Environment

“Trash bash” at Swartkops’ Estuary

This week is SA cleanup week and yesterday, WESSA together with the metro approached Malabar Primary School to do their bit. The learners were taken to the mud banks of the Swartkops Estuary to explore what lives under the mud and learn about the importance of estuaries. Transportation and beverages for this excursion were sponsored by Coca-Cola Fortune

Zwartkops Conservancy also taught the primary school about litter and pollution using storm water canals.  The pupils all participated in the “trash bash” where they collected all the litter they could find. It was a fun experience for the children who attended. One of the learners said that they do not often go on outings and enjoyed the trip. “The bus ride was fun and the cleaning isn’t that bad”, said Megan Naidoo, a pupil from the attending the school.

The wildlife and Environment Society of SA is the South Africa’s oldest and largest non-government, membership-based environmental organisation. WESSA’s vision is to achieve a South Africa which is wisely managed all to ensure long-term environmental sustainability.

WESSA motivated the students to be environmentally conscience. They are the force behind many of South Africa’s most significant environmental decisions. These and other achievements are as a result of the voices and actions of ordinary South Africans - people who have been willing participants in caring for the Earth.

WESSA’s work falls into six thematic areas: biodiversity, energy, Legislative Compliance, Voluntary Social Change, waste and water. Each of these represents critical yet inter-dependent aspects of our environment.

An official trash Bash at Sunday’s River will occur on the 17^th September 2011.

By: Octayvia Nance

Published: 15 September 2011

Spring Cleaning the Beach

Next week is “Clean up South Africa Week” and Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University students got into the cleaning mood yesterday afternoon at Kings beach. The tourism society together with SASCO (South African Student Congress) showed their spirit for sustainable development as they, together with many volunteers, walked the beach picking up rubbish with their hands covered with disposable packets and throwing them into wastage paper bags.

The students all gathered together around 2pm in front of the 2^nd avenue auditorium. The first 30 volunteers received complementary t-shirts with “Spring beach clean up 2011” written on it as well as the logos of the university with tribute to the society, SASCO and green cycle. A bus from “Lucky’s Tours” collected the individuals and they departed to Kings Beach approximately half-past two. The outing lasted for an hour and transportation took them back to the campus behind the Boardwalk.

“It’s the first time that our society has done this and it won’t be our last”, said Shane Mclean, the organizer of the event. He also said that it was a team effort and that he was very happy with the turn out. Astrid Fankhauser, an international student and another member of the society, said that it was a good way of meeting people whilst doing something good for the environment as well.

The society can be contacted on Facebook as well as its members; if any person would like to see what the society is all about and photos of the event has also been uploaded on the site. The tourism society is charity driven and facilitates students and others to interact with this.

By: Octayvia Nance

Published: 9 September

Arbor week not known

The 1^st week of September is National arbor week. This week serves to promote awareness for the need to plant and maintain indigenous trees throughout South Africa, especially for the many disadvantaged communities who often live in barren areas. Every Arbor Week celebration highlights two specific trees, one common and one rare species. Schools, businesses and organizations are encouraged to participate in community "greening" events to improve the health and beauty of the local environment and propose a green future for South Africa. Planting trees can help to fight global warming.

Some of Port Elizabeth residents don’t know what arbor week is,  Is this ignorance or is it just that people are not informed about global warming and its effects on the country? Thembeka Zitshu; a resident of Enjoli is one of the residents who doesn't know what arbor week is. She said she won't be planting any trees as she doesn't even know what arbor week is. She also stated that she is aware of global warming and is doing her part by switching off her geyser at night. “I know about global warming and I am doing my share in protecting the environment by switching my geyser off at night and I do recycle, but I don’t know what arbor week is”.

Thembeka isn’t the only one in Port Elizabeth who doesn’t know what arbor week is. Phumlisa Mini is a grade 5 scholar at Kwa-Noxolo primary school and doesn’t know about is.  One would ask shouldn’t school kids be taught about these things?  Well they don’t in Kwa-Noxolo. Ask anyone about Port Elizabeth weather, it is definite they will all say it is unpredictable. With people not knowing what arbor week is and children not taught about it, the weather is sure to be unpredictable.  

Nomaxabiso Pinda

2 September 2011