Environment

Environment

Each of us is nourished every day by our environment – through the food we eat, the water we drink, the air we breathe, and the warmth of the sun. The beauty of nature gives us joy, and we use its many resources to create the world around us.

Yet many of us have not yet learned to live in a healthy and respectful relationship with nature, and our lifestyles and our economic systems are causing immense damage to the environment.

Global warming is now creating climate change on a scale that is alarming, and it means we face huge challenges. This can all feel overwhelming, and we may question how changing to energy-saving light bulbs or using a little less water going to help this enormous crisis.

 

IDEAS FOR ACTION (from www.forgood.co.za)

  • Before you buy something, ask yourself: Do I really need it? We all buy products that we probably don’t need because of advertising. By not buying new things, we cut down on the use of energy and resources.
  • Buy basic products in bulk. If you do this with a group of neighbours, you not only save on packaging but also on fuel-expensive trips and money!
  • Reduce your waste by starting to recycle and by purchasing recycled items.
  • Drive less by planning your trips better or by sharing lifts or using public transport. Walk and cycle if you can. This will all help save on fuel use and reduce harmful pollution.
  • Grow your own food – even if you start small with just a few plant pots! It’s a simple way to care for your body and enjoy nature.
  • Make a compost heap with your food waste (except meat or dairy products). This will provide soil-food for your garden and reduce your household waste.
  • Get advice about safe sanitation and make sure children and adults wash their hands with soap after using the toilet and before preparing or eating food.
  • Clean up around stand-pipes and build ‘runaways’ for the water to keep the area healthy and to help make collecting water easier.
  • Save water – by investing in a rainwater tank (if you can afford it) and by running water from the bath or shower on to your garden.
  • Plant indigenous and drought-resistant plants. They need less watering.

RESOURCES

Food Gardens Foundation
The Food Gardens Foundation’s vision is to empower people to overcome malnutrition, poverty and hunger by teaching people small-scale, low-cost, organic food gardening.
Tel: 011 - 880 5956/7
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website: www.foodgardensfoundation.org.za

Food & Trees for Africa
Food & Trees for Africa provides training to interested individuals, groups and schools in developing sustainable food gardens and by planting trees to contribute to poverty alleviation, improved environments, capacity building and skills development for all communities of South Africa.
Tel: 011 - 803 9750
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website: www.trees.co.za

groundWork
groundWork is an environmental justice organisation providing assistance particularly to vulnerable and previously disadvantaged people affected by environmental injustices.
Tel: 033 - 342 5662
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website: www.groundwork.org.za

Recycling Contacts:
www.paperpickup.co.za
www.petco.co.za
www.collectacan.co.za

Cape Town Recycling:
Abundance Recycling 021 - 674 2497
Kool Waste Management 083 651 9084

Johannesburg Recycling:
Resolution Recycling
083 793 6260
www.resolutionrecycling.co.za

WESSA – Wildlife & Environment Society of SA
WESSA promotes public participation in caring for the Earth and offers support to groups and schools for environmental projects and education.
Tel: 033 - 330 3931
Website: www.wildlifesociety.org.za

WWF
SASSI – Southern African Sustainable Seafood Initiative – is a service to create awareness and educate seafood lovers about overexploited fish and seafood species, and to shift to more sustainable options. SASSI aims to help seafood lovers and all others involved in the seafood business become better informed to make more ocean-friendly choices when buying seafood.

SMS the name of the fish you wish to eat to 079 499 8795 and SASSI will SMS you back the status of the fish – green, orange or red.  Green ones are the best choices available.  Think twice when ordering orange.  And red choices are illegal for sale in South Africa. Visit www.wwf.org.za/sassi for more information and to download your free SASSI pocket guide.

Biodiversity & Wine Initiative (BWI)
Support “green” wine!  The BWI is a pioneering partnership between the SA wine industry and the conservation sector to minimise further loss of threatened natural habitat on wine estates.  Members of BWI commit to implementing sound management of the biodiversity on their farms by conserving valuable natural areas, while also clearing alien plant species, rehabilitating wetland and riverine environments, preventing soil erosion and establishing sound waste management practices on their wine estates.

Visit www.bwi.co.za to download an updated list of member wine estates.

Why join the Movement?

22,190 individuals have joined the Movement.

Have you?