I was preceded, on the air, by Toni Brockhoven, who was introducing her new book, the ‘Living Without Cruelty Cookbook‘.  The book is meant to ‘make things easier for people considering changing their eating habits’ and is ‘a cookbook with locally available ingredients and with easy and often familiar recipes, albeit with a twist’.

The launch of the book was timed to coincide with the World Day for the Abolition of Meat (30 January 2010), an occasion aimed at ‘promoting the abolition of the idea of treating/viewing/exploiting animals as food’.  A touchy subject, to say the least, and one about which Toni is rather passionate.

The main idea put forward, aside from the emotional aspect of eating meat, was the effect global vegetarianism might have on global warming.  If we all became vegetarians overnight, the theory goes, our carbon woes might well be solved, and the world would be a happier, prettier place.

Well, as anyone listening will know, I don’t think it’s quite as simple as that, and very soon found myself weighing in on the subject.  In my view, a more balanced approach is necessary – that of cutting down drastically on the amount of meat we eat, steering way away from the mass-production that leads to battery-farms and feedlots, and being more connected with where, when and how our food was created.  To quote Michael Pollan, we get to vote with our forks three times a day, and that is the way I choose to do it.

I wouldn’t have thought that was too controversial, but I soon received a number of emails from ‘concerned listeners’, who viewed my stance as contrary to my ‘green’ persona, and took umbrage to what I had said.

So, because I’m not too sure about my verbal skills, and far better at expressing myself in words (and because I don’t want you folks out there thinking I’m an animal-hating harpy), I’d like to share the response I sent to those mails:

Thank you for getting in touch, and for challenging me on this issue.

I am well aware of the detrimental effects of producing meat on a massive scale – the strain on the planet’s resources, as well as the physical and likely mental suffering of the animals themselves. I am not ignorant of the conditions experienced on these factory farms, and am strongly against them. Perhaps I was not as clear about that as I would like to have been – I am far better at expressing my views in writing, rather than verbally.

I could never become a vegetarian because of my appreciation of the great diversity of food sources available to us as omnivores, but I do try to limit the amount of meat I eat, and to further limit that to meat that has, to the best of my knowledge, been raised in a humane and sustainable manner.

I do not think it realistic that human beings are going to very suddenly change their diets completely, and become vegetarians overnight. Some may be able to so, but I am for a more moderate approach: one of reducing significantly the amount of meat we eat, and supporting only those farmers that treat their animals with respect and care. The more we support them, the more likely it is that other farmers will choose to farm sustainably as well.

In contrast with this, I’d like to point out that, if done in a well managed, sustainable manner, raising grass-fed cattle (for example) can potentially preserve the environment, rather than destroying it. A recent article in Time Magazine went into this in some detail, showing that properly managed cattle farms can actually sequester more carbon than is produced, meaning they could help reverse the effects of global warming.

Feedlots are not the way to raise animals – on this point I entirely agree with you. Feedlots, battery farms and other means of mass-producing animals have come about because of mankind’s greed for cheap meat, and plenty of it. It is these operations that have taken animals out of a more natural habitat into one that requires the many external inputs that result in such high environmental costs: mass production of grain (which usually requires pesticides, artificial fertilisers and plenty of water), transport of the grain (often over long distances), the ridiculous amounts of water required to flush out the fetid, cramped quarters the animals must inhabit and more besides.

Naturally-raised animals, however, need not have such a high environmental cost, and can in fact form a self-sustaining system that no longer requires external inputs. It is a delicate balance, though: cows (for example) eat the grass and create manure; chickens follow behind and feast on the bugs contained in the manure; and the manure provides the ground with nourishment. By keeping the numbers limited – by eating cows, chickens and eggs – we become part of the cycle, and provide that balance. If there were too many cows, the land would be overrun, and the grass unable to replenish itself (the cycle would be disrupted).

And what of land that cannot be cultivated? If we are to feed the world’s population, we must use our space wisely and carefully. And eating animals that are able to graze that land is, in my view, a better use of available resources than shipping in plant-based foods from somewhere else.

It is a complex and multifaceted issue, but my personal belief is that the solution lies in mankind becoming less greedy, treating the earth and its creatures better, and developing a greater understanding of what our individual and collective impact is on this beautiful earth. Through this we can make better, greener choices, and rediscover how to live in harmony with nature – vegetarians and omnivores alike.

What’s your take on this?  I really do welcome constructive debate, so if you have something to add, please leave a comment below!

I’ve written about them once before, for the world-wide Blogger Bake-Off, and now they’re running a fun competition to drum up some extra funding:

CAPE TOWN, 1 February 2010 – Breadline Africa, a local charity that believes in giving a hand-up not a hand-out, wants to take you out to dinner with one of your favourite local celebs. All you need to do is to make a small, or big, donation towards alleviating poverty in Africa and you could win an evening out with Just Jinjer, Heinz Winckler, Sasha Martinengo or 94.7 Highveld Stereo’s Bailey Schneider.

The competition runs from 1 – 28 February 2010, and to enter simply donate to Breadline Africa via SMS (36010) or its website, www.breadlineafrica.org/celebs. The more you donate, the better your chances to win the prize. And don’t forget to choose which celeb you would like to meet if you win: you do this by including the correct code (JINJER, HEINZ, SASHA or BAILEY) if you enter by SMS, or checking the appropriate tick box if you enter online.

Four lucky winners will be whisked off for a fun-filled evening with a top SA celeb, or group of celebs, who are also doing their bit to eradicate poverty in Africa – for once and for all. Flights are included, and you’ll get an exclusive culinary experience with one of your favourite local celebrities!

Sounds like fun – and all for a really good cause.  Definitely worth spreading the word, and donating whatever you can (celebrities or no celebrities)!

On the agenda, four passionate producers who are making a difference in their field:

• Michael Back from Backsberg on CARBON NEUTRAL
• Michelle du Preez from Bon Cap on their ORGANIC approach
• Johnathan Grieve from Avondale -  on their BIO LOGIC approach
• Johan Reyneke from Reyneke Wines – on his BIODYNAMIC approach

I’ve heard two of them speak before (Michael Back and Johan Reyneke), but this time was a little different – it was more of a debate, with some tough questions asked.  Each farm has its own way of doing things.  Backsberg, for example, is not organic, instead choosing to focus on the carbon neutral approach.  Bon Cap is proudly organic but not necessarily carbon neutral.  Avondale and Reyneke wines are taking organic to another level… But is any one of them ‘greener’ than the other?

And, a hotly debated topic: are BWI-certified wine estates really as eco-friendly as they’re marketed to be?  Reserving a portion of land for biodiversity is fantastic, of course, but is that enough to be considered ‘green’?  It’s a tricky one, and I certainly don’t know the answer (though I’m definitely in favour of natural farming versus the chemical- and pesticide-filled versions).

We’ve explored this topic before, and if you’re interested in an overview of what they’re doing to keep things eco-friendly – it’s worth checking out a new video clip on WineTube (created by Charles Lourens of Bottle Plate Pillow).  The footage doesn’t include Reyneke Wines, unfortunately, but instead has a snippet about Mooiplaas, a BWI-member estate near Stellenbosch.

The clip will give you an understanding of what organic wine is, how it is produced and how you can get involved and do your bit to offset your carbon emissions and help to preserve our natural surrounds.

Michelle du Preez from Bon Cap Estate and Jonathan Grieve from Avondale Estate have some insightful answers. In a nutshell, it is produced without any chemicals or pesticides, which enables the wineries to contribute to the sustainability of our environment (and means that it is healthier for us to drink too!).

Grieve also explains how simple and effective this process can be, for example Avondale has one hundred ducks roaming around their vineyards eating the snails as a natural and cost effective alternative to toxic snail bait.

Simon Back from Backsberg addresses another important aspect of ‘eco-friendly’ wines, explaining how Backsberg off sets all their carbon emissions, and explaining how consumers can get involved in the project too.

According to Tielman Roos, Mooiplaas Estate also wants to educate their visitors about their wines and the environment, and invite them to take a walk in the natural veldt before their wine tasting (pre-booking necessary).  (originally written by Emma Donovan for BottlePlatePillow)

BottlePlatePillow, if you haven’t encountered it yet, is an easy-to-use online directory for wine tasting and sales, winery restaurants, accommodation and fun activities on offer on wine estates in South Africa. And, if you’re looking for eco-friendly wine estates, you can now search by ‘Green / Organic / Low sulphur’ to find a few to stop in at (not too many on there, but let’s hope that number grows)

WineTube is a recently incorporated video streaming section where users can watch, upload and share wine clips – and it seems to be nicely done.

What this entails is 2 minutes of your time to go to their website, follow the “vote earth” prompts and commit to take steps to lessen your carbon footprint. Basically all you need to do is fill in your name, email address and then click on one of the selection of methods proposed by WWF to reduce your environmental impact. These methods include simple everyday changes such as switching off your lights when you leave a room, buying local produce, growing your own veggie garden and so on. The voting results will be presented to world leaders at COP15.

Add your voice and help create a global mandate for a fair and effective new climate deal that will keep global warming as far below 2 degrees as possible. Show your vote for Earth and call on world leaders to secure a deal in Copenhagen that will protect people, and protect the planet.

This article was written by Jacqui Stephenson.
Jacqui has a B.Sc Honours degree in Zoology from the University of Cape Town and works on scientific and agricultural projects for Tokai-based C4 EcoSolutions. C4 EcoSolutions (Pty) Ltd. provides scientific expertise on large-scale ecological projects, and the management of climate change.

There’s so much happening in preparation for the United Nation’s climate change conference underway in Copenhagen in December (COP15) and frankly, I’m finding it all quite inspirational! The great thing about this preparation is that we can all get involved. In fact, the whole point is for us, the powerful public, to put pressure on our leaders in order to catalyse change, for the sake of our planet.

One of the ways that we individuals can get involved is through the international campaign 350.org. This campaign takes its name from what is largely considered the upper ‘safe’ limit of CO2 concentration in the atmosphere – 350 parts per million. Currently, the atmospheric CO2 concentration is nearing 390 parts per million, which is somewhat frightening.

350.org aims to send a hard-hitting message to those attending COP15 by organising a global day of action on 24 October 2009 (i.e. next week Saturday).

The campaign encourages anyone and everyone to either organise an event or participate in one that will draw attention to the problem we’re all facing. The objective is to come up with a creative way of displaying the number 350 and then taking photographs of your efforts and forward these onto the campaign. All of these photographs will be streamed live to the UN and presented at the Copenhagen talks.

At the time of writing this, there are 2252 actions organised in 152 countries registered on 350.org. You can find out details about actions happening in your area by visiting the website.

And, the Cape Town public has really come to the party by organising the following events (to name a few):

350 Ice Sculpture

This action will see the number 350 marked out in giant ice blocks on Muizenberg Beach. By doing so, the organisers hope to symbolise the impact of global warming on the environment. Time-lapse photographs will be taken of the melting ice sculpture with those involved surrounding it. These photographs will then be spliced into an “ice melting movie”, which will be sent through to 350.org and hopefully displayed at the climate change conference.

For those of you who are interested in attending, you are encouraged to arrive at the beach at 9am armed with large ice blocks (i.e. ones you have made at home using those large 5L ice-cream containers), posters, banners or messages of any kind that you would like to see in the movie (350.org has some great suggestions) and, of course, sunblock.

For more information you can have a look at this event’s facebook group.

Climate Action Festival

The only details I was able to find out about this action is its title (see above) and that it will be held at Blaauwberg Beach. For more information you can contact the head of the event, Werner, via 350.org.

350-24-24 Challenge

In order to promote birding, bird conservation and awareness of the climate a challenge has been proposed to bird photographers and other interested parties to photograph 350 species of birds within 24 hours on the 24th of October. Easier said than done, I say! The images will be posted on 350.birdingafrica.com on the 25th of October and each image will contain a weblink to relevant bird/birding information and/or conservation sites. To sign up simply visit the website.

A Red Hot Faith-filled Climate Procession

I won’t lie, the “faith-filled” part of this action puts me off somewhat, but perhaps this is your cup of tea?

The organisers are arranging a parade which will start at 9h30 in front of Parliament and meander down St George’s Drive, up to the Synagogue and into the Company Gardens where the event will culminate in a ‘bring-and-share’ picnic. Those involved will paint themselves red (signifying global warming) and carry posters and other climate change messages.

The “faith-filled” bit comes when the parade will stop intermittently along the route to hear brief messages from faith leaders of different religions.

Human 350 to be filmed on Table Mountain

Where better to send a message from Cape Town from? It has to be Table Mountain! The Climate Action Partnership are organising a hike up Table Mountain via Platteklip Gorge. Upon reaching the top, those involved will form a human ‘350’, which will then be filmed from a helicopter.

The plan is to meet at 08h00 at the Lower Cable Car Station on Table Mountain Road and you’ll find the organiser at the far right end of the bus parking lot at the beginning of the path which leads to Platteklip Gorge. You are encouraged to wear yellow, orange or red. For more information email Jessica Thorn on j.thorn@conservation.org.

350 Low Carbon Meals

GreenChoice is coordinating a drive for 350 low carbon meals to demonstrate how our food choices affect our carbon footprints. Participants are encouraged to host a low carbon dinner party of sorts, take photographs (ideally with the number 350 in the picture) and forward them onto 350.org. Low carbon meals will include, for example, picnics and candle-lit dinners, but don’ forget that you’ll have to consider the food you are serving as well.

Check out the website for more events as new ones are being loaded all the time. Of course, if none of the events organised take your fancy, you are more than welcome to create your own event and register it on 350.org. Ideally, though, it will make more of an impact to have fewer events attended by more people than many events with only a few people involved, don’t ya think?

This blog is a part of Blog Action Day 2009.

This article was written by Jacqui Stephenson.
Jacqui has a B.Sc Honours degree in Zoology from the University of Cape Town and works on scientific and agricultural projects for Tokai-based C4 EcoSolutions. C4 EcoSolutions (Pty) Ltd. provides scientific expertise on large-scale ecological projects, and the management of climate change.

Budding contributor? Please contact pia@mothercityliving.co.za and let’s chat!

Great timing, it would seem, seeing as we’re in the middle of Arbor Week (1-7 September)!  And, keeping to the green theme, Backsberg has decided to extend the week and make it Arbor Month instead:

September is Arbor Month and Backsberg is working with the Starke Ayres Garden Centre in Cape Town to create awareness and excitement around planting trees – specifically the tree of the year: Halleria lucida.

With the purchase of a case of wine from the Backsberg Tasting Room during September, you’ll will have the option of taking home either a Halleria lucida tree or a voucher for the Starke Ayres Garden Centre (while stocks last). In turn, Starke Ayres will be giving away a bottle of Backsberg Chenin Blanc 2009 with every tree purchased from the garden centre.

Marketing Manager, Simon Back explains that Backsberg have decided to undertake this project as part of their greening programme, with the intention of increasing the number of trees planted during Arbor month. By including their customers in this tree-planting exercise, Backsberg aim to encourage the planting of trees while involving as many people as possible.

And the Halleria lucida sounds like a fantastic tree of choice (wish I had space for more than a few not-quite-as-exciting lettuces!):

Backsberg have chosen the evergreen Halleria lucida tree because of its status as the tree of the year. Commonly known as the Tree Fuschia or Notsung, this beautiful tree is popular for attracting a variety of birds. It shows off bright green foliage and blossoms with yellow and orange tubular flowers. It is relatively easy to grow, and is well-adapted to the Cape peninsula. Traditionally, there is a Zulu usage of the tree for medicinal purposes, as well as the warding off of witchcraft and lightning!

Haha!  Don’t suppose we have too much cause for worry as far as lightning goes, but you never know…

For more information, please contact Simon at Backsberg on (021) 875 5141 or Marian at Starke Ayres on (021) 685 4120.

50 | 50 has influenced environmental policy, stirred the public against environmental injustices, promoted the work of our dedicated conservationists, and helped to create a stronger awareness of conservation and environmental issues in South Africa. (via)

50/50 has been going for 25 years… I remember watching as a child, but it was quite a while before I started watching again, when I realised that it wasn’t just a programme about animals and wildlife (the parts I remembered), but about serious environmental issues as well (which obviously went right over my head when I was younger!).

What I liked best about the show was the fact that they weren’t afraid to tackle issues from completely unexpected angles.  And that they covered successes as well as failures, acknowledging all sides of the argument, but without pandering to anyone.

Well, for some bizarre and inexplicable reason, this great show is going off air.  I sat, gobsmacked, this Monday as the show hosts announced that this would be the last show until April 2010… perhaps the last show ever.  Say what?

I can’t fathom any good reason for canning the show.  It’s local, it’s informative, it’s balanced.  But, naturally, it has uncovered plenty of environmental injustice, and stepped on quite a number of important toes.  Toes that don’t like to be bothered and questioned and exposed to the light.

Perhaps I’m jumping the gun here, and there may be other elements about which I’m unaware.  But, if, as it seems, the show is being ditched because it’s making too many waves, well, frankly, that makes me spitting mad.  And I, for one, will definitely be joining the cause to reinstate 50/50 – or to find another way to have their voice heard, whatever that might be.

So, to start with, I’ve signed a petition at www.save5050.co.za.   I’m a bit of a cynic when it comes to the effectiveness of petitions, but I feel it’s as good a place to start as any.   And, I’ve joined the Save 50/50 group on Facebook, to keep updated.

I feel strongly that if we just let this slip by, any and all other programming that challenges the powers that be will be allowed to slip into obscurity.  Even if 50/50 doesn’t make it back onto television, I hope there is another avenue through which they can continue their fantastic work, perhaps even on the web – where their voice will still be heard.

PS. I’m all for balance: if anyone does know of good reasons for stopping the show (budget constraints, lack of viewership – that sort of thing), I’m all ears!

To be honest, my motivation initially had nothing to do with saving the planet – it was all about flavour: in my experience, organic fruit and vegetables almost always taste so much better than their conventionally farmed counterparts.

But then I began to wonder why it was that they tasted better, and started learning about pesticide use, as well as artificial fertilisers and their ultimate effect not only on the vegetables themselves (and the people who eat them) but on the earth in general.

I don’t even see it as a luxury anymore. You may pay slightly more (though that gap is definitely closing), but what you’re getting is far healthier (which makes you stronger) and definitely better for our beautiful world.

Anyway, if you’re still holding back from going the organic route, for whatever reasons, here’s something that may change your mind:  a new website that will tell you what pesticides are likely to be found on the food you eat, in what quantities, and how that might be affecting you.

What’s On My Food? is a searchable database designed to make the public problem of pesticide exposure visible and more understandable.

How does this tool work? We link pesticide food residue data with the toxicology for each chemical, making this information easily searchable for the first time.

You can either search by food type, and see what pesticides are regularly found on or within those foods, or you can browse through the (very) long list of pesticide varieties, and find out where they crop up (so to speak).

A single serving of apples, for instance, generally contains a very scary 14 different kinds of pesticide residues, including known neurotoxins, carcinogens and developmental or reproductive toxicants.

Of course, the information contained in the website is based on US data, so obviously is not directly applicable to our own situation here in South Africa, but we’d be foolish to imagine that most local farmers aren’t using similarly pesticide-intensive methods.

And I believe it’s a rather scary wake-up call for anyone who still believes that pesticides aren’t an issue.

At Pesticide Action Network (PAN) we know one thing: Pesticides are the linchpin of industrialized agriculture.Pesticides are the linchpin of industrialized agriculture.

Their mass introduction into farming 70 years ago, along with petrochemically-derived fertilizers, set U.S. farming down a costly and unsustainable path. Along the way, community-scale farming was nearly destroyed, generations have suffered ill health ranging from cancer to autism and Parkinson’s, biodiversity has taken big hits, and the six mega-corporations who dominate the pesticide industry have gotten very rich and very powerful. (link)

The website was created by PAN as part of their plan to “loosen the pesticide industry’s control over global agriculture by holding accountable governmental bodies that are charged with regulating pesticides”.

Here’s to that!  And here’s to a resurgence of community-scale farming in South Africa and elsewhere.

Going organic in Cape Town

If you’re looking for a place to get started on the organic route, why not sign up for the Slow Food Cape Town Winter CSA (Community Supported Agriculture)?

It works out to around R57 per week for a bag of fresh-picked organic vegetables, and by supporting the project, you will be paving the way for more organic CSA initiatives to come.  Visit www.slowfoodcsa.co.za for more information.

Or, join an organic box scheme or visit a local organic market (we have plenty in Cape Town!)

Once you’ve tasted organic, you’re unlikely to go back!

“Earth Hour is a global WWF climate change initiative. Individuals, businesses, governments and communities are invited to turn out their lights for one hour on Saturday March 28, 2009 at 8:30pm to show their support for action on climate change.”

It’s a symbolic gesture, of course – just one hour of not using electricity isn’t going to save the planet right away – but what’s important here is the awareness that it brings to issues of sustainability and greener living.  

We human beans are using up far more resources than the earth can currently replenish and unless we start making some radical changes in that department, we’re likely to be in for a rather rocky ride down the line.

And symbolism seems to be working. The first Earth Hour began in Sydney in 2007 – and 2 million people turned out their lights.  In 2008, over 50 million people around the world did the same.  

This year, we have the opportunity to be part of something huge – and prepare to flick the switch with 1 billion others who’re starting to make a difference.

So, pledge your support now, and wherever you are at 8.30pm this Saturday, switch off those lights and enjoy an hour of gazing up at the night sky, or eating by candlelight, and knowing you are participating in something amazing.

Either they’re completely loony, or very clever… One thing’s for sure, though: they’re certainly likely to get the attention they want, and I will be looking twice at my fishy friends from now on (before howling with laughter and tucking right in).

That said, however bizarre I find the tactic, I definitely do support the idea behind it – that of keeping our fishing sustainable, and reducing overall consumption – but I don’t think cutting out fish completely from our diets is realistic.

Instead, let’s just make sure we pick only fish and other seafood that’s on the SASSI (Southern African Sustainable Seafood Initiative) ‘Green List‘ and avoid those on the ‘Orange‘ (over-exploited) and especially the ‘Red‘ (illegal) list.

Check out SASSI’s website to find out which sea kittens are which.

(via)