417 1111 FAX: +27 (0)21 417 1112
SUB EDITOR: Gill Abrahams
GENERAL MANAGER: Dev Naidoo
POSTAL ADDRESS: PO Box 784698,
Email: newmedia@newmediapub.co.za
COVER IMAGE : Ian Michler and Blood Lions
PUBLISHING MANAGER: Sandra Ladas
Sandton, Johannesburg, 2146
EMAIL: sandra.ladas@newmediapub.co.za
ADVERTISING
PRODUCTION MANAGER: Angela Silver
EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS
ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE
ART DIRECTOR: David Kyslinger
GROUP COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR: John Psillos
Samantha Morgan
MANAGING DIRECTOR: Bridget McCarney
CELL: 082 218 6273
Published on behalf of Media24 Magazines
EMAIL: samanthamorgan@telkomsa.net
by New Media Publishing (PTY) Ltd.
NON EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Irna van Zyl
SOURCES: Shutterstock, supplied images, editorial staff. While precautions have been taken to ensure the accuracy of its contents and information given to readers, neither the editor, publisher, or its agents can accept responsibility for damages or injury which may arise therefrom. All rights reserved. © Environmental Management. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, photocopying, electronic, mechanical or otherwise without the prior written permission of the copyright owners.
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT JULY/AUGUST 2015
4
AWARDS
iSimangaliso Wetland Park CEO named WWF SA Living Planet 2015 Award winner
A
ndrew Zaloumis has
acknowledge my former “boss” Valli
been named the winner
Moosa who was there at the start,
conservation practices. “The WWF SA Living Planet 2015
of the WWF SA Living
and thank all the people who have
Award is our premier award and
Planet 2015 Award for
inspired me and worked alongside me
Andrew is an immensely deserving
his dedicated role in conservation and
to make this a reality. Also, a special
winner,” commented Dr Morné du
sustainable development.
thank you to my family, especially
Plessis, CEO of WWF South Africa.
The honour was bestowed on the
my father, who inspired my love for
Addressing the importance of the
CEO of iSimangaliso Wetland Park
iSimangaliso. This has been and is a
award, Marco Lambertini, Director
at the World Wide Fund for Nature
team effort,” said Zaloumis.
General of WWF International,
(WWF) South Africa Living Planet
Under Zaloumis’ leadership,
explained that recipients can be
the 322 000 hectare iSimangaliso
catalysts beyond even their own
Wetland Park, which includes eight
expectations – which is the purpose
Hotel in Johannesburg, Zaloumis
percent of South Africa’s coastline,
of recognising their efforts. “WWF
credited the extraordinary World
was proclaimed and listed as
believes that it is these ambitious,
Heritage Site where he works as
South Africa’s first UNESCO World
cooperative and inspirational actions
allowing him to bring together his
Heritage site in 1999. His work has
which, when aggregated together,
deep-seated passion for human rights-
resulted in the economic turnaround
can halt the destruction of the
based development and conservation.
of the Park with meaningful
natural world and build a future
empowerment and benefits to local
where people live in harmony with
communities and more sustainable
nature,” he said.
Conference 2015. Accepting the award at the Maslow
“I would like to thank the WWF for this award. I would like to
Two South Africans receive Prince Bernhard Scholarships
T
wo South Africans,
because the organisation sees value
Lameez Eksteen and
in my work. I am very grateful.”
Kholosa Magudu, have been awarded the
Magudu says she will put the funds towards travel costs in order that she
prestigious WWF Prince Bernhard
may attend local conferences. She
Scholarships for nature conservation.
will also use some of the funding to
Every year these scholarships
support the payment of her tuition
are awarded to individuals from
costs. Her Masters research focuses
developing countries who wish to
on the role of naturally functioning
pursue formal studies or professional
ecosystems in improving in-stream
training in this sector.
water quality in urban areas.
The scholarship supports mid-career
Says Lameez Eksteen “To be
training (up to a maximum of
selected as a recipient is a great
one year) for individuals working
honour which I hold in high esteem.
in the field of conservation or
This award will support my
associated disciplines directly
professional growth in the sector
relevant to the delivery and
about which I am so passionate.”
promotion of conservation. Upon receiving news of the award,
Likewise, Eksteen will put the funding towards her tuition costs and
embracing her work at WWF South Africa.
Kholosa Magudu, who is a water
regular travel to Rhodes University
health scientist at the Duzi-uMngeni
where she is conducting her Masters
both recipients and wishes them the
Conservation Trust said, “It is so
research on green career guidance.
very best with their further studies.
fulfilling to receive an award like
As South Africa transitions toward a
this from the WWF. I am honoured
green economy, she looks forward to
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
WWF South Africa congratulates
www.wwf.org.za
recycling is soooooooo easy!
To find out exactly how simple it really is, check out the POLYCO How-To videos on Youtube!
Visit www.youtube.com and search POLYCO SOUTH AFRICA to meet our dynamic duo!
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6
AWARDS
Honouring
heroes
T
he heroic actions of
those who fight for the conservation of the rhino were recently
acknowledged, celebrated and rewarded at the Rhino Conservation Awards, held on 27 July in Johannesburg. His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco, Patron of the Awards, delivered the keynote address at the event, congratulated the winners for their exemplary efforts and was presented with the Grand Patron Award by Dr Michael Kaschke, Carl Zeiss President and Chief Executive Officer. The annual Rhino Conservation Awards, which were founded by Dr. Larry Hansen, are held in collaboration with the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) of South Africa and the Game Rangers’ Association of Africa (GRAA). Cofounder of the Awards, Ms Xiaoyang Yu, Founder Partner of China New Enterprise Investment (CNEI), cosponsored the Awards with ZEISS. Notably, the Awards were held in the same week as World Ranger Day, which is celebrated on the 31 July. to save their lives by creating mask
Nominations for the Awards were invited from African rhino range
moulds for the exposed nasal cavity,
states. From the many nominations
protecting the opening long enough
received, a short-list of finalists was
for healing to occur) and Piet Beytell
made and, from this list, the winners
(Principle Conservation Scientist
were chosen.
for the Ministry of Environment and Tourism [MET], Namibia).
The winner in the Best Field Ranger category was Patrick Mwita. With
conducts anti-poaching operations
for the highest sentence ever handed
intense knowledge of the black
and focuses on educating the
down in a rhino poaching matter)
the Best Awareness, Education or
rhino population in the Southern
communities surrounding the Balule
and Adv Ansie Venter (appointed as
Funding category. She is the founder
Serengeti, Patrick effectively monitors
Nature Reserve in the benefits of
one of the Specialised Prosecutors,
of StopRhinoPoaching.com which
the animals and has also bravely
conservation and rhino protection.
Organised Crime, Mpumalanga
has an international and national
responsible for prosecuting rhino
footprint, focusing on funding
poaching cases).
of security initiatives and ranger
averted armed poaching attempts.
Taking the win in the Best Political
He spends an immense amount of
and Judicial Support category was
time on extended patrols to ensure
His Majesty King Mswati III, the King of
the safety of this critical population
Elise Daffue won the Award in
The winner of the Best Science,
support. Elise was instrumental in
Swaziland who has played a pivotal
Research and Technology category
establishing strategic stakeholder
of Tanzania’s remaining black rhino.
role in the protection of wildlife – in
was Dr Jacques Flamand. He heads
relations on a national and regional
The first and second runners up in
particular – the rhino. Swaziland’s
up the Black Rhino Range Expansion
scale for the implementation of
this category were William Ndobe
anti-poaching success rate has been
Project, which aims to increase
efficient operational protective
(local legend in the Kruger National
hugely successful (given the current
growth and numbers of black rhino,
measures countering the threat of
Park [KNP] with 31 years of service)
climate) with only three rhinos lost
working with a diverse group of
rhino poaching.
and Jeoffrey Kubayi (KNP field ranger,
since 1992, and none in the last 12
land-owners to secure the necessary
dog handler, tracker and poaching
months. These results bear testimony
sites for translocation. The project
shown for rhino conservation, Dr.
incursion detector).
Overwhelmed by the support
to the strong support and backing
is largely responsible for black
Hansen confirmed that; “it is a
Black Mamba APU won the
of the Game Amendment Act and
rhino numbers in KwaZulu-Natal
privilege to honour those that put
Best Conservation Practitioner
Swaziland’s rangers by His Majesty
increasing by 49%. The runners up
their lives, their resources and their
were Dr Johan Marais (responsible for
time on the line to eradicate rhino
performing surgery on poached rhino
poaching in Africa. We thank you.”
category. This Anti-Poaching Unit, which consists of 26 women,
Second place was awarded to both Adv Isabet Erwee (national record
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
TAKE NOTE
South Africa’s first bioregional plan gazetted services. If we undermine ecosystem
been conducted at provincial level, a
instance, we will have to pay more to
municipal level plan like this can show
install and maintain expensive flood
fine-scale detail of critical biodiversity
attenuation infrastructure.”
areas. These are terrestrial and aquatic
The bioregional plan was gazetted on
T
he gazetting of South
He emphasised the social and
Africa’s first bioregional
economic value of biodiversity, such
plan–for the Nelson
as attenuating floods, providing clean
Mandela Bay Municipality
features that are vital for maintaining a
30 March 2015 and now provides clear
representative proportion of functional
priorities and guidelines for all decisions
ecosystems and the associated
that impact on biodiversity, including
goods and services they provide to the
land-use planning, environmental
Municipality’s residents and visitors,
assessment and authorisations, and
and which therefore need to be kept in
natural resource management in
their natural state.
the municipal area. SRK Consulting The Swartkops Estuary is the top temperate estuary in terms of subsistence value in South Africa
While broader biodiversity plans have
services like flood attenuation, for
The NMBM’s bioregional plan will
produced the Conservation
now be put to work in guiding reactive
Assessment and Plan for the NMBM
decisions on environmental impact
in 2010, which underpins the gazetted
assessment, agricultural land-use and
document, and also assisted with the
development control. It will also be
gazetting process.
used in proactive forward planning–
“One of the most exciting and
in integrated development plans,
water that is drinking quality standard,
challenging achievements of the
spatial development frameworks
(NMBM) in the Eastern Cape–is a
facilitating the pollination of important
conservation plan was to minimise the
and zoning schemes – as well
milestone on the road towards the
agricultural crops to support food
potential conflict between biodiversity
as conservation initiatives such
more sustainable development
security, and providing primary sources
and other forms of land-use,” said
as biodiversity stewardship and
of South African towns and cities,
of food like fish from the wild.
Stewart. “This involved a lengthy
expanding protected areas.
according to SRK Consulting (SA)
“Ecosystems provide a range of
process of engaging a range of players
According to Stewart, South Africa is
principal environmental scientist
valuable services that we take for
from town planners and property
fortunate to have been part of a global
Warrick Stewart.
granted because we often don’t pay
developers to municipal service
focus on biodiversity conservation
in full for the services they provide,”
departments, to understand their
because the country is home to a
and it is certainly fitting that it has been
he said. “When inappropriately
needs and to reconcile conflicts.”
number of ‘biodiversity hotspots’
achieved by a municipality with such
located, development results in the
rich biological diversity – where five of
loss of important ecosystems and
Management: Biodiversity Act
organisation Conservation
South Africa’s nine biomes converge,”
communities often end up paying for
10 of 2004 (NEM: BA) requires all
International; these include the
said Stewart. “The area boasts the
the long-term costs of losing these
government bodies – including
Succulent Karoo region, the Cape
Fynbos, Albany Thicket, Forest, Nama
important ecological assets. Good
municipalities – through the gazetting
Floristic region and the Maputaland-
Karoo and Grassland biomes – a level
planning means retaining our priority
of the Bioregional Plan to take
Pondoland-Albany region.
of diversity that is globally unparalleled
ecological assets when we develop our
biodiversity into account when planning
for a city.”
new settlements and roll out associated
and implementing service delivery.
“This plan sets a notable benchmark,
He said the National Environmental
as identified by environmental
www.srk.co.za
Atlas Copco ranked best industrial company on environment Atlas Copco, a leading provider of
as energy and water use, greenhouse gas
happy to be recognised for this.”
the agency’s major conference on climate
sustainable productivity solutions, was
emissions and waste recycling. Atlas Copco
Atlas Copco’s innovative, energy-saving
change for the Group’s goals to cut carbon
listed as the top industrial company
ranked 11th in the world and highest in the
products include its variable-speed
dioxide from its products and operations.
by the Newsweek Green Rankings that
industrial segment. Atlas Copco was also on
compressors, a technology that the Group
Atlas Copco was recognised this year as one
looks at corporate sustainability and
the list last year.
pioneered in 1994 that enables compressors
of the world’s most sustainable companies
environmental impact.
“Making innovative, energy-effective
to run only at the speed necessary, cutting
in the annual Global 100 list.
U.S. magazine Newsweek analysed the
products and taking other steps to reduce
energy consumption. In 2013, Atlas Copco
world’s 500 larges t publicly-traded
the environmental impact is about business
launched the patented VSD+ technology,
companies to gauge how they fare on
leadership,” said Mala Chakraborti,
which cuts energy use by more than half
the environment. Together with research
Atlas Copco’s Vice President Corporate
compared with traditional compressors.
partners Corporate Knights Capital and HIP
Responsibility. “Our environmental targets
Earlier this year, Atlas Copco was among
Investors Inc., it looked at indicators such
are central to our business, and we are
those recognised by the United Nations at
www.atlascopco.co.za
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
7
8
TAKE NOTE
If our environment isn’t clean and healthy, neither are we...
F
rom 14 to 19 September
of the local plastics industry), has
2015, South Africans from
been coordinating clean-up events
all walks of life will once
around the country. “The first
again be encouraged
International Coastal Clean-Up
to clean-up and recycle in their
was held in 1996, as an initiative
environment as part of National
of the plastics industry and KZN
Clean-Up and Recycle Week SA.
Wildlife, to remove the most visible
According to Douw Steyn, Director:
plastics litter from the coastal
Sustainability at Plastics|SA and
area. Since then, it has become an
Chairman of the National Recycling
annual, countrywide event which is
Forum (NRF), all packaging streams,
supported by the glass, cans, paper
as well as oil and e-waste recyclers,
and board industries, as well as oil
will use this week to spread the
converters, recyclers, brand owners,
message about the importance
retailers, Brand SA, KZN Wildlife,
of looking after the environment
Tuffy Manufacturing, Pick n Pay,
and ensuring that everybody takes
Garbie (East Rand Plastics) and
responsibility for recycling where they
the Department of Environmental
work, live or play.
Affairs (DEA)”, Steyn says.
“The only way forward, if we are
Highlights of this week will once
“The local plastics industry has
neither are we. We therefore urge
set itself an aspirational vision of
all South Africans to clean-up and
Zero Plastics to Landfill by 2030.
recycle the environment in order to
going to improve the quality of the
again be National Recycling Day
Mother Nature supplies us with the
give future generations hope for a
environment, is to get everybody
on 18 September and the annual
food we eat, the air we breathe,
sustainable future,” he concludes.
involved,” says Steyn. For the past 20
International Coastal Clean-Up Day
and the water we drink. If our
years, Plastics|SA (the mouthpiece
on 19 September.
environment isn’t clean and healthy,
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
www.plasticsinfo.co.za
TAKE NOTE
Unearthing South Africa’s future engineers
A
treated to two site visits: at the First National Bank (FNB) Ferndale Call Centre Project in Randburg, and then to try their hand at water monitoring on the Jukskei River in Lonehill. Anelile Gibixego (aquatic scientist) explained the importance of water
FAR LEFT: Yashved Sewnun (structures division) explains the building function, as well as the process associated with the design and construction of the FNB Call Centre. The building utilises reinforced concrete, post tensioned concrete and structural steel for load-bearing elements, and the building design incorporates environmentally sustainable solutions. ABOVE: Anelile Gibixego shows a group of students how to use miniSASS as a biomonitoring tool to determine the health of the Jukskei River by collecting and identifying the types of macro-invertebrates found.
Human activities such as
s part of Consulting
to the engineering field, in particular to
conservation and river health. She
urbanisation, industrial waste-water
Engineers of South
consulting engineering. Learners get
demonstrated with a collection of
treatment works disposing their
Africa’s (CESA) Job
the opportunity to imagine, live work
macro-invertebrates that can be
waste into freshwater systems,
Shadow Day, Jeffares &
and play ‘engineering’ – opening their
found in the river and set out the
general pollution, solid wastes and
minds to a world of possibilities.
samples in four trays. Each group
construction all contribute to the
had an identification guide to help
depreciation of river health.
Green’s Johannesburg branch hosted 20 Grade 11 students in July to a day
The day began with a presentation
of learning about engineering and
on career opportunities for young
classify the bugs. Once categorised,
environmental consulting. The goal of
aspiring engineers, and the credentials
they calculated the ‘sensitivity’ scores
who attended and saw many students
The day was an inspiration to all
the CESA Job Shadowing initiative is
required for university acceptance.
and used these to establish the
motivated to follow a career in
to expose and entice school learners
Following this, the students were
ecological category.
engineering in South Africa.
Combining timehonoured engineering with cutting-edge solutions. Services
• Agricultural Engineering • Airports • Bridges • Business Greening • Contamination & Remediation Studies • Catchment Management • Dams • Environmental Services • Geohydrology • Geology • Geotechnical Engineering • Hydrology • Land Development & Housing • Mining Infrastructure • Municipal Infrastructure • Rail • Renewable Energy • Roads • Stormwater • Structures • Traffic & Transportation • Urban Drainage • Waste Management • Wastewater • Water • Water Resources Management • Water Governance & Planning
Telephone: +27 11 231 2200 • E-mail: jgijhb@jgi.co.za • Web: www.jgi.co.za
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
9
10
TAKE NOTE
Two companies -same ethos O
ricol Environmental
founded in 1994 and formally
protection and sustainable resource
taking R&D to market, enhancing our
Services, Environmental
incorporated in 2002, believes that
management. Oricol was founded in
service offering to existing and new
services and integrated
environmental conservation is of the
2002, with the principle of treating
customers, creating greater value for
waste management
utmost importance. It has been at
waste as a secondary resource and
all stakeholders and delivering this
company, has acquired Biobox
the forefront of sustainable, clean
with the aim of ensuring maximum
through the ongoing growth of our
Holdings (Pty) Ltd, a specialist water
technology. Biobox introduced the
diversion of waste from landfill.
national branch network. The latter
treatment company.
Biorock® system into the South
Using innovative treatment
is pivotal in Biobox’s growth strategy
Specialising in the design, supply and
African market. It is the only domestic
methods and meeting a growing
– leveraging our national presence
installation of water and wastewater
sewage treatment plant in the world
market demand for sustainable and
to provide a local, professional,
treatment systems, Biobox’s product
that requires no electricity and meets
fully integrated waste management
experienced offering and support.”
focus is simple: to recycle, treat and
the highest standards.
services, Oricol has ensured that it has
conserve water for domestic and commercial applications. Biobox, a private company
Oricol is delighted to have
been one of the fastest growing and
Oricol Environmental Services
acquired Biobox, as this aligns
expanding companies in the industry.
lindsay.wayman@oricoles.co.za
these two companies which have the same ethos of environmental
The acquisition of Biobox has
www.oricoles.co.za
resulted in Oricol being able to offer a complete package of treatment solutions and integrated waste management services. David Light, Managing Director of
David Light
through its curated product
dlight@biobox.co.za
partnerships and system solutions,
www.biobox.co.za
to address water security at a domestic and commercial level. Plastics|SA mamadora2015 [190x118]landscape.pdf
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
1
2015/01/07
Biobox Holdings
Biobox says: “Biobox is positioned,
Oricol’s acquisition of Biobox enables
2:04 PM
us to realise our true potential by
TAKE NOTE
C
arla Viktor was recently
Tsogo Sun’s General Manager:
established and maintained about
crowned Miss Earth South
Corporate Affairs, who heads up the
60 vegetable gardens and delivered
Africa 2015 at Tsogo Sun’s
partnership with Miss Earth. “The
close to 8 000 stationery packs
Rosa venue at the Palazzo
partnership enables Tsogo Sun to
to South African learners.
at Montecasino. Together with the
extend our reach outwards into the
Miss Earth South Africa leadership
communities who most need this
Management Programme has
development programme, Tsogo
type of education so that they are
been making a steady impact
Sun is helping to deliver the message
equipped with the understanding to
over the years as the group
of personal responsibility towards
help them behave more responsibly
strives to improve its green
our planet through a collaborative
towards the environment.”
consciousness and reduce its
partnership aimed at raising
Miss Earth is crowned annually
Tsogo Sun’s Environmental
carbon footprint.
environmental awareness for a
and is committed to raising
greener future.
awareness among South Africans
business practices and our
“The Miss Earth South Africa
“The sustainability of our
for environmentally sustainable
communities is core to our
leadership programme empowers
communities through tree-planting,
strategy. Through our partnership
young South African women with
recycling, energy efficiency and
with Miss Earth we aim to further
knowledge about environmental
carbon-conscious lifestyle choices.
educate and change the behaviour
sustainability and provides a powerful
Tsogo Sun will continue its support
of the youth, by profiling the
platform for them, so that they can
of Miss Earth throughout the
environmental awareness of their
serve as positive role models to the
year’s activities.
peers who are credible ambassadors,”
younger generation. We are delighted
Through its partnership with the
concludes Vusi Dlamini, Tsogo Sun’s
to congratulate the new Miss Earth
Miss Earth South Africa ambassadors,
South Africa as she takes the reigns
Tsogo Sun has enabled nearly 19 000
and continues leading this good
school children to be reached and
www.missearth.co.za
work,” comments Candy Tothill,
educated, planted close to 700 trees,
www.tsogosun.com
Group HR Director.
TSOGO SUN, SHINING BRIGHT FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE. At Tsogo Sun, we are committed to minimising our impact on the Environment. Tsogo Sun has introduced property specific environmental management systems with the objective of reducing water and energy consumption, improving waste recycling and procuring environmentally conscientious products. Creating awareness about responsible environmental behaviour is a priority at Tsogo Sun and through partnerships with organisations such as Generation Earth and Miss Earth SA, we are able to reach the youth and guide them towards a sustainable future. Tsogo Sun is Africa’s largest environmentally certified hospitality group.
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
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SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS & SERVICES
A mark of environmental excellence The Southern African Vinyls
responsible and sustainable use of
Product Stewardship
Association (SAVA) announced
additives, supporting a responsible
Programme and
that Belgotex Floors has become
and sustainable vinyl recycling
contributes to
the Association’s first official license
programme, ensuring an ongoing
transforming an
holder of the Vinyl. product label.
and effective communiqué between
environmentally conscious industry.
This is a mark of excellence that
the industry, public and government,
signifies the product complies with
and ensuring a healthy, robust
of taking yet another ‘first step’ that
best practice as prescribed by
industry health through growing
has become a milestone for others to
SAVA’s Product Stewardship
product development, markets and
follow. Thanks to the work SAVA is
Programme (PSP).
applications,” Delanie says.
doing, we are optimistic and excited
According to Delanie Bezuidenhout,
“Belgotex are forever looking to
Concludes Colle: “Belgotex is proud
about what the future holds for the
CEO of SAVA, the association
improve our products and services
vinyls industry in South Africa. Vinyl.
only licenses the coveted Vinyl.
in our ongoing Green Journey. We
has proven to have a wide range of
accreditation to member companies
have a proud heritage of firsts, and
applications, high tensile strength,
which, upon application, have
lead by innovation so this was the
and an excellent cost-performance
demonstrated third party verification
next logical step to become the first
ratio. We therefore support the
of compliance to the SAVA PSP.
license holder of the Vinyl. product
work the Association is doing and
“The SAVA Product Stewardship
label in South Africa,” says Belgotex
are honoured to be part of an
Programme is a stringent set of long-
Chairman, Stephan Colle. As a license
environmental drive that minimises
term, self-administered objectives
holder of the Vinyl. product label,
and manages any negative effects
created to promote the interests of
all vinyl flooring sold by Belgotex
that our activities may have on
vinyl business throughout the entire
Floors will bear the mark of quality.
the environment.
PVC supply chain. By voluntarily
This seal–a mark of environmental
signing the PSP, our members
excellence – is proof that the
www.savinyls.co.za
have committed themselves to the
company is committed to the SAVA
www.belgotex.co.za
Recycling partner corners a market for recycled PET and markets,” says
are currently not widely recycled in South
De Witt La Grange,
Africa, as they are difficult to recycle and
to recycling and public awareness about
whose company is a
have limited end use applications,” says Cheri
the entire value chain relating to resource
relative newcomer
Scholtz, CEO of PETCO.
management – and they do so for solid,
to the PET Recycling
La Grange tells more about why they
Clearly they share PETCO’s commitment
commercial reasons, which bodes well for
Company’s
chose to develop the corner pieces as the
(PETCO’s) list of
first product to manufacture, explaining
the sustainability of their business.
recycling partners.
that the decision was based on the existing
and have already taken steps to expand
FTE is a small
FTE will not stop at one product either
market, current role-players, material used
their range. “We are in the final stages of
but growing
for existing products, shortcomings on
developing poles for trellises and security
company, based in
existing products and preference to work
fences. All these products are also made
the Western Cape
with recycled material. He explains that at
from recycled PET, and eventually we
that manufactures
present, South African fruit exporters use
would like to be part of the solution for
corner pieces using
mainly corner pieces made from carton.
pallets made from recycled PET.
“At FTE Insight we want to support
recycled PET. These corner pieces are used
PETCO in educating consumers and strive
to secure pallets and the corners of crates
deteriorates when exposed to moisture.
development and identified pallets as the
to reduce the amount of post-consumer
for the fruit packing industry, and are now in
We experimented with different materials
main challenge in the logistics chain that
polyethylene terephthalate (PET) ending
commercial production. PETCO will continue
and decided to work with recycled PET. It is
needs to be addressed,” concludes
at landfill sites. We realise that one of
working with them to help grow this end use.
strong, durable and freely available. However,
La Grange.
PETCO’s biggest challenges is to develop
“The recycled PET corner pieces provide a
to get the material in a state in which we can
sustainable markets for recycled PET – and
good end use for coloured PET bottles like
use it, was a challenge and will continue to be
dewitt@fte-insight.co.za
we specialise in developing such products
brown, neon and solid colour bottles, which
one in the future,” says La Grange.
www.petco.co.za
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
“Although carton is biodegradable, it also
We completed the first phase of
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS &TAKE SERVICES NOTE
Print and paper industry goes green
A
staggering three
This ensures that there is always
quarters of all carbon
give-and-take and a stable level of
emissions
carbon in the atmosphere. However,
are generated
the burning of fossil fuels like coal
by corporations.
and oil, releases carbon that has not
This is according to the Business
been present for millions of years,
Environmental Leadership Council
thus disrupting the carbon dioxide
(BELC) which was created in
levels in the atmosphere.
1998 by the Centre for Climate
“Biomass energy has the
and Energy Solutions in the
potential to greatly decrease
United States. The organisation
greenhouse gas emissions, it
recommends businesses consider
lessens the dependence on foreign
adding a response to climate
oil, and decreases the demand on
change as part of their core
the earth’s resources,” says Botha.
corporate strategy in an effort to
“Biomass can be used for fuels,
reduce their environmental impact.
power production, and products
The call for companies to
that would otherwise be made from
adopt ways to reduce their
fossil fuels. It does not add carbon
carbon footprint is certainly
dioxide to the atmosphere as it
demanded by the public and
absorbs the same amount of carbon
businesses need to step up and
in growing as it releases when
revolutionise their industries in
consumed with fuel.”
order to remain sustainable.
Novus Holdings has utilised this
“Disregarding the environmental
principle with its newly acquired
effect of a business affects not only
biomass boiler. This boiler works
consumers, employees, and the
on the principle of combustion and
surrounding community, but also the
is fuelled by sustainable biomass,
entire industry itself,” says Christoff
and not the traditional fossil fuels
Botha, Group Executive: Heatset at
or electricity, to generate the steam
Novus Holdings (previously known
required in the production process.
as the Paarl Media Group).
Novus Holdings’ commitment
Although the print and paper
to redirecting print and paper into
industry is often perceived as having
a sustainable industry is reflected
a negative environmental impact,
in an investment of more than
the sector has begun to transform
R100 million in environmentally
how it does business in an attempt
responsible practices to reduce,
to minimise this effect.
re-use, and recycle to ensure the lowest possible impact on natural
INVEST IN BIO-ENERGY
resources. Botha concludes: “This
Bio-energy is derived from biomass
ultimately benefits all involved –
which is a naturally occurring part
customers, employees and the
of the carbon cycle. During this
community and we challenge
process, carbon is taken in by
more businesses to find ways of
plants during photosynthesis and on decomposition or combustion it goes back into
lowering their energy consumption and reducing energy costs with environmentally sustainable business practices.”
the air. www.novusholdings.co.za
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
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14
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS & SERVICES
Kaytech’s groundbreaking support App
Combining construction with a healing process
T
Imagine having answers to all your geosynthetic queries at the touch of a button. Kaytech has developed an App that gives you access to wide-ranging geosynthetic support at the touch of your smart phone screen. Nine clearly defined buttons on your touchscreen will give you immediate accessibility to the solutions you seek in the world of Kaytech Engineered Fabrics:
1. Order request:
5. Product info:
he Al Jalila Children’s Specialty Hospital, an initiative of
If you know what
Access information
His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum,
product you want,
on Kaytech
Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of
simply place a specific
geosynthetic
Dubai, is not only dedicated entirely to children but was also
order from your phone
applications
designed by combining innovative aspects of design and construction
or your desktop. Send
and products.
with the healing process in mind.
us your specs and we
Says Al Maidoor, Director-General of the Dubai Health Authority (DHA): “The hospital will be the first-of-its-kind facility in the region
will send you a quote
6. Bidim game:
and delivery date.
Play the recycling game.
offering super-specialty and multi-spectrum pediatric care. It will provide pediatric services from newborns to 16 year olds and will offer all necessary pediatric services under one roof for the children of the
2. Technical support:
7. Media links:
UAE and the region.”
Request a data sheet,
Connecting
information from our
online to
for gardens and landscaping including a ‘healing garden’ with bright
library, ask a technical
YouTube,
flowering shrubs and herbs and medicinal plants. “The use of natural
question, or request
light, greenery and healing landscape are aimed at offering a high level of
training. Simply pick
Facebook and
indoor air quality, reducing noise and creating a pleasant environment.”
a topic, send details
Twitter.
Al Maidoor adds that of the total area, nearly half has been dedicated
The development will be highlighted by several energy saving
of your query and an
initiatives including sustainable construction techniques to reduce
expert will respond
8. Findus:
energy use, an active wall façade system to reduce ambient
within 24-hours.
Locate your nearest Kaytech
temperature inside the hospital, and rooftop gardens that provide greater insulation. As part of its focus on sustainability, the hospital will
3. Design request:
4. Account enquiry:
branch or
use recycled water for irrigation purposes.”
Get help with designs
For a new account
distributor.
on subsoil drainage,
application, credit
were looking for green building materials to use for landscaping
ground stabilisation,
limit increase, invoice
9. Website:
on hospital grounds, they came across Terraforce, a South African
road maintenance,
request, statement
Connect
developed hollow core, plant friendly concrete retaining wall system.
haul roads, mine waste
request, transaction
direct to
Manufactured under license in the UAE and region by Consent LLC, the
containment, landfill
query, or to check on
the Kaytech
Terraforce system is akin to a living wall, the unique hollow-core design
linings and cappings,
your account status.
website.
of the interlocking blocks allowing plants to become a part of the wall.
dam linings, sludge
By using water-wise plants and a good irrigation system, a sustainable,
dewatering, erosion
yet durable green wall can be created.
control, coastal erosion
When Italian architects and engineers Studio Altieri International
protection, and DIY.
WHO BENEFITS?
design came into play, by reversing and moving forward slightly every
An expert will respond
• Contractors can place an order, check their account
third row of blocks, to provide a plant supportive pocket that could also
with application
accommodate an efficient, easy maintenance dripper irrigation system.
recommendations
Out of these pockets, water-wise plants will eventually drape over
for your geotextile
the side of the block, softening the near vertical concrete surface with
requirements.
As the wall progressed, the innovative facade of this Terrforce wall
curtains of greenery.
status, or get product info – when they are onsite. • Administrators can request quotes or credit applications via the app instead of phoning in. • Consulting engineers can put through a design request if they are having problems onsite. • The public can access product information for DIY
Terraforce www.terraforce.com
projects and place an order via a smartphone. • Explore KayApp - your geosynthetic guide to the galaxy www.kaytech.co.za
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS & SERVICES
How do we contain our waste? Although South Africa has made some great strides in addressing key issues experienced in waste management over the past 20 years, the industry remains problematic, unsustainable and unable to achieve legislative goals and targets in its current state.
A
ccording to 2012
Strategy (NWMS) was developed
The Waste Classification and
statistics released
and subsequently implemented by
Management System provides a
by the Department
government in 2012. It is a legislative
methodology for the classification
of Environmental
requirement of the National
of waste and provides standards
Affairs, an approximate total of 108
Environmental Management Waste
for the assessment and disposal of
million-tonnes of waste is generated
Act (NEMWA) of 2008, in order to
waste for landfill disposal. To this
nationwide. General waste accounts
achieve the following objectives:
effect, the Waste Classification and
for around 59 million-tonnes,
• Promote waste minimisation, re-use,
Management Regulations came into
unclassified waste 48 million-tonnes, and hazardous waste the remaining one-million-tonnes. Of all this waste, only 10 percent is recycled – the rest is landfilled. With a continuously growing
recycling and recovery of waste • Ensure the effective and efficient delivery of waste services • Grow the contribution of the waste sector to the green economy • Ensure awareness of the impact of
population and economy, waste
waste on people’s health, wellbeing
generated in South Africa is expected
and the environment
to double to approximately 216 million-tonnes by 2025. “Our current lack of recycling facilities and great dependency on landfills – most of which are not compliant – means that we are rapidly running
Under the Regulations, all waste generators are required to classify each waste stream according to the SANS 10234 Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals. SANS 10234 establishes criteria
• Achieve integrated waste
for the classification and labelling of
complied with within three years
management planning
hazardous substances and mixtures,
of promulgation. This means that
including waste, to ensure safe
mandatory compliance is little
transport and disposal. Under SANS
more than a year away. I-CAT offers
10234, it must be established whether
a comprehensive range of services
the waste is hazardous based on
to assist its clients in complying with
physical, health and environmental
the new Waste Classification and
hazardous properties (hazard classes),
Management Regulations.
and the degree or severity of the hazard
“I-CAT Environmental Solutions adds
posed (hazard categories).
measurable value in assisting various
• Ensure sound budgeting and financial management for waste services • Provide measures to remediate contaminated land
out of space to contain our waste,”
• Establish effective compliance with
says I-CAT Environmental Services
an enforcement of the Waste Act
manager Rachelle Stofberg. Additional challenges include;
effect in August 2013.
A variety of tools have been
increased complexities of waste
developed to assist in achieving the
streams, historical backlogs of waste
goals set out in the NWMS. These
timeframes for achieving goals set out
sectors, by offering specialist services in
services and a limited understanding of
tools include:
in NWMS have not been met. “In cases
waste classification and management,
waste flows and South Africa’s national
• Waste Classification and
where particular standards have been
environmental compliance monitoring
developed, we are observing a slow
(water, dust, and noise), environmental
waste balance. Under-pricing is a major
Management System
Stofberg indicates that most of the
operations in the industrial and mining
issue in local waste management, and
• Norms and standards
progression by industry to comply with
authorisation processes, and
there are also few compliant hazardous
• Licencing
the latest regulations and standards.”
comprehensive annual audits and
waste management facilities.
• Industry waste management plans
In response to these challenges, the National Waste Management
Certain compliance, such as the
• Priority waste
NEMWA Waste Classification and
• Economic instruments
Management Regulations, must be
reviews,” Stofberg concludes. www.i-cat.co.za
Change that doesn’t cost the earth Environmental solutions: • Environmental Licensing and Permitting • Legal and Performance Auditing • Compliance Monitoring (Dust, Water and Noise) • Green Star Rating Assessments • Sustainability and Integrated Reporting • Specialist Assessments 086 112 ICAT www.i-cat.co.za
ENVIRONMENTAL S
O
L
U
T
I
O
N
S
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
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ENVIROMNENTAL REHABILITATION
Sustainable land-use practices aspects of the project. It includes an Integrated Catchment Management (ICM) Programme that specifically addresses erosion which impacts not only water quality and quantity but also the livelihoods of communities
T
in the Highlands. Rainwater runoff is the main erosion agent in this he Lesotho Highlands Water
mountainous landscape and erosion is
Project (LHWP) is a bi-
exacerbated by insufficient land cover.
national project between the
The ICM implementation plan includes
Kingdom of Lesotho and the
construction of diversion furrows above
Republic of South Africa which, through
crop fields to channel storm water into
a series of dams and interconnecting
natural waterways and the construction
tunnels, transfers water to South Africa
of gabions in dongas to reduce the
and generates hydropower for Lesotho.
sediment load of water entering the
The Treaty governing the project
dams at Katse and ‘Muela. Stone lines
specifies the quantity and quality of
have also been built along contours to
the water delivered to South Africa
reduce the rate of flow of runoff from
annually. The treaty also commits both
degraded rangelands that are devoid of
parties to take all reasonable measures
vegetation cover. Recognising the need
to ensure that the implementation,
to work with communities to ensure
operation and maintenance of the
sustainable soil protection, the LHDA
project are compatible with the
has also implemented a programme to
protection of the existing quality of the
teach sustainable land-use practices
environment and pay due respect to
focusing on range management and
the maintenance of the welfare of the
erosion control in agricultural lands.
communities affected by the project. Catchments around the LHWP
In the ‘Muela area, for example, LHDA field officers work with the local
dams are socio-ecological systems
communities to raise awareness of
supporting rural communities that
the benefits of practicing conservation
derive their livelihoods from communal
agriculture, holding workshops with
natural resources. The Lesotho
farmers to introduce them to methods
Highlands Development Authority
that do not disturb the soil and natural
(LHDA)’s Environmental Action Plan
vegetation. This includes encouraging
addresses the social and environmental
farmers to use a hoe to plant seeds
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
ENVIROMNENTAL REHABILITATION rather than ploughing furrows, and
After consultation with the ‘Moteng
gabions. The Bokong Nature Reserve
the planting of grass around crop
Community Council, the Ministry of
boasts spectacular scenery, unique
fields to protect the soil and terracing
Forestry and Land Reclamation, the
high altitude fauna and flora species
of their fields. A recently introduced
area chief and the owners of fields
including the bone-eating bearded
initiative has seen LHDA field workers
on steep slopes, (which have high
vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) and the
working with the Ministry of Forestry to
erosion risks), the owners have stopped
ice rat (Otomys sloggetti robertsi),
encourage farmers to plant peach trees
using those fields. Silt traps have
both being a high tourist attraction
on the terraces, which will both hold the
been constructed above most of the
due to their life strategies and habits.
soil intact and provide nourishment for
fields, and aloes and grass have also
The nature reserve also boasts a
their families.
been planted to enhance cover. In the
picturesque waterfall where the
Phahleng catchment area, three high
Lepaqoa stream flows over a cliff.
Working with community structures – voluntary grazing associations and
risk erosion fields which were on the
herders associations – the LHDA is
steep gradient are no longer being used
teaching livestock owners and herders
and they have grown vegetation cover,
the benefits of controlling their herd
and as a result, the amount of sediment
sizes, practising rotational grazing and
into the ‘Muela Dam has been reduced.
discouraging the traditional practice
One of the greatest challenges facing
of allowing livestock to wander over
the LHWP was the degradation of the
vast areas as this encourages selective
Bokong Wetlands, a restricted area in
grazing and eventual invasion of
the Bokong Nature Reserve, as a result
rangelands by woody vegetation.
of the construction of roads in the area
Since 2010, the LHDA has made great
PR Manager LHDA, Masilo Phakoe
and creation of footpaths by animals.
strides in combatting the sedimentation
These wetlands are a source of the
that has resulted from broken diversions
Bokong River which is a tributary of the
and terraces at an area in the north
Malibamatso which feeds water into
part of the country, Bela Bela. This
the Katse Dam. Now a protected area
destruction was brought about by
and an important tourist attraction,
free ranging cattle, as the Moholeng
the wetlands have been restored using
eroded livestock paths and encroached
a variety of methods which include
into fields.
re-grassing and the construction of
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
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18
ENVIRONMENTAL REHABILITATION
Combatting environmental hazards
24/7
Durban based company, Spill Tech, leads the market in oil and chemical pollution control, including the specialised field of bioremediation, backed by a Cat earthmoving fleet.
W
herever there’s industrial activity, from petrochemical
unstable substances. Spill Tech’s
BIOREMEDIATION RAMP-UP
waste management, industrial
HAZMAT technicians are trained to
Allied to these activities has been
cleaning (including cleaning of
NFPA standards, and the company
a major ramp-up in the highly
Core Spill Tech services encompass
bulk tanks), and spill response.
supports the full range of solutions
specialised field of bioremediation,
plants to manufacturing centres,
More specifically, this includes
in this specialised field. This includes
the process of restoring
underground services, sewage
fire decontamination and debris
comprehensive stocks of oil and
contaminated land to its original
treatment works, mining and
removal; industrial flood damage;
chemical absorbents, plus pneumatic
state by adding micro-organisms and
construction, Spill Tech provides
asbestos stripping and removal; and
chemical and acid pumps and
enzymes. This either takes place at
a 24-hour emergency response
bioremediation of polluted soil.
compressors, pneumatic hydrocarbon
the source of the spillage or under
solution to counter unexpected
Spill Tech has a national spill
and solvent pumps, as well as 10kl
controlled conditions.
environmental threats. “Regardless of whether the
response network with branches in all nine regions throughout South
mobile Super Suckers. Additionally, in the municipal
Spill Tech is probably the largest bioremediation specialist in Africa
spill is the result of human error,
Africa for quick response, as well as
market, Spill Tech has a fleet of
in terms of project scale, working on
mechanical failure or environmental
cross-border capabilities in countries
Super Sucker trucks that respond to
sites that can range from 10m³ up to
conditions, such as severe
that include Namibia, Botswana,
sewer pump station failures at waste
10 000m³ and beyond.
storms, the clean-up needs to
Mozambique, the DRC and Zimbabwe.
treatment facilities, vacuuming out
be an immediate priority for the
Wide ranging emergency response
build-ups in the system.
“Typically following a spill, a geo-hydrologist will carry out core
organisation responsible for the
situations include oil and chemical
incident,” explains Spill Tech’s Head
spills, over-turned tankers, ruptured
and Southern Africa are also covered
of the plume of the product and
of Sales, Christopher Boyce, based
process lines and tank failures, as
for downstream environmental
then together with Spill Tech will
at the Group head office in Durban.
well as the reacting of dangerous and
remediation associated with spillages
formulate a bioremediation process,”
and other pollution hazards.
says Boyce. “This will also determine
Power stations within South Africa
sampling, as well as mapping
the depth of the excavations, which in the past have gone as deep as 18m on some projects.”
Spill Tech works on sites that can range from 10m3 up to 10 000m3 and beyond SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
ENVIRONMENTAL REHABILITATION Whilst spill impacts may appear
transported specialised trailer
irreversible, many potentially harmful
design that carries a Cat 428F as
compounds can be efficiently broken
well as skips, which is available 24/7,
down through bioremediation.
nationwide.
In a typical working application,
“Boom and stick regeneration
the contaminated soil is excavated
circuits save energy during boom-
and housed in geotechnical cells, or
down and stick-in operation, which
biopiles – that need constant forced
increases efficiency, reduces cycle
aeration – after which the remediated
times and pressure loss for higher
material is backfilled. A major factor
productivity, lower operating costs,
is the management and prevention
and increased fuel efficiency,”
of cross contamination, taking into
Spill Tech teams responding to an oil tanker spill.
account ground water sources, as well as nearby streams, rivers or reservoirs.
explains Barloworld Equipment Durban Cat Sales Professional, Egon Muller, highlighting key product
Biozorb will absorb hydrocarbons
Spill Tech deploys a comprehensive
features. (Barloworld Equipment is the Cat dealer for Southern Africa.)
BIOZORB
and can be utilised as a vapour
Cat earthmoving fleet to carry out
One of Spill Tech’s intervention
suppressant. It can be used on
mechanised solutions on larger-scale
measures for the effective absorption
land or water and is hydrophobic.
sites that have been contaminated.
intensive and fast-paced, so we
of hydrocarbon spills is Biozorb, a
Biozorb meets sanitary landfill
Smaller scale bioremediation projects
researched the market extensively
revolutionary oil and hydrocarbon
disposal requirements according
are dealt with traditionally by a
before deciding to standardise on
absorbent made from premium
to EPA regulations.
deployed work crew.
Cat machines for our bioremediation
Canadian sphagnum peat moss.
“Safe and easy to apply, Biozorb
Current units in Spill Tech’s
“Spill Tech’s operations are capital
projects. Performance to date
The high grade material is harvested
is also simple to dispose of with
earthmoving fleet comprise Cat
has met our exacting output
and dehydrated through a unique
up to 20 times less landfill volume
428F backhoe loaders, a Cat CS533E
requirements,” adds Boyce, “as we
proprietary steam process, which gives
compared to current standard
vibratory soil compactor, and latest
progressively expand our footprint
it unparalleled absorption capacities
absorbents,” Boyce explains.
generation Cat 320D2 L hydraulic
in this niche segment across South
excavators. Spill Tech has also
Africa, as well as Southern Africa.”
through a wicking or hydraulic action. For example, one kilogram of product
CAT EARTHMOVING FLEET
developed a rapid mobilisation
absorbs up to 10 litres of oil.
In the bioremediation scenario,
solution in the form of a truck
www.barloworld-equipment.com
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
19
20
ENERGY
Compact fluorescent lamps mercury 75% treatment techniques
ENERGY SAVINGS
Hg Hg
S
Hg
BROKEN CFLS RELEASE MERCURY wan Edison Lighting Laboratory under Demand Management Centre of Expertise in Eskom
Research, Testing and Development business unit was established in 2013. The main aim of the laboratory is to provide a testing facility for newly emerging illumination technology and also be used as a training facility for young engineers at Eskom. The Integrated Demand
Intact and unbroken CFLs do not pose any risk of mercury vapour emissions that may impact public
Management identified the phasing
health and the environment. However,
emissions. The toxicity of mercury
out of incandescent lamps in
mercury is a silvery, heavy metal
mainly affects the central nervous
favour of energy efficient compact
also called quicksilver, that is volatile
system and the kidneys. More
fluorescent lamps (CFLs) as an
and liquid at room temperature.
importantly, it may cause damage
energy savings strategy to address
This chemical substance is normally
to the neurological development
energy shortages experienced by
released when CFLs are broken
of foetuses, infants and children.
the company. CFLs were globally
accidentally or intentionally during
Mercury can also pollute the
introduced in the lighting industry
disposal. Upon CFL breakage, about
environment, thus affecting aquatic
to promote energy efficiency. The
80-97 percent of the elemental Hg
life resulting in mercury poisoning.
benefits of CFLs include about
can be dispersed in air and absorbed
75 percent energy savings and
by a human body through inhalation.
ten times more lifespan than
Despite the fact that mercury
In order to reduce the risk of mercury environmental pollution, a research project was initiated.
incandescent bulbs. Although the
released from broken CFLs is
The purpose was to compare the
advantages of using CFLs are clear,
insignificant, it contributes to overall
effectiveness of sulphur powder
these lamps contain mercury (Hg)
global mercury emissions. South
and sodium selenite chemicals as
of up to 5mg, used for generating
Africa is currently rated as the sixth
treatment techniques for capturing
radiant light with value-added
largest emitter of mercury in the
mercury released by CFLs when
energy efficiency.
world, with about 50 tons of annual
broken. Sulphur powder was chosen
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
ENERGY as one of the treatment techniques
be applied for mercury emissions
for mercury emissions because it
treatment from broken CFLs.
is inexpensive: 500g amounted to
Where there are large quantities
about R35. Alternatively, sodium
of CFLs, effective treatment is
selenite had a great affinity for
required prior to disposal, to minimise
mercury as well but was more
the impact of mercury to human
expensive than sulphur powder.
health and the environment. Careful
The findings from this research
SULPHER POWDER
21
handling of a broken CFL must
showed that mercury was released
also be considered, including good
constantly from new CFLs for the
housekeeping to avoid injury from
three hour testing period after
broken glass as well as inhalation of
breakage. The mercury vapour
mercury vapour. Individuals should be
emitted during the three hour
evacuated as soon as possible after
testing period exceeded the
accidentally breaking CFLs, the room
Occupational Health and Safety
should be sufficiently ventilated,
Act limit of working with mercury
and rapid removal of broken CFLs is
related products of 0.05mg/m3
advised. The glass fragments and
for eight hours exposure. These
other lamp components should be
findings highlighted the importance
safely placed in a plastic bag. The
of gaining further knowledge on
broken CFLs must be kept outside
mercury treatment techniques that
where there is more air circulation.
are practical and inexpensive. To
Furthermore, broken CFLs should be
add, the sulphur powder was more
disposed of as hazardous waste.
effective in capturing the emissions of mercury vapour than sodium
Lerato Lethea
selenite in terms of lower mass
Eskom Holdings SOC,
required for the treatment.
Sustainability Division
Nevertheless, sodium selenite
Research Testing and Development lerato.lethea@eskom.co.za
treatment technique that can
(011) 629-5222
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FL
needs to be considered as a potential
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ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015 BrandsQB_Aug2013.indd 1
2013/08/13 7:27 AM
22
DEFORESTATION
Reversing deforestation using
drones An Oxford-based startup has an ambitious plan to combat deforestation by planting one billion trees a year by using drones.
B
ioCarbon Engineering is
the success rate of restoration.
exploring new precision
Then, the drones descend lower and
planting methods and
spread out pods filled with pre-
mapping techniques to
germinated seeds that are covered in
achieve this goal. “We are going to
a nutritious hydrogel. (source: www.
change the world one billion trees at
biocarbonengineering.com)
a time,” said CEO and former NASA
Where two humans could manage
engineer Lauren Fletcher. “The only
to plant up to 3 000 seeds per day,
option we had previously was hand
Fletcher says that his drones would
planting, which is slow and really
aim to plant up to 36 000 seeds
expensive. This method can’t keep up
a day. Another benefit is that the
with industry scale deforestation. We
drones can penetrate areas that
are hoping that our technologies will
people would find difficult to access.
provide opportunities to really scale up reforestation and replanting rates.”
Fletcher has highlighted Brazil or South Africa as the first possible
Ecosystems, on the other hand, are
At the current rates up to 26
sight for the project. The project
communities. They include microbes,
billion trees are being destroyed
was the finalist in the Drones for
fungi, animals small and big, and
every year in comparison to the 15
Good competition in the United
many different types of vegetation,
billion that are being replanted.
Arab Emirates, reaching the semi-
all interacting together and with
BioCarbon has improved previously
final stage.
their environment (soil, water, air).
flawed dry seeding by air methods
Ecosystems work because the existence of one species enables
needed in the process. It uses drones
MONOCULTURES OR ECOSYSTEMS?
to fly above an area and estimate
There is a world of difference between
create a balance in the environment
just planting trees and restoring
and ensure long-term viability and
entire ecosystems. Monocultures
sustainability of the area restored.
and minimised the human effort
26 billion
trees are being destroyed every year
find their use in agriculture. Planting
other species to thrive. Ecosystems
on ecosystem restoration as the
single crop that requires much human
driving goal of the technology
input to be sustained in the long
and hopes that this approach will
run. Monocultures are susceptible
become a standard tool that forest
to diseases, pests, pathogens and
restoration organisations will be able
adverse environmental conditions.
to use when it is the right tool for the
Monocultures of trees provide little
right location and conditions.
resources for wildlife and exist for one
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
3 000 seeds per day
BioCarbon Engineering is focused
a monoculture means planting a
purpose: further harvesting of trees.
Two humans can plant up to
www.biocarbonengineering.com
Drones can plant up to
36 000 seeds a day
DEFORESTATION
New study proves FSC certification profitable for businesses
I
n addition to numerous
the premise of certification, and it is
environmental and social
the success of FSC,” remarked FSC
benefits resulting from Forest
Director General, Kim Carstensen.
Stewardship Council (FSC)
Most interestingly the study shows
certification, a new WWF study has
that tropical forest companies, and
shown that there is a definite economic
small/medium producers benefit
benefit to having this accreditation.
the most from FSC certification, as
On average, forestry companies can
they typically receive the largest
earn an extra US$1.80 for every cubic
premiums, regardless of region or
metre of FSC-certified timber.
country. “Tropical forests are vital
“Previous studies have shown
to the future of our planet, and the
that FSC certification has a positive
communities who rely on them
impact on the environment and
for their livelihoods need better
the people who live and work in
market access. FSC certification
forests, but it has been harder to
helps provide that, and the price
show the true financial benefit for
premiums reflect the high-end and
the businesses who partner with us.
niche markets they tend to supply.
We are an NGO, but we are also an
Investing in sustainable tropical
important tool in the marketplace,
timber is essential to the future of our
and we can only be successful in
forests,” noted Carstensen.
safeguarding the world’s forests if it makes good business sense. That is
communications@fsc.org
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ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
23
WILDLIFE CONSERVATION
Bred for the
Canned lion hunting has become a brutal, insidious commercial venture and it needs to be stopped. Annually, over 800 captive, hand-reared lions are shot in South Africa – mostly by international hunters – fuelling a multimillion dollar industry.
bullet T
oday in Africa, there are approximately 32 000
lions. 11 000 of those are found in South Africa.
That’s the good news. The bad news is that approximately 8 000 of those are in breeding captivity. To further the bad news, of those 3 000 that remain in the wild, approximately 2 500 are diseased: they carry feline AIDS or TB, both of which are easily transferred and are virtually impossible to eradicate. Most of these captive predators live in appalling conditions with inadequate protocols in place to protect them or regulate either their welfare or the genetic integrity of their bloodlines. The breeders of
misapprehension of ‘helping and
this. Wild populations of lions have
these animals claim they are involved
saving the lion’? In reality, what is
declined by 80 percent in 20 years,
in conservation, educational and
happening is that these cubs are
so the rise of lion farms and canned
research initiatives and that the
taken away from their mothers just
hunting has not protected wild
captive-bred population will be
days after birth to force the lionesses
lions. In fact, according to Fiona
the saviour of wild lions. However,
into intensely repetitive reproductive
Miles, Director of Lionsrock, a big cat
recognised and respected lion
cycles. In the wild, a cub lives with its
sanctuary in South Africa run by the
ecologists, conservationists and
mother for two years.
charity Four Paws, it is fuelling it. “The
animal welfare experts advise that almost all these
Breeders squeeze as many cubs
lion farms’ creation of a market for
from their adults as possible –
canned lion hunts puts a clear price-
claims are in fact far
five litters every two years. These
tag on the head of every wild lion,”
from the truth.
cubs are then used in a variety of
she says. “They create a financial
income streams from petting and
incentive for local people, who
‘walking with lions’ facilities, to
collude with poachers or turn a blind
luring unsuspecting volunteers, who
eye to illegal lion kills. Trophy-hunters
pay large sums of money, to work
who begin with a captive-bred lion
on the farms. These animals are
may then graduate to the real, wild
being factory produced to feed the
thing.” ***
Desperate to make a contribution and passionate to save the lion, young volunteers sign up for programmes where they can come to South Africa and nurture these ‘abandoned’ cubs. After all, who can resist adorably cute cub lions which are only a few weeks
volunteer tourism industry. It is a massive con. Breeders argue it is better that
HOW CAN THIS BE LEGAL? Once they reach adulthood, many
old? What would be more appealing
hunters shoot a captive-bred lion
lionesses are shot for their bones to
than coming to South Africa on a
than further endanger the wild
be shipped to Asia as supplements
volunteer programme to bottle-feed
populations, but conservationists
to the rapidly burgeoning ‘tiger wine’
and cuddle these cubs, under the
and animal welfare groups dispute
and ‘tiger cake’ industries. Almost
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
*** www.theguardian.com/environment/video/2013/jun/03/lions-canned-hunting-south-africa-video
24
WILDLIFE CONSERVATION
BLOOD LIONS THE MOVIE Blood LionsTM was recently launched at the Durban International Film Festival and follows internationally acclaimed environmental journalist and safari operator, Ian Michler, onto the breeding farms to witness the results of battery-farmed lions – a stark contrast to their wild cousins. Aggressive farmers resent his questioning, but the highly profitable commercialisation of lions is plain to see: cub petting, volunteer recruitment, lion walking, hunting, and the new lion bone trade are on the increase, and all are
Every day in South Africa, at least two to three captive bred, hand-reared, tame lions are being slaughtered in canned hunts
being justified under the guise of conservation and research. In parallel the movie follows Rick Swazey, an American hunter, who volunteered his services after seeing footage of canned hunts. Rick purchases a lioness online from his home in Hawaii and then travels to South Africa to go on the path canned hunters follow: to kill it. Blood LionsTM explores in intimate detail how lucrative it is to breed lions for the bullet. It illustrates how the authorities and most professional hunting bodies have become complicit and how simple it is to set up a canned hunt. There is also hope in the story, as the very latest developments with the Australian government are shown,
reserves. Millions of photographs
announcing a complete ban on the importation of all African
and hundreds of thousands of happy
lion trophies into Australia. The film is a compelling call
visitors attest to the ongoing allure
to action and shows how one can get involved in a global
of the African wilderness – but for
campaign to stop lions being bred for the bullet.
those that visit the private farms,
Executive producer Dr Andrew Venter, CEO Wildlands,
have they been conned? There is
says, “Lions are one of our planet’s iconic species. Their
darkness at the heart of this picture
dominance, strength and leadership abilities anchor cultural
– something is rotten in the country’s
tradition across Africa, Europe and Asia. Their behaviour
wildlife kingdom and it is the king
and spirit are revered in song and dance globally. They are a
himself who is in the crosshairs!
primary attraction for Africa’s eco-tourism industry. Simply
In 2007 the South African Government attempted to regulate
put, they epitomise Africa’s wildness.” He makes the point: “Unfortunately, in South Africa
captive lion breeding and canned
the greed of a small group of tourism and hunting
hunting by passing new legislation
operators is downgrading their status to that of a simple
all the male lions become victims
in parliament. The Predator
tradable commodity.”
of the ‘canned’ or ‘captive’ hunting
Breeders Association of SA took the
“These unethical operators are actively deceiving our
industry: a so-called sport, where
government to court, and while they
Government, and the hunters and tourists that they host.
tame lions become targets in the
lost the first ruling, their appeal
They are prostituting lions for their own benefit whilst
sights of wealthy trophy hunters.
was upheld and the proposed
promoting their activities as conservation efforts. This is
legislation was overturned
simply not true; their activities are unethical, fraudulent
taken from its enclosure to an area of
on a technicality.
and corrupt. Harnessing the volunteer tourism industry to
limited size: the lion is not in the wild
Since that landmark
enable the breeding of lions for hunting is a con. Hunting
and knows nothing about survival, as
decision, the predator
captive-bred lions that are drugged and have never roamed
he has been hand raised in captivity.
breeding and canned lion hunting
or socialised in the wild, is a con. They need to be stopped.”
He will wander listlessly for a short
industries have thrived.
A fully-grown, captive-bred lion is
time before being shot dead by a
Blood LionsTM will help do this, exposing the rotten core of the lion industry in South Africa and will lay a foundation for
hunter with a gun, standing safely
THE CAMPAIGN
on the back of a truck or shooting
The campaign will form a cohesive and powerful motivation
from very close range. These men
for all those determined to put an end to the breeding
“Many people have asked me what made me decide to
and women pay anything from
of lions purely for the bullet. It will provide information,
make this film. There were a number of reasons – animals in
US$5 000 - $48 000 for a trophy in
direction and a constant monitoring of the progress of
general, but our wildlife in particular, have always mattered
order to shoot the king of beasts in
the efforts of everyone involved. It is aimed at the general
to me. However, Martin Luther King Jr best summed it up for
circumstances which are anything
public, both local and international, who believe that what
me when he said, ‘Our lives begin to end the day we become
but wild or sporting. And it is all
is happening on the breeding and hunting farms is simply
silent about things that matter’.”
completely legal.
not right. It will also target government agencies and
Tourists from all over the world
lawmakers, tourism bodies, ecologists, conservationists
flock to South Africa for sightings
and all media. It will provide leadership for all those who
of the Big Five and a host of other
seek to change the status quo.
an effective campaign aimed at ending these activities. Pippa Hankinson, Producer of Blood Lions, concludes:
wildlife in the country’s many
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
25
WILDLIFE CONSERVATION
Pango Plight of the
Pangolins are both the most trafficked wild mammals, and among the most ignored when it comes to conservation. It is believed that more than one- million have been killed in the last 10 years for the illegal international wildlife trade.
England was presented with an armoured suit made from pangolin scales. More recently, tens of thousands of pangolin skins were sold internationally
G
each year throughout the 1980s and 1990s to feed a fashion craze reat Britain’s Prince
for pangolin leather shoes and
William recently noted
boots. The main consumers were
that, “The pangolin runs
Japan, Mexico, and the USA: 167 000
range countries and the United
the risk of becoming
pangolins were legally exported to
States sat down for the first time
the United States from 1980 to 1985.
to foster collaboration to conserve
The leather trade finally stopped
pangolins. The meeting, co-hosted
extinct before most people have even heard of them.” Scientists know little about this
when parties to the Convention on
in DaNang by the governments of
elusive animal. All eight species
International Trade in Endangered
Vietnam and the USA and organised
are threatened but are rarely
Species (CITES) adopted a ‘zero
by Humane Society International,
encountered in the wild in any of the
export quota’ in 2000, banning all
convened national wildlife and
48 African and Asian countries in
commercial trade in three wild-
enforcement agencies, conservation
which they live, which makes it nearly
caught Asian pangolin species.
organisations and the world’s
impossible to estimate how many
CITES regulates cross-border
top experts. West, Central and
remain. Nor are they often seen in
wildlife trade under a treaty signed
Southern African countries came
zoos: they are so sensitive that few
by 181 nations.
together, wanting to work with
survive in captivity. Trade in pangolins dates back centuries. In 1820, King George III of
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
Restricting all commercial trade
Asian countries. “There was this
In June this year, delegates from
recognition that together, everyone
31 African and Asian pangolin-
is more powerful than one country
Photos: Tikki Hywood Trust
26
olin alone taking action — because
WILDLIFE CONSERVATION
forward at the 2016 CITES meeting.
pangolins were being ‘harvested’
an animal rescue and conservation
Up-listing to Appendix 1 would
each year,” says Dan Challender,
facility in Zimbabwe. “People would
you need both importing and
exporting countries to work towards
bring higher profile conservation with
Co-Chair of the Pangolin Specialist
be horrified if they knew how many
solutions,” says Rosemarie Gnam,
more funding and would restrict all
Group for the International Union for
of these animals were illegally
who heads the Division of Scientific
commercial trade. However, it is not
Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
leaving the African continent,”
Affairs for USFWS. “Countries
as easy as it sounds.
need to stand together on this.”
Last year, more than six tons of African pangolin scales were seized
comments Lisa. “When you do the math, the
CHINA’S GROWING THIRST FOR PANGOLINS
in Asia. In the first six months of
numbers are astounding. Six tons of
2015, that figure jumped to eight
scales (12 000 pounds or 5 443 kilos)
Making the trade illegal did little to
tons. “In light of this alarming
would require the slaughter of about
they should be up-listed to
curtail the Chinese market. “Demand
increasing trend we are realising
2 000 Temmincks Ground Pangolin
CITES Appendix 1 — its most
for pangolin has skyrocketed, in
that these seizures represent the tip
(Smutsia temminckii) or 1 000
stringent international trade
tandem with the increasing wealth
of the iceberg of a vast smuggling
White-bellied Pangolin (Phataginus
rule. That would require a vote
of some of China’s 1.4 billion citizens.
industry,” says Lisa Hywood, CEO
tricuspis),” she notes. Lisa calls it ‘a
if the recommendation is put
During the 1980s, up to 160 000
and founder of the Tikki Hywood Trust,
grave situation’.
A science committee chaired by Gnam determined that all eight species are in such peril that
without her scales cutting into my skin or creating more fear
and harmless mammal and preys only on ants and termites.
in her already terrified body. I watched in amazement, as
These prehistoric, gentle creatures (the earliest pangolin
never before had I encountered such an animal. Sitting down
fossils date back about 80 million years) are being poached at
very quietly behind her, not too close, but not too far either, I
such alarming rates that they could all but disappear before
watched this prehistoric looking animal slowly, scale by scale,
most people will have even heard of them.
unroll and with a gentleness I had yet to see in any animal,
be a voice for these overlooked and unusual mammals. They
towards the ants. Sniffing the air once or twice and then the
may be armoured, but they still need protection.
ground–with just the slightest movement, she would freeze -
HOW THE TIKKI HYWOOD TRUST BEGAN “I gently placed her down upon the ground, close to an ant mound. My heart was pounding and my hands shaking. I did
Tikki Hywood was my dad. A man who inspired me, someone
wait until she felt she had the all-clear and then proceed. Her
whom I not only admired but looked up to and wanted to be
pace quickened, the sniffing and digging sounds replaced the
like. My dad made me smile; he loved life and what nature
silence, and bits of earth flew past where I was sitting. The
freely offered to each and every one of us. He was my hero. So
energy from this graceful creature intensified.
it was only right that after his death, I did something to honour
Her eyes were tightly closed, her rapidly moving pink, long
his memory and make him smile. That was to establish the
tongue glided in and out of her cylindrical mouth, barely
Tikki Hywood Trust.”–Lisa Hywood, CEO and founder of Tikki
stopping to breathe as her feasting continued unabated. There
Hywood Trust
was no stopping her: she was hungry and had found her prey.
The Tikki Hywood Trust is a non-profit charitable
At that moment, I was not aware that this was to be one of
organisation offering a fresh and positive contribution to
my many experiences with the most poached mammal on our
Zimbabwean conservation. The Tikki Hywood Trust fills a niche
planet, the pangolin.
that is often overlooked in wildlife conservation, being the
Twenty years on and I fear that our knowledge of this almost
not want to upset either the ants or this incredibly nervous
unknown species has not progressed that far. We still do not
mammal who smelt, oddly enough, of earth. She was a victim
know how many pangolins exist in the world. So often I have
of the illegal wildlife trade and who knows how long she had
asked myself, “How can we save a species from the verge
not eaten, or had been bound up in the smelly sack.
of extinction when we do not even
There was no noise–just an eerie silence and the sound of
This outcome can change–each one of us, has the power to
slowly unfold and start walking up-right on her hind legs
preservation of species that lack the charisma and appeal of the larger, more publicised rare animals. www.tikkihywoodtrust.org
know how many there are or even
my heart pounding in my ears. Each one of my movements
where they are?” The pangolin is
had to be slow and gentle; a quick reaction would cause her
silent, nocturnal and small. Despite its
to instinctively roll into a tight ball. She was difficult to carry
armoured appearance, it is a nurturing
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
27
2000
LANDSCAPE
year-old termite mound found
An ancient mound confirms insects can live in the same homes for millennia
woods in the Lubumbashi region of
a single termite queen, which rarely
were active, with termites residing
BY MATT WALKER
exceeds 20 years,” write scientists
in the top part of the structure.
thought to have been abandoned
in the journal Palaeogeography,
Two were abandoned, and in each
for decades. However, the study
Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology.
category the researchers sampled
reveals termites regularly used
a smaller mound standing less than
it 500 to 800 years ago, during
3.5 metres tall, and a larger one more
an especially warm period in
than six metres tall.
the region. Its use 2 200 years
T
ermites are remarkable
standing more than 10
was built upon an ancient
down the vertical axis of each mound.
mound that was 675 to 766 years
Republic of Congo (DRC). “The sheer
Mounds are resilient to the ravages of
old, confirming that termites
size of the mounds suggests that
time and fire.
continue to build on the same
their age surpasses the lifespan of
engineers, capable of building mounds
The researchers took samples
Upper Katanga in the Democratic
DETERMINING THE AGE OF THE MOUNDS
Of the four mounds tested, two
mounds for centuries. The 2 200-year-old mound is
metres high and 15 metres wide at
Led by Hans Erens, a team of
their base. Their mounds regulate
researchers from Ghent University
the age of the earth used to create
Centuries, also infers termites use
heat and the condition of the
in Belgium and the University of
the structure increased towards
the same sites for millennia.
air inside, and are used to home
Lubumbashi in DRC dated four large
the ground, with the base of the
and raise generations of the tiny
termite mounds using a technique
mound dating between 2335–2119
interpreted as minimum
social insects. But a new discovery
called Carbon 14 dating. This samples
years before present. The smaller
estimates,” say the researchers
reveals how even more astounding
the ratio of the radioactive Carbon 14
abandoned mound showed a similar
in the journal. “Nonetheless, some
these structures are.
isotope in the soil of the mounds. The
profile, its base being 684 to 796
of the mounds are much older
In the Miombo woodland area
ratio of the isotope present relative to
years old.
than previously estimated.” There
of central Africa, scientists have
normal carbon accurately reflects the
found an abandoned termite
age of the structure.
In the larger abandoned mound,
The active nests were more modern, but the larger nest
ago, and then in the 12th to 15th
“These ages should be
have been previous claims of 4 000-year-old termite mounds
mound that is more than 2 200
in South Africa, with the insects
years old. That makes the mound
being identified as the creators
the oldest termite structure ever
of geological structures in the
dated, notwithstanding those
country known as Heuweltjies.
that have become preserved as
However, recent evidence
fossils. Another mound studied is
suggests these features were
at least 750 years old, confirming
caused by soil erosion.
the ancient mound was not an anomaly. The discovery suggests
Follow Matt Walker and
that termites used the same
BBC Earth on twitter.
structures for millennia.
www.bbc.co.uk/earth
The mounds were built by the termite species Macrotermes Falciger, in an area of the Miombo
Image: Zoonar GmbH/Alamy)
28
Termites regularly used it 800 to 500 years ago, during an especially warm period in the region SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
35 INTERNATIONAL GEOLOGICAL CONGRESS TH
27 AUGUST - 4 SEPTEMBER 2016 | CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
The International Geological Congress (IGC) is the principal event of the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) – held every 4 years, the 35TH IGC congress will be held in Cape Town, South Africa between 27 August and 4 September 2016. Three core topics provide the framework for what is planned to be a cutting-edge and topical scientific programme: • Geoscience for Society • Fundamental Geoscience • Geoscience in the Economy The programme comprises some 49 themes within this framework, and over 220 symposia have been proposed to date (www.35igc.org/Themes). Contribute to symposia covering; environmental geoscience, mine rehabilitation, geoscience at the nexus of industry, water, sustainability and social impacts of the extractive and power industries, hydrogeology and isotopic tracing of environmental contamination. In addition some 50 field trips are being planned across the length and breadth of Africa, offering a unique opportunity to see some of the great geological features and mineral districts of the Continent. Abstract submission has opened and Super Early Bird registration opportunities are also now available! Further details regarding the scientific programme, exhibition space, field trips, sponsorship, courses/workshops and Registration for the 35TH IGC can be found on the website.
www.35igc.org
IN COLLABORATION WITH:
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2611 491
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