By Niamh Walsh-Vorster
Rhodes Organisation for Animal Rights (ROAR) week has begun, with the first set of lectures on various animal rights and welfare talks in full swing. A talk by Stephen Finn was held at the GLT on Monday, 13 May, to a small group of Rhodes students which included vegans, vegetarians and meat eaters alike. Continue reading
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Mercury levels found in fish remain too high worldwide, a recent report shows. The Zero Mercury Working Group has found that globally mercury contamination is at a dangerous level.
In a recent report, the World Bank cautioned that climate change could result in a four degree increase in temperature as early as 2060.
The report warns of “a cascade of cataclysmic changes that include extreme heat waves, declining global food stocks and a sea-level rise affecting hundreds of millions of people.” Continue reading
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With the moratorium on fracking in the Karoo lifted some days ago, questions loom over the environmental responsibility of the South African government.
Of course, it is no secret that the processes involved in fracking cause irreparable damage to the landscape and this decision will potentially lead to the destruction of the Karoo ecosystem.
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By Isabelle Anne Abraham
The year 2012 has been most unfavourable for South Africa’s rhino populations. As poaching incidents are well past 200, it’s evident that the species is in dire need of mass support.
To spread awareness and increase public action, Rhodes University held Rhino Week from 14 to 18 May. The week was organised by a group of students and staff members. Continue reading
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Video by Kayla Roux
Rhodes University Environmental Week sees RU student societies raise funds for a environmental projects, with the Green Fund Run ending off the week.
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By Isabelle Anne Abraham
Rhino poaching is beyond a crisis now; it is simply out of control, said Dr. William Fowlds, in his rhino poaching presentation at Rhodes University.
The talk was held on Wednesday, 28 March, and organised by The Oppidan Press and the Dean of Students, in association with RU Green. Continue reading
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By Shirley Erasmus
This year’s Scifest had a particularly Environmental engagement, with the theme
of “Science Rocks!” involving “Earth sciences, archaeology, palaeontology,
astrobiology, GIS, chemical and civil engineering, music… and any other -ology or -
graphy you can think of that has anything to do with rocks”. Continue reading
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Apology
The latest issue of Activate featured a misprint in the Environmental section. David
Peek was omitted from the by-line in the column titled “Environmental Apathy”. My
sincere apologies for this mistake. Please see the revised article below.
Shirley Erasmus (Environmental Editor)
Environmental Apathy
By David Peek and Shirley Erasmus
The annual Rhodes University Environmental Week was launched on Monday, 12
March. The unfortunate fact of the matter is there for all to see, however: the majority
of the student body had no idea.
By Marc Davies
There is “good reason to doubt Shell’s claims of honesty and transparency”, Treasure Karoo Action Group (TKAG) chairperson, Jonathan Deal, said during a Rhodes Skype conference. This environmental watchdog group claimed that the international oil giant has made all those opposed to fracking in the Karoo appear as “enemies of economic growth”. Continue reading
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