South Africa has every reason to get excited about the theme of World Wetlands Day 2012. We are a worldwide tourism destination and a water-scarce country according to the statistics of the Ramsar Convention. These factors make us a prime candidate country for wetlands conservation and sustainable tourism.

1. Mondi Wetlands Programme:

A non-governmental wetland conservation programme established in 1991 – a partnership between two of SA’s largest conservation NGO’s (WESSA and WWF) together with the funding from two corporates (Mazda Wildlife Fund and Mondi Ltd).

The programme was started with the aim to raise awareness of the strategic importance of wetlands to facilitate proper management and restoration of wetlands and focuses mainly on wetlands outside nature reserves.

All parties involved are educated to bring about social change in their approach to wetlands, with emphasis also being placed on root causes of problems with solutions based on increased awareness. Mondi Wetlands Programme has changed the way government, communities and industries manage wetlands and has produced much publicity with regards to wetland conservation. The Programme will need another 5 years to ensure that government, community, and industry partners have fully integrated the wetland management into their operations.

2. Working for Wetlands programme

This was the first nation-wide government effort to restore wetlands, with employment relief programmes in mind. Working for Wetlands was established July 2000 with the main goal of restoring degraded wetlands to enhance water supplies and conserve biodiversity.

The programme functions through formation of partnerships with private sector companies in the mining and forestry industry. The success of the programme led the national government to substantially increase investment in 2004.

Priority is given to wetlands with greatest conservation and water supply implications

Activities undertaken include:

• Building concrete, gabion structures to limit erosion and restore wetland hydrology
• Plugging up artificial drainage channels which were originally dug to dry out the wetlands
• Eradicating thirsty invasive alien plants and planting indigenous species
• Creating employment & empowering disadvantaged communities
• Enhancing livestock & food production through more reliable water supply, irrigation and grazing
• Restoring traditional cultural activities like basket production from wetland plant fibres

Celebrations

There will be various events in Cape Town on Thursday, 2 Feb 2012. One might find a visit to the Two Oceans Aquarium worth a visit. Two of the exhibits are based on the theme of the day: The ‘Sappi River Meander’ will explain the flora and fauna residing in the South African Wetlands and ‘The Story of a River’ will outline coastal river-mouth ecology right up to mountain catchment areas – and will highlight many of the threats facing wetlands

Source: Green Times (Katie Bell)

See Lifeline of a Healthy Ecosystem – World Wetlands Day 2012.

JoJo Tanks (South Africa) offer a wide range of water tanks to suit every household, business or agricultural need.  See JoJo Tanks’ SMALL VERTICAL TANKS, LARGE VERTICAL TANKS, HORIZONTAL TANKS and LOW PROFILE TANKS as well as STEEL TANK STANDS.

We are authorised JoJo Tanks dealers in South Africa.  Contact us for a quote on the right water tank for you.  Special discounts are available on multiple orders and to our commercial and government customers.

There was a time – not that long ago – when almost every house had its own water tank and harvesting rainwater was something that just happened during the course of life, not a big environmental event. But as more and more people moved into towns and cities, we started using fresh town water and the tanks began to disappear from view.

But in this time of water scarcity when green citizens are trying to reduce their carbon footprint, water tanks have once again become a household fixture – and for more than just environmental reasons. A water tank is good for the environment, yes, but is also good for your lifestyle and your hip pocket.

Here are some good reasons to install a water tank at your home or business:

1. Save water

Water shortages resulting from the drought and endemic water scarcity have made it more important than ever to conserve the water we have.  Water is the most valuable resource we have – we need it to live!

2. Keep town drinking water for drinking

Instead of wasting fresh drinkable water on the garden, to wash the car or flush the toilet, installing a tank means less precious drinking water will be lost through activities such as these, and more will be available for us to drink.

3. Beat water restrictions

Water restrictions have been imposed across South Africa in the past and will become more prevalent, limiting the amount of water used for non-essential activities. A water tank will give you the freedom to use your own collected water without having to tap into the town supply. This means you can choose to use your water for a greener lawn, cleaner car or to fill up the kid’s paddling pool when it’s hot.

4. Save money on your initial purchase

The global financial crisis has made it more important than ever to be careful with money and buying a water tank is no different.  Buying a water tank is a sound financial investment.

5. Save money in the future

Once the initial expense of the water tank has been borne, you can save money on all future water bills. As our population grows and water becomes more scarce, it is probable that the cost of water will rise, so you can be protected from these costs by collecting your own water.

6. Collect your own drinking water

If you’re worried about chemicals added to the town water supply, a water tank could be the solution for you. Forget about buying expensive bottled water, you can collect your own fresh water for drinking purposes in a tank.

7. Make a statement

Instead of the old rusty corrugated iron tanks, modern water tanks come in a variety of colours, styles, sizes and materials to suit you.

Source: Tank Worx (edited)

Also see Why Buy A Water Tank?

JoJo Tanks (South Africa) offer a wide range of water tanks to suit every household, business or agricultural need.  See JoJo Tanks’ SMALL VERTICAL TANKS, LARGE VERTICAL TANKS, HORIZONTAL TANKS and LOW PROFILE TANKS as well as STEEL TANK STANDS.

We are authorised JoJo Tanks dealers in South Africa.  Contact us for a quote on the right water tank for you.  Special discounts are available on multiple orders and to our commercial customers.

To reduce pressure on California’s strained water supplies, a bill is introduced to the State Assembly that would permit Californians to use of reclaimed rainwater indoors as well as out.

The bill would explicitly authorize landowners to install rain barrel systems or cisterns to capture rainwater for outdoor, non-potable uses such as landscape irrigation.  This practice is, in general, already permissible in the state. However, the bill would also authorize landowners to install systems to capture rainwater for use, with proper treatment, in indoor non-potable applications, such as toilet or urinal flushing.  Allowing rainwater to be used for indoor applications would greatly expand the opportunities to capture and use rainwater in the state.  The more uses rainwater can be directed to, the faster storage tanks can be emptied, and the more water can be captured.

Water Rhapsody Water Conservation Systems and Yes Solar Mpumalanga offer eco-friendly rainwater collection systems, rainwater tanks, grey water recycling, swimming pool backwash recycling, water-saving toilet flush mechanisms and high quality Solsquare solar geysers.

Contact us for a FREE QUOTE on a solar water geyser, rainwater harvesting system (see rainwater FAQ), gray water recycling system or water tank (we are authorized JoJo Water Tanks dealers and supply and install the full range of JoJo water tanks and JoJo tank stands).  Our water tank prices are hard to beat in the Mpumalanga & Limpopo Lowveld.

Water conservation and renewable energy such as solar energy are two issues that affect the global community; make a difference and start conserving water and switch to renewable energy today.

WIND TURBINE: Wind turbines are another good method for generating free electricity. However, before you get started, ask yourself if the area of your residence has steady, predictable winds. If not, then wind turbines may not be a good solution, since you will never know when the wind is coming. Make sure you know what you are doing because a poorly constructed turbine can be very hazardous. The blades can disconnect from the rotor and go flying and decapitate whoever happens to be standing in the wrong place at the wrong time.

MAGNETIC POWER GENERATOR: Using a perpetual motion device (a machine that runs indefinitely and produces more energy than it consumes) you can construct a magnetic power generator. Companies sell these devices, although you can also make one for yourself with the proper know-how.

Source: Talking About Green

In South Africa, the most accessible way of obtaining free energy is probably via solar panels and solar water heaters; our sunny climate is ideal for solar energy.  Coastal areas are also suited to domestic wind turbines although the costs are still quite high for this green technology.

Water Rhapsody Water Conservation Systems and Yes Solar Mpumalanga offer eco-friendly rainwater collection systems, rainwater tanks, grey water recycling, swimming pool backwash recycling, water-saving toilet flush mechanisms and high quality Solsquare solar geysers.

Contact us for a FREE QUOTE on a solar water geyser, rainwater harvesting system (see rainwater FAQ), gray water recycling system or water tank (we are authorised JoJo Water Tanks dealers and supply and install the full range of JoJo water tanks and JoJo tank stands).  Our water tank prices are hard to beat in the Mpumalanga & Limpopo Lowveld.

Water conservation and renewable energy such as solar energy are two issues that affect the global community; make a difference and start conserving water and switch to renewable energy today.

It’s a term that’s being bandied about regularly these days, and if you want to be perceived as doing your bit for the environment, it goes without saying that you must be interested in all things green as well. Green technology is all the rage today – if you’re not going green, you’re viewed as a villain by many. However, no matter how much you invest in green technology, it is useless if you don’t change habits that have been ingrained in you from childhood and over the course of your life. Green technology is useful only when:

You utilize it efficiently: If you’ve invested in a solar panel yet insist on using your old water heater, if you’ve installed energy efficient appliances yet hold on to your old refrigerator and stove because they’re still in good working condition, or if your home is naturally insulated/aired yet you insist on using air conditioners and heating units, then you’re not using green technology efficiently. Green technology works only when you optimize its use and minimize your overall energy usage.

You minimize waste: There are no significant gains to be realized when you replace all the lights in your home with CFL bulbs, yet fail to switch them off when you don’t needto use them. Minimizing energy costs is all well and good, but it’s still a waste whenyou use energy unnecessarily, even if you’re expending just the minimum. So when youinvest in and install green technology, ensure that you don’t use much more energythan you need – shut your computer down when you’re not going to be using it for afew hours; remove charging units from the socket and switch off the main when you’redone charging your devices, and use the main switch to turn the TV off instead of justpointing your remote at it.

You adopt greener habits: You may have just bought a hybrid car, but that doesn’tmean you have to drive it even to the store around the corner. Walk when you can instead of taking your car, use the stairs even if your building is green and has energy-efficient elevators, avoid smoking to safeguard your health and the environment, and try to minimize the effect of your carbon footprint as much as possible.

For green technology to be successful and sustainable, we have to change our way of life and adopt new habits, habits which may seem like drops in the ocean, but which have a significant role to play in determining the future of our planet.

Source: GROG: Green Tech Blog

Also see 5 Psychological Reasons We Go Green

Water Rhapsody Water Conservation Systems Mpumalanga offers water tank and rainwater tank installation, rainwater harvesting systems, grey water recycling and water-saving devices for swimming pools and toilet flush systems (see product demo ).  Our WWF Award-winning water systems can be retrofitted or built into new buildings and can be adapted to small households or large business blocks, hospitals, schools, lodges & hotels.

Water Rhapsody has incorporated Yes Solar- official distributor of German-made Solsquare solar water heating systems that are installed by Eskom-accredited solar installers (our solar geysers are eligible for Eskom solar energy rebates).  We are authorized JoJo Water Tank dealers and Atlas Plastics water tank suppliers in Mpumalanga and Limpopo Province (best water tank prices in the Lowveld!).  We are also able to supply sanitary hardware such as waterless toilets through our JoJo Tanks and Atlas Plastics dealerships.

Contact us for a free quote on a solar water geyser, water tank or rainwater/gray water system today!

South Africa’s city of gold, Johannesburg, may soon start being eaten away by acidic water flowing from the mines that created its astronomical fortunes.

Mines dug more than a century ago stretching about 40 km (25 miles) along one of the world’s largest gold deposits have reached their water storage limit and will start leaking a toxic cocktail of chemicals in the coming months, independent experts and government officials have said.

If left unchecked, acidic mine water is expected to foul up works near the country’s famed Apartheid Museum, flood basements in downtown Johannesburg and then seep into the streets of the city of about 4 million people.

“The threat of acid water decanting from old mine workings is a real and present danger. It poses a threat to our economy, environment, health and history,” Terence McCarthy, a professor of geosciences at the University of Witwatersrand, wrote in a report.

Acid mine drainage has plagued derelict mines globally for decades but most of the damage has been in remote areas.

The problem for Johannesburg is that the city was built over its gold mines and that land now is home to some of the country’s biggest firms and greatest population densities.

About three years ago, the last major pump removing water from the mines stopped, signalling an end to a gold rush that brought wealth to a few while hundreds of thousands of black Africans went deep underground to dig.

Then the water began to accumulate in the massive underground cavities, reacting with rocks formed about 2.8 billion years ago and triggering chemical reactions that produced sulphuric acid, heavy metals, toxins and radiation.

The water, once several hundred metres underground, has been rising at an average rate of 15 metres per month, with the void expected to fill up completely in less than three years.

The leakage problems will be small at first and grow more costly the longer action is delayed, experts said.

McCarthy said the spillage can be avoided by immediately setting up two pump and treatment stations along the main gold reef to keep the water to at least 300 metres below the surface.

“The solutions are expensive, though not technically daunting — and must be implemented in a matter of months,” his report said.

PICKING UP THE BILL

The government agrees that urgent action is needed but has given little indication it will do anything before the acid water reaches underground facilities in Johannesburg.

A report from a government-appointed team of experts planned for release in early January has yet to see the light of day, prompting the opposition Democratic Alliance to say delays are putting lives at risk.

Along with finding a way to solve the problem, government has yet to figure out how to pay for it.

It cannot pass the bill onto firms since ownership of mines has changed hands so often and many firms have vanished. There also is not enough gold left to make it commercially viable for a new firm to go in — and pay for a clean up.

The environment ministry warned of the escalating costs of inaction about three years ago, saying in a report: “If the threat from acid mine drainage is not solved in the short to medium term, it is likely to persist for centuries to come.”

But environmental protection ranks low in the state’s budget with the government giving it half the funds it allocates to state workers to help them pay their rents and mortgages.

On top of the funding woes acid mine water clean up, the mining ministry is already struggling to fund a 1.46 billion rand ($202 million), 10-year plan for basic measures to prevent environmental damage from 6,000 ownerless and derelict mines.

BLIND HIPPOS AND RADIOACTIVE LAKES

“We will not allow the situation to get out of hand; it will not reach crisis proportion,” Sandile Nogxina, Department of Mineral Resources director-general, told parliament last year.

But it has let the problem grow in the western Johannesburg suburbs, where acid mine water began leaking in 2002.

In towns such as Krugersdorp, acidic lakes dot the landscape near mammoth, open piles of chemicals extracted from mines.

Signs warning of radiation are posted outside a sludge filled pool of a copper coloured liquid, hippos at a nearby nature reserve are going blind due to what is thought to be acid water run-off and fish are dying in polluted water near the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site — a rich fossil site providing clues on the origin of humans.

“There is not insufficient information. The fact that government has not acted is astonishing,” said Mariette Liefferink, CEO of the Federation for a Sustainable Environment, who has campaigned for acid mine water clean up.

Liefferink is an expert on the mountains of iron pyrite dumps and toxic water leaks in the area as well as the devastating impact the pollution has had on the poor.

She warns that the country’s water supplies are increasingly at risk the more toxic water nears the surface and mixes with supplies of fresh water.

“Over 120 years, there were more than 120 mining companies who passed on or externalised their costs,” she said.

“There are no short-term, medium or long-term plans put in place. It is just crisis management.”

Source: Reuters

Acid mine water can infiltrate ground water so people with boreholes should have their water tested regularly.  If there’s any doubt about possible groundwater contamination (ground water pollution is an ever-increasing problem) then you should switch to rain water for drinking water (after appropriate filtration).  Rainwater harvesting and greywater recycling can make a household relatively water self-sufficient (depending on rainfall patterns, water storage capacity and household water use).

Water Rhapsody Water Conservation Systems and Yes Solar Mpumalanga offer eco-friendly rainwater collection systems, rainwater tanks, grey water recycling, swimming pool backwash recycling, water-saving toilet flush mechanisms and high quality Solsquare solar geysers.

Contact us for a FREE QUOTE on a solar water geyser, rainwater harvesting system (see rainwater FAQ), gray water recycling system or water tank (we are authorised JoJo Tanks dealers and supply and install the full range of JoJo water tanks and JoJo tank stands).  Our water tank prices are hard to beat in the Mpumalanga & Limpopo Lowveld.

Water conservation and renewable energy such as solar energy are two issues that affect the global community; make a difference and start conserving water and switch to renewable energy today.

Biomimicry (from bios, meaning life, and mimesis, meaning to imitate) is a new discipline that studies nature’s best ideas and then imitates these designs and processes to solve human problems. Studying a leaf to invent a better solar cell is an example. I think of it as “innovation inspired by nature.”

The core idea is that nature, imaginative by necessity, has already solved many of the problems we are grappling with. Animals, plants, and microbes are the consummate engineers. They have found what works, what is appropriate, and most important, what lasts here on Earth. This is the real news of biomimicry: After 3.8 billion years of research and development, failures are fossils, and what surrounds us is the secret to survival.

Like the viceroy butterfly imitating the monarch, we humans are imitating the best adapted organisms in our habitat. We are learning, for instance, how to harness energy like a leaf, grow food like a prairie, build ceramics like an abalone, self-medicate like a chimp, create color like a peacock, compute like a cell, and run a business like a hickory forest.

The conscious emulation of life’s genius is a survival strategy for the human race, a path to a sustainable future. The more our world functions like the natural world, the more likely we are to endure on this home that is ours, but not ours alone.

Looking at Nature as Model, Measure, and Mentor

If we want to consciously emulate nature’s genius, we need to look at nature differently.  In biomimicry, we look at nature as model, measure, and mentor.

Nature as model: Biomimicry is a new science that studies nature’s models and then emulates these forms, process, systems, and strategies to solve human problems – sustainably.  The Biomimicry Guild and its collaborators have developed a practical design tool, called the Biomimicry Design Spiral, for using nature as model.

Nature as measure: Biomimicry uses an ecological standard to judge the sustainability of our innovations.  After 3.8 billion years of evolution, nature has learned what works and what lasts.  Nature as measure is captured in Life’s Principles and is embedded in the evalute step of the Biomimicry Design Spiral.

Nature as mentor: Biomimicry is a new way of viewing and valuing nature.  It introduces an era based not on what we can extract from the natural world, but what we can learn from it.

Source: Biomimicry Institute

It is time that we start emulating Nature instead of trying to rebel against it; this is the only path to a sustainable future.  See Top 5 Areas Where Nature-Inspired Innovation Works.

Water Rhapsody Water Conservation Systems Mpumalanga offers water tank and rainwater tank installation, rainwater harvesting systems, grey water recycling and water-saving devices for swimming pools and toilet flush systems (see product demo ).  Our WWF Award-winning water systems can be retrofitted or built into new buildings and can be adapted to small households or large business blocks, hospitals, schools, lodges & hotels.

Water Rhapsody has incorporated Yes Solar- official distributor of German-made Solsquare solar water heating systems that are installed by Eskom-accredited solar installers (our solar geysers are eligible for Eskom solar energy rebates).  We are authorized JoJo Water Tank dealers and Atlas Plastics water tank suppliers in Mpumalanga and Limpopo Province (best water tank prices in the Lowveld!).  We are also able to supply sanitary hardware such as waterless toilets through our JoJo Tanks and Atlas Plastics dealerships.

Contact us for a free quote on a solar water geyser, water tank or rainwater/gray water system today!

What is it going to take to stop the plans to threaten our sensitive Karoo region from being destroyed by Shell’s plans to blow it apart in search of natural gas?

Shale gas is natural gas stored in rocks that are rich in organic material such as dark coloured shale.

A controversial application by oil giant Shell to explore for gas in an area of the Karoo should be put on hold, the Democratic Alliance said on Tuesday. The opposition party warned that exploration would involve processes that risked contaminating surrounding bodies of water, but Shell countered that processes were in place to prevent this happening.

In a letter to the Minister of Environmental Affairs and Water, Ms Edna Molewa, Mr Gareth Morgan questioned whether the minister “has the ability to assess the efficacy or appropriateness of these activities at this stage.”

Clearly, it is incumbent that all who know or care about the future of Karoo life should participate as much as possible to ensure that responsible decisions are taken at high level.

He emphasised the serious threat to the rare water resources of this region, due to

• the large quantities of water needed for this fracking process, as “each fracking event uses at least 15 million litres of water and each well can be “fracked” several times”…  I am not sure how many wells Shell would drill if granted the exploration right, but it could be hundreds as they could explore for up to nine years” and
• the threat of ground water contamination. “There is then an attempt to fracture the rock using a high pressure flow of liquid, including water, sand and so-called ‘special-purpose’ chemicals.”
• “The Environmental Protection Agency in the USA has begun a two year study on the possible relationship between hydraulic fracturing and drinking water following concerns reflected by the US Congress about the process in its 2010 budget report. If a country like the USA, with immensely more technical capacity than our own country, is concerned about “fracking” then we should be too. Added to that there is a moratorium on “fracking” in New York State and apparently over 160 municipalities in the USA have banned “fracking” through local by-laws.”

In a letter we’ve received from Dr. David Gaynor, manager of the Sneeuberg Nature Reserve in the Graaff-Reinet, he also looks at the threats to livelihoods and the desertification of the Karoo:

Short-sighted profits rule

“Fracking for gas is not appropriate development for the Karoo. The exploitation of natural gas through hydraulic fracturing threatens the Karoo’s  most valuable resource – clean, uncontaminated water. The granting of exploration permits to Shell and other companies to search for gas in the Karoo will pitch the short-term profits of mining a fossil fuel against the risk of permanently contaminating the scarce water resources of the Karoo.

The gas, a mixture of methane and other gases might be cleaner burning than oil or coal in terms of some pollutants, but produces the same amount of carbon dioxide meaning that it will be a significant contributor to global warming. Each commercial well will probably only produce for 10 -15 years and create very few local jobs. Most of the profits will go into the multinationals pockets and any long-term problems will be left to the inhabitants of the Karoo to live with.

10 million litres of water each time

Initial exploratory drilling will require up to 10 million litres of water, with around the same amount being needed for each hydraulic fracturing of the underground rock. Not only does this water have to be sourced, but it is then mixed with a toxic cocktail of chemicals to aid the drilling and fracturing process.

Most of this contaminated water will be pumped to the surface and will have to be safely stored and treated. Significant amounts of this polluted water will remain underground and could potentially infiltrate underground water sources.
Underground water is the life blood of the Karoo. It is scarce, but if utilized wisely it underpins all sustainable development in the Karoo. It supports the cattle, sheep, wildlife, lucerne and other pasture Lands – the main economic activities in the Karoo. It supplies clean water to the towns and growing townships, whose existence is dependent on clean water and the income from livestock farming, hunting and tourism.

Livelihoods threatened

Are the risks of permanently contaminating the one thing essential for life and livelihoods in the Karoo – Water – worth the short-term and limited local benefits of mining a fuel that will only contribute to global warming?

The best regional models for global warming indicate that with continued use of fossil fuels the proposed area of mining will by 2040 experience conditions so hot and dry as to be only comparable with the Namib desert. It would be ironic if this degradation was fuelled by the exploitation of gas reserves in the very same area, especially when this area has so much potential for the development of renewable energy sources such as solar energy and wind power.

The government has promulgated feed in tariffs that ensure that companies like Shell can invest, assist development and make money from renewables rather than relying on the old carbon economy to make money for their shareholders.

There is currently a public participation process, as Shell needs to consult with all interested in affected people and compile an Environmental Management Plan, before they could be awarded this right.”

Join a group of stakeholders organised by Jonathan (jdeal@telkomsa.net), and make your voice heard! For more info contact David (dgaynor@iafrica.com).

Source: The Green Times

Also see UK urged to ban controversial ‘fracking’ gas-extraction.

Water Rhapsody Water Conservation Systems and Yes Solar Mpumalanga offer eco-friendly rainwater collection systems, rainwater tanks, grey water recycling, swimming pool backwash recycling, water-saving toilet flush mechanisms and high quality Solsquare solar geysers.

Contact us for a FREE QUOTE on a solar water geyser, rainwater harvesting system (see rainwater FAQ), gray water recycling system or water tank (we are authorised JoJo Tanks dealers and supply and install the full range of JoJo water tanks and JoJo tank stands).  Our water tank prices are hard to beat in the Mpumalanga & Limpopo Lowveld.

Water conservation and renewable energy such as solar energy are two issues that affect the global community; make a difference and start conserving water and switch to renewable energy today.