Sewage Update
Six weeks ago, the Kowie Catchment Campaign contacted Makana’s Municipal Manager requesting urgent intervention with regard to ongoing sewage leaks. Dr Naidoo assured the KCC that within 14 days, they would receive a consolidated response.
Sewage Update
Six weeks ago, the Kowie Catchment Campaign contacted Makana’s Municipal Manager requesting urgent intervention with regard to ongoing sewage leaks. Dr Naidoo assured the KCC that within 14 days, they would receive a consolidated response.
Despite this and the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) section 28 compliance notice served on the Municipality in 2010, there has been no meaningful action. The NEMA directive – to prevent pollution and degradation of the environment – should be taken seriously. If the Municipality fails to allocate budget to address the problem, the Green Scorpions can act. Carte Blanche could have a field day in Makana.
More at: www.kowiecatchmentcampaign.org.za/Sewerage.html
Sustainable Sewage Solution
The Institute for Environmental Biotechnology has perfected an algae-based waste water treatment system which could solve some of Makana’s woes. The Institute's integrated algal ponding system efficiently removes suspended solids and coliform bacteria, is easy to operate and has low running costs. It has no need for sludge disposal and produces high quality outflow, plus high-value by-products such as ‘green’ fertilisers, health and commodity products.
Prof Keith Cowan, director of the Institute, notes that the system can also augment existing waste water treatment plants in South Africa. Best of all, the spin-offs from the system would create employment opportunities, biotech industries, and promote greater financial independence in Makana.
More info: www.ru.ac.za/ebru
GM crop yields disappoint
A recent newsflash circulated by Tony Fluxman challenged, “Are GM crops really more productive and better at eliminating pests?”
A member of Earthworm Interest Group SA, Bill Kerr – who has many years of experience in the seed industry – responded. He reported that one of his clients planted a few lands of maize with GM (genetically modified) Roundup-ready maize and was disappointed with the yields.
Realising that this did not provide conclusive evidence, they decided to conduct a meaningful experiment. They planted alternating strips of eight rows each of GM Bt maize and conventional maize in a field.
At harvesting time, the harvester went down the alternate rows and the yields of each row were measured. They consistently got two tonnes less yield on the Bt maize.
Farmers in Australia and the US are also experiencing inferior GM yields, and are turning to the law to seek compensation from companies that have duped them into using GM seed. The GM “Feed the World” slogan is considered a “Trojan horse for a new form of colonialism”.
It’s not altogether surprising that farmers are increasingly rejecting GM seed, and consumers are demanding mandatory labelling of all GMO-containing foods.
Free Fish Movie
The discovery of the coelacanth in 1938 caused a sensation in the scientific world. It is the sole surviving member of a very old group of fishes called the actinistians. All other members of this ‘dinosaur fish’ group became extinct. December 2013 marks the 75th anniversary of the discovery of the coelacanth off the coast near East London.
All are welcome to attend a free showing of “Dinofish”, a 48-minute documentary to be shown as part of National Science Week.
Date: Tuesday 30 July 2013
Time: 18.00
Venue: Eden Grove Red, Rhodes University.
More info: Vanessa at the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, 046 603 5800
Nikki Köhly: n.kohly@ru.ac.za, 046 603 7205 | Jenny Gon: j-gon@intekom.co.za, 046 622 5822 | Ruth Krueger: g10k2679@campus.ru.ac.za, 076 295 8045 | Nick James: nickjames@intekom.co.za, 082 575 9781 | Philip Machanick: p.machanick@ru.ac.za, 046 603 8635 | Strato Copteros: strato@iafrica.com, 082 785 6403
