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Latest Film: Isikhwama Reuseable Bags
21 December 2011
We’ve just released our latest film, about Magrieta Leeuwschut, the factory manager at Isikhwama, one of two reusable bag suppliers to Woolworths.
Located in Cape Town, Isikhwama is a BEE company which is 25% owned by two women and employs semi-skilled and unskilled people who were previously out of work.
The bags that they make aim not only to reduce the need for plastic, but the limited edition bags also raise funds for worthwhile causes, including the rhino bag which has raised over R700 000 for WWF rhino conservation.
Mobile Technology and Dealing with Climate Change
20 December 2011
The fact that African farmers are going to be affected by climate change is something that was discussed repeatedly at COP17- a pressing challenge for agriculture on our continent.
Thankfully technology is able to assist to an extent, with projects like Sauti ya Wakulima (“The voice of the farmers”) in Tanzania.
Sauti ya Wakulima provides cellphones and internet access to farmers who can upload multimedia to a website, thereby creating a platform where they can share information on how best to deal with climate change and other challenges.
For more information visit the Sauti ya Wakulima website.
Image: Tripadvisor
Living Himalayas Initiative: Cross-Border Conservation
20 December 2011
One of the disappointments at COP17 was that a global agreement to address climate change was not secured.
However, cross-border conservation agreements like the WWF Living Himalayas Initiative do give us hope that this kind of co-operation is possible.
This agreement will help conserve areas like the Annapurna Mountains in Nepal, a popular trekking destination.
For more information visit the WWF UK website.
Birdwatching in Sierra Leone: Conservation and Emerging Ecotourism
19 December 2011
As conservation filmmakers, it’s always encouraging to read about other conservation initiatives on the continent.
In countries like Sierra Leone, the Gola Rainforest has been declared an important biodiversity hotspot by Conservation International, and the country is investing in ecotourism to protect endemic bird species like the rare White-necked Picathartes.
Winter Holiday Fun: Pandas Play in the Snow
19 December 2011
It’s less than a week until Christmas, and in some parts of the world, it’s going to be a white one. Here in South Africa there won’t be much snow, but we can appreciate how fun it must be to able to play in it.
This video, although amusing, also draws attention to the still critically endangered status of the Giant Panda- the face of the WWF and symbol of continuing worldwide conservation efforts.
Penguin Conservation: City of Cape Town Reopens Burgher’s Walk
18 December 2011
Last week, the City of Cape Town announced that Burgher’s Walk boardwalk in Simonstown will be re-opened to the public.
This section of the Simonstown coastline is one of only two land-based penguin colonies in South Africa, and provides nesting grounds for a significant number of these endangered birds. This area was previously closed for rehabilitation.
To see another example of penguin conservation in the Western Cape, watch our award-winning film, The Guardian, which was shot on Dyer Island.
Global Wheeling: Cycling for Climate Change Awareness
18 December 2011
South African Solo adventurer Kayden Kleinhans is cycling around the world, raising awareness about low carbon transport and climate change through his NGO, the Global Wheeling initiative.
This trailer gives some idea of the epic scale of his African journey, one that is continuing to take place in other parts of the world.
Some Perspective: A History of Fossil Fuels
17 December 2011
As we face the seemingly insurmountable challenges posed by climate change, it’s enlightening to look back, and see an illustrated interpretation of where our reliance on fossil fuels began.
New Urban Thinking: Cities as Symbiotic
17 December 2011
According to Cormac Cullinan, climate change is a symptom of the dysfunctional relationship between humans and nature, and this is apparent in the way cities are built- designed to serve a model of industrial production.
However, if we look at our relationship with nature in a different way, cities can be built to serve a more organic model, one that sees humans as just a part of a greater organic and self-regulating system.
Green Gift Idea: Plant a Tree this Festive Season
16 December 2011
It’s just over a week until Christmas, and many of us are probably thinking about what to put under the Christmas tree.
However, instead of all the waste that comes buying gifts, why not pay it forward by planting a tree?
Greenpop offers individuals and businesses the opportunity to “gift” trees, or you can get involved by volunteering for one of their upcoming planting days.
Supermarket Consciousness: Shifting to Zero Waste
16 December 2011
In a wrap-up of their best stories of the year, GOOD featured an interesting concept- the idea of a zero-waste, package-free supermarket called in.gredients.
With local supermarket chains becoming more environmentally aware, we’re beginning to see a shift towards using re-useable bags for example, but could we take it a step further by implementing the same kind of store in South Africa?
Finding Oregon: The Night Sky in Timelapse
15 December 2011
With only about 15 days a year to shoot a night sky timelapse, the Uncage the Soul production team had to work hard to capture this video of the stars in Oregon, USA.
This video was created as part of a travel campaign for the state, and aims to showcase the area’s natural beauty- something we hope you’ll enjoy wherever you are this long weekend.
Animals and Humans: Interaction, Invasion and Accuracy
15 December 2011
Two amusing videos are doing the rounds this morning- one about a fur seal in New Zealand that invaded a home and snuggled up on the couch, and another about a bearded lizard showing surprising accuracy at an iPhone game.
Maybe these videos are a bit silly, but they bring up important questions about our interactions with wildlife, and it’s interesting to be reminded that in some ways we’re not that different after all.
Upcoming Conservation Event: Help Catch Lizards
14 December 2011
It’s always great to read about conservation projects, and even better to actually get involved in them.
Helene Basson, a Masters student at Stellenbosch University, will be conducting field research at Landroskop in the Hottentot Holland Mountains from 12-15 January 2012, and needs volunteers to help catch 60 lizards.
If you’re interested in helping out, contact Helene by emailing her directly: heleneb@sun.ac.za
Image: Stellenbosch University
Latest Film Release: Elgin Free Range Chickens
14 December 2011
Earlier in the year, we went to film Jeanne Groenewald’s independent free range chicken operation- Elgin Free Range Chickens.
Jeanne’s philosophy centres around providing the healthiest food for her family, and ensuring that the chickens from her farm are cared for in the best way possible, and given ample space to roam.
This philosophy is matched by her dedication to upholding strict quality standards, which is why she has also been included in Woolworth’s “Meet the Heroes” series, which forms part of their Good Business Journey.
Urban Sports: Taking Freeskiing to the Streets
13 December 2011
With the climate change challenges that we face, it has become increasingly important to shift towards low-carbon forms of transport.
For some, this means bicycles and public transport, but for JP Auclair, getting around in his Canadian town during winter is as easy as clicking into his skis.
Animal Update: Seals on Cape Peninsula Beaches
13 December 2011
News that hundreds of dead seals have washed up along Strandfontein and Kommetjie beaches this week is a poignant reminder of the constant fight for survival in nature.
According to the Cape of Good Hope SPCA, many of these were young seals or “yearlings” which had presumably died from drowning or exhaustion after rough weather.
As it is now the seal pupping season, the SPCA emphasizes that both live and dead seal sightings are going to become more common, and urges people not to disturb any “hauled out” seals, but to contact the SPCA if they come across any that are visibly in distress.
Image: Travelpod
Breakthrough Deal or COP Out: Perspectives on COP17
12 December 2011
Scanning the news headlines today, there seem to be differing perspectives on the outcomes of COP17, the UN climate change talks that took place in Durban over the last two weeks.
On the one hand, leaders are exultant that an agreement has been reached to work on legislation that is scheduled to be approved in 2015, and will come into effect in 2020.
However, environmental groups like WWF are disappointed, as we are, with the lack of urgency shown in preventing catastrophic climate change, which raises the question- will we be able to deal with the effects global temperature rise in time?
Sad News: Rhinos in Our Films Victims of Poaching
12 December 2011
It is with sadness that we start the week, knowing that three of the rhinos we have filmed in the past few months have been killed.
First it was Tanner 2, the injured orphan rhino who barely survived a poaching incident, and had to be euthanised. Now, two more of the rhinos which we filmed at Fairy Glen for Woolworths have also been attacked by poachers.
According to the latest figures from SANParks, 405 rhinos have been killed in South Africa this year alone, a scary 22 percent increase from last year- please continue to support rhino conservation efforts to stop this madness.
Weekend Escapism: Where the Trail Ends
11 December 2011
It’s been a busy last two weeks, with an overwhelming amount if information circulating about COP17, change and sustainability.
So to kick back, and in celebration of International Mountain Day, here’s a mountain biking film trailer that will at the very least get your heart rate up.
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