Firefighters call for urgent climate change action
February 12, 2009
Posted in Green News
Australian firefighters have written an open letter to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd warning that the country needs to reassess its approach to climate change or risk more devastating bushfires of the type that have claimed at least 180 lives so far in the state of Victoria, ABC News reports. The letter, written by the United Firefighters Union of Australia, which represents the country’s 13,000 firefighters, wants the government to follow scientific advice and halve Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions by 2020. “Without a massive turnaround in policies, aside from the tragic loss of life and property, we will be asking firefighters to put themselves at an unacceptable risk,” says the letter. Full story
Winning name found for glass recycling mascot
February 12, 2009
Posted in Green News
The Glass Recycling Company has found a name for its mascot – Vusa, which means renew in Zulu. It’s an appropriate choice considering that glass in 100 percent recyclable and infinitely renewable, says the company.
Shabeer Jhetam, the general manager of The Glass Recycling Company, likes the name, which was chosen as the winner after national competition, because it’s fresh, energetic and easy to remember, pronounce and write.
“We hope that all of these qualities will serve as an inspiration and go a long way towards converting South Africans into recyclers of glass. We want their impression of Vusa to be a lasting one and hope his message will help motivate consumers to embrace green routines that put glass recycling on the top of the list,” says Jhetam.
The name was clearly a popular choice because it was submitted not once but four times, says the company. The R5,000 prize money had to be shared between all the winning entrants, so The Glass Recycling Company generously decided to double the prize money so each winner could pocket a more substantial reward for their creative efforts.
The mascot’s role is to be an ambassador for The Glass Recycling Company and ultimately become a symbol that is recognised around the country.
“Despite being 100 percent recyclable, just 26 percent of all non-returnable glass containers produced annually are retrieved for recycling in South Africa, which is relatively poor when compared to international rates,” says Jhetam.
“Vusa will go on glass recycling assignments that will help increase recovery rates. He will be a constant reminder that glass is 100 percent recyclable, it is infinitely recyclable and the use of recycled glass in the glass production process does not affect the quality or integrity of the new product.”
For information on the location of local glass banks, how to get a glass bank installed, to start a glass recycling business or to understand the mechanics of glass recycling, visit www.theglassrecyclingcompany.co.za.
Budget: save energy or pay up
February 12, 2009
Posted in Business
Despite the challenges posed by the global economic crisis, energy efficiency and climate change feature prominently in this year’s national budget, presented by Trevor Manuel, the finance minister, in Cape Town on Wednesday.
South Africa is playing a key role in the post-Kyoto climate negotiations and there is increased government policy focus on “environmental initiatives that mitigate the impact of climate change and promote sustainable development, energy efficiency and investment in new technologies”, the National Treasury says in its Budget Review.
Among the main tax proposals outlined in the budget were a number that addressed environmental concerns, namely:
- incentives for companies to invest in energy-efficient technologies and cleaner production;
- implementation of the electricity levy announced in Budget 2008;
- reforms on motor vehicle excise duties to include carbon emissions;
- introducing a new tax on energy-intensive lightbulbs;
- making certified emission reduction credits tax exempt or subject to capital gains tax, instead of normal income tax; and
- increasing the levy on plastic shopping bags
Incentives for investments in energy-efficiency
A number of environmental statutes and regulations require the private sector to eliminate inefficiencies in the use of energy, water and raw materials. Incentives for energy efficient investments are seen as market-based measures to complement these regulations, states the Budget Review. Existing legislation allows for a three-year 50:30:20 percent accelerated depreciation allowance for investments in renewable energy and biofuels production. A supplementary depreciation allowance of up to 15 percent is proposed. This means that companies can write off 115 percent of the value of the equipment, says one report. To qualify for the additional allowance companies would need to provide documentary proof of the energy efficiencies (after a two- or three-year period), certified by the Energy Efficiency Agency. There will be a consultation process to establish which equipment will qualify for the tax perk, says the report.
Tax on incandescent lightbulbs
To encourage consumers to use energy-efficient compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs) – thus reducing energy demand and lowering greenhouse gas emissions from power stations – an environmental levy of about R3 is proposed for old-fashioned incandescent bulbs to be implemented from October 1 2009. The levy is expected to generate an about R20-million.
Tax proposals for Clean Development Projects
Under the Kyoto Protocol’s Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), projects in developing countries that significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions can be issued carbon emission reductions (CERs). But South Africa is lagging behind other countries, such as India and China, in taking up CDM projects.
“South Africa’s greenhouse gas emissions rank in the top 20 in the world, contribute 1.8 percent to global emissions and are responsible for 42 percent of Africa’s emissions”
To encourage South African companies to take up these projects it is proposed that income gained from the disposal of primary CERs be tax–exempt or subject to capital gains tax instead of normal income tax. Secondary CERs are to be classified as trading stock and taxed accordingly, says the Budget Review.
Excise duties on vehicles
To encourage improvements in fuel efficiency and curb the growth of greenhouse gas emissions, the Budget proposes that excise duties on motor vehicles be adjusted to take into account carbon emissions as of March 1 2010.
“Policy measures to address the environmental and social costs associated with the transport sector, such as reforms to vehicle and fuel taxation [an increase in the levy on both petrol and diesel has also been proposed], seek to promote fuel efficiency, limit the rapid growth of the number of vehicles on the roads and encourage the use of public transport,” says the Budget Review.
International air passenger departure tax
This tax proposal is also listed under the environmental fiscal reforms in the budget reviews, presumably because of the carbon emissions associated with air transport. International air passenger departure tax currently stands at R120 per passenger on international flights and R60 per passenger on flights to the Southern African countries, the proposal is to increase the taxes to R150 and R80 respectively from October 1.
Increased levy on plastic bags
The budget proposes increasing the levy on plastic shopping bags from 3 cents to 4 cents a bag. This levy was introduced in 2004/05 and it has reportedly helped to reduce waste. The plastic bag levy is expected to generate R15-million in revenue.
Electricity levy
A levy of 2c per kw/h for electricity generated from non-renewable sources was proposed in last year’s budget and this is expected to be implemented in July this year. The electricity tax is expected to generate R2,78-billion, according to this year’s Budget Review.
The National Treasury notes that South Africa’s natural resources need to be “adequately managed” or economic growth will worsen environmental problems such as “excessive greenhouse gas emissions, the large-scale release of pollutants that result in poor air quality, inappropriate land use that leads to land degradation and biodiversity loss, deteriorating water quality and increasing levels of solid waste generation”.
The Treasury is showing that it is trying to practice what it preaches. Last year it started to measure the Budget’s environmental impact. This year it reports that it has managed to reduce the carbon dioxide emissions from transport (flights and vehicle use) by more than 3,000kg; it reduced the amount of paper it used and in the process saved 119.5 trees; and it used 200MW less electricity than during last year’s budget period.
All we can say is, keep up the good work, and what about aiming for carbon neutral next year?
Google tests online home energy monitor
February 11, 2009
Posted in Green News
Google is developing what sounds like an incredibly useful online tool, called Powermeter, that will allow users so see their home energy consumption in near real time online.
Being aware of where in your home you’re using energy makes it easier to reduce your usage. Studies show that people save between 5 and 15 percent of their energy costs when they have access to information about their energy consumption, says the search engine giant.
A Google hardware engineer who was involved in beta-testing the PowerMeter prototype said on the company’s website: “By monitoring my energy use, I figured out that the bulk of my electricity was caused by my two 20-year-old fridges, my incandescent lights and my pool pump, which was set to run more than necessary. By replacing the refrigerators with new energy-efficient models, the lights with CFLs and setting the pool pump to only run at specified intervals, I’ve saved $3,000 in the past year and I am on track to save even more this year! ”
But in order to get this near real-time feedback you first need an advanced electricity meter known as a smart meter installed in your home. Google says there are currently about 40-million smart meters in use worldwide, with plans to add another 100-million in the next few years – 40-million are planned in the US alone over the next three years through President Barack Obama’s stimulus package.
Google idea is to make the information on smart meters available to consumers. “PowerMeter will receive energy consumption information from utility smart meters and energy management devices and provide anyone who signs up access to her home electricity consumption right on her iGoogle homepage,” the search engine giant says.
PowerMeter is currently still a prototype being tested by Google employees, but the company hopes to partner with utilities and smart energy device makers (presumably in the United States) and eventually make the tool available for free to consumers.
Sounds to me like this is something Eskom should be keeping an eye on because it could be a handy tool to help South Africans reduce their electricity consumption by the required 10 percent.
Meanwhile, Microsoft is reportedly about to make available an add-on “Environmental Dashboard” application for Microsoft Dynamics AX. It is geared at business users, to help them analyse and reduce their energy use. It also provides information on greenhouse gas emissions. You can read more about it on CNet
What if minerals and energy split?
February 10, 2009
Posted in Renewable energy
In what is potentially great news for the renewable energy industry in South Africa, the department of minerals and energy may be split into two separate ministries this year, according to a Reuters report.
An unbundled energy ministry would have the job of implementing an energy policy for the country that is less tied to the mining industry. At present about 90 percent of South Africa’s energy is produced from coal, of which there is a plentiful supply. But for the country to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, which it has committed to do, this reliance on dirty fossil fuel has to end and other, cleaner energy sources, such as solar and wind, have to start adding their “green” electrons to the electricity grid.
The department of minerals and energy is perceived to have been dragging its feet on finding alternative sources of energy. Although the government has set a renewable energy target of 10 000GWh by 2013, this target is described as modest and the government is behind schedule in meeting it. What’s more the renewable energy feed-in tariff system (REFIT), which will determine how much alternative energy suppliers are paid for the electricity they generate and thus make the industry economically viable, has apparently been under discussion for more than a decade and has now become a matter of urgency.
According to BR, there is talk that the energy ministry may join with environmental affairs which would make sense given the relationship between energy issues and climate change.
Sources: Business Report, WWF
De Lille calls for more renewables
February 9, 2009
Posted in Renewable energy
The global economic crisis was an exciting opportunity for South Africa to make massive investments in renewable energy and position itself as a world leader in combatting climate change, Patricia de Lille, the leader of the Independent Democrats, said in a speech in Parliament today.
Investing in renewable energy would create hundreds of thousands of jobs and provide sustainable energy for our people, she said.
“There is no reason why South Africa cannot be one of the world leaders in terms of renewable energy.”
“This would enable us to develop skills, where hundreds of thousands of our people will be able to become plumbers, electricians, solar power installers and wind turbine technicians.”
She said that Germany had created a quarter of a million jobs in its renewable energy industry in only 10 to 15 years.
But South Africa needs leadership, political will and budgetary resources if it is to carve a place for itself in this industry.
She said that the fact that the government had set a target to have one million solar water heaters installed in three years and had only succeeded in installing 800 in the first year was evidence that the “government is not serious”.
De Lille called on the government to suspend all spending on projects like the pebble-bed modular reactor, the conventional nuclear and arms industries, “which create very few jobs and waste billions of rand on foreign companies”.
Source: Politicsweb
Whale warriors head back to shore
February 9, 2009
Posted in Conservation
After some high drama in the Southern Ocean, the Sea Shepherd anti-whaling vessel Steve Irwin and her crew yesterday withdrew from the Japanese whaling fleet and started the return trip to Australia after attempting to obstruct the fleet’s operations for more than a month and save the lives of many whales, the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society reports on its website.
Confrontations between the Steve Irwin and the whaling fleet have resulted in numerous close calls and two collisions, says the Sea Shepherd society. The most recent on Friday drew international media attention, when Tokyo accused the crew of the protest ship of violence when it collided with a harpoon ship Yushin Maru 2 in an attempt to block the transfer of a dead whale up the slipway of the abattoir ship Nisshin Maru.
The protesters said that the whaling fleet had used long-range acoustical devices (LRADs) and high-powered water cannons against them, as well as throwing golf balls and chunks of metal. The Japanese claimed that the protesters had hurled bottles of acid at their ship. But the Sea Shepherd said that it was in fact rotten butter.
Japan officially stopped whaling under a 1986 global moratorium, but because of a loophole it is able to hunt whales for research purposes.
Japan’s Institute of Cetacean Research describes the Sea Shepherd Society as a “self-righteous terrorist group” and has accused it of illegal harassment and terrorism against the ICR’s research.
Captain Paul Watson said in a statement announcing the end of this year’s Sea Shepherd campaign: “I have always said that we would do everything we can short of hurting people to end illegal whaling in the Antarctic Whale Sanctuary.”
“We have done everything we could with the resources available to us this year. We have shut down their illegal operations for over a month in total. We have cost them money and we have saved the lives of a good many whales. And although we are willing to take the risks required, even to our own lives, I am not prepared to do to the Japanese whalers what they do to the whales and the escalating violence by the whalers will result in some serious injuries and possibly fatalities if this confrontation continues to escalate.”
Japan’s whaling fleet is in Antarctic waters for an annual hunt aimed at catching about 900 whales, Reuters reports.
The Steve Irwin started off in hot pursuit on December 18, following the fleet for more than 3,000km until January 7. It then relocated the fleet on February 1 and since then the whalers had been able to kill only five of the ocean mammals, the Sea Shepherd Society said. “Normally during this period they would be taking 8 to 10 whales per day.”
Captain Watson said that he has been operating at a disadvantage against three harpoon boats that are superior in speed and manoeuvrability to the Steve Irwin. He says he intends to return next year with a ship that is as fast as they are.
“We will never stop intervening against their illegal whaling operations and we will never stop harassing them, blockading them and costing them money. I intend to be their on-going nightmare every year until they stop their horrific and unlawful slaughter of the great whales in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary,” he said.
Sea Shepherd says it has over 1,000 hours of video footage taken during this campaign which will be used in a series on Animal Planet called Whale Wars. “People can watch and judge for themselves,” the society says on its website.
For an interesting interview with Paul Watson see Mother Jones.
Can I eat these tomatoes or will they make me sick?
February 7, 2009
Posted in Garden
Hanging in there: Sick tomato plant with yellowing curled up leaves and soft stems
My baby Roma tomato plant was covered in clusters of green tomatoes when it succumbed to some or other lurgy. The leaves went all yellowy and curled up and the stems went all soft and droopy, like the plant just didn’t have the energy to hold itself up anymore.
My first thought was to find a way to save all those tomatoes? There were at least 24 of them. And after the resilience displayed by my near-dead lettuces, I decided to see if I could revitalise my tomato plant. I cut off all the diseased-looking leaves (which turned out to be all of them) and trimmed off the bits of stem that didn’t hold any tomatoes and then staked up the stems with tomatoes on them to keep them off the ground.
Then I mixed some kraal manure with a bit of bone meal (these are the only natural fertilisers I know of at this point) and put some generous dollops around the base of the plant. And then I watered it well and waited.
My intervention seemed to pay off because the stems firmed up, but no new shoots appeared. My friend from work, who has turned out to be a fantastic source of information about growing veg, told me I shouldn’t have cut off all the leaves. “How’s the poor plant going to photosynthesize?” she said. I didn’t think of that at the time.
Anyway, despite being leafless, the plant hung in there long enough for most of the tomatoes to turn a pale orangey-red, which I decided was ripe enough to pick and put on my kitchen windowsill to ripen further.
But my main concern was whether the tomatoes would be safe to eat. Would whatever killed the plant be in the fruit and give whoever ate them a stomach ache or worse? Once again, I turned to my friend, who also happens to be a trained nurse, for advice. She assured me that plant diseases do not cross over to humans. So I decided to throw caution to the wind and eat the tomatoes. I am happy to report that I have survived unscathed.
On Wednesday, I pulled the plant up. RIP Roma tomato plant.
Our man in Africa
February 5, 2009
Posted in Green News
Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Meles Zenawi urged African leaders at the African Union summit in Addis Ababa this week to nominate a single representative to lead negotiations on behalf of all 53 African countries at the United Nations climate change conference in Copenhagen in December, Bloomberg reports. If this idea were to fly, could South African environment minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk (pictured right) be the man for the job?
He has made a name for himself at international climate talks as an important voice for developing countries and, thanks to him, South Africa is often described as “punching above its weight” in climate negotiations. But there are doubts about whether he will retain his post in the environment ministry after South Africa’s next elections, which are expected to be held in the next few months. He is said to be highly regarded in international circles and many feel that his skills are needed in the climate negotiations. And, goodness knows, Africa could do with someone who can pack a good punch.
Clean water with less energy
February 4, 2009
Posted in Green News
Photograph by Snap, licensed under Creative Commons licence.
Given the state of the water supply in South Africa (which has been described as a looming crisis) and our electricity shortage, a new water desalination and purification technology that uses significantly less energy to harvest drinkable water from nonpotable sources – sea water and waste water, for instance – sounds like something worth keeping an eye on.
Developed by researchers at Yale in the United States, the system uses “a new twist on an old technology” called forward osmosis. Water naturally flows from a dilute region to one that’s more concentrated when the two solutions are separated by a semipermeable material. The new system “draws” pure water from its contaminants through the membrane to a solution of concentrated salts. This solution has been specially designed to be easy to remove with low heat treatment, which means using less energy.
A company called Oasys has been established to commercialise the technology.
Details of Oasys’s draw solution are apparently a company secret, but it uses ammonia and carbon-dioxide gases dissolved in water in specific proportions, says a report on a Yale website. The solution then can be removed efficiently and reused.
The researchers say their system uses ten times less electrical energy than traditional desalination plants.
A pilot-scale plant to test the technology is producing one cubic meter of water per day, but Oasys aims to raise venture financing to increase output to 1,000 to 10,000 cubic metres of water a day.
The technology has a way to go before it reaches commercial scale, but it may hold hope for affordable water purification in developing countries.
Sources: Ecogeek; Yale; Yale School of Engineering and Applied Science; Water and Waste Treatment
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