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Dencity: What 7 Billion People Looks Like
9 January 2012
We’re no doubt all aware of the fact that according to estimates, the world population has reached over 7 billion people.
That’s a lot, but it’s difficult to put such a huge number into perspective, which is why Fathom created this map, to give a better idea of where we all fit in.
Image: Fathom
Reality Check: 10 Places to Visit Before They Vanish
9 January 2012
It’s a sobering thought, but many places that we know to exist now but not be there in the near future, as described in an article on the Mother Nature Network.
Due to various implications of climate change, many places, like the Maldives, will be irrevocably changed in the future unless we take drastic action to prevent catastrophe.
Image: Mother Nature Network
Changes in Light: A History of the Sky
8 January 2012
We look at the sky every day, but how many people can say they’ve watched the sky the entire day, and seen all the changes in light and weather?
Well after watching the movie below, you can technically say you have, from the perspective of the Exploratorium in San Francisco at least.
A camera on the roof of the museum took a photo of the sky every ten seconds for a year, and these images were then composed into a mosaic- a truly fascinating summary of the sky.
My Home, Our Home: Conserving Mexico’s Coastline
7 January 2012
What started out as a short film made on a surf trip to Barra de la Cruz in southern Mexico became the start of something greater.
The Water’s Edge Project aims to conserve coastlines by educating youth and offering surf classes that not only teach a recreational sport, but also contribute to an understanding of the importance of a healthy coastal ecology.
WWF Interactive Website: Explore Our World
6 January 2012
The world is an incredible place, even though we often get caught up in our own lives, and forget what an amazing planet we live on.
If you’re in need of a reminder though, WWF has curated an online platform that has links to galleries, videos and information about everything from conservation projects to statistics, as well as the very thing that keeps us together- life.
Sustainability and Apiaries: Urban Beekeeping
5 January 2012
The plight of the world’s bees has become a great concern, as bees are essential for pollination, a critical element in the cultivation of certain crops for human food supply.
An interview with urban beekeeper Meg Paska in GOOD emphasizes the ability to live a sustainable lifestyle in a big city with the assistance of bees and honey- something that could become even more common in South Africa.
For more information on South African beekeeping, visit the Southerns Beekeeping Association website.
Do The Green Thing: Plug Out
4 January 2012
Do The Green Thing is public service based in the UK, that aims to raise awareness about environmental issues and encourage people to live a greener life.
This video in particular emphasizes the importance of “plugging out” and not wasting electricity, for both a greener world and a more sane mind.
A Life Underwater: Memories of a Diver
3 January 2012
Ray Ives is a diver, and an avid collector of marine artifacts which tell the story of his extensive career.
With an appreciation for the underwater world, Ray’s story also highlights our sometimes destructive relationship with the oceans- one of our most precious resources but one we often treat as a rubbish dump.
Post-COP Durban: Art on the Streets
2 January 2012
It’s been almost a month since COP17 ended in Durban, but the buzz around the conference is no doubt still being felt within the city.
This artwork was done during COP, but is still a reminder of the sentiment of many of the people who protested outside the venue, and is representative of the kind of engagement with environmental issues that perhaps we should carry with us into 2012.
Upcoming Cross-Country Initiative: The Expedition Project
1 January 2012
It’s no secret that South Africa is a diverse nation, with over ten official languages and a population that lives in varying degrees of wealth and poverty.
This diversity may be a positive aspect in many ways, but when it comes to addressing issues of sustainability, it’s important to know how we are dealing with various challenges.
This is why today, at the start of 2012, The Expedition Project begins, a year-long trip around the country that will uncover the environmental and social challenges that need to be addressed.
For more information, and to keep track of the journey, visit The Expedition Project website.
Image: Cars
A New Year’s Message: Say Something Nice
31 December 2011
It’s the last day of 2011 today, and we can all look back on an interesting year, to say the least.
To inspire some positivity for the year ahead, here’s a video that show’s a simple concept, but a philosophy that could have an exponentially positive effect in 2012.
Showing Face: The Legacy of the Occupy Movement
30 December 2011
The protests that took place this past year had a ripple effect globally, with uprisings like the Arab Spring inspiring people in places like New York City to camp outside of Wall Street.
No matter how you feel about this kind of defiance, or whether you agree with it or not, it cannot be doubted that organised demonstrations like Occupy Wall Street have made an impact- the magnitude of which remains to be seen.
WWF: Changing the Way We Think About Food
29 December 2011
The world is changing everyday, but are we?
This video from WWF raises the question of food security, and the importance of thinking about productivity differently to guarantee the sustainability of our resources.
Berg en Dal: Permaculture Farming in the Karoo
28 December 2011
During their coverage of COP17, the Mail and Guardian featured an interesting article on a permaculture farm called Berg en Dal just outside of Ladismith in the Little Karoo.
As an arid region, it’s difficult to imagine the possibility of a fully self-sufficient food farm in this area, but this initiative shows that it’s possible.
It also shows how some people are choosing permaculture as an alternative way of sourcing their food, one that takes ecological relationships into consideration- an issue we raise in our film series on fracking in the Karoo.
How Tourism Affects the Coastline: Kenyan Turtle Conservation
27 December 2011
The Green Renaissance team recently went to film the annual turtle nesting season near Ponta Do Ouro in Mozambique, where turtle populations are coming under pressure from increasing infrastructure.
According to an article by The Guardian, the situation in Kenya is much the same, as turtle populations have also been negatively affected by development along the coastline.
Although tourism is an important element of the economy, this article emphasizes the need for ecotourism that actively monitors and reduces its environmental impact, something we hope will also be put into effect in Mozambique.
Tracking How Funding is Spent: The Broccoli Project
26 December 2011
Have you ever donated to an organisation, but never had any real idea of where your money went, or how you really contributed?
The Broccoli Project is an initiative that aims to solve this, by offering donors the ability to track their donations using cloud computing, which offers a transparent platform to see how their money is spent.
This in turn encourages best practice in beneficiaries, and offers them incentives to improve their situation by rewarding positive efforts, including environmental projects.
To find out more about how the Broccoli Project works visit their website.
Image: The Broccoli Project
Celebrating a “Green” Christmas with Recycled Plastic Bottles
25 December 2011
It’s Christmas today, so here’s wishing everyone a wonderful day of celebration, for all those who are celebrating.
And what better way to celebrate than showcase a “green” Christmas tree, which was put up in a town in Lithuania, and made from 40 000 plastic bottles.
The Thrill of Skydiving: Endless Summer Skies
24 December 2011
The weightlessness of skydiving is supposed to be an incredible feeling, and something that seems to be addictive- especially considering the unparalleled view of the world below from above.
Festive Season Outdoor Etiquette: Dealing With Baboons
23 December 2011
In South Africa, we’re lucky enough to celebrate the festive season during the summer months, which means many people will be spending more time outdoors appreciating nature.
With this privilege however, does come a degree of responsibility, especially when it comes to animals like baboons in areas like the Western Cape.
The City of Cape Town in particular urges people not to feed baboons, and to take the necessary precautions when dealing with them, as they are wild animals and need to be respected.
For more information visit this post on The City of Cape Town website.
Image: Southern Crossroads
The Road Uphill: The Schleck Brothers’ Story
22 December 2011
Taking time out to cycle outdoors is one thing, but dedicating your life to being an extreme long distance cyclist is a completely different way of life.
The trailer below shows the challenging journey that the two Schleck brothers went through while training for the Tour de France- no doubt an inspiration for avid or amateur cyclists alike.
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