HOW BIG IS YOUR FOOTPRINT?
 Climate Cooling
It’s no secret any longer; the earth’s climate temperature is increasing, although this is not a first. It is the first time that this phenomenon can be directly attributed to the activities for a single species – man. The consumption of carbon and resulting discharge CO2 into the atmosphere, couple with the on-going destruction of the only organism that is capable of converting atmospheric CO2 into oxygen, asaspirating this already huge problem. Due to rising temperature polar ice caps are melting away, the very same ice caps that used to reflect the sun rays and reduce warming radiation from reaching the earth, pushing us closer and closer to the tipping point where climate change is unstoppable.
There are many ways that we as individuals can make a difference, they may seem small and insignificant, but collectively they will make a difference.
One of which is to plant trees….that simple.
“…but my garden is already full of trees!”
Welcome to Food and Trees for Africa (FTFA).
Food and Trees for Africa is a non-government organization that was founded in 1990 by Jeunesse Park and has the support of a very credible list of Directors and Patrons including Dali Tambo, Kumi Naidoo (Director of Green Peace International), Judy Sexwale, Graca Michel and the late Helen Suzman.
Some of the stated objectives of FTFA are:-
- To contribute to greening, climate change, sustainable natural resource management and food security,
- To create awareness of the benefit of environmental upliftment activities amongst our communities of Southern Africa.
This multiple award winning organization in conjunction with numerous other organizations (eg . Woolworths Trust Eduplant) have embarked on greening projects that are too numerous to mention, resulting in the planting of millions of trees, 550 000 trees in 2009 alone.
It’s people like you and I, and organizations like Food and Trees for Africa that are making a difference.
In our efforts to recognize and support FTFA, we have established a Climate Cooling (CC) range of men’s and lady’s T-shirts. These t-shirts will feature the informative CC swing tag and print, and for every t-shirt sold R5.00 will be donated to FTFA.
The Climate Cool range of t-shirts are now available at all Senqu stores, go to www.senqu.co.za/asp/senqu_store.asp for store directory, was well as Senqu partner retailers S.I .Mias in Woodmead JHB (011-8044102), Ventures for Africa in Cresta Centre JHB (011-4761517) and Walkabout in St Lucia (035-5901418). |
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 Here at Senqu we like to spend a lot of time outdoors , whether it’s in the mountains small stream fly-fishing , kayaking the Indian Ocean , discovering in the Botswanan bush or diving the Mozambique channel .
That’s our world ... and yet our world is under threat ... carbon emission , growing green house gases and the resultant – global warming , plastic pollution of our oceans , over- grazing , exploitation of our fisheries ... man's continuing pressure on the earths resources.
What are we doing about it?
The solution is not a simple one , but rather a multi-faceted , group effort that must grow in number , grow in conscience , grow in the initiatives ...
welcome to the Green Revolution!
Our Initiatives :-
- Organic cotton. This summer we have introduced 5% organic cotton into t-shirts ... by the end of this year , all Senqu t-shirts and golfers will be made from 100% Organic Cotton.
- Senqu stores no longer supply plastic shopper bags , only paper.
- All swing tags have been converted to re-cycled board.
- All swingtags are now attached with bio-degradable string as opposed to plastic kimballs.
- We only use recycled garment hangers in Senqu stores.
- We recycle in our offices , and homes.
- Garments are delivered in recycled plastic packets.
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The ocean has always been viewed as a bottomless resource but the reality is that marine resources are finite.
The ocean provides us with tremendous and often unseen economic, social and cultural benefits; it acts as a vast highway for commerce, it provides a place for recreation and, importantly, it supplies food or income for 2.6 billion people worldwide.
Today, however, decades of commercial fishing, with ever increasing technology, have resulted in dangerously depleted fish stocks and an ecosystem whose balance has been sufficiently tipped to jeopardize the existence of a number of key species.
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85% of the world´s fish stocks are either overexploited or exploited to their maximum |
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Massive by-catch devastation. Globally, it is estimated that approximately 25% of what is caught is thrown back, often dead, and wasted. |
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Marine ecosystems exist in a delicate balance – therefore harvesting a species can have implications for the function of the entire system. Although this problem may seem insurmountable, it is not and the WWF Sustainable Fisheries Programme is in a unique position to provide practical solutions. Placed at the interface between civil society, the private sector and government, the program has the unique ability to work across the seafood supply chain to address this challenge in the holistic manner
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Targeting the most important player in the seafood chain, the consumer, the initiative aims to educate and inform the consumer as to what fish species are harvested in a sustainable fashion and those that are not and as a result are under pressure or endangered.
They have produced a pocket guide that list species in either, Green – Best Choice, Orange – Think Twice, and Red – Don't buy.
From this information, you as the consumer can make some informed decisions and vote with your wallet.
They have also developed a Conscious Seafood Consumer Diner Card, which enables you to present it at a restaurant, which eloquently informs the Chef or Restaurant owner that you are an informed diner, and that he may have contravened some of the principles valued by SASSI. This will demonstrate to the restaurant that the consumer is concerned, informed and will again vote with his wallet ... sufficient motivation for him to change his stocking policy. Join the revolution and start making a difference today!
Visit www.wwfsassi.co.za for more information and to acquire sassi pocket guides and Diners' cards.
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From April this year all Senqu fishing related T-shirts & Tech shirts will be delivered with a SASSI booklet attached. |
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Going Green
Through the amazing work of amazing people around the world, it’s generally recognized by the greater informed public that the planet is coming under some serious pressure.
Global warming, unsustainable resource consumption, unsustainable waste production, fossil fuel dependent societies…..the list goes on.
The question on everyone’s lips is “so what can I do about it?”
Aside from voting for public officer’s, at all levels, that have a clearly defined green strategies, that support key green principles. Aside from voting with your wallet for green products, what else can you do?
Simon Gear’s book “Going Green, 365 ways to change our world” is a great little handbook that’s offers 365 green tips, one for each day of the year! Written in a witty and entertaining style the tips are every day, fun, achievable and accessible that will reduce your footprint and save you money.
Going Green is published by Penguin and is available at reputable book stores.
To quote Simon “Making the planet a better place, one day at a time”
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We at Senqu are proud to announce our sponsorship of SPOTS - Strategic Protection Of Threatened Species.
SPOTS is a registered non-profit company that was formed by Peter Milton and his fellow directors in response to the ever increasing threat to our wildlife heritage, namely alarming increases in poaching activities, increase conflict between wildlife habitat and agricultural, residential and industrial expansion, and the destruction of large numbers of cat species in the name of vanity.
To quote Peter , "What has also become apparent over the past 10 years or so, is that we cannot merely shift the conservation burden onto government structures and departments. Now, more than ever before, those of us who are concerned about conservation must work together with a cohesive and well defined strategy - a co - ordinated effort between the business sector, government departments, land owners, professional wildlife bodies, the public and conservation organisations."
SPOTS principles of operation include:
- Working with the business sector on realising their meaningful role in the conservation effort.
- Involvement in species specific conservation efforts – this with a strong emphasis on anti-poaching methods and strategies and the capture and relocation of "problem" animals,
- Working with government departments in order to assist in the clear definition of strategic direction with regard to conservation in general,
- Endeavouring to create strategic links between initiatives where sharing common technology, methodology, information or intellectual property may improve the effectiveness of conservation.
To this end SPOTS contributed in the LeadSA rhino think tank and Mister Sonjica's Water and Environmental Affairs Rhino Summit, where new levels of strategic thinking took place, with much anticipation around its implementation.
Regarding the huge problem of rhino poaching and the threat of a negative population growth SPOTS is instrumental in promoting a rhino hunting moratorium.
Work –in-progress also includes the establishment of the Greater Mokolo Game Reserve, being a joint effort between farmers, game lodges and government to drop fences in this region.
It is hoped that the successful implementation of this will create a blue print for further projects.
There is a lot of hard work to be done to protect and ensure our wildlife equity for future generations, and it is people like Peter and his team, that need all the support they can get, while they roll up their sleeves and get down to the work of it.
PS - we had to include a pic of our new family member. A recently orphaned cheetah cub, aptly, named Senqu. We are very proud of her and the progress she is making!
Visit SPOTS online at: www.spots.org.za. |
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Have you heard about PROJECT PLUS?
 Join us and register with Project Plus , an organization that collects your old printer and fax cartridges , converts them to cash and donates the proceeds to the Endangered Wildlife Trust!
A simple and easy way to support a fantastic body that strives to safe guard our wildlife. Visit Project Plus on www.helpus2help.com
What is Organic Cotton?
Conventional Cotton
Cotton is the most popular fabric composition in the world ... and most pesticide dependent in the world!
Accounting for 25% of all pesticides use.
These chemicals are taking a toll on our environment and human health as a whole.
According to the USDA, in one year alone over 50 million pounds of pesticides were used on U.S. cotton fields. These pesticides deplete the soil and pollute watersheds.
How is Organic Cotton different?
No toxins or synthetic fertilizers are used. Organic cotton is produced without the use of harsh chemical bleaches or dyes, and is allergy free. Natural fertilizers, compost and soil amendments are used, and advances in natural pest control, such as ladybugs which destroy harmful insects, have helped make raising organic cotton a viable enterprise.
What can you do?
For simple everyday steps that will collectively make a difference , go to www.cliamatecrisis.net/takeaction/whatyoucando/index.html
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