insert_link Health / Medical Dangerous chemicals found in recycled plastics, making them unsafe for use – experts explain the hazards By Bethanie Carney Almroth, University of Gothenburg and Eric Carmona Martinez, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ Plastic pollution is a menace worldwide. Plastics are now found in every environment on the planet, from the deepest seas to the atmosphere and human bodies. Scientific evidence describing harm to the environment and humans is growing. Hence, the United Nations has resolved to negotiate a legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution. […] todayJanuary 17, 2024 11
insert_link Local Old Mutual Foundation’s little green ambassadors initiative announces winning schools By Mignon du Preez, Group Marketing, Public Affairs and Sustainability Executive, Old Mutual Namibia The Old Mutual Foundation is thrilled to announce the triumphant conclusion of the groundbreaking Little Green Ambassadors Initiative. Amidst fierce competition, 28 primary schools outshone, having been chosen from a pool of 100 remarkable applications. These schools, dedicated to nurturing a sustainable future, have proven themselves as the frontrunners in environmental stewardship. After a rigorous […] todayDecember 14, 2023 22
insert_link Local Namibian Professional Hunting Association (NAPHA) emphasizes conservation and sustainability at 49th annual general meeting The Namibian Professional Hunting Association (NAPHA) held its 49 th Annual General Meeting on the 6 th and 7th December 2023 in Windhoek at Arebbush Travel Lodge. It was also the first time that NAPHA hosted a small trade exhibition and the proceeds gathered from our annual fundraiser auction exceeded our expectations. NAPHA would like to thank all its sponsors and, of course, the bidders for supporting our organisation. […] todayDecember 14, 2023 56
insert_link Africa COP28’s commitment to transforming farming and food systems is an insult to Africans By Florian Kroll, University of the Western Cape Globally, food systems are unsustainable: 80% of the production of food is powered by fossil fuels. The food system is responsible for over one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions. It is the primary driver of biodiversity loss. The COP28 climate change conference has issued a declaration on sustainable agriculture and resilient food systems. An expert on food systems, Florian Kroll, sets […] todayDecember 13, 2023 15
insert_link Local NAMFISA takes measures to address rising cost of medical aid contribution rates The Namibia Financial Services Supervisory Authority (NAMFISA) has embarked on proactive measures aimed at securing the long-term sustainability of the medical aid fund industry. In response to the escalating challenges posed by rising medical aid contribution rates, NAMFISA is dedicated to member well-being and industry sustainability, and has implemented a temporary cap on some funds’ annual contribution increases, limiting it to a single-digit percentage (maximum increase of 9.99%). The […] todayDecember 8, 2023 9
insert_link Business / Economics Wapa Nawa’s plastic brick innovation: a sustainable solution to Namibia’s housing crisis and environmental goals By Dilia Mazula In a groundbreaking development, Wapa Nawa, a recycling centre located in Rundu, has officially launched Namibia's first office constructed entirely from plastic bricks, an initiative aimed at simultaneously addressing housing needs and environmental sustainability challenges in the country. Ladislaus Shiketere, the CEO of the project, shared the centre's mission to provide an alternative to conventional building materials, saying, "bricks are becoming more expensive, the use of cement […] todayDecember 7, 2023 40
insert_link Namibia Namibia Wildlife Resorts Supports Environmental Stewardship in Khorixas Town Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR) has demonstrated its unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship by contributing to the Khorixas Town Council's efforts to maintain a pristine environment. In a noteworthy initiative, NWR donated essential cleaning materials, including gloves, refuse bags, and masks, aimed at supporting the town in upholding cleanliness standards. Khorixas Town, strategically positioned along a picturesque route and forming a vital part of the gateway through the tourism triangle, serves […] todayDecember 6, 2023 21
insert_link Environment The importance of keeping rainfall records By Hanks Saisai, Technical Advisor: Crops & Poultry Namibia’s Central, North Central, Eastern, Southern, and North-Eastern regions received some rain showers marking the beginning of the 2023/2024 rainy season. Oftentimes, farmers get excited and carried away by the occurrence of rainfall as it is an essential resource that enables farmers to cultivate cereal grains like maize, pearl millet (mahangu) and sorghum. Additionally, rainfall replenishes vegetation (grasses, shrubs, forbs, and bushes) […] todayDecember 4, 2023 10
insert_link Environment Why understanding limits is the key to humanity’s future Illustration by Kelsey King By Richard Heinberg, @richardheinberg via Ensia We need to view limits not as restrictions to be fought against, but as boundaries that enable systems to work. Recent news articles about a breakthrough in nuclear fusion research heralded the potential for “limitless” energy. Whenever I read that word limitless I wince. The promise of limitlessness is misleading and sometimes deadly. Limits exist everywhere in nature. They enable the functioning of systems […] todayNovember 29, 2023 6