SA Rocks

The key to swinging the vote towards going green is three fold: Happiness, Health and Wealth. This all according to Simon Gear, the weatherman.

I love the concept of this book. It provides 365 simple, easy, effective and fulfilling ways to change your life for the greener.

Green, as we all know, is the new black so do us all a favour and jump on board with the latest and most important trend sweeping the world. Go green.

You can buy Going Green at Kalahari.net.

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This post has a bit to do with Eskom but in actual fact it has more to do with saving our planet. I’m trying to take a post out of the Urban Sprout blog (get it? Page out of book, post out of blog) and post something about the environment.

Well this post is about Avusa. It’s not political, media-orientated or about acquisitions of the company. It’s actually about what Avusa is doing to save energy, power and electricity!

A week or two ago company employees received an email asking for suggestions on how the company can save energy.

The response email a week later was quite surprising and impressive. Avusa is doing alot and in fact they are doing most of the things that I have bitched about in the past. Driving home through Sandton I see every building with lights on all day and night, Alexander Forbes, Investec, JSE and many, many others. What a waste of energy. Not at Avusa. Lights will be switched off every night and a few will remain on for security reasons.

Then they have turned the geysers in the building to a more reasonable heat. The Escalators (four stories worth) are only operational for a few minutes each day in peak times. The light bulbs are currently being changed to energy efficient bulbs, the fluorescent roof lights are being culled from 3 per light fitting down to 1 and in some cases two fluorescent bulbs.

They have completely switched off their external billboards until further notice and parking lot lights in the basement parking areas have been completely minimised to save electricity down there too.

How incredibly brilliant is this?

I am confident that if more companies in Sandton alone made these sort of changes that there would be a less severe issue with power from Eskom. I may be talking without knowing but it’s a leap I am willing to take. With close to 4000 employees at one company, the above steps definitely have a huge effect in our area.

Let’s see who else can get on board and soon!

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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

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In response and support to Blog Action Day this post is environmentally and politically motivated to make us change our destructive ways.

Many people know how integral the Southern Hemisphere was in the creation of the world and humanity. We have traces of the first homosapiens in SA at the Cradle of Humankind. Amazing. SA is home to many world firsts, largest, oldest and smallest. All a testament to the incredible gift that we have here in SA: our environment.

The mountains around Barberton in SA are the oldest in the world dating back 3.5 Billion years, and these mountains include some of the oldest exposed rocks on the planet (only rocks from Isua Greenstone belt in Western Greenland are older). These volcanic rocks, which scientists call the Barberton Greenstone Belt, have given up direct evidence of conditions of life on the surface of the very early earth. The first form of life on earth, a bacterial micro fossil Archaeospheroides
barbertonis was discovered here and has been identified as being 3.2 billion years old.

– Lets try not destroy them

The Cango Caves near Oudsthoorn is the world’s longest
underground cave sequence

– Let’s not pollute them

South Africa is home to both the largest land mammal
(elephant) and the smallest mammal (shrew)

– Let’s keep them alive

South Africa is the only country to house an entire floral
kingdom (fynbos), one of only 6 on the planet.

– Let the fynbos flourish

Blyde River Canyon is the third largest canyon in the world
(and the largest ‘green canyon’).

– Let’s keep it green

South Africa is the first country outside of Europe to gain Blue
Flag status for its coastal management

– We have made a difference here, let’s keep going

I am so incredible proud of SA and what tourists and visitors have to say when they visit the incredible places we have here to visit. I am determined to keep these places looking as beautiful as they can. Let’s all just do our part. Simply switching of a light, changing the bulbs you use or driving in lift schemes can make a massive difference. Start today.

Facts above were provided by research conducted by Gerhard Schroder

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I have recently had my positivity and that of this blog challenged in a very rational and structured way by a gentlemen calling himself “Preacher”. I have my opinions about his point of view and I will respond to his comments below:

Preacher’s comment:

I continue to grow incredibly frustrated with fellow South Africans who seem to share this mentality where a poor attitude is one of the biggest challenges facing the average disgruntled South African. Being positive about the situation in South Africa is one thing, being absolutely blind to the reality of the situation is another thing altogether. Every time you raise the issue of crime, poor service delivery or rising living costs, you get the same response. “Get off your behind and do something about it!” What most people fail to realize is that by paying your taxes and being a good citizen, you are doing something about the situation. You are making a positive contribution.

I am a white male aged 28. Being the indirect benefactor of Apartheid has automatically made me the villain, nothing more then another pale face who has to pay for the sins of his forefathers. Enough about my past though. I wanted to get that out of the way so that you could automatically put me into whatever box you put people like to put me into. Im sure you have a label for it. We South Africans love nothing more then to label and classify people.

Lets, however, rather look at my present situation and possible future. One that is shared by quite a few South Africans of which a fair percentage are beginning to feel the way I do. Perhaps the positive South Africans would be able to elaborate exactly where I am wrong in my cynicism and highlight exactly why I should change my attitude to that of a positive South African. I need examples here. After all, it seems that negativity is almost as big an issue as crime, HIV and unemployment. It has to be. I mean, every time you dare complain about the state of the nation you are called a negative whining spoilt brat. Perhaps once I have been enlightened my perception of the current challenges we face will be accepted with glee instead of the growing frustration I face daily. Im not quite sure. Making an informed decision alone just does not seem to cut it. Continue Reading

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I am as much to blame as the next person and definitely am aware of this. So too is Jody Scheckter and 702 apparently.

A new project has been launched by Talk Radio 702 in association with Food & Trees for Africa, Jody Scheckter and Johannesburg City Parks present. This project is called the ‘Greening Soweto Project’.

From the website:

The Greening Soweto Project aims to plant hundreds of thousands of trees to improve the environment of Soweto for its citizens and to ensure it is a place that will welcome all the visitors expected in 2010 for the FIFA World Cup.

Apparently Schecktar (who is an SA living legend as it stands*) has donated 11 000 trees that each cost quite a sum when multiplied by 11 000!

Corporates and individuals are being asked to donate a tree, the former at a minimum of 100 trees. Get on over to the site now, plant a tree and change your carbon footprint it’s your duty!

*Scheckter was the 1979 Formula One World Drivers Champion.

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Happy Spring Day from SA Rocks and the SA Rocks Flickr group!

Photographers who featured in this little collage: Steve Crane, Debby Champion, WayneTD, ethekwinigirl and ndorfin.

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I was emailed yesterday about SA National Parks week coming up very soon (17-21 September).

South African National Parks (SANParks) will once again offer free access to most national parks as part of the heritage month celebrations

I think this is a great idea and a wonderful chance for locals to visit their closest National park and enjoy what SA has to offer. I think that as SA citizens we often forget that people come from all over the world to see what we as a country have to offer in terms of wildlife and environment.

So let’s take this opportunity and enjoy what is out there. Don’t forget that to gain free access you will need to present your green ID document.

For more information visit the SANParks website.

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I was very saddened to hear about Eendrag’s third story burning down and the roof collapsing. I know from my time in Res that I kept many of my memories in my residence. Not only my physical possessions but many of my experiences and lessons were created and learned in my residence. Life was grand back then.

We had fire drills at least twice a term. Luckily so too had the students in Eendrag and apparently close on 300 students were evacuated from the building in under 4 minutes. Brilliant stuff.

However the moving acts of kindness occurred after the event. All of the students were left without a roof over their heads. Not for long as Stellenbosch locals stepped up and offered their spare beds, couches, flats, chalets and any accommodation they could to the homeless students. That is incredible. That warms my heart. That makes me proud. Humanity is intact, South Africa is intact and we will all be OK if there are people like this in SA.

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Accelerate Cape Town has just launched their website recently and in honour of this the AddiCT(s) have launched a competition that I think SA Rocks readers should get involved in.

What’s it about. We want to know what you envision your perfect city to be like. Let’s harness the power of collective imagination to develop a vision that is so powerful and compelling what we all will be catapulted into action to make our vision work for Cape Town. Here is how the challenge will work.

Write a post on your website or blog about your vision of a perfect city. Don’t think specifically about Cape Town or anything. We want you to describe your own, imaginary, perfect city. Let your imagination go wild, describe how it feels, use all your senses, describe the activities taking place, describe the people, add some graphics, audio, video, whatever you like, above all be creative. It can be long or short, no limits on size.

If you don’t have a blog, submit your entry to us via info [at] webaddict [dot] co [dot] za and we’ll feature your post here with credits to you.

Submit it to us. Trackback or link back to this post (http://www.webaddict.co.za/2007/08/10/my-perfect-city-challenge/) and we’ll list your post here for voting.

Entries accepted: 10th – 17th August 2007

Vote. Those posts listed here will be voted upon by you, our readers, for 1 week, where the person with the most votes wins.

Voting accepted: 17th – 24th August 2007

In case you are wondering what Accelerate Cape Town is, here is something from the new site:

Accelerate Cape Town believes that our greatest chance for international success over the next twenty years is to focus on serving the country, the continent and the world in the creative and innovative sectors. Our vision is to achieve the development of the Cape region as the world’s Creative Capital.

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