KlipSA

It is great to see that the Department of Water and Sanitation is taking action for the abominable pollution of our waterways. It will be important to follow through and ensure real accountability is metered out to those responsible - officials and politicians.

Sewage pollution: Govt opens criminal cases against 26 municipalities The cases have been opened against the municipalities for repeated sewage spills or failing to comply with government clean-up directives.

Beginning to see action being taken against municipalities for causing the problems in our rivers. Many more culprits are needed. But is it too little too late?

Scorpions sting in Vaal sewage leaks – but why no action elsewhere? The Green Scorpions have struck again, securing a record R150m fine and criminal court conviction against a local municipality caught fouling the Vaal River, residential areas and farming land with untreated sewage flows.

What can be achieved ....

High court orders municipality clean up Nahoon picnic site Residents tired of rubbish, public drinking and noise at the popular Nahoon Estuary picnic site in East London won a major victory against the Buffalo City Municipality, which was ordered by a court to clean up the mess. But it took a lot of patience and a lot of meetings, the chairperson of the Nah...

This is not only happening in the Western Cape. Any thoughts and experiences in Gauteng? Probably many!

Why environmental impact assessments need to be more than a legal hurdle – The Mail & Guardian Assessments can’t be tick box exercises … if not done correctly, development will trump environmental conservation

They are everywhere .....

There's even plastic in clouds Microplastics are so ubiquitous that some scientists think we should track how they cycle through the oceans, atmosphere, and soil.

https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-02-08-its-ugly-its-completely-sickening-says-water-expert-on-joburgs-rivers/

‘It’s ugly, it’s completely sickening,’ says water expert on Joburg’s rivers Poor water infrastructure, shacks built along the banks and neglected wetlands all contribute to the shocking state of Johannesburg’s rivers.

Can we hope to see an end to the many problems associated with the plastic swamping our lives and lands?

CSIR’s biodegradable plastic bags win UNEP Award for environmental innovation – Sustainability Handbook The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in South Africa has won in the “Science and Innovation” category for its groundbreaking solutions in managing plastic waste. CSIR is one of the five winners of the 2023 edition of the “Champions of the Earth” prize organized by the Un...

: It is with immense sadness and regret that this is the final Post. Due to the SAR value decline, the cost of the subscription cannot be justified. It has been a tremendous pleasure sharing these posts with you over the last few years, and I hope they have brought insights and information for you to enjoy. Cheers

: At every stage from farm to table, more microplastics enter your food http://ow.ly/tTVL50Ow2YY This must be a growing concern, especially the human and animal health impacts. Be worried!

At every stage from farm to table, more microplastics enter your food Globally, micro- and nanoplastics and plastic additives are widespread across our food supply. While we have an understanding of how they get there, there remains a massive gap in what we know about their effects on our health.

: Captura facility could remove gigatons of carbon dioxide from the ocean http://ow.ly/QTsf50OrygX An interesting process for addressing the carbon excesses

Captura facility could remove gigatons of carbon dioxide from the ocean Captura Corporation, a spinoff of the California Institute of Technology, has developed a revolutionary plan to remove carbon emissions by creating an aquatic purification facility in the middle of the sea. The company intends to extract carbon dioxide from ocean water and release the purified…

: A jellyfish-like robot could clean the oceans http://ow.ly/Q0ra50OqCc7 While this is an amazing move, it is concerning that we need to design bots based on the biodiversity we are trying to save

A jellyfish-like robot could clean the oceans - Springwise The almost noise-free prototype can trap pollution underneath its body without disturbing the wider environment

: Curving data center to be Europe's largest 3D-printed building http://ow.ly/49wC50Opxq7 The printing of buildings is rolling out everywhere as an opportunity with many benefits

Curving data center to be Europe's largest 3D-printed building 3D-printed architeture has gone from strength to strength over the past few years, with the cutting-edge tech used to build everything from an experimental Mars habitat to a string of major residential works in the United States. The latest notable advance comes from Germany, where an ambitious new....

: Jenga-like high-rise to blend city and country living http://ow.ly/wGnW50OnuQb Blocks of appartments given a different visual treatment in their design

Jenga-like high-rise to blend city and country living A rural residence and a city apartment offer two very different kinds of living experiences, but MVRDV hopes to offer the best of both with its latest project, Ziel. Bringing to mind a game of Jenga, the building is envisioned as a series of stacked country villas and will incorporate significant…

: Fjordarium to offer amazing views of Norwegian marine life http://ow.ly/YPZG50OkTQ9 Further oceanic development in the northern climes. Is this an interesting new trend - coastal developments?

Fjordarium to offer amazing views of Norwegian marine life Haptic Architects and Oslo Works have revealed plans to transform a disused parking lot near central Oslo, Norway, into a sustainable tourist attraction. It will be centered around a "Fjordarium," which will provide superb views of the marine life in the fjord.

: Dubai Reefs: World’s largest ocean restoration project unveiled http://ow.ly/WBZs50OkSE9 An incredible step out and sea what can be done off the coast for a diverse lifestyle

Dubai Reefs: World’s largest ocean restoration project unveiled URB, a developer of sustainable cities, has unveiled its plans for what is being billed as "the world’s largest ocean restoration project" on the Dubai coast, called Dubai Reefs.

: First working wooden transistor marks a step toward biodegradable tech https://newatlas.com/electronics/worlds-first-working-wooden-transistor-ewaste-biodegradable-tech/?utm_source=New+Atlas+Subscribers&utm_campaign=ab09189853-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2023_05_02_07_15&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_65b67362bd-ab09189853-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D A non-conductor can conduct with resistance. Interesting opportunities

First working wooden transistor marks a step toward biodegradable tech Wood isn’t usually very good at conducting electricity, but now scientists have created the first functional wooden transistor. It’s not the best, and it requires some processing, but it does work and could help make for biodegradable electronics.

: Stunning skyscraper curves so it won't leave neighbors in the shade http://ow.ly/SczI50OjTOc Shade is a common objection to tall buildings as neighbours - is this a design solution?

Stunning skyscraper curves so it won't leave neighbors in the shade MAD Architects' upcoming skyscraper features the sort of radical design we've come to expect from the firm, as it will curve dramatically as it rises. This is more than just a stylistic choice, says MAD, and is meant to ensure that the structure won't block neighboring buildings' natural light and.....

: Ambitious renovation treats Arkansas museum to energy efficient upgrade http://ow.ly/HJnU50OiR2Y Old brown can successfully become new green

Ambitious renovation treats Arkansas museum to energy efficient upgrade Studio Gang's highly anticipated US$155 million Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts (AMFA) project has finally opened to the public, following a painstaking renovation and extension of the aging museum, including an interesting pleated roof that helps reduce its overall energy use.

: Creating polyester out of waste CO2 http://ow.ly/7cZH50OhU0b Laboratory work realising a resource from waste to create new materials.

Creating polyester out of waste CO2 - Springwise A company uses molecular chemistry to transform pollution into sustainable fabrics

: More money, better leadership, trained staff: How to prevent SA’s provincial wildlife gems from sliding into ruin http://ow.ly/aVo750Og8ES The frightening truth with what prospects - what could be solutions?

PARKS PERIL: More money, better leadership, trained staff: How to prevent SA’s provincial wildlife gems from sliding into ruin On paper, there are more than 400 provincial parks and reserves covering over three million hectares in South Africa. Though they are not as big or as well-known as the Kruger or Addo Elephant national parks, these reserves nevertheless play a vital role in holding together the increasingly tattered...

: Impressive timber development designed to tackle climate crisis http://ow.ly/9GxQ50Of3RT Climate friendly can be aesthetically beautiful and practically viable and still demonstrate stunning results

Impressive timber development designed to tackle climate crisis Influential architecture firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) and Stony Brook University have revealed plans for a large new development on New York City's Governors Island that will be focused on bringing people together to tackle climate change. The New York Climate Exchange will also walk the…

: New recipe makes concrete that absorbs more CO2 than it emits http://ow.ly/vNQE50OavUV From a producer to a consumer by working on the ingredients to find a more palatable solution

New recipe makes concrete that absorbs more CO2 than it emits Concrete is one of the most common materials on Earth, thanks to its high strength and low cost – but it’s also one of the largest single sources of carbon dioxide emissions. Engineers at Washington State University (WSU) have developed a new method for making concrete that absorbs more carbon t...

: OPINIONISTA: It’s time for us all to get angry about water governance and management in South Africa http://ow.ly/Kw6j50O6ioc The article is a strong motivation for collective constructive anger to happen now to secure our water supply for the future

OPINIONISTA: It’s time for us all to get angry about water governance and management in South Africa We are a water-scarce and water-stressed country, and the water that we do have is being polluted, mismanaged or privately hoarded.

: Modern hotel boasts impressive boat-like vaulted roofline http://ow.ly/FVYI50O4koQ Architectural treatment of heritage provides interesting visual effects

Modern hotel boasts impressive boat-like vaulted roofline Chinese architectural firm Goa, in partnership with interior designers WJ Studio, recently completed a modern hotel with an impressive vaulted roofline, taking the form of upside down traditional fishing boats docked at the base of towering mountains.

: Hat trick: Newly discovered shape solves 60-year mathematical mystery http://ow.ly/TTIr50NRWlI Shaping up to find that unique puzzle piece

Hat trick: Newly discovered shape solves 60-year mathematical mystery A new shape has been discovered which would make for a pretty unique set of bathroom tiles. Nicknamed “the Hat,” the 13-sided shape can tesselate with itself without ever repeating a pattern, solving a 60-year-old mathematical mystery.

: "Swiss Army knife" bears reveal anti-blood-clotting secret http://ow.ly/yGgZ50NRVZS Sleeping on the job helps find novel solutions for the repercussions of inactivity

"Swiss Army knife" bears reveal anti-blood-clotting secret If you've ever taken a long airplane ride, you've no doubt heard that you should get up and move periodically to avoid developing blood clots. That's because when our bodies are stationary for long periods of time, the odds of our blood pooling, coagulating, and clotting go up. Yet bears can spend.....

: Water-absorbing feathers could inspire better bottles and fog harvesters http://ow.ly/8C1O50NRVkx Using technology to have a close look at nature's solution helps to develop innovative technology

Water-absorbing feathers could inspire better bottles and fog harvesters The male desert sandgrouse might not be much to look at, but his belly feathers give him the unique ability to absorb and carry water. Researchers have, for the first time, closely examined the structure of the feathers to see how they absorb water and whether the process might be adapted for human....

: Radical renovation upgrades aging bank HQ into energy efficient office http://ow.ly/HVHu50NQVwv Old buildings don't need to be demolished for new ones. Careful and innovative remodelling and repurposing can bring about improved green buildings

Radical renovation upgrades aging bank HQ into energy efficient office UNStudio recently completed an extensive renovation of a former bank headquarters in Eindhoven, the Netherlands. The firm has vastly improved the aging building's energy efficiency while rearranging its interior layout to be suitable for use as a modern office.

: Volta hatches US launch plan for medium-duty electric trucks http://ow.ly/kcZl50NMZHi Electric vehicles for urban logistics will become commonplace soon

Volta hatches US launch plan for medium-duty electric trucks Almost three years after sharing renders for its electric goods hauler, commercial e-truck startup Volta Trucks has announced that it's heading to the US. A Class 7 Volta Zero design-verification prototype is set to roll into California ahead of pilot trials in late 2023.

: Flavoured flour made from food waste http://ow.ly/BO4a50NMZ9N The addressing of food waste through innovative processes to upcycle them for reused must be encouraged

Flavoured flour made from food waste - Springwise A startup is recovering food byproducts and upcycling them into new ingredients in a sustainable process