plastikos exhibition @ two oceans aquariumIn recognition of National Marine Month last month the Two Oceans Aquarium has created a stunning new exhibit at which visitors can discover creatures from the mythological floating island of waste called Plastikos. The exhibition is produced by Simon MAX Bannister, and is a unique exhibition that aims to raise awareness about waste - particularly plastic and micro plastic - and its impact on the oceans, through art. The works are made from reclaimed polyethylene plastic which MAX collected by hand from the shorelines, roadsides and landfills of South Africa. Plastikos will be on display in the Aquarium until the end of January 2011.

The exhibit is incorporated into the Atlantic Ocean Gallery of the Aquarium, Plastikos includes giant sculptures, a spectacular backlit plastic rendition of the Earth, as well as an

coral reef in the southern red seaIt's that time of year when we all want to be spending more time out of doors and soaking up some of SA's great weather and head to the beach. This week is National Marine week and I learned something new: sunscreen swimmers wear is harming coral reefs. This was the finding of a study done back in 2008 by Roberto Danovaro of the Polytechnic University of Marche in Italy. They discovered that ingredients in sunscreen were responsible for killing off coral reefs. They estimated that 4,000 to 6,000 tons of sunscreen were released annually in reef areas.

Millstone at Oude MolenThis is close to my heart, as, if like me, you're a Capetonian, then you will have spent time in this beautiful space.

Sign the petition here

New regulations now state the SA Government no longer has to pass Environmental Impact studies for urban developments. This seriously impacts on the future of the Cape Town based Eco village. Now the plans for mass low cost housing initiated by the ANC Provincial Government can go ahead unchallenged!

global climate work partyThis weekend 350.org is promoting events around the world to reduce our impact on the planet with their Global Work Party 10/10/10 campaign. The campaign has been given a huge boost with the announcement that the Obama administration plans to put solar panels on the First Family's living quarters at the White House, returning to a tradition begun by president Jimmy Carter and abandoned by Ronald Reagan.

Around Cape Town at the end of last month you may have come across some strange crime scenes in the city: chalk marks and tape but no body, just the outline of an animal. This is the work of CSI-Cape Town’s “Rhino Patrol”, a group of citizens who are concerned about the fate of one of our most beloved animals - the rhino.

Last month the spotlight was firmly on rhino, as it was save the rhino month, and September 20th was save the rhino day. There has been wide press coverage of the poaching recently, with a poaching syndicate busted just last month. Yet more and more rhino are being poached – over 200 have been killed this year alone and that number's rising.

The population of rhinos in South Africa is about 19 000 white rhinos and just 1,670 black rhino. Rhinos are one of the oldest creatures on earth, and we are wiping them off the face of the earth.

The Biodiversity Showcase Garden at Cape Town's Green Point Urban Park was launched a couple of days ago and I went along to take a look at what has been taking shape beyond the fence. Calling it a garden is a bit of a misnomer as this doesn't quite convey the sense of what it is all about. This is not a space merely to observe pretty plants (you won't find any daffodils, hydrangeas or roses here!), rather in the botanical sense, it is a place to immerse yourself in our unique flora: you will leave here a changed person, inspired and ready to do your bit for furthering biodiversity.

This is a superbly landscaped biodiversity experience in the middle of an urban park. You are aware of being in the city: it is a fynbos-urban mashup with lots of interest to hold your attention. The setting is spectacular, being bounded by

Training courses on sustainability – for you 'jo public' (Jhb and CT)
The team at icologie (Grace, Andy and Andrew) now offer Smart Living (remember the handbook?) to South Africans at large. The courses give practical advice on how to preserve resources and often save money in the areas of energy, water, waste and biodiversity. There are 5 courses: practical solutions, sustainability and climate change, event greening, sustainable business implementation, and sustainable business strategy. Visit www.icologie.com, or

New rhino poaching hotline
The endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) is protecting the rhino with a hotline for anyone to use. If you are aware of any illegal or suspicious activities concerning rhino poaching or the sale, movement and or trade in their horns.

No kak (design that gives a damn) finalists announced
In August 2010, 20 finalists were selected for their eco design concepts, submitted as story boards , during the competition's first selection round. These "Fresh Talent" now have the opportunity to create life size prototypes of their design ideas, using natural, organic and waste materials  sourced from South African suppliers with clean efficient processes, such as "made by hand" and "local sourced and produced". The eco design prototypes will be showcased at next year's Design Indaba in Cape Town. For more visit nokak.com

pic: Seaweed Lamp by Wren

Arum lily season is here! You'll know this because at any number of lights around the city, some well-meaning chap will thrust a bunch at your window. And the temptation to buy these gorgeous flowers is enormous.

I've been aware that one shouldn't buy as they're being picked in the wild, destroying the natural balance of what remains of the natural wetlands, wild places and roadsides along which they grow (they're regarded as one of the wild flowers of the flower route and indicated in reports on the flowers).

But what I didn't know is that the endangered arum lily micro frog breeds in the water and dew held in the cup of these lilies.

pic: outdoorphoto.com

Bet you thought the day could never come. All this blarney about fish running out is just part of the whole green thing, people are just over-reacting, as usual... right?

Wrong. The prediction is that if we continue fishing as we are now, we will see the end of most seafood by 2048.

Imagine, for a moment, an ocean without fish. Your meals without seafood. Imagine the global consequences. This if the future if we do not stop, think and act.

The End of the Line is a film that reveals the impact of overfishing on our oceans and our global love affair with fish as food.

The major feature doccie premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2009, is screening overseas at the moment, and is due in South Africa in September at a cinema near you.

giraffe in kruger national park by arno and louise from fotopediaPenguin chicks perish in the cold

Frigid weather and strong winds have taken their toll on African penguins on islands offshore of Port Elizabeth.

Nearly 500 chicks living on Bird Island died over a 24-hour period early this week, more than half the island's juvenile population.

More died on St Croix Island, home to the largest breeding colony in South Africa, but because of heavy seas, SA National Parks officials have not been able to count the dead birds.

Spokesperson Megan Taplin said the deaths were concerning because the penguin population in South Africa was already in decline.

She said it was normal for about a third of the chicks to die with the first cold weather every winter, but this time a lot more had died.