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ISSUE 2 • 2018
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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
Simply Energy
08 General 62 Water, Recycling 80 Motoring 96 Building 110 Conservation
18 SA's Brave New Energy Plan 30 Shrinking Power Grids 32 Global CSP
simply www.simplygreen.co.za • editor@simplygreen.co.za Cape Town Office • P O Box 30946, Tokai, 7966 Tel 27 (0) 21 701 1186
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Simply Green is published by African News Agency (ANA) Publishing, a division of Independent Media. Reproduction without permission is prohibited.
Issue 2 • 2018 Volume 11 No.2 •
Cover Image: www.pixabay.com
Simply Water
Simply Life
56 Global Focus 68 Oceana
88 Salty Sistas Recipes 94 A Home in the Trees 104 The Great Migrate 106 Poachers to Custodians
Simply Motoring 72 EV's Time has Come
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EDITORIAL
IT's all about change After a brief hiatus, during which some organisational and administrative changes have been underway, we are thrilled to be once again bringing you the very best and latest in eco, green and sustainability information, hints, tips and ways of doing business and living. Our organisational changes mean that we have a great team behind us as we enter Simply Green's 11th year in publication. With African News Agency as Simply Green's publishers, we are certain that this title will continue to grow and perhaps garner more awards to add the SAB eco-journalism award it won in 2010. But we did not start Simply Green to win awards – we started it for you, our readers. And we did so in the face of several negative trends – like what was happening to print titles in general and niche titles in specific, in the wake of the global downturn, which was hard to handle. Then there was what was going on (think back 10 years) to the then burgeoning digital info domain, with fake news already around in the form of water-muddying pseudo-science from climate change denialists. Since then things have got a lot more complex and a lot more urgent. The number of platforms offering you mainly views rather than news, has grown enormously, consuming more and more of our time while contributing, proportionally, less and less to the actual debate by
SG 6
those having it. The result is that it looks like platforms such as Facebook and Twitter have hit their highs and people, increasingly, are turning off and tuning out just to save their sanity, as well as to have a real social life rather than a virtual one. Meanwhile, it is we (not the planet, which eventually will be fine, whatever we do) who are facing growing dangers. Water scarcity is a reality unlikely ever to go away in cities such as Cape Town – and there are bunch of others in our boat, as it were, which you can read about in this issue. Droughts look to be perennial problems in our part of the world, as well as others, and we look at that in this issue too. The oceans are not merely in trouble but are in crisis. In the short – to medium-term, this is bad for everything that lives in the oceans and very bad for us – assuming we continue to act idiotically as a collective on just this front alone, our species looks set on driving itself to the brink. If so, we'll shortly not be polluting the oceans nearly as much, and the oceans will recover in time. But will our species or even our version of civilisation survive what we are doing right now to the oceans? Really, we should talk only about a single ocean, since we have only one but call it by different names in
different places as if, magically, all these bodies are somehow not connected. Indeed, 'magical' thinking is one of the key problems in galvanising humankind to act responsibly and adequately to the climate and eco-system challenges which we have created over the last 170 years or so. Magically, then, climate change isn't happening if you are D J Trump his wonky band of denialist appointees and supporters. Magically, if climate change is construed to be happening, we'll 'think of something' and 'make it go away'. Even the scientists, scared silly by their increasingly worrying findings, use the latter escape hatch to get away from the fact that we are in real trouble people. Let's recap to where Simply Green began 10 years or so ago. Then, An Inconvenient Truth was still fresh and many people had their doubts about climate change: what it really meant and how urgent it was or wasn't. After all, what was a foot (30cm) of sea level rise by the end of 21st Century in the grand scheme of things, and didn't we have enough other stuff, like a global economic crisis, to be dealing with before all that? Well, it turns out that the scientists were dead right, there is indeed something called global warming and it is human-made and so consequent climate change, both as a phenomenon and therefore as a driver to new weather regime, is very real. Look at the last few years of records in every season, both cold and hot, floods, droughts etc – we take a long look at all that in this issue and it is indeed very worrying – and you can see for yourself, you need no expert to tell you that the climate isn't what it used to be. It's what to do about it that's problematic now. It turns out that while the climate scientists (the real ones, not the fakes paid for by the Koch brothers and others of their ilk) were right in what they were saying, but their timing was off. Instead, we learn in more recent years, of thinking about the end of the 21st Century for the changes they were predicting, think 2050. Well that makes a difference, but the hard truth is that the great portion of those reading this will either be very old by then or dead already (so why bother). OK, but then in each round of detailed studies, whether on the general pattern of climate change or specifics like oceanic warming and the depths thereof, it has become clear that we did not have the full picture. Instead of 2050, then, we need to think in terms of 2035 or maybe even 2030 or, scarier yet, as soon as 2025, depending on what particular aspect of climate change we are discussing.
Now you're getting the picture – it's happening, just as predicted, except much sooner and maybe more intensely and more variably than was expected. Can we adapt and mitigate our way through, is then the inevitable question. The answer remains unclear. Much depends on how quickly we react. So, in terms of SA's new energy plan, not going for unaffordable and unnecessary nukes is a great development, but dropping concentrated solar power and opting for more coal-fired power is not that smart. We take a look at SA's new energy plan in this issue to assess its strengths and weaknesses, and while better than the previous 'captured' regime's ideas, there's more work to be done to get regulators and planners fully into the game. And there is what each of us does personally, in our families and in our businesses each day, which either helps or hinders the larger picture's positive unfoldment. In that things have become much more serious and much faster than expected, there's that much more pressure on each one of us to keep on doing what we can, adding more effort to that process at every opportunity. We cannot put our heads in the sand and give up merely because things are looking bleak. As we suggested to those involved in renewable energy technologies in SA a couple years, back when more nukes seemed unavoidably part of our future but renewables not so much: don't give up, keep on keeping on working towards an outcome you know to be sustainable, avoiding all those that, while tempting (like coal, as we have a lot of it, it's cheapish and so it's easier to think about), but which are not ultimately sustainable and renewable. Dire is the situation and therefore our complete and undivided attention must go to any and all solutions that work towards a fully sustainable, eco-supporting way of living that does not destroy this planet's habitability for future generations of humans, among many other species. With the ANA team behind us, we who launched Simply Green rededicate ourselves in this second decade of this title's life to the collective fight for the future of humanity. We hope you will join us in it.
Chris & The Team If you are reading this on ISSUU, you might like to try our new platform for a quicker upload and smoother reading experience by clicking here.
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N ews
SUING THE GOVernmenT In October, 21 young Americans will move forward with their lawsuit against the US federal government on the basis that it is violating the youngest generation’s constitutional rights to life, liberty and property. The plaintiffs of the case maintain that they have a constitutional right to a climate capable of supporting human life and that the government has a 'trustee' responsibility to maintain the atmosphere free of 'substantial impairment'. Their goal is to push the government to draft and then execute a comprehensive plan to dramatically reduce US emissions using the full panoply of federal authority. Full story
exposING industrial leaks The Environmental Defense Fund is expanding its efforts to fight climate change with a new eye-in-the-sky satellite focused on uncovering harmful industrial methane leaks. The New York City-based non-profit has announced the development of a multi-million dollar satellite named MethaneSAT that will allow for pin-point detection and measurement of surface methane emissions virtually anywhere on Earth.
Full Story
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DARK MATTER SUPERHIGHWAY Scientists have decoded faint distortions in the patterns of the universe's earliest light to map huge tube-like structures invisible to our eyes – known as filaments – that serve as superhighways for delivering matter to dense hubs such as galaxy clusters. The international science team analysed data from past sky surveys using sophisticated image-recognition technology to home in on the gravity-based effects that identify the shapes of these filaments. They also used models and theories about the filaments to help guide and interpret their analysis. Full Story
a Plastic-Free Future In the Pacific ocean north east of Hawaii exists a giant whirlpool of debris accumulated by the ocean currents, which is now scientifically referred to as the North Pacific Gyre. It’s one of the largest ecosystems on Earth, comprising millions of square kilometres. Today it’s better known as 'The Great Garbage Patch', an area the size of Queensland, Australia, where tons of plastic is spread throughout the ocean. But now, a huge crowd-funded machine is about to start cleaning up this great pacific garbage patch.
Full Story
'Infinitely' recyclable polymer Plastic is easy, convenient, cheap and long-lasting. But the same traits that make plastic appealing have also made it a scourge to the environment. Chemists at Colorado State University think they've found a solution, however. They've discovered a polymer that has many of the properties of plastic – it's light, strong, durable and heat-resistant – but that, according to them, can be converted back to its original small-molecule state for complete chemical recyclability. Even after being recycled, the substance can be turned back into its plastic-like state quickly and cheaply. Full Story
ONE YOUNG WORLD: 17-20 October 2018
A Million Acts of Blue
VULNERABLE US CITIES According to a new report from the Massachusetts-based non-profit titled Underwater: Rising Seas, Chronic Floods, and the Implications for Coastal US Real Estate, as many as 311 000 coastal homes spread across the lower 48 US states are vulnerable to chronic flooding – flooding that occurs as frequently as once every two weeks on average – unleashed by climate change-driven sea level rise within the next 30 years. Even some of the most vulnerable costal communities are either oblivious to the risk or woefully unprepared as far as local real estate markets are concerned.
Human Extinction Within 10 Years
Full Story
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N ews
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Whole Earth THINKING
SUSTAINABLE PROFITS
In 2009, Stewart Brand published his Whole Earth Discipline: An Ecopragmatist Manifesto, which pushed environmentalists to embrace tools they have traditionally distrusted. According to Brand, that's the only way we can manage the problems Earth faces. Throughout his life, Brand has been an original thinker, bringing together disparate factions like hippies and hackers, to reach a different kind of common ground. He has profoundly influenced the thinking of those in environmentalist circles and is credited with guiding early Silicon Valley entrepreneurs to do positive things with their power and creativity. Full story
Connie Hedegaard helped win the greatest battle for sustainability, first as a politician in Denmark and later as EU commissioner, representing Brussels at the UN Climate Change talks. According to Hedegaard, knowing your Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is key for successful business leaders – she speaks from more than 20 years’ domestic and international policy experience. In the video above, Hedegaard’s shares her best tips for investing in Global Goals in an interview with The Sustainian.
breathtaking World
IRELAND DIVESTS
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization selects World Heritage Sites that have cultural or historical value, or some other element of importance to the human race. Once selected, the sites receive international protections, preserving them for study and appreciation. The World Heritage Committee met recently and selected 19 new sites ranging from Japan to Spain from mountains to industrial cities. The newly inducted World Heritage Sites represent the best of both the natural world and our own creativity.
Climate activists across the globe celebrated recently after the lower house of the Irish legislature passed a divestment bill with support from all parties, effectively ensuring that Ireland will become the first nation in the world to fully divest public money from the fossil fuel industry. The Fossil Fuel Divestment Bill mandates that the EU8.9-bn (R137-bn) Ireland Strategic Investment Fund divest all investments in coal, oil, peat and gas within five years, and bars future investments in the industry.
Full Story
Full Story
Full Story
RAW BEAUTY From sprawling landscapes to a tiny gnat on a mushroom, these images from The Nature Conservancy's annual photography competition capture the awe-inspiring wonder of nature. The competition offers an array of categories including wildlife, people, nature and water. Here are just a few examples.
Full Story
TINY STEPS A fern with leaves no larger than a gnat could be one of the most important plants on Earth. Researchers have sequenced the genome of Azolla filiculoides, a bright green fern with a long history, and they've discovered the genes that give the fern some incredible abilities: it's able to 'fix' nitrogen on its own, to ward off insects and to be a carbon sink. 'Now that we have genomes available for both the fern and cyanobacterium, there is great promise for tapping into the secrets of this natural biofertiliser that may help lead to future sustainable agricultural practices.' – Kathleen Pryer
Full Story
Reconnect with Nature Dr Wendy Foden is a conservation biologist who focuses on providing scientifically robust and pragmatic support for biodiversity conservation in the face of climate change. She is a Senior Researcher at the University of Stellenbosch and chairs the IUCN SSC Climate Change Specialist Group. In the TedX talk above, she suggests that we reconnect with nature to best tackle climate change.
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G lobal
green
BRICS
GOES GREEN
The recent 10th BRICS Summit held in Durban highlighted the importance of sustainability to key pillars of the community’s main objectives as embodied in its nine Working Groups. We take a look.
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T
he BRICS Business Council is all about facilitating business between the participating nations – as well as with the rest of Africa, with South Africa
as the prime gateway for that process. As Chair of the SA Chapter of the BRICS Business
Council (BBC), Dr Iqbal Survé said ahead of the summit that the Africa Free Trade Agreement could help unlock further investment into Africa to create skilled jobs while increasing intra-Africa trade from its currently ‘lowly 12% at present’. ‘With the potential to bring together 1.2 billion people with a combined GDP of more than US$2.5 trillion if successfully implemented, Africa is now set for a decade of unbelievable growth and prosperity,’ said Dr Survé. That growth is likely to be built off the back of major infrastructural and clean energy projects which form part of the backbone of the BRICS development plan, along with secure financial and monetary stability across the BRICS group.
The proper implementation of these plans, with emphasis on sustainability going forward and further development off that base, should lead to an organic reduction in poverty and inequality – two of the major threats and challenges facing many countries, not only those in BRICS – while enhancing the global influence of the grouping. Sustainability, in terms of more than one of the groupings key areas of focus, is no longer an ‘add on’, or ‘nice to have’, but considered essential and central to success. This is especially so in the arenas of clean and green energy, as well as in agribusiness. There has to be both investment in these sectors and movement away from conglomerated control and methodologies that are neither inclusive of marginalised communities and groups, nor sustainable in even the medium-term. Without sustainable development, all movement towards meaningful, long-term and permanent poverty alleviation, it was determined, is doomed and ephemeral. Along with a net gain in jobs, the BRICS approach envisages those jobs to be skilled. The business units spinning off this drive would then not merely be self-sustaining on the economic level, but also in the larger eco-system of each country and the global macro-economic picture. New businesses and new skilled jobs ought to create yet more new business opportunities and potential new jobs in a positive feedback loop that would reverse
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current trends in South Africa, Brazil and Russia, in particular, as well as regions of both China and India. This picture is inseparable from the notion of true sustainability such as this title has, from the day of its inception, not only been calling for but has said would be the inevitable destination of all private or public businesses, at some point, along with all governments truly concerned with the good of their people. It would seem that the BRICS grouping has arrived at the ‘sustainability station’ of the socio-economic developmental journey in full measure.
Challenges And that arrival would not be a minute too soon. Aside from climate change challenges, which
found where sustainability in business, including agribusiness, is far from realised. But setting the goal is always the first step to achieving it.
mount daily and seem to pose the single greatest
The fact that BRICS stepped forward to be among
and least immediately amenable threat to food
the most outspoken and ambitious of geo-political
and economic security, as well as to peace and
groups to have pinned their collective sustainability-
co-operation between water- and food-stressed
based development goals and ambitions to the
neighbours, for example, there is the issue of
mast, for all to see, is a good sign in itself.
demand for basic commodities, with even renewables under pressure.
It will be very difficult, not to mention embarrassing and humiliating, for any of the
A good example of the latter is that by 2050, the
signatories in the BRICS accord to now step away
demand for plantation-type forestry products will be
from what amounts to treaty-level agreements on
in the order of 10 billion m3 annually supplying a
how to deal with issues of climate change mitigation
population of around nine billion people, according
and adaptation, key eco-system preservation and
to current trends.
proper forestry stewardship.
Where will those products come from?
These steps will naturally occur in conjunction
To prevent the utter destruction of the world’s
with equivalent or similar measures for riverine,
remaining old-growth and key habitat natural
estuarine, montane, and coastal eco-systems, all of
forests, plantations will have to produce enough
which in any case interact with each other, and not
timber for all that demand, but that will only be
least of these being a focus on air quality – already a
a net positive if there are proper and sustainable
huge health and productivity issue in China, as well
forestry operations behind the production of such
as in parts of South Africa, Brazil, India and Russia.
huge quantities of even fast-growth materials such as bamboo.
Biomass
In light of this, BRICS has signed off on promoting
At the BBC Agribusiness Working Group (AWG)
sustainable forestry management, with appropriate
meeting in March this year, the SA branch of the
certification to ensure that best practices in line with
AWG recommended a programme to plant sorghum
long-term sustainability are, in fact, in place.
on 100 000 hectares of land to create a new biomass
Along with sustainable forestry management,
industry agricultural sector.
protection of fragile eco-systems has been endorsed,
This news will warm the hearts of those brave
along with the lofty goal of becoming a group of
souls who, usually on their own and in what others
countries that set the example of good conduct
have generally been construed as Quixotic quests,
with respect to the environment, for other countries
have in the past gone down the road of trying
to follow.
to develop biomass technology into thriving and
It is true that in South Africa, Brazil, India
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China and Russia there are many examples to be
sustainable agribusiness enterprises.
South Africa’s agricultural sector will be dragged away from a near complete reliance on GMO production of white maize, for instance. Most have failed, with the primary hurdle
In terms of this idea, each member state is to pass
being access to sufficient, fast-growing, low-water
a resolution in favour of the establishment of the
consumption biomass resources.
Seed Bank which will manage storage facilities that
With some serious inputs, however, this sector is
will help preserve the characteristics of traditional
considered capable of yielding up to 5 000 new jobs
food varieties and mitigate the effects of drought
for the South African economy alone and attracting
and climate change.
approximately R3b in agro-industry investment over an eight year period.
At the same time, the Seed Banks will provide farmers with the varietals that have naturally-occurring
If realised, these are impressive and worthy
resistances to help deal with the various challenges,
starting numbers, to be built upon where true
such as drought and pest infestations, that are
sustainability has been achieved.
certain to come with the changing climate regime.
The beauty about biomass technology is that it
This particular element is especially good news
tends towards net zero in terms of carbon neutrality,
for South Africa, being the country in the BRICS group
putting out over a full lifecycle assessment only
with the most food under GMO production.
about as much CO2 as it takes up, while generating
The emphasis in the BRICS accord on the Seed
plenty of business opportunities, including in local
Bank’s criteria makes it plain the Monsantos of
energy production, along the way.
this world will not be contributing their genetically
Food security & climate change
tampered offerings. This means, with any luck and strong adherence to the agreements which promise to embed the
With climate change’s impact becoming starkly
emergent influence and power of the BRICS nations,
clearer by the day, food security is now at the top of
South Africa’s agricultural sector will be dragged away
most governments’ lists of urgent priorities.
from a near complete reliance on GMO production of
This is not limited to South Africa, which has
key food groups such as maize and wheat.
been so far among the worst-hit in the early climate
In itself, that would be a great victory for food
change scenarios – eventually every country will have
security and independence for South Africans – it
to engage fully on this front. The BRICS Seed Bank is therefore a worthy undertaking which seeks to establish and maintain
remains for SA’s Agriculture Department to get with the BRICS programme before any of that happens, however.
food security for growing populations, despite the
There is lot more to be done before the BRICS
inevitable ravages of droughts, floods, unpredictable
accords and the various sub-agreements kick
and extreme weather events and patterns and other
into high gear, but in the meantime the outlook
climate change phenomena.
is positive for those concerned with issues of
The idea is that among the members at the very
conservation of our natural heritage, of keeping our
least, and beyond if possible, there shall be universal
key eco-systems alive and well, and of the handing
access to food. The Seed Bank is one way to ensure
over to our children and their children a place worth
that that happens.
living in.
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Long Valley is an eco-community nestled in a secret valley, up in the mountains, 7kms from Robertson in the Western Cape. The trustees (the farm is owned by our registered Breevlei Toe Trust) are united around an eco-ethos, living with a gentle footprint on the land and creating a healing ambience for the future. Some of us were friends already when we set out and other connections were built on the farm. Professionals from a background of teaching, engineering, publishing, natural health, coaching, ministering and yoga are learning the radical path of doing right by the earth and each other and growing food sustainably.
ONCE IN A LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY The 93ha of open nature gives a spaciousness that allows visitors and residents to reflect, grow and heal during their time at Long Valley. Our voices have equal weight and we hear each other. Decisions translate easily into action when they come about authentically. We are offering a share of Long Valley Farm for R1.2 million.
For anyone interested in buying a share please contact Zann: zann@iafrica.com For more info on the farm visit www.longvalleyfarm.co.za call 023 626 6836 / Zann Hoad: 083 418 0980 or email Pritam: pritam.khalsa@gmail.com S G 16
SIMPLYENERGY 17 S G
G reen Energy
SA's Brave New Energy Plan
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After years of waiting, and amid much backroom underhand dealing to force through an uneconomic and unnecessary nuclear build programme, South Africans have a new electrical energy plan for the next 12 years and beyond. We take a close look at the 2018 Integrated Resource Plan and what it means to ordinary people and those engaged in building a sustainable energy future for this country.
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I
t was most interesting to watch Energy Minister Jeff Radebe work through his recent presentation of the long-awaited and updated
Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) as the blueprint for
SA's medium- and long-term electrical energy needs.
Much has changed since the 2010 IRP, slightly updated in 2011 and then thrown into chaos by former President Jacob Zuma's ultimately failed but nearly implemented R1 trillion nuclear build scheme. With puppets in place, like former Eskom CEO Brian Molefe, the Zuma et al nuke scheme, based on a handshake deal struck between Zuma and Russian President Vladimir Putin but ruled, eventually, as unlawful by the Constitutional Court, was all but actually happening before the plug was pulled. Evidence emerging from the State Capture judicial inquiry, which is now under way, makes it
Koeberg Power Station
plain that much of the midnight ministerial shuffling of which Zuma was fond – but markets were not –
for the main part, quite sensibly and obviously, on
had to do with putting in place pliable persons who
renewable energy over, at least, the next decade.
would go along with the scheme.
The draft IRP notes something else which was
With our ears close to the ground on all matters
obvious throughout the sometimes heated pro- and
to do with energy, electricity production and the
anti-nuke debate of the last couple of years, which is
sustainability thereof, we at Simply Green knew that
that electricity consumption is far below projections
on factual grounds (affordability, need, long-term
– 30% less than what was anticipated when the first
safety and sustainability), it was an idiot notion all
plan was published in 2010. SA's energy demand is,
along.
in fact, on the decline, currently sitting at volumes
But with the full weight of government behind
The linkage between the Zuma-era nuke plan
agreements on electricity provision from renewables
and the declining electricity consumption of the
– all to be replaced by the nuke build – it seems SA
country, with State Capture as the active agent
was doomed to experience yet another boondoggle
involved, is not accidental – the country is going
imposed on hapless citizens by a band of powerful
through a de-industrialisation process along with a
parties and players who, it would seem, fully
de-investment process.
expected significant pay-offs for proceeding with
The
first,
if
directly
linked
to
economic
this folly, regardless of the overwhelming logic of
sluggishness that lingers on the brink of permanent
not doing so.
recession, is in part driven by massive price hikes
Radebe seemed relaxed and rather laid-back, given swirled
the
intensity
around
the
of
the
debate
government's
that
has
sometimes
hyper-secretiveness over the country's future energy supply in the latter part of the Zuma era.
in delivered cost of electricity from Eskom, with this year's likely GDP growth now projected at less than 1%, if at all. The second is linked with uncertainty in international and local investor circles about
This was, no doubt, because he no longer
property and land ownership rights in the light
needed to obfuscate, duck and dive to explain away
of the ruling party's determination to drive land
the prior commitment to more nukes when they
restitution, at least in part, with the mechanism of
were clearly not needed nor, by the vast majority of
expropriation without compensation.
interested and affected parties, wanted.
S G 20
similar to 2007.
a rollback on previous pledges and even signed
The latter process is outside the scope of the IRP
Instead, the obvious was achieved – the
– or this article – but will doubtless remain a driver,
long-awaited draft IRP, on which the public has 60
one way or the other, for the SA economy until such
days from August 27th, to comment, would focus
time as President Cyril Ramaphosa has managed
Part of the obsession with nuclear power, as with major coal-fired power production, is that it is centralised and this appeals to those in government and government circles, such as state-owned enterprises, who are inclined towards Marxist or similar far-left notions that all 'levers of power' be retained within the hands of the 'the people', that, decoded, means government. to demonstrate that his administration can carry
centralised and this appeals to those in government
our land restitution for those dispossessed by
and government circles, such as state-owned
racist policies of the past without destabilising the
enterprises, who are inclined towards Marxist or
economy as a whole or the agricultural sector in
similar far-left notions that all 'levers of power' – in
particular.
this case meant quite literally – be retained within
But the latest IRP does, more or less, drive the final nail into the new nuke coffin, much to the
the hands of 'the people', that, decoded, means government.
relief of almost everyone who knows anything about
This formulation, which may have worked for
electricity production in South Africa. Except, of
SA in the mid-20th Century, is clearly no longer
course, for those who will now lose out on major
sustainable with Eskom owing hundreds of billions
kickbacks and other 'incentives' to push ahead with
and struggling to make ends meet.
that foolhardy undertaking.
Eskom
The case for an REIPPP has been made, and repeatedly so, such that even left-leaning ideologues have been forced to admit that including the private
At the centre of the entire IRP are Eskom and the
sector to help roll out renewables in particular
government's attitude towards electricity power
makes enormous and inevitable sense.
production and provision.
The issue of electricity provision, addressing a
It is to be remembered that it was not the current
transmission and delivery infrastructure which is
ruling party that came up with the structure for
rapidly ageing and which currently represents the
electricity production being fully government-owned
greatest risk of further rounds of rolling blackouts,
and managed, it was succescive regimes, culminating
is a whole other question, also beyond the scope of
with the apartheid-era governments of 1948-94
this article. But it is no less critical for that, and is
wherein centralisation of energy production went
an issue with which the Ramaphosa administration
along with centralisation of everything else that the
will also have to come to terms since Eskom is in no
government could get its hands on.
position to demand that it alone be responsible for
Centralism as a philosophy of government
primary electricity delivery.
remains a key element in the current debate on how
On the other hand, increasingly decentralised
much independent power producers will be allowed
independent power provision will naturally take
to provide private-sector-generated energy into the
some of the transmission strain out of the system
country's total energy mix.
and thereby both relieve some of the pressure and
Part of the obsession with nuclear power, as with major coal-fired power production, is that it is
reduce some of the risk of delivery failure. We shall return to these points at some date in
21 S G
the near future when the issue will, as inevitably it must, be up for further public discussion. In the meantime, we have elsewhere in this edition a report on electricity distribution in SA. Chances are, however, that the days of Eskom as the sole or even primary provider and deliverer of bulk electricity are over forever – or soon will be. For now, Eskom's existing generation is not at expected levels and below the assumptions embedded in the 2010 IRP. With the cost of new generation technologies having come down significantly, Radebe says the key sources of energy in the coming years will be solar, wind and gas. Not all players in the renewables field believe that, much improved as it is, the new IRP fully addresses and thereby takes advantage of recent
CSP in action
developments which have helped make certain types of renewables increasingly affordable and
of economic infrastructure designed to support the
attractive in bringing together a mix of technologies
country's medium- and long-term economic and
that will provide a reliable base-load supply under
social objectives.
all conditions.
Energy infrastructure is a critical component that
In this regard, it has to be remembered that South
underpins economic activity and growth across the
Africa continues to be a water-stressed country, a
country; it needs to be robust and extensive enough
condition likely only to become increasingly severe
to meet industrial, commercial and household
with each passing year as climate change ever
needs.
more fully presents its demanding requirement for adaptation.
The Department of Energy (DoE) modelled and analysed various scenarios and their impact on the
Part of that adaptation is not only moving
energy mix of the country going into the future
away from new coal – something the Ramaphosa
in order to develop the latest IRP. Scenarios were
government has not entirely grasped the nettle on
analysed in line with the objectives of the IRP, which
as yet – but also existing coal-based production
is to provide an electricity infrastructure plan that
on the basis of a more aggressive approach to
aims to ensure security of supply while minimising
renewables because coal, like nukes, requires a lot
cost, water usage and environmental impacts.
of water. It may be that the water issue alone settles the
The scenarios tested included: •
renewables debate once and for all. We at Simply
scenario,
which
The gas scenario, which tested the sensitivity of the plan to assumed gas price projections;
•
The renewables scenario, which tested the
water scarcity issue will help drive the process in
impact of removing annual build limits placed
favour of existing solutions, along with emergent
on the renewable technologies; and
ones such as concentrated solar power trough
•
The emissions constraint scenario, which
arrays, which has been more than successfully
tested the impact of using a carbon budget
demonstrated in Spain and elsewhere.
approach to constrain emissions from electricity
NDP & power
S G 22
demand
projections; •
existing self-imposed limits on renewewables, and especially REIPPP projects, be lifted, but that the
electricity
tested the impact of varying electricity demand
Green expect that within a couple of years, or whenever the IRP is next updated, not only will
The
generation compared to an annual ceiling.
The National Development Plan (NDP) identifies the
The conclusions were that the pace and scale of
need for South Africa to invest in a strong network
new capacity developments needed up to year 2030
Not all players in the renewables field believe that, much improved as it is, the new IRP fully addresses and thereby takes advantage of recent developments which have helped make certain types of renewables increasingly affordable and attractive in bringing together a mix of technologies that will provide a reliable base load supply under all conditions. had to be curtailed compared to what was projected
•
Detailed socio-economic impact analysis of the decommissioning of old coal-fired power plants
in the 2010 IRP.
that would have reached end of life;
Without a policy intervention, some of the technologies in the 2010 IRP, together with new
•
Detailed
analysis
of
gas
supply
options
technologies, will not be deployed as the 'Least
(international and local) to better understand
Cost' plan currently contains PV, wind and gas only.
the technical and financial risks and required mitigations
While it was found that imposing annual build
for
limits on renewables does not impact the total
gas-dominated
installed capacity of renewable energy technology
post-2030;
for the period up to 2030, as we have already
•
a
renewable
electricity
energy
and
generation
mix
Detailed analysis of the 'appropriate level of
indicated, there are other drivers which may well
penetration' of renewable energy in the SA
see a change in this position, and that still reflects
national grid to better understand the technical
government's centrist tendencies.
risks and mitigations required to ensure security of supply is maintained during the transition to
After 2030 There mix
is
significant
post-2030,
a low-carbon future; and change
which
is
in
mainly
the
energy
driven
by
•
Detailed technical, cost and economic benefit analysis of other 'clean energy' technologies
decommissioning old coal power plants that will
such 'clean coal' technology, nuclear and others.
have reached the end of their operational lifetimes.
Taking the last point first, we at Simply Green
While the IRP review considered a period up to
dispute there is, in reality, such a thing as 'clean
year 2050, the approach taken in the draft updated
coal'. There may be cleaner-burning coal-fired
IRP is to adopt a plan for the period ending 2030
power stations but they are not 'clean', even by the
and for detailed studies and engagements to be
most stretched version of reality, still producing
undertaken to better inform the energy mix or path
vast quantities of CO2, plus other noxious outputs
post-2030.
albeit at lower levels than old coal-powered plants.
This approach is believed by government to provide the necessary policy certainty while
And the nuclear option, as cited, is merely a sop to those still wedded to this idea.
creating the space for all to engage in detail on
The overwhelming view internationally is that,
the impending energy transition and the options
while nuclear technology has advanced and become
available. The engagements are designed to ensure
more reliable and less dangerous, the concentration
that the transition envisaged is 'just' and inclusive.
of power involved in nuclear production of electricity
Some of the studies identified include:
is such that this will always represent a major threat
23 S G
if and when things go wrong. The outstanding example is Fukushima, where the initiating event had nothing at all to do with the technology but where the consequences of a failure have been no less than disastrous. The
other
issue
with
nuclear,
frequently
overlooked or glossed over for convenience but intellectually and practically deeply dishonest, is that it is not, by definition, 'renewable' or 'clean'. On the former, uranium is required, and always will be, for commercial nuclear plants. That the Guptas showed a deep interest in developing uranium deposits in the North West province, according to testimony before the Zondo Commission, indicates exactly why this resource was of interest to certain parties. If there is limited uranium – and there is an
Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant
upper limit on cheaply available uranium – then cost of resource will at some point come into the equation but the real cost of uranium is not what
Be that as it may, the 'least cost' approach
it costs to get out the ground, purify and deliver.
means that in a few years, as renewables become
Rather, it lies in the eco-impacts on-site at mines,
ever-more affordable relative to coal and other
on-site at smelting or purification centres and
resources (including gas), so the equation in favour
on-site where it is burned and fuel rods are left to lie
of renewables over these options will become,
for decades or more as they cool down and become
eventually, overwhelming.
less dangerously radioactive. And that is putting aside the 'hidden' cost of
IRP assessed
decommissioning, which is not included in any
Despite being a vast improvement with respect to
calculations to date made by the DoE on energy
affordability and practicality in relying increasingly
input and infrastructure costs, but that is very
on renewables, not to mention sustainability, the
significant.
new draft IRP has some serious flaws.
When last undertaken, a reliable assessment of
One is the notion of 'clean' coal, as discussed.
Koeberg's decommissioning costs was put at what
Another is still some element of limitation on
now appears to be a hyper-conservative US$10
REIPPPs which Simply Green predicts will become
billion – and that was made over 10 years ago.
increasingly important, especially if, in future
One nuclear researcher has assessed the cost
iterations of the plan, the need to involve private
today at perhaps 10 times that figure, clearly
power production and provision is fully grasped and
making nuclear unaffordable not merely now but
allowed to unfold in accordance with economic and
in reality at any time in this country's foreseeable
eco demands without overriding centrist economics
future – and, perhaps, ever.
intruding.
The coal option was always going to be on
Then there is the assumption that the massive
the table and it has been maintained as a key
DRC hydro-power scheme will both come to fruition
element because of the relative affordability of coal
and that SA will be able to access a reliable provision
(something that is changing even as this article
from that source at an affordable price.
is being written, and not in favour of coal), plus
On the pure politics of the current situation,
availability of supply, pre-existing infrastructure and
it should be pointed out that there is no way at
the issue of jobs.
present that either the project itself, nor provision
But the discussion about 'clean coal' is likely to be a heated one with some eco-activists already saying they will do all they can to oppose any new
S G 24
builds in coal or nuclear.
of a percentage of its output coming all the way to SA without interruption, can be presumed.
The volatility of conditions on the ground makes
The overwhelming view internationally is that, while nuclear technology has advanced and become more reliable and less dangerous, the concentration of power involved in nuclear production of electricity is such that this will always represent a major threat if and when things go wrong. The outstanding example is Fukushima. most of eastern and central parts of the DRC
Based on our assessment, we expect CSP and PV
uncontrollable and certainly not conducive to the
plus wind to pick up whatever shortfalls eventuate
international energy scheme envisaged.
with respect to hydro and, possibly, gas.
It is considered likely that, if the scheme goes
With new coal plants likely to be challenged
ahead at all, it will be delayed by many years and
up to Constitutional Court level, and with a good
there will be a great deal of work to be done to
prospect for success for the opponents thereof,
secure reliable transmission to SA's borders, even if
renewables may also be relied upon to replace
transmission lines are successfully put up.
the extra 1 000 MW anticipated in the IRP from this
Therefore, expect this element to diminish as a percentage of contribution to total output by 2030, to be replaced, almost certainly, by renewables.
resource (see box overleaf).
Overview
The emphasis on gas, also not a renewable,
The resultant installed capacity mix in year 2030
is an interim step at best since it too results in
consist of coal with 34 000 MW (46% of total installed
CO2 emissions and there is likely an upper limit
capacity), nuclear with 1 860 MW (2.5%), hydro with
on affordability sometime around the 2030 mark,
4 696 MW (6%), pump storage with 2 912 MW (4%),
perhaps sooner, when demand internationally is
PV with 7 958 MW (10%), wind with 11 442 MW (15%),
likely to exceed supply.
CSP with 600 MW (1%), and gas with 11 930 MW
Again, genuine renewables are likely to be the alternative to fill the gap.
(16%). Analysts have broadly welcomes the draft IRP
The allocations of 200 MW per annum for certain
as a big improvement but, for reasons such as
categories of generation-for-own-use of between
we have outlined above, there is some way to go
1 MW to 10 MW, starting in 2018, represents some
before South Africa is truly and fully on an energy
good, fresh thinking on the part of the DoE.
path into the future that is both sustainable in a
These allocations will not be discounted off the capacity allocations in the plan but will be considered
genuine fashion and economically appropriate for our developing socio-economic conditions.
during the issuing of Ministerial Determinations.
The inclusions of emergent small-scaled REIPPP
This will help address requests for deviations from
black-owned players is surely one way that the
the IRP for qualifying plants.
Ramaphosa government is going to seek to explore
The policy adjusted plan includes new additional
as a means to be both inclusive and 'just'.
capacity by 2030 of 1 000 MW of generation from
But it has not gone far enough in terms of
coal, 2 500 MW from hydro, 5 670 MW from PV,
SA's international commitments to reducing carbon
8 100 MW from wind and 8 100 MW from gas.
outputs from energy production and it still holds on
25 S G
to some outdated notions of the state's primary role in providing power for its citizens. Holding onto coal, whether ostensibly 'clean' or not, is not defensible in these circumstances, especially as it is likely that coal will become ever more costly as the wider implications of its use and impacts on local communities and global warming are more fully embraced by decision makers. And the faint nod towards possible nuclear utilisation is only that. The nuclear nightmare must surely be over for South Africans who want to see this country use its natural resources, mainly the sun, to provide energy for future generations. So the new IRP is not a perfect plan and is likely to face some fierce criticism and resistance, as currently envisaged. The inclusion of new coal has already met with
Dassiesklip Wind Energy Facility
strong criticism from the likes of Greenpeace Africa and the Life After Coal Campaign.
not without a fight.
Robyn Hugo from Centre for Environmental
The IRP forced the stations into the plan on the
Rights has said that the inclusion of the 1 000 MW
grounds that this will soften job losses from the
of new coal the IRP has failed to take sufficient
inevitable closure of old Eskom coal stations and
account of the external costs to society and the
also because they are ostensibly already 'procured
environment.
and announced'.
Dr Andrew Marquard of the UIniversity of Cape
Neither of these rationales holds water, claims
Town's Energy Research Centre pointed out that
the Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), which is
while the rest of the world was moving away from
part of the Life After Coal campaign.
coal and towards renewable energy, the draft IRP
In a recent letter to Radebe, the CER pointed out
2018 assumed that two new coal plants would be
that the two stations combined would only employ
built and that the last two units of Kusile should be
332 people when they were operational, according
completed, without assessing all the input costs.
to their own applications for generation licences
Hartmut
Winkler
of
the
University
of
In addition, the excuse that the stations are
that, in future, the IRP was properly updated every
already 'procured' was 'legal nonsense', said the
two years because of the rapid changes that occur
NGO.
in the global energy sector. An example is the rapid drop in the price of renewables in recent years. Winkler believes the plan should have included
The point of no return would only be reached after an actual power purchase agreement (PPA) was signed with them.
more solar and wind, and less coal, if the country
The CER is challenging the environmental
was serious about making the transition away from
authorisations of both projects in court, which
coal to renewables.
automatically prohibits the state from going ahead
Next fight: coal
until the case is concluded in the coal stations' favour.
The new IRP says the Thabametsi and Khanyisa
According to the letter the CER sent Radebe, it
private coal power stations will come online in 2023
would also be illegal to sign PPAs with the two coal
and 2024. They will produce 500 MW each and will
stations because of their expense.
most likely be the last coal power stations built in SA.*
But, as we have indicated, eco-activists are determined that they shall not be built – at least,
S G 26
from the National Energy Regulator of SA (NERSA).
Johannesburg's physics department said it was vital
And according to the regulations governing independent power producers (IPPs), the state cannot sign a PPA if it does not demonstrate 'value for money'.
The falling cost of renewable energy has changed the energy sector globally. Solar and wind power generation are steadily expanding in most countries, and may dominate global electricity production within the next generation. Apart from demanding the assessment the department used to conclude that the two coal IPPs provide 'value for money', the CER asserts
that they could not possibly provide such value for money. The
IRP
itself
acknowledges
that
the
'policy-adjusted' plan is far more expensive than the 'least cost' option. Given the broader economic constraints under which SA is currently labouring, it is fully expected that their cost – together with a combination of resistance from grassroots NGOs, eco-activists, local communities and
political opposition to the proposed new coal plants – is likely to, at the very least, delay them by several years, if not completely defeat these projects before they get signed into life.
REIPPP & 2018 IRP compared The following shows the 2010 Renewable Energy Independent Power Producers Plan: (REIPP): Technology MW Onshore wind
6 360 MW
Concentrated solar thermal 1 200 MW Solar photovoltaic
4 725 MW
Biomass 210 MW Biogas 110 MW Landfill gas
25 MW
Small hydro
195 MW
Small projects
400 MW
Solar parks
1 500 MW
TOTAL
14 725 MW
And all that leaves only one realistic route for South Africa's energy providers: more renewables, and more REIPPPs to help them happen.
SG
For more on the IRPs key points, see overleaf. Resource: IRP Comments
* The recent SA/China accords signed in Beijing assume the Chinese will build at least one more coal-fired power plant in SA. This remains to be seen.
The following shows electricity production according to the 2018 IRP: Technology MW % Installed capacity coal
34 000 MW
46
Installed capacity nuclear
1 860 MW
2.5
Wind
11 442 MW
15
Concentrated solar thermal 600 MW
1
Solar photovoltaic
7 958 MW
10
Pump storage
2 912 MW
4
Gas
11 930 MW
16
Hydro
4 969 MW
6
Total
75 671 MW
100.5
27 S G
G reen Energy
IRP Key Points SA's Integrated Resources Plan (IRP) for 2018 maps out how government intends to manage electricity demand up to 2030.
S G 28
No new nuclear build
Coal
Unlike its predecessors, the new IRP does not – at least until
An envisaged 'just transition' from the old coal-based
past 2030, and probably not thereafter either – envisage
electricity production model to a new model includes the
the expansion of SA's nuclear power contribution to the
decommissioning of coal plants which will impact on jobs.
country's electrical energy production capacity. After 2030
These impacts will be studied. Coal will account for 46%
there is a theoretical possibility of nuclear power becoming
or 34 000 MW of the installed capacity mix up until the
part of the country's energy provision plan but even
year 2030. Even though coal will be lower than the current
so, assumptions in the current plan, such as artificially-
installed base, it will still contribute more than 65% of the
imposed limits on renewables' contribution, will almost
energy volumes.
certainly change, eliminating the need to resort to nuclear altogether until at least 2050. According to the IRP, nuclear
'Least cost' plan
will contribute 4% to energy volumes for the period.
The cost of new generation technologies has come down,
Plan for 2030-2050
projects. Government has recommended the least cost
The current IRP is for the period up until 2030. Detailed
plan which favours wind, PV and gas. Concentrated solar
investigations will take place to better inform the energy
power (CSP) has not been favoured but it is expected
mix after 2030, up to 2050. This approach will ensure
that this newer solar technology, which is also seeing
policy certainty by allowing engagement on the energy
reduced cost per MW delivered, plus sustainable electricity
transition process – from coal and hydrocarbon-based
production through night-time periods, will come into
(gas) generation – towards an increasing contribution from
favour increasingly over time. In all, 5 670 MW of energy
renewables.
Electricity demand in decline
will be derived from PV, 8 100 MW from wind and 8 100 MW from gas. Wind will account for 15% of installed capacity, gas 16% and PV 10%.
Some of the assumptions in IRP 2010 about electricity
Gas
demand have not played out and are outdated. Electricity
Gas accounts for 16% or 11 930 MW of the installed capacity
demand on the grid has been declining on an annual basis.
mix for the period culminating in 2030. An additional
Current volumes are similar to those in the year 2007 with
8 100 MW of capacity by the year 2030 will be sourced
total electricity consumed about 30% less than what was
from gas. The Southern African Development Community
projected in IRP 2010. However, that decline in demand
(SADC) has a committee working on a gas master plan for
is offset by Eskom's diminishing plant performance which
the region, which is dealing with SA's planned needs. SA
is somewhat below the IRP 2010 assumptions of 80%
also has bilateral agreements with Mozambique which will
and above. The new IRP takes into account the declining
be finalised to ensure an adequate gas supply.
electricity demand.
Four scenarios
Photo Braam Daniels
resulting in reduced costs for wind and PV (photovoltaic)
Fracking The Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act
The DoE considered four scenarios and their impact on the
(MPRDA) bill, which is currently with the National Council
future energy mix for the latest IRP. These are an electricity
of Provinces, will also deal with fracking in the Karoo,
demand scenario, a gas scenario, a renewables scenario
a highly contentious issue. Mineral Resources Minister
and an emissions constraint scenario. The DoE found that
Gwede Mantashe told the portfolio committee on mineral
the pace and scale of new capacity developments needed
resources that he was considering withdrawing the bill. All
to be curtailed as compared to what was projected in the
indications are that, like the now-dead nuclear build, the
IRP 2010. The 'least cost' plan relates to PV, wind and gas
fracking scheme is fraught with hidden costs, high risks
only, which means some new technologies will likely not be
(both economic and environment) and little chance of fiscal
deployed as projected in the IRP 2010. Annual build limits
affordability. Fracking in the Karoo, though not officially
on renewables will not impact the total installed capacity of
quite dead as yet, is almost so.
renewable energy technology leading up to 2030 while the energy mix sees the decommissioning of old coal-power
The public have Until 27 October to submit comments.
plants reaching the end of their life.
Click here for more.
29 S G
G reen Energy
Smaller Grids best for Africa S G 30
I
t is estimated that around 600 million people
exponentially reduced in cost since 2006, and
are currently living in this region without access
solar generation, for one, is on track to match coal
to electricity, and, while its population is rapidly
generation in terms of cost by 2020.
growing, the expansion of electrical infrastructure is
Renewable energy, such as solar and wind, also provides the one advantage that will make these
not progressing at a fast enough pace. Research by the World Bank indicates that
micro-grids sustainable as permanent solutions
the continent currently requires an estimated
(instead of temporary fixes): they are considerably
$100b in infrastructure investment in order to
more cost effective to scale down, meaning that
close this gap. Additionally, a survey by Grow
small-scale generation can still be economically
Africa among companies already invested in Africa,
viable.
has shown that dissatisfaction with the quality of
Micro-grids – supported by renewable solutions
physical infrastructure, including stable electricity
– have the potential to become the building blocks
supply, was one of the most prominent challenges
of a rapidly growing power grid in areas where
hampering further investment in other areas of the
electrical demand has not yet reached the critical
continent’s economy.
mass required for large-scale generation. In addition,
By now, it should be clear that various
new generation facilities of any scale, effectively
projects over the last 40 years to bring large-scale
fast-tracks further economic development, which
electrification to the continent have largely failed.
again facilitates more investment in a region.
It is hardly surprising given the challenges that
Lastly, the only challenge that remains to be
in
addressed is the issue of energy storage. Even
large-scale generation projects is still far from ideal
in Africa, where sunlight and wind are abundant
and the distances between power plants and the
resources, it is still not yet possible to generate
communities that require a grid connection make
energy ‘around the clock’.
infrastructure
faces
in
Africa.
Investment
transmission incredibly challenging.
Batteries and other energy storage solutions
Electrical losses along lengthy transmission lines
remain too expensive to make their use economically
remain significant. In South Africa alone, the total
viable. However, just like the evolution of renewable
distribution losses amount to an estimated 8.4%,
energy, the cost of storage is decreasing at an
meaning that nearly a tenth of the electricity being
exponential rate and we estimate that self-sufficient
generated is wasted on transmission. In the rest of
micro-grids with battery storage solutions will be
Africa, this percentage is even higher.
cheap enough to construct in their entirety within
The obvious solution is to decentralise utilities.
the next five years.
Micro-grids are already viewed as an ideal solution
An Africa that is not one big power grid but
to bring power to regions without access in a quick
rather a collection of localised power distribution
and cost-effective way but many still believe that
hubs, operated by the communities that need them,
these solutions can only succeed if they form part of
may be the only viable way to solve our continent’s
a strategy to eventually connect them to a national
energy crisis.
SG
power grid, fed by large-scale coal or nuclear power plants. However, one can make the argument that the notion of large-scale power grids should be abandoned completely. Renewable energy, in the form of wind and solar power generation, has
Sources • worldbank.org • weforum.org • tradingeconomics.com • www.energypartners.co.za
Sub-Saharan Africa has the lowest electrification rate in the world – and is in dire need of a solution to its growing electrification problem. Karel Cornelissen, CEO of Energy Partners, takes a look at a key issue plaguing Africa’s, including South Africa’s, infrastructural electricity distribution.
31 S G
G reen Energy
Global CSP hits
5GW
S G 32
By the end of last year, global Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) capacity had risen sharply to over 4.95 GW, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency’s annual report on global renewables capacity. This is a global trend. We take a look.
33 S G
T
he 100 MW Xina plant in Pofadder, South Africa, was the only CSP plant to begin commercial operations in 2017, marking
the slowest year for the industry since at least 2008, when IRENA began keeping records. More than 3.7 GW of capacity was added between
2010 and 2014, most of it in Spain and the United States. As at the end of 2017, Spain and the US still accounted for around 80% of global CSP capacity, with Spain standing at 2.31 GW and the US at 1.76 GW. South Africa (300 MW), India (229 MW), Morocco (180 MW) and the United Arab Emirates (100 MW) were the only other countries to have 100 MW or more of CSP capacity. Global CSP capacity is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, with China alone planning to add 5 GW by 2020. Several projects are on schedule to become operational this year, including the 200 MW Noor 2 and 150 MW Noor 3 projects in Morocco, and the 100 MW Shouhang Dunhuang project in China. There are 16 pilot plants under construction or in planning or development in China (after four were recently shelved from the original list of 20). Outside China, several projects are either
determination by captured parties at its helm to push
under construction or about to begin construction,
ahead with an unaffordable nuclear programme at
including the 150 MW Aurora project in Australia,
the cost of all renewable plans, some already signed
and the 700 MW fourth phase of Dubai’s Mohammed
off – announced that it was postponing signing of
bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park.
the PPA.
South Africa’s Redstone CSP project has signed
That has all since been reversed under the new
a power purchase agreement after a two-year delay.
administration of President Cyril Ramaphosa and SA
The South African government finally signed a
has returned to a much more affordable, sensible
power purchase agreement (PPA) for SolarReserve
and sustainable energy production developmental
and ACWA Power’s 100 MW Redstone CSP project,
path.
ending more than two years of delays, with the
The PPA is for 20 years, and it will see Redstone
recent signing of a multi-billion set of projects in the
deliver clean electricity to more than 200 000
latest and long-delay REIPPP.
South African homes for up to 17 hours each day,
SA Energy Minister Jeff Radebe announced
The plant will store 1 200 MWh of energy daily.
for 27 projects procured under the Renewable
It will be located near Postmasburg in the Northern
Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement
Cape Province, adjacent to the 75 MW Lesedi and
Programme (REIPPPP), one of which is Redstone.
96 MW Jasper PV plants that were also developed by
In 2015, South Africa awarded a consortium led by SolarReserve and ACWA Power to the Redstone project at a tariff of $124/MWh. But in 2016, state utility Eskom – which had been facing ongoing financial difficulties and a
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including during peak demand.
that the SA government had signed agreements
SolarReserve. South Africa has strict requirements in regards to foreign investors and their use of local content. During the Redstone construction period, more than 43% of capital costs will be spent on SA content.
Aalborg CSP has long been pushing the potential for CSP to be used throughout Europe. Although CSP is known for its use in sunny desert areas like Spain, the western US, the Middle East and North Africa, Aalborg CSP says it has potential in northern Europe when integrated with other technologies.
The Black Economic Empowerment program will have a 26% share in the project, and more
now online, it is also ready to contribute to the electricity grid.
than R700 million (about $58 million) will be
The CSP technology consists of 40 rows of
spent on small- and medium-sized enterprises and
125m parabolic troughs. Aalborg CSP developed
socio-economic projects over the 20-year period of
the 26 929m2 CSP portion of the project, and
the PPA.
the entire project was support by the Danish Government’s Energy Technology Development
Denmark inaugurates CSP-biomass plant
and Demonstration Programme. Aalborg CSP has long been pushing the potential
Elsewhere in the world CSP is a growing phenomenon
for CSP to be used throughout Europe. Although
in the energy production mix of an increasing
CSP is known for its use in sunny desert areas like
number of countries.
Spain, the western US, the Middle East and North
Denmark has recently put itself on the CSP map, inaugurating a combined heat and power (CHP) plant with a biomass boiler and 16.6 MW of
concentrated solar power capacity.
Africa, Aalborg CSP says it has potential in northern Europe when integrated with other technologies. According
to
Aalborg
CSP,
markets
with
well-established district heating infrastructure or
The system is the first CHP plant of any type in
an existing base of ORC plants – such as Germany,
Denmark, and it is the first in the world to integrate
Austria and Italy – can leverage the flexibility of
CSP and biomass with an Organic Rankine Cycle
CSP for combined heat and power generation. It
(ORC).
says that while the prices of different types of CSP
fuel fluctuate, concentrated solar energy proves to
technology has been producing heat since the
be a stable and efficient renewable alternative in
end of 2016 but with the ORC and biomass units
Europe. S G
The
solar-thermal
system
based
on
35 S G
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SIMPLYCLIMATE 37 S G
Feature
?
Is IT too late
S G 38
?
As even ‘mainstream’ media such as CNN begin to give up putting a positive spin on global warming news, scientists are warning that a domino effect will kick in if global temperatures rise more than 2°C above pre-industrial levels. We take a look at the state of the planet’s climate system – and the picture is not good.
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E
veryone who has been paying attention
understood how bad things were, and were going
(note: not Donald Trump, Jeff Session
to get how far down the track towards permanent
et al) knows that global warming has
climate change into a deeply unfriendly new climate
been caused by humans through CO2 released
regime we were, many people might just ‘switch off’
into the atmosphere since roughly the mid-1800s,
to the adaptation and mitigation messages being
increasing rapidly through the 20th and 21st centuries
put out to them.
and, alarmingly, still rising. This process has, again, been labelled the
But the world is waking up, and the message can
'greenhouse' or ‘hothouse' effect, which is an overall
now be conveyed unvarnished – though many still
warming of the air, seas and land, leading to rapid
have ‘head-in-sand’ syndrome.
deglaciation, ice melt-off at the poles and higher
Recent headlines have screamed all you need
sea levels, eventually making some areas on Earth
to know in huge fonts: Earth at risk of becoming
uninhabitable.
‘hothouse’; Record-breaking super typhoon; Wildfires
The real question for some time has been: how quickly is this happening?
and deadly heat-waves around the world; What not to do in a heat-wave; Scorching temperatures
Simply Green has been covering this topic since
turn deadly in Asia; Heat-wave, winds fuel deadly
way back in the mid-1980s, when even the mention
fast-moving fires; Japan suffers record-breaking
of climate change in academic circles brought a swift
heat-wave; Firenado turns into a giant water spout;
and permanent end to more than one up-until-then
More than 200 dead as heavy rain pounds Japan;
brilliant career.
Over 20 killed by flooding in Vietnam; Floods pose
Through COP conferences, IPCC statements on
more health risks than you may think; Irma has left
the changing global conditions, as iterated back in
Barbuda uninhabitable; Floods cause devastation in
the mid-1990s, then again in the mid-2000s and
Asia; Landslide pummels town; Indian lake spewing
since, and in gatherings of like-minded persons
out toxic foam; Deadly flood hits Pakistan.
intent on getting to the bottom of things, there has been a trend.
You get the picture. Well, it’s essentially official: we are not merely at
Before even stating what that trend is, let
risk of getting ourselves into a runaway heat-wave
it be understood that for the great majority of
globally, triggering all sorts of cascade climate
participants, this approach was considered the
change effects, we're actually in it.
wisest, for reasons that shall become clear.
A recent report quoted by CNN, ‘Trajectories of
The trend was to both understate the degree and
the Earth System in the Anthropocene’, published
extent of the climate changes which had already
in the American Proceedings of the National
taken place, and the rate at which the climate
Academy of Sciences, said ‘hothouse’ temperatures
change process was taking place.
could stabilise at around 4-5°C (7-9°F) higher than
The main motivation was that it was, in the
pre-industrial levels.
first instance, better to understate than overstate
‘Human emissions of greenhouse gas are not the
matters as any exaggeration, even the slightest,
sole determinant of temperature on Earth. Our study
would be pounced upon by climate change deniers,
suggests that human-induced global warming of
some of them engaged professionally by people
2°C may trigger other Earth system processes, often
like the infamous Koch brothers in the USA, to
called “feedbacks”, that can drive further warming
muddy the waters for the general public, especially
– even if we stop emitting greenhouse gases,’
Americans.
lead author Will Steffen of the Australian National
Secondly, there was always some degree of uncertainty – thus projections were and are given within a band, with both upper limits of likely warming/climate change, and lower limits.
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This last risk remains true.
University said. Take note of the last bit of his quote. We at Simply Green have been going on about that stuff since this title was launched a decade ago
Thirdly, least spoken of ‘in the open’, but
– in fact, it was exactly because of the then-looming
perhaps one of the most important reasons for the
scenario of runaway climate change that this
above-described trend, was that if people really
magazine came into existence in the first place.
Even so, we may have been too late, as it turns out. Scientists are now warning (and have been saying so for a while) that a domino effect will kick in if global temperatures rise more than 2°C above pre-industrial levels, leading to ‘hothouse’ conditions and much higher sea levels, making some areas on Earth uninhabitable. And that’s putting things mildly. More directly, somewhere around 70%+ of humanity may well be looking for somewhere new to live, supposing they even get that far, by the middle of this century. That’s not a worst-case scenario – it is a likelihood growing statistically more so by the day. According to the study cited by CNN, hotter temperatures could result in sea-level rise of up to 60m from today’s shorelines, swamping coastal populations and forcing communities inland. This Northern Hemisphere summer, dozens of people have died in wildfires and heat-waves from the USA to Asia, giving the world an insight into what lies
ahead. The report says that if the ‘threshold’ – a theoretical point-of-no-return – is crossed, this ‘would lead to a much higher global average temperature than any interglacial (period) in the past 1.2 million years and to sea levels significantly higher than at any time in the Holocene,' referring to the geological age which began at the end of the last Ice Age, around 12 000-13 000 years ago. However, a growing number of scientists think the boat has already sailed in terms of limiting global warming to just 2°C – and that’s not by the end of century, as was warned about around the time of Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth in 2006, but rather not later than 2050, and quite likely sooner than that even. It is a scary and startling place for conventional, usually very conservative, scientists to come to – and then say out loud. But we are, in effect, there. They argue that we have entered a new geological era, the Anthropocene, in which human activity is unarguably directly affecting the planet. That’s merely academic, of course. The point is, what exactly it is that we have done that we can’t undo or at least mitigate, delay and adapt
Recent headlines have screamed all you need to know in huge fonts: Record-breaking super typhoon; Wildfires and deadly heat waves around the world; Irma has left Barbuda uninhabitable; Deadly flood hits Pakistan. You get the picture. Well, it’s essentially official: we are not merely at risk of getting ourselves into a runaway heat-wave globally, triggering all sorts of cascade climate change effects, we're actually in it.
to. Turns out, we can’t take the CO2 we have released into the atmosphere out of it fast enough – and that’s
41 S G
even if we all stopped carbon output tomorrow, which is obviously not going to happen. In the real world, where China and South Africa are thinking of and getting ready to commission new coal-fired power stations, there is simply no chance for humanity to collectively put on the brakes, in terms of carbon emissions, in time. That sets us all on a course for a set of worryingly severe ‘inevitabilities’. So it’s almost certain that we shall go over 2°C much sooner than hoped for or expected, and thereafter onwards and upwards towards the 5-7°C range now being discussed openly. Let’s be plain about it: human beings are going to find it very hard to stay alive at even 5°C and almost impossible under any imaginable circumstances at 6°C or 7°C. We will be done. Toast. We will have joined the 99.9% of all species that have ever lived but which live no more. And it will be by our own hands.
Current picture
California struggled for weeks to contain its largest-ever wildfire, while Spain and Portugal were dealing with record-breaking temperatures. In Asia, heat-waves have killed dozens in Japan and South Korea.
Global average temperatures are today around 1.1°C higher than in the pre-industrial age, and
To continue with the study, Katherine Richardson
rising at 0.17°C per decade, according to a joint
of the University of Copenhagen told CNN the idea
press release from the authors’ institutions as
of a tipping point is not new. ‘We’ve always realised
quoted by CNN.
there might be a point of no return,’ she said.
Here’s the thing, before we proceed any further.
‘The implications are that if we can’t stop it,
That rate of increase figure (0.17°C/decade) has
we’re in a hell of a mess. Our societies could not
gone up every single time the author has read
continue the way they are now with an average
latest actual research (not the nonsense put out
level rises. It would simply be unbearable for our
or in dealing with major international conferences
society.’
on the subject. Once, back in the mid-1990s, that rate of change was thought to be a fraction of what it is now – maybe a fifth or so. We can also tell you that the figure for the rate
‘Avoiding this scenario requires a redirection of human actions from exploitation to stewardship of the Earth system,’ Steffen told the news channel. More than 200 countries have pledged to take action on climate change under the Paris Accord
of change is not rising on a linear but a logarithmic
struck in 2015, although the USA under denialist
scale – and it is already in an ever-more severe
Trump has since withdrawn.
upwards trend. Which is to say, today’s rate of temperature increase is not going to be as high as tomorrow’s and so on, describing a trend going shortly towards
The agreement pushed signatories to work together to keep temperatures from rising more than 2°C above pre-industrial levels. However, there are no binding targets, and
the near vertical as the mentioned ‘feedback’
without world-leading air polluter, the USA, doing
processes of the global weather system kick in.
its part, the entire effort seems unlikely to reverse
We are, in short, about to hit the ‘tipping point’ when it comes to global climate – if, indeed, we have not already passed it.
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temperature increase of 4-5°C (and) 10-60m sea
by the deniers trying to confuse the ill-educated)
where we are going or even to significantly slow down unliveable global warming’s arrival date. The report highlights the consequences of
how the interactions between a variety of climate
Hemisphere struggles with deadly heat-waves and
change factors, such as the loss or weakening
raging wildfires, which most scientists attribute to
of carbon sinks, forest dieback, ice retreat and
man-made climate change.
increased bacteria respiration, are combining to form a feedback loop accelerating climate change.
California struggled for weeks to contain its largest-ever wildfire, while Spain and Portugal were
It also addressed the seriously alarming and
dealing with record-breaking temperatures. In Asia,
vast methane gas volumes being released from
heat-waves have killed dozens in Japan and South
the Northern Hemisphere’s previously ice-bound
Korea.
regions each summer.
As per form, even the authors of this report
Methane is between 25 and 35 times more
have had to soften the blow somewhat by saying,
active as a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide,
as a rider to their findings, that the current weather
but it is somewhat more short-lived.
can’t, in isolation, be used as proof of the effects
Right now the Earth is going through a massive
of climate change.
increase in the amount of methane at loose in all
However, they are hopeful that this year’s
levels of the atmosphere, from the ground to space.
Northern Hemisphere summer’s extreme heat
‘These tipping elements can potentially act
means that people may be more receptive to the
like a row of dominoes,’ said Johan Rockstrom, co-director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research and another of co-author of the report. ‘Once one is pushed over, it pushes Earth towards
urgency of the situation. ‘People are getting a taste of the heat-waves, this is what climate change is all about,’ said one. ‘Humanity is recognising the fact that we need to manage our resources at a global level.
another. It may be very difficult or impossible to
‘When we can see that we can impact the
stop the whole row of dominoes from tumbling
climate, then it becomes part of our responsibility
over. Places on Earth will become uninhabitable if
to maintain the earth system,’ she added.
“Hothouse Earth” becomes the reality.’ The report comes as much of the Northern
To reverse the potential domino effect, climate change needs to be combated on all fronts, the
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report says, with ‘collective human action’ required to steer us away from the potential threshold. Included had to be a focus on ‘decarbonisation of the global economy, enhancement of biosphere carbon sinks, behavioural changes, technological innovations, new governance arrangements, and transformed social values’.
Gulf Stream Richardson stated that rather than considering the report a ‘doomsday prophet’, it should give hope that if action is taken now, the world could avert the most dire of its predictions. ‘I think this paper has a positive message. If we understand this system and how it works, then we have the power to go in and trick the system. ‘Knowledge is power – the more we know, the more possibilities to manage a positive outcome (we have),’ she added. But while putting a positive spin on things is understandable, doing so to the exclusion of existing facts is unhelpful.
Despite the higher elevation and colder temperatures found in the eastern portion of the Antarctic continent, warm ocean currents and rising global temperatures are now destabilising two of its massive glaciers.
Some are saying that we are already living the future we don’t want: more intense droughts, floods, heat-waves, blackouts, food shortages and sea levels gradually, but relentlessly rising.
Patrick
Child,
Deputy
Director
General
For Research And Innovation at the European
Delegates to the recent Adaptation Futures
Commission, said it was clear that the commitments
2018 conference in Cape Town heard that these
to cut emissions made by world governments were
climate change effects were already happening
not enough to keep the temperature increase
around the world.
below 2°C.
Bleak as it is, the warning, was that if the global
And that’s if governments stick to their
society continued pumping greenhouse gases into
promises, some of which are definitely not doing
the air with a business-as-usual attitude, things
so, including South Africa.
would get a lot worse.
Child pointed to the facts: In 2017 there was
Ovais Sarmad, deputy executive secretary for
an unusual number of hurricanes and there was
the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change,
major monsoon flooding. There were droughts
told delegates that last year 8.8m people had been
in Africa and, more specifically, in Cape Town.
displaced because of climate change and natural
Antarctic melting increased by three times. Year
disasters. That’s 2 000 displaced people per hour.
2017 had the highest recorded economic losses
Sarmad, who spent 27 years working with migrants, has had first-hand experience of the ‘devastating’ impacts of natural disasters. ‘The impact of climate change is more visible than ever before. Events once thought impossible are happening,’ Sarmad said. One of these was a ship crossing the Arctic in February because the sea ice was at a record low due to rising global temperatures. Sarmad called for new ideas and solutions to
S G 44
the problem of climate change.
ever associated with severe weather events. And 2018 is set to knock 2017 ‘into the shade’, so to speak. It was, he said in stating the obvious, urgent that carbon emissions be cut by all of us. ‘There is an urgent need to cut dependence on fossil fuels, including here in Africa.’ Kevin Austin, deputy director for the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, released a new piece of research at the conference entitled ‘The Future
We Don’t Want’, outlining how the world’s greatest
only the most energy-efficient lighting, heating and
cities would be affected by climate change by 2050.
cooling systems in buildings.
These effects include: •
1.6b people in more than 970 cities regularly exposed to extreme temperatures;
• • • •
But all that, good and well as it may be, may also be far too little, far too late.
More than 800m people in 570 cities vulnerable
Antarctic
to sea level rise and coastal flooding;
Unlike its counterpart, West Antarctica, which has
2.5b people living in more than 1 600 cities
long been severely affected by melting ice caps,
where food supply is threatened;
East Antarctica used to be a safe zone – something
Power supplies affecting 470m people in more
scientists could depend on as a constant while they
than 230 cities vulnerable to sea level rise; and
solved the more pressing destruction in the western
650m people facing declining fresh water
part of the continent.
availability. ‘This is a future no one wants,’ said Austin. ‘But all is not lost.’
This is no longer the case. According to research unveiled recently in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, and despite
Cities around the world were taking action at
the higher elevation and colder temperatures found
the local level and delivering solutions, which varied
in the eastern portion of the Antarctic continent,
from planting trees in city centres to reduce heat
warm ocean currents and rising global temperatures
impacts, to conducting urban agriculture to boost
are now destabilising two of its massive glaciers.
food security. While cities did not generally decide on issues like a nation’s energy supply, and whether that
The research chronicled the lives of the two glaciers in the coldest region on Earth for the past 15 years.
involved fossil fuels or not, many cities could
These glaciers shield the Eastern zone’s land
nevertheless cut carbon emissions in other ways,
ice, descending from the ice directly toward the
and many were already doing so by, for instance,
sea. This creates a naturally-formed dam that, if
introducing regulations that ensured the use of
disturbed, would affect the ice that covers the rest
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of the region by subjecting it to warming ocean
level rise, and in the near term. There are more facts and stats that could be
waters. The melting of these two massive glaciers alone will raise sea levels more than 5m, while undoubtedly ‘compromising’ the rest of the territory
referenced, but they don't change the greater picture. So that’s the story folks. It’s up to each one of us to deal with the facts
with respect to oceanic warming. One of those involved in the study, Yara Mohajerani, explained: ‘The East Antarctic ice sheet contains much more ice and sea level potential than any other ice sheet by far, making it of crucial global
as we see fit. We at Simply Green will not join either deniers or the ‘head-in-the-sand’ crew. We shall keep on supplying the best and latest information we can, especially on serious issues
significance.’ Research has shown the previous disappearance
such as climate change, and we shall keep on
of similar glaciers in the East Antarctic region when
encouraging all to do the best they can to limit
carbon dioxide levels in the ancient atmosphere
what harm is being done daily, by all of us living
were at levels comparable to those found today (as
Westernised, modern lifestyles. It may be that we are all already in serious
a result of human activities). Scientists believe that, due to the circulation of
trouble when it comes to the climate – and therefore
warm ocean water under the two glaciers, they have
pretty much everything else – but we cannot afford
been losing mass for quite some time.
to just hope it all goes away.
To help quantify the losses, NASA provided the
Let us know what you think and put forward
researchers with its Gravity Recovery and Climate
your suggestions and proposals to all levels of
Experiment (GRACE) satellite, which measures small
government – we should all do what we can, and
changes in gravity. GRACE collected data from 2002
then trust that the universe which brought us into
to 2017.
being has a better plan than the one we have come
The new study reveals that the glaciers are losing 18.5 gigatons of ice each year, or the equivalent of
up with for dealing with humankind’s short-sighted, selfish way of operating in the world.
SG
7.4m Olympic-sized swimming pools. While this is minuscule in comparison to losses in the rest of Antarctica, the location of these glaciers makes their survival central to East Antarctica’s glacial stability and, therefore, the state of the continent as a whole. It almost goes without saying that the fate of Antarctica, as the globe's major heat-sink, is the fate of the planet. It has not helped the outlook at all that Antarctica has,
during
this
past
Southern
Hemisphere
summer, registered what might just be the highest temperatures ever for the continent. On
March
24,
daytime
temperatures
at
Antarctica’s Esperanza research station reached 17.5°C – sweltering for a place normally at or near zero. The
record
high
temperature
comes
as
researchers announce that ice shelves in western Antarctica – a particular fast-warming hotspot – have lost 18% of their thickness in the past decade alone. This means they are melting significantly faster than had previously been thought, and raises serious concerns for the effect this may have on sea
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Ovais Sarmad, Deputy Executive Secretary for the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, told delegates that last year 8.8m people had been displaced because of climate change and natural disasters. That’s 2 000 displaced people per hour.
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G reen Biz
Climate Change Bill must be R HARDer
In its formal comments on the Department of Environmental Affairs’s proposed Climate Change Bill, the Life After Coal Campaign has called for more robust and proactive approach. We take a look. obyn Hugo, head of the Centre for Environmental Rights' Pollution & Climate Change Programme, has
applauded the Department for taking the necessary step to regulate climate change, yet she expressed concern. In order for the Bill to have any hope of serving as a useful response to climate change issues in South Africa, it needs to be much tougher about
reducing
greenhouse
gas
(GHG)
emissions, preventing devastating climate change impacts, and holding emitters and government accountable, she said. The
Campaign’s
main
concerns
and
recommendations for the Bill are: •
The Bill must make disclosure and public access
to
all
reports,
assessments,
and records provided for in the Bill mandatory. In its current form, the Bill does not require carbon budgets or annual reports on compliance with carbon budgets, for example, to be published or disclosed. 'If polluters are not forced to be transparent about their management of GHG emissions, there is no ability for independent researchers to verify data, and for the public to hold emitters to account. Instead, it allows for private deals to transpire between government and large polluters,' says Makoma Lekalakala, director of Earthlife Africa. •
The Bill does not make clear the urgent need to curb emissions, set a clear target or outline strict emissions trajectory, creating
dangerous
uncertainty,
loopholes, and the risk of further delays. •
The Bill does not expressly recognise the Paris Agreement commitments –
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•
including South Africa’s Nationally Determined
and individuals to respond to the impacts of
Contribution – as legally binding on all organs
climate change and to hold to account those
of state. 'South Africa should not be giving itself
responsible (government and emission-intensive
any space to deviate from those commitments,'
industry). The Bill must improve provisions for
says Hugo.
education, awareness-raising, and empowerment
The Bill places a large burden on municipalities,
of communities that are particularly vulnerable
provinces, sector departments, and the Minister,
to the impacts of climate change.
capacity,
According to Hugo: 'Rigorous climate change
funding, oversight and monitoring. Many such
legislation is necessary, not only to give domestic
authorities are already failing to fulfil obligations
effect to the 2015 Paris Agreement on Climate
such as those relating to air quality, water, and
Change, but more urgently to address South Africa’s
waste management.
own vulnerability to climate change impacts, and
The Bill does not go far enough to ensure
our contributions to those impacts. By making
reductions of GHG emissions, or to hold to
decisions that favour the use and exploitation
account those who contribute significantly
of fossil fuels – such as issuing environmental
to and/or exacerbate the impacts of climate
authorisations for proposed new coal-fired power
change. Unless government holds big emitters
stations – government is continuing to expose itself
like Sasol and Eskom to their carbon budgets
and its people to devastating climate impacts that
under the Bill, there is little hope that these will
will cause irreversible harm. This is not consistent
bring about meaningful emission reductions.
with the Bill of Rights in the Constitution.'
without
•
•
•
providing
for
additional
The Bill’s penalties – a R5m fine and/or 5
Peek says: 'Tackling climate change now has
years’ imprisonment on a first conviction – are
extensive benefits for health, the environment
woefully inadequate to deter non-compliance.
(including water), jobs and the economy.' A June 2015
'Missing entirely from the Bill is any recognition
Lancet report confirms that tackling climate change
of the duty of care or climate justice. Companies
could be the greatest global health opportunity of
that knowingly contribute to and exacerbate
the 21st century. 'With air pollution from Eskom’s
the impacts of climate change must be held
coal-fired power stations currently responsible for
accountable, and be forced to compensate those
2 239 attributable deaths each year, and coal-fired
who suffer these impacts,' says Bobby Peek,
power being an expensive and unnecessary electricity
director of groundWork.
source, government should not waste any more time
The
the
in implementing a just transition to a low-carbon and
assessment of climate change impacts when
climate-resilient society. The Bill must be drastically
approving new developments.
amended and urgently implemented, in order to
If South Africa is serious about reducing
deliver environmental justice and prevent runaway
GHG
Bill
does
not
make
compulsory
emissions, the Bill must provide for
climate change,' says Peek.
SG
independent institutional structures to oversee climate adaptation and mitigation, such as: an independent specialist advisory body; a climate
RESOURCES
change monitoring and enforcement authority;
•
and an appeal authority. •
The Bill must establish GHG inventories (a single repository of all GHG emissions data) and the keeping of, and regular reporting on, GHG and other relevant climate change data and information.
•
The Bill should provide for detailed facility-level reporting, transparent auditing, and verification
Coal-Comments-on-CC-Bill_8-August-18.docx.pdf •
•
The Bill does not adequately empower communities
https://www.environment.gov.za/sites/default/files/ legislations/climatechangebill2018_gn41689.pdf
•
https://lifeaftercoal.org.za/
•
https://cer.org.za/news/battle-against-the-climatedestroying-coal-ipps-escalates
•
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/ PIIS0140-6736%2815%2960854-6/fulltext
of data. The failure to do so affects the integrity of the entire climate data and reporting system.
https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Life-After-
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https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/ PIIS0140-6736%2815%2960854-6/fulltext
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C limate C hange
3
WAYS TO ADAPT TO CLIMATE CHANGE
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Cape Town’s 'Day Zero' experience – the prospect of dam levels dropping dangerously low, taps running dry and water rations being distributed from public collection points – speaks powerfully to the urgency and complexity of climate change adaptation. Ana Taylor reports.
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T
he recent arrival of the South African winter rains mean that dam levels have begun rising again and greater Cape Town
and its surrounds have dodged the introduction of wholesale water rationing. For now. But the drought that pushed Cape Town to the edge isn’t over yet. The threat of water rationing could still become a reality in 2019. And there will be other droughts, too, in Cape Town and beyond. Other cities that have experienced severe water scarcity include Melbourne in Australia, Los Angeles in the US, São Paulo in Brazil, Bolivia’s capital city La
Paz and Maputo in Mozambique, to name but a few. Cities in the global South are especially hit hard by droughts. This is because the resources and capabilities to expand and upgrade water infrastructures serving these cities remain scarce. Many residents in these cities have very poor and limited access to water in 'normal' times. Things become even more dire in water-scarce situations. My doctoral and post-doctoral research focused
Over the last decade, Cape Town has been
and
involved in preparing a number of strategies and
governance in southern African cities. In other
plans identifying measures to manage water and
words, how are people organising to reduce the
climate risks. These laid important groundwork for
risks that higher temperatures, intense rainfall and
evaluating options but more work is needed.
on
climate
adaptation
decision-making
These research, planning and advisory processes
dry periods pose to city residents? My research suggests three lessons for any
are important prerequisites to navigating a robust
city looking to prepare for and manage climate
adaptation pathway. Crises have to be seen,
extremes. These centre on preparation, leadership
understood, managed and leveraged as part of a
and an understanding that adaptation requires both
much longer-term climate adaptation effort. Cape Town’s crisis has shown how important it
big and small changes.
is for such technical deliberations to be opened up
Lesson 1
Do your homework and open it up to others For sensible and effective action to happen in a time of crisis when rapid change is demanded, several things are needed. These include sustained
to public and political engagement. If this doesn’t happen, all the planning in the world won’t help – because people will ignore or resist the planners’ conclusions.
Lesson 2
anticipatory planning. A crisis creates or unlocks
Collaborative leadership is crucial
opportunities for change. But the groundwork must
Leadership and open communication that fosters
be laid to avoid knee-jerk reactions and short-term
trust and collaboration are essential to navigate
solutions
times of panic and transition. This pertains to
investment in experimentation, robust research and
with
unknown,
potentially
negative
consequences that can undermine sustainability. For example, in Cape Town, there is rapid expansion of groundwater abstraction and a big
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the affordability of water and the local ecology.
leadership
in
all
spheres
including
political,
intellectual, civic, business and administration. Such leadership is needed at all levels.
push to commission desalination plants. Both need
When leadership is defensive and divisive, as was
significant investment and new infrastructure that
the case in the early stages of the Cape Town water
has long-term implications for the water network,
crisis, it leads to much blame and finger-pointing.
Cape Town’s crisis has shown how important it is for such technical deliberations to be opened up to public and political engagement. If this doesn’t happen, all the planning in the world won’t help because people will ignore or resist the planners’ conclusions.
This can cause uncertainty and fragmented and inconsistent responses – which is exactly what happened in Cape Town. The city government gradually started improving communication lines through initiatives like the Water Dashboard and the Water Outlook. This helped greatly in building a more cohesive set of actions and more inclusive and considered deliberations on the way forward.
Lesson 3
Big and small changes matter Adapting cities to climate change involves a
Climate adaptation These lessons are not unique to Cape Town’s water crisis. As experiences across the world suggest, these may be lessons that have to be learnt the hard way. Cities may need to face their own version of a crisis to galvanise action towards making the changes needed. But doing the preparatory work is an essential part of adapting. Moving beyond coping with a crisis in the short-term to building the capacity to avoid, or at least better manage, such situations over the long-term lies at the heart of climate adaptation. S G
combination of small and big changes that need action from all sides. These changes need to explicitly address inequality. In the case of adapting Cape Town to periods of water scarcity in the future, potential actions range from households and businesses reusing greywater on-site (for example, using shower water
Anna Taylor Research fellow, African Centre for Cities, African Climate and Development Initiative (ACDI) and the Climate Systems Analysis Group, University of Cape Town
of further entrenching inequality and exclusion.
Disclosure Anna Taylor receives funding from the National Research Foundation, the National Treasury’s City Support Programme, the UK Department for International Development, the UK Natural Environment Research Council and the Mistra Urban Futures
Wealthy homes and businesses can afford to buy
Foundation
to flush toilets) to the large-scale harvesting of stormwater to recharge underground aquifers. Many of these changes are costly and run the risk
water-saving technologies and alternative sources of water, like private boreholes, while low-income households and small businesses face rising municipal water bills.
Republished from The Conversation under Creative Commons licence. Click here for the full article.
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Water doesn’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 Š Hougaard Malan
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SIMPLYWATER 55 S G
F eature
Global water still a key focus
With some winter rains having relieved the worst of the more-than-100-year drought in the Western and Eastern Cape regions of South Africa, there has been some relief for hard-pressed folks in these regions. But with dams only 70% full in the Western Cape, with only the last part of winter to come, the recent rains have brought relief without resolution to the ongoing water-scarcity issue which faces not merely the Western and Eastern Cape provinces, but the whole of South Africa. We take a look at the state of the global water situation as another, predicted to be by very hot and dry, summer rolls around from the perspective of what is happening in our oceans and how that directly affects our available drinking water – and much more.
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lly
I
t may seem strange to some, since one can't drink any of it, but water security on land starts in our oceans.
This is because of the intimate connection
between all bodies of water on the planet, above ground and below it, salty and fresh. Despite water's various states as we know it, the amount we have to work with is relatively unchanging – a small quantity escapes to space each year, replaced by incoming cometary debris which contains water, the rest being recycled by the planet's climate systems. Only about 3% of the total water on the planet is, at any point in time, drinkable, and much of that is below ground. Roughly, by various calculations and estimates, we have between 1.2% and 1.5% of all of Earth's water available in fresh form somewhere on the surface of the planet at any point in time. What climate change is doing is redistributing that water's location and how it is distributed. Increasingly, such fresh water comes from the skies and then flows into rivers and other water systems, and is delivered in ever-more intense downpours that run off almost immediately, causing much damage in the form of flash floods and erosion, plus limiting the amount that may be used if not captured in dams and similar catchment systems. Therefore water, one way or another, is going to be an issue for us going forward for a long time to come. In the meantime, the 'holding area' for most of the planet's water – roughly 97% – being the oceans, is effectively under attack from the way we have been doing industrial and agro-business for the last 150 years. The way the oceans are responding is already showing up on planetary weather patterns – rapidly changing and creating extended and repeated droughts in areas such as the southern tip of Africa, eastern Australia, the western United States and others. Our oceans are being toxified and poisoned. The fish are being eliminated through mass fishing at a super-industrial rate. Key oceanic margins such as coral reefs and mangroves are being killed off by development and oceanic
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warming and acidification as the world's seas take up an ever greater amount of atmospheric heat and greater volumes of carbon dioxide released in fossil fuel burning for energy (see graphic, right). Finally, as if all that were not enough, along
with
almost
contamination,
the
universal
plastic
world's
oceans'
chemical profiles have become ever-more hostile to most marine organisms as agro-industry run-offs drive huge algae plumes, visible from space, that are, in turn, killing of fishery breeding grounds and almost all other marine life through de-oxygenation of the affected waters. It is a gloomy and unhappy picture – and there seems no easy or quick way to turn it around, the best efforts of many oceanic conservation groups notwithstanding. The call is therefore out for more oceanic areas to be declared protected, though with retrograde governments such as the Trump administration, there is little likelihood that leadership in that zone will be forthcoming or make a serious dent in the problem. Still, there are things each one of us can do to help, at least a little.
Dispose of trash thoughtfully The first thing you can do is always dispose of trash/ garbage thoughtfully. This refers to litter at and near beaches in particular, but is also relevant anywhere you go – after all, trash, especially that made of plastic, can end up washing into oceans even if it didn't start out near the water, and this is especially true for one-use plastics like straws and wrapping.
Reduce your carbon footprint While you might not necessarily link your energy consumption with harm to the oceans and the creatures in it, reducing your carbon footprint can help. This is due to the fact that humans cause increases in greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere through the burning off of fossil fuels. These emissions increase the carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere, and contribute to rising sea temperatures and sea levels as well as oceanic acidification.
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Avoid chemicals Another important step you can take to help the oceans and marine life is to avoid using harsh techno-chemicals as much as possible, and to ensure that the ones you do use don't end up going into the soil or down the drains where they can end up in waterways. Fertilisers, in particular, are a real danger. The excess often ends up reaching oceans, eventually, where it contributes to lower levels of oxygen in the water. In turn, this can cause marine life, such as fish and shrimp, to die or have to flee, and destroys many marine breeding habitats.
Eat less seafood It is also important to think about cutting back on the amount of seafood you eat. Reports into overfishing have shown that large-fish populations are collapsing at alarming rates. It was estimated back in 2003 that industrial fishing had reduced the number of large ocean fish to only 10% of their pre-industrial population. In a study of catch data published in the journal Science in 2006, it was predicted that, if fishing rates continue unabated, all of the world's fisheries will have collapsed by 2048. Those figures have since been updated based on increased fish catch yields in the years since (yields having begun to fall dramatically already as target populations collapse) to show that the end-game for the world's major fish populations is somewhere between 2025 and 2030, if not sooner. Because of the lower fish populations but higher demand as the human population increases, the fishing industry has turned to super-trawling or gillnetting methods to catch every possible fish. This
It is also important to think about cutting back on the amount of seafood you eat. Reports into overfishing have shown that large-fish populations are collapsing at alarming rates. It is estimated that industrial fishing had reduced the number of large ocean fish to less than 10% of their pre-industrial population. means many other sea creatures, besides the target
different parcels of water varying densities, causing
catch, are taken out of oceans, including manta
them to sink or rise in the water column.
rays, dolphins, turtles and many other endangered species.
Very cold, salty water, such as you would find in the Arctic Ocean where the formation of sea
Abandoned gillnets go on killing long after they
ice excludes salt and increases the salinity of the
are cut away after entanglement on a rocks or sunken
surrounding waters, is very dense, sinking to the
vessels on the ocean bed, forming, floating death
ocean floor.
zones for any passing fish.
One ocean
Once at the bottom of the water column, this cold, dense water spreads out to make room for incoming water that is continuing to chill and sink from the
Despite their numerous names, the truth is that
surface. This sinking motion pulls in more water from
humans and the entire planet share a single ocean,
the surrounding surface, creating a current.
with a few relatively small inland lakes or 'seas'. Poison in one place eventually goes everywhere. Off the east coast of Japan the Fukushima nuclear plant, now closed down, still pours radioactively
As it spreads at depth, the dense, cold water of the Arctic has nowhere to go but south. Similarly with the waters around the Antarctic, which move north.
contaminated water into the oceans daily, just to
The deep-water flow from the Arctic region
keep the hot semi-melted-down nuclear piles from
moves across the floor of the Atlantic Ocean, past
continuing to melt down and going semi-critical,
the equator, and on towards the Antarctic continent,
releasing even more radioactivity. That radioactivity is
where it is pushed around the southern landmass
affecting the entire Pacific and beyond, accumalating
and fed more cold, salty water that has sunk from
up the food chain.
the surface.
Global ocean currents & climate change The Great Ocean Conveyor Belt is a system of major currents which flow both at the bottom of the world's oceans and at or near the surface, all of which are interlinked and which together help distribute energy (heat) absorbed from the sun and the air around the planet (see graphic, right). This global current is powered by changes in ocean chemistry in different parts of the world, along with temperature changes. Local differences in seawater temperature and levels of salinity give
59 S G
From there, the waters split – some of it is pushed back north towards the Indian subcontinent, and the rest of it moves up towards the North Pacific. This journey is facilitated by the increased surface temperature of the equatorial regions. The sinking waters of the Arctic zone draw in surrounding waters, a pull that is felt all the way down to the equatorial regions where warmer waters are drawn into the surface part of the current. The warmed north-flowing current, called the Gulf Stream, in turn exercises a 'pull' on the waters around it, drawing up from the depths the north-flowing, once frigid but increasingly warmed deep-sea current. In the water column, and as a result of surface winds, equatorial heat influx, and salinity reduction, the waters expand to once again make room for more rising water parcels, creating the second half of the current of the global ocean conveyor belt. This global current is vital in providing the driving force that gives support to the planet's various ecosystems, but it is being impacted by
of water and degree of its warming affected in this
climate change.
process.
Global ocean temps on the rise
atmosphere through the water cycle, an increase
The average global sea surface temperature has
temperature can and does have profound impacts
increased about 0.84ºC since 1901, at an average
on climate and weather systems.
rate of 0.07ºC per decade (though the rate of increase is also rapidly increasing). The average global sea surface temperature has been consistently higher during the past three
in the average global sea surface (and deeper)
A higher sea surface temperature has led to an increase in the amount of water vapour over the oceans, for instance, increasing the risk of heavy rain and snow events.
decades than at any other time since reliable
This higher temperature also has the potential
records began in 1880 – and it continues to climb
to shift storm tracks, intensify storms, as has been
at an increasing rate.
seen, and contribute to droughts in some areas.
Covering more than two-thirds of the earth's surface, oceans play a critical role in regulating the earth's weather and climate.
It is one of the prime drivers of the El Nino and La Nina events which are becoming almost annual. A warming ocean temperature also contributes
Currently, oceans absorb more than 90% of
to sea levels to rise through thermal expansion,
the heat that is trapped in the atmosphere from
affecting the distribution of many marine species
increasing levels of greenhouse gases, which raises
which shift their locations due to their dependence
the temperature of the water at the sea surface –
on specific water temperatures and nutrient
and recent studies show this is going on also at
availability, and it causes changes to the circulation
much greater depth than previously realised.
patterns of deep ocean currents that transport warm
In other words, it is only in the very recent past that oceanographers have understood that the
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Since the oceans continually interact with the
and cold water around the globe.
world's oceans are overall much warmer than had
Bottom line
previously been thought – as measured by volume
The bottom line for everyone in all this is that
A warming ocean temperature also contributes to sea levels rising through thermal expansion, affecting the distribution of many marine species which shift their locations due to their dependence on specific water temperatures and nutrient availability, causing changes to the circulation patterns of deep ocean currents that transport warm and cold water around the globe. the world's oceans, processes, chemistry and fish
high ice sheets moving all the way down to halfway
populations are changing – and none for the better.
through the USA's lower 48 states and ending, on
A recent study alarmingly warned that the
the east coast, at New York.
Northern Hemisphere summer's melt-off of glacial
But it will be more than bad enough to make
land and sea ice is so great that the Gulf Stream is
most of that same area permanently uninhabitable,
already diminishing by a very significant amount
at least until the mini Ice Age 'wears off' under
in terms of its flow rate, and therefore heat
ongoing global warming that will continue for at
redistribution capacity.
least 30-35 years after the North stops pumping
As is normal with natural systems, there is a
huge volumes of CO2 into the atmosphere because of
certain amount of 'play' in the system, whereby
carbon dioxide's long-lasting effects once released.
there is some tolerance for such changes, but past
The difference between this scenario, which
a certain point which seems to be approaching
is entirely science-based, and sci-fi movies like
rapidly, there will be sufficient cold, dense water
Day After Tomorrow really is only that of speed
entering the system from the Arctic zone, especially
of manifestation – the net effect will be about the
Greenland, that the oceanic conveyor belt will stop.
same.
For how long is unknown, but even a short hiatus in its flow will not be good.
Thus, 'scary' is exactly the right descriptor for what we are doing to our oceans.
It may well spell disaster for much of the
Best, then, we all do everything we can to help,
Northern Hemisphere, especially countries like the
each in our own small way, since it is the cumulative
UK and the Eastern seaboard part of the USA where
effect of each human being's activities each day
the Gulf Stream brings a dramatic warming effect.
which is playing itself out on this grand scale at
How 'bad' things could get is speculative at this point, but some atmospheric scientists worry, with
which even the prospects for our species survival, as well as that of many others, is at stake.
SG
good reason, that such an event might well trigger a new 'mini' Ice Age. That will not be like the last Ice Age going back 12 000-13 000 years or so, which had two kilometre
Resources: Oceans warming Important Dates: National Marine Week – 10-15 October
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W ater N ews paper water filter zaps contaminants Every so often, a low-tech marvel emerges, a newfangled creation that promises be both game-changing and life-bettering with nary a power adapter, digital screen or ounce of artificial intelligence. Such is the case with Mesopaper, a new, no-frills paper water filter that’s cheap, convenient and ingeniously simple. Composed of three layers of bamboo fiber embedded with contaminant-capturing ceramic granules (more of that in a bit), Mesopaper is touted as being more effective and easier to use than standard air and water filtration techniques (reverse osmosis, UV filtration, chemical treatment) while offering more than 80% cost savings.
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9 major cities that are running out of water Even though 70% of the globe is covered in water, only 3% of that is fresh water – and about 99% of that non-salt-water is stuck in glaciers and snowfields. Pictured from left to right row one: Cape Town, Mexico City, Jakarta. Row two: Cairo, São Paulo, Beijing. Row three: Chennai, Los Angeles, Melbourne. Source
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water harvester turns air into fresh water A team at the University of California at Berkeley have developed a new water harvester prototype that can pluck useful amounts of water from desert air using nothing but sunlight (something abundant in the desert) to power it. The prototype was recently tested in the Arizona desert, where the relative humidity drops from a high of 40% at night to as low as 8% during the day. It was a preliminary model that utilised a highly porous material called a metal-organic framework, or MOF, that was made from the metal zirconium. The experiment produced about 200 ml of water per kilogram of MOF.
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HAWAII VOLCANO EVAPORATES POPULAR SWIMMING SPOT Kilauea volcano wreaked havoc on Hawaii's Big Island, and its latest victim was the state's largest freshwater lake. In just five hours, Green Lake was gone. The lava flow reached the lake around 10 am local time on June 2 as it made its way towards Kapoho Bay and the ocean. By 3 pm, all of Green Lake had evaporated, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). When the lava reached the popular swimming spot, which was once 60 m deep, the area filled with steam. The lake evaporated completely in a matter of hours.
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CURIOS.TY Curiosity is a print and digital magazine that tells the stories of ground-breaking research through the voices of talented researchers, students and academics at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa. Produced by Wits Communications and the Research Office, the fourth issue is themed #Watershed and features the latest in water research being conducted across faculties, disciplines and entities to help secure humanity’s most important resource for survival: Water.
Download the digital magazine here.
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O cean N ews
OCEAN FARMING
WAVE ENERGY
Small-scale ocean farms have the potential to provide sustainable food and biofuel while oysters filter nitrogen pollution and seaweed sequesters carbon dioxide. Environmentalists have long struggled to save the world’s oceans from the perils of over-fishing, climate change and pollution. A small group of ocean farmers and scientists are charting a different course – developing small-scale farms where complementary species are cultivated to provide food and biofuel, clean up the environment and reverse climate change.
Because water is nearly one thousand times denser than air, aqua turbines are technically more efficient than wind turbines. The problem with wave energy technologies is economic inefficiency. They require moving parts that can withstand the stress and corrosion of the sea. The raw energy found in the ocean can easily become wave power’s downfall. Solid-state wave energy eliminates some of the key issues that have plagued other startups in the field of marine energy. It may be the breakthrough if it can capture ocean energy affordably.
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NEW SPECIES FOUND IN BERMUDA OCEan zone
the Great Pacific Garbage Patch
Scientists have discovered a whole new ocean zone in the waters off the coast of Bermuda that's home to previously undiscovered species of marine life. The scientists dubbed the new ocean zone the 'Rariphotic Zone' or the 'rare light zone'. It extends from 130 m to 300 m below the ocean surface and is the fourth biological zone of the top 3 000 m of the ocean. This new zone led to the discovery of over 100 new marine species, including dozens of new algae, coral and crustacean species.
In 2015, the full extent of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP) was still unknown – the area, the concentration of microplastics, the spectrum and distribution of larger pieces – which is how The Ocean Cleanup’s founder Boyan Slat ended up at the Transpac award ceremony, where he detailed for the seafaring crowd how Transpac racers would contribute to his Mega Expedition, a large-scale mission to survey pollution in the Pacific.
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A SECRET OCEAN Research conducted by geophysicist Steve Jacobsen of Northwestern University and seismologist Brandon Schmandt from the University of New Mexico now shows that there are enormous quantities of water stored inside the mantle of the Earth. They discovered a lot of magma almost 600 km under North America that hints at the existence of water there. But this water isn’t present as a solid, liquid or as a gas. Their discovery serves as an explanation for all the water above ground that helps our planet support life. The search for this water has kept researchers busy for many years.
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the search for microplastics 12-year-old Anna Du will now get the chance to bring her invention to the seas. One day while visiting Boston harbour, young Anna Du noticed bits of plastic in the sand. She tried picking them up, but there was so much it just seemed impossible to clean it all up. She decided to get to work on an invention to fix it. Which is exactly what Anna has set out to do. And in doing so, she has been selected as one of the 10 finalists for the Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge.
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the world’s biggest dead zone
THE CHANGING FACE OF OUR WATERS
Underwater robots exploring off the coast of Oman made a devastating discovery recently: the largest dead zone in the world, covering at least the size of Scotland and possibly more. While scientists already knew that there was a dead zone in the Gulf of Oman, they had no idea just how bad it was. The robots ventured 1 km underwater in the Gulf of Oman and spent eight months gathering data.
The location of fresh water around the world is continually changing and humans are the driving force behind the moves, according to a new study by NASA scientists. As a result, some places are getting wetter and other areas are drying out. Using NASA satellites and data on human activities to map locations where fresh water is changing around the globe, researchers found that there are several factors involved in the shifts, including water management practices, climate change and natural cycles.
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R ecycling N ews
SOLID WASTE BAN
UK's green strategy
In 2017, Beijing notified the World Trade Organisation (WHO) in July that it planned to ban imports of 24 varieties of solid waste, including types of plastic and unsorted paper commonly sent from the United States. The reason given was environmental protection: large amounts of dirty and hazardous constituents are often mixed with these materials, which can lead to serious environmental pollution. However, this ban creates its own environmental problems. More waste will be landfilled or incinerated. Also, more virgin materials will be mined or manufactured.
Theresa May has announced a war on plastic waste, with proposed policies including plastic-free aisles in supermarkets and a tax on takeaway containers. The UK prime minister set out her ambition to eliminate all avoidable plastic waste within 25 years in a speech in which she promised the UK would lead internationally on environmental issues. But campaign groups said the aspirations would need to be backed up by legislation. Other initiatives include a plan to urge supermarkets to introduce aisles without any plastic packaging.
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Wake up and smell the levy Addressing the inconvenient truth of the immense damage that we are inflicting upon our planet by throwing away billions of coffee cups – and vowing to tackle the issue whilst we are comfortably caffeinated – is a brave and noble stride by any measure. On a more serious note, the concept of a 'latte levy' is years, if not decades, overdue, so the UK MPs behind this initiative should be applauded. If implemented, the ‘latte levy’ will mean that when you buy a cup of your preferred hot beverage it will cost more if you get it in a takeaway cup.
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PLASTIC WASTE-FREE When the Ellen MacArthur Foundation launched its New Plastics Economy initiative two years ago, it made a dark, headline-grabbing prediction. It said if nothing is done to arrest the rate at which plastic is entering the oceans, those oceans will contain more plastic than fish by 2050. More than 8 million tons of plastic become maritime garbage every year, according to scientific estimates. Only about 14% of the plastic used for wrapping food and bottling water is currently recycled and reused, and the numbers are going up all the time.
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PLASTIC-EATING ENZYME
BIOMIMICRY
Scientists have created a mutant enzyme – quite by accident – that breaks down plastic drinks bottles. The breakthrough could help solve the global plastic pollution crisis by enabling for the first time the full recycling of bottles. The new research was spurred by the discovery in 2016 of the first bacterium that had naturally evolved to eat plastic, at a waste dump in Japan. The mutant enzyme takes a few days to start breaking down the plastic, but the researchers are optimistic this can be sped up even further and become a viable large-scale process.
The African Dung Beetle is an interesting little creature. Known as rollers, they feed on faecal matter, rolling it into round balls for easy transportation and transforming it into food or material for shelter. With an internal mechanism allowing it to roll around and mimic the movements and utility of the beetle as well as a specially developed reactor that controls its gasification function, the Dung Beetle Project takes its lead from the insect, cleaning up waste and transforming it into something useful.
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CHILE BANS PLASTIC BAGS
ORGANIC PLASTIC
Chile is set to become the first country in the Americas to ban plastic bags to help protect the environment and, especially, the ocean. Congress unanimously approved the measure in May. The bill was initially designed to outlaw plastic bags in Patagonia but was later extended nationwide. The law will apply to all major retailers within a year while smaller businesses have two years to comply. Before entering into force, all retailers are allowed to provide a maximum of only two plastic bags to consumers for their purchases.
Wrapping food in plastic can prolong its freshness but with petroleum-based plastics, the freshness comes at an environmental cost. Researchers at Georgia Tech believe they've created a potentially viable alternative to such plastics, one that's not only compostable but could keep food fresher for longer. And all it took was was some trees and some crabs. The new type of materials are comprised of layers of cellulose nanocrystals from wood pulp and chitin nanofibers, which can be found in the discarded shells of crabs and shrimp.
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D ocumentary
OCEANA 'I
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think those deeper ecosystems have survived
life form, the coral reef, as only we can be this
for millions of years and will survive millions of
planet's heroes.'
years longer. It’s that thin skin of life up near
Studies from the University of Miami Rosenstiel
the top of the ocean we need to put our focus on
School of Marine & Atmospheric Science (Science
now,' says James Cameron, Producer and deep sea
Daily, July 25, 2017) have found that Caribbean
explorer (Avatar, Terminator, Deepsea Challenge
staghorn
3D), and that is exactly what the filmmakers of the
benefiting from coral gardening via the planting
new coral reef documentary, Oceana, have achieved
of laboratory-raised coral and have shown that the
– discovering hope in the ground-breaking work of
methods for restoration are having a positive effect
top marine scientists.
toward creating healthy new coral.
corals
(Acropora
cervicornis)
are
When coral reefs are damaged, there may not be
'Much of what we discover though the journey
enough coral seedlings around to help the reef grow
of the Oceana narrative helps us understand the
back to its original beauty and form. Through 'coral
details of the cause, in order for us to come together
gardening', small corals that may otherwise have
across cultures with our different experiences and
difficulty growing are raised closer to the sunlight,
perspectives, to unify our efforts,' says Producer
to get the nutrients and temperatures they need to
Christos Chrestatos.
grow properly. Producer Avi King explains: 'Oceana
As a drop of water that starts a ripple in an ocean,
takes us on an underwater adventure that allows
Producers Rockwell Sheraton (The Notebook, Alpha
us to view the many worlds underneath our feet. It
Dog) and Riz Story extend the scope of Oceana with
inspires us to take the positive action with healing
The Ocean Society – inspiring global efforts towards
solutions to the plight of this world's biggest living
coral gardening by bringing together the worlds
The mysteries of the ocean depths call but only a few answer, though the beauty and adventure in what lies closer to the surface, many times, turn from simple wonder into passionate connection. Jihan Thomas & Lincoln Ruybalid report on the 'Coral Gardeners' of the Ocean Society and their new documentary, Oceana, that aims to bring hope to global reefs. leading scientists toward refining the methods of coral gardening to preserve the beauty and habitat of the coral reef for generations to come. 'The ocean is so important to me, to all of us, and I will keep telling anyone that will listen (and those that won’t) that we need to protect it,' says Richard Branson, business magnate and philanthropist (Virgin/Ocean Elders), reinforcing the message of Oceana and reminding us that 'We have the opportunity, we know what the solutions are. Let's get to work'. In the spirit of works supporting several animal and wildlife causes, producers Avi King and Christos Chrestatos continue their charitable work via their highly anticipated film and television projects, including TV series The Cat Cafe and Celebrity Voice, which allow opportunities through the world of entertainment for charitable causes, built into each project.
SG
To learn more about the film Oceana and The Ocean Society, please visit www.oceanathemovie.com.
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EV s & H ybrids
Their time has come
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With even the Russians entering the Electric Vehicle (EV) fray, ostensibly to offer their version of the affordable Tesla EV model, it is obvious that many manufacturers have made serious commitments to future all-electric driving, some by way of electric hybrids, not least because a growing number of countries have directly and indirectly encouraged EV motoring into the near future. We take a look at the past and future of EV and hybrid driving.
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I
t seems simultaneously both like 'yesterday'
One got used to it, but it was not immediately
and a lot longer than 'a while ago' that Simply
enjoyable and there's a good chance it's the sort
Green was one of three South Africa magazine
of thing that might end up annoying an owner who
titles invited by BMW to attend the international introduction in Munich of its then still-in-design all-electric vehicle range.
The other thing to get used to was the much more intensive (than competing models) energy
Some 270 journalists gathered from around the
recovery system which aggressively put the brakes
world were hastened through intense briefing after
on, literally, once power stopped flowing from the
intense briefing, all in German, with English, Italian
electric motor.
and other languages translated into our earpieces,
In other words, take your foot off the pedal and,
as BMW took us through the years of research,
even before active braking comes into the equation,
analysis and development behind what they were
the car is passively braking and coming really quite
then calling the Megacity Vehicle.
quickly to a halt.
The central idea was that in current and future
The energy recovery, we were told, was much
megacities, being large or high-density urban
better than in competitor models, a reference, it was
centres of more than six million people, most
generally assumed, to market-leader Toyota's Prius
journeys – way over 90% in all cases studied and
models, which have something similar though far
close to 95% on average – would involve one or at
less aggressive than BMW's solution.
most two people only, and with little in the way of extra space required for bags and the like.
So, no cruising up to the back of the car at the stop street or traffic lights ahead of you on the
Amid diminishing birth rates, changing patterns
road. In this version of an all-electric from BMW,
of urban driving, rising road occupation densities
you literally drive right up to the back bumper of
and a host of other factors, BMW worked out that
the car in front of you and then, with only maybe
true future driving efficiency and sustainability
a little extra pressure from the driver on the brake,
meant a whole new non-petrol-head approach.
movement stops.
And so was born their all-electric range, first trialled with the conversion of some 600 Mini Coopers. Simply Green, in the person of its then publisher,
It is really a very different style of driving. But then, so was the Prius, when it was first encountered.
being yours truly, was allowed to test drive one of
Times have changed
these vehicles, though only over very short range
On the topic of times changing when it comes to
with a drive of roughly 10kms.
motoring and motor vehicle manufacturing, things
Several things were immediately evident.
truly have moved along.
With no petrol engine up front, the car's dynamics
Back in 2005 the writer, then editor and publisher
on the road were utterly changed – the writer drove
of another title, with Simply Green still three years
an original Mini Cooper S back in the day – which
away from being 'born', heard that Toyota's first
was fine but requiring an altogether different
petrol-electric drive mass manufactured sedan, the
driving style.
Prius (second edition), was to be launched in South
The heavy lithium-ion battery beneath our feet
Africa.
and bums as we drove kept the new-style Cooper
The local Toyota leadership was contacted
close to the ground, much like its elder predecessor,
so that that other title, much more interested,
which was pleasing.
usually, in lifestyle and better ways of living and
But the handling was entirely another matter.
being than in better ways of driving around, could
The instant transmission from electric motor
cover the emergence of combo-drive vehicles and,
to drive shaft and wheels resulted in a discernable
subsequently, all-electric versions.
and, initially at least, rather off-putting tweak in
Toyota had barely heard of that title, though it
the steering wheel every time one accelerated.
is one of SA's longest running domestic magazines
Even gentle inputs into the accelerator pedal only
and was at the time already almost 30 years old.
ameliorated this issue slightly.
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drove the car regularly.
And they were amazed at the interest from it in
their Prius, which in any case they were initially planning only bringing to SA as a sort of show-piece, with 'maybe' 30 all told being imported, and none for sale – all would only be leased to 'buyers' for a period. Also, we learned during the drive onto which the writer managed to talk himself, the manufacturers were so nervous of South African road conditions that drivers of the Prius would not be 'allowed' to take their vehicles onto dirt roads. There were numerous audible negative comments around both the leasing idea ('that'll never fly', was one) and the dirt road ban ('What? In South Africa? What the ...?'). The Toyota chaps were not happy. They knew they'd get that reaction. But even the petrol-heads, especially those who had not previously experienced a real dual-power drive vehicle, were impressed at the Prius's performance, especially its instant response from the electric motor component of its synergy drive system to any touch of the accelerator pedal, as well as its overall feel. Few loved the look, though. The words 'milk cart' were heard, though not as much after the drive as before. The high-tech instrument display, with real-time feedback, proved to be an early foretaste of what has become industry standard for almost all new cars above basic entry level, and not only 'hi-tech' dual-drive or all-electrics. In short, even with a lousy turning circle and some other niggles, including a not especially appealing body shape (optimised, we were told, for low-drag coefficient dynamics) and a split rear window view for the driver, which was something else to get used to especially in slating light conditions such as sunset, the Prius came out looking pretty good. And then there was the fuel efficiency. Simply Green subsequently spent a year, in partnership with Toyota and Avis, driving a fresh-off-the-fleet 2010 3rd edition Prius, in all sorts of road conditions, with many short-haul commuter-like trips, a few medium distance trips of some hundreds of kilometres and one long-haul killer road trip of 6 800km through seven provinces testing this vehicle against the reality of driving on SA roads. It came out with top marks on nearly all scores – and
The central idea behind BMW's Megacity Vehicle was that in current and future megacities, being large or high-density urban centres of more than six million people, most journeys – way over 90% in all cases studied and close to 95% on average – would involve one or at most two people only, and with little in the way of extra space required for bags and the like. Amid diminishing birth rates, changing patterns of urban driving, rising road occupation densities and a host of other factors, BMW worked out that true future driving efficiency and sustainability meant a whole new non-petrol-head approach.
there were some interesting revelations. For one thing, unless Toyota have changed this, the Priuses they were then selling were aspirated for the
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The Nissan Leaf is another driving experience which comes with high praise. The vehicle is smooth and quiet, but otherwise is really like any other equivalent sedan in its class with respect to overall appeal, feel and driving experience. petrol-driven part of the engine for higher turf than Cape Town. Through all the driving we did (there's a full story on all this in an early issue from 2012) we stayed consistently around the 5.2l / 100 km consumption range.
all-electric motoring age and has gone on to be a world leader and a world-beater. And here's something Jeremy Clarkson and his fellow petrol-heads can put in their pipes and
The only exception was during the long-range
smoke, as it were: still driving that same Prius that
road trip which included a stop for a weekend event
has just been discussed (it was bought in the usual
in Johannesburg before moving onto Sabi Sabi's
way after the year test drive was over), the writer
Earth Lodge for a visit at that delightful location's
was minding his own business after a late-night
invitation.
meeting in Cape Town not too long ago, sitting idle
While driving around Jozi, in traffic not very different to that in Cape Town, being slow, dense and heavy, with many stops and starts, the fuel efficiency climbed to around 4.0-4.1l / 100 km, which is precisely what the manufacturer claims. As someone who has does a fair bit of motoring, especially of new-release hybrid and all-electrics, it is fair to say manufacturer claims for fuel efficiency are not always the same in practical reality as on a test track – not to even mention obvious cheats on emissions tests and similar fudging. But the Prius passed on all counts, and with flying colours.
at a traffic light on the way out of town waiting for the green. A Porsche 911, all black and sleek-like, pulled up alongside at the traffic light. Without instigation, the Porsche's driver reved up his engine. Then he did it again, inducing a bemused chuckle. And then again. 'Ok, if he wants to try, it let him', was the thought. The Prius remained idle and dead quiet. Then the traffic light turned green and the Prius shot off the blocks. Some 400-500m down the road, with the Porsche
Oh, and as to dirt roads, when traversed at a
still trailing by some ways (dozens of metres), the
sensible speed, they turn out to be no trouble at all,
foot came off the accelerator and the Porsche, now
even though the Prius is extremely low-slung and
low-flying, shot past like a bullet – but way too late.
bricks and similar-sized objects lying in the road cannot be driven over with impunity of damage to the undercarriage.
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The Prius in its various incarnations has proved to be one of the great successes of the hybrid/
If it had been a quarter mile conventional drag-off, the Porsche was dead in the water. A Prius can easily drag off almost anything
A Prius can easily drag off almost anything conventionally-motorised on our roads, but only for a short while as its electric motor supplies instant torque to the drive mechanism. conventionally-motorised on our roads, but only for
Motor racing has known monocoque carbon
a short while as its electric motor supplies instant
fibre manufacturing for many years, but that is
torque to the drive mechanism.
part of why building even a 'basic' F1 car costs
The same goes for most other hybrids and all-electrics. So there is something distinctly not 'milk
around US$100 million per car – all that hand-cut, hand-placed, autoclave-bonded, time-consuming attention to each and every piece of the car costs
cart-like' to electric motoring.
a lot of money.
i3 & i8
never work on an economic level, but BMW was
When, at last, the BMW 'Megacity vehicle', now much
determined to have a 21st century material for its
more handily renamed as the i3, and a leading
21st century all-electric vehicle, and so they worked
part of BMW's conceptualisation of its emergent
out a way to heat and pressure bond the fuselage
all-electric range, came onto the local market, it was
in one go, and place that on a standardised
not very prepossessing in terms of design.
aluminium alloy frame, vastly reducing the weight
This approach to mass manufacturing would
A bit boxy, some said, and not very 'sexy'.
of the vehicle, while much increasing its strength
But it drove very nicely indeed, and one hardly
and increasing the distance over which such a
noticed the lack of conventional engine except for
battery-powered vehicle might be able to take one
the much lower noise levels inside the vehicle.
on a single charge.
It did much the same as the Prius, though
In 2010, in conjunction with industrial giants like
BMW did retain a slightly less aggressive energy
Samsung, BMW was working on ways to modularise
recuperation system than used in the trial versions
the lithium-ion battery heart of this new beastie,
of the cross-over Mini Cooper such as was driven
while reducing its size and weight while increasing
around Munich in 2010.
output and durability.
Otherwise, it was pretty much as advertised.
Great strides had already been made, but by
We have not yet gone into the body design and
the time the i3 was actually on SA roads all those
composition, which is truly the revolutionary aspect
problems which still needed to be handled had
of this vehicle.
been.
In short, BMW waxed the problem of high cost
Short story: the i3 works if you live and work
and energy-input in making a monocoque fuselage
around town and don't need to do long hauls. For
and chasis from carbon fibre.
some people – many actually – it is almost the
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perfect town car. In its plug-in mode, it recharges
hybrids, which are every bit as good as Toyota's
relatively quickly and is vastly cheaper to run than
Prius or Lexus hybrids, and typically Mercedes-like.
even a hybrid. Case closed. The i8 is similar, though the driving experience is utterly different.
flying board which had come off the back of a truck.
Gull wing doors mean you have to more or less
The moral of this part of the story is that
sling yourself into the vehicle and getting out is
regardless of the motor type being used, 200km/h
like a mini work-out at a Pilates gym, with some
on any road (perhaps other than an autobahn in
clambering involved as one either slides into or
Germany) is a poor idea to begin with.
levers oneself out of the very low-slung driver's chair.
The Leaf, by Nissan, is another driving experience which comes with high praise.
The car looks cool, is great fun to drive, goes
The vehicle is smooth, easy to drive, quiet, as
like the wind, has vast instant acceleration – more
one may expect from an all-electric, but otherwise
than enough to get you into a lot of trouble with
is really like any other equivalent sedan in its class
speed cops.
with respect to overall appeal, feel and driving
It is even has decent range, depending on how you drive it. And it does everything claimed for it, even making people's heads turn, if that's what you are after.
Leaf & others
experience. It is, in fact, a delight. Volvo, Audi and others have made or are making similar leaps into the EV world. And with each passing year, more and more of these types of vehicles will be coming on our roads – or becoming available on the second-hand market. Simply Green recently spoke to the proud owner
In the years since hybrid and all-electric driving
of a 'new' second-hand 2nd edition (2005 version)
became something other than novelty experiences
Prius with some 200 000km on its clock.
on our roads, other manufacturers have also decided
Looking spick and span inside, and the 2nd
the future lies in hybrid drives of various kinds and,
edition's old-style shape notwithstanding, it was
eventually, in all-electrics.
still producing the goods and performing perfectly
Mercedes have taken great leaps with their
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On a recent drive one driving writer managed to get his vehicle up to 200km/h just before hitting a
with consumption of the petrol part of the engine at
around 5.5l / 100 km. Before being sold, the original lithium-ion battery was tested and reportedly came back at over 92% efficiency – much like modern cell phones, there is little in the way of battery 'memory' retention, as with older rechargeable batteries. There is now every reason to believe that lithium-ion batteries, once thought of as a potential
Any of the EV and hybrid models in the works will likely take over the heralded role of being the modern era's version of the post-war VW 'Beetle', ubiquitous and seemingly lasting 'forever'.
Achilles heel with all-electric and hybrids, may turn out to be one of their great strengths, lasting much
Beyond that, even the Russians are getting into
longer and at much high performance rates than
the act with the announcement that, of all names,
initially expected or even hoped for.
the Kalashnikov all-electric is to be produced as
The lesson here for manufacturers is that it is far better to under-promise and over-deliver, and that's just what Toyota and the Prius have done, and demonstrably so.
a Russian people's car in direct competition with Tesla's version thereof. So maybe one day not far into the future a reader of this article might be able to say, 'I drove
Regardless of whatever problems electric and
an AK today', and not be referring to that other
hybrid vehicles have faced or have yet to conquer
Kalashnikov which has earned for itself an enduring
(limited range remains a bug-bear for critics),
though not necessarily enviable spot as the most
there is no doubt they are here to stay and will
popular and widely used assault rifle in the world.
increasingly become the order of the day, even for non-first-world countries like South Africa.
Could it be that the motorised EV Kalashnikov could leave an equally enduring legacy?
That assessment remains unchanged by Elon
Even if it doesn't, one or the other of the EV
Musk's current problems in rolling out Tesla's latest
and hybrid models now coming off the production
mass market product at a sufficiently prompt rate
lines or in the works will likely take over the
– that is merely yet another new industry birthing
heralded role of being the modern era's version of
issue which will, no doubt, be handled in due
the post-war VW 'Beetle', ubiquitous and seemingly
course.
lasting 'forever'.
SG
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M otoring N ews
startup offers 5 years free charging
FORd's autonomous police car
In 2016, the Swedish electric vehicle startup Uniti successfully raised about $1.5m in equity crowd funding to help bring its minimalist city car, which it called 'the most deliberate reinvention of the automobile in modern times' closer to production. They recently announced a unique purchase incentive in the form of free solar charging for five years, which the company feels is an important component of the sustainability of electric transport.
Ford has filed for a patent on an autonomous police car. While patent filings don’t always come to fruition, the mere fact that this idea is in development is mildly unnerving. The patent describes an autonomous police vehicle that would be able to detect infractions performed by another vehicle, either on its own or in conjunction with surveillance cameras or road-side sensors. Truthfully, we’re many years from potentially being pulled over by a robot car but it's still a scary 'Big Brother' idea. Full Story
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A ROAD THAT CHARGES YOUR CAR The road to China’s autonomous-driving future is paved with solar panels, mapping sensors and electric-battery rechargers as the nation tests an 'intelligent highway' that could speed the transformation of the global transportation industry. The technologies will be embedded underneath transparent concrete used to build a 1 080m-long stretch of road in the eastern city of Jinan. Yet Qilu Transportation wants to do more than supply juice to the grid: it wants the road to be just as smart as the vehicles of the future.
Full Story
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CHARGE-FREE EV The concept of the electric car has been around for a very long time, and as with any other world revolutionising technology, it’s taken a while to actually bring them to fruition and have them on the market. Enter a new development from Sangulani Chikumbutso, who has now become the first Zimbabwean to design and make an electric-powered vehicle and a hybrid helicopter, among other gadgets through his company, SAITH Technologies. What’s so special about this? It’s that he is producing electricity via electro-magnetic waves.
Full Story
the circular car Meet Noah. This lightweight plug-in electric city car scoots two people and their stuff around for up to 240 km on a single charge and can reach speeds of 110 km/h. But that's mundane. What makes Noah special is the circle. The circle represents the complete closure of the materials' life cycle: the only materials used in a product can be recycled, ideally back into the same product or a product of similar position in the value chain (as opposed to down-cycling in which materials are re-used in products of inferior quality or value).
Full Story
SALT WATER POWER Meet the AG Quant e-Sportlimousine. If claims being made are not exaggerated and the mainstream is openly reporting this technology is no exaggeration this car functions just like those with a hydrogen fuel cell, except the substrate liquid functioning as a holder of energy is saltwater. With a vehicle like this one, a liquid passes between a membrane lying between the two tanks, effectively generating an electric charge for the vehicle to produce energy. Then the electricity produced by the salt water is stored by the super-capacitors and distributed to where it needs to go.
Full Story
NISSAN DEBUTS EV CAMPING VANS The car giant Nissan recently debuted two new camper vans in Madrid. The NV300 Camper sleeps up to four people thanks to a pop-top sleeper roof. The e-NV200 Camper is fully-electric. The electric camper van is powered by a 40 kWh battery, which can be charged up to 80% in less than an hour, so you can be back on the road in a flash. The design of the vans was inspired by the need to provide road trippers with the utmost in comfort and flexibility while on the road.
Full Story
RANGE ROVER SPORT gets an UPGRADE Range Rover Sport has always combined the refinement and capability of a large SUV with the performance of a sports car. With this latest update, designed to enhance the driving experience and customer convenience, the Range Rover Sport continues to be the benchmark luxurious performance SUV. Customers will have the two diesel and three petrol engines alongside the efficient new P400e plug-in hybrid electric vehicle powertrain with a 51 km all-electric range.
landrover.co.za
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M otoring N ews
Nissan's FIRST sustainability plan Nissan recently launched their Nissan Sustainability 2022 plan to reduce the company’s environmental impact, strengthen diversity and inclusion and enhance governance, in line with the company’s mid-term plan. This is the first time Nissan has announced a comprehensive sustainability plan, which pulls together all aspects of its environmental, social and governance initiatives into a single, unified approach. The plan is organised around criteria commonly used by investors who monitor a company’s value creation.
nissan-global.com
LEAF LEAVES COMPETITION BEHIND Nissan celebrated the 100 000 delivery of the LEAF car in Europe recently, in a move hailed as a victory for electric mobility. Globally, over 320 000 Nissan LEAF cars have been sold, making it the most sold EV in the world. The new Nissan LEAF is also equipped with e-Pedal, which allows drivers to start, accelerate, decelerate and stop – simply by increasing or decreasing the pressure applied to the pedal. European Nissan LEAF customers have now driven over 2 billion kilometres and saved over 300 000 tons of CO2. th
nissan.co.uk
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TOYOTA TEACHes KIDS Toyota treated the drivers of tomorrow to a hands-on experience that let them take the wheel of a colourful car at the International Tokyo Toy Show. The Camatte Journey gave youngsters the chance to take a simulated trip past some of the world’s greatest travel destinations. It was the central feature in Toyota’s presentation at the international exhibition held this year in June. The Camatte Journey mixed both real and virtual experiences as children were able sit inside an adapted version of the Camatte Petta miniature car, decorated with colourful stickers from worldwide travel destinations and even featuring a vintage trunk mounted on the boot.
LEAF GETS FACELIFT Nissan showed their open-air version of the new LEAF in Tokyo recently. The 100% electric car was displayed at a forum to celebrate the milestone of 100 000 sales of the LEAF in Japan since the model was first introduced in 2010. The new generation of the LEAF debuted in October 2017, featuring improved range and advanced Nissan Intelligent Mobility technologies such as e-Pedal, the ProPILOT driver assistance system and ProPILOT Park. There are currently no production plans for the LEAF Open Car.
KIA UNVEILS NEW EV
VOLVO AIMS FOR 50/50
KIA unveiled its new all-electric version of the Niro recently at the 5th International Electric Vehicle Expo in Jeju, Korea. The sporty and versatile Niro EV combines driving enjoyment with eye-catching design and functionality, and is set to add a new dimension to the eco-friendly compact SUV market. Equipped with a high-capacity 64 kWh lithium-polymer battery pack, the Niro EV is targeting a zero-emission range of over 380 km on a single charge, or up to 240 km when paired with the 39.2 kWh battery system.
Volvo Cars has announced its aim for fully electric cars to make up 50% of its sales by 2025. The announcement builds on Volvo Cars' 2017 industry-first announcement that all new models released from 2019 will be available as either a hybrid, plug-in hybrid or battery-electric vehicle. The company's strategy to generate half of its sales from electric cars by 2025 positions it as a powerful player in China, the world's leading market for electrified cars. Currently, the Volvo XC90 T8 is the most successful hybrid SUV in South Africa.
www.kia.co.za
volvocars.com
INTUITIVE SMART CARS
MORE ACCOLADES FOR THE LEAF
Jaguar Land Rover is leading an expensive project to develop self-driving cars that can ‘see’ at blind junctions and through obstacles. They are developing fully- and semi-automated vehicle technologies, offering customers a choice of an engaged or automated drive, while maintaining an enjoyable and safe driving experience. The company’s vision is to make the self-driving car viable in the widest range of real-life, on- and off-road driving environments and weather. AutopleX will develop the technology through simulation and public road testing both on motorways and in urban environments.
The all-new 2018 Nissan LEAF, the world's best-selling electric vehicle, was named the '2018 World Green Car' at the 2018 New York International Auto Show. LEAF is the icon of Nissan Intelligent Mobility, the company's vision for changing how cars are powered, driven and integrated into society. The 2018 LEAF was among a list of five initial category entries and was the stand-alone EV in the running. Jurors considered the vehicle's overall environmental impact including tailpipe emissions and fuel consumption upon selecting the overall winner.
nissannews.com
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M obility N ews
JAGUAR VECTOR BREAKS RECORD Jaguar Vector Racing has broken the outright world and national electric speed records in a battery-powered boat. The unique Jaguar Vector V20E recorded an average speed of 142.60 km/h across the two legs of the famous 1 km course on Coniston Water, England. The electric boat was designed and constructed by Jaguar Vector in partnership with Jaguar Racing’s technical partner Williams Advanced Engineering. Jaguar Vector co-founder and technical director Peter Dredge piloted the V20E. jaguar.co.za
maritime shifts Globally, all modes of transportation are gradually being converted to electrical propulsion, and that now includes the maritime industry. One company, Netherlands-based Port-Liner, is building two giant all-electric barges dubbed the 'Tesla ships'. The project is supported by a R70m subsidy from the European Union. But the Port-Liner project is even bigger than it might seem because it is expected to have a great impact on local transport between the ports of Amsterdam, Antwerp, and Rotterdam.
Full story
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A TRACK RECORD Opening to the public earlier this year along a three kilometre stretch of track that sat abandoned for more than a decade, the Byron Bay Rail Company has breathed new life into a pair of defunct World War II-era railcars. They're now used to shuttle passengers between Byron Bay’s bustling central business district and the North Beach precinct. Its power is drawn from a 30 kw solar array located atop the train’s storage shed as well as energy recaptured by a regenerative breaking system, the train is billed as the first in the world to be completely powered by the sun.
Full story
MUSK GETS BORING GREENLIGHT While Elon Musk’s The Boring Company received a mixed reaction to its Los Angeles tunnel plans at Culver City Council last month, it seems to be making some progress on its other tunnel project on the US East coast. The company has reportedly received its first excavation permit in Washington, DC. So far, it seems that the company has been focusing its efforts in Maryland, where it is working on a 20 km tunnel that would eventually extended to connect Baltimore and Washington in what could become the first leg of the major east coast hyperloop. Full story
SAIL THE ELECTRIC SEAS
RECYCLED ROADS
Since early 2015, a mid-sized car ferry, the MS Ampere, has been traversing the Sognefjord in western Norway from early morning to evening, seven days a week – without a whiff of smokestack exhaust or a decibel of engine roar. The Ampere, which carries 120 cars and 360 passengers, is one of the world’s first modern, electric-powered commercial ships, with battery and motor technology almost identical to today’s plug-in electric cars, only on a much larger scale. Currently, Norway has just two fully operational electric-powered ferries but aims for the country’s entire ferry fleet to be all electric by 2023. Full Story
Each year, only 7% of plastic bags are recycled. This has a disastrous effect on the environment, as the durability of plastic bags makes it impossible for the natural world to break it down like organic matter. Wanting to alleviate this problem, Nelplast Ghana Limited, a company that specialises in industrial processing with an ecological slant, is creating a useful alternative to asphalt to pave new roads using a significant amount of discarded plastic in its makeup. They are turning plastic garbage into stone-like pavement blocks which can be used to build new roads..
TACKLING OFF-ROADING
3D PRINTING A BIKE
Airstream, the makers of the 'silver bullet' trailers, has just unveiled the new Basecamp X Package – a compact camper specifically designed for rugged roads. The all-terrain Basecamp X Package comes with a convertible and multifunctional rear space that delivers style and the comforts of home to any adventure off the beaten path. The newly unveiled trailer offers all the standard Basecamp features, such as versatile storage solutions throughout and a solar pre-wire kit for renewable power hookups as well as brand-new features.
US startup company, Arevo, is 3D printing samples of its first generation of bikes. A custom robot prints the company’s carbon fibre-embedded material using a process that can print in all dimensions, rather than just building layers like a standard 3D-printer – making it strong enough to print large objects like bikes or parts of an airplane. The company says the bike may last longer than usual, and can also help reduce its environmental impact as the material can be reused.
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A 7 DAY HOLIDAY ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY WORTH R100.000 & 1 YEAR FREE SOLAR ENERGY FOR YOUR SCHOOL
RESEARCH SOLAR ENERGY WRITE WHY SOLARr IS COOL SEND TO: SCHOOL@ZEROTH.CO.ZA www FOR MORE INFORMATION, T&C S, TIPS AND COMPETITION RULES VISIT: WWW.ZEROTH.CO.ZA
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R ecipes
Serving up a salt fiesta There are a variety of Himalayan table and crystal salt products for the average kitchen but the less common salt block delivers a better taste and more mineral content. And there are numerous ways to cook with a salt block that are both nutritious and delicious. These secrets have been laid bare in a beautiful new book, Himalayan Salt Cooking, by chef and Salty Sistas  /  SaltPur owner Liezel Maree of Cape Town. The exciting book explores the entire Himalayan salt cooking range with beautiful full-colour photography by professional food photographer, Roelene Prinsloo. The comprehensive cookbook covers cooking on salt blocks with easy to follow recipes in three sections (stovetop, oven and braai), as well as a fourth section dedicated to serving on salt, and further tips and tricks for curing, using and cleaning a salt block. We explore just one option for a salt-tastic three-course meal.
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STARTER Grilled Camembert with Maple Bacon and Figs *Not suitable for gas ovens; use salt block in electric oven only
Ingredients • • • • •
1 Camembert wheel 4 Bacon strips 2 Large figs in syrup (halved) 2 Tbs maple syrup 1 Cup mixed greens, melba toast or crackers
Method 1. Place salt block on the oven rack and set temperature to 140˚C, allowing the block to heat up slowly with the oven 2. Flash fry bacon in a pan and remove before it starts to crisp 3. Carefully remove salt block with oven gloves and place on a heat resistant surface 4. Adjust oven rack to grilling position and switch over to the grilling element 5. Place bacon strips onto hot salt block, drizzle with maple syrup and place under grill. Watch bacon strips closely as they start to caramelise and remove with tongs once they start to crisp. Set aside to cool 6. Next, pop the camembert onto the salt block, now covered in maple syrup and bacon fat until it changes into a gooey, warm mess 7. Remove the salt block from the oven and serve, topped with maple bacon, figs and greens 8. If your camembert has truly reduced itself to a warm, gooey mess and oozed to the very edges of the salt block, simply scrape and fold it back into what resembles a round cheese and top it off with melba toast or crackers and greens.
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MAINS Stuffed Boerewors Wheel with Fresh Herbs & Garlic
4.
Ingredients
6.
• • • • • •
1 kg Boerewors Bunch fresh rosemary Bunch fresh thyme 10 cloves of garlic, peeled Olive oil Sosatie sticks
Method 1. Roll the boerewors tight and push two sosatie sticks through at right angles to secure. Make sure the roll is tight 2. Place the herbs and garlic between the folds of boerewors 3. Heat the salt block on the fire and add a drizzle of oil 4. Put the sausage wheel on the block and cook over medium heat for 8-10 minutes until browned on the underside. Flip over and cook for a further 8-10 minutes until browned all over.
Squashed new potatoes with Crème Fraîche and Spring Onions Ingredients • • • • • •
Baby potatoes Olive oil Knob of butter Créme fraiche Spring onions, finely chopped Salt and pepper to taste
Method 1. Cook the potatoes in boiling water for about 15 minutes until tender. 2. Heat a salt block until sizzling hot,
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3.
5.
drizzle with olive oil and a knob of butter. Drain the potatoes and place on the slab. Place the second slab on top of the potatoes and apply pressure until the potatoes are crushed. Remove the top salt block and set aside for serving. Transfer squashed potatoes onto warm salt block to serve. Add dollops of crème fraîche, chopped spring onions and season to taste.
Large Brown Mushrooms Three Ways Ingredients • 4 large brown mushrooms • Olive oil Topping 1: Garlic and Chilli Garlic, 4 tsps minced garlic, Pinch of chilli flakes Topping 2: Potato chips and cheese, 1 packet lightly salted potato chips, 1 cup grated cheese or crumbled feta, Balsamic glaze Topping 3: Blue cheese and walnuts 1 small wedge of blue cheese, 2/3 cup chopped walnuts or pecan nuts
Method 1. Place a salt block on a baking tray to catch any liquid released by the mushrooms 2. Heat oven to 180˚C 3. Drizzle a small amount of olive oil into each mushroom cap 4. Gently press a generous amount of desired topping into the mushroom cap while cradling it in your hand 5. When the salt block has reached the desired temperature, slide the mushrooms onto the block one by one. 6. Bake for 15-20 minutes. Depending on mushroom size, cooking times may vary.
Frozen Block with Choc Ingredients • •
DESSERT
80 g Dark chocolate bar 2 Tbsp cream
Method 1. Place salt block in freezer the night before 2. Break chocolate blocks into a microwavable bowl and add the cream 3. Microwave for 20 seconds, remove and stir. Repeat for 10 seconds, remove and stir 4. To serve, place frozen salt block in the middle of the table. Pop a few teaspoons of melted chocolate onto the block, flattening slightly with the back of spoon. The chocolate will set in a few seconds 5. Slide the chocolate off the block with a butter knife and enjoy TIP: Get creative with a choice of toppings. Place a
few small bowls on the table filled with salt flakes, pistachio nuts, chopped mint leaves, honeycomb, strawberries and chilli flakes.
The Himalayan Salt Cooking book can be found at SaltPur branches in Johannesburg and Cape Town, select Western Cape markets, at select Exclusive Books and Bargain Books stores, online at Loot.co.za or via the websites www.saltysistas.co.za and www.saltpur.co.za. For more information on Himalayan crystal salt and the Salty Sistas range of products email orders@saltpur.co.za or visit www.saltysistas.co.za.
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Karoo Food Gordon Wright
Boerekos met 'n Twist Annelien Pienaar
Penguin • 978 1 4323 0879 7
Nb Publishers • 978 0 7981 7778 8
Following on from the success of Gordon Wright's first book Veld to Fork, Karoo Food is bigger, better and tastier than ever, with more recipes, stories and anecdotes about life and food in the Karoo. Once again, Gordon takes you on a slow food journey, via your taste buds, to foodie nirvana. Tracing the origins of ingredients and the stories behind the dishes, this is a selection of recipes and inspirations from the important people in his life. It's a mix of the old and new, and a tribute to all those lovely people and their marvellous food over the generations that have helped foster his love of cooking. This book is a must have for cooks, foodies and aspiring home chefs
Annelien Pienaar is a qualified food scientist with more than 20 years experience in the food industry. She and her husband, Hanru, are pecan nut farmers and owners of the guest farm Bos-en-Berg in Skeerpoort (near Hartbeespoort). Pienaar runs her culinary studio from the guest farm, where she provides training in the form of intimate, interactive classes on a variety of topics. She is a specialist in sourdough baking as well as cheese making but her knowledge of food stretches much further than that. Pienaar also has a consulting business where she travels nationwide to assist cheese factories and bakeries with training and problem solving. Pienaar 's dedication to social media platforms with her 'recipe with a lesson principle' has transformed her into a social media success overnight. Pienaar initially used social media as a shortcut to convey information to her students. After getting close to 2.5 million visits to her food 'blog', she decided to migrate to a formal website where users could search for recipes and get tips and hints with ease. Pienaar, who affectionately refers to her blog followers as 'Twisters', is passionate about sharing her vast knowledge with cooks of all ages and levels of experience.
Everyday Lisa Clark
As Good as Easting Out Your Family magazine
Penguin • 978 1 4323 0863
Human & Rousseau • 978 0 7981 7590 6
As a working mom, Lisa Clark is constantly on the clock and trying to find ways to cheat time. There are days where she literally mothers her twin tweens remotely from her phone, making sure they have arrived home safely, that they have changed out of their school clothes, that they are doing their homework or are on their way to horse-riding. And when her day gets busier, the last decision she wants to make is what to cook her family for dinner. In Everyday, Clark shares some insights into how to provide healthy, balanced and quick recipes for the mom (or dad) on the move. The book is divided into 10 chapters, each starting off with a basic recipe and then followed by several others that show how to turn one quick meal into several appetising dishes. From muesli, tomato sauce and roasted vegetables to fish, chicken, pastry and sponge cake, there is sure to be a recipe to inspire your everyday cooking. This is her second book, coming hot on the heels of her successful debut title, The Cookie Jar.
To keep within your budget, can be challenging these days, especially if you like eating out. However, As Good As Eating Out provides the perfect solution: make your own restaurant food at home. It's much more healthy and affordable. In this cookbook, you will find easy recipes for fast food favourites such as chicken bites, fish and chips, hot dogs and boerewors rolls, pizza and pasta – and ice cream, of course. Start planning your menu: choose from soup, salads, wraps, nachos and tacos, stir fries, curries, steaks, bunny chow, lamb shanks and pork ribs. And if you worry about basics like how to make pizza dough or pasta yourself, even these topics are catered for. End your menu with dessert, ranging from cheesecake and mousse to malva pudding and panna cotta. Eating out is expensive but with this cookbook you will be able to make restaurant food at home. You will soon realise that staying in is much more fun.
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Home
A HOME IN THE TREES Treehouses have captivated young and old alike for as long as mankind has been building. They hint at escape and provide an opportunity to transcend the hustle and bustle of life while connecting with nature. Lacy Cooke of Inhabitat rounded up six examples of architecture influenced by treehouse design.
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3 Atelier The living area of this light-filled home in Vietnam centres around a flourishing tree that is large enough for children to climb. The architects at 3 Atelier built this home for their uncle and his family, using materials reminiscent of the parents’ childhood homes. Not only does 'Uncle’s House' inspire kids to engage with nature, they can even grow vegetables in the dirt around its base.
Takeshi Hosaka One tree wouldn’t suffice for the Inside Out House by Takeshi Hosaka in Tokyo, Japan. From the outside, the cubic home is simple and modern. Inside, multiple trees and plants bring the outdoors inside. Sliding glass doors offer flexibility, and natural light permeates the home through skylights, creating a serene sanctuary in which humans and cats co-exist.
Cong Sinh Architects New developments are increasingly crowding out green spaces in the southern part of Hue, Vietnam. So Cong Sinh Architects designed Symbiosis, a peaceful office rooted in the environment in the midst of the bustling city. Expansive windows on both floors of the office overlook a green oasis full of vines and a tree. The shade from the greenery even helps regulate the office temperature.
A Masow Design Studio A Masow Design Studio unveiled astounding plans for the ultimate treehouse: an entire tree wrapped in a glass facade in Kazakhstan. A spiral staircase would allow the owner to move between four levels, circumnavigating the tree as they moved from floor to floor. The glass allows natural light to stream in and provides an unobstructed view of the surrounding woods.
Anonymous Architects This cantilevered Echo Park home takes the treehouse concept to new heights. House in the Trees by Anonymous Architects rests on a hillside overlooking Los Angeles and was carefully constructed so as not to harm neighbouring mature cypress trees, one of which extends through a bedroom in the home. Fire-treated Western red cedar siding, reclaimed chestnut floors and walnut cabinetry add to the woodsy, natural feel of this cosy California dwelling.
Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP A 300-year-old camphor tree in Japan now includes a tiny teahouse nestled among its branches. Bird’s Nest Atami, designed by Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP with the help of Takashi Kobayashi, is part of the country’s collestion of treehouses. Inspired by how crows utilise coat hangers in nests, Nakamura designed the freestanding teahouse to rest in the 22m-tall tree on light structural elements without harming the tree. The earthy interior also includes wood furnishings, inviting tea drinkers to relax in nature.
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B uilding N ews designing smart cities Hermann Kamte is an award-winning architect whose design philosophy looks to the past and present to make cities for the future. Now internationally recognised, his work, he says, is a meeting point between theory and practice. It's an overlap that allows the architect to work with current contraints and strengths without limiting his possibilities. Kamte explores this constant push-and-pull of function over aesthetics when it comes to architecture. His designs show a deep investigation into the culture and society of their location while using sustainability to ensure long-lasting results. This approach is noticeable in his award-winning work Lagos’ Wooden Tower. As the name suggests, this residential building is a smart-city solution made primarily of a local wood material. In this design, the wall patterns represent freedom, and patronage and are symbols from the Yoruba culture. The design also maximises ventilation and natural light while providing green space common areas for social gatherings. Kamte is especially interested in making wooden architecture more conventional, considering its sustainable impact. According to Kamte: 'We no longer want spontaneous cities. We want adaptive cities, which anticipate our need to provide the maximum comfort by producing the minimum of damage to the environment; we want smart cities.'
Full story
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Sweden’s Self-Built City While Stockholm faces similar challenges to other cities – climate change, racial and economic segregation, and ever-increasing transportation needs – they are also having to confront the combination of a rapidly growing population due to immigration and years of insufficient residential building construction. This has resulted in a relatively dire housing shortage that has been felt in Sweden for years. In an effort to address this, work is being done to explore the possibilities of self-build housing as a tool to create more inclusive neighbourhoods. Full story
3d-printing world first A Dutch city is to become the first in the world to build habitable 3D printed houses to cut costs and make up for a shortage of bricklayers. The smallest of the first five houses to be put on the rental market in Eindhoven has already attracted applications from 20 interested families. The development is known as Project Milestone and was set up by construction firm Van Wijnen to offer a solution to the lack of skilled bricklayers in the country. Eindhoven, which is also home to the prestigious Design Academy Eindhoven, is hoping to position itself as a specialist for concrete 3D printing. Full story
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B uilding N ews
built in just 10 months Brazilian architecture firm Vilela Florez designed Casa Bambu (Bamboo House), a breezy, contemporary home in northeast Brazil that takes its name from its striking use of bamboo for herringbone-patterned exterior panelling. Covering an area of nearly 600 m2, this holiday home was built on a limited budget of approximately R150 000 with a tight design and construction deadline of ten months for a couple who spends most of the year travelling through the Mediterranean Sea on a sailboat. The house takes cues from the clients’ travels with its Mediterranean-inspired blue hues and Portuguese mosaic stone floors found in the outdoor living areas. Full story
HOUSEPLANTS THE ANSWER TO TOXIC BUILDINGS Scientists think that plants could help us monitor our buildings for everything from mold and radon to volatile organic compounds. Beyond the aesthetic and feel-good zen of plants in our homes and offices, there could soon be another case for designing plant life into buildings. A team of scientists at the University of Tennessee suggests that plants could be easily engineered with biosensors to function as home health detectors – acting like the canaries in the coalmine for human inhabitants that could be harmed by toxic materials and pollution. It is suggested that the houseplants of our future could act as our first line of defence. Full story
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self-sustaining biodomes In an effort to encourage ecotourism for the millions that visit the United Arab Emirates (UAE) each year the country has officially launched the Biodomes project, which will feature beautiful biodomes designed by Baharash Architecture. Located in the mountainous eastern region of the UAE, the biodomes will be self-sustaining, use 100% renewable energy and have a minimal impact on the surrounding environment. Ultimately, the UAE hopes that the biodomes will promote awareness of and interest in the variety of wildlife in the mountain region. Baharash Architecture’s biodomes will provide a controlled environment, similar to that of a greenhouse, that closely mimics the surrounding natural area. In this case, the biodomes will be located in the Al Hajar Mountains, a stunning region that is home to rare species of Arabian wildlife. The project seeks to raise awareness of mountain biodiversity and its facilities will include a wildlife conservation centre and an adventure-based wilderness retreat. The self-sustaining structures are crafted from prefabricated components, which will help to reduce site disruption and allow for the biodomes’ quick assembly. Semi-subterranean typology will provide passive cooling benefits, and the biodomes will rely on 100% renewable energy and use recycled wastewater for irrigation and waste management on site. Full story
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Field Guide to Fynbos
John Manning
Struik Nature • 978 1 7758 4590 4
Field Guide to Fynbos features over 1 000 species from the Cape Floristic Region, home to one of the world's richest floras. This fully updated edition focuses on the most common and 'showy' plants. An introduction unpacks the world of fynbos, including origins, diversity, climate and adaptations, and, is followed by a photographic key and descriptions of the fynbos families. Species' descriptions are accompanied by photographs, distribution maps, comparisons with similar species and notes on traditional uses. For botanists and amateurs alike, this will remain an indispensable guide to South Africa's most renowned flora. This book is written by an expert in the field, fully revised and updated, and will enable identification of a vast array of fynbos species. The glorious full-colour photographs of all featured species are key to identify plant families. For botanists and amateurs alike, this will remain an indispensable guide to South Africa's most renowned flora.
The Home Gardener Series: Small Gardens David Squire & Allan Waschick Penguin • 978 1 4323 0864 3 In a compact garden, vertical and overhead spaces take on a different role. Trellises, pergolas, hanging baskets, window boxes as well as all manner of tubs and containers create opportunities that are often overlooked in more expansive gardens. 'Small Gardens' offers ideas for space-saving designs as well as suggestions for suitable plant combinations for patios, terraces, courtyards and other small areas. This book will show you how to transform almost any small space into a garden of delight.
The Home Gardener Series: Container Gardens David Squire & Allan Waschick Penguin • 978 1 4323 0867 4 Growing plants in containers is a quick and easy way to enhance gardens, courtyards, patios, terraces, balconies, windows and entrances. This detailed and authoritative book sets out the best container plant combinations and gives you all the step-by-step directions you need for planting, creating and maintaining beautiful container-based displays.
The Home Gardener Series: Pruning David Squire & Allan Waschick Penguin • 978 1 4323 0866 7 All kinds of garden plants – shrubs, climbers, roses, hedges and trees – need pruning to improve their shape and condition, and to encourage more flowers and fruits. Whether you are starting a new garden, maintaining established plants or renovating a neglected garden, this essential guide to pruning will come to your assistance time and again. David Squire has worked for many years as a gardening writer and editor. He has contributed to numerous gardening magazines as well as more than 80 gardening and plant-related books. He was awarded an NK Gould Memorial Prize for his collection of herbarium specimens of native British plants. In 2005, this collection of plants was accepted by the Booth Museum of Natural History to become library and museum exhibits.
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Living Shores: Interacting with southern Africa's marine ecosystem George Branch & Margo Branch Penguin • 978 1 4317 0081 3
Originally published in 1981, Living Shores was for many years the standard reference for marine science students but was also embraced by a popular market for its fascinating insights into marine and coastal habitats and the life they support. After a long absence, this classic has been revived and thoroughly reworked to incorporate the many dramatic changes that our oceans and coasts have undergone over the past few decades. This book is the first of a two-volume set and examines the different marine ecosystems and how humankind interacts with them. It discusses the evolution of the sea and continents and looks at the ecology of coastal systems, including intertidal zones, beaches, dunes, estuaries, islands, kelp forests and reefs. The book unpacks the relationship between humans and the marine environment, and the consequences of harvesting and mining to meet our needs. It also addresses the impact of climate
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change and highlights what can be done to protect our environment. Richly supported by full-colour photography and numerous explanatory illustrations, diagrams and graphs, this book will prove invaluable to students and teachers but will also appeal to anyone with a fascination for nature and our marine world in particular.
Catching the Thunder: The True Story of the World's Longest Sea Chase Eskil Engdal & Kjetil Saeter Tafelberg • 978 0 6240 7971 2
A story of courage and perseverance. Wanted by Interpol, infamous poaching ship Thunder evaded justice for over 10 years. Illegally making millions a year, its crew hunted endangered species and destroyed ocean habitats. In December 2014, Captain Hammarstedt of the Bob Barker and his crew began a relentless pursuit of the Thunder – a hazardous race across three oceans and the longest chase in maritime history. The authors follow this incredible expedition, encountering criminal kingpins, rampant corruption, slavery
and an international community content to turn a blind eye. Catching the Thunder becomes a symbolic race to save the planet.
The New Urban Crisis Richard Florida Oneworld • 978 1 7860 7212 2
In recent years, the young, educated and affluent have surged back into cities, reversing decades of suburban flight and urban decline. And yet all is not well, Richard Florida argues in The New Urban Crisis. Florida, one of the first scholars to anticipate this back-to-the-city movement in his ground-breaking The Rise of the Creative Class, demonstrates how the same forces that power the growth of the world's superstar cities also generate their vexing challenges: gentrification, unaffordability, segregation and inequality. Meanwhile, many more cities still stagnate and middle-class neighbourhoods everywhere are disappearing. Our winner-take-all cities are just one manifestation of a profound crisis in today's urbanised knowledge economy. A bracingly original work of research and analysis, The New Urban Crisis offers a compelling diagnosis of
our economic ills and a bold prescription for more inclusive cities capable of ensuring growth and prosperity for all.
Fifty things that made the Modern Economy Tim Harford Little, Brown • 978 1 4087 0912 2
From the tally-stick to Bitcoin, the canal lock to the jumbo jet, each invention in Tim Harford's fascinating new book has its own curious, surprising and memorable story, a vignette against a grand backdrop. Step by step, readers will start to understand where we are, how we got here and where we might be going next. Hidden connections will be laid bare: how the barcode undermined family corner shops, why the gramophone widened inequality, how barbed wire shaped America. We'll meet the characters who developed some of these inventions, profited from them or were ruined by them. We'll trace the economic principles that help to explain their transformative effects. And we'll ask what lessons we can learn to make wise use of future inventions in a world where the pace of innovation will only accelerate.
The Unnatural World: The Race to remake civilisation in Earth's Newest Age David Biello Scribner • 978 1 4767 4390 5
With the historical perspective of The Song of the Dodo and the urgency of Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth, The Unnatural World chronicles a disparate band of unlikely heroes, an effervescent mad scientist who would fertilise the seas; a pigeon obsessively bent on bringing back the extinct, a low-level government functionary in China doing his best to clean up his city, and more. These scientists, billionaires and ordinary people are all working toward saving the best home humanity is ever likely to have. What is the threat? It is us. In a time when a species dies out every 10 minutes, when summers are getting hotter, winters colder and oceans higher, some people still deny mankind's effect on the Earth. But all of our impacts on the planet have ushered in what qualifies as a new geologic epoch, thanks to global warming, mass extinction and such technologies as nuclear weapons and plastics.
Wild Karoo: A Journey through History, change and revival in an ancient land Mitch Reardon Penguin • 978 1 7758 4325 2
After centuries of relative isolation, the Karoo – South Africa's parched heartland – is a latecomer to the tourism industry. What was once viewed as a harsh and desolate place of limited attraction is rapidly gaining popularity with visitors who now make the Karoo their destination, keen to partake of its legendary charm, its extraordinary flora and the resurgence of wildlife that once again populates its plains. Wild Karoo documents Mitch Reardon's 4 000 km journey of discovery through the region. Beautifully written and illustrated with evocative photographs, this book is a must read for anyone interested in travel, wildlife and the environment.
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THE GREAT
MIGRATE A new study from the Conservation Ecology Research Unit (CERU) at the University of Pretoria (UP) set out to unravel migration in the world's largest terrestrial mammal – the savanna elephant. We take a look at how these elephants migrate despite protected area boundaries and international borders.
M 
associated
with changes in season, but whether or not these
with wildebeest in the Serengeti, is
movements are migratory is hearsay,' says Professor
more common among large mammals
Rudi van Aarde, supervisor of the study and Chair
igration,
a
term
often
than one might think, particularly in species that
The study, published recently in Scientific
assumption is that elephants also migrate but until
Reports, set out to answer a very simple question:
now there has been a lack of evidence to support
do elephants migrate? It turns out the answer is a
this notion. 'We know elephants can move long
complex one.
distances and that these movements often coincide
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of CERU.
inhabit highly seasonal environments. A common
Andrew Purdon, lead author of the study
Photograph: Rudi van Aarde
Are national parks big enough to adequately protect elephants? Elephants that are moving beyond protected areas are at a higher risk of poaching while increasing human populations and habitat fragmentation are a reality threatening to isolate and fragment protected areas across Africa.
Park and Moremi Game reserve (Botswana), Hwange (Zimbabwe), Kruger National Park (South Africa), North and South Luangwa (Zambia), and the Quirimbas National Park (Mozambique). However, almost all of the migrations moved beyond National Park boundaries (IUCN category I Parks) and 11 migrations crossed international borders. According to Michael Mole, co-author on the paper, 'The one thing these protected areas all have in common is that they are large, often buffered by secondary protected areas, and are relatively un-fragmented. Migrations need space, some of these elephants travel over 100km to reach their seasonal ranges.' 'The fact that elephants are still able to move such
explains the findings: 'Elephants are a facultative
vast distances and beyond international borders speaks
partially migratory species. In other words, only some
volumes and points to the amazing conservation
elephants migrate, and if they are migratory, they
initiatives employed by many governments and
may not migrate every year.'
organisations striving to maintain functional space
The current study, which is one of the largest on
and connectivity between and around national parks.'
elephant movement to date, comprised of movement
Nowhere else is this clearer than in northern
data collected over 15 years from 139 savanna
Botswana, where 15 elephants migrated. The national
elephants distributed across seven southern African
parks and surrounding protected areas (or Wildlife
countries. Of the 139 elephants, only 25 showed
Management Areas) form a vast protected and mostly
migratory movements – to and fro movements
undisturbed heterogeneous landscape. 'At a time
between two non-overlapping seasonal ranges. Of
when long distance dispersals are disappearing, this
these 25 elephants, only six migrated more than once
research underscores the importance of northern
during the period they were tracked.
Botswana's landscape to support some of the world's
Although it is unclear as to why these elephants
longest large mammal migration,' explains co-author
migrate, theory suggests that benefits for migratory
Dr Mike Chase, director and founder of Elephants
individuals include exploiting changes in food
Without Borders.
abundance or quality, accessing spatially limited
Nonetheless, the study begs the question. Are
resources, or even escaping competition from other
national parks big enough to adequately protect
individuals. Van Aarde elaborates, 'It is plausible
elephants? Elephants that are moving beyond
that during the dry season, elephants are restricted
protected areas are at a higher risk of poaching
to habitats close to permanent water. At the advent
while increasing human populations and habitat
of the rainy season, elephants are less restricted by
fragmentation are a reality threatening to isolate and
water and are therefore able to move away from their
fragment protected areas across Africa. So can more
dry season ranges towards areas that are greener,
be done?
more productive, and that have less elephants.' These results highlight the adaptive and flexible behaviour of elephants but also their spatial needs.
'We can start by gaining a better understanding of the spatial needs of large roaming species. Understanding the spatial requirements of species
Van Aarde continues, 'If conditions demand it,
can help better inform the establishment of functional
elephants are capable of moving long distances to
protected area networks,' Purdon says. 'In this
survive, as long as they have access to seasonal
way, conservation areas across Africa can be large
resources and the space to exploit it.'
enough to effectively conserve large scale ecological
Although few elephants migrated, most of the
processes such as migration.'
SG
protected area clusters that were studied harboured migratory individuals. This included elephants in Etosha National Park (Namibia), Chobe National
For more info contact Prof Rudi van Aarde at rjvaarde@zoology.up.ac.za
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TURNING POA INTO CUSTODIANS
The nightly ritual of turtles emerging on the shores of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a World Heritage Site, to lay their eggs first caught the attention of scientists in the 1960s along the KwaZulu-Natal coast. While this had been an extraordinary experience to witness over the years the critically endangered Leatherback and threatened Loggerhead turtle populations have started to decline. We take a look.
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OACHERS USTODIANS
I 
t soon became evident that these animals were being killed for their meat, and their eggs were taken illegally by local communities living along
the coast. To advance the much-needed protection of the nesting turtles, the Ezemvelo Turtle Monitoring Programme was initiated. To tackle the decline in the nesting turtles' population, the programme's aim was, and still is, to turn the poachers into custodians. The programme has seen significant job creation within the coastal communities and created a sense of ownership for the wildlife and the environment along the coastline. To date, due to the initiation of the turtle monitoring programme, the Loggerhead turtles have experienced a significant increase in numbers, while the nesting Leatherback turtle population is stabilising. There are approximately only 80 nesting Leatherback and 935 Loggerhead turtles that visit our shores annually. The continuation of this programme is necessary as it is their only chance at survival. Turtles play an important role in maintaining the health of the world's oceans. Their roles range from maintaining productive coral reef systems, to transporting essential nutrients from the oceans to beaches and coastal dunes. As the turtle population declines, so does the ability to fulfil vital functions in ocean ecosystems. 'This programme is not only crucial for the survival of the Loggerhead and Leatherback Turtle populations, but also very important for the local communities who are truly invested in it. A programme such as this does not only create jobs, it also creates custodians of nature and wildlife, ambassadors that
Loggerhead Turtle hatchlings heading towards the ocean for the first time. Image by Roger de la Harpe
truly believe in the conservation and protection of unique, biodiverse areas such as the iSimangaliso Wetland Park,' commented Lauren van Nijkerk of the WILDTRUST.
To keep this programme running, WILDOCEANS, a programme of WILDTRUST, has launched a crowdfunding campaign in partnership with Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and DIFFERENT.ORG. The goal is to raise R300 000 for the programme by the end of December 2018. To donate, spread the word and make a difference, simply click here.
'We're excited to be partnering with WILDTRUST for this hugely impactful programme that seeks to conserve and protect vulnerable turtle populations while involving the local community in this process in a sustainable, meaningful way,' said Simone Gregor, Head of DIFFERENT.ORG.
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For more info click here. DIFFERENT.ORG is a reputable online crowdfunding philanthropy platform funding projects in South Africa. You can rest assured knowing that there are no monthly subscriptions, no commission on donations and no credit card fees. This ensures that every cent goes to the Turtle Monitoring and Safeguarding Programme, to maximise impact.
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TEACHING A WILD BIRD NEW TRICKS
LEARNING APPRECIATION FROM THE WILD
According to Jaynia Sladek, an ornithologist from the Australian Museum, some birds are natural mimickers. When they hear words in repetition or are surrounded by an assortment of noises, they will begin picking up on the cues. Wild birds are able to quickly learn from the chatty ex-pets and as a result, start picking up new words and sounds. The remnants of the language are often passed down to offspring. This phenomenon has been previously witnessed with the lyebird found in Victoria, Australia.
The bond between a human and an animal can be a powerful one, and the video above is a testament to this. After an Argentinian man named Edgardo rescued a condor that fell from its nest as a baby, he proceeded to care for it until it was well enough to be returned to the wild. Then, years after the giant condor found freedom, it returned to 'thank' Edgardo. In the video, the condor walks up to his former caretaker and gives him a hug, nuzzling his neck.
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NO LAUGHING MATTER
BRIDGING FOR SAFETY
We go to the beach to see its natural beauty. If we're lucky, maybe we'll see a dolphin flopping off in the distance or a whale exploding plumes of vapour above the surface. We never go to the beach to see trash and yet it's always there. Since most of the disposable plastic can't get recycled it just sits in landfills, releasing toxins. Tons of it journey down our waterways, into the depths of the oceans or pushed onto the beaches.
This stunning green bridge creates a natural connection between two mountain peaks near Seoul in Korea. Blending seamlessly into its surroundings, the bridge provides safe passage for wild animals and references the traditional Korean garden pavilion. The sides of the undulating structure simulate an organic mountainside path, while the centre provides a more linear experience for humans.
Click here to see how Rob Lang gives voice to marine life and what they really think about all that junk we've dumped in the ocean.
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6 th mass extinction For years, scientists have warned that Earth is entering it sixth mass extinction – an era in which three-quarters of all species die off within only a few centuries. However terrifying this notion may be, nothing compares to a recent finding, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, which paints a full picture of 'biological annihilation'. According to the study, which was conducted by Gerardo Ceballos, an ecology professor at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, hundreds of species are disappearing at a faster-than-expected rate.
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BIG TRAGEDY YIELDS BIG RESCUE but no food In 2017, heavy rains in India and Nepal killed 15 people and displaced 2.3 million in just a few days. Fortunately for approximately 600 foreigners who were visiting Sauraha, no additional lives were lost when the nearby Rapti River overflowed its banks. This is because elephants at the Chitwan National Park transported them to safety. As a result of the natural disaster, regions in India and Nepal now face food shortages due to crop losses. Full Story
THE WILD TIGER RETURNS
THE LESSER-SPOTTED WHITE GIRAFFE
70 years after the iconic big cats went extinct in the country, wild tigers are being reintroduced to Kazakhstan. In the past, tiger reintroduction projects in other locations, such as nature reserves in India, have been implemented in areas where tigers still live, albeit in severely diminished populations. It will be several years before the WWF-supported project is ready on the ground as the landscape is modified and prey animals are also reintroduced. The first wild tigers are expected to arrive in 2025.
Remarkable white giraffes have been sighted in north-eastern Kenya. These creamy giraffes barely even look real but the Hirola Conservation Program (HCP) captured two, a mother and baby, in the video above. The animals have a genetic condition called leucism, which is not the same as albinism. The white giraffes were spotted in an area where HCP are protecting habitat for the hirola antelope. Rangers reported the white giraffes after hearing about them from villagers who live nearby.
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C onservation N ews
MIGALOO, THE WHITE
magical elegance
Named after the Aboriginal word for 'white man', Migaloo has gained notoriety as one of only a very few snowy whales known to humankind – and the beloved wild whale was spotted again recently off the coast near Sydney, Australia, to the utter delight of whale watchers. Estimated to be around 31 years old, the wan whale is either leucistic – like the white giraffes seen in Kenya – or a true albino, meaning that he is unable to produce pigment at all. You can see Migaloo in the video above, taken by Whale Watching Sydney photographer Jonas Liebschner.
Everyone loves the beauty of blue Indian peacocks, right? They are marvels of colour and pattern, revered throughout history for their singular showy display. When you strip away all that pomp and circumstance, all that brilliant colour and flashy motif – as is the case with white peacocks – what's left is a creature of singular elegance. The beauty becomes a story of form and grace, and emphasis is placed on the exquisite lines that are lost in the excitement of a blue peacock's ornamentation.
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THE RED LIST EXPANDS
BAD NEWS, BEARS
Japanese earthworms, the Mauritian flying fox and the Bankoualé Palm are joining over 26 000 species categorised as 'endangered'. The latest International Union for Conservation of Nature (ICUN) Red List report now identifies 26 197 plants and animals facing extinction out of 93 557 facing serious environmental threats around the world. Animals also aren’t the only species that face extinction before the century’s end. The Bankoualé palm, a plant native to Djibouti, Somalia and Yemen may also be relegated to textbooks.
Grizzly bears in Yellowstone National Park are in danger as Wyoming opens up its first bear hunt since the Endangered Species Act was passed in 1973. Wildlife conservationists working alongside famed animal rights champion and educator Jane Goodall have raised over $28 000 online for their campaign 'Shoot’em with a Camera, Not a Gun', which has infiltrated the list of approximately 7 000 lottery members applying for a hunting licence in the state of Wyoming.
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Shelf
Rhino Revolution: Searching for new solutions Clive & Anton Walker Jacana Media • 978 1 4314 2568 6
How is South Africa going to sustain the cost of securing rhino while the belief continues to persist that the enemy lies elsewhere in Southeast Asia. The Walkers believe that the problem actually lies in South Africa's own backyard. This book discusses corruption and the criminal justice system, the need for more community engagement and the costs of protection. It also looks at how far we have come since the rhino wars in the 1980s and the rhino trade debate. We have to shift from the negative to an element of the positive. People are tired of seeing dead and dying rhino. There is some optimism due to the excellent work being undertaken by the state and the private sector at many levels in security, tourism, community involvement and environmental education, as well as NGO support. Rhino Revolution testifies to the many people doing just that. The rhino war in South Africa has entered
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its 10th year, and last year saw 662 rhino killed in Kruger alone – and over 1 000 in total for South Africa. Clive and Anton Walker, authors of the bestselling Rhino Keepers (2012), have once again come up with a fresh, new look at the ongoing rhino crisis. With magnificent photographs and afterwords by John Hanks and Yolan Friedman.
Cuddle Me, Kill Me Richard Peirce Penguin • 978 1 7758 4593 5
Canned lion hunting sprang to the world's attention with the 2015 launch of the documentary Blood Lions. This movie blew the cover off a brutal industry that has burgeoned in the last decade or so, operating largely under the radar of public concern. In Cuddle Me Kill Me, veteran wildlife campaigner Richard Peirce reveals horrifying facts about the industry. He tells the true story of two male lions rescued from breeding farms and the exploitation and misery of these apex predators when they are bred in captivity. He also shares how young cubs
are removed from their mothers mere hours after birth and how they are first used for petting by an adoring (and paying) public to their subsequent use for 'walking with lions' tourism. Well researched by Peirce with the help of an undercover agent, and illustrated with photos taken along the way, this is a disturbing and passionate plea to end commercial captive lion breeding and the repurposing of wildlife to cater for human greed.
Born to be Free Gareth Patterson Jacana Media • 978 1 5314 2617 1
When the grand old 'lion man of Africa', George Adamson, passed away, the last of his lion cub orphans faced an uncertain future. Would the cubs have to spend their entire lives behind bars in a zoo or would they have a free life in the wild, as George had intended for them? Lion expert Gareth Patterson rescues George's cubs and, by living as a human member of the little pride, Gareth prepares to introduce the young lions back into the wild. This heart-warming book tells the true story of lioness Rafiki, her
sister, Furaha, and her brother, Batian. Many years ago, it was estimated that some 250 000 lions existed across the continent of Africa. Today it is thought that only 20 000 lions remain. Due to the actions of poachers, trophy hunters and conflict with people because of their livestock, the mighty king of the animals is in real trouble. Rafiki's story shows how important it is for lions to be free – and protected from harm. The African bush would no longer be the same if all the lions were gone. What would we say to our children's children if the last lion was gone – forever? That is why all of us must hold the lion in our hearts and do our best to protect Rafiki's kind.
I see an Elephant Elainer Macdonald Penguin • 978 1 4323 0822 3
This children's book tells the tale of a gentle elephant who wishes he was a bird. He starts to build a nest but when the birds laugh at his attempts and try to chase him away, Elephant takes a stand, declaring that he should be able to live as he chooses. Realising that he is right, the birds accept
him as one of them and help him transform into an 'ele-bird'.
Ricky of the River Pride Linsay Sherratt Penguin • 978 1 4323 0703 5
Ricky is woken up one night by Cheetah, Zebra and Elephant, who need his help to rescue a lion cub that has fallen into the river. Encouraged by the animals, Ricky overcomes his fear, jumps into the water and brings the cub safely to the riverbank. When the cub's parents realise that Ricky put himself in harm's way to help their disobedient cub, they are very grateful. Recognising his bravery, the lion places his paw print on Ricky's chest and declares him to be one of the pride. Ricky returns home with newfound faith in himself and the secret knowledge that he will be part of the River Pride forever.
The Guinea Fowl's Spots and other african bird tales Dianne Stewart
has been passed down by word of mouth through countless generations. Dianne Stewart has a passion for collecting and retelling these stories, making them accessible to a whole new audience. In The Guineafowl's Spots and Other African Bird Tales she has created a unique collection of African folktales, exclusively about birds. Drawn from across the continent, these tales often draw on human characteristics and are followed by African proverbs that illustrate various moral lessons. This fascinating collection includes classic tales such as 'Why Flamingo Stands on One Leg' from Nigeria, 'The Laughing Dove' from North Africa, and the Xhosa tale 'The Bird That Could Make Milk'. Beautiful illustrations by Richard Mackintosh bring to life the magic of the stories and the beauty of birds themselves. Many of the tales include additional facts on the featured birds.
Penguin • 978 1 4323 0800 1
The rich folklore culture of Africa
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'Sooner or later, we will have to recognise that the Earth has rights, too, to live without pollution. What mankind must know is that human beings cannot live without Mother Earth, but the planet can live without humans.' - Evo Morales