Nowadays, cities seem to be the places to be for more and more people. For one, they can get access to better services, like water and sewage. In fact, the United Nations says that, between 1998 and 2008 alone, 1 052 million people accessed better drinking water in cities. A whopping 813 million accessed better sanitation, and the numbers are …
Pushed aside, Atlantis once took the lead for water wise cities
In fiction, Atlantis is a city that fell out of favour with the deities and sank to the bottom of the ocean. In South Africa, the town of Atlantis had similarly volatile dealings with the powers that be. But, it will go down in history books as a place that rose above one of its biggest challenges. Placed far away …
Gough: The remote island that brings the weather close to home
Every October, a small crowd gathers at the East Pier Quay at Cape Town to welcome the SA Agulhas II home. On-board is a small group of people that just spent a year at one of the most remote places on Earth with a constant human presence. It’s called Gough Island. The Subantarctic and Antarctic are extreme regions both in …
Durban plans to keep it informal
Embracing informal settlements and nature are part of the dramatic transformation that could be part of Durban’s development plans.
A brutal drought in Kruger, a beautiful lesson from nature
It was a warm and sunny day, perfect for visitors to soak-up the world-renowned wildlife sightings of the Kruger National Park. But not everybody enjoyed what the wilderness put on display. It was a hippopotamus. She was stuck in the mud left behind in the wake of the river’s retreat. Too hot, she lay panting under the brutal sun. Too …
Ten top tips to save water in the garden
Gardens are some of my favourite things, but can be like thirsty sponges that suck up hundreds of litres of water. Good for the mind, and the heart, your garden should also be good to the planet that it grows on. To save water in your garden is a great place to start. (If you are wondering why this matters, …
Why does drought happen?
Drought can be catastrophic. For good reason, people refer to times of extreme drought as water crises. Farmers, industries and cities have been brought to their knees by it. But, have you ever asked yourself why does drought happen? Very simply put, drought happens, because it is part of how the planet works. If you live in a city, it’s …