Better dams won’t provide a lasting solution - WWF February 2008 WWF commends DWAF on their programme to rehabilitate old dams, as opposed to building new ones. WWF believes that rehabilitating our existing dams will be far more cost effective and have lower social and ecological consequences. However, WWF also believes that Minister Hendricks reasoning that dams are going to solve a looming water crisis is flawed and that this thinking is analogous to saying that building batteries will solve the energy crisis we are currently experiencing.
Use blackout rage to drive sustainability - WWF February 2008 The power supply crisis and looming freshwater shortage are early warnings that we need to urgently rein in our use of our natural resources to avert the full impact of climate change, says the head of WWF South Africa, the conservation organisation.
Jubilation as Eco-Schools marks 5 years of success in SA January 2008 Now in its fifth year, the WESSA/WWF Eco-Schools Programme has become a valuable curriculum framework for schools to work toward sustainable development goals. Since the Eco-schools Programme was launched in South Africa in 2003 with funding from Nampak, the number of schools that have registered have increased from 56 to 882 in 2007.
Help WWF South Africa win! January 2008 WWF South Africa stands a chance of winning USD500,000 towards conserving South Africa’s environment, if enough South Africans take just 2 minutes to go online (before 17 March 2008) to commit their individual pledges towards saving the planet (www.thegreatestrace.com).
Mind the Gap: banks environmental policies dont add up January 2008 The global banking industry is taking concerted steps to protect against the credit crunch, but other efforts to future-proof banking are slow to emerge. Mind the Gap, a new report released in December 2007 by BankTrack, has revealed that while banks are developing socially and environmentally sound credit policies, progress is slow and erratic. Only two South African banks – Nedbank and Standard Bank – have rated in the report.
US Government Proposal Has Potential to Derail Bali Climate Conference, Warns WWF December 2007 Bali, Indonesia – A move by the US government could push the Bali climate negotiations to the brink of failure, WWF officials warned. The US proposal would eliminate language that called upon developed nations to consider specific, internationally binding, quantified reduction commitments, replacing it with text that calls upon countries to adopt any measures they deem appropriate.
Ministers Enter Bali Climate Change Countdown, WWF December 2007 THE LATEST – As environment ministers from around the world arrive in Bali for the UN climate negotiations, WWF calls on them to agree a blueprint for negotiations that will curb greenhouse gases and provide much needed support to poor countries who are on the frontline of the climate juggernaut.
Mid-Summit Update December 2007 Bali, Indonesia - The first week of talks at the UN Climate Change Conference in Bali showed satisfactory progress, says WWF.
Penguins in Peril as Climate Warms, WWF December 2007 Bali, Indonesia - The penguin population of Antarctica is under pressure from global warming, says WWFs latest report.
The report, Antarctic Penguins and Climate Change, shows that the four populations of penguins that breed on the Antarctic continent are under escalating pressure. For some, global warming is taking away precious ground on which penguins raise their young. For others, food has become increasingly scarce because of warming in conjunction with overfishing.
Climate Change Speeds up Amazon’s destruction, says WWF December 2007 Bali, Indonesia – A vicious feedback loop of climate change and deforestation could wipe out or severely damage nearly 60 per cent of the Amazon forest by 2030, says a new report from WWF.
Mixed reaction to diving ban from WWF December 2007 WWF, the conservation organisation, has reacted with mixed feelings to the announcement this week that the Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism proposes a diving ban in prescribed areas along most of the Western Cape coastline in an attempt to curb abalone poaching.
Prove You’re a Leader - Commit to an Ambitious Bali Mandate, WWF December 2007 THE LATEST – We need to see real leadership here in Bali. Government delegations must cut emissions from the rich, one third below 1990 levels by 2020. The political momentum is building. The EU, who committed in March 2007 to a cut of up to 30 percent, is being joined by others in its ambition. Several emerging economies are supporting formal negotiations and have promised to do their fair share.
Put clean technology where it’s needed, says WWF December 2007 THE LATEST – Technology transfer is one of the key elements in deploying solutions to climate change around the world. New technology to reduce carbon emissions is becoming more affordable every day, but the technology needs to be widely available to the countries, companies, and communities that most need it.
THE LATEST – As delegates make their way to the UNs Climate Change Summit on the tropical island paradise of Bali, they must not let the surroundings fool them. Paradise is under threat from rising sea levels, warming oceans and increases in extreme weather events. WWF says that developed nations should take the lead and take greater responsibility in emission reductions. Financial resources will have to be provided by the international community to help developing countries adapt to the damaging effects of climate change.
Prestigious WWF Conservation Award goes to Dr John Hanks and Dr Guy Preston December 2007 WWF South Africa’s Lonmin Conservation Award recognises outstanding contributions to the protection and conservation of South Africa’s environment. It was first awarded in 1981 and has since been awarded to a long and illustrious list of South Africa’s most notable conservationists; most recently Nicky and Strilli Openheimer in 2006.
GET OUT, GET SHOOTING AND WIN WITH BEELD, CANON AND WWF November 2007 Grab your camera and head for South Africa’s wild places. This holiday, by capturing the environment, can win you magnificent prizes and your images might even be printed in Beeld newspaper! At the same time you will be supporting WWF, the conservation organisation.
New Nedbank solar billboard lights the way for Athlone youth November 2007 For most companies, advertising is a means of creating awareness and growing a customer base. For Nedbank, it’s both these things, but it’s also far more. The bank that promises to ‘Make Things Happen’ has done just that with the recent unveiling of its second ‘solar billboard’ in Athlone in the Western Cape.
Marine industries meet to decide on proposed Namibian Island Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) November 2007 On Wednesday, 13 November 2007, in a landmark meeting, diverse marine industries and government departments, met for the first time to decide on a plan to protect Namibias Islands marine biodiversity from Hollamsbird Island near Meob Bay in the north to Sinclair Island near Chamais Bay in the south. Industry representation included the rock lobster fishing, mariculture, eco-tourism, marine diamond mining sectors, whilst government was represented by its Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Ministry of Mines and Energy and the Ministry of Environment and Tourism as well as regional and town council members.
Don’t let abalone happen to crayfish November 2007 With the start of the crayfish season today (15 November), WWFs Southern African Sustainable Seafood Initiative (SASSI) appeals to the public to abide by fishing regulations and urges business and individuals to not support poaching by buying crayfish from recreational fishers, or by buying undersized crayfish. Failure to do this could see crayfish follow the dismal path set by abalone.
Too early to tell on Black Sea oil spill November 2007 Gland, Switzerland: The full environmental impacts of yesterday’s oil spill in the Black Sea would not be known for some time, the global conservation organization WWF said today.
Environmental Awards winners give hope for the future November 2007 In the Natural Environment category, the award went to Inge Kotze and Joan Isham of the amazing Biodiversity and Wine Initiative (BWI). BWI is a partnership between the wine industry and a number of conservation organisations.
LOCAL COMMUNITY RECEIVE BLACK RHINO November 2007 History was made today when black rhinos were released on to Somkhanda Game Reserve in northern KwaZulu-Natal. Somkhanda is the first community-owned land to become a partner in the WWF/ Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife Black Rhino Range Expansion Project. 11 black rhino will be release altogether.
Superb new birding route awaits KwaZulu-Natal visitors November 2007 Birders drawn to the famed ornithological bounty of KwaZulu-Natal have a new route that showcases not only the startling diversity of the province’s birdlife, but also its range of habitats and its hospitality.
Birders and community soar with new aerial forest boardwalk November 2007 For birders, the newly opened Marutswa Aerial Boardwalk near the KwaZulu-Natal village of Bulwer is a place of delight and discovery. But it’s also a superb example of how conservation and economic development can work in harmony.
New Karkloof Conservation Centre opens to birders’ acclaim November 2007 The newly opened Southern KwaZulu-Natal Birding Route is already being described in glowing terms by local and visiting birders. Singled out for acclaim is the Karkloof Conservation Centre, which is one of the anchor attractions on the route.
WWF calls for moratorium on Mediterranean tuna November 2007 Rome, Italy - - WWF, the global conservation organisation, is calling for an immediate 3-year closure of the Mediterranean bluefin tuna fishery, following a season of unprecedented illegal and uncontrolled fishing which has resulted in massive over-quota catches.
WWF reactive statement to announcement by Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism about complete closure of abalone fishery October 2007 Following the announcement by Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Marthinus van Schalkwyk, on the complete closure of abalone fishery WWF would like to issue the following short statement: WWF welcomes the seriousness with which the Minister has treated this issue and the listing of South Africa’s abalone stocks on Cities Appendix III earlier this year. However, WWF would argue that legislation is only one part of a multi faceted strategy that is required to ensure the long term sustainability of the abalone fishery.
WWF applauds Nobel winners October 2007 Gland, Switzerland: The Norwegian Nobel Committee has recognized climate change as the worlds major challenge of the early 21st century, WWF said today.
WWF lauds Namibian plan to cut seabird deaths and urges SA action October 2007 The WWF Responsible Fisheries Programme welcomes Namibias adoption of a National Plan of Action for reducing incidental mortality of seabirds in longline fisheries (NPOA-Seabirds), the first for the region. It has urged South Africa to follow suit.
WWF heartened by moves to manage South East Atlantic fisheries October 2007 WWF, the conservation organization, has congratulated the South East Atlantic Fisheries Organisation (SEAFO) on progress towards an ecosystem approach to fisheries management in the region. The South East Atlantic Fisheries Organisation, SEAFO held its fourth Annual Commission Meeting in Windhoek, Namibia this week. The objective of the Convention was to ensure the long-term conservation and sustainable use of fishery resources in the South East Atlantic.
Berlin, Germany: Nobel Laureates, scientists, and policy and decision makers will gather at an international symposium in Potsdam, Germany, from tomorrow to discuss solutions to the most urgent sustainability issues facing the world, including climate change.
Overcoming our environmental overdraft October 2007 Imagine for a moment that the entire world has one annual bank account which stores natural resources rather than money. As with a normal bank account, interest can be earned on capital savings. But then imagine that the world spends more than the account earns in interest year upon year. Clearly, the outcome of such indiscretion will result in the erosion of the capital base, and the world will go into forever increasing debt. Measured in terms of the annual calendar, today marks precisely such an event.
OCTOBER 6 is ECOLOGICAL DEBT DAY October 2007 Global Footprint Network today revealed October 6 is Ecological Debt day – the day when humanity has consumed all the resources the planet will produce this year.
Ban Ki-Moon shows real climate leadership - WWF September 2007 New York, United States – The UN high-level climate change meeting in New York today declared that an ambitious comprehensive climate agreement will be negotiated within the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, building on the Kyoto Protocol, by no later than 2009.
New animal and plant species found in Vietnam September 2007 Gland, Switzerland – Scientists have discovered 11 new species of animals and plants in a remote area in central Vietnam, WWF said today.
Wildlife sculpture auction benefits South African conservation September 2007 If theres one place for sober science and creative flair to find common ground its in a passion for nature, specifically the nature of Africa. Seldom has this pairing been as successful as in the work of acclaimed sculptor, Dylan Lewis and WWF, the conservation organisation.
Science-based passion for nature drives new WWF chief September 2007 “Good conservation is underpinned by sound knowledge.” This is the mantra of Dr Morné du Plessis, CEO of WWF South Africa as of 1st September 2007.
New National Botanical Garden to be established August 2007 The Minister of the national Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) is proud to announce the establishment of South Africa’s ninth national botanical garden on the outskirts of Nieuwoudtville in the Northern Cape, South Africa. The new garden, to be established on the farm Glenlyon, comprises over 6,300 ha of land on the Bokkeveld Plateau, and is world renowned for its incredible diversity of bulbous plants.
WWF Sanlam Partnership rises to SA’s freshwater challenge August 2007 WWF, the conservation organisation and financial services group Sanlam today (Tuesday, 28 August) launched a partnership to promote wise management of the countrys marine and freshwater resources. The WWF Sanlam Living Waters Partnership will see Sanlam investing over R15 Million in marine and freshwater initiatives over the next five years. At a lunchtime debate the two organisations brought together industry, government and the private sector to discuss the critical importance of water management in the social development and economic growth of South Africa.
Time to Rethink Investment August 2007 22 August, Midrand –WWF’s Trade and Investment Programme (TIP) launched its "Rethink Investment in (South) Africa" report at the Environmental Goods and Services forum briefing held this morning in Midrand.
11 000 thumbs-ups for greener seafood choices August 2007 The countrys cellphone users have taken to a service that helps them make environmentally sustainable seafood choices, well, like fish to water.
The FishMS line puts information at your thumb-tips on whether the fillet you fancy is in plentiful supply, best avoided or downright illegal, just by texting the seafood name to 079-499-8795.
Morocco cracks down on illegal fishing – WWF July 2007 Rome, Italy - - The Moroccan government has brought into force a tough law that will punish fishermen who continue to use driftnets in its waters. WWF congratulates Morocco on this strong action against illegal and destructive fishing in the Mediterranean Sea.
Can a new generation tread more lightly than we did? July 2007 Economic growth, climate change and a growing middle class are just three of the factors that make environmental education crucial for Southern Africa in the next few years, writes Hettie Gets.
Individuals can make a difference to save the planet July 2007 5 July, Gauteng – Students in panda outfits were spotted at major traffic intersections in and around Johannesburg distributing energy efficient light bulbs.
WWF photographs three-legged Sumatran tiger July 2007 Jakarta, Indonesia – A WWF camera trap inside an Indonesian national park has captured photographs of a Sumatran tiger in the wild that appears to have escaped from a snare by cutting its paw off.
Just 400 days to go for energy Gold, WWF tells athletes July 2007 Beijing, China: Offsetting carbon emissions caused by flying to the Olympic Games just takes a few mouse clicks on a climate calculator, says WWF, the global conservation organization.
Tam Ky, Quang Nam, Vietnam (July 3rd, 2007) – A team of scientists from WWF and Conservation International (CI) has discovered the world’s largest known population of grey-shanked doucs (Pygathrix cinerea), increasing chances that the Endangered monkey can be saved from extinction.
Marine industries meet to decide on plan to protect oceans June 2007 On Friday, 22 June 2007, in a landmark meeting, diverse marine industries and government departments, met for the first time to decide on a plan to protect South Africas offshore marine biodiversity. Industry representation included the major offshore fishing sectors, the petroleum industry and the marine diamond mining sector, whilst government was represented by its Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism and the Department of Minerals and Energy.
One river’s flood is another’s drought – river basin transfers threaten world’s most vital resource June 2007 Gland, Switzerland - Increasingly popular schemes to pour water from one river into another less endowed are putting the very source of life at risk, says WWF in a new report entitled Pipedreams? Inter-basin transfers and water shortages. The report from the global conservation organization shows that inter-basin transfers are inevitably costly schemes that damage the natural environment, interrupting flows between rivers and compromising their ability to provide food and water.
Namibia behind WWF bycatch recommendations June 2007 It is estimated that as many as 34 000 seabirds, 4 200 sea turtles, and over 7 million sharks and skates are killed in longline fishing operations in the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem (BCLME) annually.
De Beers supports development of OMPA network June 2007 JOHANNESBURG, 21 JUNE 2007 - De Beers today announced its intention to co-operate with WWF, the conservation organisation, and the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) in the auditing of offshore biodiversity, the accurate mapping of threats to offshore biodiversity and in support of the identification of a representative offshore MPA network. De Beers regards itself as a responsible corporate citizen and is committed to the conservation of biodiversity in the areas where it operates.
A new WWF study released today finds that farmed salmon in Chiles unique Patagonian lakes has doubled in the last decade, contaminating them with nutrient pollution, invasive species, disease, and harmful chemicals.
CITES: Commercially traded species big losers –WWF/TRAFFIC June 2007 The Hague, The Netherlands – The 14th CITES Conference ended today with TRAFFIC and WWF applauding some sound conservation decisions, but ruing other missed opportunities.
14th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP 14) to CITES June 2007 ELEPHANTS: African elephant range states agreed to a nine-year suspension of ivory trading and four Southern African countries – South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe – have been given permission to sell stocks of ivory that have been registered before January 31st 2007.
18 year ivory deadlock broken – WWF/TRAFFIC June 2007 The Hague, The Netherlands – African range states have come together to break an 18 year ivory impasse, a significant move that is applauded by WWF and TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network. There had been much division across Africa going into the CITES meeting.
Breeding tigers for trade soundly rejected – WWF/TRAFFIC June 2007 The Hague, The Netherlands – Raising captive tigers for trade in tiger parts was rejected by CITES member countries today and China was urged to phase out its large-scale commercial tiger farms, a major victory for wild tiger conservation.
CITES backs red, pink and other corals June 2007 The Hague, The Netherlands – Red, pink and other coral species in the genus Corallium will be better protected from over-exploitation after CITES today adopted a proposal from the US to list Corallium in Appendix II of the Convention. Appendix II allows trade in a species under strict conditions.
14th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP 14) to CITES June 2007 ELEPHANTS: Elephants became a confusing issue on the agenda with five Information documents from several governments added at the 11th hour before the issue came to the floor on Tuesday afternoon. There had been an earlier report back before and after lunch on ETIS (Elephant Trade Information System) and MIKE (Monitoring of Illegal Killing of Elephant) systems.
Drinking the oceans not best option for thirsty world- WWF June 2007 Gland, Switzerland - Making drinking water out of sea water is a growing trend but a potentially insidious threat to the environment that could also exacerbate climate change, says WWF in a global review of desalination plants worldwide.
The Hague – On the eve of a discussion here by world leaders on illegal trade in tiger products, the CITES governing body announced that it has asked the Chinese government to investigate one of its tiger farms implicated for illegally selling tiger meat.
14th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP 14) to CITES June 2007 Sawfish: The international trade in sawfish – large rays related to sharks, has been banned today. All species of sawfish were included in CITES Appendix I, except for Pristis microdon, which is in Appendix II (but no trade is allowed except for live animals to for conservation exhibition purposes).
CITES: Brighter future for the European eel June 2007 The Hague, The Netherlands – The future of the European eel looks brighter after governments representatives attending the CITES Conference accepted a proposal from the European Union to list this fish species on Appendix II of the convention. Appendix II allows trade in a species under strict conditions.
Conservation Bite for Sawfish, WWF/TRAFFIC June 2007 The Hague, The Netherlands – Trade restrictions have been approved for sawfish – large rays related to sharks, with distinctive toothed snouts.
14th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP 14) to CITES June 2007 SHARKS: Two shark proposals were voted upon today – the spiny dogfish and porbeagle. WWF and TRAFFIC have both been strongly advocating for support for the EUs proposals to include both species in CITES Appendix II.
Trade convention failing sharks, WWF/TRAFFIC June 2007 The Hague, The Netherlands – Two shark species highly prized for their meat and fins have not gained trade protection under CITES, the Convention for International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
Sweden dialogue to start work on G8 climate deal June 2007 THE LATEST – The leaders of all G8 countries now recognize that emerging economies have a different responsibility for addressing emissions growth from industrialized ones.
Carbon-crazed Canada on course to fail Kyoto June 2007 Canada will fail to achieve its Kyoto targets due to the proposed expansion of its oil sands resources in Alberta says WWF in a report released today. WWF is calling for a moratorium on further expansion of oil sands production and for oil companies to produce decarbonisation strategies.
Public pressure on climate pushes G8 closer to cooler world June 2007 Heiligendamm, Germany – The G8 agreement on climate change contains important steps forward with all G8 countries agreeing to negotiate a UN deal to reduce emissions in the long-term by 2009, says WWF. Heads of State, however, failed to give concrete figures and timelines.
The G8 saving the climate – Good, not so good, or bad? June 2007 THE LATEST – G8 Sherpas have been negotiating intensely over the past night, to resolve remaining open questions, many of them on climate change. At the same time, voices from different heads of state and government have differed widely. Climate change is scheduled to be negotiated amongst the G8 leaders at 4 p.m. this afternoon. WWF provides a measure for success or failure.
World’s largest photo mosaic of tiger unveiled at CITES; World leaders urged to end tiger trade June 2007 The Hague, The Netherlands – A two-storey-high photo mosaic of a tiger, created from personal photos of nearly 25,000 tiger lovers worldwide, was unveiled here today to urge world leaders to end all trade in tigers. Individuals from more than 140 countries contributed their pictures to it.
CITES: Tropical tree left stranded June 2007 The Hague, The Netherlands – On the fourth day of the CITES Conference, the European Union withdrew its proposal to include Cedrela – a group of tropical trees species found in Latin America – in CITES Appendix II, which allows trade in a species under strict conditions.
Alarming upsurge in rhino poaching in key African countries, TRAFFIC/WWF June 2007 The Hague, The Netherlands – An increase in the volume of rhino horn entering illegal trade from Africa since 2000 could be placing some rhino populations at serious risk, according to new research from TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network.
14th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP 14) to CITES June 2007 Black rhino: Kenya submitted a proposal to repeal a resolution adopted at CoP13 which approved an annual export quota of five hunting trophies of adult male black rhinoceros from South Africa and five from Namibia.
Morné du Plessis appointed as WWF CEO June 2007 WWF South Africa, the conservation organization, has announced the appointment of distinguished conservationist Dr Morné du Plessis as CEO.
Conservation initiative a corker for SA wines globally June 2007 The equivalent of half the country’s entire area under vines is now under conservation, a milestone that’s boosting the international reputation of the country’s wine for its unique variety, and of the wine industry for its environmentally responsibility.
WWF announces partnership with the Coca-Cola Company June 2007 INTERNATIONAL, BEIJING, June 5, 2007 – The Coca-Cola Company today pledged to lead its global beverage operations, including those of its franchise bottlers, to replace the water it uses in its beverages and their production. The Company will focus its actions in three core areas 1 reducing the water used to produce its beverages, 2 recycling water used for beverage manufacturing processes, and 3 replenishing water in communities and nature. The pledge was announced at the annual meeting of WWF in Beijing, where the Company launched a multi-year partnership with WWF to conserve and protect freshwater resources.
2007 Environment Week: Time to turn Commitment to Action June 2007 Johannesburg, 4 June 2007 – As National Environment Week kicks off today, global environmental leader, WWF and national environmental campaign Indalo Yethu are teaming up to help individuals and organisations change their behaviour and positively influence the environment. Similar activities are taking place worldwide, as people around the planet get ready to celebrate World Environment Day tomorrow.
WWF talks with leaders on World Environment Day June 2007 Beijing, China/Gland, Switzerland: World leaders, corporate partners and conservationists will join forces today in a renewed focus on solving some of the most urgent issues of our time, halting climate change and living within the natural resources of the planet.
China Gears Action to Address Climate Change June 2007 Beijing, China – China has remarkably stepped forward in addressing climate change by releasing its first Climate Change National Action Plan on June 4, 2007.
Canada joins US as worst performer on climate change – WWF June 2007 Berlin, Germany - The US and Canada come in last under WWFs Climate Scorecards, which rate each of the G8 countries performance on climate change. The USs bottom ranking underscores a disconnect Between President Bushs announcement last week and ongoing US attempts to block progress at G8 negotiations aimed at stopping dangerous climate change, says WWF.
14th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP 14) to CITES June 2007 Livelihoods: A side event was organized by Flora and Fauna International on the topic of CITES and Livelihoods – Document 14 – which WWF fully supports as it is in line with its global mission.
Two important issues were discussed at the CITES Standing Committee which was held on the eve of the Conference of Parties: The exports of Peruvian mahogany and the so called one-off ivory sale.
UN wildlife convention gives green light to ivory sale June 2007 The Hague, The Netherlands – A limited sale of ivory has been approved by a committee ahead of this weeks Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) which opens officially Sunday.
Get smart: G8 should promote energy efficiency - WWF May 2007 Gland, Switzerland – Despite the enormous potential of energy efficiency to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect the planet from dangerous climate change, too many of the existing efficiency policies and measures in the G8 industrialized countries are ineffective, WWFs latest report reveals.
Grasp the sustainability nettle to grow, WWF urges banks May 2007 Making the financial sector more environmentally sustainable may not be easy, but financial institutions that ignore the trend risk their reputations, says WWF, the conservation organisation.
Time to close a can of lions May 2007 This WWF statement is in response to Minister Marthinus Van Schalkwyks publication of the draft Norms and Standards for the hunting of listed species in South Africa.
Five years the key to planet’s future May 2007 Gland, Switzerland: The world has more than enough sustainable energy and technology to curb climate change, but only if key decisions are made within the next five years, according to new research by WWF.
Let’s go to work on Monday and stop climate change – WWF May 2007 Bangkok, Thailand – Nothing should keep governments from getting to work and stopping dangerous climate change, after the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released its report on options for reducing CO2 emissions in Bangkok today, says WWF.
Stopping climate change is possible, says WWF May 2007 Bangkok, Thailand – While some governments try to delay action, the switch to a cleaner and more efficient energy system is already underway, according to a new report from WWF.
True cost of coal: More expensive than you think - WWF May 2007 The WWF briefing "Are the costs of using coal higher than the cost of cleaning it up?" shows that the growing use of coal for power generation is the biggest threat to climate-friendly development in both industrialized and emerging economies. Focussing on the US, Europe, China and India, the briefing shows all countries to be increasingly dependent on coal. Importantly the cost of electricity from coal is expected to double by 2030 while clean technologies like solar and geothermal power and solid biomass will soon be cost-competitive with conventional coal.
Window of opportunity closing, so act now - WWF May 2007 The facts are clear, a rapid reduction of emissions will help us slow the rise of global temperatures. Delaying such decisive action will lead to a dangerous build-up of greenhouse gases that could trigger feedback loops: melting of permafrost in the Arctic, for example, is releasing frozen methane, which is a powerful climate warming gas. Such an event could speed up climate change dramatically.
We Can Afford to Stop Global Warming - WWF May 2007 New technology to reduce carbon emissions is becoming more affordable every day – action against climate change would only cost an average of 0.1 per cent of global GDP per year until 2030. The report from the IPCC to be discussed in Bangkok this week should explain in clear and simple terms that we can stop global warming in a cost effective manner.
WWF calls for lucid thinking regarding the future of Tsitsikamma MPA April 2007 The WWF Sanlam Marine Programme is calling for rational, transparent and science-based decision making regarding the future of South Africas oldest Marine Protected Area (MPA), Tsitsikamma. This is in response to announcements in the press last week that the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) intended opening parts of the MPA to recreational fishing.
Dream Calf April 2007 It was literally a dream come true for the Black Rhino Range Expansion Project when the first calf conceived on a project site was born this week. On Sunday night, ranger Thomas Khumalo dreamed that a black rhino calf was born on a certain section of Munyawana Game Reserve. He had checked the area only a day before, so without the dream would probably not have been there for another month. But he decided to look again, and sure enough, there was a one-day old calf. The calf has been named iPhupho meaning Dream.
Pick ‘n Pay joins WWF greener seafood drive April 2007 Ever stood before a fishmongers counter, spoilt for choice and with no idea what to choose, but wanting to limit your environmental impact? Youre not alone: worldwide, consumers are increasingly aware of the power in the way they spend their money and are willing to make sustainable, eco-friendly choices. Pick n Pay is the first major South African retailer to engage with WWFs Southern African Sustainable Seafood Initiative (SASSI) in order to improve the sustainability of its seafood business. Firstly, it has now joined The Green Trust, a partnership between WWF and Nedbank, as a co-sponsor of SASSI for the next three years.
New report to reduce needless deaths of seabirds, sea turtles and sharks April 2007 WWF and BirdLife have released a new report that for the first time assesses the impact of longline fishing on vulnerable species of seabirds, sharks, and sea turtles in the Benguela Ecosystem, stretching up the west coasts of South Africa, Namibia and Angola. Despite global concern about the impact of fisheries on these species, over more than a decade, very few regional assessments such as this exist. The majority of albatross and sea turtle species and many shark species are listed as threatened with extinction by the IUCN, with fisheries impacts being cited as a major cause.
UN Security Council should take lead on climate change - WWF April 2007 International: Gland, Switzerland - WWF expects the first ever discussions of climate change in the UN Security Council to give clear direction to UN agencies as to how to respond to this growing threat to human development. At the request of the UK chairman, the UN Security Council will hold an unprecedented debate on climate change and its impacts on security in its meeting of Tuesday 17 April 2007.
Harvesting by the full moon April 2007 Nokhaya Mphehleleli is 26 years old and is part of the WWF Coffee Bay Mussel Rehabilitation Programme that has received crucial funding from The Green Trust. She was born in this lower Nenga region in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. She tells me that people have been dependent on the seashores wealth for centuries. In the Coffee Bay – Hole in the Wall area along the Wild Coast of South Africa, mussels have traditionally been part of the local people’s diet for many, many years.
Natural wonders feel the heat, warns WWF April 2007 International: Brussels, Belgium ¬– From the Amazon to the Himalayas, ten of the worlds greatest natural wonders face destruction if the climate continues to warm at the current rate, warns WWF. In its latest briefing, Saving the worlds natural wonders from climate change, the global conservation organization reports on how the devastating impacts of global warming are damaging the worlds greatest natural wonders.
GRASSLANDS ARE LIFE April 2007 If we don’t get water-wise, South Africa will experience a life-threatening shortage of water for domestic, agricultural and industrial use by 2025. What most of us dont realise is that just as Water Is Life, so too are grasslands: Grasslands Are Life. Grasslands are vital water catchment areas that store water either as ground water or in wetlands, slowly releasing it throughout the year. Grasslands offer the most natural, cost-effective method of supplying our country with high quality water.
GRASSLANDS: GOOD FOR US ALL April 2007 Through the land reform process, Nkosi Mabaso and his Mabaso community – has successfully claimed 3 500 hectares of their ancestral land in the Green Trusts Enkangala Grasslands Project region. Enkangala is a key water catchment zone spanning 1.6-million hectares of grasslands between KwaZulu Natal, Mpumalanga and the Free State.
WWF welcomes SA hake’s global environmental coup March 2007 WWF has welcomed the addition of Sea Harvest frozen hake fillets this week as the 500th worldwide Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified sustainable product. The conservation organisation believes that this milestone is testimony to the growing demand among consumers for environmentally sustainable products. Arming consumers with information to make wise seafood choices is a central objective of the WWFs Southern African Sustainable Seafood Initiative (SASSI).
WWF to push for protection of the Ross Sea March 2007 International: The Ross Sea near Antarctica should be declared a Marine Protected Area (MPA) to help protect it from unsustainable fishing, marine pollution, climate change and the spread of invasive plants and animals, says WWF at the start of the 2007-2008 International Polar Year.
The conservation organisation today launched a global campaign to create a network of marine protected areas in the Southern Ocean by 2012 in the face of increasing threats to fragile Antarctic marine habitats.
WWF and EMOA respond to the release of the Norms & Standards for elephant management February 2007 This WWF/EMOA joint statement is in response to Minister Marthinus Van Schalkwyks publication of the draft Norms and Standards for the Management of Elephants in South Africa for public comment, at Addo Elephant National Park, on 28 February 2007.
WWF and EMOA welcome these Norms and Standards for the Management of Elephants in South Africa which will provide a uniform framework for the management of elephants in South Africa.
IPCC rings the alarm bell – Cut emissions now, warns WWF February 2007 International: Paris, France – Governments must negotiate deeper emission cuts for CO2 and other greenhouse gases, says WWF following the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Changes (IPCC) report on the urgency to slow climate change and keep increases in global temperatures as low as possible. “The IPCC report embodies an extraordinary scientific consensus that climate change is already upon us, and that human activities are the cause,” says James P. Leape, Director General of WWF International. “It is a clarion call to governments to act urgently to slash emissions.”
Sea Turtle Strides February 2007 “Were thrilled to announce that over the
