With the second week of COP17 in full swing, here is our newscast on the latest and most important stories, side-line news, events and more...

what will the outcomes post-kyoto hold?

A new way forward? Kyoto lives on?

The Kyoto Protocol comes to an end in 2012 and a resolution on the second-commitment period is now no longer a question of if but how.

With intense debates over GHG (greenhouse gas) emission policies taking centre-stage this week at COP17, the outcomes and details of a legally-binding treaty are still very much a deliberated topic. Opinions are varied and some nations remain unhappy with certain targets and agreements.

However, it is not all doom and gloom, and there is good news within the realms of treaty discussions. China, the world's worst emitter, publically announced late last week that it

The world’s poorest people are on the frontlines of climate change, with everything to lose and little to cushion the blow of its far-reaching impacts. A new position paper by the Ecosystems and Livelihoods Adaptation Network illustrates how empowering local communities to pursue sustainable livelihoods while managing their natural resources can contribute to better adaptation in the face of climate change.

The paper, titled Integrating Community and Ecosystem-based Approaches in Climate Change Adaptation Responses, is part of a partnership that includes IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature), CARE International, the International Institute for Environment and Development and WWF (World Wildlife Fund). It asserts that integrating approaches to

The I-WEC Story

How many engineering companies, or any other manufacturing concern for that matter, have a witch as their logo? Not many conventional companies for sure. That I-WEC's full name is a bit of a tongue twister also makes them stand out - Isivunguvungu Wind Energy Converter! Logos and names aside, these guys are working their magic in the local wind energy sector, that's for sure.

I-WEC recently launched it's turbine manufacturing facility with the arrival of a giant mould that will be used to manufacture wind turbine blades in South Africa for the first time. With all the Wind Energy development projects lined up, I-WEC will play an important role in the proliferation of local green-collar jobs.

"Something is happening, something new, something exciting, something with future", says Michael Kast, IWEC Managing Director.

Looking at their launch video, the

HSI

The Humane Society International is pressing policymakers to address animal agriculture’s role in global warming during the UN conferences in Durban.

COP17, the United Nations’ climate change conference, opened this week with hopes for a global agreement that will stave off the most dangerous impacts of climate change.

Given animal agriculture’s significant contributions to the climate crisis (see this report), the Humane Society International believes that conference outcomes should include policies to reduce the animal agriculture sector’s greenhouse gas emissions.

Richard Calland hosting COPpuccinoThe University of Cambridge Programme of Sustainable Leadership has created an "Oasis of fresh thinking and leadership for a low climate risk economy" just outside the ICC. Their COPpuccino talks are well worth tuning in for as they feature thought leaders with international profiles and international networks.

Guests have included: Christina Figueres (UNFCCC Executive Director), Kumi Naidoo (Greenpeace Executive Director), Stefan Raubenheimer (SouthSouthNorth), Laurence Brahm (The Himalayan Consensus).

The discussions are hosted by the astute Prof Richard Calland of IDASA and the media get to ask guests questions afterwards.

If you're not in Durban the COPpuccino talks are being recorded for viewing on

Zolani Mahola: Freshlyground "Taking a stand" for COP17. Are you?COP17 "Take a stand" with Freshlyground

Together we can create more awareness in order to drive a unified solution to Climate Change. Freshlyground have re-written the lyrics to their hit song "Doo Be Doo" especially for COP 17. Please share this new version of "Doo Be Doo - Take a Stand" across the country.

Blog about it, like it, tweet it, embed it, burn it, copy it, tell your local Radio station…. or just sing it! See below links to the new version.

1. Download the Song - FREE!

2. Download the Ringtone

3. Watch the Video

It’s easy to do knowing we all have the right to Take a Stand for free!

Zolani Mahola, lead singer of Freshlyground, and Leigh Wood, Producer of the youth program “It’s Up to US” on 50/50, co-wrote a new

the fate of our planet?

South Africa is generally considered the leader on the African continent, but not always for the right reasons. While it is deliberated that SA is Africa’s economic and industrial powerhouse, it has come with a price – South Africa is by far the worst polluter and GHG (greenhouse gas) emitter on the continent.

Global climate change is possibly the greatest environmental challenge facing the world this century. But ‘global warming’ is really about the serious disruptions of the world’s weather and climate patterns including impacts on rainfall, extreme weather events and sea level rise, rather than just the temperature increase which may be considered moderate compared to other more severe effects.

It is largely regarded (and warned) that the developing world, especially Africa, will be

Plans for locally manufactured multi-megawatt turbines: A milestone for our local green economy?

The intimidating size of the blade mould was obvious

Last week marked the launch of I-WEC’s rotor blade workshop, together with Western Cape Economic Development MEC Alan Winde and Connect’d Cape Town. Now we will see for the first time in history wind turbine blades manufactured in our very own country. With the Western Cape government’s ambitious target for renewable energy at 15% by 2014, I guess it’s about time.

From the Heart of the World

Exploding Cinema and Cafe Ganesh present another documovie screening this Wednesday, 30th November. From the Heart of the World: The Elder Brothers' Warning is being shown as part of this season's documentary screenings.

This beautiful, sobering documentary from 1990 carries a strong warning from a remote South American tribe that cautions us, the “younger brothers”, to give up our self-destructive ways and honour the planet, before it is too late.

After four centuries of seclusion

Trans African Climate Caravan of HopeThe 17th Conference of the Parties literally got off to a slow start yesterday, with Pres. Zuma arriving on Africa Time. There were also rumours of Canada backing out of the Kyoto Protocol before Christmas and fears of the Kyoto Protocol being "murdered on African soil". Will Occupy COP17 become a force to be reckoned with and dare you drink the water? More after the jump!

President Zuma urges a "balanced, fair and credible" outcome.
The Pres arrived over a half an hour late for the opening of COP17, with proceedings only getting underway by 10.41. "You have before you the responsibility to re-affirm the multilateral rules-based system undercut by the Kyoto Protocol," said Zuma. He warned that Africa is particularly vulnerable to climate change and called on delegates to