Wednesday, 8 September 2010

We started dontbeapassenger at the beginning of this year with the intial aim of creating a community of environmentally conscious and motivated people, and to raise and discuss issues of sustainability within this group. Our plan for the last few months of 2010 is to become more active and make a difference on a slightly bigger scale. We can’t wait to take the next step, and we hope you’ll join us!

Tuesday, 20 July 2010

This weekend I took the decision to skip the Springbok game and venture on down to the Saturday market at the Old Biscuit Mill in Woodstock, Cape Town. Oganic fruit and vegetables, freshly baked breads and cakey things, homemade pesto and refreshing  juices all resulted in a sensory overload which was a more than adequate substitute for weekend sport.

Tuesday, 13 July 2010

While most of South Africa was focused on the build up to the World Cup final last week, politicians down in Cape Town were confronting issues of sustainability and climate change. On 7 July 2010 Western Cape Premier Helen Zille unveiled the provincial government’s plan for a greener city by 2014.

The four-year plan consists of six priority areas namely climate change, water management, pollution and waste management, biodiversity management, agricultural land use management and the built environment.

Thursday, 1 July 2010

Having completed a Masters in Energy Science and Technology at the prestigious Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, young South African Joschka Thilo will return to Cape Town, but not by an ordinary long distance transport vehicle. Over six months Josch will cycle the 10 000km distance home, a journey which he hopes will raise funds for education and awareness of the environment. We chatted to him to find out more.

Wednesday, 2 June 2010

The Gulf of Mexico has continues to reel from catastrophic damage caused by the BP’s Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion on 20 April. This live webcam shows the oil spilling into the ocean in real time. Scary to watch!

Facts and figures about the oil spill

• Over 75 million litres of oil has polluted the ocean so far, and BP officials have warned that the pipe may continue to leak until August.

• Louisiana’s marshlands have suffered greatly, and the damage is expected to escalate as the hurricane season commences this week.

• Oil in the water is likely to have contaminated and destroyed entire populations of fish and other water species. About 200 00 people in Louisiana who make their living off the local fishing industry are jobless for the season.

• Coastal life in the area faces great danger as many species rely on clean beaches to make their nests.

• The disaster has drastically altered perceptions of oil drilling. President Obama has highlighted the benefits of alternative energy sources and the White House confirmed that no new oil drilling will occur until the cause of the disaster are thoroughly examined. Meanwhile the government of California has completely withdrawn support for any new oil drilling off its coastline.

• BP now faces a flood of class action lawsuitsfor loss of earnings, loss of enjoyment or property, and for bereavement suffered by families of the 11 workers killed in the explosion. The company has pledged to meet all legitimate claims.