Reaching for the stars

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So much more than tree-hugging... The importance of being environmentally friendly is constantly highlighted in the media – that’s not new. What has changed is that people have become really creative about making a difference. Most of us have adopted the ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ regimen on some level in our homes or at the office, but a heightened awareness of environmental concern demands a constant stream of new approaches and new ideas. We salute two such initiatives: COP17 and Climate Smart. Big expectations for COP17 climate change conference in Durban At the end of November, 20 000 delegates from more than 190 countries will descend on Durban to attend the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) tasked with finding a solution to the global threat of human-made climate change. Since 1995, UN signatory countries (called ‘parties’) have been meeting each year to tackle key climate change issues such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions. If we continue to emit greenhouse gases at current rates, we risk warming the earth’s atmosphere by more than five degrees by the end of the century and seriously damaging both our natural environment and society. Measured per capita, South Africa is one of the worst offenders, particularly among developing nations. In fact, South Africa emits more carbon dioxide than the rest of Africa combined. Our record on a global level is equally poor: over 80% of the world’s emissions come from 15 countries and South Africa, at number 13, is one of them. This year, the pressure is on to secure a new global climate agreement or a second commitment period for the Kyoto Protocol, which is a legally binding measure committing countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. (The Kyoto Protocol’s first commitment period comes to an end in 2012.) There’s been resistance by some countries, most notably the USA – the largest greenhouse gas emitter – who feel the restriction of emissions will have a negative impact on their economies. But there’s hope that a new climate agreement or second commitment period will be reached, forcing developed countries to reduce their emissions and addressing the growing emissions from developing countries. Other pivotal issues likely to be discussed in Durban will be a carbon budget, including securing longterm finance for climate action and deforestation. South Africa’s International Relations Minister, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, has singled out ‘adaption, adaption, adaption’ as a key highlight of what needs to come out of the COP17 conference. Carrotmobbing comes to Africa Since 2008, Carrotmob events have been organised all over the world and Africa’s first Carrotmob event took place recently in Cape Town. The Climate Smart Cape Town campaign team decided to target restaurants for their first Carrotmob. A number of restaurants were invited to submit a proposal outlining what they would commit to, and the business with the most ambitious bid was awarded the event. Hundreds turned up at Maria’s Café in Gardens for a drink, great food and music to support the owner’s commitment to use all the revenue earned from the event to: • Set up a communal composting system for use by neighbouring restaurants and residents. • Establish an urban garden to grow herbs and fresh produce for the restaurant. • Produce a manual to guide the hospitality industry how to operate more sustainably. • Educate staff, suppliers and customers. • Use natural or organic products and services. • Invest in solar panels. • Buy Green Electricity Certificates(see opposite). What is Carrotmob? Carrotmob is a global movement aimed at creating social change. It builds on the power of consumers to change the way businesses operate. A large group of customers ‘mob’ a business on a certain day, buying goods and services; in return, the business agrees to invest a certain percentage of the profits into improving its environmental or social impact. A Carrotmob uses a ‘carrot’ instead of a ‘stick’ to change business behaviour. Basically, it’s a ‘buycott’ instead of a ‘boycott’. 8 ASTRAPAK NEWS
Courtesy of Plastics|SA and Plastics Europe. ASTRAPAK NEWS 9
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Reaching for the stars

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