Simply Green

maY 2013

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Leading the eco-LifestyLe

GreeninGYour babY

nature'smaths

al Gore onthe future

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hot new trendseco-Graffiti

3d printinG eco-mimicrY

buildinG bioloGY

livinG off the Grid

insulation:polYstYrene

toxicfashion

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At least 12 (monthly) completely new and independent digital magazines scheduled per year.

Readable or downloadable on any digital platform.

Simply Green Digimag has a reach of over 3.6 million at launch via existing channels, with this expected to increase rapidly through our partners and viral distribution.

A whole new audience is now introduced to the values and benefits of a sustainable lifestyle, and is encouraged to interact with Simply Green's growing community through the power of social media.

SA's leading eco-lifestyle magazine, Simply Green has arrived in the digital realm, and is FREE of charge.

Subscribe to our FREE mailer.

Visit www.simplygreen.co.za for the latest updates.

Simply Green Digimag as you've never seen it, using the reach of the

web, the flexibility of being able to download to your PC, smartphone,

tablet or any other digital device.

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Contact Cape town Head OfficeTel 27 (0) 21 713 0018 or 712 4665 082 579 7915 Fax 715 2809

[email protected] www.simplygreen.co.za


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3 SG

At least 12 (monthly) completely new and independent digital magazines scheduled per year.

Readable or downloadable on any digital platform.

Odyssey Digimag has a reach of over 3.6 million at launch via existing channels, with this expected to increase rapidly through our partners and viral distribution.

A whole new audience is now introduced to the values and benefits of an integrated lifestyle, and is encouraged to interact with Odyssey's growing community through the power of social media.

ODYSSEYSA's leading in tegra ted l iv ing mag

D I G I M A G

Odyssey Magazine, SA's oldest and leading integrated lifestyle magazine, now in its 36th year, has arrived in the digital realm, and is FREE of charge.

Subscribe to our FREE mailer.

Visit www.odysseymagazine.co.za for the latest updates.

Odyssey Digimag as you've never seen it, using the reach of the

web, the flexibility of being able to download to your PC, smartphone,

tablet or any other digital device.{click here mailERw

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Contact Cape town Head OfficeTel 27 (0) 21 713 0018 or 712 4665 082 579 7915 Fax 715 [email protected] www.odysseymagazine.co.za

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SG 4

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Publisher Chris [email protected]

Editor Nicole Sherwin [email protected]

Creative Director Silke [email protected]

Assistant Editor Lenard [email protected]

National Sales ConsultantsKyle [email protected]

Tamzen [email protected]

Studio Manager

Kevin Rule

[email protected]

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News10 General

Features14 Al Gore on the future18 Eco-mimicry22 Ups & downs of going green26 3D Printing30 Eco-graffiti32 Merging Nature34 Ecomo homes

Energy40 Living off the grid43 Energy Barometer Survey

Buildings44 Insulation: Polystyrene48 Building Biology50 From the ground up

Mobility56 Mercedes A Class64 BMW ActiveE

Health70 Reconnection

Fashion72 Toxic fashion vs natural dyes

Home80 Silver ain't just pretty82 Eco-heating this winter

Family84 Greening your baby

www.simplygreen.co.za [email protected] Town Office P O Box 30946, Tokai, 7966Tel 27 (0) 21 713 0018 or 27 (0) 21 712 4665

082 579 7915 Fax 27 (0) 21 715 2809


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Webmaster Garry Doel

[email protected]

Webdesign Michael-Ray Erasmus

[email protected]

Accounts Tracy Lee Nash

[email protected]

Publishing House

Green Spaces Publishing House

Disclaimer

Opinions expressed in this magazine are not

necessarily those of the publishers or staff.

Copyright

Simply Green is a registered trademark and

is copyright protected worldwide. Material

published in Simply Green, including all

artwork, may not be reproduced without the

permission of the editor.

84 62

98 Nature's math

Tech93 App attack

Food100 Kitchen makeover106 How to read nutritional labels

Pet114 Mush it up116 News

Conservation118 Rhino Knights

Community122 Deskbags

Gardening & Outdoors126 Winter wonderland130 Grow your own135 How to avoid mosquito bites

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May edition 2013

Volume 6 No.2

Regulars 67 Wellness Warehouse68 Hot off the press94 On Safari137 Listings140 Books & CDs

SG 6

OUR STATSThe MaRch DigiMag's direct reach

via issuu in a month was 6 675, with this extended via the Simply green website and social media to over 45 000. Total exposure,

reads, views & downloads was +52 000*.* as of going live

EdiTOR'S nOTEWith the emerging global hot topic of sustainable consumption and within the widening sustainability debate, there is an increasing amount of dialogue appearing through various mediums that focuses on our 'values systems' the relatively stable, psychological floor plan that represents core elements of our self-concept and, more generally, who we are. With some form of clear logic, we need to somehow encourage our intrinsic values in order to bring about mass-scale behavioural change that is mindful and appreciative of others (be that people, communities, the environment and the planet). The sustainable consumption issue sustainable behaviour, for instance is firmly in focus, and for good reason. There is a clear pattern and the focus is consistently on the individual consumer having to re-appraise the situation (maybe with help, be that a nudge or a prompt) and consciously reconnecting with their intrinsic values. in our 2nd Digimag issue we focus on many different topics, ideas and possible solutions to connecting with our own intrinsic values and helping to counter-act pollution, the reduction of natural recourses and giving more healthy options for product purchasing and lifestyle changes with a more conscious intent, and of course having lots of fun along the way. We want to praise Earth hour that happened recently on 29th March, which grew from one city to 152 countries and inspires a global community of millions, and Earth Day on the 22nd april, supported by 192 countries and community of millions, but more than that, we want to urge you to make every hour your earth hour, every day your Earth Day, or at the least make each week your earth week. This is an on-going campaign, which we support all year round and hope you will join us in this support. i hope you enjoy our free 2nd Simply green digimag, please share it with friends, colleagues and family. Wed also love to hear your feedback, so please feel free to like our page on facebook and post a comment . Wishing you happy, eco journeys.

consciously yours,Nicole sherwin

WELCOME!We would like to welcome our new National sales Consultant, Kyle Villet, to the Simply green Digimag team. contact him here.

'After years of being involved with "energy publications" it feels good to work with a publication promoting a positive and practical outlook on eco awareness. I look forward to working with a fantastic award-winning team as we take this path into the new digital era.'

Please note that Nicole will be taking up the position of consulting Editor from the next issue chris Erasmus will add Executive Editor to his current Simply green portfolio as Publisher.

Certified Energy Manager (CEM )5 CPD credits for ECSA

Understand the full spectrum of energy efficiency by identifying signifi-cant energy savings opportunities and implementing effective solutions for continued sustainable energy management programs in all indus-tries. Attain international professional status through the AEE in the energy engineering industry that recognises ethical fitness and com-petence in 89 countries. Cpt 11-15 March 2013 Jhb 20-24 May 2013 Jhb 14-18 October 2013

Certified Measurement and Verification Professional (CMVP )

3 CPD credits for ECSASet industry required energy baselines, and measure and verify energy savings in compliance with international (IPMVP and EVO) and local standards, legislation and regulations. This AEE course uses protocols, methodologies and tools to quantify and manage the performance risks and benefits associated with end-use energy efficiency, renewable en-ergy and water efficiency. PE 11-13 March 2013 Jhb 22-24 May 2013 Jhb 16-18 October 2013

Fundamentals for Energy Management Training (FEMT)3 CPD credits for ECSA

Learn the basics of electrical, mechanical, thermal systems and en-ergy management fundamentals. An ideal course to invigorate technical knowledge and provides sufficient tools and knowledge to identify the correct technologies for your applications.Training is aimed at preparing delegates for the comprehensive CEM and CMVP training courses and examinations. Cpt 12-14 February 2013 Jhb 16-18 April 2013 Dbn 23-25 July 2013 Bloem 13-15 August 2013 Jhb 17-19 September 2013

Energy Management Systems Implementation (EnMSI)

2 CPD credits for ECSADeveloped with DQS SA and Certification Europe the EnMSI is an ideal starting point to gain the knowledge and understanding to implement an energy management system, in accordance with ISO50001:2011 and EN16001:2009, using case studies and practical exercises. Jhb 20-21 May 2013 Jhb 16-17 October 2013

Customised and on-site training available.

Contact: Lydia Marais [email protected] 076 401 3881/2

www.energytrainingfoundation.co.za

for optimal sustainable development

The EnTF is the approved Southern African trainer of the US-based Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) and the SAEE in South Africa for CEM and CMVP.

Energy Training 2013Energy Training 2013

a div is ion of Energy Cybernet ics

COnTRibUTORS

dr marc sher is currently studying for a diploma in implantology, a new branch of dentistry focussing on the reconstruction of missing teeth and their supporting structures with natural or synthetic substitutes. he practices from The Dental Practice in Sea Point, cape Town, which boasts a team of highly skilled dentists and oral hygienists.

SG AdviSORy bOARd

Prof mark swilling is an internationally-recognised expert in sustainable development and is Academic Director of The Sustainability institute, University of Stellenbosch.

dr Pat garratt is Managing Director of the Two Oceans aquarium in cape Town, currently sits on the Steering committee of the international aquarium congress and is vice-chair of the international aquarium Forum.

Prof bruce Hewitson is the director of the climate System analysis group (cSag) and was the co-ordinating lead author on regional climate projections for the intergovernmental Panel on climate change (iPcc).

Raj lochan is cEO of the Rose Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to the recycling of used oils in South africa, and has served on the regional committee of the Wildlife and Enviro-society of SA.

liz Eglington (Western cape Woman Farmer of the Year for 2005/2006) owns Buffelshoek Farm, is chairperson of Terra Madre SA and Director and Secretary of the SA Organic Sector Organisation.

Jeunesse Park established Progreen, SAs first environmental communications and public relations company, as well as Food & Trees for africa and has won many awards.

sean doel is the founding editor of Simply Green. A Technical Director at WSP, specialising in contaminated land investigations and remediation. he is also passionate about what we can all do to address climate change.

Cormac Cullinan is an enviro-attorney and governance expert who has worked on environmental issues in more than 20 countries and founded the specialist enviro-governance consultancy, Enact.

Jane griffiths has been growing organic vegetables and herbs in her Johannesburg garden for more than 15 years. She has published a few books and now shares her knowledge and tips with Simply green readers.

ben Chapman is a mechanical engineering student at Olin college whose summer internship is based at TechShop SF. he is working on designing, building, and sharing a series of projects that explore the use of autodesk software for do-it-yourself projects relating to sustainability.

Roger metcalfe is a writer specialising in the environment, technology and medicine. he is an ex-diplomat and produces marketing films for the corporate sector. Roger is a partner in Solar connect his own solar energy business, offering a cost-free advisory service to architects and developers regarding energy efficient buildings.

SG 8

Face oF esseFor the past two years Esse has run a successful Face of Esse campaign where every month a candidate is selected by public vote to be a finalist and thus a chance at winning the Face of Esse title. The campaign spread virally and as a result been instrumental in Esses increased public recognition and has helped the company develop key contacts through the campaigns sponsors. Each months winner in 2012 was given incredible gifts by these prestigious brands: Simply green magazine, hellooow handmade jewellery, african Organics, citizen Eco-Drive, Jane iredale make-up and Mahlathini Organics.

sG Has GoNe DIGITaL

it's excellent. Thanks. Lots of useful articles and very informative. andrew Jones-Phillipson

Wonderful green Digimag, thank you chris & team. marina & Yoga teachers' Fellowship.

Well done this is fabulous!!!Kind regards, Jeunesse Park Climate Reality leader & Founder

congratulations. i am amazed at how easy it is to read and how functional it is. Nice issue.lyn Ras

Thanks so much for your email and informing me on all the changes i wish all the best for Simply Green and hope going digital will spur things off in the right direction for the mag. We had a lovely response to the article on our Face Book page, which i am sure would have redirected many of our followers to issuus page. i will definitely be in touch should we want or need to collaborate again. Kind regards, louise mary alexander

i love your new magazine and definitely want to continue receiving it. Thanks so much.Kind regards, dianne O'ConnorG

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REFOREST FESTFor the third year running, greenpop and Reliance compost will be hosting The Reforest Fest in Platbos forest, close to gansbaai. This initiative has seen over 3 000 indigenous trees being planted in SA since 2010. This year greenpop plans to host two strong reforestation efforts during May and aims to plant 4 000 trees. greenpop is a social enterprise that believes greening and sustainable living can be fun, polar and accessible for all. The initiative aims to protect and grow the Platbos forest through two reforestation festivals, where treeplanting efforts are coupled with fun activities (and parties for the 'Friends' event) and opportunity for volunteers to experience and enjoy the forest. Platbos, a relic forest with trees of over 1 000 years of age, forms part of one of the rare and endangered ecosystems of the Western cape and has a unique mix of indigenous trees from coastal and mountainous regions (www.platbos.co.za, click here for maplink). Like many natural forests around the world, parts of Platbos have been cleared over the past decades for cultivation. Today, many of these cleared areas are being taken over by dense invasive alien vegetation, which pose a serious fire risk to the forest. in response to this issue, Melissa and Francois Krige of Platbos have launched the Trees for Tomorrow reforestation program. Through this, endemic seeds are harvested from the forest, reared in a nursery close-by and then replanted to extend and grow the forest. its important to plant these endemic trees because they are adapted to drought and serve as an important food source for the bird and animal species that live here.

The event is split in two: the Family Fest (weekend of 10, 11 and 12 May), and the Friends Fest (weekend of 17, 18 & 19 May). Until 20 March tickets will be R495 (children under 12, R300). Thereafter it is R550 (children under 12, R350). Camping, meals, music, tools, fun activities and trees for the initiative, included. In bookings of 6 the cheapest ticket will be free. People who are unable to afford a ticket are encouraged to raise Trees for Tickets by setting up an activist portal on GivenGain and raising 10 trees for their ticket email [email protected]. Book here: http://goo.gl/s8MQZ. Become a tree sponsor - email [email protected] or call 021 461 9265.

News

SG 10

acTiViST MaKES a DiFFERENcEBack in 2010, the citizens of concord, Massachusetts, made efforts to ban the use of plastic water bottles in their city: The effort was lead by Jean hill, an 82-year-old activist, who lobbied neighbours and officials alike on the consequences of plastic bottles filling landfills and polluting local waters. 'All these discarded bottles are damaging our planet, causing clumps of garbage in the oceans that hurt fish, and are creating more pollution on our streets,' said hill. it has taken a few years for the ban to take effect, but as of 1 January 2013, concord became among the first US communities to ban single-serving plastic water bottles.

Plastic bottle banConcord, Massachusetts

WATCH THIS!

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SOUTh aFRicaNS SEE ThE VaLUE OF SWiTchiNg OFFMore South africans than ever must have enjoyed candlelight dinners during Earth hour recently as Eskom reported a drastically reduced energy usage on the night. They switched off and 'achieved a massive 629MW average reduction on their electricity usage compared to 402MW at last years event,' said Eskom.

2ND iNTERNaTiONaL cONVENTiON OF ENViRO-LaUREaTESThe 2nd international convention of Enviro-Laureates was staged recently by the European Enviro-Foundation EEF in Freiburg, germany where a declaration in which the participating enviro-laureates urging a fundamental change in environmental and climate policy was signed. What distinguishes this conference and summit from others is the diversity of its participants 80 winners of internationally renowned enviro-prizes came together from 44 countries.

KUNgWiNi gUEST hOUSE cERTiFiED BY FTTSaKungwini guest house in Bronkhorstspruit is the fourth tourism business in the Dinokeng area to become certified by Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa (FTTSa) through the gauteng Tourism authority (gTa) project 'Travel with a conscience'. This campaign is aimed at positioning Dinokeng as a responsible tourism destination.

WORLD'S 1ST ORgaNic cOUNTRYBy shunning all but organic farming techniques, the himalayan state of Bhutan will cement its status as a paradigm of sustainability. Bhutan plans to become the first country in the world to turn its agriculture completely organic, banning the sales of pesticides and herbicides and relying on its own animals and farm waste for fertilisers.'The decision to go organic was both practical and philosophical,' said Pema gyamtsho, Bhutan's minister of agriculture and forests. 'Ours is a mountainous terrain. When we use chemicals they don't stay where we use them, they impact the water and plants. We say that we need to consider all the environment. Most of our farm practices are traditional farming, so we are largely organic anyway. We are Buddhists too, and we believe in living in harmony with nature. animals have the right to live, we like to see plants happy and insects happy,' he said.

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US aNTi-FRacKiNg cOMMUNiTY JOiN FORcES WiTh SAFollowing the goldman Enviro-Prize ceremony in Washington recently, Ms Darcey Ocallaghan, international Director of american-based enviro-group Food & Water Watch (FWW), accepted a South african flag from global anti-fracking campaigner Jonathan Deal, 2013 goldman Prize recipient for africa, and chair of the South african activist organisation Treasure Karoo action group. The symbolic swapping of flags was part of an initiative between Deal and americans against Fracking (aaF), a coalition of americans and organisations representing those opposed to shale gas mining. aaF counts among its board members such personalities as Josh Fox (Gasland producer), singer Natalie Merchant, actor Mark Ruffalo, and more than 200 organisations collectively representing millions of people opposed to fracking. Deal added that adding momentum to the movement was recent news coverage about attorneys representing applicants to mine shale gas in South africa, expressing doubt about the likelihood of exploration licenses in 2013, specifically because of environmental appeals. 'Our hard work and campaigning is starting to pay off. Fracking is a global issue, driven by a global oil and gas conglomerate. Those of us who stand for a clean and healthy environment need to mount a global response. We have started that,' he said.

Jonathan Deal: 2013 Goldman Enviro-Prize Winner

WATCH THIS!

EaRTh UNiVERSiTY cOSTa RicaLocated in the forests of guanacaste, costa Rica, Earth University is an institution of education, innovation, and exploration. Earth University is an international NPO founded in 1987 with the first classes taking place in 1990. a small, but prestigious school, Earth University hand-picks its 418 students in order to identify the most focused and determined leaders for a sustainable future. as american-born Kristine Jimenez, Director of communications for the university said: 'change from within is the most effective' which is why costa Rica took the lead in creating the region's first enviro-centered institution of this kind. The university is further unique in that it focuses on a balance between student-centred learning and field experience. With a focus on agronomics, it encourages students to work with locals and educates them to expand their productivity and maintain enviro-friendly farming practices. Most of their projects involve self-sustainable farming such as free-range pastured poultry, using recycled materials to grow plants, and a massive recycling initiative. The plants grown on the 3.3ha campus supply the majority of the university's own food. also, the institution exports crops to North america, including bananas to whole foods grocery stores with great success. Earth University is a model university which strives to combat poverty, promote peace and foster a better value of life. A prominent aspect of this university is its urban farming initiative for those with little space to grow food. The plants grown (in vertical structures) can support a variety of populations ranging from single households to whole communities.

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BiOFUEL TO TaKE OFF iN USThe US is now ready to take second generation biofuel technologies, such as cellulosic ethanol production, to the market on the same scale and level as the Brazilian model, said Dr James McMillian from the US National Renewable Energy Laboratory, during the 20th international Symposium on alcohol Fuels held in Stellenbosch, recently.

aiDiNg caNcER

RESEaRchOlyfberg and the cancer association of SA (caNSa) joined hands in the battle against cancer, recently. Olyfberg will donate R2 to cancer research for every litre of their extra virgin olive oil sold.

UN FORUM ON FORESTS ShORT

FiLM aWaRDS (aFRica) WiNNER

greenpop's media partner, Makh3ulu, won the award. The winning film was made during greenpop's first Trees for Zambia project last year. Lloyd Manyana, around whom the film revolves, was a tree-cutter and charcoal burner in Livingstone, Zambia, before becoming a tree grower and starting his own tree nursery. he is now one of greenpop's tree suppliers and partners for their Trees for Zambia project.

Deforestation in Zambia documentary winner

WATCH THIS!

of the world's land covered by solar panels could meet all the global electricity needs in 2050

TREKKiNg FOR TRaShMichael Baretta and camilla howard have recently walked almost 2 000km along SA's coast, starting at the Namibian border and will have finished their trek as you read this. What do they have to say on the status of SA's beaches? 'Durban's are the dirtiest; PE had 900kg of rubbish in a 1km stretch and cape Town's beaches were the cleanest.' Visit www.facebook.com/Trekking For Trash to find out more.

Trekking For Trash episodes

WATCH THIS!

MONSaNTO VS aVaaZgrassroots activist group avaaz has set its sights on biotech giant Monsanto, alleging that the global corporation wants to 'own the patent rights to key varieties of everyday vegetables and fruits like cucumber, broccoli and melons, forcing growers to pay them for seed and risk being sued if they dont'. avaaz says companies like Monsanto 'have found loopholes in European law to have exclusive rights over conventional seeds', setting a 'dangerous global precedent'. Avaaz and other anti-gM groups say they are hoping that key countries like germany, France and the Netherlands where opposition is already growing will step in to call for an EU vote to stop Monsantos plans. Avaaz claims that 'many farmers and politicians' are against this development and are mobilising within the EU and globally to focus consumer and producer resistance 'we need to bring in people power to pressure these countries to keep Monsantos hands off our food', they say. Visit www.avaaz.org for more.

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The Future According to Gore

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15 SG

L ike many fulfilling journeys, this book began

not with answers but with a question. Eight

years ago, when I was on the road, someone

asked me: 'What are the drivers of global change?'

I listed several of the usual suspects and left it

at that. Yet the next morning, the question kept

pulling me back, demanding that I answer it

more precisely and accurately not by relying on

preconceived dogma but by letting the emerging

evidence about an emerging world take me where it

would. The question, it turned out, had a future of

its own. I started an outline and spent several hours

listing headings and subheadings, then changing

their rank order and relative magnitude, moving

them from one category to another and filling in

more details after each rereading.

As I spent the ensuing years raising awareness

about climate change and pursuing a business

career, I continued to revisit, revise, and sharpen

the outline until finally, two years ago, I concluded

that it would not leave me alone until I dug in and

tried to thoroughly answer the question that had

turned into something of an obsession.

What emerged was this book, about the six most

important drivers of global change, how they are

converging and interacting with one another, where

they are taking us, and how we as human beings

and as a global civilisation can best affect the way

these changes unfold. In order to reclaim control

of our destiny and shape the future, we must think

freshly and clearly about the crucial choices that

confront us as a result of the emergence of:

A deeply interconnected global economy

that increasingly operates as a fully integrated

holistic entity with a completely new and different

relationship to capital flows, labour, consumer

markets, and national governments than in the past;

A planet-wide electronic communications grid

connecting the thoughts and feelings of billions

of people and linking them to rapidly expanding

volumes of data, to a fast growing web of sensors

being embedded ubiquitously throughout the world,

and to increasingly intelligent devices, robots, and

thinking machines, the smartest of which already

exceed (some) capabilities of humans and may soon

surpass us in manifestations of intelligence we have

always assumed would remain the unique province

of our species;

A completely new balance of political, economic,

and military power in the world that is radically

different from the equilibrium that characterized

the second half of the 20th century, during which

the USA provided global leadership and stability

shifting influence and initiative from West to East,

from wealthy countries to rapidly emerging centres

of power throughout the world, from nation states

to private actors, and from political systems to

markets;

Rapid unsustainable growth in population;

cities; resource consumption; depletion of topsoil,

freshwater supplies, and living species; pollution

flows; and economic output that is measured and

guided by an absurd and distorted set of universally

accepted metrics that blinds us to the destructive

consequences of the self-deceiving choices we are

routinely making;

A revolutionary new set of powerful biological,

biochemical, genetic, and materials science

technologies that are enabling us to reconstitute

the molecular design of all solid matter, reweave

the fabric of life itself, alter the physical form,

traits, characteristics, and properties of plants,

Nobel Laureate and former US Vice

President Al Gore has written a new

book, The Future. This extract is from the

introductory chapter of that book and tells

us in broad sweeps what he and other

experts and futurists see coming for the

human race in the near to medium term.

SG 16

animals, and people, seize active control over evolution, cross the

ancient lines dividing species, and invent entirely new ones never

imagined in nature; and

A radically new relationship between the aggregate power

of human civilisation and the Earth's ecological systems,

including especially the most vulnerable the atmosphere

and climate balance upon which the continued flourishing

of humankind depends and the beginning of a massive

global transformation of our energy, industrial, agricultural, and

construction technologies in order to re-establish a healthy and

balanced relationship between human civilisation and the future.

There is a clear consensus that the future now emerging will

be extremely different from anything we have ever known. It is

a difference not of degree but of kind. There is no prior period

of change that remotely resembles what humanity is about to

experience. We have gone through revolutionary periods of

change before, but none as powerful or as pregnant with the

fraternal twins peril and opportunity as the ones that are

beginning to unfold. Nor have we ever experienced so many

revolutionary changes unfolding simultaneously and converging

with one another.

The positive and negative sets of trends (mentioned above)

are occurring simultaneously. The fact that some are welcome

and others are not has an effect on our perception of them.

The unwelcome trends are sometimes ignored, at least in part

because they are unpleasant to think about. Any uncertainty

about them that can be conjured to justify inaction is often seized

upon with enthusiasm, while new hard evidence establishing their

reality is often resisted with even stronger denial of the reality the

evidence supports.

Just as nave optimism can amount to self-deception, so too

can a predisposition to pessimism blind us to bases for legitimate

hope that we can find a path that leads around and through the

dangers that lie ahead. Indeed, I am an optimist though my

optimism is predicated on the hope that we will find ways to see

and think clearly about the obvious trends that are even now

gaining momentum, that we will reason together and attend to

the dangerous distortions in our present ways of describing and

measuring the powerful changes that are now under way, that we

will actively choose to preserve human values and protect them,

not least against the mechanistic and destructive consequences

of our baser instincts that are now (greatly) magnified by

powerful technologies. I have tried my best to describe what I

believe the evidence shows is more likely than not to present us

with important choices that we must consciously make together.

I do so not out of fear, but because I believe in the future.

available now from all leading bookstores nationwide at a recommended retail price of R275, or click here to order.

'Whether he's discussing cyberspace, the environment, science, or the economy, Al Gore presents in this book, with impressive breadth and well-researched depth, the challenges we have to meet to ensure that they become opportunities rather than threats. If you are concerned about the massive changes the world is just heading into, then you should read this book. If you aren't, then you must read it.'

Tim Berners-Lee, inventor

of the World Wide Web

SG 18

O ur current expansion of tar sands oil extraction, deep-sea oil drilling, hydraulic fracturing, natural gas extraction and mountaintop-removal coal mining are but examples of the insanity that short-term, quick-fix economics produce. These

highly profitable choices deepen our economic dependence on

rapidly diminishing, non-renewable fossil-energy reserves, disrupt

the generative capacity of the earths living systems and accelerate

climate change.

A global economy dependent on this nonsense is already failing

and its ultimate collapse is only a matter of time. For a surprisingly

long time, we humans have successfully maintained the illusion that

we are outside of, superior to, and not subject to, the rules of nature.

We do so, however, at a huge cost and payment is coming due.

To secure the health and happiness of future generations, we

must embrace life as our defining value, recognise that competition

is but a subtext of lifes deeper narrative of co-operation and

restructure our institutions to conform to lifes favoured organising

principle of radically decentralised, localised decision-making and

self-organisation. This work begins with recognising what nature

has learned about the organisation of complex living systems over

With proper care and respect, the

earth can provide a high quality

of life for all people in perpetuity.

Yet, we devastate productive

lands and waters for a quick

profit, a few temporary jobs or a

one-time resource fix. how did we

end up with Wall Street's version

of 'profit at any price', when

models for a healthy economy are

all around us and what would a

'down-to-earth economy look like?

David Korten reports.

Biz

economy

19 SG

billions of years.

Our Original InstructionsSome indigenous people speak of the

'original instructions'. Chief Oren Lyons, of

the Onondaga Nation, summarises the rules

in 'Listening to Natural Law' in the anthology

original Instructions: 'Our instructions and

Im talking about for all human beings, are

to get along with (natures) laws and support

them and work with them. We were told a long

time ago that if you do that, life is endless.

It just continues on and on in great cycles

of regeneration. If you want to tinker with

that regeneration, if you want to interrupt it,

thats your choice, but the results that come

back can be very severe because the laws are

absolute.'

Decision-making would be local & the system would organise from the bottom upModern neuroscience affirms that the human

brain evolved to reward co-operation and

service. In other words, nature has hard-wired

the original instructions into our brain.

Extreme individualism, greed and violence

are pathological and a sign of physical,

developmental, cultural, and/or institutional

system failure. Caring relationships are the

foundation of healthy families, communities

and life itself.

We are living out the consequences of

our collective human failure to adhere to

the original instructions the organising

principles of healthy living systems readily

discernible through observation of nature

at work. These are the principles by which

we must rethink and reorganise human

economies.

So how would nature design an economy?

An economy is nothing more than a system

for allocating resources to productive activity

presumably, in support of life. In fact, nature

is an economy, with material and information

exchange, saving, investment, production and

consumption all functions we associate with

economic activity. Absent human intervention,

as Lyons says, 'It just continues on and on in

great cycles of regeneration.'

Nature surrounds us with expressions of

the organising principles that make possible

lifes exceptional resilience, capacity for

adaptation, creative innovation and vibrant

abundance. Earths biosphere and the human

body are two magnificent examples.

The Economy of the BiosphereEarths exquisitely complex, resilient and

continuously evolving band of life the

biosphere demonstrates on a grand scale the

creative potential of the distributed intelligence

of many trillions of individual self-organising,

choice-making, living organisms. Acting

in concert, they continuously regenerate

soils, rivers, aquifers, fisheries, forests and

grasslands, while maintaining climatic balance

and the composition of the atmosphere to

serve the needs of the earths widely varied

life forms. So long as humans honour the

original instructions, the biosphere has

an extraordinary capacity to optimise the

capture, organisation and sharing of Earths

energy, water and nutrients in support of life

including human life.

In nature, species and individuals earn

a right to a share in the bounty of the

whole as necessary to their sustenance

through their contribution to the well-being

of the whole. Over the long-term, those that

contribute, prosper and those that do not

contribute, expire. The interests of the whole

are protected against rogue behaviour by

natural limits on the ability of any individual

or species to monopolise resources beyond

its own need to the exclusion of the needs

of others.

Individuals and species may compete

for territory and sexual dominance, but the

amount of territory or number of mates

nature allows an individual or species to claim

is local, limited and subject to continuous

challenge. Until humans began to create the

imperial civilisations characteristic of our

most recent 5 000 years, the idea that any

species, let alone a few individual members of

a species, might claim control of all of Earths

living wealth to the exclusion of all others was

beyond comprehension.

So how

would nature

design an

economy?

An economy

is nothing

more than a

system for

allocating

resources to

productive

activity

presumably,

in support of

life. in fact,

nature is an

economy,

with

material and

information

exchange,

saving,

investment,

production

and

consumption

all functions

we associate

with

economic

activity.

SG 20

The Economy of the BodyThe human body is a more intimate demonstration of

the creative power of lifes organising principles. The

individual human body comprises tens of trillions of

individual living cells, each a decision-making entity

with the ability to manage and maintain its own health

and integrity under changing and often stressful

circumstances. At the same time, each cell faithfully

discharges its responsibility to serve the needs of the

entire body on which its own health and integrity depend.

Working together, these cells create and maintain

a self-organising human organism with the potential

to achieve extraordinary feats of physical grace and

intellectual acuity far beyond the capability of any

individual cell on its own.

Each decision-making, resource-sharing cell is integral

to a larger whole of which no part or system can exist

on its own. Together they create regulatory mechanisms

internal to the whole that work to assure that no part

asserts dominance over the others or monopolises the

bodys stores of energy, nutrients and water for its

exclusive use. Resources are shared based on need.

All the while, the bodys cells self-organise to fight off

a vast variety of viruses, cancer cells and harmful bacteria,

adapt to changing temperatures and energy needs and

variations in the bodys food and water intake, heal

damaged tissues and collect and provide sensory data to

our conscious mind essential to our choice-making.

Another of the many impressive expressions of the

bodys capacity to self-organise is the process by which

our cells continuously regenerate while maintaining the

bodys integrity as a unified organism. The cells lining

the human stomach have a turnover of only five days.

Red blood cells are replaced every 120 days or so. The

surface of the skin recycles every two weeks. The cells of

the body are constantly reproducing, growing and dying.

A Human Economy Based on NatureIf nature were in charge of creating an enduring human

economy, she would surely apply the same

principles she applies in natural systems. Her goal

would be a global system of bioregional living

economies that secure a healthy, happy, productive

life for every person on the planet in symbiotic

balance with the non-human systems on which we

humans depend for breathable air, drinkable water,

fertile soils, timber, fish, grasslands and climate

stability. Each bioregional economy would meet its

own needs for energy, water, nutrients and mineral

resources through sustained local capture, circular

flow, utilisation and repurposing. Decision-making

would be local and the system would organise from the

bottom up. Diversity and redundancy would support local

adaptation and resilience.

This should be our goal and vision. With the biosphere

as our systems model, we would design our economic

institutions and rules to align with natures rules and

organising principles. We would replace GDP as the

primary measure of economic performance with a new

system of living system indicators that assess economic

performance against the outcomes we actually want

healthy, happy people and healthy, resilient natural

systems. These indicators could be based on Bhutans

Gross National Happiness Index. We would redirect the

time, talent and money we currently devote to growing

GDP, material consumption, securities bubbles and 'Wall

Street bonuses' to producing the outcomes we really

want.

We would favour local, co-operative ownership and

control. Organising from the bottom up in support

of bioregional self-reliance, our economic institutions

would support local decision-making in response to local

needs and opportunities. Cultural and biological diversity

and sharing within and between local communities

would support local and global resilience and facilitate

life-serving system innovation.

The result would be an economy based on a love of

life that honours the original instructions and conforms

to the organising principles of nature, real markets and

true democracy. The challenge is epic in its proportion

and long overdue.

We are Earths children; she is our mother. We must

honour and care for her as she nurtures and cares for us.

Together we can forge an integral partnership grounded

in the learning and deep wisdom of her 3.8 billion-year

experience in nurturing lifes expanding capacities for

intelligent self-organisation, creative innovation and

self-reflective consciousness. S G

First published 17 Jan, 2013 by YES! Magazine www.commondreams.org/view/2013/01/17-11

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SG 22

e nviro-sustainability is not a short-term project

to be implemented in an isolated department

for box-ticking purposes. Due to the increasing

importance of non-financial indicators, and the increasing

direct and indirect economic impacts these indicators

point to, sustainability requires significant change across

the entire organisation especially to mindsets.

It is also important to note that sustainability is

no longer on the fringe it is now on the agenda

and among the top priorities of most developed and

developing countries, along with a growing number of

business organisations, from big to small. Accordingly,

sustainability strategies are being increasingly adopted

due to a number of drivers.

These can be grouped into the following categories:

cost savings; risk management; economic sustainability;

brand; and reputation.

LeGIsLaTIoN In SA legislation will soon require companies to account

for their carbon emissions as well as other non-traditional

data such as energy, sustainability efforts, environmental

performance and corporate social investment. This is

in accordance with the SA National Climate Change

Response White Paper, released in October 2011, which

announced that carbon budgets would become the norm

eco-maNagemeNt & coNsultiNg

going green

The ups & downs of

23 SG

within the next two years, as well as specific reporting

formats which will be phased in over a similar period.

carboN TaxWhen the SA carbon tax is implemented, one ton of

CO2 emitted over your limit will cost you approximately

R120, according to the Treasury's Carbon Tax Discussion

Document 2010. Carbon taxation is set to start in the

financial year of 2013/2014 and large emitters are first

on the list to be regulated. However, by 2014/2015

most businesses in SA will be required to report on their

greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. 2013 is already well

upon us; if you haven't started planning, this is your cue.

INTeGraTeD reporTING Businesses now require a new kind of business intelligence

to manage their energy, carbon and environmental

performance. Effective reporting of this non-financial data

requires the measurement, management and disclosure

of this information. According to GCX Sustainability

Strategist Kevin James, 'Companies face major challenges

in terms of data integrity and transparency, particularly

regarding non-financial data required to measure

organizational, product and supply chain footprints, which

have not traditionally been measured and monitored by

most organisations.' He proposes that the objective of

integrated reporting, being how effectively a company

integrated sustainability into its core business strategy,

has significant transformational value in improving

business efficiencies, shaping business opportunities

and improving competitiveness.

The most common reporting platforms are the

Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), the Global Reporting

Initiative (GRI), and the Sustainability Reporting Index

(SRI).

INVesTors & sTakeHoLDersWith asset management increasingly leaning toward

incorporating SRI (socially responsible investing)

frameworks, investors are depending on more than just

financial information on which to base their investment

decisions. Non-financial data reporting is subject to

the same materiality rules as financial information. As

a result, data integrity is imperative when reporting on

environmental and social indicators.

The scope of work and level of expertise required

with cross-cutting depth of knowledge is often

grossly underestimated. It includes developing policy

and strategy, as well as energy-efficiency, water,

waste, pollution and carbon management. Effective

communication via integrated reporting is crucial.

There are three approaches most commonly employed

by companies. The specific method to take is often

dictated by the company size and structure (practicality).

For SMEs through to the Top 100 corporates, the most

effective strategy is to work with consultants. Some

consultancies have a specialist team that make up a

broad spectrum of environmental services, while other

consultancies specialise in specific expertise.

Creating a dedicated sustainability department is

advisable for very large multinational organisations

which would prefer to do everything themselves. This

approach is usually not effective unless your company

is of the size of a major international which needs

highly specialised sustainability teams, protocols and

has allocated large budgets towards sustainability.

The approach for small companies that only have a

few staff members, but view environmental stewardship

as an important part of company culture, is for staff

members to attend training and voluntarily take on

sustainability roles additional to their core function.

Regardless of whether consultants are used

or not, however, it is imperative that the internal

sustainability staff and, ideally, some other key staff

within the organisation are trained and are at the

least environmentally literate. This ensures that any

outsourced work can be managed effectively and if

external consultants require information or insight into

the company, the trained individual will assist effectively.

Many companies conduct annual reports with assistance

from a consultancy or use consultants to verify strategy,

actions or reports.

Every organisation is unique, with its own structure, operations and goals. When it comes to 'going green', or in corporate terms becoming environmentally sustainable, there is no 'one size fits all' solution. anna Shevel, of global carbon Exchange SA (gcX), reports.

going green

SG 24

Find partnerships in unlikely places. Since 1993, we have collected no less than 950 000 tons of cans

from our surrounding environments. By partnering with Collect-a-Can, we can increase this recovery rate

and further conserve and sustain the environment. To find out how we can keep our country beautiful

contact us on (011) 466 2939 or visit www.collectacan.co.za. Recycle cans today. Sustain tomorrow.

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THe bIGGesT cHaLLeNGeMost companies, even large

multi-national organisations, often

have at most only one dedicated

sustainability employee (if that)

to manage the entire scope of the

company's requirements. Added to

this there is often a vast disconnect

between the rest of the company and

the sustainability manager's functions,

which are often sidelined and seen as

outside of the company's imperatives.

The biggest challenge when

assessing environmental performance

(either via conducting a carbon

footprint, a water audit, or whatever)

is not the calculation itself, but the

fact that data is so difficult to access.

The primary reason for this is that

companies are not geared towards

reporting on non-financial data and do

not yet have the systems in place that

capture and log this data for carbon

accounting purposes.

Meaningful and reliable data

is of paramount importance in

underpinning decision-making. It

also facilitates the development of

a practical environmental strategy,

which should be executed across the

organisation. Imagine if the CEO of

a major multinational corporation

instructed his accountant to come in

once a year to prepare their annual P&L

and balance sheet and then directed

him to a container full of invoices and

other source documents as a basis for

this process.

This is the reality of sustainability

officers who are expected to prepare

carbon footprint, GRI and sustainability

reports without any formal processes,

human resources, software tools,

and, most importantly, without an

executive mandate.

Often these overworked and

misunderstood individuals spend

too much time chasing up others

in the organisation for accurate and

complete data sets. As a result, the

pic: w

ww

.consus.fr

The biggest challenge when assessing

environmental performance (either via conducting

a carbon footprint, a water audit, or whatever) is

not the calculation itself, but the fact that data is

so difficult to access. The primary reason for this

is that companies are not geared toward reporting

on non-financial data and do not yet have the

systems in place that capture and log this data

for carbon accounting purposes.

integrity of the data is often compromised and the process is seen as an

annually stressful burden resulting in low confidence in the final product.

Changing perceptions in the organisation is therefore the key. This is done

through planned stakeholder engagement, skills and awareness training. It's

important to match up the right roles in the company with the right skills

training, but as this is a relatively new field in SA it is often difficult for the

individual, the HR manager or the employer to figure out which courses will be

of benefit to which staff members.

If you are embarking on this journey for the first time, up-skilling the key

staff that will be involved in the process is an imperative first step. It will

reduce the amount of time taken by trial and error, which can often be years

if unsupported by expert knowledge and experience. S G

global carbon Exchange SA (gcX), is a leading local environmental sustainability consultancy and training provider whose clients include SMEs, major corporates, NgOs, NPOs, government departments, municipalities, carbon project developers and individuals or corporate teams seeking green skills development. see www.gcx.co.za for more.

25 SG

Find partnerships in unlikely places. Since 1993, we have collected no less than 950 000 tons of cans

from our surrounding environments. By partnering with Collect-a-Can, we can increase this recovery rate

and further conserve and sustain the environment. To find out how we can keep our country beautiful

contact us on (011) 466 2939 or visit www.collectacan.co.za. Recycle cans today. Sustain tomorrow.

Switch/A10

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tech

3DECO3DSG 26

3D printing, also known

as desktop fabrication or

additive manufacturing,

is a prototyping process

whereby a physical

object is created from a

digital design. It has the

potential to revolutionise

the way we manufacture

things especially in

the medical market.

Ben Chapman

looks at exploring

3D printing in a

sustainable context.

I have been using 3D printing for several

of my projects recently and I've had many

conversations about the interplay between 3D

printing and the environment. It's been claimed that

small-scale, distributed, 3D-printed, on-demand

manufacturing will (eventually) help eliminate

waste and carbon emissions. It would help reduce

transportation impacts, eliminate wasted inventory,

and allow people to share the digital 'recipe' files

for all kinds of useful items. In its current state,

3D printing hasn't reached those goals yet, and it

has a lot to do with the way that people use the

technology.

DIGITAL DESIGNS TO PHYSICAL JUNKMuch of the time, people print out little toys,

trinkets, sculptures or other things with little or

no useful value. While it's true that these can be

completely customised and may not be forgotten

and thrown away as soon as store-bought toys are,

they tend to be more fragile than the store-bought

alternative due to their material structure. From an

environmental outlook, it is probably not beneficial

to use 3D printing to make swanky plastic trinkets.

However, if you do, you should print with polylactic

acid (PLA) a biodegradable corn-plastic rather

than the non-degradable oil-based plastics like ABS.

3D PRINTING VS STORE BOUGHTOn another level, there are also many functional

items being printed. They have some useful value,

and in many cases, there are store-bought things

that serve the same purpose, but the 3D printed

ones are more wacky, creative, or personalised.

There is no clear general answer on whether or

not to print when there's a store-bought alternative.

On one hand, your 3D printed item didn't need to

be shipped to you and you may continue to value

it longer since it is more personalised and unique

(leading to less waste).

On the other hand, it may take three tries of

printing it to get it exactly right (meaning lots of

wasted plastic), and depending on your material

and your design, a store-bought item might be

more durable or less toxic. If you are printing these

kinds of items, I'd suggest prototyping your design

in PLA, so that you can compost the test versions

that don't work out.

photo A 3D resin print from Shapeways with the original 3d model shown on screen by Dolf Veenvliet.

27 SG

3D PRINTING: REPAIR & UPCYCLINGTwo areas where, environmentally, it does make

sense to 3D print are repair and upcycling. For

repair, you may be able to print a small part that

isn't readily available from the manufacturer. This

can extend the life of that product, which may have

had a lot of environmental impact in its production.

For example, a friend of mine had an old

lawnmower that had a broken gas-cap that he

couldn't buy a replacement for. He 3D printed a new

cap instead of discarding the lawnmower and buying

a new one. So, in his case, the environmental cost

of printing the plastic part was offset by eliminating

the need for manufacturing a lawnmower. I've

done an example of using 3D printing to repair the

handlebar-mount for my bike light.

Upcycling is another area where 3D prints come

out as a net benefit. These are scenarios where we

print items that add new functionality and lifetime

to objects, especially ones that will be thrown

away. In one example, designer Samuel Bernier

made an attachment that turned a glass jar into

an orange-juicer. The glass jar took a lot of energy

to produce, and would have been thrown away.

With his device, he prolongs the life of the jar and

eliminates the need to manufacture another orange

juicer.

THE FUTUREAccording to Christopher Barnatt (a futurist, author,

videographer and Associate Professor of Computing

and Future Studies in Nottingham University Business

School): 'Whether or not they arrive en masse in the

home, 3D printers have many promising areas of

potential future application. They may, for example,

be used to output spare parts for all manner of

products, and which could not possibly be stocked

as part of the inventory of even the best physical

store. Hence, rather than throwing away a broken

item (something unlikely to be justified a decade or

two hence due to resource depletion and enforced

recycling), faulty goods will be able to be taken to a

local facility that will call up the appropriate spare

parts online and simply print them out. NASA has

already tested a 3D printer on the International Space

Station, and recently announced its requirement for

SG 28

a high resolution 3D printer to produce spacecraft

parts during deep space missions. The US Army has

also experimented with a truck-mounted 3D printer

capable of outputting spare tank and other vehicle

components in the battlefield.'

As of 2012, 3D printing technology has been

studied by biotechnology firms and academia for

possible use in tissue engineering applications in

which organs and body parts are built using inkjet

techniques. In this process, layers of living cells

are deposited onto a gel medium or sugar matrix

and slowly built up to form three-dimensional

structures including vascular systems. Several terms

have been used to refer to this field of research:

organ printing, bio-printing, body part printing,

and computer-aided tissue engineering, among

others. 3D printing can produce a personalised hip

replacement in one pass, with the ball permanently

inside the socket and is available in printing

resolutions that don't require polishing.

A proof-of-principle project at the University

of Glasgow, UK, in 2012 showed that it is possible

to use 3D printing techniques to create chemical

compounds, including new ones. They first concept

printed chemical reaction vessels, then use the

printer to squirt reactants into them as 'chemical

inks' which would then react. They have produced

new compounds to verify the validity of the process,

but have not pursued anything with a particular

application. They used the Fab@Home open

source printer, at a reported cost of US$2 000.

Cornell Creative Machines Lab has confirmed that

it is possible to produce customised food with 3D

Hydrocolloid Printing.

The use of 3D scanning technologies allows

the replication of real objects without the use of

moulding techniques that in many cases can be

more expensive, more difficult, or too invasive to

be performed, particularly for precious or delicate

cultural heritage artifacts where direct contact

with the moulding substances could harm the

original object's surface. Objects as ubiquitous as

smartphones can be used as 3D scanners: Sculpteo

unveiled a mobile app at the 2012 Consumer

Electronics Show that allows a 3D file to be generated

directly via smartphone.

An additional use being developed is 'building

printing', which could allow faster construction for

lower costs, and is currently being investigated for

construction of off-Earth habitats. S G

SOURCESautodesk Explaining the Future

photos: above left, examples of 3D printing. below, a 3D printer with example.

WATCH THESE!

29 SG

SG 30

INGREDIENTS

Oneortwoclumps(aboutasmallhandful)ofmoss 2cupsofbuttermilk Youcanalsosubstitutewithyoghurt(veganyoghurt

canbeused) 2cupsofwater tspsugar Cornsyrup(optional)

THINGS YOU'LL NEED

Apaintbrush Ablender Moss

STEPS

Gatherupasmuchmossasyoucanfindorbuy Washthemosstogetasmuchsoiloutoftheroots

aspossible. Breakthemossapartintomanageablepiecesand

placeinblender. Addthebuttermilk/yoghurt,waterandsugar.Blend

themixtureuntilcompletelysmooth.You'llwantittohaveapaint-liketexture.(Ifthemixtureisataconsistencywhereyoufeelitwilldrip,addcornsyrupuntiltheconsistencyyoudesireisreached.)

Useapaintbrushtoapplythemoss-painttothesurfaceonwhichyouwishyourdesigntogrow.

Ifpossible,checkbackweeklytoeitherspraythedesignwithwater(toencouragemossgrowth,especiallyifyouliveinadryenvironment)orapplymoremoss-paint.

sOURCE: www.wikihow.com/Make-Moss-graffiti

Moss graffiti, also called eco-graffiti or green

graffiti, replaces spray paint, paint-markers

or other such toxic chemicals and paints with

creatively-applied moss that can grow on its own. As people

become more eco-friendly and environmentally aware, the idea of

making living, breathing graffiti has become an interesting green,

inspired outlet for graffiti artists. We looks at how it's being done.

Graffiti art, unless done with a public art permit, is probably not legal in your area. this article does not endorse illegal art, but does suggest that the graffiti can be done in or around your home or with a permit.

commuNity

31 SG

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WA

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SG 32

O riginally launched in 2003, Cathkin Estates is the

result of a long-term vision and determination to

transform a cattle ranch into an eco-estate. The

Stockil family have farmed in the Winterton area for over

130 years where they initially leased the farm, but bought

it in 1962 and successfully farmed in this frost-free

enclave in the Drakensberg for many years. With time, the

dream of establishing an eco-friendly estate on the farm

grew into the success story of today.

Brothers Pete and Mark initiated the process in 1986.

Despite encountering their fair share of resistance,

they persisted with the project planning. Environmental

considerations were on the top of the agenda during

the planning stages and still form the core of the

entire project. The development was designed to be

energy-efficient and water-sensitive, without impacting

on the functionality of the units. All water is supplied

from dams on the property through a gravity-fed system,

and each unit has its own septic tank, and the use of

anaerobic sewage systems is encouraged.

The estate, with its high biodiversity, is controlled

by a detailed Environmental Management Plan (EMP) to

protect its rich natural heritage. This grassland biome is

one of SA's most endangered habitats with less than 1% of

merGINGNaTureEco-estate development is the latest buzz-phrase in the real estate industry. however, the drive towards sustainable development and the responsible preservation of our natural heritage is not a new concept. a number of successful developments in South Africa have been implementing the core values of creating

and maintaining real estate projects to the benefit of both the environment and the investor. We take a look at one such estate that is an example of a successful enviro-restoration project through responsible development.

eco estate

33 SG

the grasslands officially protected. Apart from a 100-year

old oak forest, a timber plantation and some other relics

of the past owners, such as an old farmhouse and a fruit

orchard, the estate consists of natural bush and veld only.

All farming-related land has been rehabilitated.

Cathkin Estates is divided into five villages each with

a unique character and location. All stands are on the

western slopes of the ridges and spread out so that the

villages are separated from each other's view. Each stand

has unobstructed views of the Berg. Villages 1-3 formed

part of the initial launch and were sold out within months,

while Villages 4 and 5 are now ready for release.

The design of homes is governed by guidelines

allowing individual expression within a generic Berg

theme, while minimising disruption to the environment.

The architectural guidelines form the basis of the

environmental considerations and include specifications

for exterior home finishes to ensure all homes blend in

with the natural environment. Rustic natural materials are

encouraged, with sandstone, rock and roughened plaster

used to blend into the surroundings. Colours are planned

to harmonise with nature's palette. Matt surfaces and

recessed, shaded or tinted windows minimise reflection,

and unsightly satellite dishes are hidden from view. Home

owners can garden around their properties, but may

only use indigenous plants. They are also encouraged to

install solar panels for water heating.

The establishment of Cathkin Estates is not only an

environmental success, but also a great employment

opportunity story. The estate provides jobs to many

of the local villagers. Building, maintenance, cleaning,

gardening and security are all newly created and sorely

needed jobs in a rural area.

A variety of services as well as an array of activities

is on offer, not just on the estate but also in the Valley.

Apart from the numerous activities such as biking, trout

fishing, hiking and horse riding, the developers are also

planning two Bush Camps to allow property owners

the option of a night's camping in the bush in a safe

environment.

Offering exceptional lifestyle and investment

opportunities, the Cathkin Estates story makes this a truly

unique South African investment opportunity. S G

For more information on investment options contact

0861 002 444, www.cathkinestates.com, or see ad below.

VILLA

GE 4&

5

JUST

LAU

NCH

ED

L a n d | H o m e P a c k a g e s | C o - O w n e r s h i p U n i t s

0 8 6 1 0 0 2 4 4 4 I w w w . c a t h k i n e s t a t e s . c o m

Estate At t rac t ions

Mountain biking Trout fishing Game viewing Running and walking trails

Bird hides Community facilities and kids entertainment

Close proximity to a variety of facilities in the Champagne Valley

Nestled up against the Drakensberg World Heritage Site is Cathkin Estates,

a 1000 hectare residential estate that provides a feast of wildlife, berg views and

outdoor activities. With a variety of freehold land and home options, this is the family

estate of your dreams. Only 2.5 hours from Durban and 4 hours from Gauteng.

T H E S U M M I T O F B E R G L I V I N G

home

ecomohomes

The ecomo home is a compact home designed for modern, simple living in collaboration with nature. We take a look.

Eco-homeshaveprojectsinFranschhoek(picturedhere),PaarlandStanfordintheOverberg.

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The design behind ecomo homes is based on basic sustainable, green design principles. The home offers a low-maintenance, modern, well-designed

green housing alternative an innovative

solution to the residential market in that

it responds and adapts to the changing

modes of living related to the modern

condition. In an age of sensory overload it

is important for many to be able to escape

the concrete jungle and enjoy time in natural

surroundings. It was with this at heart that

the ecomo was conceived.

The home affords a wider group of

people this luxury and creates spaces that

are earth- and human-friendly. 'With a

Eco-moBILEThe Eco-mobile is a 40 foot (13m) container size steel frame manufactured in its entirety off-site.

Clad with wooden panels and timber flooring, this unit consists of a bedroom with bathroom and a kitchenette with living space. Various panels can be flipped down to create outdoor areas and also increase the living space towards the outside. The hybrid energy and the bio-toilet component allow this unit to be placed anywhere and be completely self-sufficient. This temporary structure doesnt require foundations. instead, footings will anchor the unit to the ground in a non-invasive and easy removable manner.

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responsible approach to intrinsic design aspects

and to the environment in which we live, the ecomo

home is the best solution to a conscious lifestyle,'

says the company. The ecomo system commits to

creating flexibility for the user while still responding

to larger enviro-responsibilities, and all within a

contemporary international quality setting.

The home concept consists of three units: 5m

x 5m modules can be arranged to the clients need

or some of these elements can simply be added at

a later stage. This offers a big freedom to simply

increase the size of the house when needed.

The ecomo home is a predesigned, prefabricated,

customised home, offering numerous options in

layout, size and finish.

These custom designs allow unique solutions

for unique sites and are sustainable, thoughtfully

designed, modular systems. This guarantees high

levels of quality as construction takes place at

an off-site factory and offers a truly streamlined

process, as well as predictable timeframes and costs

for their clients. Further, through factory-based

construction, impact on the new home-site is

minimised. S G

For more info, visit here.

'Architecture and Nature are the two guiding principles behind Ecomo.Its goal is not to separate these two elements but rather to synergisethem to create designs that are coherent with the environment.'Ximena Farfan

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c O N T R i B U T O R S aDViSORY

AnAustraliancompanywithlocalofficesinJohannesburg,carbonTRACK, has come up with a 'remote intelligentdata device', run by a computer-based 'visually smartcontrol portal', which allows you to switch key components inyourhomeonandoff remotely.And it'ssuper-easy touseandunderstand, no high-end programming required. carbonTRACKhas also partnered with a local distribution company, SASSA,the Solar Academy of Sub-SaharanAfrica, with a nation-widefranchisenetworkforeaseofaccesstoitsproduct,adedicatedcall centre andafter-sales service.The companyhas localisedsomeofthecomponentsandtherearealsoplanstosetupalocalassemblylineinthenearfuture.Thiscompanysaysitssolutionto optimising home energy usage is 'suitable for the medium to high-income residential market, assisting in improvingend-userenergy-efficiency,forbothrenewableandconventionalenergy devices'. carbonTRACK's solution features a 'savvy,consumer-orientated interface'. This allows for energy-efficientliving without the sweat, giving the user a pathway to moresustainablelivinginasmart,visible,transparentmanner.

Asacontroller,itmakesoperatingandusingenergydeviceslikehotwatergeysers,solarwaterheatingsystems,poolpumpsand even air conditioners, convenient and seamless, therebysaving energy and providing households with control. ThecarbonTRACKsolutionkeepsyourenergydevicesettingsatyourfingertips,making energy data personal and transparent. Herearesomeofitskeybenefits:

A d v E R t o R i A l

Ok, so you know that we are all

under pressure to cut our energy

usage, both to head off rolling

blackouts and to cut down on

expensive energy wastage. But,

practically speaking, when you

are at work, how do you ensure

that the energy being used at

home is in line with what is most

cost- and energy-efficient for you?

Well, there's an answer for that

and it's dead easy too.

Remotely Track and Switch your Energy Devices in Real-Time

Real-time monitoring and data reporting access Intrinsic to its capability, home-owners and service providerswillhavereal-timeaccesstovariousdataparameterswhicharecontinuouslymeasuredandmonitored;theseincludepowerusedorgenerated,tanktemperatureandtimeusagesettings.

Pre-emptive maintenance and under-performancecarbonTRACKalsohastheoptionoffloodalertsensoryandleakdetection functionality, which can assist in preventing collateraldamage in theeventofgeyser failure.Analert canbesentviatheGSM/GPRSnetworkfromcarbonTRACKtoserviceprovidersabout the geyser failure, providing the householder with peaceof mind. carbonTRACK, with its remote sensing capabilities,can signal service providers if certain critical parameters areexceeded.

Behaviour change platform carbonTRACK provides consumers with transparent energyusage patterns to help them manage electricity consumption.Families and businesses have access to real-time informationabout their usage patterns, helping them to save money. Thereal-time data display can have a significant effect on theenergy-use behaviour of individuals, families and businesses.Behaviourchangeisencouragedbyreal-timeenergyinformationand feedback via the carbonTRACK interface, driving greaterenergyandenvironmentalsavings.

Reduced auditing costs Installersandsupplierscanaccessanyproblems remotelyandnotify end-users of any imminent problems, thereby reducingcall-outfees.

Convert existing hot water systems into smart systemscarbonTRACK is an incremental step in terms of adopting alow-carbonlifestyle.YourexistinghotwatersystemcanutilisethefeaturesofcarbonTRACKtonotonlysaveyoumoney,butalsogiveyougreatertransparencyofyourenergyusagepatterns.

Optimised for multiple interfaces: engaging and user-centricThe carbonTRACK interface is optimised for various mobile,desktop and web platforms with data displayed in a visuallyappealing,consumer-orientatedmanner.Ouruser-centricdesignmakesforauniquelyengagingexperience;historicalperformancedataiseasilyaccessiblefromtheinterface.

Early warning leak detection With carbonTRACK's remote alert functionality, end-users willknow immediately if water is collecting in their geyser's driptraysignallinggeyser leakage.This real-timealertcanassist inavoidingcollateraldamagefromadamagedorleakinggeyser.

Push notifications, real-time communications gateway Service providers and installers will find the online interfacean effective communications channel with their customers.carbonTRACKcanassist end-usersbyproviding themwith thelatestnewsandtipsandoffersonelectricitysavings.Asaresult,customer relationships may be considerably strengthened; thecarbonTRACKinterfaceimprovescommunicationwithend-usersastheyreceivepertinentinformation,likeelectricitypricesignals,viatheinterface.Thesystemallowsforunique'push'notificationswhichmay be used for education and real-time alerts, as wellas product and service offerings. End-usersmay access smartvisualised information on their phones, tablets or the web.The online interface is a cost-effective marketing channel,complementingothercommunicationschannelslikemedia,radioandweb.

Modular scalability: control and monitoring of other electrical and household appliances Theinstallationandoperationisintuitiveandthereforecalculatesa large number of application scenarios. Via carbonTRACK'sexpansionports,end-userscanchoosetocontrolselectedenergydevicesviatablets,smartphonesortheweb;individualprogramsettingsarealsopossible.

Timer & switching functionalitycarbonTRACK is capable of adjusting to various blocks of ONorOFF timersettings in response topeakandoff-peakperiodsaswell asholidaymode.Built into its intelligence, its switchingcapability is able to control energy using systems such assolar water heating systems, pool pumps and more, from theconvenienceofaphoneortablet.

Switch off energy devices during peak load timesThebuilt-in timersettingswillassistend-users toswitchenergydevicesoffduringpeak load timesand thuscomplementpublicawarenesscampaignslikethoseencouragingstabilisationofthegrid.

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For info: www.carbontrack.co.za, 011 513 4060 or [email protected]

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Silent Sun Revolution

Off the grid

A PV installation by AM Solar at Woodlands International School in Impala Park, Benoni A diagram of the Solar Window design

Alastair from AM Solar programming the PV system.

A large PV array using 230W SolarWorld Solar Panels and using the SolarWorld mounting. racks.

A typical Power Room: Hoppeke 2v Battery Cells, Victron 15kW Grid Inverters and SMA SunnyBoy PV String Inverters.

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The price of quality electrical components is dropping, even as Eskom prices continue to rise. This means that for an increasing number of applications, solar electric or photovoltaic

power (PV) is now making increasing financial sense.

We keep hearing about solar water heaters and

heat pumps, yet few think about generating their

own electricity using PV. But this technology is fast

emerging into the light.

When PV is mentioned, it's immediately written

off as unrealistic and too costly. But the wheel turns

and for many reasons which I unpack below, it's

now becoming more viable and proven in the field.

But what exactly is PV? This is where a

silicone-based solar (photovoltaic) panel converts

sunlight directly into electricity.

On a sunny South African day one photovoltaic

panel of 1m2 can generate around 1KW of electrical

energy, enough to boil a kettle of water in two

minutes. This is astounding and proves the

extremely high solar radiation we enjoy at this

southern tip of Africa.

This is quite different to a solar water heating

panel which contains water heated by the sun. The

dual use of the term 'solar panel' is what confuses

most non-technical people.

The truth is too few are capitalising on the

phenomenal power of our African sun to generate

electric power.

But it's happening. Take a look.

Not many people realise for example that there

exists a primary school on the East Rand that

operates purely on solar energy it doesn't even

have a power line from Eskom.

This is energy security and energy independence

at its best. The array of photovoltaic (PV) panels

powers the whole school during the day and there

is a small battery bank to run the operation when

the sun no longer shines. These batteries are

themselves charged by sunlight, and work like a

large UPS back-up system, supplying after-hours

power to such items as lights, security system and

computers.

Electrical engineer Alastair Armstrong's system

is similar in principle to those small garden LED

lights with a small PV panel on the top. During the

day sunlight charges the batteries via the small

photovoltaic panel. At sundown these fully charged

batteries then power the light throughout the night.

Why did the owner of this school opt to go the

PV route might you ask?

There are many reasons.

Benefits of a well-designed Pv system: Cheaper than Eskom, especially in the medium

to long term.

A fairly high capital investment but a short

payback period of 1.9 years, thereafter totally

free electricity from the sun.

A saving over 20 years of over R3m.

A performance warranty of 20 years or more

(Service Level Agreement).

Energy security and energy independence. An

asset in itself.

Immunity from future Eskom price increases.

Immunity from Eskom power outages.

Increased value of the 'green' property (5-10%

according to the American Appraisal Institute).

A low-carbon footprint/tax and compliance with

enviro-ethics.

Totally silent system with low maintenance.

Aesthetically acceptable panels, especially when

mounted flush on a north-facing roof.

Virtually zero running costs once the capital has

been repaid.

PV as a market differentiator. 'Green' businesses

simply sell better.

A financial 'no-brainer'.

A silent revolution is taking place in the world of electrical energy. Roger Metcalfe reports.

Silent Sun Revolution

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ThE BEAuTy of GrEEn dEsIGn Any technician with a bakkie can install panels on

your roof, but if the entire energy picture is not taken

into consideration, it can be a costly, unreliable affair.

This is why a 'green rational design' is so important.

In fact, system design is critical to reliability and to

cost-effectiveness.

The problem is that true specialists are few and

far between engineers capable of integrating the

multi-level parameters, able to design cost-effective,

reliable PV systems.

If such specialist engineers exist, then ladies and

gentlemen, please stand up and be counted, for your

time has arrived.

Alastair Armstrong, owner of AM Solar, is already

standing, and like a surfer he's beginning to ride

the solar energy wave. On Google map he monitors

his growing number of off-grid and grid-interactive

PV installations. These he monitors remotely and

wirelessly. The installations are in the form of blue PV

icons on his map.

Off-grid means zero Eskom power, while

grid-interactive (or grid-tied) means Eskom is used

only as

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