National Arbor Week Celebrations at Melton Primary School

MEDIA RELEASE BY THE WESTERN CAPE MINISTER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT, ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND DEVELOPMENT PLANNING, PIERRE UYS

Immediate release 5 September 2008



Minister Pierre Uys, minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning addressing pupils and teachers at Melton Primary School.

National Arbor Week Celebrations at Melton Primary School in Klein Vlei, Eerste River, on Friday 5 September 2008

Minister Pierre Uys, minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, joined learners in greening their urban area during a special tree planting celebration at the Melton Primary School in Eerste River this morning.

This school undertakes a number of community and environmental activities through an active Eco-Club and assistance of the South African National Biodiversity Institute (Sanbi).

The learners and teachers maintain an indigenous- and a food garden that provides fresh vegetables for the school and community.

The tree planting ceremony was also in anticipation of International Arbor Day on Sunday 7 September.

“Trees were planted as part of this annual celebration to observe the future of our planet and to offset the emission of carbon and global warming. All are encouraged to care for trees as a renewable resource, about conservation and the environment.

“Trees give us oxygen, water vapour, food, shelter, wood and over 5 000 products. Without trees we will not survive. Especially in many disadvantaged communities, who often live in barren areas, we need to plant more trees,” Min. Uys said.
Minister Uys planted a scarce Wild Plum, which is one of this year’s three specimens of the Tree of the Year.


End

Enquiries: Cobus Grobler (media officer) 073 133 7299
Minister Uys 082 4555 144



Minister Pierre Uys and Ms Averyle Temmit, the school principal, plant a wild plum, which is tree of the year 2008, in the school's indigenous garden





Minister Uys and Ms Temmit examining the school's wonderful greening programme co-ordinated by teacher Hadley Linus, centre.
Acting Head of Department, Mr Rudi Ellis, extreme right





Minister Uys donated vegetable seed to the school for the food garden, (these include packets of seed for carrots, tomatoes, cabbage, spinach and green beans)

International Coastal Cleanup Week targets undesirable debris

MEDIA RELEASE BY THE WESTERN CAPE MINISTER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT, ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND DEVELOPMENT PLANNING, PIERRE UYS

Immediate release 13 September 2008

International Coastal Cleanup Week targets undesirable debris

Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning Pierre Uys thanks all the community and school volunteers who will assist during the coming week to clear undesirable debris from the Western Cape coastline.

The Coastal Management team of the Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning in partnership with District Municipalities initiated beach cleanups for the week of 15 to 19 September 2008.

Various schools and learners will take part in the annual activities to cleanup beaches with the aim to identify the different types of pollution and compile data to devise strategies to combat pollution. Many of the volunteers come from disadvantaged and marginalised areas.They are involved in the activities to increase public participation in solving the problem of pollution, and to increase public awareness and appreciation of the coastal environment.

A perpetual problem with undesirable debris exists on our beaches along our coastline. Many of our people are unaware how their daily activities, from not properly disposing of their garbage or even throwing a cigarette butt on the ground, can impact on the plants and animals off our shores. This debris can harm or kill beach organisms. Marine pollution also makes using the beach less enjoyable for people. Solving our water pollution that washes to the sea requires everyone's involvement, Minister Uys said.

The programmevaries from area to area but provides for a talk on keeping the coast clean. This is followed by collecting refuse like plastic and broken glass on the beaches and fun activities (like sand castle building and beach races).

Local schools will assist in: Olifants River Mouth to Strandfontein, Elands Bay, Dwarskersbos, Jacobs Bay, Yzerfontein, Overberg Testing Range (Aghulhas), De Hoop, Struis Bay, Waenhuiskrans, Bigai River, Wilderness and Kleinkrantz, Briekelbos River, Swartvlei Beach to Sedgefield, Still Bay, Knysna Lagoon, Khayalethu River, Grobbelaars River, Springer Bay to Boggoms Bay, Vlees Bay to Kanon, Cape Vacca to Kanon and Vlees Bay to Boggoms Bay (Fransmanhoek Conservancy).

End

Enquiries: Cobus Grobler (media officer) 073 133 7299
Minister Uys 082 4555 144

Minister Uys suceeds Minister Essop

In July 2008 Minister Tasneem Essop resigned and was succeeded by Minister Pierre Uys.
The Department would like to thank Minister Essop for her dynamic leadership over the past four years and welcomes Minister Uys to his new role

Tell Tasneem Your Tip!

Hi,

As many of you in the Western Cape would know the Provincial Government of the Western Cape (PGWC) has spearheaded energy efficiency and savings. In 2006 the Western Cape was subject to serious load shedding and we called on stakeholders to join us and manage the shortages. We established the Energy Risk Management Committee (ERMC) and this year, once again, we have been called upon to re-activate it.

The ERMC is currently forming a demand-side management plan, has developed equitable and reliable load shedding schedules and will also investigate the uptake of renewable energies for both energy efficiency and generation. As mentioned by Premier Ebrahim Rasool, in his State of the Province address the Western Cape aims to save 500 MW of electricty each day as part of our contribution to the national effort!

One of my staffers was telling me that he is also trying to help by turning off his geyser each morning. However, he said that he kept forgeting to turn it on each evening after work and subsequently has had to deal with cold water.

His idea to mitigate this matter was to print a sign saying 'Geyser On' and 'Geyser Off' on the backside. This sign hangs over his switchboard and every evening when he comes home the sign catches his attention and he is remiinded to turn on his geyser.

This made me think about how important it is for each citizen in our province to also make their individual contributions. I am sure that there are many brilliant ideas on how to save electricty out there so we decided to start the 'Tell Tasneem Your Tip campaign' on my blog.

It would be fantastic if you had ideas and would enter them on this blog so we can keep a record of all of your efforts.

Regards

Tasneem

Western Cape Energy Committee is re-activated

Last night, Tasneem Essop, the Western Cape MEC for Environment, Planning and Economic Development, announced that the provincial Energy Risk Management Committee (ERMC), which was started by Premier Ebrahim Rasool in 2006, had been re-activated after a broad range of stakeholders agreed that the province needed a predictable and reliable management and information plan to help citizens prepare for electricity load shedding and that a demand side management programme was crucial to ensuring electricity savings in the province.

Essop said that it was clear from the Eskom briefing to the ERMC, that the energy situation was very different to the previous situation two years ago as it had now become a national issue and was no longer a localised Western Cape problem. She said that regardless of these new conditions, the Western Cape would have to contribute to helping find solutions to the problem and again ensure electricity savings as we successfully did two years ago.

‘The discussion last night was robust and our critical stakeholders expressed very strong opinions about the load shedding but I was deeply impressed by their renewed commitment to see the ERMC up and running again, their very strong spirit of consensus and a belief in our provincial model. The ERMC is a focused leadership collective of which we should all be very proud!’ said Essop.

The ERMC has mandated its sub-committee, the Provincial Monitoring Team (PMT), to work with Eskom provincial management and the City of Cape Town to devise integrated load shedding timetables, a demand-side management plan and a communication plan which will be tabled for comment by the various stakeholders at their next meeting in the first week of February.

The Renewable Energy Task Team, consisting of officials from the Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (DEADP), the City of Cape Town, Eskom and civil society was also tasked with preparing a report aimed at incorporating the provision of renewable energy sources, as part of the overall strategy to deal with medium to long term problems which would result from increasing demand outstripping supply.

Essop said that her department had made significant progress in developing a renewable energy plan for the province and that the challenge now was to make sure ‘that renewable energy products, such as solar water heaters, move out of a business plan phase and into our homes and factories as not only are they are very effective demand-side management tools but they also create exciting new investment opportunities.’


She said that the most important task of the ERMC was to devise a strong communication plan which would help citizens of the Western Cape access reliable and predictable information on load shedding and practical ways of saving electricity.

‘If we are expected to pull together and work through these difficult times then we must at least help our citizens get an honest and clear picture of what is required and how every individual can contribute to energy savings.’

Two organisations from labour and civil society said that they would need to consult amongst their membership and hoped to return with a mandate to participate at the next meeting in February.

Ends

Issued by:
Minister Tasneem Essop
Environment, Planning and Economic Development

For further information contact:
Nils Flaatten
Ministerial Spokesperson
Ministry of Environment, Planning and Economic Development
083 708 7119

Ikhaya Lethu Sonke – A Home for All – ‘n Tuiste vir Almal

Green Scorpions tackle water pollution

Western Cape MEC for Environment, Planning and Economic Development, Tasneem Essop, said that this week she had instructed the ‘Green Scorpions’, or Environmental Management Inspectors, to investigate the illegal dumping of waste and pollution in the Klein Vlei and Bokmakierie canals, after she had noticed an increased build up of waste materials as she drove past these canals.

The ‘Green Scorpions’, who have also received complaints from members of the public and residents about the polluted rivers, conduct their site inspections along the section of Jan Smuts Drive which runs up until the corner of Klipfontien Road (and is adjacent to the Bokmakierie residential area) as well as a second site running from the N2, along the Baden Powell Drive towards Stellenbosch and found large amounts of domestic waste, used tyres (in and alongside both canals) and effluent flowing into the canals.

They have now issued a notification of intention to issue a directive against the City of Cape Town for failing in their duty to prevent the illegal dumping of waste and pollution in the Klein Vlei and Bokmakierie canals.

The notification which was issued in terms of Section 28(4) of the National Environmental Management Act was sent to the City Manager, Achmat Ebrahim, and compels the City of Cape Town to conduct a thorough clean-up of the two areas within 10 working days.

‘We seriously need to start taking care of our rivers. For far too long citizens of our province have abused these water-ways and become immune to the unsightly state of our rivers, not to mention the serious health hazards that local residents are exposed to, such as those in Bokmakierie. These rivers form a critical part of our eco-systems and I can not believe that we allow people to break the law, dump their waste and leave the most vulnerable of our people to live in these horrible conditions. I am very concerned that we still have not learnt that waste materials are guaranteed to clog up our stormwater drainage systems when the winter rains come. Everyone knows that this will lead to unnecessary flooding and will cost the taxpayer money to fix the problem. We must learn to take better care of our environment and use proper preventative measures. Hence the City of Cape Town, which has a duty of care towards the environment, must not only comply with this notice but they must also empower the local community as part of their preventative approach to waste management.’



‘We want them to take measures to prevent this from happening again but most importantly, we want them to proactively work with local communities and run educational workshops to help create a new paradigm towards waste management and the protection of our environment. Communities also need to take ownership and pride in these water-ways and must help prevent future pollution. I have warned municipalities, during the Cleanest Town Competition that I will adopt a zero tolerance approach to pollution and polluters should see this as a serious warning. The Green Scorpions will not hesitate to take similar action in the future’, said Essop

Failure to comply with the notification of intention to issue a directive could see the ‘Green Scorpions’ issuing a directive against the City of Cape Town which has serious consequences.

Ends

Issued by:
Minister Tasneem Essop
Environment, Planning and Economic Development

For further information contact:
Nils Flaatten
Media and Strategic Policy Manager
Ministry of Environment, Planning and Economic Development
083 708 7119

Wetlands Forum Blog

The Department has assisted the Wetlands Forum set up a blog to keep all local 'wetlanders' in touch with issues of interest to the Western and Southern Cape Wetlands Forums.

The blog contains links to numerous key local and international web resources.

World Wetlands Day (February 2) has recently been celebrated and the blog is a veritable treasure trove of information about local wetland conservation initiatives.

The Wetlands Forum Blog as accessible at http://www.wetlandsforum.blogspot.com

Climate Change Modeling in South Africa ...

WORLD COMMUNITY GRID TO HELP BUILD MODELS THAT WILL AID IN UNDERSTANDING THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE

Last week I attended the launch, at UCT, of a most interesting South African Climate Change project.

Now your own PC can be used, while you are not using it, to assist in climate data processing to improve the reliability of climate change modeling for South Africa.

See the "AfricanClimate@Home" link at www.worldcommunitygrid.org

Please read on.

Capetown, South Africa, September 3, 2007 . . . IBM and the Climate Systems Analysis Group (CSAG) at the University of Cape Town (Bruce Hewitson) launched a global computing effort to improve regional climate models in order to make better projections about what effects a changing climate will have in Africa.

Climate change is of grave concern in all areas, but in developing regions such as Africa, the impact will be more acute because of the lack of access to healthcare and other social services. Widespread floods, for example, can lead to water borne illness and related diseases such as dengue fever or malaria, which are spread by infected mosquitoes that thrive in water. Droughts can have devastating effects as well by bringing on pervasive food shortages.

By making better predictions about how global climate change might realistically affect regions of Africa, resource managers can start to make decisions that might alleviate the adverse effects. For example, they could begin planning an irrigation infrastructure or promoting appropriate drought resistant crops. The project, “AfricanClimate@Home,” will use the vast computational power of World Community Grid, a virtual supercomputer comprised of hundreds of thousands of individuals who donate their unused computer time, making it as powerful as one of the world’s top five supercomputers. Researchers will use the computational power of World Community Grid to improve the models used to predict the climate by conducting simulations in small regions of Africa and then checking them against real observations.

While large-scale global climate models provide people with a general idea of what the climate may be like over a wide area, they do not necessarily reflect what will happen in a particular region because the global models do not sufficiently take into account large lakes, mountains, or plains that can affect the local climate.
Lead researcher Dr. Mark Tadross, says, “Making predictions about the climate requires an enormous amount of computational power because of all of the variables, such as temperature, wind, pressure, and humidity. In order to improve the models, we need to come up with better algorithms that will more closely match what is observed in a local area. By using World Community Grid, we have the computational power necessary to run the tests we need to improve our models.”

Once researchers have access to models that more accurately predict regional weather patterns, they can then begin to run forecasts about how global climate changes may affect the region. People can then use the data to make management decisions related to agriculture and water resources. This is important in an area of the world that is still developing and often does not have adequate infrastructure. Forewarning any potentially dramatic changes in climate, especially those related to extreme events such as droughts and floods, can enable vulnerable communities and disaster management teams to act in advance of the climatic hazard.

“We can all have a profound effect on this research by simply by donating our unused computer cycle time,” said Stanley Litow, Vice President of Corporate Citizenship and Corporate Affairs and President of the IBM International Foundation. “If you own a computer and can access the Internet, then you can be a part of the solution".

To donate your unused computer time to this project, you can register on www.worldcommunitygrid.org and install a free, small software program on to your computer/s. When computers are idle, for example people are at lunch, their computers request data from World Community Grid’s server. These computers then perform climate modeling computations using this data, and send the results back to the server, prompting it for a new piece of work. A screen saver will tell individuals when their computers are being used.

World Community Grid, the largest public humanitarian grid in existence, has an impressive 315,000-plus members and links more than 700,000 computers. However, it’s estimated that there will be one billion computers worldwide by 2008, underscoring the potential for the grid and its computational power to significantly expand and make an even greater impact on a range of humanitarian issues.

Seven projects have been run on World Community Grid to date, including "FightAIDS@Home", which completed five years of HIV/AIDS research in just six months. Additional projects are in the pipeline.

Contact:
Clint Roswell
IBM
914-499-4045
mailto: roswellc@us.ibm.com

Let's support CSAG and have as many South Africans as possible signing up to the World Community Grid "ClimateChange@Home" project and see if we can lead the world in regional climate modeling.

Dennis Laidler

RECC Presentations

This post gives access to the presentations delivered at the Western Cape Renewable Energy and Climate Change Summit

Click on the links below to download the presentations and documents from the Western Cape Renewable Energy and Climate Change Summit held at the CTICC, Cape Town 7-8 June 2007

A couple of the links have been removed pending updating of the presentations.

Correlate these presentations with the Summit Programme

DAY 1 - 7 JUNE 2007 - Renewable Energy

Mark Borchers ppt 4.35MB
Ronald Chauke ppt 304KB
Adam Gordon ppt 192KB
Mark Gordon ppt 7.7MB
Daniel Modise ppt 385KB
Raudiyah Sahabodien pps 8.9MB
Brian Sechotlho ppt 2045KB
Nicola Steen ppt 14.11MB
M Visage ppt 771KB
SANERI presentation to RE and CC Summit in CT 070607 ppt 579KB
NERSA Licensing Rules RE Summit 20070607 ppt 175KB
NERSA Regulatory Support RE Summit 20070606 ppt 182KB

Today the National Minister, Marthinus van Schalkwyk, delivered his budget speech

Professor Wikus van Niekerk of the Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies of the University of Stellenbosch drew delegates attention to a regular discussion forum hosted by the Centre relating to Renewable and Sustainable Energy issues.

Here is the Draft Sustainable Energy Strategy pdf 16.6MB (Note: this is a full colour pdf of the printed document)



Queen Protea, Protea magnifica,
on the slopes of Milner Ridge Peak,
Hex River Mountains

At the end of the day MEC Essop's office issued the following press statement:

MEC Essop commits to bold actions to accelerate Renewable Energy initiatives in the Western Cape

Yesterday in Cape Town delivering the first day closure of the Provincial Government’s Renewable Energy and Climate Change Summit, MEC Tasneem Essop acknowledged the contributions, gaps, opportunities and challenges raised by all the stakeholders present.

This summit was held to create an enabling environment to promote dialogue between stakeholders and government in order to activate the renewable energy sector within the Western Cape.

The MEC summarized the day’s proceedings and committed to a range of immediate actions.

Essop offered that her Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning would facilitate a process to understand barriers and constraints to implementing Renewable Energy projects.

The Department will develop a document readily available to provide information to prospective RE developers to explain the regulatory processes involved in implementing Renewable Energy projects. The pamphlet will also include information about incentives and provide specific contact details.

Essop also recognized the urgent need to build smart capacity in government departments, municipalities and other relevant organs of state to efficiently manage Renewable Energy project implementation.

Furthermore, she committed to facilitate the roll-out of the short-term actions identified in the recently finalized Western Cape Sustainable Energy Strategy and establish a Renewable Energy networking forum to regularly debate Renewable Energy issues between all stakeholders including government.

Cognizant of urgent climate change adaptation and mitigation imperatives, Essop announced that she will take the initiative to develop a Renewable Energy Act for the Western Cape in consultation with her national and provincial counterparts.

In conclusion Essop offered to investigate and promote the creation of funding opportunities for small and medium Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency projects, and facilitate skills development programmes within the Renewable Energy sector (such as installation and maintenance of solar water geysers), where there is currently a shortage of such skills.

End

Contact Person:
Suraya Hamdulay
083 555 4150



DAY 2 - 8 JUNE 2007 - Climate Change

There is an earlier post on this blog where you can download draft copies of the Western Cape Climate Change Response Strategy and Action Plan and Supplimentary Reports

Belynda Petrie ppt 4.7MB - Presentation on the Western Cape Climate Change Response Strategy and Action Plan


FOR YOUR FUTURE REFERENCE THE HOMEPAGE OF THIS
DEPARTMENTAL BLOG IS AT:
http://sustainablehome4all.blogspot.com/

Western Cape Renewable Energy and Climate Change Summit

On behalf of my Ministry of Environment, Planning and Economic Development, I would like to extend an invitation to you to participate in the Renewable Energy and Climate Change Summit on 7 and 8 June 2007 in Cape Town during World Environment Week hosted by my Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning.

The Provincial Government of the Western Cape has set a target of 15% of energy production from renewable sources by 2014. The first day of the summit is mainly a business and renewable energy investment forum and exhibition to stimulate the implementation of renewable energy projects in the province.

The second day of the summit focuses primarily on the Draft Western Cape Climate Change Response Strategy and Action Plan. A wide range of national and provincial stakeholders are invited to participate. There will be an address by the honourable Marthinus van Schalkwyk, Minister of the National Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism and the Premier of the Western Cape on this vital issue. The climate change segment of the summit addresses the impacts of climate change on the poor and most vulnerable sectors of society.

Your participation in this summit would be most appreciated as we value your input in ensuring that the Western Cape continues along its path of sustainable development.

Register for the Summit online
(Note: the number of delegates is limited so to avoid disappointment please register and do not just pitch up on the day)

Draft Western Cape Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan and Supplimentary Reports

The Draft Western Cape Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan and Supplimentary Reports are now available online on the Western Cape Climate Change Project Website. N.B. THIS WEB SITE IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE.

HOWEVER THE FINAL Western Cape Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan and Supplimentary Reports ARE NOW AVAILABLE.

There will be ongoing opportunities to engage with the department in finalising the report after the Western Cape Renewable Energy and Climate Change Summit to be held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre on 7 and 8 June 2007 - for further information consult this blog regularly. Click on the link to the Sumit above to register online.

Draft guideline on biodiversity offsets - comments requested

In December 2005 the Department of Environment Affairs and Development Planning (DEA&DP) commissioned the preparation of a provincial guideline on biodiversity offsets. A draft guideline was produced in June 2006 ( www.capegateway.gov.za/eng/pubs/guides/P/133948/2 ) but, due to a number of issues, was not finalized.

In January 2007, the Department appointed Susie Brownlie (deVilliers Brownlie Associates), together with Mark Botha (Botanical Society of South Africa), Nick Helme (Nick Helme Botanical Surveys) and Hugo van Zyl (Independent Economic Researchers), to strengthen and finalize the draft guideline.

Drawing on a focused biodiversity offsets workshop, and input from a number of stakeholders, the draft guideline has been revised. This revised draft will be available for comment by interested and affected parties on DEA&DP's website [(www.capegateway.gov.za/eadp) from Friday 9 March - please go to 'publications' and then 'guidelines', and look for the 'biodiversity offsets' guideline].

Should you have any comments on the revised draft guideline, please send them to Susie Brownlie (email: dbass@icon.co.za) by the very latest 20 March 2007.

Please contact Susie Brownlie [021-6744 253] should you have any queries.

Website for the Provincial Climate Change Response Strategy

The department has commissioned a project to develop a Provincial Climate Change Response Strategy and Action Plan.

A project website has been developed that contains a host of information about the project including the presentations delivered at the stakeholder engagement workshops and summaries of stakeholder feedback. THIS WEBSITE IS NO LONGER FUNCTIONAL!

HOWEVER THE FINAL Western Cape Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan and Supplimentary Reports ARE NOW AVAILABLE.

The website is constantly being improved.

It is intended that a section is developed to provide lots of useful Western Cape oriented climate change facts as well as a section that will provide information on what individuals can do to mitigate climate change as well as adapt to the impacts that are already being felt in the province.

Keep an eye on this blog or the project website for further developments.

SA loosing 600bn litres of water each year

Co-incidental with Premier Rasool's announcement in his State of the Province speech today, of a major provincial water leak repair initiative as part of the Provincial Climate Change Response Programme it is staggering to see the magnitude of the water loss problem reported today on News24.

Cape Town - More than 600 billion litres of piped water supplied for domestic use is "lost" each year as a result of leaks, inaccurate meters, failing to bill consumers and theft, Water Affairs Minister Lindiwe Hendricks said on Thursday ... See the link above for all the details

Invitation to Present Proposals for Renewable Energy Projects in the Western Cape

The Department will assess and select projects that qualify for support from Provincial Government Western Cape. Project proposals are invited that will contribute to the achievement of the Province's proposed clean energy target [15% by 2015]. The closing date for proposals is 2 March 2007.

The detailed invitation document is available here.

Further details are available from:
Mark Gordon
Director: Strategic Environmental Management
Tel: +27 21 483 3966