Again it is even more encouraging that South African government is putting money where their mouth is. Mr Gordhan through his budget speech for 2010 has reiterated the words of the President Zuma in that "green economy initiatives will create new opportunities for enterprise development, job creation and the renewal of commercial and residential environments"
Mr Gordhan after noting the challenges that climate change is posing, he on the other hand pointed out to opportunities for South Africa such as creating an environment that will "enable investment in sustainable technologies". He with the same vigour calls for "industries to be helped to manage scarce resources more efficiently and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through appropriate pricing of energy."
Green Opportunities
I believe that South Africa is doing her bit to contribute to the green economy. This is a call to local and foreign investors to reconsider opportunities in the country and in Africa in the renewable energy sector including R&D of sustainable living technologies and efficiency-driven approaches.
Showing posts with label Climate Change. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Climate Change. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Thursday, June 5, 2008
"Cap your Carbon"! Happy World Environment Day, South Africa!
Happy World Environment Day to all! Today the world is celebrating the WED by encouraging people from all nations and all walks of life to TAKE ACTION against the greatest threat of all, the global Climate Change. The UN theme for 2008 is "Kick the CO2 habit! Towards a low carbon economy!" In that, everyone is encouraged to put a ceiling to their business-as-usual, carbon-intensive lifestyle and pursue a low-carbon lifestyle.
Our organisation is celebrating the day by encouraging the employees to play "Climate Change Quiz" on a Touchscreen Kiosk (that I personally masterminded). The Quiz has ten questions ranging from what the definition of CC to what actions the Provincial Government of the Western Cape is taking, to personal actions that individuals should adopt.
The prize for the winners is a cap (a tight-fitting headdress...see picture below) with the label "CAP YOUR CARBON". The cap was introduced by the Provincial Minister of Environmental Affairs, Ms Tasneen Essop during her Budget Speech in the Legislative House, encouraging the Legislative members to calculate their Carbon Footprints in order to necessary steps in reducing their footprint. The Carbon Foorprint of all the senior managers in my organisation has been calculated.
The Cap...
The employees queueing to participate in the CC Quiz...
I personally want to challenge, YOU (the reader) to calculate your Carbon Footprint, and then examine what small and big changes you may need to make in your everyday lifestyle.
Happy WED!
Our organisation is celebrating the day by encouraging the employees to play "Climate Change Quiz" on a Touchscreen Kiosk (that I personally masterminded). The Quiz has ten questions ranging from what the definition of CC to what actions the Provincial Government of the Western Cape is taking, to personal actions that individuals should adopt.
The prize for the winners is a cap (a tight-fitting headdress...see picture below) with the label "CAP YOUR CARBON". The cap was introduced by the Provincial Minister of Environmental Affairs, Ms Tasneen Essop during her Budget Speech in the Legislative House, encouraging the Legislative members to calculate their Carbon Footprints in order to necessary steps in reducing their footprint. The Carbon Foorprint of all the senior managers in my organisation has been calculated.
The Cap...
The employees queueing to participate in the CC Quiz...
I personally want to challenge, YOU (the reader) to calculate your Carbon Footprint, and then examine what small and big changes you may need to make in your everyday lifestyle.
Happy WED!
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Exhibition for the Cuban visitors
Due to my exhibition experience in my organisation, I have been tasked to lead a team of staff to exhibit for the "Friends of Cuban Society" in Cape Town as well as Cuban visitors to South Africa. Among the delegation is the son of the former president of Cuba, the Nuclear Physicist Professor Fidel Castro Diaz-Balart.
On the 31 March he presented a lecture at CSIR where he noted that Energy Conservation and the use of Renewable Energy (wind and solar) is an alternative to nuclear energy. He made a note that there was a time when Cuba had power outages just like South Africa, but they no longer have. Some of the topics being presented by him and the South Africa research institutes and Government are Biotechnology, nanotechnology, nuclear and energy technology as well as climate change.
The workshop between the Western Cape Provincial Goverbnment and Cuban will focus on "Energy and Climate Change" issues. Our organisation has made strides in the area of Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy policies, and Climate Change strategy. We will be exhibing some of the work done by our organisation.
During the Event
The venue was packed to full capacity with activists, representatives from NGO's, and the public. A documentary on "Cuba and the Peak Oil Crisis" was played. I was so impressed by how the Cubans managed to survive the energy crisis. They used bicycles to commute, created mixed use buildings (houses/schools/shops/workplace in close proximity), practiced urban farming, organic farming (with less use of fertilisers and pesticides), conserving energy, increased the supply using renewable energy (Solar PV, Solar water heaters, wind facilities), etc.
The documenntation was followed by followed by powered speeches by the MEC Tasneem Essop and Dr Fidel Castro Diaz-Balart. The Western Cape Environment minister highlighted the challenges of 2006 power outages in the Western Cape, and how the province joined hands to save energy. She also dealt with the hot issues of Climate Change. "The poor people are the most vulnerable to Climate Change effects", she said. Dr Castro noted that Cuban theme for the year is "Energy Revolution". He highlighted what Cuba has gone through and had their breakthrough with regards to energy issues.
Photos...
On the 31 March he presented a lecture at CSIR where he noted that Energy Conservation and the use of Renewable Energy (wind and solar) is an alternative to nuclear energy. He made a note that there was a time when Cuba had power outages just like South Africa, but they no longer have. Some of the topics being presented by him and the South Africa research institutes and Government are Biotechnology, nanotechnology, nuclear and energy technology as well as climate change.
The workshop between the Western Cape Provincial Goverbnment and Cuban will focus on "Energy and Climate Change" issues. Our organisation has made strides in the area of Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy policies, and Climate Change strategy. We will be exhibing some of the work done by our organisation.
During the Event
The venue was packed to full capacity with activists, representatives from NGO's, and the public. A documentary on "Cuba and the Peak Oil Crisis" was played. I was so impressed by how the Cubans managed to survive the energy crisis. They used bicycles to commute, created mixed use buildings (houses/schools/shops/workplace in close proximity), practiced urban farming, organic farming (with less use of fertilisers and pesticides), conserving energy, increased the supply using renewable energy (Solar PV, Solar water heaters, wind facilities), etc.
The documenntation was followed by followed by powered speeches by the MEC Tasneem Essop and Dr Fidel Castro Diaz-Balart. The Western Cape Environment minister highlighted the challenges of 2006 power outages in the Western Cape, and how the province joined hands to save energy. She also dealt with the hot issues of Climate Change. "The poor people are the most vulnerable to Climate Change effects", she said. Dr Castro noted that Cuban theme for the year is "Energy Revolution". He highlighted what Cuba has gone through and had their breakthrough with regards to energy issues.
Photos...
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Climate Change Quiz for 109 Schools Project
I am proud to have introduced and acuired a Touchscreen Information Kiosk for my organisation. It will be used for the GIS (Geographic Information Systems) and Climate Change awareness-raising campaigns. After the it was first introduced to the public during the GIS Day 2007 event, it was placed at our organisation entrance for use by staff and visitors. I have heard good report about the use of the kiosk.
The Touchscreen Kiosk content consists of a Climate Change Quiz, a GIS Map, PowerPoint presentation on Climate Change Strategy, video clips on GIS, a brief information about the Department's programmes, and an intro slideshow with the background music.
The Climate Change Quiz on the kiosk has only 10 simple questions prepared for the Grade 12 learners. It is intended to test general knowledge such as what cause Climate change, list few Greenhouse gases, the predictions for the Western Cape region, what actions should be taken by ordinary citizens, what Government is doing about Climate Change, etc.
I believe that my organisation, the Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning in Cape Town, South Africa is one of the leading regions in the world in terms of being pro-action w.r.t Climate Change strategies and forward planning. The Department has developed the Western Cape Climate Change Response Strategy and Action Plan in June 2007. The Department has identified 109 Schools who will be receive the Climate Change Education Programme until October 2008. It is also contributing to Renewable Energy projects in the region.
The Touchscreen Kiosk content consists of a Climate Change Quiz, a GIS Map, PowerPoint presentation on Climate Change Strategy, video clips on GIS, a brief information about the Department's programmes, and an intro slideshow with the background music.
The Climate Change Quiz on the kiosk has only 10 simple questions prepared for the Grade 12 learners. It is intended to test general knowledge such as what cause Climate change, list few Greenhouse gases, the predictions for the Western Cape region, what actions should be taken by ordinary citizens, what Government is doing about Climate Change, etc.
I believe that my organisation, the Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning in Cape Town, South Africa is one of the leading regions in the world in terms of being pro-action w.r.t Climate Change strategies and forward planning. The Department has developed the Western Cape Climate Change Response Strategy and Action Plan in June 2007. The Department has identified 109 Schools who will be receive the Climate Change Education Programme until October 2008. It is also contributing to Renewable Energy projects in the region.
Friday, October 26, 2007
Happy GIS Day, Western Cape
Yesterday, the 25th October I led my task team from our organisation to host what became a successful GIS Day event. Every year during November, all over the world, most GIS (Geographic Information Systems) users and vendors open up their doors to schools, businesses, and the general public to showcase real-world applications of this important technology.
The International GIS Day 2007 will be celebrated on Wednesday, 14 November during Geography Awareness Week.
Our organisation hosted the Departmental GIS Day event whose theme was "GIS Mapping 4 Climate Change" , in October, to kickstart the Climate Change Education and Awareness Programme to 109 target Schools in the Western Cape Province, South Africa.
16 of the 109 Schools attended. Members of various Environmental NGO’s and CBO’s as well as officials from all the Provincial Government Departments attended. CapeNature and the Western Cape Branch of the Geo-information Society of South Africa (WC GISSA) partook in the GIS Day event.
The event started by Drama, Dance and Poetry performance by a Time Theatre Group, followed by the Opening Address by MEC of Environment, Planning and Economic Development, Ms Tasneem Essop. Presentations were made on the Western Cape Climate Change Response Strategy and Action Plan, GIS application on Disaster Management.
The School learners afterwards participated in interactive activities with Maptrix, MapAware, GPS Treasure Hunt, and the GIS touchscreen kiosk.
Woolworths and Africon sponsored the catering for the event!
The International GIS Day 2007 will be celebrated on Wednesday, 14 November during Geography Awareness Week.
Our organisation hosted the Departmental GIS Day event whose theme was "GIS Mapping 4 Climate Change" , in October, to kickstart the Climate Change Education and Awareness Programme to 109 target Schools in the Western Cape Province, South Africa.
16 of the 109 Schools attended. Members of various Environmental NGO’s and CBO’s as well as officials from all the Provincial Government Departments attended. CapeNature and the Western Cape Branch of the Geo-information Society of South Africa (WC GISSA) partook in the GIS Day event.
The event started by Drama, Dance and Poetry performance by a Time Theatre Group, followed by the Opening Address by MEC of Environment, Planning and Economic Development, Ms Tasneem Essop. Presentations were made on the Western Cape Climate Change Response Strategy and Action Plan, GIS application on Disaster Management.
The School learners afterwards participated in interactive activities with Maptrix, MapAware, GPS Treasure Hunt, and the GIS touchscreen kiosk.
Woolworths and Africon sponsored the catering for the event!
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Kiosk with GIS and Climate Change
For the last 12 months I have been motivating to my managers to acquire an information kiosk for branding the Government Department. Today I finally received the kiosk from Dicoll Interactive (service provider based in Johannesburg).
I personally created with the structure and the content for the kiosk which includes the GIS Viewer Map, Climate change Quiz, Videos, Powerpoint presentation, and other text information.
See the kiosk pic...
I personally created with the structure and the content for the kiosk which includes the GIS Viewer Map, Climate change Quiz, Videos, Powerpoint presentation, and other text information.
See the kiosk pic...
Monday, October 1, 2007
Short course: Sustainable Development and Climate Change, 25-28 September
There is no place where one can say "I know it all". That is why I have motivated to attend this free course, sponsored by C3D, at the Energy Research Centre at UCT (University of Cape Town), South Africa.
This course is being facilitated by Professor Mohan Munasinghe, who is a Vice Chairperson of the UN's InterGovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Mohan is the founder of an NGO called MIND (Munasinghe Institute of Development). Himself, together with the UCT Professors, have facilited the various sesssions. The course was focusing on applying a sustainable development framework to the problem of Climate Change. We also learnt a brilliant model/matrix called AIM (Action Impact Matrix) which was used in Climate Change application.
The course is worth attending...
See the picture of the class group together with Professor Mohan Munasinghe...
This course is being facilitated by Professor Mohan Munasinghe, who is a Vice Chairperson of the UN's InterGovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Mohan is the founder of an NGO called MIND (Munasinghe Institute of Development). Himself, together with the UCT Professors, have facilited the various sesssions. The course was focusing on applying a sustainable development framework to the problem of Climate Change. We also learnt a brilliant model/matrix called AIM (Action Impact Matrix) which was used in Climate Change application.
The course is worth attending...
See the picture of the class group together with Professor Mohan Munasinghe...
Thursday, May 31, 2007
A live Radio Interview on Climate Change and Global Warming
I'm over the moon! I've been seconded to represent my organisation (a Western Cape Government Department) to speak on Umhlobo Wenene FM on Thursday, 7th June 2007 at 17h30-18h00 (South African Timezone). I will be interviewed on Climate Change and Global Warming matters.
The interview is part of SABC's roadshows - Fundanathi Faire - that targets the Grade 11-12 School learners. On the 7-9 of June, the SABC will hold the Western Cape's event at the Velodrome in Bellville.
About the Radio Station: Umhlobo Wenene FM is the second-largest vernacular radio station in SA and has an average of 4.9 million listeners per day. Umhlobo Wenene FM has transmitters in 7 of the provinces but the majority of its audience is the Eastern Cape. The station targets 25-49 (core) and 16-24 year-olds (secondary) in LSM 4-8. The station broadcasts to the Xhosa-speaking and -understanding community and offers music, information, talk, drama and sport. The music repertoire on the station consists of Jazz, R&B, Kwaito, House and Gospel.
Listen to the stream radio broadcast from their website www.uwfm.co.za
The interview is part of SABC's roadshows - Fundanathi Faire - that targets the Grade 11-12 School learners. On the 7-9 of June, the SABC will hold the Western Cape's event at the Velodrome in Bellville.
About the Radio Station: Umhlobo Wenene FM is the second-largest vernacular radio station in SA and has an average of 4.9 million listeners per day. Umhlobo Wenene FM has transmitters in 7 of the provinces but the majority of its audience is the Eastern Cape. The station targets 25-49 (core) and 16-24 year-olds (secondary) in LSM 4-8. The station broadcasts to the Xhosa-speaking and -understanding community and offers music, information, talk, drama and sport. The music repertoire on the station consists of Jazz, R&B, Kwaito, House and Gospel.
Listen to the stream radio broadcast from their website www.uwfm.co.za
Sunday, May 6, 2007
MSc GeoInformatics programme
I am so excited that I am commencing with my M Sc studies. I have just been awarded a good bursary. I will bestudying courses in GIS (Geographic Information Systems), Environmental Economics, Sustainable Livelihood, and Climate Change. I intend to do a research in GIS and Climate Change focusing in the African continent.
Now, I have started participating in a course offered by Stanford University (the second best University in the work, which is based in the United States). Through the course we will interact and share our knowledge and experiences in Environmental issues with 2 more other African institutions (Tanzania and Uganda), together with Stanford University.
I am looking forward to this amazing opportunity.
Now, I have started participating in a course offered by Stanford University (the second best University in the work, which is based in the United States). Through the course we will interact and share our knowledge and experiences in Environmental issues with 2 more other African institutions (Tanzania and Uganda), together with Stanford University.
I am looking forward to this amazing opportunity.
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