Archive for October, 2007

coming clean

October 17, 2007

“Volvo decides to come clean”
“Nissan and Daimler beat other car makers to be recognised as the sector’s leaders in tackling climate change . . .”

Today’s local paper motoring articles shout out about what car manufacturers are doing to clean up their act, but how much are they actually doing? Is it merely green-washing or are motor manufacturers truly looking for real solutions? The internal combustion engine is really old technologically speaking and I would think that it might be about time that our geniuses out there are given the opportunity to find a new solution to the looming fuel, climate, water, agricultural, animal, human crises. Why, in the last decade or two, have we not seen amazing new motor engines, whereas we see new computer breakthroughs almost every month? Don’t tell me that there aren’t any incredibly clever engine lovers out there who have a fabulous new engine in their heads somewhere.

Perhaps this lack of real solutions is the reason why I am so sceptical when I see the vehicle manufacturers shouting about how sustainable and green they are when all I see are token gestures covering up the lack of real change and sustainability.

I truly hope that we will soon see some truly exciting technology coming from the vehicle manufacturing sector - technology that will blow our socks off! I am bored of green washing - give me something to really shout home about!

tonga on safari - permanently

October 8, 2007

Tonga, an 11 year old hippo arrived at the SanWild Wildlife Sanctuary on Friday after undertaking a 26 hour long African safari that saw the hippo leave a temporary holding facility in France on Wednesday morning. From Paris the hippo travelled by road to Schipol airport from where it boarded a KLM flight for the OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. The Brigitte Bardot Foundation is picking up the cost of Tonga’s transfer by truck to Amsterdam, where it was loaded onto a cargo plane for Johannesburg.

Tonga the Hippo

The road journey from Johannesburg to the SanWild Wildlife Sanctuary was not without incident, but fortunately Tonga arrived safely after a blow out on one of the front tyres of the transportation truck and some electrical wiring problems earlier on.The 12th of January 2007 the Court of Annecy ordered the confiscation of five lions, a tiger, five snakes and the two-ton Tonga because the animals were found to be severely neglected. The Zavata Circus also failed to provide proper veterinary care to the animals, which in the case of Tonga led to dental problems. The SanWild Wildlife Trust received a request to accept the male hippo for rehabilitation back to the wild early in January this year from the Foundation Assistance aux Animaux in Paris and preparations for the hippos arrival started within days after the hippo was confiscated.

A second male hippo will follow in Tonga’s footsteps within weeks to join Tonga in the reserve. Both hippos will enter a rehabilitation and acclimatization program that will see them released back to the wild within a couple of months.

Prepared by the SanWild Wildlife Trust
Tel: +27 (0) 15-3187900/1
Mobile +27 (0) 833103882
Websites:
www.sanwild.org and www.afritrust.com

free range milk

October 5, 2007

Fair Cape has taken steps to become the first free range milk supplier in South Africa. This is great news! No hormones added, no animal by-products and happy cows - cows whose well-being is based on Bokomo ‘Cow Comfort Indicators’. Yup, that’s right, there are indicators to ensure your cows are happy & healthy!

A resting cow, taking a cow nap lying on the ground is a happy cow. Cows don’t lie down and contentedly chew the cud if the ground is wet or the living space is too small. Other indicators are chewing the cud (a sign of peaceful contemplation?), well ventilated cow sheds, safe and smooth milking parlours (no cuts and bumps from jagged edges) and ultra clean, non slip walkways.

Well done to Fair Cape for their great green steps, I hope they continue along this green path and possibly they will acquire organic certification for their milk. Perhaps they will also start ‘greening’ their yoghurts and other products, removing preservatives and colourants and artificial flavourants. And maybe they will employ good manufacturing practices and work towards cleaner development reducing their impact on the environment.

global green - brad pitt goes green

October 2, 2007

Last year, Brad Pitt stood up and committed himself to assist in New Orleans. He chose to assist sustainably, with people and planet firmly in the spotlight. Check these links to the Global Green - Holy Cross Project:

Project Website: http://holycrossproject.globalgreen.org/

Virtual Design Tour: http://holycrossproject.globalgreen.org/flash/virtualhouse.html

making it right . . .

October 2, 2007

Celebrity status sure does help with publicity and for once I am celebrity watching! Reading about Brad Pitt’s “Make it Right” project, which recently announced plans to create 150 affordable and sustainable homes in New Orleans’ Ninth Ward, offers a cheery ray of hope. The Lower Ninth Ward was hard hit by hurricane Katrina and a lack of clear plans for rebuilding homes and communities inspired Pitt to help “Make it Right”.

The project gathers together a dynamic team of architects, sustainable redevelopment and remediation specialists, environmental advisors and more, all working together with local community leaders, coalitions and not-for-profit organisations to rebuild the Lower Ninth Ward. Make It Right is committed to preserving the community’s spirit, building safe and healthy homes and ensuring a sustainable neighbourhood.

The sustainable, green homes will be designed to be affordable and efficient throughout their lifecycle, alleviating soaring energy costs and addressing concerns voiced by the community about worsening environmental conditions. Make It Right is collaborating with William McDonough + Partners to develop the environmental criteria guiding the project, using Cradle to Cradle thinking to influence design and materials selections for the new homes. This philosophy, developed by William McDonough and Michael Braungart in Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things (North Point Press, 2002), was inspired by natural systems.

I look forward to seeing the results from Brad Pitt’s committment to people, planet and prosperity!

Visit the Make it Right site for more info:
http://www.makeitrightnola.org/index.php