Protecting the ozone layer. Yesterday was the International Day for the protection of the ozone layer - a rather unobtrusive celebration for an issue that is still significant. This year marks the 20th anniversary to control the production and the use of ozone-depleting substances. As a result of the protocol, there was a 90% drop in the 1986-2001 period in the global use of CFCs. However, developing countries have only decreased their use of CFCs by 15% with some alarming repercussions. [stat.si] [buanews online] [UN environment programme]

Water, water everywhere but not a drop to drink. Never a truer word said in jest. Whilst the Cape’s dams may be overflowing and residents have, no doubt, already thrown caution to the wind and foregone all water saving initiatives, Limpopo’s dam levels are causing concern. They have decreased at an alarming rate due to low summer rainfalls and 25% of 44 major dams are below the 40% mark. [IOL] And in Gauteng, some rivers in and around Jo’burg are so toxic, they could kill you - the Cheetah bridge in Alexandra shows E.coli levels of 2,4-million per 100ml, 240 times the acceptable level of 10 000 per 100ml. [IOL] [read further]

SA to host solar car race. Set to take place in Sept 2008, the Advanced Energy Foundation has launched the SASC (SA Solar Challenge) that will allow contestants to drive through 4150 kilometres of the country’s diverse terrain, powered by nothing other than the sun. The main objective is to design, manage, build and race solar powered vehicles across South Africa. [solarchallenge] [greencars blog]

Lighting up Africa. The World Bank Group and the International Financing Corporation have launched an initiative to provide modern lighting to the 250 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa who have no access to electricity. Many people in Africa have resorted to fuel-based lighting sources such as kerosene lamps, that are costly, inefficient and pose serious fire hazards. [sagoodnews]