ecojunki

SHOW YOUR LOVE BY GIFTING A TREE

2012-02-07T20:17:00.002+02:00

http://www.greenpop.org/give-trees/give-africa-trees/

2012-01-13T09:28:00.001+02:00

...And ACTION!
The second annual EKFI film festival is calling for entries.

Through films that are entertaining, educational, and above all inspirational it is the Eco Kids Film Initiative’s goal to inspire real change through the children of today and generations to come by promoting a proactive strategy to environmental awareness through film as medium. This year we’re asking for films with the following theme(s) and/or topic(s):

Earth, air and water
Conservation/wildlife
Sustainability

The guiding philosophy for the selection process is ‘earth action’ and ‘earth inspiration’. In other words, films should be by-or-about people and actions that can inspire kids to take action in their own communities and schools.

The films should be between 2 minutes to 15 minutes in length. We accept documentaries and narratives that are either live-action or animated. Entries should be for children, not necessarily be about children.
The target age group is 4-15 years in age.
Entries should reach us no later than 30 April, 2012. The filmmakers will be notified no later than 30 June, 2012. The festival will take place in Cape Town in 2012.
Please download the entry form at: http://whileyouweresleeping.wordpress.com
For more information contact the festival director Tarien Roux at: info.ekfi@gmail.com

EKFI is partnered with Cape Town Non-profit, While You Were Sleeping, and Hearth Heritage.

ARTISTS at COP17, DURBAN

2011-11-25T11:21:00.001+02:00

In the spirit of collaboration and creative solidarity and also in an effort to distinguish the unique contributions as Artists to COP17, COPART will host an open platform for all local and visiting artists to share plans, collaborate and, if needed, support each other in performances or activities.

HOSTED BY THE COPART MOVEMENT

The broad sphere of sustainability oftentimes responds to the symptoms of climate change and environmental decline, or perhaps the structural or technical elements of our system, aiming to try 'fix' the problems, as if only a single component is 'broken'. Yet we all know the social and natural world is too complex and organic to be treated like a broken toaster.

While many are responding to the technological, scientific, economic and political responses to climate change, artists are working with the systemic cultural foundations that underpin meaningful social change.

Everyone with an imagination is welcome to this open exchange

WHERE: STUDIO 5 THEATRE at UKZN, DURBAN
WHEN: 29th November 201, 9h30-12h30
Invitation to artists of all disciplines who will be at COP17.
Contact Dylan armadylan@gmail.com or Kyla kylalliandavis@gmail.com for more information

BUY NOTHING day: 27 November

2011-11-13T13:48:00.001+02:00

Greenpop - Cool as Folk party at Assembly!

2011-10-27T08:30:00.001+02:00

2011-10-25T14:09:00.004+02:00

Please take a few minutes to complete Project90x2030's South African Electricity Policy Survey. Please do it NOW - It only takes 5 minutes and they’d love to know what you think.

http://90x2030.polldaddy.com/s/tell-parliamentarians-what-you-think-about-electricity-policy-in-south-africa

In these last few weeks of run-up to COP17, Project 90 by 2030 is collaborating with a number of other organisations who are concerned about what we leave behind for future generations. They’re taking key questions about our electricity future (and the obvious influence that this has on emissions for South Africa, and all aspects of social and economic justice), to members of Parliament!

Join on Saturday!

2011-10-25T11:28:00.000+02:00

Designer Nature - Cross Pollination Workshop

2011-10-23T11:13:00.000+02:00

Operation UBUNTU

2011-10-13T12:06:00.003+02:00

JOIN ON SATURDAY!

From Saturday, OCTOBER 15th, 8am, in unison with Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Grahamstown, East London (SA), London, Australia, Asia and many USA cities - We Are The 99% that will no longer tolerate the greed and corruption of the 1%.

www.occupysa.org/

Our Mission

From the 15th of October we want to see people flood into South African cities' allocated spaces, (www.occupysa.org/) set up general assembly points, public educational areas, kitchens, peaceful barricades and occupy the public spaces in front of the allocated focal points - not the buildings themselves. 15 October is only the beginning, the start of the occupation, so to those who say: "It is too short notice!" - let your people know and join in as soon as you can. The date of the 15th was decided worldwide - not locally. We are in Unity with all the people on this planet who has said: "Enough is Enough". We have just woken up in our masses and realised - Hey - we are being controlled by corruption and greed - something is wrong with this picture. The 1% of people who own and control everything and who are trying to keep the masses enslaved and asleep has to know that we see through their game. We do not have the answers yet - we'll work on it together to restore a fair and humane society flourishing in freedom. All we definitely agree upon is that something is not right.

Watch: Nobody Can Predict The Moment Of Revolution

http://vimeo.com/29513113

Like our brothers and sisters at Wall Street and in Egypt, Greece, Spain, and Iceland, we plan to restore freedom in South Africa. We also encourage the use of non-violence to achieve our ends and maximize the safety of all participants. We are a peaceful protest. If you get angry they have you where they want you. They have no tools against Peace, Love and Truth. If things get heated we calmly ask our fellow human being to remember it is a peaceful protest or we disperse to re-group. No-one wants to spend time in a local jail.

Who is Occupy SA - Operation Ubuntu?

Occupy SA - Operation Ubuntu is a leaderless resistance movement with people of many colours, genders, sexual orientations, religious and spiritual beliefs and political persuasions. The one thing we all have in common is that We Are The 99% that will no longer tolerate the greed and corruption of the 1%. The People come as the People. Another thing we have in common is that we have woken up from our sleep. We have changed within - now we can co-create without - nobody is going to do it for us. No Deity is going take away our free will and create Paradise for us - we have to lovingly do it ourselves. No alien race is going to land and re-create it for us, it is up to us as ONE.

This is not organised by Anonymous, although some will wear Guy Fawkes masks, not by the Ubuntu Party, not by communists, the DA, the ANC Youth League, not by any political party, not by George Soros, not by government spies who want to get all the liberals and activists in one spot and then catch them and send them to concentration camps, not by any movement with hidden agendas. This is organised by you who said: "Enough is Enough - I see what is going on and I have to make my voice heard". We are against globalisation and the New World Order and for Unity Consciousness, we are against the monetary system and know that no politician really wants the change that is being called for because then they have no job too.

The original call went out when we were watching Occupy Wall Street on facebook and youtube, before RT was covering it and we thought, hey those are our kinda people. We feel the same, we saw Zeitgeist Moving Forward, we know that the monetary system is ancient and it is time for the new way of doing things. Some of us have seen that democracy is a scam and that freedom is the answer. Now don't start with: "So you want to barter? blah-blah... - We have not decided what the answer is, so join and make your voice heard. If your ideas are better than a Resource Based Economy then make it known. Don't just attack the ones we have been waiting for who are calling for change - do something. You are not alone. We are part of the same people all over the world who have seen there is a better way of doing things - we are not bound with borders, we are all part of the same human family. What happens to one happens to all - Unity Consciousness. There'll also be similar occupations on 15 October in Asia, Canada, Australia, London, and Cities in the USA.

Now we would like to see if you are willing to Occupy SA on and from October 15th.

Who are you?

Are you looking for an email address to contact the leader, you don't find who are the organizers of the event, you find lots of manifesto, you are not sure if there is an official site, are you wondering about us? Then you are on the right track. Here are no leaders, no egos with invested interest - no toes to step on. Chances are that if you have a question - you will have to get the answer! "How are we going to let people without internet know about this?" - Becomes: "How are YOU going to let people without internet know about this?" "Is there an event in my city or town?" Google or facebook search it and if there is not - create it. "Do we have a sound system?" Bring yours. "Do we have food?" Make sandwiches. "Do we have posters and slogans?" Create it. You use your talents and together the whole picture becomes clear. We love it when a plans come together ;-)

But the answer is: Who are YOU?

First remember who you are not. You are not a slave who keeps on moaning - "Oh my gosh it's Monday again, I hate my job, I barely make enough to get through the month. I can't wait for Friday to do what I want. I have sooo much student debt, I have no medical aid. Why must I pay so much more for electricity and then the Escom bosses get 150% salary increases? Why does two bags of groceries cost more than R500? Why does my cellphone not last forever? Why is everything made to break down? Why have I voted for my politician and nothing has changed?"

You are one of the human family who knows that actually all energy is free, cars can run on water, free education and medical is a basic human right. You are abundant. You are powerful. You are awake. You are who you were born to be. You are the one you have been waiting for to bring forth change.
October 15th is a day where people of the world will show they are tired of the world as it is, will take to the streets and start to work for a worldwide change. Nobody has to tell them what to fight for, nobody has to give magic solutions, nobody has to lead the way.

If the call for October 15th belongs to someone, that is you!. Take the ownership of the call, launch it as if you were the main organizer, do the manifesto you want and post it in the NEWS section, disseminate it by all media you have, do from it whatever you believe in. In time we will draw up a manifesto together, combining everything. Do what you KNOW is for the Highest Good of All. Do what you want to be done to you. Love your perceived enemy - they are just sleeping still. Shout the wake-up call. Let your voice be heard. Do what your heart guides you to do.

So if people ask you, who is behind the call, you know what to answer:

"I am".

Because that is what we need, that people take back the world by themselves, without corporate or political funding, without any funding, with no partys, unions, associations who tells them what to do, just gathering together, using collective inteligence to start thinking what to do with this planet. We do not have to have all the answers by the 15th. The 15th is only the beginning of the borderless, leaderless happening that will change the planet.

October 15th the world will be under our influence. It will become whatever we want.
So, who are you?

Operation Ubuntu

Ubuntu is a Nguni word which has no direct translation into English, but is used to describe a particular African worldview in which people can only find fulfilment through interacting with other people. Thus is represents a spirit of kinship across both race and creed which united mankind to a common purpose.

Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu has said "Ubuntu is very difficult to render into a Western language…It is to say. 'My humanity is caught up, is inextricably bound up, in what is yours'…"

Ubuntu: a person is a person through other persons.
We Are The 99% that will no longer tolerate the greed and corruption of the 1%

www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=210640619002570

Design an environmentally friendly trophy

2011-10-11T20:49:00.000+02:00

CALL FOR DESIGN PROPOSALS FOR AWARDS TROPHY

The Department of Arts & Culture have an Annual Services Awards Ceremony for honouring exceptional work in the fields of Arts & Culture; Museums; Language; Heritage; Libraries; Archives; and the Minister's Special Award. For the 2011/12 awards ceremony trophies, the Department of Cultural Affairs and sports is inviting proposals and designs from VANSA artists and designers.

The brief and specifications are as follows:

Aesthetically beautiful, sleek, aspirant, prestigious, inspirational, delightful, sought-after, glamorous, intrinsically sculptural - a statue designed for a handheld trophy or award. It requires a base with provision for an engraved plaque - details for the engraving will be supplied on request. You are encouraged to explore the boundaries of design and innovation. Preferably, the materials used should be environmentally friendly. Twenty nine trophies will need to be produced for the awards including the engraving and packaging. Please bear in mind, there is a limited budget for this project so designs should take this into account.

Please submit your proposal, design and quotation for the production of the 29 trophies to VANSA Western Cape by 21 October 2011.

Contact VANSA Western Cape for any further details
www.vansa.co.za

To inspire you, here's some great work by designers from all over the world:

Trophy for the 2008 EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) Sustainable Industries Awards, designed by Australian sculptor Mick Zalesky

Read about this design and its story at onedegree.com.au/invisible-parent/a-sustainable-piece-of-history/

And have a look at some very unique and inspiring trophies at:

2011-10-11T17:54:00.000+02:00

THANK YOU
TO EVERYONE WHO WERE INVOLVED AND PARTICIPATED IN MOVING PLANET ON 24 SEPTEMBER!!

Have a look at this video by Ecobuzz.org: vimeo.com/29569441 and photographs of the Cape Town Moving Planet parade: www.flickr.com/photos/fairtradesa/sets/72157627631751393/. Also check out photos from Moving Planet events that happened ALL OVER THE WORLD at www.moving-planet.org

9 Days left to Moving Planet!

2011-09-15T07:27:00.006+02:00

Saturday, 24 September 2011, is moving closer and we're all getting more excited! Remember to decide what low-carbon mode of transport you're using to get to the Cape Town Train Station Forecourt, whether it's train, bus, minibus-taxi or carpooling. Remember you're allowed to bring your bicycle on Metrorail for R10 extra on the day. See you there!! Also please help spread the word, here is some visuals that you can use, share, post, circulate and MOVE around to let people know about the event.

Invite/emailer:

Website/blog banners:

Download and print the leaflets (right-click and choose "Save link/target as..."):
http://www.janetbotes.co.za/PRINT_4_on_a_page_leaflet.pdf

And the poster (right-click and choose "Save link/target as..."):
http://www.janetbotes.co.za/MovingPlanetCapeTown_POSTER.pdf

And here's the links to share!
Moving Planet Cape Town
"Like" us on Facebook
RSVP on the Facebook Event Page
Moving Planet - CT on Twitter

Also if you're keen to help with some mud stenciling and reverse/clean graffiti during next week, sms Janet at 072 331 5057.

Things to do at home

2011-09-07T09:11:00.003+02:00

Project 90x2030 - committed to inspiring South Africans from all sectors of society to do their bit to preserve the environment, committed to changing the way they live by 90% by the year 2030 - just launched their Interactive Household Tool - check it out at housetool.90x2030.org.za. It provides you with ways and ideas to make changes in your home that save energy, carbon, water and even money...

Also join in with Planting Season starting on 23 September! www.plantingseason.co.za. Here's what it's all about:

Imagine 1,000,000 South Africans uniting on a single day to plant an organic vegetable in their home or office.

On September 23rd, 2011 we will take a giant leap to becoming self sufficient. Add your name to the list and learn the basics of organic gardening from some of the top experts in the country!

For some awesome ideas on where to plant your veggies and herbs, have a look at the gardensinunexpectedplaces.tumblr.com blog!

National Parks week: 12-16th September 2011

2011-08-31T09:25:00.002+02:00

www.capetowngreenmap.co.za/blog/free-entry-national-parks-week

Build, create, help it GROW

2011-08-30T07:53:00.002+02:00

The Greening float for the Moving Planet procession on the 24th of September needs help being built! We are working on it Tues, wed and thurs this week at 2:30pm in Cape Town! Email schools@unimasouthafrica.org or artlovenature@gmail.com for more information...

Calling all Ecojunki's!

2011-08-25T12:17:00.004+02:00

This is your invitation to help move the planet. As you might already know, a great number of people globally and locally are organizing a day of action called Moving Planet: a day to move beyond fossil fuels, happening on the 24th of September.

Please join me and help make this day historic -- a day where we succeed in mobilizing an unprecedented wave of people calling for a shift in our energy systems to cleaner, safer sources and for real action on the climate crisis -- at scale that science and justice demand. 24 September is Heritage Day in South Africa and I deem it very fit that we make a stand for preserving our biggest and most important heritage - our home, our planet.

This is a GLOBAL undertaking, with people in countries allover organizing local Moving Planet events. Some of the same people who filled Tahrir Square for the Egyptian revolution are leading up the organizing of a Moving planet event in Cairo. In Afghanistan, a 14 year old boy is organizing his community to get involved. Thousands of farmers and villagers are mobilizing in rural Andhra Pradesh, India calling for clean, sustainable development, not the new coal plants that corporations want to impose there. In Chicago, USA, organizers are moving forward on a ‘Roll Against Coal’ bike march past Chicago’s dirtiest coal plants, to move their city to a clean energy future. You can be a part of this. Right here.

In Cape Town we are organizing a parade with non-motorized floats, costumes, puppets and more, with hundreds of people, young and old, marching to make change. The event will seek to raise awareness of climate-friendly alternatives to damaging practices like driving your car, cutting down trees, and many other harmful actions. We are also aiming to celebrate the new developments that the City of Cape Town has introduced which support alternative forms of movement for people in and a round the city – my city bus route, bicycle paths, pedestrian walk ways etc. As fun and exciting as it will be, the event will also be a petition, demanding change in the policies and programs put forth by our government that damage the environment. . To have the greatest impact possible we need you. Seriously. Please join us, and ask everyone you know here at home or anywhere in the world to get involved.

In Johannesburg a mix of people marching side by side to protest the destructiveness of coal power, to demonstrate people power, and to call for decent, climate jobs. On the 24th September, Joburgers will hop onto the newly built Gautrain and travel together to Hatfield station, Pretoria. Here they will gather and march together to the Union Buildings to deliver a large postbox filled with letters of climate concern.

For more information you can visit: www.moving-planet.org
For more South African events, have a look at this map:
www.moving-planet.org/map#/map/-30.559482/22.937506/5

The Cape Town event page is over here:
www.moving-planet.org/events/za/cape-town/978
Facebook page
Facebook event page
Twitter page
The Johannesburg/Pretoria event page is over here:
www.moving-planet.org/events/za/johannesburg/220

Looking forward to have you MOVING with us!!
Thanks,
Artist Janet Botes

Vote for your favourite Human Rights logo

2011-08-25T10:30:00.003+02:00

You might remember a post about a competition for a HUMAN RIGHTS logo - read it again here. Well, now it's time to vote! Public voting start 27 August. Be sure to cast your vote at humanrightslogo.net.

HUMANEARTH EXHIBITIONS: REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE

2011-08-17T12:06:00.001+02:00

HumanEarth is a series of exhibitions centered on the theme of human interaction with nature, to raise awareness for the ways in which we harm the planet and also the ways that we are living in harmony with it.

After several years of commitment to the evolution of environmental understanding, a reshaping and shifting of administrative responsibilities is under way. As you probably know by now, Ecojunki no longer functions within its original context. The HumanEarth Exhibitions now function as an entity, in association with Copart.

The main focus of the HumanEarth exhibitions is to create awareness and to encourage change.

We would appreciate aid finding the following:
1. One marketing assistant
2. One administrative assistant

At this stage, these positions are offered on an unpaid internship basis with the promise of future compensation.

Please contact:

Nastasha daniels
Artist, curator and organiser of HumanEarth Exhibitions

C | 078 857 7551
E | Nastasha797@gmail.com

FOR MORE INFO, PLEASE VISIT THE FOLLOWING WEBSITES

www.humanearth.withtank.com
www.copartist.org
www.dontcopoutcopart.blogspot.com

GASWALK - WOMEN'S DAY

2011-08-03T10:04:00.005+02:00

I came across this event on Facebook, and afterwards also received the press release via email.
Hope to see you there!!

GASWALK: antiFRACK protest march, on WOMEN’S DAY, 9 Aug

From the Natural History Museum in the Company Gardens, Cape Town. Assemble at 10h30 – walk begins 11h00

FRACKING TOUCHES WOMAN, IT HAS TOUCHED A ROCK!
A group of Capetonians, initiated by renowned photographer Kian
Erikson, has organised GASWALK, a protest march against fracking, in
partnership with NPOs Climate Justice Campaign and Earthlife Africa
CT.

The procession through the streets of Cape Town will take place on
Women's Day, August 9, to raise awareness of the threat that fracking
poses to the most vulnerable in society, specifically women and
children.

“The quality of our environment is fundamental to the quality of life
of our people. Our constitution guarantees every South African the
right to a clean, healthy environment”, says Muna Lakhani of Earthlife
Africa. “The hydraulic fracturing planned in most of South Africa’s
land mass, from the Karoo to the Drakensberg, directly threatens the
quality of our air and water, and thereby the health and wellbeing of
our people. Resource extraction has made corporations and an elite
rich, but local communities remain poor, and are most at risk from the
environmental destruction caused by fossil fuel extraction.”

“Worldwide, more and more people are calling for a global ban on
fracking, as the threat to clean air and water supplies, and the
devastating environmental and social cost, is becoming evident. We are
calling on our government to ban fracking, in order to protect our
vulnerable water resources and the quality of the air we breathe”,
adds Kian Erikson.

Hydraulic fracturing requires enormous quantities of water mixed with
toxic chemicals. The industry has not indicated where they will get
this water, or how they propose to dispose of the highly toxic
fracking wastewater, which leaches radioactivity from underground,
along with endocrine disrupting volatile organic compounds (VOC's),
methane and carcinogenic (cancer-causing) fracking fluids.

“The disposal of fracking wastewater poses an additional threat to
water contamination. The methods used in the USA, which include
injecting it deep undergound, open evaporation ponds, trucking the
waste water to municipal water plants, which then discharge it into
rivers, spraying it onto roads and fields, etc, all pose serious risks
to local communities” says Marina Louw of Climate Justice Campaign.

“Accidents do happen, despite legislation existing to prevent them. In
Beaufort West, residents are currently sucking up petrol in their
boreholes, apparently from fuel that leaked from filling stations
decades ago. Once the underground aquifer is contaminated, it is
impossible to clean”, adds Louw.

In interviews that Climate Justice Campaign did in the Karoo recently,
it became clear that people from poorer communities were mostly
uniformed and unaware of the proposed fracking in the area, or the
threat that it poses to their well-being, while those who were
informed were vehemently against it.

“I don’t think fracking is a good idea”, said a gentleman from
Beaufort West who identified himself as Lionel, “because our water
resources here are very low, and fracking takes millions of litres to
break the rock, and our water table will not allow it. We have just
had a hell of a drought here, where people from all over the country
had to bring us water.”

Many people also a commented on the fact that there is little air
pollution in the Karoo and that they would like to keep it that way.
Hans Maans and Anna Jacobs of Laingsburg said that the Karoo was a
very special place in which to stay, because it is so peaceful, and
the area is not ‘sick’ with pollution.

In Beaufort West, two mothers cradling small babies, Edna and Thembi,
both said they had never heard of the plans to frack or how it would
affect them, while Zanele, who had also never heard of fracking prior
to the interview, was more vocal:

“I want to know, if they are planning something like this, why don’t
they organise a meeting with the local community, to tell them what
their plans are, so that the community can decide whether they want it
or not. Now they are going to do things that we don’t know about.”

“In the words of Sandra Steingraber, the water we give our children
every day ‘becomes their blood plasma, it becomes their tears, it
becomes their cerebral spinal fluid’. What if this water has been
contaminated by radioactive and endocrine disrupting fracking
wastewater? Or if the air they breathe has dangerously high ozone
levels? Can we really afford to jeopardise the health of future
generations in a part of the country that, due to climate change, is
likely to become even more arid in coming decades?” asks Louw.

The GASWALK will start at 11h00 from the Natural History Museum in
the Company Gardens , where participants will gather from 10h30. The
route will proceed down Long Street, turn into Strand Street and back
to the Company Gardens via Adderley Street. All are welcome.

For more information on the GASWALK protest march, please contact
climatejusticecampaign@gmail.com, or phone one of the following
people:

Kian Eriksen (GASWALK): 083-605-8872
Marina Louw (Climate Justice Campaign): 082-214-8888
Muna Lakhani (Earthlife Africa CT): 083-471-7276

So? Are you in?

http://www.facebook.com/ev ent.php?eid=257700020922468

350 Moving Planet - Cape Town

2011-08-03T09:49:00.004+02:00

"In Cape Town, a collection of green leaders have come together to create a massive event that will celebrate environmental successes while simultaneously demanding change from our leaders.

The Cape Town Moving Planet event will feature a huge march/parade with floats, costumes, puppets and more, with thousands of people, young and old, marching to make change. The event will seek to raise awareness of climate-friendly alternatives to damaging practices like driving your car, cutting down trees, and many other harmful actions. As fun and exciting as it will be, the event will also be a petition, demanding change in the policies and programs put forth by our government that damage the environment.

Alongside the march we will also be hosting an exciting bike ride to promote cycling as an active mode of transportation.

The event should be very exciting and seeks to represent all members of the Cape Town community. We would love it if you got involved, as we want this to be the most powerful and exciting event to date. We are still in the early planning stages of this event, so more specific details like the time and location are to come, but we are excited and hope you are too!"

For more information:

About the Moving Planet action day:
www.moving-planet.org/about
www.350.org

GET INVOLVED!

Event Page for the Cape Town event: www.moving-planet.org/events/za/cape-town/978
Facebook Page for the Cape Town event: www.facebook.com/pages/350-Moving-Planet-Cape-Town/137845456301050

Some of the amazing organisations represented by the people that have joined for this event so far:

Project 90 by 2030
Shikaya
GreenPop
Fairtrade South Africa
...350 Africa
LitterAWEH!ness
Anti-fracking Group
WESSA
Ecobuzz
UCT Green Campus Initiative
Public Health Movement (PHM)
Bicycle Empowerment Network (BEN)
Cape Town Bicycle Map
Green Your Art (GYA)
Skateboarders Association
UNIMA South Africa
COPART
Jungle Theatre Company
Anglican Church

BUILDING A MOOP TASK TEAM

2011-08-01T20:57:00.002+02:00

Do you want to be part of the MOOP task team? Then contact the Afrika Burn organizers. Here's what they've sent out as their call for action:

MOOP, EM.OH.OH.PEE,

Do you know what it is? It stands for Matter Out Of Place, it's refers to rubbish, trash, and anything that does not belong where it lies. Its what there was alot of left in Tankwa Town after the last event. Its what we gave you a big lap on the wrist about in the last newsletter. We believe it happens because of laziness, lack of planning, lack of caring and probably a good done of not enough education.......So to this end we are staring a MOOP Task Team led by the fabulous Shani Judes.

The team is not there to pick up the MOOP, but to EDUCATE to erradicate MOOP at AfrikaBurn in creative and clever ways. They going to be all over MOOP and MOOPERS like a rash in the next while. Does the MOOP problem irritate the crap out of you? Get involved, join the team and send in your ideas to monique@afrikaburn.com.

GYA artist gathering on Friday, 22 July

2011-07-20T12:06:00.003+02:00

22 July 2011
3pm

37 Bryant Street, Bo-Kaap

Cape Town, South Africa

GYA is about "Greening your art" and at the moment is focused on creating a platform for artists to gather and talk about ways that we can change all stages our artmaking to be eco-conscious and authentic.

On the 22nd of July we'll be having a look at what Michelle Searle did in a park in Bryant street in the Bo-Kaap in Cape Town. She initiated and pulled through a project where she and her neighbors improved the park so it would be safe for kids to play there. She did a creative mural, and also painted a flower on the pavement in the park, where kids now play and Michelle and other women can have activities with the kids.We'll have snacks and something to drink in the park and at Michelle's home (just around the corner from the park) while talking about either further improving the park or identifying another park or area that needs creative upliftment.

Please bring:
a smile, creativity, enthusiasm, snacks and something to drink (no Coca-Cola please - try and bring ethical, fairtrade and environmentally aware snacks and drinks!) :-)

Looking forward to see you there!

DIRECTIONS
Buitengraght...into Bloem...sharp left into a road with no name...into Buiten street.....up...& up turn left at Big green house..and drive along Bryant Street to a bright pink house. We meet at the house and then walk the few metres to the park.

For more info about the park or this gathering call Michelle at 021 424 7054 / 0825044130. For more info about the GYA gatherings in general call Janet at 072 331 5057.

Google map link to the venue

Facebook event page: www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=209404052413414

HumanEarth needs YOU

2011-07-18T10:02:00.004+02:00

HUMANEARTH EXHIBITIONS: REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE

Following the reshaping of Ecojunki in merging with COPART, the Humanearth exhibitions function as an entity, in association with the COPART Movement. The main focus of the Humanearth exhibitions is to create awareness and to encourage change. It is a series of exhibitions centered around the theme of human interaction with nature, to raise awareness for the ways in which we harm the planet and also the ways that we are living in harmony with it.

The following positions are available:

1. One marketing assistant
2. One administrative assistant

At this stage, these positions are offered on an unpaid internship basis with the promise of future compensation.

Please contact:

Nastasha daniels
Artist, curator and organiser of humanearth exhibitions
C. 0788577551
E. Nastasha797@gmail.com

FOR MORE INFO, PLEASE VISIT THE FOLLOWING WEBSITES
www.humanearth.withtank.com
www.copartist.org
www.dontcopoutcopart.blogspot.com

Anti-Plastic (Fan)tastic

2011-07-18T08:26:00.003+02:00

The CTWW challenge by reducefootprints.blogspot.com for the week is to go without plastics as far a humanly possible.

Generally I find it easy with regards to taking your own fabric bags when you go shopping, when the challenge really kicks in when choosing what to buy - plastic is used in packaging, labeling, products themselves, and even the basket that you carry your groceries to the counter, where you pay with your plastic card that you retrieve from your synthetic materials (sometimes plastic!) wallet. The toothpaste tube, toothbrush and water bottle when you go hiking.

In Cape Town, I find buying veggies, fruit and eggs from the Ethical Co-op, Wild Organics, the market in Hope Street or Zetler's Pharmacy in Mill street/Orange street the best option. Your fruit and veggies are put into brown paper bags, without copious amounts of unnecessary plastic packaging, your eggs without extra packaging around the carton holder. The Fruit and Veg city in Roeland street is of course also an option, where you can choose bunches of carrots, radishes and other veggies without plastic packaging, held together with twine.

Wild Organics - you can visit their store in Woodstock, or order your very own wild bag, delivered to a collection point close to you! Go to www.wildorganics.co.za for more information

myplasticfreelife.com is a blog by Beth Terry, who committed to stop buying new plastic. Her blog records and shares her story and progress, and is an inspiring look into what is possible, and where our biggest challenges lie. Read about Gardening without plastics, delivered in three parts, or about plastic labels and fruit packaging, a possible alternative for brushing your teeth and many more interesting posts to read, ponder and apply in your own life.

Change the World Wednesday

2011-07-06T08:51:00.002+02:00

The Reduce Footprints blog - reducefootprints.blogspot.com - has a nifty initiative that relies on people making the commitment to change their habits and lifestyle one step at a time on a weekly basis. Weekly challenges gives you as eco-conscious person an easily-attainable goal and mission to do or aim at each week. And, like with all habits, as soon as you've done it over a couple of weeks, it's so ingrained into your routine and life that the tradition will catch on with your family and friends too, and before you know it, you HAVE changed the world! ;-)

This week's challenge is to just think about and share you proudest green achievement:

This week we'd like to hear about your proudest "green" achievement. Perhaps you started a compost for the first time or purchased organic food. Maybe you stopped driving a car or added solar panels to your home. It could be as small as carrying a reusable bag or as large as building an energy efficient home. Whatever your proudest Eco-friendly achievement is ... we want to know about it. Please leave details and tips/ideas so that we can all celebrate with you and perhaps try the activity ourselves.

Up The Ante: Of all your green achievements, which one was the hardest to accomplish and why? How did you overcome the obstacles?

Post your comments at reducefootprints.blogspot.com/2011/07/change-world-wednesday-ctww.html

See a list of their past challenges here

Integrated Waste Exchange

2011-06-28T16:47:00.003+02:00

City of Cape Town has a Waste Exchange initiative! Here's a quote from the website:

What is IWEX?

IWEX (Integrated Waste Exchange) is a free online system that enables waste generators and users to exchange waste materials. Operating on the principle that ‘one person’s garbage is another person’s gold,' IWEX facilitates the re-use of waste, thereby conserving energy, minimising resource use and reducing the pressure on Cape Town's landfill space. The service is freely available to anyone who generates or uses waste, including companies, individuals, institutions, schools, NGOs and community groups.

It's super easy - you register and are immediately able to log in, add your waste materials that you have available, and can look right away at waste materials that other individuals, companies or organizations have available.

Let's make use of this initiative to reuse and recycle! Go to www.capetown.gov.za/en/iwex

WARP at the Grahamstown Festival

2011-06-28T14:27:00.002+02:00

1-10 JULY 2011

WARP
AT THE
GRAHAMSTOWN FESTIVAL

ADMISSION FREE

ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING RESEARCH CENTRE
LUCAS AVENUE, GRAHAMSTOWN

A CORAL INVOCATION
in hyperbolic crochet

Woodstock Art Reef Project, Cape town

Satellite of the worldwide Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef Project
created by: Margaret and Christine Wertheim
of the Institute For Figuring in Los Angeles.

AN ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS ART PROJECT

http://artreefproject.ning.com
http://crochetcoralreef.org

KIRSTENBOSCH ECO-ART HOLIDAY WORKSHOPS

2011-06-24T15:42:00.000+02:00

Enjoyable and informative eco-art workshops for children will be presented at Kirstenbosch by Sue Nepgen, art and environmental educationalist. Activities on the theme of ‘A Joyful Look at Plants and Water’ include an introductory discussion, a guided walk next to the shallow waterways and other relevant parts of the Garden, as well as video-microscope investigation of plants and aquatic life. The highlight of the session is the creating by each child of their own artistically painted 3-D clay model of landscapes with rivers, including indigenous plants and other modelling materials. Opportunities for watercolour painting will form part of the session. Experienced assistants will be at hand to ensure safety and individual attention.

Venue:
Gold Fields Environmental Education Centre, Kirstenbosch

Dates, times and fees:
Grades 1-3: Tuesday 5th or Wednesday 6th July, 9.30 am – 1 pm. Cost: R90.
Grades 4-8: Thursday 7th July, 9.00 am - 1 pm. Cost: R95.

There are a limited number of partial or full bursaries available.

Booking details:
Contact Michaela or Sue at 021-7946609 or email snepgen@xsinet.co.za

Woodstock Art Reef Project needs YOU

2011-06-20T14:18:00.000+02:00

WARP IS PUTTING THE CORAL PIECES TOGETHER FOR THE GRAHAMSTOWN EXHIBITION.

There is a lot of work to be done to make sure pieces can stand-up, hang down or be tied in position - some need extra support like stuffing or wire re-inforcing, sewing in loose ends..... If you have spare time to join in the effort at the BLUE SHED in the waterfront, you will be most welcome!

There is lots else to get in place as well....
contact Maria at O72 648 0818 to make sure she's at the SHED when you want to join in - please sms if needed.

Moving Things Film Festival at Out the Box 2011

2011-06-20T13:37:00.000+02:00

CALL FOR ENTRIES!

Out the Box Festival of Puppetry and Visual Performance is calling for dynamic, creative stop-motion and puppetry films for the MOVING THINGS FILM FESTIVAL, which will take place from 3-11 September in Cape Town, South Africa.

Out The Box is South Africa’s premier Puppetry and Visual Performance Festival, and this will be the third year of this unique film festival and the sixth exciting year of Out the Box.

Films will be screened at the Independent Labia Cinema on Orange Street in Gardens, Cape Town. Moving Things 2011 will host a number of workshops and master-classes with talented stop-motion animators.

If you are interested in submitting a film for Out the Box 2011, please download and complete an application form by clicking here

Want more info? – Contact the festival office at + 27 21 462 5811 or visit www.unimasouthafrica.org/moving-things

Limitations? – Only your imagination!
A MAXIMUM OF FIVE FILMS per artist will be considered.
Deadline for submissions: 15 July 2011

This call for participation was released by Unima South Africa, in their UNIMA SA Newsletter

JULY DESIGN WORKSHOP by Karen Suskin, Haldane Martin, Helen van Zyl

2011-06-19T11:12:00.000+02:00

Nominations open for ImpACT Awards for Young Professionals

2011-06-19T11:05:00.000+02:00

Nominations open for ImpACT Awards for Young Professionals

The Arts & Culture Trust (ACT) is recognising and celebrating excellence in South African arts, culture and creativity.

ACT is now open for nominations for the ImpACT Awards for Young Professionals which will be presented at the 14th annual ACT Awards. Artists up to the age of 30 years that fall within the first three years of their professional careers are eligible for nomination.

"The encouragement and acknowledgement of excellence is of utmost importance to the future of South African creativity. ACT is grateful to the Distell Foundation for sponsoring the ImpACT Awards for Young Professionals and we value the opportunity to support emerging artists and enhance excellence in the sector," says Pieter Jacobs, General Manager of ACT.

Emerging artists at a time in their careers when they have shown commitment to and reached some professional standing in their chosen discipline may be nominated in one of four categories:

Visual Art (Painting and Printmaking, Sculpting, Public Installations & Photography)
Performing Arts (Dance, Acting, Musical Theatre & Physical Theatre)
Music & Singing (Classical, Contemporary & Jazz)
Design (Craft, Graphic Design, Fashion Design & Web Design)

Winners of the ImpACT Awards are selected by an independent panel of judges. Awards will only be presented if a satisfactory number of quality nominations are received in the various categories and the adjudication panel reserves the right to carry over such awards to the following year.

The closing date for nominations is 29 July 2011. For guidelines and nomination forms please visit the ACT website at www.act.org.za.

The highlight of the Awards Ceremony is the presentation of three Lifetime Achievement Awards to luminaries for their lifelong contribution to theatre, music and visual arts in South Africa. Past recipients of this accolade include Miriam Makeba, John Kani, Gcina Mhlope, Ronnie Govender, Peter Clarke, and David Koloane amongst others. Lifetime Achievement Winners are nominated and selected by the ACT Board of Trustees.

The 14th annual ACT Awards is presented in partnership with the Vodacom Foundation, the Dramatic, Artistic and Literary Rights Organisation (DALRO), the Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO) and is supported by the Distell Foundation, Classicfeel Magazine and Business and Arts South Africa (BASA).

Please help with HUMANEARTH 3!!

2011-06-09T18:44:00.000+02:00

For the HumanEarth3 art exhibition the following donations are needed:

Tin tabs (found on coke cans, beer cans, etc)
Stockings (broken or not)
Off cuts of material
Mutton cloth
Disembodied Hair (from heads)
Gut
Faux fur
Long haired, Soft fluffy materials
Furry carpets

Contact Nastasha Daniels if you have any of the above to donate, or bring it to the GYA artist gathering on 17 June!

The artists also need sponsorship to cover costs, so please contact curator Nastasha Daniels at nastasha797@gmail.com or 078 857 7551 if you are able to assist in any way.

WARP AT THE ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE on THURSDAY

2011-06-08T14:33:00.000+02:00

THURSDAY 9 JUNE 2011

WARP AT THE ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE
155 LOOP STREET CAPE TOWN

ADMISSION FREE

Woodstock Art Reef Project (WARP) Presentation & Crochet Art Works show case plus a talk about sustainable fishing during the Alliance Française ‘Green Week’.

19h00 : WARP Presentation
by Leonie Hofmeyr-Juritz

20h00 : « Fish with a Future »
talk on sustainable fishing and the SASSI inititiative by Chef Pete Goffe-Wood

CORAL CROCHET SIT IN
WARP participants will present a crochet sit-in during the evening
_____________________________

A GROTTO OF CORALS

A small installation of corals in progress will be showcased for the duration of the Green Week 7-10 June 2011.

Woodstock Art Reef Project, Cape town
Satellite of A the worldwide Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef Project created by Margaret and Christine Wertheim of the Institute For Figuring in Los Angeles.

AN ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS ART PROJECT

http://artreefproject.ning.com
http://crochetcoralreef.org

_____________________________

REGULAR GATHERINGS
SATURDAYS
11 AM TO 4 PM the BLUE STUDIO
V&A Waterfront Blue Shed (Near the Aquarium)

THURSDAYS
9h30 TO 12h30. WOODSTOCK LIBRARY

021 448 6426
OFF MAIN ROAD ON VICTORIA WALK, BETWEEN PLEIN AND ABERDEEN STREETS.

JOIN WARP CROCHET
GATHERINGS WORKSHOP TALKS AND PRESENTATIONS

Crochet Coral for the Art Reef Installation
Meet Artists Scientists Crafters and Crocheteers

Maria 072 6480818 and Leonie 082 7773205
woodstockartreef@gmail.com

The search for a Human Rights logo - DESIGN ONE!

2011-06-07T14:05:00.001+02:00

On May 3, 2011 the Federal Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle launched a world-wide competition to find a logo for the issue of Human Rights, an issue which is one of the priorities of the German foreign policy. Creative people from around the world who are committed to human rights can submit their designs or rate and comment on the entries of others until July 31, 2011. You can find more information on the competition on the website of the German Embassy www.yaounde.diplo.de. You can also follow the following direct link:

http://www.jaunde.diplo.de/__Zentrale_20Komponenten/Ganze__Seiten/en/__Aktuelle__DiA__Seiten/humanrights__Logo__en__Uebersichtsseite.html?site=15641

They are also on Facebook: www.facebook.com/humanrightslogo

International Conference on Arts, Society and Sustainable Development

2011-06-07T14:01:00.000+02:00

Tshwane/Pretoria, South Africa, 27 – 29 June 2011

Hosted by the Faculty of the Arts at Tshwane University of Technology, the International Conference on Arts, Society and Sustainable Development will take place in Pretoria, South Africa, on 27-29 June 2011, aiming to encourage debate around the socio-cultural development of communities, development of products, entrepreneurship, and the economy, discussing aspects such as the ability to brand, determining niche markets, developing business plans and attracting customers.

The goal of the conference is to assemble art practitioners (visual and performing), professionals, designers, academics, researchers, government officials, cultural workers, and industry partners to share creativity, knowledge, and understanding across boundaries; and to offer a platform for the interrogation of the relationship between the arts and community development.

Contact:
Gladys Sibanda or Irene Botes;
e-mail: botesjc@tut.ac.za or artsinfo@tut.ac.za;
jupiter.tut.ac.za/supps/2010/Arts%20Int%20Conference%20Call%20for%20Papers_new.pdf

Art on the beach

2011-06-07T13:16:00.000+02:00

Here's some images by Gretchen Hesse of land art pieces created at Plettenberg Bay as part of Site Specific!

If you have no idea what's been happening at Plet, have a look at this blog entry: ecojunki.blogspot.com/2011/05/site-specific-in-plettenberg-bay-next.html and at the Site Specific website: sitespecific.org.za

Photographs by Gretchen Hesse

Mountain and Veld vs. Cloud and Carbon

2011-06-03T11:55:00.003+02:00

These two landscapes are seen on the N1 route from Johannesburg to Cape Town - one of the main roads for the Intercape city to city bus service.

So many people opt for flying to their destination - trying to spend as little time as possible on their travel. What we are really missing out on is the act of the journey - the opportunity to see different landscapes speeding by as we travel by train or bus. The joy of reading a book, and chatting to the person next to you for hours on end, while you are taken closer and closer towards your destination.

We need to start slowing down, and try to enjoy the things we do - reducing your carbon footprint is not just about choosing different products and services which does less harm to the environment. It's about slowing down, doing less, enjoying more, simplifying and consuming less. Choosing to not always travel by air means making a commitment to contributing to less carbon emissions. Increasingly more planes are built and put into the air to answer a growing demand for people who would rather fly than travel by bus or train.

"Some 16,000 commercial aircrafts pump out 600 million tonnes of carbon dioxide every year. It is estimated that by 2020 airplanes will be the single biggest contributor to global warming. It is expected to be bigger than all the other sources of carbon emissions combined. Ground level emissions are less harmful than the carbon emissions by airplanes, for the simple reason that they are deposited directly into the atmosphere."

Ekta Mulchandani at:
www.4ecotips.com/eco/article_show.php?aid=671&id=287

Shell and the economics of truth

2011-06-03T11:54:00.000+02:00

This Press Release was issued by the TREASURE KAROO ACTION GROUP
http://hwb.co.za/media-article.php?id=423
1 June 2011

Shell and the economics of truth

Wednesday, 1 June 2011, Cape Town: The ongoing and much-welcomed debate on the safety and sensibility of using hydraulic fracturing to retrieve shale gas in the Karoo has been overshadowed by a systematic corporate strategy of being economical with the truth.

Despite the South African Cabinet's declaration of a moratorium on all applications for licences to conduct hydraulic fracturing in the exploration of shale gas reserves in the Karoo, major oil and gas corporations continue to lobby government and the population that the method—commonly referred to as "fracking"—is safe and viable.

Shell South Africa Energy Limited, a division of Royal-Dutch Shell, immediately after the moratorium announcement, ran full-page advertisements in the national weeklies and distributed flyers at Shell service stations making a number of claims about fracturing. These adverts are currently under investigation by the Advertising Standards Authority for being misleading and untruthful.

In a live debate with Jonathan Deal, Chairman of Treasure the Karoo Action Committee (TKAG) held at the UCT's Gordon Business School, the Chairman and Vice President of Shell South Africa Energy Limited, Bonang Mohale, stated that there has never been "a single case of groundwater contamination resulting from fracturing”

"In our 60 years we have never found these fractures going up to the surface. It has just never happened in 800,000 wells. What is likely that can go wrong is, again, in the construction of the well itself: these things do collapse. In the 800,000 wells we have done there is not one single bit of evidence that a well owned, managed and drilled by Shell has ever collapsed."

This is clearly not the truth. Between 19 January 2011 and 5 March 2011, a subsidiary of Shell, East Resources Management LLC (ERM), a hydraulic drilling contractor (acquired by Shell in May 2010) and operating in the Marcellus Shale area, USA, notched up six environmental violations in Marcellus. One of these is described in the report as

"Unpermitted discharge of residual waste. Pollutional substances at well site impacted groundwater. Seep expressed itself in sed [imentary] basin. Elevated chloride, barium, strontium and sodium concentrations in seep."

What Mohale also does not reveal is that the collapsing of the well wall is not the only source of contamination of aquifers and surface water sources. What is also likely that can "go wrong" is what happened with the five other serious violations. Again, the report states that Shell's offences were:

"Discharge of pollutional material to waters of the [C]ommonwealth. "

"Failure to properly store, transport process or dispose of a residual waste."

“Pit and tanks not constructed with sufficient capacity to contain pollutional substances.”

“Drilling within 100ft (30m) of surface water or wetland without variance. Constructing a site without permission.”

“Discharge of pollutional material into water of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. What happened: unpermitted discharge to south branch Thornbottom Creek."

In another incident in Australia, a fracking well drilled by Arrow Energy was out of control for more than 24 hours following a blowout on two weeks ago. Shell Energy Holdings Australia Ltd and PetroChina International Investment Company Ltd bought-out Arrow for $3.1-billion in 50-50 joint venture deal in March last year. The blowout spilled roughly 1 000 cubic metres of methane gas per hour into the air.

Fingers cannot be pointed at ERM or Arrow. Shell takes full responsibility. Mohale is on record as saying, when discussing, the operational behaviour of Shell, including its subsidiaries and subcontractors, that "the responsibility lies with Shell.”

"If we subcontract it [the drilling] the responsibility lies with Shell. Subcontractors are our partners and if something goes wrong we are ultimately held accountable."

One of the statements on a Shell flyer distributed at Shell service stations after the Cabinet moratorium, states:

"Shell commits to lead in the setting of global best practices and operational standards."

Six serious violations of environmental law in the space of 45 days in the United States does not speak to "global best practices and operational standards". Nor does the fracking-well blowout in Australia.

Shell's website makes the following claim about the chemicals used in fracking:

The fluids injected into the rock consist of more than 99% water and sand, with a small amount of additives similar to those found in household products."

( http://bit.ly/mU0HSS)

And the Shell advert distributed at Shell service stations after cabinet moratorium says:

"We also commit to disclosing fracturing fluids at each drilling location."

Yet, Shell will not reveal exactly what those chemicals are when asked in a public debate. And what Mohale didn't say was that Shell, along with BP and Total refused to participate in the American Petroleum Institute's (API) Subcommittee (13) on "Drilling, Completion, and Fracturing Fluids". Nor did he reveal that Shell Oil Company (USA) provided US Senate lawmakers "with language to include in a pending climate change bill that essentially would block federal oversight of hydraulic fracturing."

Reports from the USA state that if this language is "incorporated into the climate change law, it would keep the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from imposing regulations on fracturing... [and] recommends that states adopt standards for disclosing the contents of hydraulic fracturing chemicals... but maintain 'the confidentiality of trade secret information' in the fluids".

This statement seems to pre-empt a stand not yet taken by Shell, Bundu, Falcon and SASOL on matters relating to hydraulic fracturing chemicals. Even its Vice President of new-business development at Shell Exploration and Production, Olivier Lazare, who has urged his company to disclose hydraulic fracturing chemicals has been ignored.

Shell's South African website makes the following claim:

"It [natural gas] burns more cleanly than any other fossil fuel, emitting 50-70% less carbon dioxide (CO2) than coal in electricity generation." ( http://www.shell.com/home/content/zaf/aboutshell/shell_businesses/e_and_p/karoo/natural_gas.html or: http://bit.ly/klt7ax)

This is not factually correct. Recent studies from Cornell University—Methane and the greenhouse-gas footprint of natural gas from shale formations by Robert W. Howarth, Renee Santoro and Anthony Ingraffea—have shown that natural gas, which is mostly methane—a much more potent greenhouse gas, "with 105 times more warming impact, pound for pound, than carbon dioxide (CO2)".

Howarth has estimated that as much as 8% of the methane in shale gas leaks into the air during the lifetime of a hydraulic shale gas well—"up to twice what escapes from conventional gas production".

"The take-home message of our study is that if you do an integration of 20 years following the development of the gas, shale gas is worse than conventional gas and is, in fact, worse than coal and worse than oil," Howarth said. "We are not advocating for more coal or oil, but rather to move to a truly green, renewable future as quickly as possible. We need to look at the true environmental consequences of shale gas."

Mohale and Graham Tiley General Manager for new ventures and international exploration at Shell are on record stating:

"Fracking is safe and poses no risk to the environment.”

This is as credible a statement as "smoking does not cause cancer". The violations of environmental regulations by Shell, the self-proclaimed market leader in hydraulic fracturing, are a matter of fact. These violations evidence that no reasonable person can possibly argue that hydraulic fracturing is safe and poses no risk to the environment.

Shell has been economical with the truth. South Africa has been misled. Our Ministers, their departments, and our regulators have been misled. Have they also been misled by the other fracking companies that maintain lower public profiles? If the offences in the US and Australia had not come to light, was our government is at risk of making fracking related decisions based on false information?

If South Africans are going to resolve the controversy surrounding fracking, we need facts, we need truthfulness, we need openess and we need transparency—things that have purposefully not been given to us.

WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY: 5 JUNE

2011-05-26T10:58:00.000+02:00

What are you going to do this year for World Environment Day?
Show your commitment to the preservation of our environment, and your awareness of our dependance and interconnectiveness to nature by doing one or more of the following:

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HOST A LUNCH

Host a lunch in your home, invite your friends and ask them to donate anything from R25-R200 to a great cause, Soil for Life. You cook and your friends donate online and you all stand a chance to win great prizes!

Read more on http://www.eatfortheearth.com/

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DONATE A TREE with Greenpop

http://www.greenpop.org/

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VISIT THE EARTH FAIR FOOD MARKET

Give the franchise supermarket a skip, and buy fresh foods at the Earth Fair Food Market in Tokai. Open every Saturday 9.00 am - 2.00 pm

More info and a map: http://www.earthfairmarket.co.za/

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GO HIKING

Wherever you are, find a place to go and walk - breathe in the scent of dried leaves, and enjoy the colours and variations that autumn brings, with the stark and interesting shapes of bare branches against a blue sky.

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HELP CROCHET A CORAL REEF

The Woodstock Art Reef Project gathers every Saturday between 11am and 4pm in the Blue Shed at the Waterfront. They are building a crocheted coral reef as an art installation that aims to raise awareness for our oceans and the effects of global warming on sea life.

artreefproject.ning.com/

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READ AND SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY

Go and read up about the ways that you can help and support sustainable development, how you can make a difference by making small changes in your lifestyle, and what you can do to make more people aware.

Read about the pros and cons about each energy option on Life in Balance:
"Energy - what is the answer?", an insightful article by Richard Asher

Read The Advanced Energy [R]evolution: Greenpeace's energy blueprint for a sustainable future and green development

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...and after World Environment Day:

If you're an artist, come to the GYA (Green your Art) gathering at White Rabbit Studio on 17 June in Gardens, to talk about what we're going to do for Moving Planet on 24 September 2011.

Info about the gathering: http://www.gya.ecojunki.co.za/
Info about Moving Planet: http://www.moving-planet.org/

Site Specific in Plettenberg Bay next week!

2011-05-20T15:41:00.000+02:00

Pop in next week at Plettenberg Bay for Site Specific - SA’s first International Land Art event.

Download the brochure here: www.ecojunki.co.za/2NewSiteSpecificBrochure.pdf
Also read more about the project, as well as updates on the Site Specific website: sitespecific.org.za

Land Art by Strijdom van der Merwe

Just in case you missed the previous post we had about Site Specific, here is the line-up from their website:

Plettenberg Bay: 22-29 May 2011

22-27 May:
Artists create work along the Milkwood trail, Kranshoek and along the N2 at KwaNokuthula and New Horizons.

Saturday 28 May:

09-17:00
The art route is open to all, it includes a lovely walk along the Milkwood trail and the beaches. Guides are available at Central beach.

11:00
The Mayor of Plettenberg bay launches the event at the Timber Shed accompanied by DJ Jazztrain Live, Nthombo Theatre and The Unlimited Band.

12-16:00
Township art tours to sites in Kranshoek, KwaNokuthula and New Horizons.

15:00
Simon Bannister’s sculpture for the Eden to Addo Corridor Initiative is unveiled on a beautiful ridge overlooking the ocean at the Griqua village of Kranshoek.

Sunday 29 May:
The art route can be viewed all day.

And here's an Afrikaans article published in Die Burger, written by Laetitia Pople

Tuesday 03:Editor's Choice: Die Burger: Plettenbergbaai gaan as inspirasie vir landkuns dien
2011-05-03

Deur Laetitia Pople
Kaapstad - Van die wêreld se voorste landkunstenaars en verskeie plaaslike kunstenaars gaan van 22 tot 29 Mei deelneem aan Site_Specific, ’n internasionale landkunsgebeurtenis by Plettenbergbaai.

Site_ Specific mik om kuns, kultuur, geskiedenis en die omgewing saam te bring en so te wys hoe landkuns mense se indrukke van hul natuurlike omgewing kan verander.

Volgens Strijdom Van der Merwe, Suid-Afrika se voorste landkunstenaar en deelnemer aan Site_Spesific, gaan die meeste werke van Plettenbergbaai se hoofstrand tot die Milkwood-staproete in die Piesangrivier-vallei te sien wees. Daar gaan ook werke in die dorp wees.

Onder die deelnemers is die Italianers Gabriele Meneguzzi en Vincenzo Sponga en van Suid-Afrika neem Anni Snyman (die stigter van Site_Specific), Angus Taylor, Hannelie Coetzee, Jan van der Merwe, Andrew van der Merwe, Gordon Froud en Simon Max Bannister deel.

Bannister werk tans met Griekwa-klipmesselaars van Kranshoek aan ’n reuse-olifantbeeld wat deel vorm van ’n reeks beeldhouwerke vir die Eden-na-Addo-bewaringskorridor. Van der Merwe gaan saam met die Switserse landkunstenaar Urs Twellmann werk.

Twellmann, wat al voorheen in Suid-Afrika aan landkuns-gebeure deelgeneem het, skep sy werke en installasies soos Van der Merwe op die plek en gebruik natuurlike materiale van die omgewing.

“Ons almal arriveer op 22 Mei, dan gaan ek die omgewing verken en kyk watter materiale ek kan vind vir my werk. Ek sal ook die internasionale kunstenaars bystaan, almal van ons is ook betrokke by die slypskole,” het Van der Merwe gesê.

Begeleide toere na plaaslike landkuns en kulturele optredes in Kwa-Nokuthula, Kranshoek en New Horizon vorm deel van die program.

’n Groot openingsgeleentheid word vir 28 Mei om 11:00 beplan in die Timbershed, een van Plettenbergbaai se geskiedkundige bakens as ’n eertydse walvisstasie.

Vacancy at UNIMA SA

2011-05-20T15:30:00.000+02:00

Janni Younge is stepping down from her position as CEO of UNIMA SA (best known for their annual Out the Box festival in Cape Town) in order to focus on other commitments.

In order for there to be a smooth transition the Board of Directors are actively seeking an individual who has experience in the following areas including:

Operations Management,
Communication & Marketing,
Organisational Development,
Public Affairs
and finally fundraising. The Fundraising function may be negotiable. Unima South Africa may consider appointing a consultant to undertaking the scoping of donors etc. Secondly, appoint a Fundraiser (at risk), to raise programme funds.

The detailed job description of the CEO is available on their website, (www.unimasouthafrica.org).

If you are or know of a candidate who wants to work with a team of artists/individuals who are dedicated to promoting and developing puppetry in South Africa and you proven qualities which include leadership, operations and budgetary skills, then they want to hear from you.

Email a motivation letter and resume of your skills, experience and qualifications to: The Chairperson, Board of Directors, admin@unimasouthafrica.org

Closing Date for Applications: June 7, 2011. Interviews will begin on Monday June 13, 2011. The successful candidate may negotiate the starting date of this appointment.

COPART - get involved!

2011-05-17T08:59:00.000+02:00

You are invited to participate in the CONNECTING OUR PLANET & RE-IMAGINING TOGETHER or COPART forums scheduled for 2011 in preparation for COP17. COPART will be hosting forums at the National Arts Festival, the Out the Box festival and will be leading the COPART climate train mobile festival. The COPART forum is an open space where different people from different backgrounds can gather together and explore their understandings of what it means to be and do in a climate change era.

Download your entry forms and then return by reply to Liz at elizabethafletcher@gmail.com.

Deadlines for your contribution forms:

Form A: COPART Journal: 1 August 2011
download: www.ecojunki.co.za/FormA.docx
Form B: COPART National Arts Festival: 8 June 2011
download: www.ecojunki.co.za/FormB.docx
Form C: COPART Out the Box Festival: 1 August 2011
download: >www.ecojunki.co.za/FormC.docx
Form D: COPART Climate Train: 5 September 2011
download: www.ecojunki.co.za/FormD.docx

Also download the COPART pamphlet: www.ecojunki.co.za/COPART2011.pdf
and the official CALL for participation: www.ecojunki.co.za/COPARTCALLS.pdf

http://www.dontcopoutcopart.blogspot.com http://www.copartist.org

Celebrate Biodiversity!

2011-05-17T08:34:00.000+02:00

22 May
International Day for Biological Diversity

The International Day for Biological Diversity (or World Biodiversity Day) is a UN international day for the promotion of biodiversity issues. The theme this year is Biodiversity and Forests.

More information: http://www.cbd.int/

Another date to diarize:

23 May – 01 June
Eskom: proposed nuclear power station – public meeting

Eskom is hosting a series of public meetings as part of their environmental impact assessment for a proposed nuclear power station. Please go along to make your views heard to strengthen our call for no nuclear power and a call for a renewable energy revolution.

23 May: Pretorius Hall, Main Road, Gansbaai. 18h00 - 20h00

25 May: Atlantic Beach, Golf Club, Melkbostrand. 18h00 - 20h00

30 May: Oyster Bay Hall,Oyster Bay. 18h00 - 20h00

31 May: St. Francis Links Golf Club, St. Francis Bay: 18h00 - 20h00

01 June: Sea Vista Community Hall, Sea Vista, 16h30 - 18h00 Public Open Day

More information: www.eskom.co.za/eia under the “Nuclear 1-Generation” link

This information was obtained from the Project 90 by 2030 April newsletter. Visit their website at http://www.90x2030.org.za/

Anti-fracking Activists call for a National Boycott of Shell

2011-05-17T08:08:00.000+02:00

An excerpt from the press release issued by Earthlife Africa Cape Town:

Earthlife Africa is calling for a nationwide boycott of all Shell service stations and all Shell products, from Tuesday 17th May – which coincides with Royal Dutch Shell’s AGM in the Netherlands, and is also, co-incidentally, the United Nation’s World Information Society Day - to show their displeasure at plans to “frack” large parts of our country.

“We ask people to go to their nearest Shell garage, NOT fill up, but ask to speak to the manager and say that they have nothing against the manager personally, but the company is carrying out plans that have potentially horrendous impacts on people and especially scarce water in our country,” said Andreas Spath, Earthlife’s
Anti-fracking co-ordinator.

Shell, the South African government and the natural gas industry portray shale gas as a climate-friendly, low-carbon energy source. In reality, however, preliminary studies have shown that if the entire carbon footprint, including methane (a much more potent greenhouse gas than CO2) escaping from fracking wells in substantial quantities, is taken into account, natural gas from this source contributes to climate change in a magnitude similar to oil and coal.

“Shell’s record in Africa should be cause for alarm”, said the Reverend Barry Wuganaale, of the Ogoni Solidarity Forum. “Not only for widespread and continuing environmental harm, but they have also acknowledged being complicit in the murder of activists opposing them in Nigeria. They cannot be trusted.”

Read the full press release here: http://www.earthlife.org.za/?p=1591

VALLEY OF DELINQUENCY, charcoal and pastel on paper.
Duncan Stewart
[See more of his work]

DESIGN COMPETITION

2011-05-17T07:07:00.000+02:00

vida e caffè is running a design competition for new cup sleeves on 10and5 to commemorate vida’s 10 year anniversary.

The brief is open – come up with a design that fits the cup sleeve template, with the theme of vida's 10 year celebration. There are no specifics so get creative. Illustration, photography, choice of colour and style, it’s all up to you.

If your design is chosen, your artwork, name and URL to your online portfolio (should you have one) will be seen on every single take-away coffee leaving every one of vida’s 41 stores around the country for a month. PLUS the winner receives a year’s worth of vida coffee.

The competition runs until the 30th of June. Every week they’ll be posting entries on 10and5. Visit 10and5 to find out how to enter: http://10and5.com/2011/05/11/10and5-vida-e-caffe-design-competition

Why not specify that they use recycled paper, do an eco-conscious design, or experiment with eco-friendly techniques or solutions? This is your chance as a designer to make a difference!

Have a look at this cup sleeve, designed by Andrew Hainen, which doubles as a loyalty card, and works on the principes of reusing your cup sleeve!

GREEN DRINKS Cape Town

2011-05-14T13:07:00.000+02:00

GREEN DRINKS CAPE TOWN

DATE & TIME: Monday 16th May 2011, 18h30 onwards (Talks at 19.00pm)
VENUE: The Josephine Mill, Newlands, Cape Town
BRING: An open mind, a good attitude, some friends
JOIN: email greendrinks@josephinemill.co.za

The energy story will not go away. This month we are giving the floor to Earthlife to hear their strong convictions against the continuation and development of Nuclear Power. This is topical for South Africa as we approach the finalisation of an Environmental Impact study relating to a proposed new nuclear facility near Cape St. Francis. (The direct cost of the Japanese Nuclear calamity is estimated at $100billion.)

The Fukushima Nuclear Disaster - 25 years after Chernobyl. What do we know about Fukushima and what does it mean for South Africa?

Gray Maguire has been involved in socio-environmental justice causes since 2003 when he was working in Tanzania. He subsequently did a degree in development studies while still working in much of the rest of Southern Africa and later did a six month hitch-hiking expedition through 14 countries investigating community based development strategies. He started an environmental management consultancy called Green Earth Consulting in 2008 as well as a Public Benefit Organisation called the Nomad African Trust. He’s presently in the middle of a post graduate degree in environmental management and while being a freelance sustainability consultant also serves as branch secretary for Earthlife Africa Cape Town.

EarthlifeAfrica is an environmental and social justice NGO that has been active on these kinds of issues since the 80's. We have been standing in opposition to governments nuclear ambitions for most of that time and were successful in our campaign to stop the Pebble-bed modular reactor.

If you too would like to share your dreams or what you do, please let us know (greendrinks@josephinemill.co.za). Make a presentation in the future…. and become a part of a growing, conscious–living community. Share knowledge, wisdom, skills, hope, and enthusiasm.

Further details: www.josephinemill.co.za/greendrinks.html

This post was created by using the Green Drinks Cape Town email newsletter/notification. All content have been created by the Green Drinks team.

Water, fracking and our Karoo

2011-05-12T08:21:00.000+02:00

Watch this short video produced by Green Renaissance

From the Life in Balance newsletter:

Fox Lederboer, the unofficial "water bailiff" of the Gamkapoort Dam in the Karoo, worries that fracking related pollution in the ancient aquifers will have a devastating impact on life in the desert and beyond. Fox has lived alone on this beautiful, remote dam for 18 years and understands intimately the healing power of the Karoo and how critical water is to life, especially in the desert.

ENERGY lecture at the Book Lounge

2011-05-09T11:22:00.000+02:00

A month for slowing down and appreciating things

2011-05-07T10:04:00.000+02:00

May is a month for slowing down, preparing for winter and enjoying time with your family. It's a time for listing the things that we are grateful for, telling our moms how much we appreciate them, and spending time on all the things that we really care about.

The latest Ecojunki newsletter is thus not dedicated to bombarding you with information, but rather to just remind you to plant a tree with Greenpop, and to encourage you to take time out this month to assess your life and the way that you spend your time. And then, of course, if you're an artist you are invited to get involved with the HumanEarth exhibitions, or join the first Greening Your Art gathering.

READ THE LATEST NEWSLETTER HERE

Calling all photographers & sculptors

2011-04-29T12:36:00.000+02:00

Contact Nastasha Daniels:
Cell. 0788577551
Email. nastasha797@gmail.com

For more information on the HumanEarth exhibitions, go to www.humanearth.ecojunki.co.za

Calling all fashion designers and textile fanatics!

2011-04-27T12:32:00.003+02:00

Are you a fashion designer, installation artist or have the ability to sow?
CONTACT Nastasha Daniels to get involved with the next HumanEarth exhibition!

Please also contact if you have any old clothing, fabric, off-cuts, or anything else related that can be used and repurposed.

For more information on the HumanEarth exhibitions, have a look at www.humanearth.ecojunki.co.za

Julia Ramsey

The embrace by Boxi

Part of the "Pratt + Paper & Ralph Pucci" paper fashion exhibition

Image from CloudNine Marketing's Holistic Healing blog/site

This website is worth a look: seedandsew.com.

Share and read.

2011-04-21T11:39:00.000+02:00

Go and read!
lifeinbalance.co.za/page/travel/447809-Outa-Lappies-philosopher-and-master-recycler

Come and celebrate tree planting!

2011-04-19T11:54:00.000+02:00

WHERE DO THE ENVIRONMENT AND ARTS INTERSECT?

2011-04-19T11:31:00.000+02:00

The world of art has always played an important role in stimulating thought and generating dialogue and now it has a crucial role to play in environmental awareness.

Business and Arts South Africa (BASA) believes that the arts can effectively bring creativity into the heart of environmental practices and actions and has introduced a new category – the Arts and Environment Award – into its annual awards. It will reward business support of arts and culture projects which contribute towards the sustainability of the environment.

According to BASA CEO Michelle Constant:

“The issue of sustainability is a growing one, and if the arts can be used to drive change in the individual user and larger corporates, it means a more holistic approach to the world around us.”

In the past year, there have been a number of impressive arts projects which played a vital role in green issues. The 2010 Philippi South African Education & Environment Project (SAEP) Arts and Environment Festival, funded by the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund, was a celebration of the work of township high school youth completed through SAEP’s Arts and Environment Outreach Programmes. This Cape Town festival incorporated learners' achievements in these programmes in a two day celebration of culture and community. The festival culminated with the unveiling of a life-size giraffe sculpture made out of recycled wire and plastic cans and bottles by the SAEP Environment Club. The event also sought to bring both arts and the environment into township communities.

Spier’s annual Infecting The City Public Arts Festival involves transforming public spaces of Cape Town into works of art that will help urban dwellers view the city from a different perspective. It also focuses on forgotten natural resources and seemingly useless waste which is given a new life.

Johannesburg was the home of Tomorrow’s Joy by Usha Seejarim and Hannelie Coetzee from Such Initiative. It was commissioned by the Johannesburg Arts Alive International Festival, and is owned by the City of Johannesburg. The massive mosaic using nearly 100 000 bottle tops and erected in Newtown’s Mary Fitzgerald Square,depicted a band of children happily running across a playing field. Its aim was to change perceptions about recycling while beautifying the environment and instil a culture of eco-consciousness and a recycling awareness within Joburg society.

“Tomorrow’s Joy” by Such Initiative commissioned by Arts Alive

Constant urged all business, whether they are big corporates or small operations, who have supported arts and culture projects which contribute towards the sustainability of the environment to enter this year’s awards. She also encouraged business to look at sponsoring such projects.

The BASA Awards recognise and encourage excellence and innovation in the field of business support for the arts. Imaginative, innovative and cost-effective partnerships between business and the arts are highlighted, demonstrating the potential for synergy, the window of mutual opportunity and the far reaching benefits for business, for the arts, and for all South Africans.
The closing date for entries for the BASA Awards is May 20, 2011.

The easy-to-use online nomination system can be accessed on the BASA website at www.basa.co.za. The awards section features guidelines, rules and regulations and online nomination forms. Those requiring more information can also call the BASA offices on 011 832 3042/3039 or email info@basa.co.za.

The BASA Awards are supported by Business Day and Anglo American and the results are audited by Grant Thornton.

Show your commitment on Friday

2011-04-19T09:18:00.000+02:00

CALLING ALL ECO-CONSCIOUS ARTISTS

2011-04-16T13:14:00.000+02:00

Competition: Communicating the future - explaining climate change through graphics

The Minor Foundation for Major Challenges invites you to participate in a competition that aims to select an extraordinarily good way of communicating the issue of man-made climate change.

The competition aims to inspire participants that have the ability to communicate a complex message in a way that might surprise or even awaken people.

If you can illustrate man-made climate change, its causes or consequenses in a way that brings the response

Aha!
So this is what it is all about!
Something has to be done about it!
We have to reduce our emissions of CO2!

Then please, consider participating in our competition and share your submission with us!

The Minor Foundation for Major Challenges is a non-profit foundation that supports information and public-opinion-forming aimed at limiting human induced climate change. The foundation recognizes that there is a need for downloadable graphic presentations available on the Internet which can be used for communicating the climate problem to the general public. Many organisations working with the climate issue have their own sets of graphs, diagrams and slides with their own logos used by their representatives during presentations. The foundation wishes to provide similar tools, but free to use by anyone who is interested and who wants to help spread knowledge about human-made climate change - its causes, effects and the fact that we have means to combat climate change. Main focus should be put on explaining the fundamental knowledge on man-made climate change.

The Minor Foundation for Major Challenges is envisioning a set of graphic, electronic presentations that can be downloaded for free. The presentations may contain static displays of graphs, figures, diagrams or other visual representations that explain different aspects of the issue. Animations, interactive applications, and formats open for the user to modify are also relevant. There are certainly many thinkable and unthinkable ways of creating such graphics, and in line with the Foundation's general policy, we are open for new, experimental ways of communicating the causes and challenges related to climate change. Conventional or radical in form and content - we welcome proposals for the development of graphic presentations that would be applicable to - and have effect on - a wide audience. Any text - written or spoken - should be in English, as this is an international competition with an international audience.

Proposals should be submitted through a dedicated web form at www.minor-foundation.no within May 1 2011.

A jury will pick three concepts from the submitted ideas that will have the opportunity to be developed, through receiving a sum of 100.000 Norwegian kroner each from The Minor Foundation for Major Challenges. The winner in this competition will receive a sum of 500.000 Norwegian kroner that is meant to finance the completion and implementation of the idea.

The Minor Foundation for Major Challenges will be copyright owner with the rights to distribute and communicate all final three submissions.

To learn more: http://www.minor-foundation.no/competition/

Strijdom van der Merwe

Janet Botes, Our Legacy

Antti Laitinen, Its My Island

ALSO read more about a callout for artists by Virginia MacKenny from UCT, for artists who work with a focus or awareness of environmental issues and climate change. Read about it on the COPART blog: dontcopoutcopart.blogspot.com/2011/04/calling-all-copartists-sadc-country.html

Monday night in Newlands, Cape Town

2011-04-16T12:04:00.000+02:00

HumanEarth.2 photos

2011-04-15T14:47:00.000+02:00

Here's some photographs from the HumanEarth exhibition. Well done to Nastasha Daniels, and all the artists involved!

If you're in Potch before the 2nd of May, go and check it out!!
At the NWU (North West University) Botanical Garden Gallery.
Viewing hours: Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm

Contact: Elani Willemse
Tel 018 299 2753
Email: 20049820@nwu.ac.za

See more photos here

25th Anniversary of the Chernobyl Nuclear disaster

2011-04-15T13:02:00.000+02:00

Illustration: Matt Davidson
Found here (read more about nuclear in Australia)

MEDIA RELEASE: 25th Anniversary of the Chernobyl Nuclear disaster

A Salute to Radiation workers everywhere. - Japanese Consul to receive
messages of condolence and concern from local anti-nuclear groups.

The ongoing disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi plant could not have come at a
more poignant moment. While the world's attention is focused on this
unfolding catastrophe we must remember to contextualise current events in
light of the past. The 26th of April, 46 days after the start of the ongoing
Fukushima nuclear crises, marks the 25th year after at similar disaster in
Chernobyl, Ukraine. How tragic to witness, 25 years on, a repeat of the
desperation that drives men and women into a working environment that they
know will kill them, with Chernobyl now being assessed as being responsible
for nearly a million deaths, and with the total fuel at Fukushima many times
that of Chernobyl. 1,760 tons of nuclear fuel versus just 180 tons at
Chernobyl, implying a potential impact some 10 times greater from the
current disaster is, but which is becoming more difficult to quantify as the
Fukushima accident is already ranked as a level 7 disaster which is where
the scale for such events ends.

Our hearts must go out to the "Fukushima 50". Four teams of 50 brave workers
who, on a daily basis, expose themselves to massive quantities of radiation
to help avert a total meltdown. Instead of learning lessons from the
Japanese experience before we aggressively pursue more nuclear options in
South Africa, government approved the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP2) (that
will make nuclear power the single biggest contributor of new future
capacity to our national grid), within the first week of the Fukushima
disaster. This, when almost every other country with new nuclear build plans
are taking a step back, and indeed, reducing and cancelling such plans, as
in China and Germany.

"South Africa has an array of alternative, renewable energy supplies that
are cheaper, create more jobs, contribute less to climate change and don't
leave us with a multi-100,000 year waste legacy, said Muna Lakhani,
Earthlife Africa's Cape Town anti-nuclear spokesperson. "It is time that we
reawaken the spirit of the Struggle and remind ourselves that we do have the
power to shape our future."

"Around Fukushima Daiichi Station, on March 23rd, they measured 400
millisieverts - that's per hour. With this measurement (Chief Cabinet
Secretary) Edano admitted for the first time that there was a danger to
health, but he didn't explain what this means. All of the information media
are at fault here I think. They are saying stupid things like, why, we are
exposed to radiation all the time in our daily life, we get radiation from
outer space. But that's one millisievert per year. A year has 365 days, a
day has 24 hours; multiply 365 by 24, you get 8760. Multiply the 400
millisieverts by that, you get 3,500,000 the normal dose. You call that
safe? And what media have reported this? None. They compare it to a CT
scan, which is over in an instant; that has nothing to do with it," said
Hirose Takashi, well known author on the nuclear industry.

Independent scientists are warning, contrary to statements from the talking
heads on corporate media outlets who say Japan is not Chernobyl, that the
levels of radioactive material being released in from Japan's nuclear
fallout already rivals Chernobyl levels as at the end of March.

In a more local vein, Earthlife Africa's Cape Town branch secretary, Gray
Maguire, said: "Six months after 90 Koeberg workers were contaminated by
radioactive Cobolt-51, our leaders have yet to announce the names of the
members of the panel of inquiry supposedly convened to look into the
accident. What confidence do we have that even the current problems can be
resolved, far less the imposition of even more nuclear radiation, when the
alternatives are cheaper and create more decent work for our people?"

To this end, members of the media and of the public are invited to a number
of events in the run up to Chernobyl Day (26th April). Earthlife Africa Cape
Town will be hosting a number of events to raise awareness about the
outcomes of our recently approved IRP2; information linked to the global and
local nuclear industry and a way forward.

* 18th April - Monday (12:00pm to 14:00pm - Pier Square, Heerengracht Street, Cape Town, with handover at 1:00pm). - A demonstration of concern about the events at Fukushima, a commemoration of the legacy of Chernobyl, a protest against the IRP2 and the submission of statement of solidarity, of condolence and concern, to the Japanese Consul in sympathy with their plight. Activities include an art installation, music and related activities.

* 21th April - Thursday ( 12:45pm to 14:00pm at 6 Spin Street Cape
Town) "Investigating South Africa's nuclear goals" - by Gray Maguire -
Earthlife Africa Branch Secretary.

* 21st April - Thursday (6:15pm at the Labia on Orange) Screening of
the documentary "The Nuclear Comeback" with a facilitated discussion
afterwards.

This media release was written and issued by Earthlife Africa Cape Town:
Contact:
Muna Lakhani - 083-471-7276 or muna@iafrica.com
Gray Maguire - 084-3355778 or graymaguire@gmail.com

Film Screening, Cape Town

2011-04-14T19:59:00.000+02:00

The Nuclear Comeback, a documentary about nuclear power, will be shown at the Labia on Orange cinema in Cape Town on Thursday 21 April at 6:15pm.

As part of the international commemoration of the 25^th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster and in light of recent events in Japan, While You Were Sleeping and Earthlife Africa Cape Town invite you to a once-off screening of the documentary The Nuclear Comeback.

The world's electricity consumption is expected to double in the next 25 years and the nuclear industry claims that nuclear power is the only large-scale method of power production that can reliably replace coal, gas or oil-fired power plants. But many people have an inherent fear of nuclear power. Is it time we learned to love the split atom? Or is there a risk that we might be jumping out of the carbon frying pan and into the plutonium fire?

Given the South Africa government’s plans for a massive expansion of nuclear power in the country, it is crucial that we understand what we may be confronted with and what our alternatives are.

The Nuclear Comeback goes on a worldwide tour of the nuclear industry in search of answers. It visits some of the planet's most famous nuclear facilities, including the control room of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, it investigates the state of 'the grand old lady' of commercial nuclear power, the UK's Calder Hall, and travels through a nuclear waste repository under the Baltic Sea, a uranium mine in Australia, and one of only two fuel recycling plants in the world.

The Nuclear Comeback poses the question of whether, by seriously considering the renewed development of nuclear power, we may now be gambling with the survival of our planet.

The screening will be followed by a facilitated audience discussion.

Tickets are R20 and can be reserved by calling The Labia at (021) 424 5927. This is a once-off screening and we strongly recommended that you reserve tickets to avoid disappointment.

This event is presented by Earthlife Africa Cape Town, the Labia and While You Were Sleeping, a Cape Town-based non-profit film collective committed to bringing progressive, non-mainstream documentaries with important social, political and environmental messages to South African audiences.

Contact:

The Labia:
021 424 5927

While You Were Sleeping:
Andreas Späth
084 772 1056
Andreas_Spath@yahoo.com
www.whileyouweresleeping.wordpress.com

Rethink, Revise, Revive

2011-04-06T14:52:00.000+02:00

Sometimes it's good to take a step away from things and look at it from a different perspective, considering improvements and planning your steps ahead. Looking at how Ecojunki originated and what it has become, it is great to see that there has been growth, support and interest. Thank you for your contribution in this!

Ecojunki started as a brand for art by one artist, and then grew into representing eco-art and recycled art by a variety of artists, and now it's a group, network or movement with projects and initiatives led by different members, such as the HumanEarth art exhibitions coordinated by Nastasha Daniels and recycled art workshops by Janet Botes. The next step is to guide it even further into something that really succeeds in making people more aware and connected to our place and inter-connectivenes with our environment, which will lead to more sustainable and responsible behavior and lifestyle choices.

Mostly this awareness-raising is done through creative media and art, but we need to refine and focus our activities and outputs. We need to form a slightly more structured system, in which members can contribute and get involved, or we need to integrate or merge with another organization in order to amplify and grow our reach and resources. YOUR opinion, suggestions and thoughts on how to proceed are needed!

Please vote in the poll to the right, and leave a comment to this post, or send an email to ecojunki@gmail.com. Your input is important and valuable, and there will be a reward for the three best suggestions received as comments or emails, up to 30 July 2011, 5pm.

Contributing to the fracking fight

2011-04-06T13:21:00.000+02:00

TKAG (Treasure the Karroo action group) are the people who are spearheading the fight to stop fracking in the Karoo. They need funding!

Please go and donate now - if you're really strapped, donate R50 or R100.

TRUST ACCOUNT FACILITY WITH GRAAFF-REINET ATTORNEY AND FOCUS GROUP MEMBER - MR DEREK LIGHT. (most of you saw him on Carte Blanche)

1. ALL FUNDS TO GO INTO THAT ACCOUNT WITH REFERENCE 'TKAG'
2. EXPENSES OUT OF THE ACCOUNT WILL BE SIGNED BY TWO FOCUS GROUP MEMBERS.
3.ANY CONTRIBUTOR MAY VIEW THE STATEMENT OF ACCOUNT AVAILABLE FROM ME ONCE A MONTH
4. ACCOUNT DETAILS:

DEREK LIGHT TRUST ACCOUNT
FNB GRAAFF-REINET
523-000-15065
BRANCH CODE 210-216
swift code: FIRNZAJJ

You can download a copy of the PDF that was handed over to parliament here:
http://www.acutherapy.co.za/images/KarooPolicyObjection%205%20April%200903%20(FINAL).pdf

No idea what 'fracking' is? Have a look at the Treasure the Karoo Action Group blog, or www.fractual.co.za. Also have a look in the latest newspapers.

1..2..3..be the change!

2011-04-06T10:49:00.000+02:00

Blog of the week: www.123bchange.blogspot.com

Excerpt from Lewis Pugh's speech on NOT fracking in the Karoo

2011-03-28T14:07:00.000+02:00

“Never did I think there would be a debate in this arid country, of what was more important: gas or water, we can survive without gas, but we cannot survive without water, if we damage our water supply, and fracking will do just that, we will have a conflict again here in South Africa. Look around the world; wherever you damage the environment, you have conflict. Fellow South Africans we have had enough conflict in our land, now is the time for peace... there are many here among us who do not want the dreams of our heroes to be rubbished by an amoral corporate giant. There are many here among us who do not want this—our hard-fought Constitution—treated as mere scrawls on a piece of paper."

- Lewis Pugh at the public meeting held by Golder and Shell about fracking (hydraulic fracture mining) in the Karoo, on Friday, 25 March 2011 at Kelvin Grove in Newlands, Cape Town.

Read the full speech here:
http://lewispugh.posterous.com/the-day-we-stood-up-to-shell-what-was-said-to

Or watch it on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5PejoRGmBo

Want to know more?
Go to http://www.treasurethekaroo.blogspot.com/ and www.fractual.co.za

HumanEarth.2:Re(-)Presentations

2011-03-21T16:36:00.000+02:00

The second installment of the HumanEarth exhibition series, curated by Cape Town based artist Nastasha Daniels, will be hosted by the North West University Botanical Gardens Gallery in Potchefstroom.

The artists for HumanEarth.2:Re(-)Presentations are:
Abri de Swardt
Janet Ranson
Russel Goodman
Hannalie Taute
SCAPES project artists: Janet Botes, Di Smith, Andrée Bonthuys, Leli Hoch

HumanEarth aims to shed some understanding on the relationship between human and nature, while encouraging dialogue and reflection on this complex relationship. The NWU botanical garden is among the 12 largest gardens of its kind in the country, and the gallery hosts art exhibitions throughout the year.

The Scapes Project, which is also included and shown as part of the exhibition, is another ongoing art project that focuses on human involvement with nature-dialogue. Contemporary art practises such as installation- and performance art are included as part of this project. The work shown at the exhibition will be Land Art prints. Land Art is a practice where the artist don't use the natural landscape only as reference and inspiration, but works physically with and within the landscape, using primarily natural found materials. The artworks are often ephemeral and transient, destroyed or decayed by natural processes like the wind and rain, and are therefore captured photographically to capture the moment.

The exhibition opens on 6 April at 5:30pm, at the NWU Botanical Gardens Gallery
Viewing: Mon – Fri, 10:00-16:00
Exhibition ends 2 May

For more information about the exhibition and gallery contact:
Elani Willemse
Tel: 018 299 2753
email: 20049820@nwu.ac.za.

For more information about the HumanEarth exhibition series and/or to participate, contact:
Nastasha Daniels
Artist, curator and organiser of HumanEarth exhibitions
Cell. 0788577551
Nastasha797@gmail.com

Shipwreck furniture

2011-03-19T17:00:00.000+02:00

Old wood makes furniture that just oozes character, don't you agree? So it makes sense to use wood from shipwrecks to make furniture to add comfort and also enhance the visual atmosphere of your home.

Have a look at the Shipwreck Furniture website here: www.shipwreckfurniture.com

If you're an artist, I hope that this gives you some ideas for using old/discarded wood in your artworks - it offers some interesting surfaces to work on, and the shapes are of course also ideal for sculptural or assemblage work!

Green your Art workshop

2011-03-18T16:04:00.000+02:00

As was mentioned a week or two ago, the Greening your Art workshop has been postponed. The workshop will be held on Thursday and Friday, 7-8 April. The spaces are filling up, so make sure to book your space asap!

Screening of GASLAND

2011-03-11T21:41:00.000+02:00

YOUR INVITATION FROM WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING:

Gasland, the Oscar-nominated documentary about fracking – an environmentally destructive method of natural gas exploitation that may be used in the Karoo soon – will be shown at:

The Labia on Orange cinema in Cape Town on Monday 21 March at 6:15pm, on Tuesday 22 March at 8:30pm and on Wednesday 23 March at 6:15pm

and at:

The Bioscope Independent Cinema in Johannesburg on Monday 4 April at 8.00pm, Tuesday 5 April at 8.00pm and on Friday 8 April at 8.00pm.

Part verite travelogue, part expose, part mystery, part bluegrass banjo meltdown, part showdown - Gasland is the must-see documentary of the year!

The largest natural gas drilling boom in history has swept across the United States. The drilling technology of "fracking" or hydraulic fracturing has unlocked a "Saudi Arabia of natural gas" just beneath the country. But is fracking safe?

When filmmaker Josh Fox is asked to lease his land for drilling, he embarks on a cross-country odyssey uncovering a trail of secrets, lies and contamination. A recently drilled town in the neighbourhood reports that residents are able to light their drinking water on fire. This is just one of the many absurd and astonishing revelations of a new country Fox calls Gasland.

This documentary is particularly relevant to South Africans because Royal Dutch Shell and other local and international oil and gas companies are about to start exploring for natural gas in the Karoo. The fracking technique that will be used for extracting this gas is extremely water-intensive and known to cause devastating groundwater pollution. Watching Gasland is a bit like watching the Karoo of the future – if we allow fracking to happen here!

The screenings will be followed by a facilitated audience discussion.

Tickets for the screenings at the Labia can be reserved by calling 021 424 5927. Tickets for the screenings at The Bioscope can be booked online at www.thebioscope.co.za or by calling 087 830 0445. We strongly recommended that you reserve tickets to avoid disappointment.

This event is presented by the Labia, The Bioscope, www.fractual.co.za, a South African anti-fracking website, Earthlife Africa and While You Were Sleeping, a Cape Town-based non-profit film collective committed to bringing progressive, non-mainstream documentaries with important social, political and environmental messages to South African audiences.

Contacts:

The Labia:
021 424 5927

The Bioscope:
087 830 0445
www.thebioscope.co.za

Official film website:
www.gaslandthemovie.com

Fractual:
info@fractual.co.za
www.fractual.co.za

While You Were Sleeping:
Andreas Späth
084 749 9470
Andreas_Spath@yahoo.com
www.whileyouweresleeping.wordpress.com

HUMANEARTH!

2011-03-07T19:44:00.000+02:00

The second exhibition of the HumanEarth exhibition series is under way. The latest and current installment, entitled HumanEarth.2:Re(-)Presentations, will be hosted by the North West University in Potchefstroom's Botanical Gardens Gallery. It opens on 6 April, so keep an eye on this blog for more updates and info!

Yes, fracking IS a big issue.

2011-03-07T18:48:00.000+02:00

By Dov Fedler on Africartoons.com

Rumour has it that documentary Gasland will be screened at the Labia Theatre in Cape Town on 21, 22 and 23 March. This documentary focuses on the environmental impact and behind-the-scenes-happenings around fracking, also known as hydraulic fracture mining, which is planned in our Karoo landscape.

There will also be a placard action in Cape Town around the same time, keep your eyes peeled and get involved! On Facebook, make sure to join and follow the Chase SHELL Oil out of the Karoo group, follow this link: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/home.php?sk=group_185633661460206&ap=1

....

Workshop postponed

2011-03-02T12:26:00.000+02:00

The Greening Your Art workshops has been postponed until 7-8 April!
Make sure to sign up for it by contacting Hope at VANSA on 021 465 7895 or hope@vansa.co.za

More info on this blog post: http://ecojunki.blogspot.com/2011/02/sustainble-art-workshop.html

So what's this fracking Karoo story?

2011-02-24T20:39:00.000+02:00

This all quoted from the petition I just signed:

Large parts of South Africa's beautiful, but water-poor and ecologically sensitive Karoo region are under threat of being devastated by mining operations to extract natural gas using a controversial technique called hydraulic fracturing or 'fracking'.

During fracking millions of litres of water, sand and numerous chemicals most of which are toxic, carcinogic as well as teratogenic (they include benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, xylene, ethylene glycol (antifreeze), diesel fuel, naphthalene (moth ball) compounds, boric acid, arsenic, poly nuclear organic hydrocarbons, only to name a few of 500-odd chemicals used), are pumped into boreholes at high pressure to release natural gas (called shale gas) trapped in layers of underground rock.

In the USA, where fracking has been used extensively, there have been hundreds of documented cases of this process resulting in:

- catastrophic drinking water pollution;

- air pollution;

- health concerns for humans and animals; and

- general environmental degradation.

Right now, Shell and other international and local companies are preparing to explore tens of thousands of square kilometres of land in South Africa for natural gas exploration by fracking. Most of the area under threat is already extremely water-stressed and can not afford any water to be either wasted or contaminated by the fracking process which, once in full production, may involve tens of thousands of boreholes and billions of litres of water.

There is a growing groundswell of opposition to the use of fracking in South Africa by a broad coalition of farmers, environmental organisations and ordinary citizens.

Show your support for going against allowing SHELL to use fracking in the Karoo by signing the petition!

...

Rethinking art's role in society

2011-02-24T09:31:00.001+02:00

I've read a very interesting article by Sam Bower of greenmuseum.org a few weeks ago, and realized that it's the ideal thing to share. It sparks a lot of new thoughts and questions about how and why we make art, and even though perception differs very widely from person to person looks at the ways that we might be very wrong in our way of thinking and doing things at the moment. It looks critically at the economy and funding for the arts in America. Here is an excerpt from the article:

I'm a firm believer in the notion that art, ecological thinking and social justice are essential to making sustainability work. Any culture that has lived in the same place for thousands of years has had to integrate these things. Unfortunately, we have not and are now facing a global crisis in the financial sector, ecological doom and gloom, endless wars and the increasing burdens of social injustice. One of our most powerful tools as a species, the arts, have been coopted by the dominant culture and presented back to us as a largely ornamental commodity, divorced from social and environmental responsibility. The fact is, the arts have an important role to play in healing our disconnection from each other and the Earth. As a people, we need to call attention to this.

- The Need to Circle Back, by Sam Bower

Lea Redmond, "Barcode Falls: Scanning the Land and Taking Stock", paper, 2007.

Make yourself a cup of herbal tea, and go and read the full article:
www.greenmuseum.org/generic_content.php?ct_id=309

...

2011-02-20T13:48:00.000+02:00

Have a look at photographs of this twig ball, as well as other land art on Roger Dautais blog at: rogerdautais.blogspot.com

Have a heart

2011-02-15T09:48:00.000+02:00

Ooops, a day late, but nevertheless, happy Valentine's day...

Now that you've had a nice picnic or candle-lit dinner (maybe we should start another Earth Hour on Valentine's day and make sure that everyone - even single people - enjoys a candle-lit dinner every year in February!), why not show a little more love and gift a tree?

Either go to Greenpop's website to buy a tree gift or even fruit tree gift, or follow this link and stand the chance to win a 3-night stay for 2 people at Umlani Bushcamp worth R15460 sponsored by Getaway magazine .

Read more about Greenpop and the competition...

Image: Heart by Pierre Bezuidenhout

....

OAT Biodegradable Sneakers

2011-02-08T16:04:00.000+02:00

Photo by Coriette Schoenaert

Fully biodegradable, this shoe collection from OAT is aptly named the 'Virgin Collection' with the theme of the 'Garden of Eden'. These comfy sneakers have seeds embedded in the cork soles, and will sprout into flowers (maybe even veggies, I hope) once you are ready to say goodbye to them and bury them in the back garden:)
via ecouturre for more

Photo by Peter Stigter

Mother City Craft Collective

2011-02-05T16:40:00.000+02:00

Mother City Craft Collective cc is a collective of Cape Town crafters. PLEASE take a bit of time to read about this project here: http://www.mothercitycraftcollective.co.za/about-2/. It's an incredible story and I feel that this is truly something that we can all support, even if it's just by spreading the word!

Sustainble Art Workshop

2011-02-04T09:57:00.000+02:00

GREENING YOUR ART
Basic Principles For Eco-Responsible Artmaking

7-8 April 2011 (2 days)
At VANSA Western Cape,
8 Spin Street, Cape Town
FACILITATOR: Janet Botes

COST:
Free to VANSA members
R650 for non-members

This workshop is aimed at artists who have an interest in working more sustainably, with their impact on the environment a consideration and guidance towards the production and execution of their work.

Some of the topics includes:

* Why care and change?
* Working with chemicals.
* Eco-friendly and biodegradable materials.
* Choosing your wood, charcaol, paper and other wood products.
* Recycled/waste art and crafts.
* Recycling in and outside of your studio.

About the facilitator

Janet Botes is a visual and mixed media artist whose work is inspired by nature, the landscape and environmental issues. She has initiated the Ecojunki movement, and gives art classes on an informal basis at White Rabbit Studio, as well as sessions or gatherings that aim at raising awareness for environmental issues, recycling and conservation. In the production of her own artworks, she uses found objects, non-toxic materials and reuses non-organic waste. She has a B Tech qualification in Graphic Design (cum laude), and has exhibited her art in Johannesburg, Pretoria, the Vaal Triangle and Cape Town.

To register or apply please contact Hope on 021 465 7895 or hope@vansa.co.za

More information about VANSA membership

Beautiful pipe lamps

2011-01-29T11:05:00.000+02:00

Beaven Mutapati is a crafter based in Cape Town who makes beautiful and unique lamps of african art works and patterns like the flowers in the photograph, using recycled (PVC) pipes. He cuts with various motifs and all the creations are done by hand, and makes lamps of 30 cm to 100cm in height and 20cm by 20cm for the base. You can get hold of Beaven at beavenr@gmail.com or 021 911 2825 .

WARP on the go

2011-01-29T10:21:00.000+02:00

WOODSTOCK ART REEF PROJECT

SATURDAY 29 JANUARY 2010
THE USUAL SATURDAY WARP CROCHET GATHERING
11am to 4pm in the BLUE STUDIO
V&A Waterfront Blue Shed.
ALL WELCOME

UPCOMING EVENTS

SPECIAL PRESENTATION AT BLUE STUDIO
WARP INTRODUCTION EVENT
SAT 5 FEBRUARY
ALL WELCOME!

WOODSTOCK CROCHET GATHERINGS
Continue on a Thursday morning in the Woodstock Library
9.30am to 12.30am
ALL WELCOME

For more information about WARP go to their site at www.artreefproject.ning.com or the WARP page on the Ecojunki website

Green Point Biodiversity Garden

2011-01-27T12:11:00.000+02:00

Do you know about the Biodiversity Garden in Green Point? If not, go and read the Green Point Park and Biodiversity Garden post on Mother City Living, eloquently described by Rosanne Stanway, and illustrated by photographs by D Kirkwood. And then head down to Green Point to walk among the many indigenous, flavourful and beautiful plant species!

Recycled Venetian Blind Chandelier - beautiful

2011-01-21T10:15:00.000+02:00

I found this chandelier in the google world this morning and it's lovely - called Blindshine - it surely saved the venetian blinds from becoming landfill rubbish, also the top base is an old Tupperware lid - rad. The designer Christine Lupo wants others to be inspired to look at the possibilities of objects before they throw it away.
full article

Photos of HumanEarth: Conversation

2011-01-20T11:45:00.000+02:00

Remember about tonight's Performance and Live Art event! Let's take the conversation to a new volume.

Update: see images from the event, taken by Janet Ranson

HumanEarth: Conversation Event

2011-01-18T17:17:00.000+02:00

Perform or come and watch

2011-01-17T09:17:00.000+02:00

As part of the first HumanEarth exhibition showing at Wessel Snyman Creative at the moment, we're going to do a performance art event on Thursday evening from 6pm. We're still planning and arranging some of the 'acts', and anyone can take part.

As you might know already, the theme is around human interaction with nature - the ways that we either harm or help the natural environment - and the exhibition as well as event is aimed at promoting and initiating conversation and dialogue around this.

If you're interested in participating - either behind the scenes or as a performance artist, contact nastasha797@gmail.com or ecojunki@gmail.com

Viva for making things happen!!

Recycled Art by ms Cal Lane

2011-01-14T15:25:00.000+02:00

pretty oil drum

Taking something that people discard/avoid/dislike, and making it into something so beautiful and dainty is quite a challenge, but the artist Cal Lane has opened my eyes to all the possibilities around us. She is such an inspiration. Working with material like rusted oil cans, old car doors, wheel barrows, sheet metal, etc. is tough enough - but she handles here material with such gentleness that it becomes the most intriguing recycled art.
see more work here

recycled. car. love.

[signing off IsaBeauPeep]

Oooh, found another Inspiring Blog

2011-01-08T09:53:00.000+02:00

www.environmentalartblog.com

Calling all aspiring film makers!!

2011-01-06T10:45:00.000+02:00

An International Eco Film Competition

Competition Dates: February 18 - 20, 2011

"As a 48HFP filmmaker, you are part of an international community of filmmakers - the creative and the bold. We think you are the best people to draw attention to the environmental challenges the world faces. To that end, we have created a new 48HFP competition: the 48 Go Green!

Just like other 48 Hour Film events, this contest challenges you to make a narrative short film in only 48 hours - writing, shooting, and editing the film. "

http://www.48gogreen.com/

A new leaf

2011-01-06T10:08:00.000+02:00

It's a new year and everyone that I've been speaking to is amped and ready for new challenges, opportunities and for making a difference in a way that makes the most sense to each of each.

COPART (Connecting Out Planet And Re-imagining Together) is planning their second Climate Fluency Exchange for February, and have many more plans and pipeline projects - head on over to COPART's blog to read the plans for 2011!

The first HumanEarth Exhibition is happening from next week - check our previous post for the information /invitation to the opening.

This is an invitation to all of the Ecojunki members, supporters and enthusiasts.
If you would like to post updates on the Ecojunki blog about environmental-related events, creative ideas and other related eco or art stuff, please email Janet at ecojunki@gmail.com to be added on the author list. A few artists and friends are already on the author list and able to contribute to the blog.

On 15 January there will be an informal Ecojunki workshop or gathering. It will be during the morning from about 10am and be finished at 12am. Venue to be confirmed next week. Keep the space open in your schedule! ------ gathering postponed to February!! WATCH THIS SPACE.

Hope that your first experiences in 2011 is all happy, hopeful and inspired.

HUMANEARTH: conversation

2011-01-04T12:43:00.000+02:00

Climate and our oceans

2010-12-13T09:12:00.000+02:00

Wow! Last week was a week to be remembered!! With the successful and inspiring commencing of the first Climate Fluency Exchange and the opening of Plastikos at the Two Oceans Aquarium, it was a week for our planet in Cape Town. Read more about the week at www.dontcopoutcopart.blogspot.com

Participants during a creative expression session reflecting on the week's talks, realizations and thought, during the final day of the first COPART Climate Fluency Exchange (image from the COPART blog)

This week don't miss the Public presentation on 14 December: Meet 5 Gyres Institute founders Anna Cummins and Marcus Eriksen, which will be held at 1pm at the Metropolitan Health Group and Qualsa Think Tank, Two Oceans Aquarium.

Anna Cummins and Marcus Eriksen (image from Two Oceans Aquarium)

I had a read this morning on Simon Bannister's blog. Here is an excerpt:

We have to move forward
It is the way
Round and round
Together we swim
Predator and prey ,
With every turn, the hunger burns
Yes and no, light and shadow.

Reflections true, in hope’s heart they flicker
The picture is complete but the pieces too many.
Scattered like dust, they swirl and fracture
shards of progress, fire moulded to desire.

These banished goods, now cast into the darkness
Broken and twisted, come back to haunt us.
Now, we gaze upon an alien world.
Poison in our spaceship dear, attacked by the virus of fear
The monster must be overcome, it’s treasure won.

Nature’s indifference, moves with the elements
Cause and reaction say, all is fair while forever at play
And where can we find common ground?
Oh yes, once more we swim around.

Read the rest on his blog: www.simontothemax.blogspot.com

...

Updates on COPART's first CFE

2010-12-07T17:59:00.000+02:00

Go and have a look on www.dontcopoutcopart.blogspot.com for daily updates about COPART's first Climate Fluency Exchange!

Check out CURB

2010-12-03T11:45:00.000+02:00

From sandcastles to dirt-stenciling, Curb is doing advertising naturally. Here's a blurb from their What we Do page:

A natural media company

So what's the twig idea? We want to prove that effective and engaging media can be natural and sustainable. To realize our goal, we have a wealth of operational, media and production expertise in every natural material you can imagine. Whether it’s covering a building in flowers, building an exact replica of Windsor castle out of sand or creating a fully fledged amazonian forest in a city centre we can help advise on any creative brief and deliver it naturally and flawlessly.

Check them out at www.curbmedia.com
Let's do this in South Africa too!

First COPART Climate Fluency Exchange!

2010-11-22T14:58:00.000+02:00

The first Connecting Our Planet & Re-imagining Together (COPART) Climate Fluency Exchange (CFE), scheduled from the 4th-10th December 2010, in Cape Town. The CFE aims to turn complex climate change information into accessible ways of knowing, as well as accessible practices in our lives. The CFE facilitates a transdisciplinary intersection between scientists and artists; activists and creatives as well as the general public.

This CFE is the first of seven scheduled between December 2010- December 2011, these are week-long social learning processes that facilitates creative and innovative participation and learning for artists, activists, scientists and the public. This event is also strategically scheduled to run concurrently with the COP16 climate negotiations in Cancun, Mexico. Activities, concepts, ideas, comments and other forms of communication will be sent to a parallel exhibition within COP16.

There will be interactive public activities scheduled for the weekend of the 4th-5th of December, which include public artworks and mobile installations/performances on trains, by the sea side, within the Company gardens and at Iziko Natural History Museum. The rest of the week we will offer a variety of different talks, presentations, film screenings & other showings of artworks/performances.

What makes this week different is that there will be facilitated artful processes that will encourage participants to explore various different artistic genres and "ways of knowing", the turn the information we will be exchanging, into real lived alternatives or practices.

If you would like to know more or find out details on how you can participate contact Dylan armadylan@gmail.com

The COPART CFE is kindly funded by:

Don't miss the Hout Bay Green Faire!

2010-11-22T10:45:00.000+02:00

Have a look at this call for participation for the Hout Bay Green Faire! This looks like it could be a lot of fun!! Get in touch with them ASAP at info@envirochild.org, 072 797 0904 or 021 790 6696 if you're interested...

Please join us to trade or participate

in the HOUT BAY GREEN FAIRE

on Sat 27 Nov

at Kronendal Primary school, Hout Bay
Please see invite attached...

We are desperately looking for artsist who can put up, or make a installation out of recycled materials on the day.

If you require any information please do not hesitate to contact us....

The first annual Eco Kids Film Initiative is CALLING FOR ENTRIES.

2010-11-09T14:44:00.001+02:00

EKFI is scheduled to take place from October 3 to October 7, 2011, in Cape Town, SA.

Through films that are entertaining, educational, and above all inspirational it is EKFI’s goal to inspire real change through the children of today and generations to come by promoting a proactive strategy to environmental awareness through film as medium. As part of our outreach programme the selected films will also do a short (no more than five screenings) tour of township schools after the official film festival.

The films should be between 2 minutes to 15 minutes in length. We accept documentaries and narratives that are either live-action or animated. The films should be made with children in mind; not necessarily be about children. There should be a strong environmental theme, which could be about a particular environmental issue, for example pollution, recycling, organic farming; about the beauty of nature; or about a community, organization or individual that is making a difference.

Entries should reach us no later than 28 February, 2011. The filmmakers will be notified no later than 31 July, 2011.

For more information and the entry form please visit:
http://whileyouweresleeping.wordpress.com or email Tarien Roux info.ekfi@gmail.com

2010-11-09T14:31:00.000+02:00

I saw this on the Cape Town Talent Exchange Announcements list, and immediately decided to post it here so more people can see:

"PLEASE DONATE PRIZES

Western Cape-based NGO, Soil for Life exists to help alleviate poverty and hunger in the area by teaching people to grow their own food.

We’d like to reward the Best Soil for Life Home Food Gardeners for 2010 by awarding some really useful prizes at our annual prize-giving. If you can assist us with prizes – or know a business that can donate any of the following in good condition (new or used) - we would be very grateful: small kitchen appliances or cooking pots and utensils, bedding, clothing for adults and children, good books, toiletries and dry food stuffs.

We are also prepared to swap some of our talents for suitable prizes and collect donations in the area.

Your donation will be appreciated and acknowledged. Donations are required by Friday, November 19, 2010.

Soil for Life has helped hundreds of people to build up poor soil, dig trench beds and cultivate seedlings outside their homes to grow good, organic veggies. This means that fewer families are going to bed hungry and more people are eating healthily. In addition, people are being taught to use the exchange system to build community spirit. Skills taught include hot box methods of cooking to save on electricity, food preserving methods to deal with surplus crops, creative use of waste and a lot besides.

Visit www.soilforlife.co.za to read more."

Plastic Bottle Caps - Re-Use Them!

2010-11-08T12:27:00.000+02:00

How to seal a bag and make it air-tight!

Cut up a disposable water bottle and keep the neck and top.

The bottle is made to be air-tight, such that water will not leak,the secret lies with the top and screw...

Tyres and clay = building a centre!

2010-11-05T09:07:00.000+02:00

Yesterday I went with Nick Ralphs from Tierra Construction Projects to look at the earth-tyre recycling centre that they're putting up in Khayalitsha. The walls are made up of tyres, earth and hard labour. They are stacked like bricks and then earth beaten in to fill each tyre - each tyre gets about two and a half wheelbarrow's worth of earth!!

They’re doing this as an iniative with one of the major waste recyclers where they will set up a ‘swop-shop’. The concept is that they will trade defective, but usable, waste-products (like pens with the logo on skew, etc) for tins, bottles, etc. This is targeted mainly at the local schools and children. It is intended that some of the revenue generated from the collected recyclables will pay a small wage to the centre manager/ess.

Nick from Tierra, and David - the other driving force behind the project - are currently receiving no funding, and are funding the project themselves. Most of the labour is voluntary too, and this is really hard work! I am currently recruiting and looking for artists who would love to join in with the final stages of their project, when the structure and openings between the tyres will be filled with tin cans, clay and straw, and creative adornments such as mosaic added (see an example of an 'earthship' below). I believe that it's going to be a lot of fun and that this is a really worthy project to be part of.

If you want to assist in any way or can help with funding/fund-raising, contact Nick Ralphs at 021 396 2577 / 084 280 7028, or info@tierraprojects.co.za. If you're an artist and would like to get involved on the fun, creative side, then contact me, Janet, at artlovenature@gmail.com.

earthshiphomes.info