Always good to see wineries taking the eco-friendliness of their wines (and the bottles) into consideration:

TWO OCEANS TAKING IT LIGHTLY

Popular South African wine brand Two Oceans is now sold exclusively in light-weight 350 gram bottles that are fully recyclable.  The label, its inks and adhesive are also biodegradable.

The new screwcap-topped bottle is 110 grams lighter than before, to represent a saving of 120 kg of carbon equivalent emissions for every 1 000 bottles produced.

All Two Oceans wines are made from grapes sourced from vineyards accredited by South Africa’s highly progressive and eco-friendly Integrated Production of Wine (IPW) programme.  If you want to know more about the brand’s commitment to production integrity, visit the website listed on the *Sustainability Seal South Africa sticker that is affixed to the bottle and enter the individual number. The seal is backed by a sophisticated tracking system in which bottle contents are totally traceable from the growing of the grapes to how the wine is made and packaged.

In South Africa, as a further mark of its environmental focus, Two Oceans supports WWF SASSI, the Southern African Sustainable Seafood Initiative that helps to improve the conservation status of overexploited seafood in local oceans.

Widely enjoyed for great quality at excellent value prices, the Two Oceans brand takes its name from the Indian and Atlantic oceans that meet along the southern coast of Africa.

*The Sustainability Seal South Africa applies to wines from the 2010 vintage onwards.

Cape Town, 7th September, 2011 – Tuffy brands, the pioneers of 100% recycled refuse bags, aims to clean up South Africa this month, by providing 150,000 recycled refuse bags to all regions in SA to facilitate a massive clean-up operation with Plastics SA for Clean-Up South Africa Week, which runs from 12th to 17th September.

During this week that includes National Recycling Day (16th of September) and International Coastal Clean-Up Day (17th September), many organisations and individuals will take part in a collective operation to pick up, and correctly discard litter on SA’s streets, parks, beaches, rivers, waterways and oceans.

Last year, more than 20,000 volunteers conducted clean-ups with a total waste removal of 62.65 tons of litter covering a distance of more than 1,000 kms along the country’s coastlines, estuaries, rivers, inland water sources and even underwater.

Rory Murray, Marketing Director for Tuffy Brands, says that they are thrilled to be a part of an initiative with such a significant impact as the recycling following the clean-up has a positive impact on the economy through job creation, reduction of carbon footprint and the re-use of the trash in products.

Started by Plastics South Africa the initiative has seen over 100 tons and 20,000 volunteers participate in the clean-ups annually in South Africa alone. This year marks the 26th International Coastal Clean-up, which has become the world’s largest volunteer effort for ocean health and since its inception over 9-million volunteers from 152 countries and locations have cleaned over 65-million tons of trash each year.

“We will be providing 150,000 heavy duty 100% recycled heavy duty refuse bags to each of the regions in support of this very worthwhile initiative,” says Murray. “We estimate that these bags alone will hold tons of waste. We fully applaud the efforts of Plastics SA, the Department of Environment, Tourism and Economic affairs and other brands who have come on board and are proud to be associated with cleaning up our beautiful country.”

Murray urges South Africans to get involved. “This initiative will truly make a difference in more ways than you can imagine and we encourage everyone to get involved even in the smallest way,” he adds. “It will be great to see that South Africa has had the biggest impact on a global scale during the cleaning operations.”

For more information visit: www.tuffy.co.za <http://www.tuffy.co.za>  or facebook.com/tuffybrands or @tuffybrands on Twitter

For more about Clean-Up SA Week visit: http://www.cleanup-sa.co.za/

It’s starting to become obvious that we don’t need massive inputs of chemicals and fertilisers to grow enough food to feed the world – and a recently released report from the UN shows that growing our food more sustainably can dramatically increase crop yields:

Small-scale farmers can double food production within 10 years in critical regions by using ecological methods, a new UN report shows. Based on an extensive review of the recent scientific literature, the study calls for a fundamental shift towards agroecology as a way to boost food production and improve the situation of the poorest.

Sustainable agriculture should be the immediate choice for underdeveloped countries. For developing countries, especially in Africa, De Schutter thinks the shift to low-tech farming can happen quickly, and will immediately help small farmers be more productive and spend less. (Read the full article)

In the first phase of its collaboration, the brand is funding the printing of wallet-sized information cards that identify those fish than can be eaten without danger of depleting resources. The cards, for distribution to restaurants, retailers and fisheries, also identify those fish considered endangered or under threat of becoming endangered.

The next phase will involve in-store merchandising initiatives designed to promote awareness of the fish species, fishing and farming methods that pose less harm to the environment than others, so consumers are better equipped to make informed choices in helping to promote marine sustainability.

Says Jackie Olivier, global marketing spokesperson for Two Oceans: “The Atlantic and Indian oceans after which the brand is named, aren’t just an important influence on the wines we produce. They also sustain an enormous variety of life. That’s why we support SASSI and its campaign to show how simple it is to make a sustainable seafood choice when shopping or dining.  SASSI explains why not all seafood is equal and encourages us to ask what fish we are being offered, to find out where it comes from and how it was sourced, so we can all help to make a difference.”

There was a natural convergence between SASSI and Two Oceans, she added. “Many of the shops and restaurants also carry Two Oceans wines. By working together we hope to advance consumer awareness of the state of our oceans.”

The global brand is also hoping to team up with similar drives in other parts of the world to encourage sustainable seafood choices.

She said Two Oceans was continuing to grow year-on-year domestic sales volumes in double digits as consumers opted for outstanding value. Sales were also increasing in the US, Latin America and on the African continent.

For more information on SASSI go to the website (www.wwf.org.za/sassi) or mobi site (wwfsassi.mobi).

Recent spikes in food prices around the world–and the unrest in the Middle East and North Africa–have sparked fears of a repeat of the 2008 food crisis. To find ways to help address these issues, the World Bank’s Agriculture and Rural Development division recently held events focusing on Understanding Volatility and Managing Risk.

One of the events, Non-traditional Approaches to Addressing Risk and Vulnerability in Agriculture, looked at innovative projects in Turkey and Kyrgyzstan that are addressing production risks and the vulnerability of agriculture because of changes in the climate. Senior Rural Development Specialist of the Europe and Central Asia Region, Talaibek Torokulovich Koshmatov, provided insight on how cell phones are providing weather alerts to farmers in both those countries.  (full story)

I’m looking forward to trying out their latest addition to their range, the La Luna 2006:

March 2011: Avondale, a family-own and run wine estate near Paarl, has released the 2006 vintage of La Luna. Avondale practices a unique mix of organic and biodynamic wine farming combined with the best that modern science has to offer, an approach they call Bio-LOGIC®.

La Luna derives its name from the way the moon influences our living system, and reflects the biodynamic farming methodology employed on the farm. By being attuned to the cosmic influences and rhythms, Avondale is able to fine tune its activities on the farm to be in harmony with the celestial forces.

The wine is a blend of organically-grown Cabernet Sauvignon (30%), Cabernet Franc (30%), Merlot (20%) and Petit Verdot (20%), matured in French Oak barrels for 12 to 16 months.

The velvety red blend offers scents of cedar, truffles and dark fruit with subtle forest and herb undertones, while full plum and mulberry flavours and soft tannins combine for a lovely, vibrant suppleness.

The La Luna 2006 red blend is now available from Avondale. For more information about Avondale and its range of nature-friendly wines, visit www.avondalewine.co.za

Powered by a Kestrel e300i 1kW wind turbine which converts wind energy into electricity, renewable clean energy is supplied to the branch and reduces the consumption of electricity from the national grid. In addition, clean energy is stored to supply the branch during any power failures, ensuring business continuity…

As a result of the installation of the wind turbine, this pilot site is predicted to enjoy a reduction of up to 35% in its electricity bill thanks to the production of an average of 7.8kWh of wind-powered electricity per day. In the case of a power failure the branch will continue to maintain its power through a battery tank for at least two hours. It will further save 2.7 tons of greenhouse gases from being emitted into the atmosphere every year and 2.8 tons of coal from being burned every year.

“This highly innovative wind-powered initiative is not only good for the environment, but it also cuts electricity consumption costs and reduces pressure on Eskom’s national grid network,” explains Thomas.

Significantly, wind power consumes no fuel and emits no air pollution, unlike traditional fossil fuel power sources.

“As we strive to lead as a green and caring bank we are continually looking for ways to extend this positioning and encouraging environmentally-friendly and sustainable business practices throughout South Africa.”

Nedbank became Africa’s first carbon neutral financial organisation in 2009 and maintained its carbon neutrality in 2010.

Here’s to even more banks and large institutions following suit.

Always glad to hear about wineries who’re taking steps towards being more earth friendly:

The Uitkyk wine estate is the newest winery to become a Biodiversity & Wine Initiative Champion, the 20th to do so. The estate, at 591 ha one of the largest in the Stellenbosch area, has set aside more than 310 ha of virgin veld, or 52% of the total property, for conservation. The standard requirement for championship status is 10 ha of virgin veld.

Uitkyk is for many synonymous with Carlonet, one of the classic wine labels of the Cape. In addition to its own range of Uitkyk wines, the estate also produces the popular Flat Roof Manor range.

The farm, which dates back to 1712, lies on the south-western slopes of the Klapmutskop Mountain. The vineyards are located on the higher slopes which are dissected by four deep gorges that create natural corridors between them. These corridors enable small game and predators to move freely across the property.

Rudi Buys, viticulturist and manager of Uitkyk, said a considerable part of the land set aside for conservation fell within the Greater Simonsberg Conservatory of which Uitkyk was a member. “The conservancy supports one of the largest remaining remnants of the critically endangered Swartland shale renosterveld, named for the rhinos which in earlier years were frequently found grazing in this type of vegetation.

“Since 2008 we have been clearing on average 8 to 10 ha of land per year infested with alien vegetation. Working in one of the gorges recently we uncovered, to our great delight, a small stand of silver trees, that belong to the Protea family and can also be found growing mainly on Lions Head and in the Kirstenbosch area. We are obviously now very keen to re-establish these beautiful trees in our area.”

Buys said the clearing of alien vegetation was undertaken by the farm workers in between work in the vineyards. “As the results of what we have been doing become more apparent and indigenous species start to flourish again on the cleared land, everyone’s involvement in the project has grown and so has the pride in our progress.”

Buys said in recent years there had been a very strong move towards farming sustainably on Uitkyk. “We were among the first to erect owl posts in our vineyards to control rodent numbers. The perches we designed are suited to the grip of different raptors. While owls, mainly the brown barn owl, hunt from the perches at night, during the day you will find jackal buzzards and kestrels resting on them.

“Duiker and grysbok abound while the gorges provide perfect camouflage for the growing number of caracal hunting their favourite food, guinea fowl. The birdlife is particularly rich and varied, and more and more species are returning to nest on the estate,” Buys said.

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Uitkyk Wine Estate is located on Elsenberg Road, Stellenbosch.  Website: www.uitkyk.co.za.  Tel: (021) 884 4416

So, from now on I will once again be publishing a weekly set of green news stories, with a focus on the happy ones, especially those happening in our own country – because there’s something about feeling positive that makes us all believe we can do more, not less.

Loop Street Building Sets Green Pace (Cape Town Partnership)

11 August 2010. One of Cape Town’s Grand Old Ladies – 14 Loop Street – has been given a major facelift, and in the process, become one of the city’s first truly iconic green buildings… 14 Loop Street’s “green” features include large double-glazed, tinted, openable windows that let in lots of natural light and require substantially less air-conditioning. The air-conditioning system is low energy, low emission. Toilets are dual flush and urinals are waterless.  Recycled materials were used in the renovation. In addition, power consumption will be reduced and water is collected off the roof for reticulation into the building’s grey water system. (Read the full story)

Cape Town launches Meat-free day (Icologie)

10 August 2010. Cape Town is the first African city, and one of seven progressive cities in the world, to officially endorse a Meat-free Day a week for the sake of animal welfare, human health and climate change. The City’s Health Committee unanimously backed a call by the Compassion in World Farming organisation for Capetonians to pick one day of the week where they eliminate red meat from their diet and eat more fruit, vegetables and grains instead. (Read full story)

SA government backs Carbon tax (Times Live)

Deputy president Kgalema Motlanthe on Tuesday defended a carbon tax that seeks to “green” the South African economy. The introduction of carbon tax requires the availability of corresponding fuel quality to reduce greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere,” Motlanthe said… (Read full story)

Swiss agency gives millions to SA energy efficiency programmes (SA Good News)

The agreement on the Energy Efficiency Monitoring Project entails the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation funding a R120 million climate change mitigation programme in South Africa.

South Africa and the Swiss Confederation have signed an energy efficiency agreement which will bring a major boost to government energy efficiency programmes. (Read the full story)

‘Klein Constantia restores fynbos glory’ (Constantia Valley Newsletter)

Klein Constantia Estate is taking steps to replant at least some of its land with indigenous fynbos.

Quite an exciting project is our effort to rehabilitate non-vineyard land at Klein Constantia with plant species endemic to the south eastern slopes of Vlakkenberg and Constantiaberg. To this end we have enlisted the help of two leading Cape botanists whose task it is to scour our contour roads and open land to gather cuttings and seeds, propagate them and then sell them back to us in ready to plant seedling trays of about 120 plants per tray.

… So far we have successfully planted the first trays of Aristea major (Blousuurkanol), Chrysanthemoides monilifera (Bietou), Metalasia muricata (Blombos), Polygala calyptata, and some yet to be identified ericas, which as soon as they flower will enable identification.

Whilst the first small steps have been taken, the ultimate goal is to restore the property to full fynbos glory throughout.

Cape Town launches Green Rail & Ride (via Cape Town Partnership)

This isn’t recent news, but as it only launched in June, I though it was worth bringing up.  Rail and Ride is a new eco-friendly way to visit the South Peninsula.

Undertaken as a partnership project between Cape Town Tourism, Metrorail Western Cape and The Green Cab (an eco-friendly travel provider), The Rail and Ride …. experience combines eco-friendly rail travel with reduced emission Green Cab vehicles and a tour-guided insight on the Southern Line route. (read full story)

Tickets cost R600 per person, which includes the train ride, cab ride, entry into the Boulders Penguin Colony, Cape Point entrance fee, tour guide and security.

eWaste initiative launched in Gauteng

29 July 2010: ACER and The Miss Earth South Africa, in association with Consol, teamed up to launch an eWaste initiative. This project saw a group of schools in Gauteng chosen to receive an eWaste bin, sponsored by ACER… Learners were educated on the need for eWaste disposal and how they can actively ensure that they clean up their homes of eWaste. ACER has also sponsored the servicing of the bins and hopes to grow the project moving forward. (via Publicity Update)

It’s not ground-breaking, and one hopes that it will expand beyond just a few schools in just the one province – but it’s certainly a start, and I think it’s great that young kids are learning more about eWaste and what can be done about it.  Think back… how much did you know about eWaste when you were a kid?  I knew some things shouldn’t go with the regular trash, but my knowledge was (very) limited, and probably not very accurate – so I’m glad there are others who’re getting better educated in that regard!  C’mon, Acer – this is a good call, now let’s have this happening at as many schools as possible… (they’re not the only electronics manufacturers who should be making an effort to make their products ‘greener’)   (see also related story: ‘Combined efforts combat SA e-waste‘)

Other stories:
DEA looking for projects to support green-economy strategy

If you have any green news that you’d like to share, please submit it here and if it fits I’ll add to the following week’s edition.

Some 20 000 tons of recyclable waste was collected within the first week of the project in November 2009. In December that amount more than doubled.

Residents are being educated about how to separate their waste into different bins, depending on what can be recycled. Recyclable materials are items such as paper, cans, glass bottles and plastics; non-recyclable waste refers to items such as light bulbs, food scraps and broken crockery.

Read the full story on SA Good News.

Read the full story.

The Caledon Wind Farm would span 15 farms covering an area of 3500 hectares within the Theewaterskloof Muncipality approximately 16km west of Caledon and 7km east of Botrivier.

Read the full story.