Today’s post is a guest post from the lovely people at Urban Sprout!Thanks go out to them for the post and for their tireless efforts!
According to some scientists, Africa will be the continent hardest hit by global warming. Based on the report by the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [urban sprout] around 600,000 square kilometres of cultivatable land may be ruined in Africa because of the predicted increase in temperature of 2.5 degrees and rising sea levels threaten coastal infrastructure. Another study by the University of Pretoria estimates that $25 billion may be lost in crop failure [economist]. Some plant species could disappear and Africa will suffer from drought, food shortages, and disease. It’s not a pretty picture.
Global warming is caused by greenhouse gases such as CO2, methane, nitrous oxide and ozone depleting CFCs. Human lifestyles are largely accountable for producing too many of these gases, particularly the burning of fossil fuels like coal and gas.
The world is already experiencing change: the flow of ice from glaciers in Greenland has more than doubled over the past decade and at least 279 species of plants and animals are already responding to global warming, moving closer to the poles. [climatecrisis.net]
But can we stop it? There is a raging debate… between:
• those who think we can [guardian]
• those who believe that global warming is irreversible [living scotsman]
• and those who believe adaptation measures should be our main focus [timesonline]
The Stern Report assesses the economic impact of global warming and recommends action to mitigate global warming. [urban sprout]
Halting global warming will only happen if we radically alter the way in which we live and if we pressure governments and business to change.
South African business is already responding to pressure as they find it increasingly difficult to find international buyers who are more concerned about the environment. Europe, our biggest market for coal, is turning its back on SA deeming its production too high in nitrogen. [carbon.org.za]
There is no ‘quick fix’ to curbing global warming. It will be require a combination of strategies that include energy efficiency initiatives, using more renewable energy sources and the capture and storage of carbon (carbon sequestration).
Whilst the following may seem trite, in the face of something so vast, it at least feels as if there is something in our power that we can do to make up for our short-sighted ignorance and total disregard for the Earth, and the harm we have inflicted on her.
What you can do
green in the office:
• let employees work at home or close to home
• avoid fast food – overpackaging means mountains of rubbish
• use organic caterers
• use public transport or start a lift club
• turn your computer off in the evening
• get flat-screen monitors – LCDs use a third of the electricity of CRTs
• lose your tie so you don’t need air conditioning
• support partners & suppliers with green policies in place
• use recycled paper
• make it easy to recycle with clearly marked containers
• place reminder signs around the office to recycle
• find out how to dispose of e-waste
• get green electricity from Amatola Green Power
• ditch paper invoicing & statements in favour of electronic versions
• grow a roof garden
• start a ‘plant a tree’ initiative
• buy rechargeable batteries
• support environmentally responsible initiatives
• if you want to get rid of it, freecycle it on freecycle.org
• insist your cleaning company uses eco-friendly cleaning products
• use eco-friendly paints – no hazardous chemicals
• take the stairs instead of the lift
green at home
• observe the 3 Rs – reduce, reuse and recycle
• bike wherever possible
• boycott products that are overpackaged
• replace standard light bulbs with CFLs
• close the fridge door – even a few seconds wastes energy
• recycle your paper, tins, plastic, cardboard & glass
• create a compost pile for vege peels, eggshells, coffee grounds
• eat organic – fewer chemicals, better for you & the environment
• better yet, grow your own
• reduce meat consumption or become a vegetarian
• consume less, share more, live simply
• insulate your home & draught-proof windows and doors
• turn down your geyser thermostat
• plant a tree or 23
• support local and organic markets, businesses, farmers and products
• support and donate to green NGOs
• turn off the lights
• use energy-efficient fridges, washing machines & dishwashers
• sun dry, don’t tumble-dry
• say ‘no’ to plastic bags
• use eco-friendly cleaning products and toiletries
• get solar-powered water heating
• use eco-friendly paints on walls, wood and exteriors
• shower with a friend
• have a green wedding
• inflict your green ideas on anyone and everyone else
• start your own green blog and spread the word
Similar Posts:
- SA environment started it all – lets not end it
- Going Green – 365 ways to change our world
- 11 000 trees
- Avusa start saving energy – Corporate world needs to join in
- South Afican Toilets – Support local industries
Popularity: 8% [?]
January 3rd, 2008 at 7:07 pm
Nic, I love the fact that you tackle such a wide variety of topics, always something new to read at SA Rocks. I’ve been green since long before it became fashionable. I feel a bit of guilt at running an airline business, since they’ve got such a bad name – but I encourage people to fly “carbon-neutral” or not to fly if you can help it – car, bus, train are greener options. Cutting down on one’s meat consumption and not having too many children are other things one can do (if you eat a lot of meat, it starts becoming more energy efficient to drive than to walk!).
Global warming is reversible, but not in our lives – the most we can do is slow the rise. It’s worth noting that only part of the rise in temperature is due to human emissions of greenhouse gasses (variations in solar output have played a role over the last century). During our lives the earth will warm, sea levels are going to rise and there are going to more extremes in weather patters (the weather system is a chaotic system…in the chaos theory sense…and when you interfere with a chaotic systems you get a higher frequency of extreme events such as we are witnessing – e.g. snow in Johannesburg last year).
By how much the earth will warm and the climatic impact on specific parts of the earth are scientific uncertainties – I wouldn’t jump ship just yet, based on tenuous scientific conclusions of what the future climate of South Africa will be!
January 4th, 2008 at 9:23 am
No doubt that global warming is very debated. I, however, have never heard that man is causing global cooling. For this – all I can say is that I hope that the people that believe this is natural are not wrong. But if man is causing at least part of the problem then why not do all we can. One thing not in dispute is that we cannot continue to use non-renewable sources on energy forever.
Are you familiar with the ground floor movement to take solar to the masses by a company called Citizenre? They are trying market solar with an approach similar to satellite TV, cellular telephones, and alarm systems. That is to provide the customer a complete solar system with no upfront charges and make money from a service contract. In this case the service contract would be a rent agreement. They intend to put a complete solar system on clients home. When the system produces electricity, it will lower the bill from the current utility provider. In most cases the savings from the lower bill will more than cover the rent fee that the company intends to charge. The company currently has no product available but intends to deploy in the middle of 2008. They are currently taking reservations and have over 26,000 takers so far. I have written several articles on this company in my blog and even have a couple of videos that I have recorded at http://www.solarjoules.com. Feel free to take a look. I welcome comments. As in any start up business, a chance exists that they may never get off the ground and fulfill any preorders, but if this is the case – the potential client has not lost anything. If you cannot afford the upfront cost of solar today, this may turn out to be a great alternative. This solution would mean that we could produce at least a little less pollution and would be a great step “just in case”. And hey, the fact that you will save money on your electricity bill over time is a pretty good reason to look into it as well.
If anyone would like company information you can go to http://www.jointhesolution.com/razmataz.
January 4th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
I am known for my opposite views on climate change. I believe in good science and not the stuff that is spewed out on TV during news broadscasts and by certain media.
IN case you want to review my views here is a link to just one: http://iscatterlings.com/wp-admin/post.php?action=edit&post=1221
This is the self-appointed gatekeeper for Climat Change, Mr Al Gore, getting slapped (verbally and by the law), by none other than the British High Court.
BAd science and factual ommissions by the likes of Al Gore, have played right into the hands of political party agendas and into the ‘green’ industrialists bank accounts. Right where I think they they want you to be!
Glacial breakup is nothing new. Warming up isn’t either. C02 is in short supply and it is not a greenhouse gas.
Extinction is in fact long overdue, and it could happen any day.
But while I oppose the populist views and sharp intakes of breath by those who are being hoodwinked about what is happening, I do agree that we humans can contribute to tidying up the planet by recycling, planting more trees and cutting down on exhaust fumes.
But Africa needs fossil fuel to help it develop. The western cartels refuse to allow investment to help Africa haul itself to the next industrial and living condition levels. And in this I mean medical, social, and wealth.
Most important for me about climate change is the dire need to have the opposing parties debate the facts and the science and arrive at a concensus of opinion about what really is happening to the planet.
Until then, I think the world will remain bitterly divided about this wonderful blue planet of ours.
January 4th, 2008 at 8:49 pm
The link above is in fact: http://iscatterlings.com/al-gore-the-film-the-judge/
Sorry for the error!
January 31st, 2008 at 9:25 pm
print this thanks!!!!!!!!
February 23rd, 2009 at 4:58 pm
I recently watched the documentary “An inconvenient truth” and I was absolutely blown away, Global Warming in the past meant nothing to me, I didnt even pay attention to it because I thought it would only happen in a few hundred years. This is a serious matter, I immediately knew I had to do something about this – I need to inform everyone and anyone possible of what we are doing to our home planet, to our earth, when the day comes that our country goes under water and we are standing there together as one nation, it will not matter what colour we are, what religion we are, what we want to become, what our hopes and dream are….nothing will matter because it will have no preferance and choice – it will destroy everything we have ever known. Even though Africa doesnt contribute the most to Global Warming – we need to make a stand, we need to stand together and not worry about the trivial things we think matter – our earth matters, our life matters, we can prevent this WE ARE SOUTH AFRICA, let us change the way we think and do something to change. I want to buy as many copies of those Documentary’s as possible and distribute it to schools, children need to know this risk, I want to go to my company and write up Green initiatives, I think more people need to open their eyes – just watch the documentary – i promise you, you will want to change the world for the better!
July 14th, 2009 at 3:53 am
pics of africans nude 8a4fr nude little girls 6e0ol nude mature women 9c7uu nude celeb 2e6rw flavor flav girls nude 3e9fv nude wife 1b4mn vanessa hudgens nude picture 1f7mm nude children 1f3nn
October 14th, 2009 at 3:22 pm
global warming is bad
dont drive a flippen car ,
cuz yur killen the polar bears.