Simply Green - Issue 2, 2017 by Chris Erasmus

DIGIMAG

YOUR LEADER IN ECO-BUSINESS & LIFESTYLE

ISSUE 2 • 2017

simply

RENEWABLE ENERGY • NU-TECH WATER WARS • winter heating

1 SG

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10 l 20 enta nm sm iro nali v En our ard J Aw er nn Wi

Inside

ican Afr ited uth Lim e So ies Th er Brew

News

Features

08 General 26 Water 43 Energy 98 Conservation 104 Motoring

12 Forging the Future 16 Indian Odyssey 20 Water Wars: The future is now 30 Greywater Saves Water 34 Row For Change 36 Renbewables' Future

simply www.simplygreen.co.za â&#x20AC;˘ editor@simplygreen.co.za Cape Town Office â&#x20AC;˘ P O Box 30946, Tokai, 7966 Tel 27 (0) 21 701 1186

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Publisher Robbie Sammers robbie@insightspublishing.co.za

Project Manager Kyle Villet kyle@insightspublishing.co.za

Sales Executive Jacky Villet jacky@insightspublishing.co.za

Editor Chris Erasmus editor@simplygreen.co.za

Design Kevin Rule volkev@gmail.com

Office Manager Susan Ball susan@insightspublishing.co.za

Creative Director Silke Erasmus silke@simplygreen.co.za

Issue 2 • 2017 Volume 10 No.2 •

Home & Office

Lifesyle

52 Office Smell Solution 61 Office Landscaping 65 Zero Waste Home 92 Eco Home: One step at a time

98 Winter Warming Guide 116 Herbs & Spices 94 Eco Wine Champions 100 Carbon Tax

Publishing House Insights Publishing 176 Main Road, Claremont Tel 021 683 0005 Disclaimer Opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publishers or staff.

Copyright Simply Green is a registered trademark and is copyright protected worldwide. Material published in Simply Green, including all artwork, may not be reproduced without the permission of the editor. ISSN 1998-1309

Flagship Member

SOUTH AFRICA'S ENVIRONMENTAL CAMPAIGN www.indaloyethu.co.za

EDITORIAL SG 6

US President Donald Trump pulls America

out of an historic global climate change deal. South African President Jacob Zuma's 'state capture' administration insists, over a Constitutional Court ruling, that it will go ahead with a financially disastrous nuclear power station build progamme. Both actions have severe potential implications; Trump's for humans as a whole and Americans in particular, Zuma's for South Africans in particular. Trump and his allies have been bending over backwards in the face of a storm of national and international protest to 'explain' his move out of the Paris climate accord, though virtually everyone with any sense knows that it is some form of delusional madness to deny climate change as a reality. Meanwhile, that faction within the ruling party of South Africa which unblinkingly supports Zuma still endorses his drive to enrich certain parties, apparently at all costs, by simply trying to go round or ignoring what the highest court in the land has had to say on the subject. While the two issues involved in these real life 'soapies' are only tangentially related – through the issue of the impact of our energy-consumptive lifestyles on global weather patterns and what, if anything, to do about that – they are deeply linked in terms of a top-down, 'ignore the logical arguments and steam on head with reckless abandonment' mentality with which both leaders have taken their respective decisions. Trump is obviously listening to funders such as the notorious Koch brothers (known for their free-spending support of hardline 'profit above everything' political candidates and agendas, and especially their climate change denialism drives); Zuma is obviously listening to those non-rational voices of encouragement for his unsound determinations from people has gathered about him. Also, it would seem, there is something of a 'family affair' on both sides: Zuma and the Gutpas, and the Trumps with the Kochs, and other fellow travellers. Is there more than mere co-incidence involved in these scenarios? South Africa was, just a little over a year ago,

a leading light in driving truly green renewable energy production in Africa – nuclear, despite what some people may say, is neither 'green' nor renewable, and though, once built, nuke power stations emit very little CO2, that cannot be said about their lengthy build programmes themselves, which are highly carbon-intensive. Eskom, in collaboration with private entities, was leading the way to a sustainable future of increasing renewable energy production in Africa before the baleful hand of one Brain Molefe (along with cohorts with the same agenda) put a halt to such sensible energy production programmes in SA in favour of nukes. The USA was once, under the last Bush president, one of the most recalcitrant of the high carbon-emitting countries, then under Obama became a major proponent of 'green' low-carbon energy production and now, under Trump, has reverted to its former denialist position, with an added twist of Trumpesque petulant isolationism tossed into the mix. So on one level, and despite some broad parallels, there is not much detail in common in these two scenarios. Not much, that is, apart from an extraordinary disregard from the highest in the land for the greater well-being of ordinary people, and most especially not of their people's core needs and wants. In the case of Trump, a majority of Americans – despite the fiercest propagandistic, 'fake news' and disinformation campaigns of the Koch brothers and their ilk – oppose the withdrawal of the USA from the Paris climate accord, as do almost all the other governments on the planet. In the South African nuclear debacle, not even the state is still trying to pretend any longer that nuclear power plants – truly economic and technical behemoths – are 'necessary' for the stable production of power in this country for at least the next several years. And even for the period after the mid-2020s, the case for building a suite of nuke power stations in SA is weak, to say the least. Both stories involve leaders who are supposedly working for the greater interests of those whom they lead, but are evidently not doing that. Trump is bowing to the bizarre arguments of a conspiracy-theory-driven sect of climate denialists and to the deep ignorance on climate matters which he shares with many of his core constituents.

Zuma, for his part, is doing something similar, though his real constituency (those who will actually benefit) appears much smaller – perhaps just a couple families and assorted collaborators, plus a clutch of buddies, some placed in influential positions by Zuma himself or by his loyalists. In neither case can a clear and logical argument be made for the decisions taken and commented on here. Not only that, in the instances of the unloved and (almost universally) unwanted nuke stations, a Zuma minister has already 'blown' any chance that the Zuma administration can simply 'go through the motions' and then revert to its prior determination to build a suite of nuclear power plants. The minister in question unwisely said, after the recent Constitutional Court ruling which overturned various nuke build deals with, inter alia, Russian and American interests, that the Zuma government would go ahead with the required environmental impact assessments (EIA) and public consultations processes (which were so glaring avoided the first time round), and then just sign much the same deals again. In other words, this uncareful Zuma appointee has not only revealed that the Zuma government has no intention of allowing EIAs and public consultations to come to any other finding than the one they want, but the minister has also, in pre-empting the outcome, manifestly not acted not in good faith, has potentially acted with malfeasance and has done so, in certainty, without applying the necessary attention to the issues arising, as required of this minister by law. This means that any future effort by the Zuma administration to enforce a nuclear build programme – quite possibly regardless of any negatives emergent from either EIAs or public consultations or both – is bound to falter at the level of both ordinary law and at the level of the 'constitutional fitness' of such a preconceived outcome. Americans, as a whole, are largely (about 62% by one poll) in favour of mitigation efforts with regard to climate change. South Africans, as a whole, have not been polled on the nuclear build programme, but where organisations like the SA Communist Party and the Congress of Trade Unions (Cosatu) have spoken of the proposed nuke programme, it has not been in supportive tones, mainly because of the apparent 'state capture' aspect. Former Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan once again exhorted South Africans to 'join the dots' in this regard when he was grilling the Eskom board in Parliament in the wake of some of the latest 'state capture' revelations, including on who may be influencing pro-Zuma players in the state energy producer's chaotic decision-making around power generation, and on this state owned

enterprise's apparent determination under its current board to build nuclear power plants that the country neither needs nor can afford. So, if we are to do what former minister Gordhan suggests, what picture do the dots paint? In the case of Trump, it is of an isolationist with a deeply inadequate grip on the issues of climate as they are now impacting virtually everyone alive and who is under the influence of a small group of people with eccentric and, it would appear, maleficent agendas to do with the accumulation of vast wealth in a few people's hands. In the case of Zuma, it is an unhappy image of an increasingly tyrannical (no longer very popular) populist who appears determined to press ahead with a programme of enrichment of a selected few – even at the expense of his people, his own party, and the SA economy, and in direct conflict with the highest courts in the land and the will of his party's key allies. These two stories, running in parallel on our TV screens daily, like so many other 'soapies', are rather different in detail and yet eerily similar in overall look and feel. eTV News has even taken to running a self-promo commercial it calls 'The Life of Brian', featuring the ups and downs, cheers and tears of a certain Mr Molefe; it might be as funny as the Monty Python movie it is evoking if what was at stake was not so scary. In both cases, if the lead players get to have their way, the cost will primarily be paid by those with the least – but none of us will escape the wider impacts, which will be vast for all affected. The stakes, in each case, are very high. In South Africa, we cannot change or really influence idiot decisions by a 'know-nothing' president across the ocean, but we can stand up to rampant folly and self-serving maladministration on the home front. One of the best ways to do that, we think, is for all concerned in the local green energy sector to simply ignore the chaos going on at Megawatt Park and get on with the job of greening our economy and making it fit for a time in human global development in which true sustainability – including social and economic equitability for all – will, beyond doubt, become the cornerstone of collective decision-making. Let's just ignore the maladministrative mayhem as best we can, and get on with the job of making the world a better place to live in.

Chris & The Team

N ews

HUMAN CHANGE CLIMATE 170 TIMES QUICKER THAN NATURE GRAVITY-FREE ZONES Gravity, we're told, is just a theory. Or at least, in science we use theories of gravity to explain why objects tend to fall towards the Earth. Gravity is the theory; that objects tend to fall towards the Earth is the fact. But how does science explain weird places where gravity doesn't seem to apply? For instance, scattered around the world are a number of strange, physics-defying 'mystery spots', places where objects appear to roll uphill rather than down, where cyclists struggle to peddle down rather than up. The real explanation, it turns out, is pretty simple, but you might still have a difficult time believing it. Take, for instance, this anti-intuitive gravity hill found in Aryshire, Scotland in the video above. Cars on this road appear to roll uphill, a spooky mirage that has long confused anyone driving along it. But when a road surveyor was asked to take precise measurements, there was nothing spooky about it at all. The end of the road that seemed like it was uphill was actually downhill. So despite appearances, gravity was working exactly as it should. In other words, gravity hills are really just optical illusions. Your brain is being tricked into believing that up is down and down is up, and it comes down to a simple matter of relative perspective.

Source

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Scientists have known for some time that human activities are triggering climate change, but now two researchers, Will Steffen and Owen Gaffney of the Stockholm Resilience Centre, revealed just how much impact we’re having on the Earth. Through the first-ever mathematical equation of its kind, the Anthropocene Equation, they showed humans are causing temperatures to rise at rates far faster than natural forces. The two researchers said for most of the four and a half billion years Earth has existed, geophysical and astronomical forces changed the planet, prompting a rate of change of 0.01ºC per century. But during the last 60 years, humans have been the ones driving change. Specifically, in the last 45 years, greenhouse gas emissions we’ve released have spiked the rate of temperature rise to 1.7ºC per century.

Source

A MINI ICE AGE MAY BE COMING When it comes to climate change, a lot of emphasis is put on human activity, and rightfully so, as our ways here need to change. Perhaps in our fervour to discover our own culpability in this shift, however, we missed a few things along the way? What about the natural cycles of climate change Earth experiences, and has experienced? It’s a scientific fact that fluctuations in the solar cycle impact earth’s global temperature, as do other massive bodies flying in and around our solar system. The most recent research to examine this topic comes from the National Astronomy Meeting in Wales, where Valentina Zharkova, a mathematics professor from Northumbria University (UK), presented a model that can predict what solar cycles will look like far more accurately than was previously possible. She states that the model can predict their influence with an accuracy of 97%, and says it is showing that Earth is heading for a 'mini ice age' in approximately fifteen years. According to the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS): A new model of the Sun’s solar cycle is producing unprecedentedly accurate predictions of irregularities within the Sun’s 11-year heartbeat. The model draws on dynamo effects in two layers of the Sun, one close to the surface and one deep within its convection zone. Predictions from the model suggest that solar activity will fall by 60% during the 2030s to conditions last seen during the ‘mini ice age’ that began in 1645.

For the full story click here.

Scientists say we have 10 years to save Earth An international team of eight researchers said we have just 10 years to save the planet. But their news isn’t all bad: they’ve come up with a model for balancing carbon dioxide emissions with carbon sinks, like forests, to keep temperatures from passing the 1.5ºC mark widely considered safe for life as we know it. Scientists say if the world actually intends to stick to the Paris agreement, the next decade will be critical. For more click here.

BEFORE & AFTER Explaining the impacts of climate change is never easy, and facts and figures do little to hammer home how the melting of ice is changing our planet. But photos certainly can. Place an old image of a glacier next to a recent one and the rapid and dramatic change is abundantly clear. That's what photographer James Balog has been doing for more than a decade as he documents the disappearance of glaciers over time. For more click here.

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E vents CAPE TOWN CARPOOL Every Wednesday

In an attempt to ease the chronic traffic situation in the Cape Town CBD and stem the adverse effects that increased journey times are having on business operations (and the human psyche), a carpooling pilot has been launched through Accelerate Cape Town (ACT). Together with a few of its corporate members, ACT has partnered with locally designed, built and maintained mobile app uGoMyWay, to remove excess cars from the roads by connecting drivers and passengers to each other to share their everyday journeys. Click HERE for more.

Nelson Mandela International Build Week July 17-21 • Orange Farm, Gauteng

THabitat for Humanity South Africa in partnership with the Nelson Mandela Foundation will be hosting their Nelson Mandela International Build Week from 17 to 21 July in Orange Farm, Gauteng. The goal is to build 67 homes for 67 families in honour of the annual call for people to devote one minute of their time for every year of Mandela’s public service. Click HERE for more.

THE CAPE TOWN FLOWER SHOW October 19-22 Grandwest, Goodwood Apart from the spectacle of the show gardens, the floral theatre and all the major attractions at the Cape Town Flower Show, the event in 2017 will have an even bigger focus on products and services that can help create awareness around water consumption, food security and conservation and give show visitors vital information about how to enjoy outdoor spaces and gardens, while being water-wise. Early bird tickets are available until July 31. Click HERE for more.

Green Building Convention October 9-11 Century City Conference Centre & Hotel For the last nine years, we’ve built a reputation as the not-to-be-missed event for top professionals in the building industry. And now our tenth year promises to be the best of all – an exclusive gathering of top minds and leading experts. You will have an opportunity to hear from top global experts and exchange ideas with the power to transform. Tour some of the top-rated green buildings in Cape Town and hear innovators and specialists debate key issues facing the industry. For more info click here.

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N ew Tech

Forging the Future From a smart material which reacts to light and remembers its shape, to used cooking oil converted into a new material stronger than steel and a new kind of matter called time-crystals, science continues to come up with amazing developments and breakthroughs. We take a look at a few of the more interesting and extraordinary aspects of the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;new techâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; revolution.

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more than one function. Smart materials are able to significantly alter one or more of their properties in response to external stimuli like heat, light or moisture. Scientists all over the world are developing smart materials for applications in product design, self-healing materials and programmable matter, among others. For instance, smart materials could change shape to unfold a solar panel on a space satellite without the need of a battery-powered mechanical device. The new material marks the first time that researchers have been able to combine several smart abilities, including shape memory behaviour, light-activated movement and self-healing behaviour, into one material.

Q-CARBON

Source

Researchers at North Carolina State University recently discovered a new form of carbon that is harder than diamonds. The material is called Q-carbon, and it has some exciting new applications. Unlike synthetic diamonds, it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need to be subjected to extreme pressures or heat in order to be produced. Instead, Q-carbon can be produced in a lab using only a laser of about the same strength as one used for eye surgery. Right now, scientists arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t completely sure what to do with the new material. In fact, given its unique properties, they arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even completely sure how to work with it. But with time, Q-carbon could be very promising for both consumer and industrial applications. Source

NU-ALCHEMY For almost 100 years, scientists have been trying to turn hydrogen, the lightest of all the elements, into a metal, but until now they had no luck. Finally, a breakthrough has surfaced. Scientists at Harvard University have finally succeeded in generating a minuscule amount of the rarest and what is thought to be the most valuable material on the planet. The importance of metallic hydrogen is evident within the subject of technology. In theory, it could allow for super-fast computers, high-speed levitating trains, extremely efficient vehicles, and the improvement of almost anything electrical. Furthermore, it could permit humanity to explore outer space like never

MULTI-FUNCTION

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before. However, one of the biggest challenges scientists face is getting the metal stable enough at

Researchers at Washington State University have

normal pressures and temperatures.

for the first time developed a smart material with

Source

COOKING OIL TO STEEL

TIME CRYSTALS

Scientists in Australia have found a way to transform

Proving that there is still so much for science to

used cooking oil into one of the strongest materials

discover, two groups of scientists have created a

known to man: graphene. It's a breakthrough that

new phase of matter called time crystals. Based on

could make this wonder material cheaper than ever

a blueprint from University of California, Berkeley,

to produce, and thus far more applicable. Graphene

assistant professor of physics Norman Yao, the

is an atomic-scale hexagonal lattice made of carbon

scientists created crystals whose structure repeats in

atoms that's so strong it's been said it would take

time rather than space. If time crystals sound like a

an elephant, balanced on a pencil, to break through

far-fetched science fiction daydream, Yao explained

a sheet of graphene the thickness of clingwrap. It's

they move somewhat like jiggling Jell-O, but

roughly 200 times stronger than steel, harder than

through time. Groups at Harvard University and the

diamond, and incredibly flexible. It can even act as a

University of Maryland followed Yao’s blueprint and

superconductor under certain conditions, meaning

were able to create time crystals, turning futuristic

it can carry electricity with zero resistance. And all

fantasy into reality. They used two totally different

of this, now, from cooking oil – soybean oil, to be

setups, according to the UC Berkeley statement, and

exact. This miracle material could become a fixture

have both submitted articles for publication, with

in our technology and in our lives in a big way. You

Yao as co-author on both. Physical Review Letters

may never look at the pooled up cooking oil on the

published a paper online in which Yao detailed the

bottom of your frying pan the same way again.

process to create time crystals. There may be few

Source

uses for time crystals – Yao couldn’t immediately think of any – but their discovery is important as scientists begin exploring non-equilibrium matter, and other phases of matter which could be useful, for example, in quantum computers. Source

BONUS: Super Solid Scientists

the

Massachusetts

Institute

Technology have created an entirely new form of matter: a supersolid. Up to this point, physicists thought supersolids might be possible, but had not yet observed them in the laboratory. Source

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Travel

India

Odyssey

Since environmental activist Kayden Kleinhans touched down in Colombo, Sri Lanka, in November 2016 armed with his Surly bike, his Sony camera slung over one shoulder and a flighty Mavic drone Pro, he has been peddling out and racking up carbon-free kilometres in the name of his eco-wise NPO, Global Wheeling. In the past six months, Kayden has traversed the island of Sri Lanka, the subcontinent of India and the hilly nation of Nepal. This is a journey of blood, sweat and tears, a bucket load of grit and a lot of heart. Celine Fjeldheim takes a look.

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Tâ&#x20AC;&#x2030;

here have been highs and lows (literal and

footprint. A carbon footprint is measured by all CO2

emotional), forks in the road, setbacks and

emissions affiliated with a person's daily activities,

detours, but also smiles of encouragement,

such as those from motor vehicle driving, but

exhilarating

unimaginable

also include indirect emissions such as those

experiences. This is Kayden's fifth cross-continent

landscapes

and

required to transport one's consumer goods. From

bicycle-powered trek and in an age where world

1990 to 2005, carbon dioxide emissions increased

leaders are turning their backs on global warming

globally by 31% and the decade from 2000 to 2009

and climate change, his mission has never been

was the hottest on record according to the US

more important.

Environmental Protection Agency's Climate Change

According to the Air Action Transport Group

Indicators Report. Global Wheeling stands against

(ATAG), in 2015 781 million tonnes of CO2 was

this over-reliance on fossil fuels, and the NPO has

emitted by aeroplanes alone. Globally humans

planted thousands of trees since 2010 in an attempt

produce over 36 billion tonnes of CO2 each year

to offset carbon emission. The guiltiest parties tend

and that number is on the rise. Global Wheeling

to be wealthy nations such as the US, who with only

spreads awareness about the dangers of excess

4% of the global population, contribute to 25% of all

carbon emissions and calls for individuals to take

greenhouse gases.

personal responsibility for the health of their planet

Kayden believes is leading by example, an

by actively working towards reducing their carbon

ethos which has propelled him on human power

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across all five continents and has won Global

flight to Madurai in Thamil Nadu, the southern-most

Wheeling two Eco awards, a SAFTA nomination for

airport accessible from Sri Lanka.

his first documentary and a passionate green-tinged following of two-wheeled affiliates. The eight month odyssey started in the northern region of Sri Lanka after an over-night train

cycling out straight into the hot, intense madness that is southern India.

journey on the Jaffna Express from the sunny Sri

The journey northwards was seeped in breathless

Lankan capital of Colombo, the point of touch

swirls of pollution, traffic, crowds and wafts of

down. The indomitable duo, Kayden and his two

tea as the spokes spun over the western Ghats

wheeled confidant, the Mistress of Mischief, cycled

mountain range, dropping down to the Kerala coast,

from lighthouse to lighthouse, from the crown

hugging the ocean via Goa and finally up to the

to the base of this light-hearted island nation,

swollen streets of Mumbai.

passing through the velvet hilled tea plantations

After Mumbai, the plan was to continue through

of Nuwara Eliya and the Unesco world heritage

the western half of the country up through Rajistan,

sights and archeological treasures of the three

Punjab and eventually up to Himachael Pradesh

ancient kingdoms of Pollonaruwa, Anuradhapura

and finally, the region of Ladakh, home to one of

and Sigirya. Albeit slightly congested (with 20

the highest arable mountain passes in the world.

million Sri Lankans crammed onto one tiny island),

However, a bar-stop, a couple of whiskeys and a

cycling through this peaceful nation just recovering

friendly local changed the trajectory somewhat

from a lengthy civil war is a cycle-tourist's dream

when the discovery was made that Kayden would

with decent roads, friendly passers-by and jaw

be arriving too early in the season, with the 5â&#x20AC;&#x2030;000

dropping scenery.

meter cliff path still snowed in until early June. The

Passage from Sri Lanka to India was not to be

decision was made to reroute North East towards

as smooth due to less than favourable relations

the holy city of Varanasi on the banks of the mighty

between the two nations. Since ferries no longer

Ganges. Here the infamous Delhi belly struck with a

embark on the ocean voyage needed to reach the

vengeance, draining energy levels and making the

shores of the golden subcontinent, after clocking

last push to the Nepalese border a mettle-testing

up 1â&#x20AC;&#x2030;300 carbon-free kilometres, our eco warrior

feat.

was forced to box the Mistress and board a short

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Leg two of the odyssey started with the in-airport reassembly of the Mistress of Mischief, before

The struggle ended in a harshly polluted

Kathmandu with air so thick with smog it could literally be tasted. A combination of the geographical landscape, over-population in the city and the remnants of the earthquake in 2015 have created a suffocating dust and carbon monoxide blanket over the Himalayan valley city. Then just when everything seemed to be going well again, disaster struck last week when a wayward motorbike careened into the Mistress just a few hundred kilometres south of Rishikesh. Thankfully, the sturdy Surly frame survived the collision and after a thorough hammering and a little straightening, although a bit bruised, she was good to go. Now the snow is melting fast and with just a few weeks left and 6â&#x20AC;&#x2030;600 carbon-free kilometres on the dial and counting, the duo will soon start the big push north into the Himalayas for the second time, heading for Khardung La, the highest motorable pass in the world. This daunting ascent will be traversed on pedal power alone and conquering the looming alpine pass will see Kayden to his glorious finish line. With the final pedal stroke an estimated ton of CO2 will be saved.

Follow Kayden's Indian Odyssey on Facebook: @KaydenKleinhans and on the Global Wheeling Facebook Page: Global Wheeling Foundation & its Around The World Eco Charity Bicycle Ride.

'Little did I know at this stage but the country has the ability to hug you and hit you simultaneously; it impresses in one moment and disappoints the next. India is a sensory overload that is taken to new heights when traversing on two wheels.' - Kayden Kleinhans

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W ater

NOW The future is

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Once, a number of years ago, when 'global warming' was first coined as a term, leading figures in the scientific world were afraid, literally, for their careers and positions if they were to mouth such a term among academic colleagues. Since then, the wheel has definitely turned. Now, because of the climate change driven by anthropogenic warming of the planet (against a background trend which should be cooling the planet) we hear daily 'water reports' on the radio, TV or via the internet from 'water reporters' and experts, informing us of the next round of restrictions or providing hints and tips on how to reduce our water usage. But the problem we face collectively is much deeper than that. We take a look.

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his story could be very long or very short:

have to move quickly and decisively if there is not

there are really only a few options for the

going to be a massive water crisis.

authorities and citizens of greater Cape

Bear in mind that, with the recent declaration of

Town at present (and by extension, South Africans

the Western Cape as a disaster area because winter

and many other people around the planet) in

rainfall has yet to come and damns are literally

attempting to make a very little water go a very long

drying out, there is not a single region in South

way. One way is to simply cut off municipal water

Africa that has not had a disaster-level drought in

supplies provided by existing infrastructure, and

just the last year alone.

start instead trucking this vital fluid in for general

And no doubt, there will be more years like the

distribution at key points – it may be one of the

one we've just had or are having, and quite possibly,

few ways to ensure everyone has access to at least

there is much worse to come yet.

some, and the same amount of, drinkable fresh water. As wild an idea as it sounds, things may well

Other ways

come to that.

Besides desalinisation, there are other ways of

The other approach to the current crisis, and

finding new sources of fresh water too: on the coast

perhaps something that ought to be taken on

of South America where Patagonia meets the icy

simultaneously, is to drive ahead on every available

southern seas, there is almost no rainfall inland,

front to preserve what we have and what might fall

but coastal moisture capture schemes are reliably

as rain in this already late-rainfall season in the

producing fresh water. There is no reason we could

Western Cape, as well as create new water supplies.

not do something similar, especially along SA's

New supplies

(and Namibia's) West coast where in-coming coastal

Surprising as it may seem, new supplies of fresh

(if scaled up adequately) significant quantities of

water are perhaps in the long term the only way that

water.

Cape Town and its metropolitan and rural surrounds are going to have sufficient water going into the

Fog to water

future – an ever-dried, hotter and harsher future, on

Already, one local outfit is looking to get into this

fog and moisture-laden air can be harvested for

current trends.

market. H2O Catchers (for more click here), the

One way to do this, which is well-established,

outfit in question, says it is 'on a mission to solve

especially by the Israelis and others, is to install

the water crisis in the Western Cape'. The company

massive new deslination plants along the coast,

says it is making available 'a method of capturing

especially near urban centres (to reduce pumping

water that has already been proving by many around

and water loss through long piping systems).

the world'. Looking to provide a sophisticated and

Desalinisation is neither a new technology nor an

sustainable solution which works for both the

especially complex one, but it is costly in terms of

environment and humans, the company says it is

energy. On the other hand, if each now deslinisation

researching 'new ways to generate safe water for

plant had its own dedicated solar and/or wind power

drinking and sanitation'.

production facility located right next door to supply

Their goal is to capture water from fog 'in certain

it with energy, almost all our new-sourced fresh

areas of the Western Cape in order to provide

water would come at a very low cost – probably a

rural areas, towns and cities with fresh water that

great deal cheaper than that which results from

is produced through a new method of creating

enormously costly tariffs designed to make people

sustainable water sources'.

use less water because of the sheer expense. There

S G 22

are

already

sites

and

plans

But the issue for this outfit is to match what they for

believe to be a viable solution to adequate funding

desalinisation, but under the current extreme

to make a meaningful addition to the region's

conditions prevailing in the Western Cape – and

reliable fresh water supplies.

with a country-wide summer drought only broken by

The start-up is working on a prototype that can

heavy rains very late in the season in the rest of the

be created out of recycled materials. The shell of

country – it is obvious that authorities are going to

the meshnets they believe will work are to be 3m x

3m and will be light-weight and eco-friendly. These structures, they say, will be easy to maintain and sufficient to generate 'good amounts' of water. They are also exploring methods of 3D printing for the shells which hold the mesh. There are a number of materials used to capture water from fog. The best four options are currently being tested, with 'new developments of three-dimensional net structures and spider web-type materials (which) are producing good results', but which are still in the early stages of development, they say.

Saving Obviously, in the short term, water-saving by restriction of consumption is the only way to show improved water-retention on a day-to-day basis and to do so immediately. But people are creatures of habit and it is going to be a tough call to expect people to pitch up at work having done little more in the way of hygiene than brush their teeth and wipe down with a damp hand cloth – no showers or baths. And what about the many people, especially the poor, who have relied on the free basic water provision, now to be done away with, and who have been using much of their allocated water for their home gardens? These folks, as usual, are going to be the hardest hit – as was precisely predicted by scientists decades ago when looking at the forthcoming socio-economic impacts of climate change driven by global warming.

No easy answer With water there is no fudging, no tweaking and no ducking and diving by officials that will help. Even efforts by the community as a whole to cut water usage under threat of running out of water altogether will only work up to a point. Water, as the saying goes, is indeed life, and if it is under threat, one can expect trouble. Already, China and India are squaring up for a showdown because China's upstream efforts to damn, control and effectively keep water for themselves are likely to put literally millions of downstream Indians under extreme water scarcity pressures. As predicted by Body Shop founder Anita Roddick in the early 2000s, 'water wars' are increasingly likely in an ever hotter, drier world – where, ironically, 'relief' from drought often comes in the form of

In SA, agriculture uses the lion's share of water, but how is the government going to quickly and effectively force even some, let alone all, farmers to use less wasteful means of irrigation than are now employed?

massive floods and inundations, that, again, leave

23 S G

little drinkable water and much devastation in their wake. Aside from water-driven conflict at state versus state level, there are likely to be similar stand-offs and even violence down to community level â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and

desalinisation, look at new ideas like capturing

between competing elements within society â&#x20AC;&#x201C; all

water from fog, or fiercely enforce water savings in

demanding their 'share' of the available water.

agriculture, industry, in the home and in the office,

In SA, agriculture uses the lion's share of water,

one thing is for sure: water restrictions of some kind

but how is the government going to quickly and

are here to stay and the days of water 'running free'

effectively force even some, let alone all, farmers

may soon be gone for good.

to use less wasteful means of irrigation than are

This means that we need to do not one thing, but

now employed? Spraying from reticulated or in-line

everything we can to save water, from preventing

systems wastes upwards of 40% or more of the

dripping taps and other wastage (Cape Town needs

water sprayed, so there is an obvious saving to be

something like R3b just to repair leaking water

made there â&#x20AC;&#x201C; but only at very substantial cost to

mains and to stop a massive amount of water

those replacing such a system with something which

wastage from this source alone) through to all the

employs limited water resources both effectively

many steps, hints and tips on best water usage

and efficiently.

practices being made available, in these pages and

And, as in countries where there is plenty of oil

almost everywhere else in the media.

running in pipelines but poor communities living

Mainly, though, we need a fundamental and

nearby (like parts of Nigeria), is it not likely that

society-wide shift in our attitude towards water: it is

water pilfering, diversion and outright theft are likely

not 'free', it is not 'cheap' and it is not 'plentiful'. It

to follow, along with inter- and intra-community

is, in fact, scarce and getting scarcer. It is not only

conflicts over who gets the limited water resources,

valuable, it makes all other things comparatively

how they are allocated and who makes the money?

insignificant because without water there is no life,

Everything & something new Whether we opt for existing proven solutions, like

S G 24

Concept art for a solar-powered 'Ring Garden' that aims to marry desalination and agriculture for drought-stricken California

no food and no society to live in, and therefore it is the most valuable thing we have. Now think about that the next time you let a tap run while you are not using the water that is being flushed, literally, down the drain.

save

wate r

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ECOSAN toilets are relatively lightweight and easy to move into position during installation: • The unit does not require any type of flushing mechanism, eliminating the risk of mechanical failure • It uses no water, so no plumbing is required • It has no sewer connections • It is ideally suited for both city and rural homes • It has a modern and functional design and is easily transportable • It uses no chemicals 25 ecosan.co.za • 012 807 5002 SG

W ater N ews

DISINFECTING YOUR WATER Around the world, 663 million people lack access to clean drinking water. Unfortunately, disinfecting contaminated water can be an elaborate, costly and time-intensive procedure – for example, disinfecting water with UV rays can take up to 48 hours, limiting the amount of water that can be treated. A new device created by researchers at Stanford University and SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory solves this problem: it’s a little black rectangle that harnesses the sun’s light to disinfect water in 20 minutes flat. While the rectangle looks like a simple block of black glass, it’s actually covered in nanostructured molybdenum disulfide. The thin flakes are staked together sideways so that their maze-like edges are exposed to the water. When the block is placed in water and then left in the sun, it reacts with the sunlight and the water, forming hydrogen peroxide and other antibacterial chemicals. Soon after, the chemicals dissipate and leave crystal clear water behind.

Source

WATER FROM AIR On Tatooine, the desert planet from Star Wars that Luke Skywalker calls home, some people work as moisture farmers, collecting water from the desert air using moisture vaporators. But that's all science fiction, right? We couldn't possibly have anything like that in the real world, could we? Well, thanks to a joint effort between University of California, Berkeley, and MIT, we may be one step closer to Star Wars technology. Previous attempts to collect water have either been not particularly effective since they require very humid air or they've been energy hogs and thus aren't viable for long-term use. The new device, detailed in Science, can produce almost three liters of water over a 12-hour period, even if the humidity level hits 20%, which is typical of arid regions. What powers this water harvester? The sun, of course.

Source

GIVING BACK Norwegian businessman Kjell Inge Røkke is not someone usually admired for environmental stewardship. Described by Forbes as a 'ruthless corporate raider', Røkke made his billions as the majority stakeholder in shipping and offshore drilling conglomerate, Aker. The twist to this story? Røkke has decided to give a large share of his estimated $2.7b fortune towards building a 180-metre marine research vessel – the Research Expedition Vessel (REV), that’s also designed to scoop up plastic pollution from the ocean. The REV, a collaboration with Norway’s World Wildlife Fund, will be able to suck up to five tons of plastic a day from the waters and melt it down

For the full story click here. www.rosellinisfour-10.no/vessel

S G 26

WATER IS LIFE From the rivers of North Dakota, to Mayan Elders on the banks of sacred Lake Atitlan of Guatemala and into the Australian outback, join a journey of discovery into the myriad ways different cultures celebrate the sacred nature of water. Featuring indigenous elders, scientists, activists and healers, the goal of the film Water is Life is to inspire us to remember we are all connected. Nothing demonstrates this more than the nature of water.

THE OCEAN CLEANUP In 2016, The Ocean Cleanup found 1 000 large pieces of plastic in two hours in the Pacific Ocean during their first aerial reconnaissance mission. The Dutch foundation announced recently that they have raised $21.7m and can now begin large-scale trials of their passive plastic capturing technology in the Pacific this year. The Pacific Ocean, plagued by the Texas-sized Great Pacific Garbage Patch, desperately needs to be cleaned up. The Ocean Cleanup is ready to tackle the problem with their plastic gathering technology tested in the North Sea thanks to this new funding. Founder and CEO Boyan Slat said in a statement, 'Our mission is to rid the world’s oceans of plastic, and this support is a major leap forward towards achieving this goal. Thanks to the generous support of these funders, the day we’ll be returning that first batch of plastic to shore is now in sight.'

Source

27 S G

Water doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t come from a tap. Water goes on a long and complicated journey to get to you.

Visit journeyofwater.co.Za to learn more about where your water comes from. Photo ÂŠ Hougaard Malan

S G 28

WATERfirst

waste-water management

29 S G

W ater

GREYWATER SAVES WATER Greywater is much more useful than you might think, especially in our increasing water-scarce lives. We take a look at an issue affecting an ever-increasing number of people.

S G 30

reywater has been described

you are not able to send greywater into

in many ways, one is that it is

an existing drip irrigation system, but

'gently used' water from your

must shape your landscape to allow

bathroom sinks, showers, tubs, and

water to infiltrate into the soil. Experts

washing machines. It is not water that

recommend simple, low-tech systems

has come into contact with faeces, either

that use gravity whenever possible,

from the toilet or from washing diapers.

instead of pumps. Irrigation systems that

Greywater may contain traces of dirt,

are designed to avoid clogging, rather

food, grease, hair, and certain household

than relying on filters and drip irrigation,

cleaning

will likely prove less costly with fewer

products.

While

greywater

may look 'dirty', it is a safe and even

problems in the long run.

beneficial source of irrigation water

It is generally considered wise to

in a yard or veggie garden. Keep in

promote greywater reuse to increase

mind that if greywater is released into

the productivity of sustainable backyard

rivers, lakes, or estuaries, its nutrients

ecosystems that produce food, clean

become pollutants, but to plants, they

water, and even shelter wildlife. Such

are valuable fertiliser. Aside from the

systems recover valuable 'waste' products

obvious benefits of saving water (and

– greywater, household compost, and

money on your water bill), reusing your

human waste – and reconnect their

greywater keeps it out of the sewer

human inhabitants to ecological cycles.

or septic system, thereby reducing the

More complex systems are best

chance that it will pollute local water

suited for multi-family, commercial,

bodies. Reusing greywater for irrigation

and industrial scale applications. These

reconnects urban residents and our

systems can treat and reuse large

backyard gardens to the natural water

volumes of water, and play a role in

cycle.

water conservation in dense urban

The easiest way to use greywater is

housing developments, food processing

to pipe it directly outside and use it to

and manufacturing facilities, schools,

water ornamental plants, fruit trees or

universities,

your own organic veggie garden. When

Because complex systems rely on pumps

using greywater to irrigate vegetable

and filtration systems, they are often

plants, care must be taken not to let any

remain on or even touch edible parts of

to install and may require regular

the plants (mainly those above ground

maintenance.

– tubers and roots must be properly cleaned for safe consumption). In any greywater system, it is essential

and

public

buildings.

Basic greywater guidelines

to use 'plant friendly' products, being

Greywater is different from fresh water

those without salts, boron, or chlorine

and requires different guidelines for it

bleach. The build-up of salts and boron

to be reused.

in the soil can damage plants. While

•

Don't store greywater (more than

you're at it, watch out for your own

24 hours). If you store greywater

health: 'natural' body products often

the nutrients in it will start to break

contain substances toxic to humans when taken internally.

Simple is best

down, creating bad odours. •

Minimise contact with greywater. Greywater could potentially contain a pathogen if an infected person's

For residential greywater systems, simple

faeces got into the water, so your

designs are best. With simple systems

system should be designed for the

31 S G

water to soak into the ground and not be available for people or animals to drink. •

Infiltrate greywater into the ground, don't allow it to pool up or run off. Knowing how well water drains into your soil or the percolation rate of your soil will help with proper design. Pooling greywater can provide mosquito breeding grounds, as well as a place for human contact with greywater.

•

Keep your system as simple as possible, avoid pumps and filters that need upkeep. Simple systems last longer, require less maintenance, require less energy and cost less money.

• •

Install a 3-way valve for easy switching between

Branched drain

the greywater system and the sewer/septic.

The branched drain system was also invented by

Match the amount of greywater your plants will

Art Ludwig. Greywater in this system flows through

receive with their irrigation needs.

standard (37.5-40mm) drainage pipe, by gravity,

Some examples

for every 30cm travelled horizontally, and the water

Washing machines are typically the easiest source

is divided up into smaller and smaller quantities

of greywater to reuse because greywater can be

using a plumbing fitting that splits the flow. The

diverted without cutting into existing plumbing. Each

final outlet of each branch flows into a mulched

machine has an internal pump that automatically

basin, usually to irrigate the root zone of trees or

pumps out the water – you can use that to your

other large perennials. Branched drain systems are

advantage to pump the greywater directly to your

time consuming to install, but once finished require

plants.

very little maintenance and work well for the long

If you're looking for system that gives you flexibility in what plants you're able to irrigate and

term.

takes very little maintenance, it is recommended

From the sink

that you use a laundry-to-landscape system similar

Kitchen sinks are the source of a fair amount of

to that invented by Art Ludwig.

water, usually very high in organic matter (food,

This greywater system doesn't alter the household

grease, etc). Kitchen sinks are not allowed under

plumbing: the washing machine drain hose is

many greywater codes in the USA and elsewhere, so

attached directly to a diverter valve that allows you

you have to check with your local authority about

to switch the flow of greywater between the sewer/

any related restrictions which may apply where you

septic and the greywater irrigation system. The

live.

greywater irrigation system directs water through

This water will clog many kinds of systems.

25mm tubing with 12.5mm outlets directing water

To avoid clogging, it is recommended that you

to specific plants. This system is low cost, easy to

use a branched drain system with mulch basins

install, and gives huge flexibility for irrigation. In

where organic matter collects in the woodchips and

most situations this is the number one place to start

decomposes. Since bathroom sinks don't typically

when choosing a greywater system.

generate much water, they can often combine flows

From the shower Showers are a great source of greywater as they usually produce a lot of relatively clean water. To

S G 32

always sloping downward at 2% slope, or 6mm drop

with the shower water. Or, the sink water can be drained to a single large plant, or divided to irrigate two or three plants.

have a simple, effective shower system, consider

Constructed wetlands

a gravity-based system (no pump). If your yard is

Constructed wetlands are used to 'ecologically

located uphill from the house, then you'll need to

dispose' of greywater. If you produce more greywater

have a pumped system.

than you need for irrigation, a constructed wetland

can help use up some extra greywater. Wetlands absorb nutrients and filter particles from greywater, enabling it to be stored for longer or sent through a properly designed drip irrigation system (though more filtration and pumping is also required). Greywater is also a good source of irrigation for beautiful, water loving wetland plants. If you live near a natural waterway and don't have anywhere else to direct greywater, a wetland can safely clean and soak-up greywater, protecting riverine systems downstream. If you live in an arid climate, or are trying to reduce your fresh water use, we don't recommend incorporating wetlands into greywater systems as they use up a lot of the water which could otherwise be used for irrigation.

While greywater may look 'dirty', it is a safe and even beneficial source of irrigation water in a yard or veggie garden. Keep in mind that if greywater is released into rivers, lakes, or estuaries, its nutrients become pollutants, but to plants, they are valuable fertiliser. Aside from the obvious benefits of saving water (and money on your water bill), reusing your greywater keeps it out of the sewer or septic system, thereby reducing the chance that it will pollute local water bodies.

Pumped systems If you can't use gravity to transport the greywater (your yard is sloped uphill, or it's flat and the plants are far away) you will need to pump your greywater. In a basic pumped system, greywater flows into a large (usually +-150-200l) plastic barrel that is either buried or located at ground level. Inside the barrel an effluent pump pushes the water out through irrigation lines to the landscape. Pumps add cost, use electricity, and will break, so avoid this if you can.

Indoor greywater use In most residential situations it is much simpler and more economical to utilise greywater outside, and not create a system that treats the water for indoor use. The exceptions are in houses that have high water use and minimal outdoor irrigation, and for larger buildings like apartments. There are also very simple ways to reuse greywater inside that are not a 'greywater system'. Buckets can catch greywater and clear water, the latter being water wasted while warming up a shower. These buckets can be used to 'bucket flush' a toilet, or carried outside.

Plants & greywater Low-tech, simple greywater systems are best suited to specific, large plants. Use them to water trees, bushes, berry patches, shrubs, and large annuals. It's much more difficult to water lots of small plants that are spread out over a large area (like a lawn or flower bed).

Source

33 S G

rowing for c I

n 2008 Braam achieved another world-first by

explains Braam. 'We rowed 1.5-2 hour shifts and

running the entire coastline of South Africa, a

we only got 4 hours sleep on a good calm day.

distance of over 3 200km to raise money for

The boat moves all the time and sleeping is almost

Operation Smile. While running he realised that, in

impossible, and one of us needed to stay awake to

spite of the lives changed and the smiles returned

avoid collisions with large ships.'

to the faces of the children, without extreme action

Another big challenge they faced was to manage

our planet would not be able to support the weight

their solar power system. The batteries were solar

of human existence. This is where the concept of

charged and because they had very little sun for

DOT (Do One Thing) came from and so two years

most of the trip, the batteries could never get fully

later the campaign was launched. 'Our planet is

charged and they so needed to manage the devices

just a dot in the universe; we are just dot's on our

all the time. The most important one was the water

planet, but, if we all just "Do One Thing" we can

maker – they needed to switch off some other

reshape our planet's destiny,' says Braam.

devices just to survive.

On May 9th 2017 Braam completed the crossing

The purpose and driving force behind the

from Cape Town to Rio with his rowing partner

expedition is Braam's passion for our planet. In his

Wayne Robertson to raise awareness and to inspire

motivational talks he asks the audience often to ask

people to DOT. This world-first expedition is the

themselves one simple question: if they are only

most southern rowing expedition ever undertaken

successful or are you significant? What are people

from South Africa. They covered approximately

going to remember after you are gone?

8 100km in 92 days and rowed more than two million strokes.

S G 34

He explains that in nature there is a simple yet fundamental principle; 'If you are not an asset, you

Braam is not a rower and had never crossed an

are, by default, a liability' and us humans are not

ocean before by sea. 'The most difficult physical part

exempt from this. We are the only species able to

of this expedition was extreme sleep deprivation,'

make conscious decisions about our lives, so we

Braam Malherbe is an International motivational speaker, MC, extreme adventurer, youth developer and author of the best seller, The Great Run, but first he is conservationist. He just completed a world first to row from Cape Town to Rio, crossing the Atlantic ocean with his rowing partner Wayne Robertson, to raise awareness for the DOT Foundation and the DOT Challenge App. We take a look at this astonishing achievement.

change can choose whether we want to be an asset or a

liability, which makes us so much more accountable; accountable to our families, our friends and our community and, not least, ourselves. So if your life lacks significance, you will be the first to notice. Maybe not consciously, but you will always feel deep inside that there is something missing. Being an asset, being significant, is what really fulfils people. Of course, significance may be different things to different people and that's good, but what did this word 'significance' actually mean to all of us? For Braam to be significance is to be assets to our only home â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the Earth.

Braam's campaign Do One Thing is a challenge that encourages you to make simple lifestyle changes, known as DOTs, which have a positive impact on our environment. Most of these planet-saving changes can be implemented immediately, most likely won't cost you anything and, in fact, will probably save you money but they also make you significant and an asset to the planet. For more visit www.thedotfoundation.org

35 S G

Energy

Admin c

green renew

Image aleksandarrodic.deviantart.com

S G 36

chaos =

n light for wables As this article is being written, no-one, perhaps not even the man himself, is sure whether 'former/current' Eskom CEO Brian Molefe has/had resigned and then been rehired,

returned from early retirement or has/had simply gone back to his desk after extended leave. Clearly, the South African power utility is having some issues, as was evident when its Board was grilled by MPs of all parties recently, along with the referral of some of Eskom's past coal acquisition deals for further forensic investigation. This is hardly surprising, given conflicting and irrational inputs from on high, especially around the much-despised nuclear power program that, despite a recent Constitutional Court ruling that it was invalid, seems still to be 'on' for some in government. The upshot is that while chaos may be the name of the game at Megawatt Park, it seems inevitable that the government and Eskom will come knocking on doors again in the not too distant future as the need for REIPPPs re-asserts itself. We take a look.

37 S G

outh Africa is at a crossroads on so many levels, some of them very significant for the readers of this magazine.

While we steer away from politics as such, it is

essentially a political struggle – who will succeed Jacob Zuma as head of the ANC – which is at the core of the various pushes and pulls going on both in public and behind the scenes. Those forces, in turn, are playing out at different levels. Hence the new Energy Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi is saying the nuclear build program will go ahead, notwithstanding the recent Constitutional Court ruling that the previous set of agreements was invalid. Her argument is that the necessary environmental impact assessment (IEA) and public consultations – both of which were blatantly missing with respect to the now defunct nuke build program – will go ahead, to be followed in due course by the build itself. Such is the level of incompetence and/or inexperience among some of President Zuma's appointees to high offices that it has not, apparently, even dawned on the pro-nuke lobby within government (who's agenda we have previously addressed and which has little to nothing to do with providing necessary power generation to South Africans) that the minister has pre-empted the outcomes of both the EIA and the requisite public consultations. This means, in narrow legalistic terms, that she cannot have properly applied her mind, as the law requires and/or that she is operating from a preconceived agenda (which seems all but certain) and is therefore acting neither in good faith nor with the necessary consideration of the 'public good'. We shall have to see how this particular episode

that such builds take years to complete, perhaps

on the ongoing South African political 'soapie'

even a decade or more; and, most importantly,

unfolds, but the legal bets are that the next round

South Africa simply cannot afford it.

of nuke build proposals will get no further than the courts and then be kicked into permanent touch.

S G 38

needed now or likely any time until the mid-2020s;

Renewables, again

The reason for the use of the word 'permanent'

So where will the power generation authorities turn

above is that the most likely successor to Mr

when the time comes to consider whether the lights

Zuma is Cyril Ramaphosa, again notwithstanding

are going to be going out again unless something

contortional efforts to have someone 'closer to

is done in short order to produce more energy? The

home' succeed him.

answer is existing and potential REIPPP partners.

If so, as seems highly probable at this time,

And what will be built? The answer is lots of

the nuke program will be as dead as the proverbial

wind, solar PV and, with any luck, some modular CP

door nail, if for no other reasons than that it is not

trough arrays, which are continuing to outperform

So where will the power generation authorities turn when the time comes to consider whether the lights are going to be going out again unless something is done in short order to produce more energy? The answer is existing and potential REIPPP partners.

every other renewable source in terms of both day

candidate becomes the new party leader, with all

and night-time reliability.

that follows that.

Anyone involved in the renewables industry must, by now, be suffering from multiple episodes

So, new energy provision is on the cards, but likely not until sometime after the 2019 elections.

of policy whiplash, given the on, off, on-again,

Given SA's Copenhagen undertakings on CO2,

off-again, on-again, maybe off-again signals coming

new coal does not cut it â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and recent experience has

out of government with respect to future energy

in any case shown just how long 'ordinary' coal-fired

provision from this sector.

power production takes to effectively come on line.

Mixed signals notwithstanding, some things are

If nukes are unaffordable and a post-Zuma

inevitable. South Africa will, at some time in the

administration is staying as far away from the gross

next five to seven years, be looking to increase its

wastage of public monies such a program is likely

energy provision, depending on the rate of future

to represent, then something else will have to do.

growth, which is also intimately dependent on

And

which faction in the ruling party wins and whose

renewables.

that

something

else

is,

inevitably,

39 S G

Distribution So far, in recent times, the main controversies and discussions around future power production in South Africa have focused on the means of production being nuclear versus coal versus renewables, in some mix. But there is a looming and much more immediately serious problem facing South Africans long before we are back into dealing with rolling blackouts because of a lack of 'juice', and that is this country's rapidly ageing and deteriorating electrical distribution network. With much of the country's power production taking place far into the northern region (or drawn, when possible, from neighbouring Mozambique's Cahora Bassa), a big part of this country's possible future energy solutions includes the problem of distribution. If and when (more when than if, actually) the national gird goes down in whole or in part because of a failure in the increasingly fragile distribution network, it will matter not a jot how much energy is being produced for those cut off â&#x20AC;&#x201C; if you can't deliver power to its intended destination, you may as well not be producing any at all. The distribution infrastructure, much like the production infrastructure, is suffering from years of

S G 40

Those in favour of the nuclear option push aside very reasonable questions of safety of the stations themselves (remember Fukushima?) and, pressingly, of safe storage of used fuel, fuel rods and other high-level radioactive materials, saying that, 'no doubt in the future we will have solved those technical issues'.

If ever there was a time for those involved in this sector to 'keep their eye on the ball', and not let the baying of the noisy crowd and populist politics put them off working towards a fully sustainable power sector in this country, this is it. If Sweden can do it, with some sun, some hydro and plenty of wind, so can South Africa.

under-funding and neglect, according to key insiders. Without a drastic revision of the Eskom top brass's 'to-do' list, which of late seems to be comprised mainly of finding novel ways to defend Brain Molefe's resumption of the utility's CEO position, and attempting to explain away uncomfortable revelations about the utility's senior management's connections with a certain well to do family's business interests, the crumbling distribution network's failure is literally on a ticking clock. This on top of the fact that at least 30% of all electrical power generated in SA is consumed simply in sending the power to where it is needed. How then to solve these various requirements, preferably all at the same time and in a rational and cost-effective fashion? Again, the answer is renewables. Wind farms go up really very quickly in comparative terms. So too photovoltaic (PV) and even concentrated solar power (CSP) plants, so long as, in the case of CSP stations,

one is building ground-level trough arrays (all the other structural power-production elements being underground) and not gleaming reception towers in the sky with complex and costly arrays of heliostats

41 S G

Image www.egoligas.co.za

required to track the sun through the day.

If ever there was a time for those involved in this

are scalable and therefore modular. That means

sector to 'keep their eye on the ball', and not let the

that if one needs power in, say, the middle of the

baying of the noisy crowd and populist politics put

Karoo somewhere, a CSP station can be up and

them off working towards a fully sustainable power

running in around two years, maybe less, and could

sector in this country, this is it.

easily be built to provide enough power for all local

If Sweden can do it, with some sun, some hydro

communities plus a multiple of two, three or more

and plenty of wind, so can South Africa, with a huge

times that to be fed into the grid.

abundance of solar energy to harvest, and with wind

A dispersed production grid will have the direct

playing the back-stop role in terms of sustained

benefit of vastly reducing wasted transmission power

power production, while reliance on nasty (from an

while significantly reducing transmission pressures

eco point of view) coal is reduced over time.

within the grid.

Those in favour of the nuclear option push

It will also lower communities' and industries' risk

aside very reasonable questions of safety of the

profiles associated with a substantial and sustained

stations themselves (remember Fukushima?) and,

outage, as is likely to be induced by a serious

pressingly, of safe storage of used fuel, fuel rods and

distribution infrastructure failure.

other high-level radioactive materials, saying that,

In addition, a solution such as described here

'no doubt in the future we will have solved those

will also greatly improve the delivered power of the

technical issues'. Well, maybe. But there are far fewer

existing production infrastructure â&#x20AC;&#x201C; thereby delaying

and much less dangerous technical issues facing

still further the need, if ever there will be such again,

an all-renewable power production and distribution

to build concentrated coal-based power production

future for South Africa.

facilities such as Kusile and Medupi or, worse yet, a suite of nuclear power plants.

Sun & wind

S G 42

the country's energy mix.

Also, all three renewable system types mentioned

It would seem, therefore, to be a far better and safer bet to rely on future developments to solve the few remaining 'technical issues' in the renewables sector than to be launching into the make-believe

It would seem then, that lunatic political and personal

land of 'nuclear is best for South Africa', and to do so

motives aside, the renewables sector of SA's power

without a decent safety net, financially or technically,

production (and perhaps, in time, distribution as

or falling back into an era of 'dirty' coal as a basis for

well) is set to play an every-more important role in

the country's power production needs.

E nergy N ews

How Africa's fastest solar power project is lighting up Rwanda In 2015, Rwanda set the record for the largest solar power project in East Africa, with the Rwamagana solar power plant in Aghozo-Shalom village. Although the record was later broken by Uganda’s $19m Soroti Solar plant, Rwanda is now back on the lead, with the $38m Ignite Rwanda solar project. In order to fuel its economic growth, Rwanda’s target is to substantially increase its energy supply from 190MW in 2016 to 563MW in 2018. While at the same time increasing access to electrification to 100% of households and public institutions with a combination of 48% on grid and 52% off grid energy supply solutions.

Source

Chile is generating so much solar power that it’s giving it away for free In recent years, Chile has invested so much in its solar power industry that the country is now generating more electricity from the sun than it knows what to do with. A new report reveals that spot prices on solar electricity dropped to zero for 113 days during 2016, and many more days of free solar power are expected to come. Taking advantage of free solar power is a huge benefit for residents, but analysts are concerned about how this will impact the market, since investors and owners of solar power plants may lose money.

Source

MOROCCO'S COLOSSAL SOLAR FARM COULD POWER EUROPE Hundreds of curved mirrors, each as big as a bus, are ranked in rows covering 1 400 000m2 of desert, an area the size of 200 rugby fields. The massive complex sits on a sun-blasted site at the foot of the High Atlas mountains, 10km from Ouarzazate. With around 330 days of sunshine a year, it’s an ideal location. As well as meeting domestic needs, Morocco hopes one day to export solar energy to Europe. This is a plant that could help define Africa's – and the world’s – energy future. Source

43 S G

E nergy N ews

Germany just generated a record 85% of its energy from renewable sources Germany has outdone itself yet again when it comes to clean energy. From April 30 through May 1, 2017, the country set a national record by generating 85% of all its energy needs using renewable wind, solar, biomass, and hydroelectric power. And this isn’t just an anomaly – experts believe that this will be the new normal for Germany by 2030. Source

Light-powered device can purify air and generate clean energy

‘artificial plants’ turn greenhouse gases into clean air

Air pollution continues to plague people around the world, but researchers from KU Leuven and the University of Antwerp have found a way to transform that dirty air into energy. They designed an air purifying device able to fit in a person’s hand that only needs light to work. The groundbreaking device houses two small chambers divided by a membrane. In one chamber air is purified; in the other hydrogen gas is generated. Nanomaterials in the device act as catalysts to both break down pollution and produce the gas. Scientist Sammy Verbruggen of both institutions said the hydrogen gas can be stored and used as fuel in the future.

Groundbreaking research from scientists at the University of Central Florida (UCF) and Florida State University could help in the fight against climate change. The researchers were able to trigger photosynthesis in metal-organic frameworks (MOF) with a little help from blue light, and the process turned carbon dioxide into solar fuel. UCF assistant professor Fernando Uribe-Romo described the development as a breakthrough. The Florida scientists found they could use the common nontoxic metal titanium added with organic molecules that can be designed to absorb certain colours of light. Uribe-Romo set them up to absorb blue light. Source

Source

S G 44

Switzerland leads the way and invests in renewable energy Switzerland just passed a new energy law that promotes renewable energy and bans nuclear power plants. The landmark vote brings the nation closer to meeting its goal of generating 4 400 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of renewable energy by 2020, and 11 400 GWh by 2035. Over a recent weekend, approximately 42% of the population turned up to vote in the national referendum, which marks the eighth time in modern history Swiss citizens have voted on the issue. Though the Energy Strategy 2050 was approved by Parliament last year, the country’s right wing Swiss People’s Party challenged the reform to the referendum in an attempt prevent the move from taking place. The move to initiate the reform passed easily with a 58.2% vote, however, shutting down any talk of investment in nuclear energy.

LIVING 'green' energy from garden grass A team of UK researchers, including experts from Cardiff University's Cardiff Catalysis Institute, have shown that significant amounts of hydrogen can be unlocked from fescue grass with the help of sunlight and a cheap catalyst. It is the first time that this method has been demonstrated and could potentially lead to a sustainable way of producing hydrogen, which has enormous potential in the renewable energy industry due to its high energy content and the fact that it does not release toxic or greenhouse gases when it is burnt.

Source

new record for solar cell efficiency A pair of engineers at the University of New South Wales just set a new world record for solar power by converting a whopping 34.5% of direct sunlight to electricity. Rather than trying to make improvements to traditional flat solar panels, Mark Keevers and Martin Green created a 4.3-square-inch four-junction mini-module embedded in a prism. The prism divides sunlight into four rays, amplifying available sunlight and enabling a conversion rate that blows the previous record out of the water.

Source

45 S G

Energy

'free'? energy for With a growing number of households and businesses looking to ever-greater energy freedom, one company, Zeroth Energy, has come up with a way to move directly into sustainable energy utilisation without all the up-front costs usually involved. We asked this company to explain its business model and offerings to its clients.

ZER T H E

S G 46

Many people still do not fully understand how you can provide solar energy 'for free'. Can a brief overview of the business model be provided in the simplest terms so that even total beginners can understand what they are getting and how it is paid for? This question might be stated unclearly – technically we don't give the solar for free – we just remove the upfront investment and installation cost. Very similar to internet service providers and their fibre offerings, clients have, in that example, fibre at 'x' amount a month and get the installation for free. Our perspective is that if you are paying for your current electricity, why not just pay for cheaper and cleaner energy from a new utility provider? What makes solar energy so great is the fact that it is renewable – so, what does that mean? The sun will shine every day, come rain come snow, there will always be at least some ultraviolet (UV) radiation from, the sun, which in the end produces

The fundamental challenge for the renewable energy industry used to be accessibility. This was as a result of a combination of the supplier not completely understanding the needs of the end-user, as well as the end-user not having the capital to invest upfront to acquire access to these expensive systems.

the energy needed to convert into electricity. That means that we don't have to pay for the inputs like coal-produced energy to generate the electricity. We have just made the system available for our clients to pay a new utility provider for a set term,

Zeroth Energy prides itself in the ability to

in most cases 10 years (terms may differ depending

function as the bridge to overcome this fundamental

on the client's needs), after which they will own the

gap. We work with our partner renewable energy

system, instead of paying upfront for the instalment,

suppliers in designing and developing products that

maintenance, insurance and monitoring.

would be accessible for the end-user. We not only

The rent-to-own financial model has been

consult with the end-user in order to understand

around for decades, we have just applied it to a new

their needs, but we also consult with our partners in

industry. For example, most people don't purchase

order to design the most appropriate and impactful

cell phones with cash – they pay a service provider a

solution for the context of each client. Variously,

monthly fee in order to use the device for a set term

that could involve reducing operational costs or

in a contract, and after the contract ends you have

ensuring reliable and sustainable energy supply.

full ownership of that specific device. In our case it's just a solar energy system, which produces cheaper and cleaner energy.

Please explain the philosophy of Zeroth Energy – the company claims to be helping to facilitate the change in the energy market, which is great, but exactly how? This is a great question. The fundamental challenge

Please differentiate the company offerings relative to, say, a business or commercial offering versus that of a school and in the home, providing practical examples in each case. As mentioned in the previous question, we work with our clients to understand the context of their needs, and recommend an appropriate solution.

for the renewable energy industry used to be

Let's start with businesses or manufacturing: the

accessibility. This was as a result of a combination

main objective is normally to reduce operational

of the supplier not completely understanding the

costs.

needs of the end-user, as well as the end-user

That is why we designed the 'rent-to-own'

not having the capital to invest upfront to acquire

solution over a 10-year period, with no upfront

access to these expensive systems.

investment. This is provided at a 'fixed rate', which

47 S G

means that there is no increase in your rate for the next 10 years. You will pay the same amount in month one and in month 120. After the conclusion of the contract term, businesses will have full ownership of the system. This means your savings will increase year-on-year, and then the system will produce free energy for another 15 years under warranty. Solutions for schools are similar, with the same objective in mind of reducing operational costs. In the end we want schools to be able to save in order to invest in the next generation of leaders. Again, there is no upfront investment and the monthly fee includes maintenance, insurance and monitoring of the system for the 10 years of the 'rent-to-own' contract. The only difference at the moment is in the Western Cape, South Africa, and for any municipality or country in Africa that allows for feed-in electricity. What is feed-in electricity? Effectively, this is a situation where certification and/or permission provided by a specific utility provider allows one to feed electricity back into the grid, which will be

'Feed-in electricity' is a situation where certification and/or permission provided by a specific utility allows one to feed electricity back into the grid, which will be purchased from the school in surplus production times – meaning the client's surplus production of electricity can be utilised by selling it to the applicable municipality or provider in that area.

purchased from the school in surplus production times. This means that in off-peak times, such as holidays and weekends, surplus production of electricity by the client's solar generation system

extra power pushed back into the grid. That is why

can be utilised by selling it to the applicable

we say: 'We are not a solar company, but a human

municipality or provider in that area. This increases

improvement company.' People want to do business

savings substantially by creating an additional

with us because they know we care about them and

stream of income for schools or other end-users.

their future.

We also design larger systems, which can be

Let's break it down – Zeroth Energy operates as

acquired through what we call a 'power-purchase-

a consultant for the energy supplier as well as the

agreement' or PPA. This is best suited for very large

end-user. This means that:

electricity consumers such as mines, manufacturers,

•

Firstly, we understand the specific needs of

and even farms, depending on the size of the

each of the end-users or clients with whom we

system.

consult, allowing us to understand how we can

Visit the Zeroth Energy website for more info on the different solutions available: www.zeroth.

customise a solution for each business. •

co.za/solutions or email info@zeroth.co.za

Secondly, we work with the energy supplier to develop a solution that fits the specific needs of the end-user or client we are working with.

What is the overwhelming reason that our readers should further investigate Zeroth's offerings – what is the USP/distinguishing element that sets Zeroth out form others operating in the solar domain?

This allows us to maximise savings and project efficiency, resulting in a win-win situation for both parties. •

Lastly, it comes down to the fact that we understand the fundamental needs of the

We care about changing the way we use energy.

market, supplier and the end-user or client. This

We are not here to sell solar but to change the way

puts us in the unique position of maximising

Africa uses energy and create one giant smart grid

savings and reliability for each client.

– a grid everybody will have access to – and also to create the opportunity to make money from having

S G 48

For more info visit www.zeroth.co.za

Energy C ase S tudy

Schools

solar

solution BlueShift Energy Solutions offers a hassle-free solution to help schools (and others) switch to solar, save money, reduce operational costs and help protect the environment with options of zero upfront cost. We take a look.

49 S G

Tâ&#x20AC;&#x2030;

he beauty about the Zeroth Energy's approach to bringing effective and efficient solar energy into school environments is

that it is based on a zero capital investment model, with immediate savings and fixed monthly rates. This means a school utilising such a system starts saving on energy costs immediately with the company's solar PV solutions. Its Solar Rental

solution allows an individual home owner, company or school to own the power-generating and (if in place) storage equipment at the end of contract term. The Zerotht Energy Solutions folk have focused on saving customers money, while reducing CO2 and other pollutants. The company has joined forces with major banks

Can I afford solar?

in South Africa, allowing them to offer a solution

Among question often asked by potential customers

that allows customers to simply pay for their system

is whether they can afford a solar system. The

every month at a fixed cost â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and one much lower

answer is, in short, 'yes', because customers pay

than the utility rates.

no upfront capital for the solar system on the

Their high-quality PV panels and inverters are all

solar rental or financed option. Customers pay a

'world proven Tier 1 products' that have been tested

fixed monthly fee for the duration of the finance

and built for the African sun to ensure reliability

agreement, and that amount should come in at less

and customer satisfaction. The company guarantees

than what you might now be paying your power

maximum returns on investment, because, they say,

delivery utility.

their equipment 'will stand the test of time' â&#x20AC;&#x201C; one

Another common question is whether customers

of the main concerns with earlier generations of PV

will still get an electricity bill from their utility

cells.

company if they have installed solar panels. The

Their solutions come with a standard 10 years'

answer, again, is 'yes'. Unless your solar energy

service level agreement that will ensure proper

system includes battery storage and you are fully off

maintenance of the equipment. They also provide

the grid, you will still receive a bill from your utility,

insurance cover for the equipment 'to give peace

if you are a customer of this company. However, it

of mind', and their product warranties go up to 30

will be a dramatically reduced bill, depending on the

years.

size of the installed solar energy system versus your

Financing & more

demand for energy.

Zeroth Energy will arrange for the financing, permits,

Financing options

design, installation, insurance and maintenance of

The company offers three solar financing solutions:

the solar PV system.

you can either buy your system for cash, get it

If a school decides to use their systems, it only

financed through a bank (they will assist you with

pays fixed monthly payments and in return can

the whole process), or customers can sign a Rental/

use the energy the system produces. At the end of

Leased/Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) to get

the contract term, the school owns the system and

access to their zero down-payment option. The

produces what is in effect 'free' electricity for the

bottom line is that all the above solutions will save

remaining system life-span.

you money.

With internal financing and in partnership with can now offer 'the best solar PV solution in South

What are the financial benefits of solar energy?

Africa'.

When you install a solar energy system on your

SA's major banks, Zeroth Energy Solutions says it

property, you save money on your electricity bills

S G 50

parking/rooftop) on a 10-year plan, your annual power production would be around 1 911MWh/year with 1 243 tons of avoided carbon emissions. Already those are impressive numbers, but when you factor in how low your unit electricity price will end up – aside from the sustainable perks – you could save over R15m over the initial 10-years.

Affordable clean energy This company says its speciality is 'providing affordable clean energy solutions to businesses and residential complexes, managing more roof-top solar power in Africa than any other provider'. They do not sell solar panels; they give customers easy access to cheaper, and protect yourself against rising electricity rates in the future. How much you can save depends on the utility rates, solar incentives and your choice of finance option, but going solar is always a smart investment for your property in the long-run and even in the short-term since it increases property values by more than the cost of such systems. Let's take a quick look at a hypothetical situation. If you were to install a 1000KWp system (ground/

cleaner energy. They take care of the system; you get renewable energy – with savings from day one. Their team and partners have more than 10 years' of combined experience, making for an extremely experienced and dedicated group, working together towards cleaner, cheaper energy for all.

For more info visit www.zeroth.co.za, call +27 (0) 81 270 1298 or email info@zeroth.co.za. See ad below.

PARTNERED WITH

For more information on our Solar Rental Solution visit www.zeroth.co.za Tel: 081 270 1298 Email: info@zeroth.co.za For more information on our Solar Rental Solution visit www.zeroth.co.za Tel: 081 270 1298 Head Office: 13 Inkoos Street, Nooitgedacht, Randburg, Johannesburg, Email: info@zeroth.co.za South Africa Head Office: 13 Inkoos Street, Nooitgedacht, Randburg, Johannesburg, South Africa

www.zeroth.co.za 51 S G

www.zeroth.co.za

O ffice

S G 52

eco-friendly

nasty smells busting One of the trickier arenas for those engaged in either going green in the home or office, or those supplying products to that end, is dealing with nasty odours. The office environment offers a particular challenge, given that many people may be using a common area wherein smells of various kinds may be lingering – and many of the standard 'solutions' may only be making one's office less 'eco-friendly', not more so. We take a closer look at one approach to this problem.

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o it's that time of the day and all the

allergies in the general population, especially of

usual suspects are heading to the office

developed countries but also in less developed

conveniences

communities and societies.

for

their

mid-morning

constitutional, which may be fine for them but perhaps less so for anyone else wandering into that

Why allergies?

space for a while thereafter.

The main reason that fragrances have been focused

We don't here have to go into the nasty details –

on in France is that the average person can't do a lot

it's just part of life and one which is easily handled

about general air purity and cleanliness all on their

by conventional air fresheners.

own – much of what hangs about in the atmosphere

Except that there's a problem; quite a big problem, as it turns out.

France

collective large-scale processes that no one person can really change. With the application of EU-wide air purity laws,

In France, you may be surprised to discover, you

and similar legislation and regulations elsewhere,

are not allowed onto any form of public transport if

the general atmosphere has improved a lot over

you are 'wearing' any form of perfume. That's pretty

many cities.

remarkable considering that the global perfume

But there is an underlying problem, and

industry, now worth many billions, really got off

something really no-one at all can do much about:

the ground in France in the 18th century and spread

the proliferation of thousands of new chemicals

from there.

every year.

So why are the modern French so fussy about an improvement in someone's personal odour to the

Brand new chemicals

point that they'll literally remove you from a bus or

It has been estimated that, since the end of World

train if there's a complaint about how smelly you are

War II, something in the order of 200 000 brand new

by virtue of your Chanel No 5 or Boss or whatever

(to science, nature and to us) chemicals have been

fragrance?

formulated, produced and, in some cases, widely

The reason is the runaway growth in allergies –

disseminated.

allergies of all kinds, but especially fragrance-driven

Actually that figure is rather higher since the

allergies, in particular, in the case we are discussing

statistic cited was arrived at a few years back and

here. In this, the French are merely ahead of the

the number of novel chemicals emerging from labs

inevitable regulatory curve. Wherever in the EU, and

into the wider world continues to grow by the many

presumably eventually beyond, you may be, it is

thousands every year.

more or less going to be much the same, if it is not

These

chemicals

may

slightly

altered

already. Once local and national authorities wake

synthesised versions of what is found in nature or

up to the link between fragrances and allergies,

they may be entirely new, having been synthesised

as the French have done, they too will pass similar

'by accident', as part of general product development

regulations.

or as a designed solution to a particular problem,

It is not that the French know more than anyone else – the links between fragrances and allergic

S G 54

over our cities and industrial areas has to do with

usually as part of the manufacturing of other end products.

reactions is well documented in the scientific

The use of pthalates and parabens, also

literature, up to and including alarming cases of

generally in personal hygiene and beauty products,

anaphylaxis whereby a person goes bright pink in

is an excellent example – the other major use of

the face, they begin to swell outside and in, collapse,

phthalates, derived mainly from the petro-chemical

gasp for air and, if not treated promptly, die.

industry, being in plastics.

Of course, not everyone is unfortunate enough

Whatever their source, a significant portion

to suffer from fragrance-driven allergies, but more

of these chemicals have found their way into our

and more people are showing up with this problem

homes (usually the kitchen or the bathroom, but

over time as part of the broader and really quite

maybe also the garage or perhaps the garden shed)

massive increase in the number and variety of

and go into the air and water systems we use daily.

The result is a more than discernible increase in the number and variety of allergies emerging globally – even affecting so-called under-developed communities. Much as increased sugar access and consumption have helped drive diabetes and obesity around the world – with such developments often most marked and obvious in the least develop communities and countries – so too with man-made chemicals.

Air-quality related allergies in the greater Beijing area have, for example, become grounds on some days for vulnerable children to be kept at home and not allowed outside at all in order to reduce their exposure to air so smog-bound that it seems one may almost cut it with a knife.

Many of these chemicals have been tested, at least to some degree, before leaving the lab to see if they are perhaps seriously lethal – but

Once rare

unless there is going to be direct human exposure,

Once, allergies were really very rare. Fifty years or

toxicity is generally accepted at lower levels when

so ago, it was unusual to have more than one child

accompanied by warnings and directions on labels.

in any given classroom who suffered much more

Whatever may seem sensible with any one

than a bit of asthma or maybe some skin sensitivity

chemical is all very well, but the bottom line is

giving rise to contact dermatitis.

that if you are 50 years of age or younger, your

These days, it is rare not to have at least several

entire life will have been literally saturated with

– and in some highly contaminated areas close to

chemical exposures that your grandparents are

major industrial production centres, there can be

highly unlikely ever to have encountered, and

allergy incidences in classrooms as high as 50% or

certainly not on a regular or daily basis.

more.

But we moderns have had all that and more. And

Air-quality related allergies in the greater Beijing

so there is a global outbreak of all sorts of allergies

area have, for example, become grounds on some

– most especially of the contact type from physical

days for vulnerable children to be kept at home and

contact with certain allergens, and of the respiratory

not allowed outside at all in order to reduce their

tracts, lips, mouth, tongue, nose and nasal cavities,

exposure to air so smog-bound that it seems one

sinuses, throats and lungs.

may almost cut it with a knife.

There are also many other types and sub-types of

While there are some obvious substances with a

allergies triggered by known or suspected allergens

known track record in this regard, in most cases it

made by man.

is not one thing triggering an allergic reaction but

And then there are all the long-standing allergens

the combination of many trace compounds and the

to which humans have long been exposed like

culmination of repeated 'insults' of exposure to the

pollens in spring, summer or autumn (even a few

body of the person with any given allergy.

that are present in winter in less harsh climes), as

Indeed, allergy sufferers increasingly endure

well as dust mites, house mites, animal hair, dander

multiple-allergy syndromes, showing that the

and so on.

problem is not merely generalising throughout

55 S G

the population but that sufferers are becoming

to have developed either a specific allergy to such

ever-more reactive to an ever-growing list of

a fragrance, or the far more debilitating condition

substances or a combo of substances.

of 'generalised allergic reaction' in which a small

Almost 'perfect green office'

effect, they are allergic to pretty much everything

All this is to say that it is largely pointless to 'almost'

– you could say, with some truthfulness, that these

have the 'perfect green office', if part of that formula

unfortunates are allergic to the entire 21st century.

includes a 'lovely-smelling' fragrance in the men's

And so, being French, the authorities there

and women's bathrooms and conveniences, but that

decided that public health came first and their historic

fragrance turns out to be an allergen for some of the

association with perfumes etc notwithstanding, if

people using those facilities.

you want to go on public transport, you get to smell

Things may be 'smelling of roses' for most staff, but for the increasing minority, going to the bathroom

a bit funky perhaps but you may emanate only natural body odours and nothing more.

may be running a gauntlet of hacking, coughing,

If you do get on a train, say, and your chic and

air-deprived heaving, flushing, itching, burning,

costly fragrance of choice hits another commuter's

peeling skin, diarrhoea, vomiting, headaches, blurry

nostrils, off you get at the first complaint – and that's

vision, generalised anxiety, tremours, memory and

supposing you get onto that mode of transport in

thought process disturbances and many other

the first place since the French are fairly serious

symptoms.

about this stuff.

And all that's with what is described as a merely

Most public health authorities have looked at this

a 'moderate' allergic response, to say nothing of

situation and, while coming to similar conclusions

those with more acute reactions which can be very

as the French, have yet to go as far as the French in

severe indeed and really have to be seen to be fully

terms of restrictions on how 'smelly-nice' one may

appreciated for their seriousness.

be in public spaces – but with the ongoing spiral

'Impossible to say'

of increased and more varied allergic reactions, especially in children, sweeping the world, expect

Investigating what to do about this problem, French

that sooner or later similar regulations will apply

public health authorities discovered what others

locally.

before them had also found: it is nearly impossible to say what fragrance in a perfume may trigger an

Ahead of the curve

allergic reaction and in which person – that is, until

Some of those involved in greening the office

it actually happens, which in terms of the avoidance

space are aware of the above facts and so have

of public health issues is self-evidently 'too late',

realised that simply tossing a strong-but-'nice'

especially in the still relatively rare instances where

smelling (probably synthesised and concentrated)

the allergic response is so severe that it requires

essence of whatever into an air-freshener in the loo,

immediate emergency treatment.

usually using a volatile compound to accelerate its

Making matters much more complex is the fact that in the EU – and virtually everywhere else

dispersion in the air, is simply not good enough, though many are still doing just that.

too – fragrances in perfumes, men's and women's

Not to pick on any folks in particular, let it be

deodorants, anti-perspirants and other personal

said that those looking not merely at the subjective

hygiene products are not directly controlled by any

quality of air in the office, but at the deeper aspects

regulations.

of shared atmospheric space are still relatively few

In South Africa, as almost everywhere else, the manufacturers are required to disclose only

and far between and they are well ahead of the curve.

that their product contains 'fragrants' or 'parfums'

In this regard Nuwkem's T-cell Air Freshener

(French spelling) and then all is good, legally –

product seems to be worth some discussion. This

unless the manufacturer is breaking other laws by

product is designed to specifically answer to the

using a known human toxin.

need for a more eco-friendly option for general

Not so for those who may be unfortunate enough

S G 56

but growing number of people are finding that, in

room and, especially, bathroom air fresheners.

As with any product that finds its way into our pages, we want to know what the credentials are for claims of eco-friendlier options. Here's what the manufacturer has to say: •

Refills contain 'no harmful vapours that are bad for the environment'

•

The unit does not require any batteries (good from a landfill point of view)

•

The T-cell is small, neat air and can be placed out of sight

•

works

well

for

well-ventilated

rooms,

bathrooms and corridors etc, allowing natural airflow to distribute the fragrance released

Some of those involved in greening the office space are have realised that simply tossing a strong-but-'nice' smelling (probably synthesised and concentrated) essence of whatever into an air-freshener in the loo, usually using a volatile compound to accelerate its dispersion in the air, is simply not good enough, though many are still doing just that.

throughout the room •

It is easy to refill

mixed geranium, lily sandalwood, amber and musk'

•

It has a silent operation

combo; 'blue splash', creating a 'cool watery marine

•

It offers seven different fragrances and refills

fragrance', 'crystal breeze', a 'fresh combination of

last up to 60 days

eucalyptus, lavender and menthol'; and 'polar mist',

•

It continuously provides a long-lasting fragrance

offering 'notes of lavender, mint and musk'.

•

It leaves your room or washroom smelling fresh

Being savvy

and clean all day long

The 'savvy' reader will immediately note that the Now the experienced 'greenie' is immediately

descriptions provided do not cover what was

going to spot some things which they would want

addressed earlier in this article: potential allergic

to see but are not in the above list of the product's

reactions. This has been avoided by the makers and

features. Aside from its use of an eco-friendly fuel

distributors of this product and its odour offerings

cell technology allowing natural airflow to distribute

by ensuring, in the first instance, that they are all

its released fragrances throughout the room, what

VOC-free.

about the fragrances themselves? Good question. I turns out that this products

For

the

sometimes

uninformed,

VOCs

naturally-occurring, They

are

common,

volatile

frequently

organ

employs various combinations of different fragrance

compounds.

out-gassed

oils, including: 'tropical sunrise', a mix of pineapple,

from paints, solvents, glues and other chemical

guava, mango, melon and passionfruit; 'fruit crush',

compounds – and they are frequently very toxic,

which is not only fruity but also has lilies, rose,

especially as they bio-accumulate over time and

cyclamen added to the mix; 'citrus mix', that

have a particular preference for taking up residence

inevitably includes orange, lemon and grapefruit;

in one's fat cells and related tissues (the myelin

'floral blaze', described by its makers as a 'wonderfully

sheath around many nerves which helps nerve

57 S G

conduction is one good example, and fat cells which are very numerous in one's brain is another). This set of facts represents a real problem. Even chipboard, for example, is usually quite high in VOCs for an extended period after its manufacture

and is therefore, strictly speaking, not suitable when new for use in public spaces like schools or offices. Beyond sources already listed, many VOCs are found in carpets, some types of composite panelling and flooring and in a variety of places you would not necessary expect to find them. So being somewhat informed and avoiding the obvious culprits is the first step on the journey to the freshest, cleanest and healthiest office air possible. Some HVAC and air conditioner manufacturers have realised the extent of the problem and so have put scrubbing and compound neutralising systems in their products, though these usually require maintenance in the form of replacing saturated filters and similar actions. But until recently few have been paying all that much attention to the bathroom air-freshener â&#x20AC;&#x201C; at

S G 58

It is worth both educating all to the ongoing issues of greening one's space, be that home or office, by simply avoiding some of the problematic substances literally floating around in the air, as well as focusing in on products that are already a long way down the track of not contributing to a global issue.

least not many who are not breaking out in hives or

substances literally floating around in the air, as

coughing their lungs up after a wash of the hands

well as focusing in on products that are already a

in the company loo.

long way down the track of not contributing to a

So it is worth both educating all to the ongoing

global issue which, if you are an allergy sufferer,

issues of greening one's space, be that home or

you will appreciate is no mere inconvenience but a

office, by simply avoiding some of the problematic

serious life-quality issue.

TCell™ 2.0 Its compact, its effective and its eco friendly WHAT IS IT?

HOW FUEL CELL TECHNOLOGY WORKS?

The TCell™ 2.0 is a compact fragrance dispenser – delivering continuous clean fresh fragrance to an area all day long.

TCell™ 2.0 utilises Fuel Cell Technology - this allows for the creation of hydrogen directly in the device’s formula chamber. As each molecule of hydrogen is created, it forces an equal amount of fragrance and odour neutraliser out of the chamber.

WHATS SO SPECIAL ABOUT IT? Except for being battery free, VOC exempt, propellant free and much more, it can also be mounted vertically or horizontally on a variety of different surfaces - even furniture! Making it perfect for offices, lobbies, washrooms and other common areas where one can find unpleasant odours.

TCell™ 2.0 delivers precise, timed doses of high quality fragrances, allowing for natural airflow distribution of the fragrance and odour neutraliser throughout the space, covering up to 170 cubic meters.

KEY FEATURES (over or under)

CMY

Silent operation

Covers 170 cubic meters per dispenser

With its compact- design and No propellants - Battery-free ability to be mounted to operation a A cost-effective variety of surfaces, TCell™ 2.0 air care solution - Spill resistant Ceiling Mount Wall Mount Furniture Mount is a great fit for offices, lobbies, - Orientation independent, with the ability to mount in a variety and other common areas where of locations SELECT FRAGRANCES - Refills unpleasant odours can are putVOCaexempt - 30 or 45 day fragrance dispensing options The fragrance refill contains Microtrans™ Technology, damperanonodour the environment. neutraliser, that tackles bad odours at the source and eliminates them completely - making this a complete aircare solution and not just a mask.

Battery-free, passive system Orientation independent, with the ability to mount in a variety of locations Silent, discrete operation

30 or 45 day fragrance disposing option Spill-resistant TCell™ 2.0’s sleek, modern, compact design is available in 4 colour options.

For more information, please contact us +27(0) 11 455 6307 or charl@nuwkem.co.za

www.nuwkem.co.za59 S G

Vertical Garden Technology That Works Modiwall has a proven track record, with installations countrywide that have grown into beautiful examples of how Vertical Gardening can be done affordably and with ease.

Modiwall is a Unique Vertical Garden System that delivers a more durable low maintenance and beautiful solution to green walls. Modiwall caters for the fast-growing demand for green and environmentally friendly spaces inside and outside of buildings, bringing nature into the spaces where people live and work. The technology is unique, patented, and modular, made from recycled materials, and allows anyone to effortlessly create their own vertical garden.

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www.modiwall.com

ď&#x20AC;¨ 012 661 0538

O utdoor O ffice G reening

Outside is important too Most companies and relevant professionals focus their primary attention, when it comes to office greening, on the indoor space â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and for obvious and good reasons. But the outside of one's office counts just as much as the indoor space. We take a look.

61 S G

eyond aesthetics, there are some very good reasons why the outside of one's office space should be attended to with much the same level of attention as the indoor space when

it comes to 'greening the office'. Yes, first impressions count and having a lovely lawn and surrounding pretty flowers is attractive – or abundant beds between parking spaces filled with colour and many green leaves. But having a lovely garden is not the same as having a lovely 'green' garden.

Water wise For one thing, if you are not already extremely water-aware as a South African you clearly have been living elsewhere or something else is going on: much of the country has just ended a very hot, very dry summer 'rainfall' season in which almost all the rainfall came at the very end of the season, sometimes in floods. In the Western Cape level 4 water saving (just 100l per person per day) has just been instituted with only a few weeks of water left in rapidly diminishing damns. So there is no other option but to ensure your company's outdoor spaces are filled only with indigenous (preferably) water-wise and drought-resistant plants. If you have a beautiful garden filled with the usual water-hungry non-indigenous leafy and flowering friends, you will sadly have to seriously consider pulling them all up in favour of something that can live, more or less, without watering at all.

Go vertical Some companies do not have to worry about all that, having little to no horizontal external spaces to fill with any kind of plants. But that does not mean that offices and surrounds have to remain, grey, boring and uninviting – even in a water-stressed conditions, as we find things today. Vertical gardens, such as we have reported on previously, represent a rapidly growing arena for many companies to improve outdoor and indoor experiences and air quality. Outdoor vertical gardens are not very different from their indoor variants and the relevant steps in each case are much the same. With an external vertical garden, and beyond a support framework, there has to be some form of water delivery – in our current water-stressed circumstances, drip feed from rainwater recovery is the ideal way to go, though properly treated recycled water also works. Either way, there is no need for offices to appear bleak and unwelcoming from the outside – proper landscaping with the right kind of plants and infrastructure and a well thought through vertical garden will do more for your company's office appearance than you might imagine.

For more please visit www.savscapes.co.za

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Savscapes Landscaping Cape Town is a one stop landscaping company offering services for all your requirements from design, construction, irrigation systems, water features, decking, vertical gardens, gabion retaining walls, garden service and much more at affordable prices. Vertical Gardens Cape Town began its operations with clear focus of creating beautiful landscapes for homes and businesses at affordable prices. That is why we are well on our way to becoming one of the area’s most trusted landscaping services. Founded by veteran landscaping professional Gareth Savage with years of experience, Vertical Gardens Cape Town takes pride in the fact that every project we do reflects the unique aspirations of the people for whom it is designed. Trust your vertical gardens needs to professionals who do it right the first time and at the right price. Whether you are homeowner or commercial complex owner, our trained and knowledgeable professionals we can make your walls looking better than ever. Vertical Garden Walls are at the cutting edge of design and are safe to install on almost any structure, indoors and outdoors. They make a dramatic statement and create a welcoming environment for employees, clients, and visitors. Additionally, according to studies, a living wall can increase property values of commercial buildings by up to 20%, absorb and clean pollutants from the air. Because of their beauty and sustainability, Vertical Walls are ideal to bring life to: • Commercial buildings and office areas • Public and municipal parks and buildings • Educational facilities • Healthcare facilities • Retail stores • Eco-Friendly buildings • Domestic buildings

www.savscapes.co.za | info@savscapes.co.za 63 S G

Advertorial

Zero Waste Home Bea Johnson of Zero Waste Home, the guru of the Zero Waste lifestyle, is inspiring people around the world by sharing her journey to successfully living 'waste free'. This is her story.

y name is Bea Johnson, native of France

'priestess of waste-free living' by the New York

and currently living in Mill Valley,

Times, and as the 'Messiah of Ecology' by Paris

California. Since adopting the Zero

Match, Johnson teaches us to 'own less, waste less

Waste lifestyle in 2008, my life and that of my

and live more' by using the 5R principles: Refuse,

family have changed for the better. Since then

reduce, reuse, recycle and rot.

we have produced a mere one jam jar of waste each year. We not only feel happier, but we also

Tips

lead more meaningful lives based on experiences

Here are some tips to lower your waste in the

instead of stuff.

kitchen and when dining or entertaining at home.

My blog and my bestselling book, Zero

Waste Home (14 languages), have launched a global movement, inspiring thousands of people throughout the world to live simply and take a stance against needless waste. Today, I am a Zero Waste lifestyle expert – or 'guru' for some people. My vocation is to shatter misconceptions associated with the Zero Waste lifestyle, to prove that waste-free living can not only be 'stylish', but also lead to significant health benefits, and time and money savings. I have given over 190 speeches in more than 30 countries on six continents, since 2011. Clients include the United Nations, Google, Adobe, Pixar, Le Cirque du Soleil, the European Parliament, Carnegie Mellon and more. For a sample of my work, check out my talk at Google, my TEDx

Before you start: •

Arm yourself with a reusable water bottle, a couple grocery bags, a few cloth bags and reusable jars and bottles.

•

Get your 5Rs right: refuse what you do not need, reduce what you do need, reuse what you consume, recycle what you cannot refuse, reduce or reuse, and rot (compost) the rest.

on waste-free living or my TEDx on recycling less.'

Stylish trend-setter Contrary to fears, Bea is not a 'flower-power bohemian burn-out' but a stylish trend-setter who walks her talk about living with as little impact on our natural world as possible. Described as the Photo credit: Zero Waste Home

GARDENING 1. Use drought-tolerant and native plants, replace your lawn with short native grasses. 2. Make room for compost. Consider a worm composter for liquid fertiliser, and a separate pet composter for your dog's feaces. 3. Pee at the base of your citrus plants, they'll thrive. 4. Return plastic containers to the nursery. 5. Find bulk seeds. 6. Give away plants (also, landscaping rocks, Bea's family's trash for the year 2016. Photo credit Cristovão@Exposed-Image

fencing, irrigation piping and such) that you do not want anymore.

65 S G

7. Find a bulk garden centre and refill reusable sand bags with dirt, rocks and compost. 8. Consider investing in an irrigation controller with a rainwater sensor. 9. Install rainwater and gray water catchments (check your city ordinances for the latter). 10. Keep a minimal and quality tool selection made of metal and wood (which can be repaired more easily).

instead of stickers. 7. Reuse paper clips (available in bulk) instead of staples, or a staple-free stapler. 8. Use your library to read business magazines and books, sell your books or donate them to your library for other people to enjoy. 9. Use memory sticks and external drives instead of CDs. 10. Use a power strip on your equipment, refill your printer cartridges, make paper with double-side printed paper, take packing material that you receive to your local shipping centre for reuse. SG

For tips and insights on waste-free lifestyle, connect with Bea on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Her book Zero Waste Home is available through TakeAlot.

Photo credit: Zero Waste Home

OFFICE 1. Refuse, and therefore help stop the madness of the free-pen/free-pencil give-aways. 2. Use refillable pens, piston fountain pens, mechanical pencils, refillable white board markers and donate extra office material (paper, pencils) to your public school's art program. 3. Start your personal junk mail war, cancel your phone directories, and sign up for electronic bills and statements. 4. Reuse single-side printed paper for printing or making notepads held by a metal clip, reuse junk mail response envelopes and when buying new paper, choose recycled and packaged in paper. 5. Ditch the trash can, strive to use your compost and recycling bins exclusively. 6. Use, reuse and request recyclable paper packing material when shipping, print postage and addresses directly on your envelopes, use surface mail, use a return address stamp

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Neopak Recycling is an organisation serving all regions of South Africa. Neopak Recycling is an organisation focused on the minimization of waste to landfill servicing all the regions of South Africa. With more than 40 years in business, Neopak Recycling is one of the largest collectors of recyclable materials and one of the largest suppliers of recyclables to a range of industries across South Africa. Neopak Recycling processes in excess of 250,000 tons of recyclable waste per annum including various grades of paper, plastic, glass and metal packaging. All the recyclable products we generate are supplied to manufacturing companies who in turn use the materials to make new products. As such, Neopak Recycling is one of the largest traders of recovered material in South Africa, with material secured from a variety of sources including Commercial, Institutional and Government offices, SMMEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, BEE ventures, Buy-Back Centres, Retail sector.

Call our head office for more: 27 (11) 799 7111

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t throw it away, throw it our way Neopak Recycling has four sites strategically positioned for accessible supply and services. Click here to find a site near you.

www.neopakrecycling.co.za

C O M P A N Y P RO F IL E

Green atstage every Did you know that, unlike food and personal care product manufacturers, producers of cleaning products are exempt from having to disclose all the ingredients used throughout their production processes? According to the law in many countries, cleaning product labels only need to alert consumers to the 'immediate' hazards that may present themselves should the product not be used according to the manufacturer's recommendations. Since this is the case, who knows what kinds of toxic chemicals could be lurking in the various cleaning products that we, as society, are using every day? Who knows what sort of effect these chemicals are having not only on the environment, but on the state of our health as well? We take a look at one company that is aiming to lead the way for ecological cleaning products.

elphis Eco has been moulded around

environmental issue. Inspired by the success of

the

and

these original products, and motivated to do even

organisations to live a little bit cleaner

more to assist people in learning how to start

and go a little bit greener. Specialising in the

living more sustainably, a full range of ecological

manufacture and distribution of green cleaning

green cleaning chemicals was produced – ultimately

essentials, they ensure that everything put into

resulting in the birth of Delphis Eco.

desire

help

households

their products, as well as the production processes

Three years after its inception in the UK, Mark

themselves, are as eco-friendly and as safe as

brought the company, as well as its impressive

possible.

and ever-growing product range, home to South

Who are Delphis Eco?

SA products are produced locally which ensures

Delphis Eco originated in the UK in 2007 when Mark

enhanced sustainability, contributes favourably to

Jankovich decided to get involved in cleaning up

the economy and has led to substantial job creation.

oil spills and leaks. He resolved to contribute in

S G 68

African shores in 2010. Nowadays, all Delphis Eco

an eco-responsible way, ultimately leading to the

Product Range

creation of an array of green products designed

Delphis Eco focuses on the innovation and

to make it easier to deal with this prominent

production of both household and industrial

production and distribution within their supply

essentials. Within the household range, you will find

chain.

various green cleaning products ideal for kitchen cleaning, general housekeeping and personal

•

hygiene. Popular choices include the Delphis Eco

and have SABS approval. They are also REACH,

floor maintainer, multi-purpose cleaner, dishwasher liquid, anti-bacterial sanitiser and anti-bacterial hand soap.

Most green products are EU Ecolabel accredited CLIP and CLP approved.

•

All of their products are phosphonate- and phosphate-free and have not been tested on

Within the industrial range, on the other hand,

animals.

Delphis Eco offers an array of specialised products,

In addition to the many benefits already

along with all-natural washroom cleaning essentials

mentioned, they also provide customers with the

that are just as powerful as any other products

option to buy in small quantities or bulk depending

available on the shelves today. Customer favourites

on their needs and preferences. They have made

include, but not limited to, the glass and stainless

certain that all products are more than just safe to

steel cleaner, masonry and stone cleaner, heavy-duty

use and eco-friendly, but that they are affordable to

degreaser and bio fizzy tabs. The result when using

purchase as long-term cleaning solutions as well.

any of the Delphis Eco green cleaning products? Spotless efficiency and total peace of mind, sans all

Stand up & take action

the toxic fumes, odours and residues that many of

While Delphis Eco has already made waves within

us have become so accustomed to over the years.

the eco-friendly cleaning industry, the ultimate goal is to be recognised as the world's leading innovator,

But Why Delphis Eco?

manufacturer and distributor of ecological cleaning

There are many reasons why Delphis Eco is the

products. Moreover, they hope to inspire and

green cleaning specialist of choice both, in the UK

inform by challenging everyone out there not only

and in South Africa:

to think about the ecological issues with which we

•

They take pride in the fact that their cleaning

are currently faced, but to get up and do something

products contain only natural, eco-friendly

about them. They hope that this sense of unity and

ingredients, many of which have been derived

purpose will lead to the development of even better

from sustainable, plant-based resources.

sustainable solutions for future generations. After

They go over and above what's expected to

all, as the Delphis Eco team firmly believes, the only

minimise waste, pollution and natural resource

way to live clean is to go green.

•

depletion when it comes to every stage of

For more info please contact: +27 82 217 4221 • info@delphiseco.co.za

www.delphiseco.co.za 69 S G

Home

one

small step at a time

S G 70

Going green in the home is not an all-in-one effort costing a lot more than you can afford. It is, in fact, many small steps taken according to a plan of action, many of them costing little to nothing. The main problem is crossing the hurdle of one's bad habits and poor practices and adopting the mindset suited to a sustained greening of one's home. We take a look.

71 S G

s with personal health, greening the

no matter how small. It is a small adjustment

home begins not with what you do but

to most people's routines but a vital one if you

what you don't do – and that is poison

want real efficiency.

the system. So greening in the home begins by

•

Put your sink plug in only after a quick rinse

eradicating or drastically reducing the use of toxic

of dirty crockery and cutlery under cold water

chemicals. Many of these are found in the bathroom

(make sure the tap is only open enough to allow

or kitchen of most homes – and some seem like the

a steady stream of water to come out – it does

'right' thing to have or use, but they contain fiercely

not have to gush) and then allow the plates,

corrosive or toxic chemicals meant to kills bugs and

cups, glass etc to soak for a couple minutes in

keep things clean, in general, but with some serious

just enough water to cover or fill them. Then

health and eco costs attached. Best, then, to avoid

rinse them off, either after all have had an initial

known harmful chemicals like triclosan, dioxane,

rinse and soak or, if you have twin sinks, in the

nonylphenol ethoxylate, phosphates and pthalates.

second sink, using also only a centimetre or two of water.

There are plenty of greener options – or you can make your own using simple and safe materials

•

Only use hot water and dishwashing liquid

like bicarb and vinegar, which will clean and refresh

if you have very greasy dishes or pots and

almost every surface, including toilets and dirty

ovenware to wash and clean these separately to other dishes etc.

drains, in your home.

Trash

•

If you have a newish energy- and water-efficient dishwasher, set the temperature to about 55ºC,

Separating your waste helps downstream greening

or coldest water setting possible. Also set the

greatly, so recycling of glass, plastic, paper and tins,

machine to minimum water usage. Obviously

as well as aluminium, ought to be a basic step that

the same rules apply to washing clothes in a washing machine, if you have one.

most people can take. Keep a separate bin for each and another for waste plant matter. Use this waste

•

Regardless of how you wash up, if at all

plant material (including uneaten food) to create a

possible try to collect the run-off for use in

compost heap to nourish your garden. Even if you

greywater recycling. If you have not used

live in a small apartment, you can grow herbs in

chemical cleaning agents, but rather bicarb

your kitchen window.

and vinegar to get grease and other debris off

Washing up

plates etc, you can safely use this water, when diluted with rainwater which you also ought to

Most people do not wash up efficiently so

try collecting (see below), and put that on your

hand-washing can easily be less efficient, both in

green and growing things like veggies in the

terms of water and cost of energy to heat water,

garden. If used properly, the bicard and vinegar

than an energy- and water-efficient dishwasher. But

cancel each other out in terms of pH and, once

not everyone has one of those or can afford to go

diluted, used water is safe for secondary usage

out and buy one. So when washing up there are

on almost all plants.

some key points to remember: •

Rinse off dirty dishes immediately after plates are cleared away. Even if you wash up properly only later or the next day, the initial quick rinse will save most of the extra water and energy involved in a full wash-up – and you don't have to wait until you have enough dishes to fill the dishwasher, which is a requirement if you want to be really efficient with energy and, these days, even more importantly, vital drinking water.

•

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Best to wash up completely after every meal,

Repair your leaky faucet (especially if you live in a drought-prone area), install water-saving toilets and shower heads, and only run the clothes washer or dishwasher with full loads.

Are you concerned about harmful chemicals in your home? Have you thought about changing to all natural cleaning products but are worried that they ‘won’t work as well’?

Look no further than Bet ter Earth’s Natural Cleaning Product range

We provide alternatives that are as ef fective and yet gentle on you, your family and the environment. All our products are free of sulphated surfactants, parabens, animal products, colourants and synthetic fragrances. Our products are never tested on animals. We are endorsed by ‘Beauty Without Cruelty’ and the ‘Vegan Society’. We manufacture locally. Our products are completely bio-degradable and perfect for grey water use. We support ethical farmers every time and local farmers wherever possible.

Bet ter Earth. Bet ter for you. Bet ter for the Earth www.betterearth.co.za 73 S G

GREYWATER SHARVESTING

Heat energy

Water

Heating energy is the single most expensive and

South Africa, in a world already made very different

one of the easiest areas to address in the home.

to the one most of us grew up in by climate

These days, any new or renovated home has to

change, is one of the countries likely to be hit

make use of alternative water heating methods for

hardest by a loss of annual rainwater, alternating,

half of the home's needs. This means either solar

inconveniently, with massive downpours. But you

or gas. It makes sense in SA to use a solar water

can still make the most of this scenario by installing

heater because of the abundance of sunshine. While

relatively low-cost rainwater catchment and using

solar panels and other solar heating systems don't

the water from that for the garden and washing

necessarily require direct sunlight, and you may

up (if necessary). If push really comes to shove,

want to consider using a heat pump for rainy days.

as it most likely will at some point, your rainwater

Gas geysers are efficient in that they supply

catchment might be the only drinkable water easily

on-demand heat by heating the water as it passes

available to you, so don't count this point out

through a flame, so you only use as much gas as

until you've costed out what water from your local

required. It is very efficient but it is still using a

authority is costing you (remember that sewage

hydrocarbon fuel source, which ultimately is not

is also counted, so there's a cost of water coming

that green, so solar or other heating is almost

into your home and of it leaving via the sewage

always better in the long run.

lines). One rainwater tank will be paid for by the

With regard to heating rooms or yourself and

used water it replaces in a matter of months. Just

family during the cold periods, rather use blankets,

remember that this water may need to be filtered

warm clothing and, if necessary, a wall heater in the

and treated (there are natural treatment methods

family room. By cutting back on gas and oil heating

which are low-cost and highly effective, so once

you will drop your overall heating bill enormously.

again chemicals like chlorine should be avoided or

Together with a thermal blanket on your geyser,

S G 74

only used in emergencies).

a solar system and/or heat pump, combined with

Your personal hygiene materials should be

some 'old fashioned' approaches to dealing with the

strictly organic, but those too are to be found on

cold, can pull your electricity bill down to something

many shops shelves and are now roughly the same

like half what it would otherwise be.

price as the more toxic chemical varieties.

We have covered the large picture issue of our collective water usage elsewhere but on a personal note, bathing should be avoided unless it is literally impossible to get the person being cleaned under a shower. Showers should also be short – no more than two minutes. And the geyser should be set to a temperature of no more than 55ºC. Do not run taps until hot water is flowing without catching the otherwise wasted water in a bucket or, if in a hand basin, in a jug or similar container. Over time, the amount of water wasted while you wait for the water

Your computer may go to sleep, but it's still sucking up energy. Turn your computer and monitor off at the end of the day. In addition, take steps to create an eco-friendly workplace.

to run hot turns out to be a shockingly large number. Use the saved water for washing dishes or similar household cleaning – and in dire times, for drinking.

Online ordering

For truly cost-efficient showering, you should have a

While it may seem like a trendy thing to do, many

suitable shower head fitted. Water efficient shower

people live in areas where you may be serviced by

heads are now widely available and will pay for

online suppliers, including of household groceries.

themselves in a matter of weeks through using less

If you can, use these services as, overall, they are

water, both hot and cold.

eco-friendly by virtue of less cartage, and less per

When washing hands and doing similar ablutions,

unit shipping kilometres attached to them. It also

allow a little water to come through the tap and catch

helps to try to buy locally produced veggies and other

it in the palm of your hand, then apply some lotion

goods (always organic if possible) as this supports

or soap, and then a bit more water, closing the tap

not only the local economy but cuts travel kilometres

each time. Thoroughly clean the hands or your face

on imported veggies hugely.

before opening the tap to rinse off. Once you get this practice down you will see that you will literally be

Many small steps

saving multiple litres of water each and every time

Remember that in the end your total footprint on

you clean up.

the planet cannot be eradicated entirely but can be

Lighting

drastically cut by taking these and many other small steps. While you may look to others for guidance,

Rule number one with lights is keep them off until

once your mindset is shifted towards efficiency,

needed and switch them off as soon as they are

reduction of usage, and recycling, you will already be

no longer needed. Do not leave rooms awash in

a long way down the track. Consistency and making

light when no-one is in them, unless there is an

any new, even if small, steps towards eco-friendly

overwhelming reason to do so. The simple act of

living, will combine to build an ever-more eco-friendly

switching off is very powerful. If possible make sure

home for you and your loved ones. We could list so

all electrical and electronic appliances are switched

many other things – like making sure your pool pump

off at the wall plug, so you do not have vampire

only runs for a minimum period, or keeping outside

energy consumption (the little red lights that show

lights off unless vital for security – but in the end as

you the TV, computer or whatever is still taking power

the person doing the greening, it will become ever

even when not on). Use lower wattage bulbs where

more obvious to you what steps you can take and

you can and CFL or LED bulbs wherever possible. CFLs

how to make them at low or even no extra cost, and

last a long time, making up for their higher cost than

incurring significant savings along the way.

iridescent bulbs, which are vastly inefficient light

In the end, home or office or any other greening

sources. The same is all the more true for LEDs, which

in a sustainable way is first a mind state and attitude

are significantly more expensive but last much longer

and then a series of actions, not the other way

and produce good light.

around.

W inter W arming

Snugg

S G 76

gle up your guide to efficient home heating

Winter is here and no doubt you will have already hauled the electric heater and blanket out of the closet. Or maybe you have a gas heater or traditional wood fire. We take a closer look at the greener options for warming your home his winter

77 S G

hen it comes to choosing between gas heaters, wood fires or electrical heating for keeping your house warm

in winter there is little doubt that gas is the best choice from an environmental perspective. Efficient and clean-burning, gas is what you will find in most cold countries. But in South Africa, where we don't have piped gas to our homes, a little more careful thought is required to decide what's the optimum heating choice. Also, while way more efficient than most methods, gas still uses hydrocarbon fuels and is not the ideal way of warming up while keeping your energy footprint as low as possible. Aesthetic and practical constraints undoubtedly come into the equation and so different methods of heating may well be necessary in different rooms of your house. A wall-mounted electrical heater is certainly going to be more sensible for a bathroom than gas, for example. Here is what you need to know to choose the greener, more efficient option

Unless you are custom-building your home and include gas supply for a built-in gas fireplace, the most likely gas heating option available in South Africa is the trusty free-standing gas heater that has a removable cylinder mounted in the back of the unit. Aside from the hassle of lugging the cylinder to the store for a refill, these heaters win hands down in terms of energy efficiency – over 80% in comparison to the best slow wood burners which achieve around 70%.

for your home.

Electrical heating

heating options. Oil heaters are effective but costly

Electric heaters work through resistance. That is,

in that their efficiency is way down on any form of

electrical current flows through a heating element

direct heating.

and the resistance that the current encounters causes the element to heat up.

Fan heaters

There are fundamentally two types of electric

These are essentially a form of convection heater

heaters to choose from – convection and radiant

with the only difference being that rather than

heaters. Convection heat uses the fact that hot air

relying on the heat to be moved around the room

rises and relies upon natural convection to move the

by pushing out warm air currents, cold air is pulled

heat around the room. Radiant heat or infrared is

by a fan over the heating element and then blown

different in that it heats objects, not the air. Why is

into the room. Because of the fan, these units are

this important? Well it can determine where certain

relatively noisy but are good for quickly warming

types of heaters may be located. A convection

small spaces.

heater will need to be located near the floor level as it has to warm cold air at the floor. A radiant

Radiant heaters

heater on the other hand can be located at the floor

These heaters work on the principle of safe infrared

or ceiling level since it is heating objects like room

waves, similar to the sun. Rather than wasting energy

occupants or the floor or tub and so on.

by heating the ambient air through convection, the

Convection heating units

heaters emit radiant heat in an infrared band that is safe and ideal for absorption by the human

These kinds of electric heaters are excellent with

body. Because of the 'focused' heating, these

regard to offering background heat for any closed

heaters typically use less than half of the energy of

room. Samples of convection heating units include

conventional heaters.

oil-filled radiators, 'bar' heaters and panel heaters.

S G 78

most efficient and rival most other types of space

As far as heating efficiency is concerned, however,

Wood-fired heaters

the old-style bar heaters are undoubtedly the least

Wood-fired heaters distribute heat by radiation,

energy-efficient, while wall-mounted panels are the

convection or a combination of the two. Radiant

wood heaters create the majority of their heat (more than 60%) from the flames and heat people and objects directly, rather than heating the air. A convection wood heater heats and circulates warm air around a room, similar to electrical convection heaters.

Biofires decorative alternatives Although not strictly a heating option on their own,

Open fireplaces

biofires create a warm and calming atmosphere in

While an open fire is a joy to watch, fireplaces

any living space. Burning plant-derived (sugarcane)

are generally very inefficient – only achieving

ethanol these decorative heat sources are odourless

around 5-10% efficiency. The fireplace itself is quite

and smokeless, making it possible to have them in

expensive to construct and requires a lot of materials.

a room without any need for a chimney. They are

Additionally, an open fireplace only provides heat

an efficient and relatively cheap source of energy,

directly in front of the fire. Much of the heat can be lost through the rear wall which is often outside the

although not suitable for heating an entire room.

home (at least with traditional fire place designs). An open fire's efficiency can be greatly improved (up to 35%) by the use of a fireplace insert which is a hollow, metal structure built into the fireplace, allowing for a greater degree of convection heating rather than relying purely on radiant heat.

Pot-belly heaters Pot-belly and similar wood heaters have an efficiency generally in the 25-40% range. A pot-belly generates both convective and radiant heat and is a good choice for heating small areas – particularly where space is an issue.

Slow combustion heaters Slow

combustion

heaters

provide

the

best

efficiency – up to 70%. This is due to an airtight firebox, additional airflow controls and air inlets plus secondary combustion chambers to improve efficiency. They are the best option for heating large areas and can be fitted with a fan to help move heat more evenly around the room.

Selecting a wood heater As a general guideline, aim for 1-1.5 kilowatts (kW) for each 10m2 of area needing to be heated. For example, if you wish to heat 50m2 of living space, the heater should have a maximum output of 5-8kW. Accurate sizing is critical to the efficient operation and successful performance of a wood heater. Oversized heaters will not burn wood efficiently on low settings. And too small a heater will not be able to satisfactorily heat the area. It is often expected that a larger heater will heat most of the house. However,

79 S G

distributing the heat evenly throughout the house is not always possible. Open-plan areas are usually no problem, but getting heat down from high ceilings, along corridors and into bedrooms can be more difficult. In some cases, just leaving the door open does the trick. Sometimes ducts, ceiling fans or vents may be necessary to help distribute the heat more evenly. Of course, if you are wanting to distribute heat throughout your home, then a convection heater will be more efficient than a radiant heater system.

Gas heaters Unless you are custom-building your home and include gas supply for a built-in gas fireplace, the most likely gas heating option available in South Africa is the trusty free-standing gas heater that has a removable cylinder mounted in the back of the unit. Aside from the hassle of lugging the cylinder to the store for a refill, these heaters win hands down in terms of energy efficiency – over 80% in comparison to the best slow wood burners which achieve around 70%. Gas heaters are also essentially clean burning with little to no air emissions except carbon monoxide in small quantities – a fan-light or other air vent should be left open.

What to do with the ash from your wood fire? The ashes left behind from a wood fire are also a valuable and versatile by-product. Here are some great uses for your ash.

Fire starters Lumps of charcoal (the black chunks, not the grey/white ash) shouldn't be removed from your fireplace, if possible, as these will help kick along your next fire and get it cranking out heat far faster than a fire just started with wood alone.

Filter Left-over charcoal can be pounded with a hammer and then ground into to a fine powder with a mortar and pestle or blender. This can then be used as a filter medium for water – something in increasing need these days. Note that it's not quite the same as activated charcoal that you buy, so don't rely on it alone for filtering drinking water.

Pest deterrent Sprinkle the ash around the border of garden beds to repel snails and slugs. This will need to be applied after rain.

Compost Add a dusting of wood ash to each layer of your compost heap as you're building it up.

Fertiliser Ash contains potash (potassium carbonate), phosphate, iron, manganese, boron, copper and zinc and can be quite beneficial as a natural fertiliser. Wood ash increases the pH or alkalinity of soil, so use sparingly. Black charcoal is a little different in that it has a much higher ratio of carbon – so this can be used more liberally.

Dehumidifying Lumps of charcoal placed in a can punched with holes can help reduce moisture in areas such as closets, basements, under sinks, etc.

Cleaning Dip a damp rag into ash and use to clean silverware, brass and glass. Ash added to a scourer can also give your scouring a bit more oomph.

S G 80

Cost-effective

ways to keep warm We all want to keep the cold bay, which often means adopting various habits, either good or bad, depending. Putting heating devices on the maximum setting is a bad habit that will cost you a lot. According to Eskom, the average South African household's electricity bill increases by an estimated 30% to 40% in the cold season, and considering that the price of electricity goes up a annually, that's big bucks you're paying. But being snug doesn't have to cost a lot. If you make some simple, smart decisions, hone your DIY skills, pick the right heating system and change your routine a bit, you can stay nice and warm and do so cost-efficiently.

Here are some 'hot' tips to keep you warm this winter: •

Block gaps and air leaks in windows and doors to cut out draughts for a no or low-cost solution.

•

Identify and cover up mini-draughts too, also low or not cost. This step can include apparent insignificant things like keeping keys in keyholes or taping over keyholes.

•

Put tin foil behind any wall-mounted heaters for another no or low-cost solution.

•

Close gaps between the roof and cupboard tops where there is not a complete seal.

•

Seal up your fireplace when you're not using it. Something as simple as a piece of chipboard (suitably painted or decorated) can do the job.

•

Hang thick curtains or roller blinds over windows which provides a low-cost 'blanket's for your house's most heat-loss areas.

•

Put carpets or rugs on bare floors.

•

An invest to save option is to glaze your windows. Few South African homes are properly glazed for winter. It costs a bit up front but saves a lot on the back end.

•

Insulating your ceiling is another invest to save option. Various options are available in this category, including recycled material such as cardboard but there are some commercial options which are not vastly expensive – and the ceiling, next to poor glazing, is where most of a home's heat escapes.

•

Hang your washing up inside, even if it's not raining out as this will increase indoor humidity and thereby increase ambient warmth.

•

Drink lots of tea, coffee, hot chocolate and other warm beverages to heat yourself up from the inside – just be sure to only boil the exact amount of water you need.

•

It may sound all too obvious to suggest but dressing warmly is where winter warming starts and ends – do not forsake warm clothing for fashionable dressing.

•

Eskom advocates using electric blankets – they're more cost-effective than you may think, but only use them to warm up the bed for about 30 minutes before getting in.

81 S G

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83 S G

C onscious H ome

Herbs&Spice makes all things nice

S G 84

For thousands of years natural herbs and spices have been used to treat common health issues successfully and without side effects. Herbs, including basil and parsley, are from plants and plant parts where as spices often come from the seeds, berries, bark or roots of plants. Liesel James reports.

Aâ&#x20AC;&#x2030;

type of plant compound, called polyphenols, provide one of the main health benefits associated with herbs and spices. Polyphenols

Chili Peppers Capsicum annuum

are also abundant in certain fruits and vegetables,

Also known as natures miracle spice, includes

tea, and red wine.

popular varieties such as cayenne, jalapeno,

Today however many illnesses are treated with

habanero and serrano peppers. Chili pepper contains

artificial pharmaceuticals that come with a whole

a bioactive plant compound called capsaicin, which

list of side effects. Yet the big pharmaceutical

is responsible for its hot and spicy kick and experts

mega-corporations would rather we take their

say the endorphin rush it causes is what makes this

products than nature's remedies.

chemical compound an effective remedy for pain

'Studies show that many different herbs and

and other medical conditions.

spices offer health benefits,' says David Heber, MD,

Capsaicin has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory

PhD, professor of medicine and director of the UCLA

properties, and it has shown potential for treating

Center for Human Nutrition.

inflammatory diseases and cancer. Chili peppers

There are so many varieties to choose from but

are rich in beta-carotene, which is converted to

most of the evidence exists for the following herbs

vitamin A in the body. This vitamin is essential

and spices according to David Heber and here are

for maintaining healthy mucous membranes to

their benefits:

help protect the body from invading pathogens

85 S G

(microorganisms that cause disease).

may be helpful in treating inflammatory

Chili is also rich in vitamin C, and this

bowel diseases, lowering cholesterol

helps the body produce white blood

counts, protecting the heart, relieving

cells that fight germs.

indigestion, improving liver function,

Chilies help reduce insulin levels,

even

preventing

Alzheimer's

disease. Cancer prevention and inhibited

American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

cancer cell growth – specifically cancer

(AJCN). It has antibacterial properties as

of the breast, colon, prostate, and lung,

well, and can help fight chronic sinus

and childhood leukemia – are also on

infections. Additionally, cultures that

the list of possible benefits.

use hot peppers regularly in cooking have significantly lower heart attack and

Garlic

Allium sativum

stroke rates.

Fresh garlic has nutritional benefits

Cinnamon

superior to that of any kind of processing,

Cinnamomum cassia

such as minced and refrigerated, or amounts

dried in flakes. With garlic, you get an

of calcium and fibre. One teaspoon

excellent supply of manganese – 23%

provides a whopping 22% of the daily

of the daily value – containing essential

recommended value in manganese.

enzymes and antioxidants that perform

Manganese is a trace mineral that

all kinds of amazing feats in the body,

helps the body form strong bones,

including the healthy formation of

connective tissues, and sex hormones,

bones and connective tissues, bone

and coagulates the blood properly. It

metabolism, calcium absorption, and

helps metabolise fat and carbohydrates,

proper thyroid function, just to name a

regulate blood sugar, absorb calcium,

few. Garlic also contains 17% of the daily

and is essential for optimal brain and

value in vitamin B6, and 15% in vitamin

nerve function. Cinnamon is also a

C, while allocating good amounts of

component of the antioxidant enzyme

calcium, phosphorus, and selenium.

Cinnamon

provides

high

superoxide dismutase, which helps

Numerous

studies

show

garlic's

neutralize free radicals that can damage

amazing health potential in nearly every

cell membranes and DNA. Proper levels

area of the body, from removing heavy

of manganese have been linked to

metals to the prevention of numerous

the prevention of diabetes, arthritis,

ailments, such as the common cold,

epilepsy, and even PMS.

hardening of the arteries, and gangrene,

Turmeric

destroying

contaminants

baby

formula, and even in slowing the aging

Curcuma longa

process.

Turmeric has been used as a powerful

Ginger

anti-inflammatory in Chinese and Indian medicine for millennia. Even the smallest

Zingiber officinale

quantity is very effective but a tablespoon

A good source of vitamin C, magnesium,

communicates excellent phytonutrients

potassium, copper, and manganese,

and health benefits include an improved

ginger is listed as an herbal medicine

ability to digest fats, reducing gas

with carminative effects: a substance

and bloating, decreased congestion,

that promotes the release of intestinal

and improved skin conditions such as

gas. It's also an intestinal spasmolytic,

eczema, psoriasis, and acne.

which relaxes and soothes the intestinal

Research also suggests that turmeric

S G 86

and

concluded in a study published in the

tract. That means it can settle an upset

stomach, relieve vomiting, and ease gas

of the daily recommended value. Basil

and diarrhea discomfort; but it's also

also provides vitamin A, which contains

effective in preventing nausea in the

beta-carotenes, powerful antioxidants

first place.

that protect the cells lining from free

Made into hot tea, ginger releases

radical damage. This helps prevent

the compounds gingerol and protease,

cholesterol in blood from oxidizing,

bringing a rush of comforting warmth

helping to prevent atherosclerosis, heart

that actually increases cardiovascular

attacks, and stroke. Other vitamins and minerals in

circulation. effects

basil include iron, calcium, manganese,

associated with chemotherapy, including

magnesium, vitamin C and potassium.

dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and cold

Basil also has antibacterial properties and

sweating. Studies also show ginger to

contains DNA-protecting flavonoids and

be protective against osteoarthritis pain

volatile oils all capable of restricting the

and several cancers, including ovarian,

growth of numerous harmful bacteria,

colorectal, lung, and breast cancers.

including listeria, staphylococcus, E coli

Ginger

reduces

side

Oregano

Origanum vulgare

to mention a few.

Parsley

Whether fresh or dried, oregano is one

Petrosalinum sativum

of the foundations of Greek and Italian

Parsley is an excellent source of vitamin

cuisine. Oregano is an excellent source

K (574% of the daily recommended

of fibre and the vitamins A (which

value), vitamin C as well as a good

maintains the immune system and

source of vitamin A, folate and iron,

vision), C, E (antioxidant power for cell

this promote bone strength, but it also

protection) and K (to keep the blood

has a role in the treatment and possible

from clotting).

prevention of Alzheimer's disease by

Oregano also contains high amounts

limiting neuronal damage in the brain

of folate (to help form RNA and DNA

Parsley is useful as a digestive aid

building blocks), lots of iron (to prevent

with its high fibre content. This helps

anemia), magnesium and calcium (for

move foods through the digestive tract

metabolizing the bones), and healthy

and controls blood-cholesterol levels,

amounts of vitamin B6 (for optimal brain

but has a diuretic effect as well. A

function). There's also potassium in

tea made from parsley is a traditional

oregano (to maintain your heart rate and

remedy for

blood pressure), and manganese and

intestinal gas. As an herb sprinkled

copper (both important for the body's

in food, it actually helps purify the

optimal use of the enzyme superoxide

blood and fight cancer. Eating parsley

dismutase. Oregano has one of the

is now thought to be a way to detoxify

highest antioxidant activity ratings,

the system of harmful compounds like

which is excellent for neutralizing free

mercury, sometimes found in dental

radicals.

fillings.

Basil

Thyme

Basil is considered one of the healthiest

Highly regarded for relieving coughs,

herbs and Vitamin K, essential for

colds, and congestion; rich in volatile

blood clotting, is one of them. Just

oils that have significant antimicrobial

two tablespoons of basil provide 29%

and antispasmodic activity. Thyme is

Ocimum basilicum

colic,

indigestion,

and

Thymus vulgaris

87 S G

an excellent source of vitamin C (75% of the daily recommended value), vitamin A (27%), fibre (16 %), riboflavin, iron (27%), copper, and manganese (24%), 11% each in calcium and manganese, and doses of vitamin B6, folate, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc as well.

Rosemary

Rosmarinus officinalis For centuries besides the flavour it adds to food, the medicinal uses for rosemary has involved improving memory, alleviate muscle pain, circulations and hair growth. This herb, especially the flower tops,

have anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, and antiseptic

How to Fight a Nasty Cold with this Booster Tea

properties. It is also a good source of iron, calcium,

All its ingredients have a bounty of positive

and vitamin B6.

effects on a sore throat (antiseptic, alleviate

contains antibacterial and antioxidant rosmarinic acid, plus several essential oils that are known to

Prevention is better than cure and by adding these recommended herbs and spices into your daily diet will boost your health from all these powerful nutrients. It will also enhance food to taste delicious and more satisfying than bland ones, which you tend to eat faster and more of with less fulfilment. Using herbs and spices expands your palette without extra calories and may decrease the amount of salt, fat, and sugar you use without sacrificing flavour. All the above herbs are easy to grow either directly in your garden or indoors in pots, the

throat tickle, soothe feeling of throat dryness). Prep time: 15 minutes. Yields 2 glasses.

Ingredients •

500ml water

•

fresh lemon juice (1/2 – 1 lemon)

•

fresh ginger

•

fresh thyme sprigs

•

fresh red chili (optional)

•

honey

•

serve with slices of lemon and small sprigs of thyme

spices are all freely available in supermarkets near

Method

you. There are many easy and affordable ways

1. Thoroughly wash ingredients, cut the ginger

of including these super foods in your daily diet

into thin slices (peeled, un-peeled, that's up to

through cooking, baking and or in just making a

you), halve and squeeze out the lemon and cut

cup of tea.

off a few slices of the chili (optional). Amounts

Caution: These plants have medicinal properties.

are really subject of personal preference,

It is important to seek the advice of your health

for 500ml water use 8-10 sprigs of thyme,

professional before adding anything new to your

6 rather large slices of ginger, the juice of 1

diet.

lemon and 2 slices of chili) 2. 2 Bring half a litre of water to a boil, then reduce the heat to a minimum and add the

References

ginger slices, the thyme sprigs and chili slices.

•

http://foodfacts.mercola.com

Let infuse for at least 10 minutes. Meanwhile

•

http://webmd.com

prepare the drinking glasses/tea cups – add

•

http://thedailytea.com/wellness/chili-pepper-tea-and-

some (1-2 tsp, I prefer more) honey to each as

your-health

S G 88

well as the lemon juice.

•

https://www.uclahealth.org

Pour tea through a fine mesh sieve into the glasses

•

http://www.rodales21stcenturyherbal.com/

and serve hot with thin lemon slices and/or small

rodales21stcenturyherbal/index?keycode=245309

thyme sprigs.

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EAT BETTER - FEEL BETTER - LOOK BETTER 89 S G

Shelf

Delicious LOW CARB: Healthy, Practical, Affordable and Realistic Sally-Ann Creed

S G 90

an easy read and the photography is great as well.

Human & Rousseau • 978 0 7981 7234 9

Low Carb is Lekker Two Ine Reynierse

Research shows that for the first time in history there are more obese people than starving people. Delicious Low Carb, by respected dietician Sally-Ann Creed from The Real Meal Revolution, contains healthy, affordable, practical recipes for low-carb living. She explains what such a lifestyle entails and how to minimise grains, carbohydrates and sugar. She also discusses issues like fibre and why women battle with food high in fat. It is evident from the recipes for breakfast, lunchbox ideas for kids, finger foods, soup, baking and even pizzas, mains and sides, sauces, snacks, cake and cookies, puddings and beverages that it is indeed possible to make a homemade meal for your family every night. All the recipes are easy and have only one aim and that is to improve the health of your family and yourself in a major way. There are many practical hints resulting from SallyAnn's in-depth research and years of experience, Yet, this book is still

Cooking with fewer or no carbs need not be boring or bland. Inè Reynierse, author of the bestselling Low Carb is Lekker, has made it her mission to bring back normal dishes to the LCHF menu. Her unique dough recipes mean that you can start enjoying bread, muffins, doughnuts, nachos, pizza, vetkoek and koeksisters again – but now without the carbs. Her simple and gourmet meals, including local favourites and some global classics, will entice and keep the entire family coming back for more – more healthy meals that is. If an easy and budget-friendly low-carb lifestyle is what you are after, this book may very well be your best ally for the journey. Reynierse is a children's author, performer, voice artist, copywriter, idea merchant and newfound foodie who loves packaging ideas in a fresh way. Her projects vary from children's radio stories on a national radio network

Penguin Random House Struik Lifestyle 978 1 4323 0688 5

to corporate ad campaigns and everything in between. Her passion for restored health and wellness spurred the process that led to Low Carb is Lekker.

Jump on The Bant Wagon: Quick And Easy On A Tight Budget Nick Charlie Key Human & Rousseau • 978 0 7981 7185 4

Jump on the Bant Wagon and enjoy delicious low-carb high-fat homemade meals. In this book you will find easy, healthy and budgetfriendly recipes for breakfast, lunch and dinner – with special dishes for the colder winter months, when spring is in the air again and for those Saturdays when the cook is off duty. And to top it all off: decadent puddings without the sugar rush. Michael Olivier nicely portrays the gems within this book. 'As everyone seems to be, Nick Charlie Key, is seriously into Banting. In a city (Cape Town) where Banting is the buzz word, Jump on the Bant Wagon, subtitled Quick and Easy on a Tight Budget, apart from its mildly corny title, is an excellent addition to the wealth of low carb high fat eating style books

written in South Africa. This book is divided into the courses of the menu with the addition of Breakfast, Light Meals and Baking and Desserts. Excellent photography by Myburgh du Plessis. Nick Charlie Key is a social network specialist by day and a Banting student in his own kitchen by night. The results of his night shift are published on his website, The Bant Wagon, where he also blogs. Jimmy Moore, one of the speakers at the first international Low Carb High Fat Health Summit held in Cape Town rated his blog the third best upcoming health blog. He was also one of the finalists for the African Blogger Awards. His blog stemmed from desperation: He was overweight and recently diagnosed with metabolic syndrome. He started to 'bant' and lost 22kg in six months. He then started the blog to share his knowledge with fellow Banters.

format, The Banting Solution is now available in a size that fits every pocket. This little guide will provide all the tips and advice you need with which to start, successfully conclude and maintain your Banting lifestyle. The Banting Pocket Guide includes a chapter from Banting's most respected and passionate supporter, Prof Tim Noakes; answers your most pressing questions; busts the myths that have cropped up around Banting; provides helpful meal plans, Banting-friendly food lists and recipes; teaches you how to Bant on a budget, making this lifestyle accessible to everyone; and much, much more. Most importantly, it teaches you how to get rid of those unwanted kilos and keep them off forever. Easy to pop into your handbag or pocket, The Banting Pocket Guide is set to kick-start your new Banting lifestyle.

The Banting Pocket Guide Prof Tim Noakes, Bernadine Douglas & Bridgette Allan

Homegrown Bertus Basson with Russel Wasserfall & Roxy Spears

Penguin Random House 978 1 7760 9155 3

Ultimate Braai Master host and chef Bertus Basson shares recipes from his personal and national heritage in his first cookbook, Homegrown.

Due to your requests for more basic recipes and a user-friendly

The book is a celebration of being South African and how embracing his roots has influenced Bertus as a chef, as many of his signature recipes are inspired by his Afrikaans origins. Homegrown also explores how other distinctly South African tastes and flavours have impacted his cooking, influencing his unique take on fine dining for his awardwinning restaurants. The book is filled with stunning photographs and delectable recipes such as Snoek with Apricot Glaze, Beer Braised Pork Belly, Spice Rub for Braaied Brisket, Charred Octopus with Gnocchi and Nasturtium Paste, Tamatie Frikkadels, Koeksister Ice Cream, and Milk Tart SoufflĂŠ. These recipes are easy to prepare and are made with fresh, local ingredients. 'It surprises friends to learn that I did not like food as a kid. My mother, Hetta Basson (Ma), had to work hard to get me to eat anything that wasn't sweet or bad for me. I guess that's why my earliest food memories are of sweet things. In fact, this book starts with dessert.'

Jacana Media â&#x20AC;˘ 978 1 9282 4708 1

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Shelf

Insectopedia Eric Holm Struik Nature • 978 1 7758 4198 2

This book uncovers the fascinating and infinitely varied world of insects. It explores their intriguing behaviour and biology – from mating and breeding, metamorphosis and movement to sight, smell, hearing and their adaptations to heat and cold. A chapter on superorganisms probes the curious phenomenon of social communities among insects; another covers the critical role that these creatures play in maintaining the fragile balance of life on our planet. The book concludes with a 60-page illustrated field guide, describing most insect orders and their main families. Previously published as Insectlopedia of Southern Africa, this fully revised and redesigned edition includes up-todate information throughout, an expanded ID section, and several hundred new photographs.

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Indigenous Garden Plants of Southern Africa Glenice Ebedes

Guide to Seabirds of Southern Africa Peter Ryan

Struik Nature • 978 1 7758 4458 7

Struik Nature • 978 1 7758 4519 5

This handy pocket guide introduces local gardening enthusiasts to some of southern Africa's most beautiful, beneficial and easy-to-care-for indigenous plants, giving guidance on how best to use them and how to ensure that they flourish. This book offers a selection of 145 garden-friendly, low-maintenance trees, shrubs and bedding plants perfectly adapted to our local soils and weather conditions; text that's direct and simple; full-colour photographs that show plant details and 'in context' planting; and icons indicating at a glance whether a species is evergreen or deciduous, frost-hardy, suitable for a sunny or shaded position, fast or slow-growing, water wise, fragrant and attractive to insects or birds. An essential handbook for easy-care beautiful gardening.

Seabirds hold a special place in the hearts of birders, not least because of the challenge of getting to grips with a group of birds that is largely inaccessible, and living in an often hostile habitat. This is the first book focusing exclusively on the nearly 1 000 birds that occur around the southern African coastline and adjacent Southern Ocean. This book is primarily an identification guide, but the author also includes information about these birds' fascinating biology and behaviour. The text is richly supported with photographs, as well as distribution maps for all the birds. A detailed introduction covers, among other topics, seabird origins, havens, feeding, breeding and conservation, as well as how best to watch and photograph these enigmatic birds.

Understanding Elephants Elephant Specialist Advisory Group Struik Nature • 978 1 7758 4341 2

Elephants are arguably Africa's most charismatic animals, and among the biggest drawcards to our game reserves. While the burgeoning game-park industry may be increasing our access to these magnificent creatures, rising human-elephant encounters are an inevitable outcome – sometimes, sadly, fatal. Such encounters could likely have been avoided had those involved understood elephant behaviour, and particularly how these intelligent animals interface with traffic through their territory. This book describes elephant family life, from rearing of infants to establishing dominance within a herd; it unpacks regular elephant behaviour, the matriarchal system, the particular dangers of males in musth, and many other aspects of their lives. Most of all, it provides

guidelines for ensuring safe and enjoyable encounters with these majestic animals. This is an essential guide for those planning visits to reserves.

The Historical Overberg Chris Schoeman Zebra Press • 978 1 7760 9072 3

Situated between the Hottentots Holland Mountains and the Breede River, the Overberg is an important agricultural region and a popular holiday destination for tourists and nature lovers who delight in the beauty of its mountainous landscape, abundant plant species and long sandy beaches. But this area also has a rich history going back thousands of years, when the indigenous Khoi people originally thrived there, before the first European settlers arrived to leave their own indelible imprint on the culture, architecture and character of the region. This book provides a detailed account of this past by pointing out the many places,

buildings, events and personalities that have made the Overberg the diverse and unique place that it is today. Enlivened by historical and current photographs and informative side panels, this book is a collector's item.

Rocket Man Edited by Jessica Easto B2 Books • 978 1 5728 4214 4

This one is subtitled: 'Elon Musk in his own words', which sums it up for you. Drawn from years of interviews, public statements and media coverage, this little book provides some of Musk's most thought-provoking insights offered in his own words. If you would understand, or at least obtain a glimpse of, the mind of one of the most visionary engineers and entrepreneurs alive today, then this is a must read.

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Drink

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WINE

Some years ago, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) brought together stakeholders from the wine industry and conservation to create the Biodiversity and Wine Initiative (BWI). The partnership also saw South Africa's voluntary sustainable wine certification scheme – the Integrated Production of Wine (IPW) – incorporate the conservation and management of natural areas amongst its criteria. We take a look.

oday a third of South Africa's wine industry has detailed eco-management plans in place. There are a number of requirements for farms and cellars

to be able to obtain this prestigious accreditation. These efforts are vital to counter the encroachment of vines and crops on precious natural habitats. The hard work that has gone into all levels and aspects of conservation has seen Spier Wine Farm being awarded

WWF Conservation Champion status, one of 36 farms in the

Western Cape. Spier has a wide-ranging number of initiatives demonstrating a profound commitment to a sustainable future that protects the Cape's natural heritage. The award acknowledges the farm for its deep, long-term commitment to conserving the Cape's floral biodiversity and reducing its water and energy usage. Its commitment to reducing and re-using goes well beyond water as it recycles 100% of its organic waste – which is used to make nutrient-rich compost for farming. Only 1% of solid waste is sent to landfill; the farm aims to achieve zero waste to landfill.

History The WWF brought together stakeholders from the wine industry and conservation to create the Biodiversity and Wine Initiative (BWI) in 2005. Over the next decade,

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the initiative fostered greater awareness of the Cape's

•

during a site visit by the WWF team and landowner.

implement biodiversity-friendly farming.

It must include detailed targets to encourage

The partnership also saw South Africa's voluntary sustainable wine certification scheme, the Integrated Production of Wine (IPW), incorporate the conservation and management of natural areas among its criteria.

continuous improvement and be monitored annually. •

Evidence

efforts

promote

biodiversity

conservation, improvement of production practices and/or innovations in water or energy efficiencies.

Despite its diminutive size, the Cape Floral Kingdom

Spier, located just outside of Stellenbosch, having

has an extraordinarily rich biodiversity – it is home to

maintained its accreditation since 2012, has achieved

more than 9 500 different plant species. At least 70%

'champion' status. Since the Enthoven family became

of these occur nowhere else, making it all the more

custodians of Spier in 1993, there have been efforts to

important that the sensitive ecosystems in which they're

restore, conserve and rehabilitate the 620ha farm with

found are protected.

a deep commitment to the its heritage, socio-economic

The

BWI's

successor

initiative

awards

WWF

development and environmental biodiversity.

Conservation Champion status to wine farms that have

'We wanted to benchmark our environmental

a deep, long-term commitment to conserving the Cape's

programmes and activities against best practice and

floral biodiversity and reducing its water and energy

WWF offered specialised and generalist environmental

usage.

expertise to support our management team,' says Heidi

Requirements

WWF Champion definitely has awarded us prestige within

The requirements for farms and cellars to be able to

the wine industry. It's also encouraged the business and

obtain this prestigious accreditation include:

our employees to redouble our conservation efforts.'

Newton-King, Spier's director of sustainability. 'Being a

'Spier has a wide-ranging number of initiatives

•

An independent IPW audit score of 70% or more.

•

The calculation of a baseline carbon footprint using

demonstrating a profound commitment to a sustainable

an online carbon calculator.

future that protects the Cape's natural heritage,'

A demonstration of exceptional environmental

Joan Isham, the senior extension officer of the WWF

commitment and leadership either by setting aside at

Conservation Champion programme says. 'These go

least 10% of the farm as conservation land (with the

well beyond the rigorous minimum criteria for WWF

landowner's commitment to no future development

Conservation Champion status.'

•

in these areas) or catalysing effective water and energy management at a regional scale.

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A signed environmental management plan, developed

unique natural heritage and encouraged many farms to

A primary focus has been water conservation and the restoration – through clearing, cleaning and re-planting

– of the 73.8ha Eerste River riparian system that flows

animal life back into the area. The nursery has a further

through the farm, including two of its tributaries, the

36 000 trees and shrubs, over 23 000 bulbs and 1 700

Blaauwklippen and Bonte River. Since 2005, Spier has

succulents ready to be planted. A special River Walk

been clearing, cleaning and re-planting along these rivers.

– designed by renowned landscape architect Patrick

Aliens consume far more water than indigenous plants. By

Watson – allows visitors the opportunity to explore these

removing the former and replacing them with the latter,

replanted areas.

the amount of water the farm requires has been reduced.

To reduce its water footprint, Spier also recycles

Five jobs have been created in Spier's alien clearing

100% of its wastewater, treating it using environmentally

projects. The cleared material is chipped or stacked,

friendly practices so that it can be used for irrigation.

and then removed to the composting site. Much of the

'While all our conservation champions in the business

material is also sold back to the Spier Hotel as firewood

are good water stewards, Spier has taken it to another

and used for mulching to preserve water.

level by also getting involved beyond their farm gate.

Over one million bulbs, 87 000 trees and shrubs and

The farm has demonstrated regional leadership in water

6 000 succulents have been propagated and re-planted

through helping drive the Stellenbosch River Collaborative

across Spier by its 23-person strong nursery team. In

(SRC) which brings private and public sector stakeholders

addition to planting along the riparian network and vlei

together in an effort to improve the water quality of the

land, Spier has also established 'nature strips' consisting

Eerste River catchment,' Isham says.

of indigenous plants and trees grown in the nursery to create diversity surrounding the vineyards and pastures. Combined with existing patches of highly endangered

In 2015, the farm was certified organic: no harmful man-made pesticides or artificial insecticides are used on the estate's food gardens or vineyards.

renosterveld, these protected ecologically sensitive areas

Spier is one of 36 farms in the Western Cape to carry

will ultimately form one continuous conservation corridor

the WWF-SA Conservation Champion label on its wines.

across the Farm. This increases the viability of fauna

The logo features the fynbos-loving Cape sugarbird and

and flora populations by enabling them (or their genes)

the iconic protea – a fitting combination, as the former

to flow from one area to another. The larger and more

plays a vital role in pollinating the latter. It is through

heterozygous a population, the better that species is able

the efforts of those such as the Cape's Conservation

to adapt to environmental stresses over time. This will

Champions that the future of both species – along with

minimise the potential localised extinction of species and

the many others that live in the Cape Floral Kingdom – will

ensure that the maximum biological diversity is conserved

be protected for generations to come.

at the site. The re-planting has attracted a wealth of bird and

www.wwf.org.za/

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C onservation N ews

TOURISM BOOST FOR MPUMALANGa Whoever came up with the name God’s Window for the legendary Mpumalanga landmark knew a thing or two about beauty. So heavenly is the scenery in this corner of South Africa, that people have for ages been finding innovative ways to share the magic. The latest is the most ground-breaking yet. A 51-metre glass elevator is being constructed down the road from God’s Window. Situated one kilometre out of Graskop, at the Graskop Gorge, on the R533 towards Hazyview, the development will offer yet another amazing tourism experience on the Lowveld’s legendary Panorama Route. It is also the first development of its kind in Africa. The development is being done by the Graskop Gorge Lift Company, owned by Lowveld businessmen Oupa Pilane, James Sheard and Campbell Scott. Nelspruit-born Pilane is the current president of the Kruger Lowveld Chamber of Business and Tourism and a well-known figure in the province, while Sheard and Scott developed the Long Tom Toboggan and Skyway Trails, respectively. The glass elevator will be the main attraction at the Graskop Gorge adventure centre, which will cost in excess of R40 million to construct. What makes the development extra special is its commitment to not only preserving the environment but educating visitors on its uniqueness. An elevated forest walkway will be built at the bottom of the gorge. It will have two suspension bridges that cross the river and will include interpretation boards.

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SMALLEST porpoise approaches extinction The vaquita porpoise population has fallen 92% since the late 1990s, leading scientists to warn it could be extinct by 2018. About 100 vaquitas existed in 2014, but that total was updated to just 60 in 2016. And in February 2017, scientists announced only about 30 vaquitas are left, suggesting extinction may be imminent. At roughly 1m long and 40kg, vaquitas are already the planet's smallest marine mammals and now they're also the most endangered. This species is yet another victim of poaching and international wildlife trafficking, but with an odd twist: No one is actually trying to kill it. Unlike sharks, rhinos and many other animals slaughtered by humans, vaquitas have no black-market value. Unknown to science until 1958, the species was probably never abundant, living only in a corner of the Gulf of California. But the shy porpoises began showing up in shrimp nets in recent decades, not unlike the way dolphins were once plagued by tuna fishing. And while conservationists push for shrimpers to adopt vaquita-friendly gear, that threat is now being eclipsed by something even worse. Click here for more

Giant pandas removed from the endangered species list in huge conservation win Finally some good news in the animal kingdom – the giant panda has been removed from the endangered species act after significant population growth over the last decade. They are now listed as 'vulnerable' on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s red list. In 2009, officials declared the panda would go extinct within three generations without concerted measures to save them, according to Science Alert. Now, despite extraordinary odds, there are said to be roughly 2 060 pandas living in the wild – up 17% since China first instilled wide-ranging protective measures. Source

9 eerily beautiful songs of night birds Nocturnal opera isn't just for owls. Click here to listen to some calls from some of the world's most vocal birds.

BEES OFFICIALLY ENTER ENDANGERED LIST For the first time in history, the US Fish and Wildlife Service has added bees to its list of endangered species, a potential turning point in the country's relationship with native pollinators. The new listing covers seven bee species from Hawaii, but acknowledges issues that threaten bees across North America and beyond. Only one genus of bees is native to Hawaii: Hylaeus, commonly known as yellow-faced bees due to facial markings that range from white to yellow. These bees all evolved from an ancestral species that somehow colonised the remote islands on its own, according to a fact sheet from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Click here for more

Make A Bee Waterer And Help Hydrate Our Pollinators Bees need very shallow water to drink from. However, shallow water evaporates quickly. Birdbaths are not the best option as bees tend to drown if the water is not shallow enough. As for rivers and lakes, bees risk their lives trying to get water in the presence of fishes, frogs, and other wildlife, not to mention the risk of being swept away in water currents. To help hydrate our little pollinators, set up a water feeder by filling a pie pan with marbles and then water. The marbles give the bees a spot to land so that they don’t drown when they come to drink.

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Biz

is Carbon Tax s impact the fleet S G 100

set to t sector?

A carbon tax may pose another threat to SA's fleet sector, already under pressure from reduced sales. Grant Fraser, Commercial Director at Mix Telematics (Africa), takes a look.

ith road transportation being the quickest and cheapest form of transportation, the majority of South

African businesses use this form of transportation to move goods in and out of the country. However, this poses certain challenges from an environmental perspective, as transportation is also the biggest contributor of carbon emissions due to fossil fuels burned on roads, rail, in the air and on the water. In fact, it is stated 1 that 91.2%

of fuel combustion emissions result from road transportation. It is therefore, undeniable that the transport sector is at the centre of this dangerous environmental output and with the growing concern around the effects of greenhouse gases (GHGs) emitted by the industry, the South African government introduced the Carbon Tax Bill during the National Budget Address, on 2 November 2015. According to National Treasury 2, a revised regulation for environmental tax will be published by mid-2017 elaborating on the processes government wishes to put in place, set for as early as January 2018.

Carbon tax 3 According to the Carbon Tax Bill , the South

African government had committed to a GHG emissions reduction of 34% by 2020 and 42% by 2025. The sole purpose for this bill is to shift the necessary price signals to change consumer behaviours and to assist businesses towards making use of low carbon options – enjoying the environmental and tax benefits of a low carbon economy.

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high

emissions, it is important that businesses operating

carbon-emitting ones within the fleet sector – will

in this sector start thinking about possible fuel

need to start mitigating their risks in this regard

reduction methods. This can be achieved by using

and finding viable solutions to ensuring compliance.

alternative solutions and new processes when it

However, with the change in legislation, how is

comes to how they manage their fuel usage and

this set to impact business operations from a fleet

carbon output. With the new tax coming into effect

perspective?

as early as next year, the simplest way to manage

such,

businesses

–

especially

The Carbon Tax, once enacted, will mean

this is to consider possible ways of reducing fuel

several changes for businesses in the country, and

consumption during transportation, in order to

very significant changes for the fleet sector in its

minimise the environmental tax costs – by driving

entirety. Businesses will be required to submit tax

down CO2 emissions.

returns twice a year for the environmental tax and will be taxed according to the type and amount

Technology

of merchandise the fleet will be carrying, where

Technology forms the cornerstone to the reduction

they will get afforded a discount or permitted an

of fuel usage and wastage, as well as to ensuring

allowance, depending on the sector the business

effective driving behaviour that affects the amount

operates in. In line with carbon rates, it is stated

of fuel used and carbon emissions released. In fact,

that the initial marginal carbon tax rate will be R120

telematics technology provides not only a solution

per metric ton of CO2e 4 (carbon dioxide equivalent).

to reduce carbon emissions, fuel consumption

However, as mentioned, this will be dependent on

and maintenance costs, but also a method to

the tax rate per category – which differs, ranging

improve the overall efficiency of the fleet. As we

from R6 to R48/per ton. Regardless of the structure,

head towards a much more stringent carbon policy

organisations need to understand that this is sure

locally, reducing a fleet's CO2 emissions has become

to increase transportation costs, as well as impact

vital for compliance and profitability.

the way in which they both manage their fleets

several key factors in ensuring optimal returns for

and ensure carbon reductions. Therefore, fleet

operators.

companies have a heavy task ahead of them and in complying with legislation, and how this may well

Reduce fuel consumption

impact their business.

Given the above, it is evident that heavy trucks use

will need to strongly consider the extra tax payable

Fuel

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There are

a large amount of fuel and, as such, fuel reduction has never been as important as it is today. Reducing

With fuel being one of the biggest expenses

fuel consumption does not only mean lowering

(approximately 36% of the total vehicle operational

costs, but having a solid management system in

costs) and most used resources within the fleet

place to track all the elements within a fleet that

sector, as well as the biggest contributor to carbon

may potentially lead to increased fuel usage, and

therefore, increased carbon emissions. Advanced

companies are able to minimise the number of trips

telematics systems can result in an average of 15%

per vehicle and to optimise routes, reducing fuel

saving on fuel costs, which means lower carbon

usage and improving business efficiency. Telematics

emissions (obviously).

technology again forms a cornerstone to journey

Improving driver behaviour

management – with accurate, real-time data allowing for each journey to be assessed, unnecessary journeys to be eliminated, and informed risk-based

Monitoring and improving driver behaviour is an

decisions to be taken for journeys that are needed.

effective way to reduce fuel consumption. Excessive

As a result, operating costs are reduced.

idling, harsh acceleration and speeding are all driving events or driver habits that need to be

New opportunities

identified and reduced, resulting in significant fuel

With the impending Carbon Tax Bill facing the fleet

savings. Telematics technology enables drivers to

sector, there is no doubt that there is no better time

receive alerts about poor driving behaviour and

than now for businesses to start identifying how they

effectively monitor driving events. Real-time visual

can take their largest carbon emissions source – fuel

and audible warnings allow drivers to immediately

– and manage consumption much more closely, in

correct their driving style. Through such monitoring,

order to minimise, and reduce, fuel spend.

and ensuring that driver behaviour is rectified, fuel usage will decrease dramaticly.

Check tyre pressure

This change presents the fleet sector with opportunities to explore new and alternative ways to manage their fuel more effectively, while taking advantage of the benefits of compliance with the

It is stated 5 that one in five trucks operate with at

upcoming tax. Smart businesses should get ahead

least one under-inflated tyre. Truck tyre pressures

now – ensuring they are prepared for the inevitable.

need to be checked at every truck stop during a

long-distance trip, as underp-inflated tires greatly reduce fuel economy. Incorrect tyre pressure also adversely affects many of a vehicle's other systems including suspension, steering and braking ability. Such seemingly small areas of maintenance can drastically affect fuel consumption and consequent carbon emissions of a vehicle.

Route planning & management By effectively planning a fleet's route and making sure that unnecessary journeys are eliminated,

For more visit www.mixtelematics.co.za RESOURCES 1. http://awsassets.wwf.org.za/downloads/wwf_2016_ transport_emissions_in_south_africa.pdf 2. http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/revised-carbontax-bill-to-be-tabled-by-mid-2017-2017-02-22/rep_id:4136 3. http://www.thecarbonreport.co.za/the-proposed-southafrican-carbon-tax/ 4. http://www.thecarbonreport.co.za/the-proposed-southafrican-carbon-tax/ 5. http://www.truckingefficiency.org/tires/ tire-pressure-inflation-trailer

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M otoring N ews

TOYOTA PRIUS PRIME

THE future of hydrogenpowered vehicles Hydrogen is often described as the fuel of the future, particularly when applied to hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicles. One of the main obstacles facing this technology has been the lack of a lightweight, safe on-board hydrogen storage material. A major new discovery by scientists at the universities of Oxford, Cambridge and Cardiff in the UK, and the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia, has shown that hydrocarbon wax rapidly releases large amounts of hydrogen when activated with catalysts and microwaves. This discovery of a potential safe storage method could pave the way for widespread adoption of hydrogen-fuelled cars.

Source

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Toyota recently unveiled their new 2017 Prius Prime, said to have the best MPGe rating for a plug-in hybrid ever at around 120 MPGe. But according to EPA estimates, that was a conservative figure. The 2017 Toyota Prius Prime actually clocks in at 133 MPGe – which makes it the most efficient electrified vehicle for sale. The 2017 Prius Prime can drive further than past Prius models due to larger batteries and more powerful motors. With a standard plug-in, the car can be charged in under five and a half hours. According to Toyota, the battery will last for the life of the vehicle. Toyota said in a statement on the new car: 'The Prius Prime will please anyone who wants to reduce trips to the gas pump, and it makes a great road trip car, too. The Prius Prime is designed to drive in EV mode in more situations, helping to enhance total vehicle driving range.'

Source

THE FASTEST EV IN THE WORLD The NIO EP9, the latest offering from Chinese electric car maker NextEV, is an all-electric supercar with a top speed of 300km/h – making it the world’s fastest electric car, and it looks like pure joy. The 1 360-horsepower EP9 demonstrates levels of power and speed that other luxury electric car models are still chasing. Although there is plenty of room for improvement, the NIO EP9 is a leap forward in a world where many people still doubt that an electric car can be as exciting or impressive as its fossil fuel-run counterparts. Under the hood, four electric motors generate a combined 4 670lb-ft of torque from a 777V powertrain, making it possible to achieve a range of 400km on a single charge. Unfortunately, it’s far too soon to line up for a chance to buy one of these incredible electric supercars as only six will be put into production sometime in the near future.

Source

SELF-DRIVING TESLA Tesla finally unveiled the second half of its big Model 3 reveal. The company announced that all new Tesla vehicles will include the hardware needed for full self-driving capacity. While this includes the Model 3, older vehicles like the Model S and Model X will also include the new hardware â&#x20AC;&#x201C; in fact, the vehicles are already in production and available for purchase. The company has received criticism in the past for its Autopilot. Tesla says that they are being cautious to make sure the program is safe. 'Before activating the features enabled by the new hardware, we will further calibrate the system using millions of miles of real-world driving to ensure significant improvements to safety and convenience.' All updates to the system will be delivered wirelessly through the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s over-the-air software updates. Source

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