1 May for RMR Makana Green Fun Run. May Day – Workers Day – will be a going green heyday with the RMR Makana Green Fun Run. This annual event is a highlight on university and community calendars.
1 May for RMR Makana Green Fun Run. May Day – Workers Day – will be a going green heyday with the RMR Makana Green Fun Run. This annual event is a highlight on university and community calendars.
Registration starts at 3pm on the Drostdy Lawns – behind the Drostdy Arch, Somerset Street – and the run begins at 16h30.
Anyone can get involved. Makana Tourism is firmly on-board, helping ensure that the event is inclusive and widely publicised. Students at Rhodes, as well as local businesses interest groups, NGOs and schools are also stakeholders. And RMR is at the helm with great vibes.
Businesses can sponsor scholars from disadvantaged backgrounds. It’s a great way to promote your organisation – and you don’t even have to run or walk!
Organisations that promote sustainability are welcome to set up a display or food stall – though please no plastic waste.
All donations will go to a carefully selected beneficiary organisation.
Contact 046 603 7205 (o/h) or environment@ru.ac.za or visit www.ru.ac.za/greenliving/greenfunrun
Environment is Essential for Human Rights
Holding a Green Fun Run on Workers’ Day sharpens the focus not only on the historical struggles of workers, but also on the call for human rights. These can only be met in the context of a clean and healthy environment.
The SA Constitution places environmental rights firmly within the context of human rights. Section 24 states: “Everyone has the right to an environment that is not harmful to their health or well-being.”
Future generations are not forgotten. Section 24 continues: “…have the environment protected for the benefit of present and future generations, through reasonable legislative and other measures that:
•prevent pollution and ecological degradation;
•promote conservation;
•secure ecologically sustainable development and use of natural resources, while promoting justifiable economic and social development.”
We, and future generations, have a right to be protected from polluted air, water, soil and food. And a right to be protected from conditions that would impact negatively on our well-being.
If people in this country cannot enjoy a reasonable quality of life, one is tempted to ask, “Has the government failed to take reasonable steps to prevent pollution, protect biodiversity, and adopt a sustainable approach to development?” Good people, we need to stand up for our rights.
Environmental Week to showcase Rhodent activism
From April 18 to 22, student environmental groups, in collaboration with their SRC Environmental Councillor and the Safety Health and Environmental Officer at Rhodes, will host a series of events and info sessions on campus and some venues in town. Groups involved include Galela Amanzi and WildREACH – previous Environmental Award winners – and RU Green, Common Ground and Rhodes Organisation for Animal Rights. Members of the public are welcome to attend.
More info: 046 603 7205 (o/h) or environment@ru.ac.za
The Horny Issue – Breaking the Brand
Many tourists visit the Eastern Cape to enjoy a malaria-free safari. They are willing to pay for the thrill of seeing the Big Five in our unique and beautiful province. But another wave of poaching is threatening this industry, and our rhinos.
Rhino horn has no medicinal value – it is made up of keratin, just like our fingernails. However, according to Save the Rhino Foundation, there is still a growing demand for rhino horn in Asian countries, mainly Vietnam. Some users hope that it will cure serious diseases like cancer, and some rich men still use it in preference to Viagra. A third user group is wealthy people who use genuine rhino horn to boost their social status.
Showing tragic pictures of poached rhinos has NO effect on these consumers, because they have NO affinity with the animal. Thorough research by Breaking the Brand has found that (i) if the users perceive that their use of rhino horn will have a negative impact on their social status, and (ii) they have doubts about the safety of the product, then is highly likely that demand will decrease.
#whenthebuyingstopsthekillingwilltoo
Breaking the Brand, a powerful international movement to stop rhino killing, has a clear strategy. It may take time, but a demand reduction campaign tackles the underlying problem. The basic strategy is: (i) Identify the user groups. (ii) Find out their true motivations for using the product. (iii) Get a clear overview of the patterns. (iv) Draw up potential reasons to stop using, and check these against the actual user groups. (v) Identify the most effective communication channels. (vi) Design campaign messages and test.
Breaking the Brand is supported by Save African Rhino Foundation. Contact lynn@breakingthebrand.org or visit www.breakingthebrand.org
To report suspected poachers or dealers, call SAPS Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or the DEA Environmental Crimes & Incidents Hotline 0800 205 005.
Find us Online: www.grocotts.co.za/environews
Contacts for Makana Enviro-News:
Nikki Köhly: n.kohly@ru.ac.za, 046 603 7205 | Jenny Gon: j-gon@intekom.co.za, 046 622 5822 | Nick James: nickjames@intekom.co.za, 082 575 9781 | Philip Machanick: p.machanick@ru.ac.za, 046 603 8635 | Tim Bull: timothybull05@aol.com, 076 289 5122; Rod Amner r.amner@ru.ac.za, 046 603 7123; Gill Rennie g.rennie@ru.ac.za, 046 603 7122, 073 245 1922.
