Newsletter – September 2024

WCC was busy with schools program, projects and a public talk. 

In this issue:

  •  
  • School’s Expos on Climate Change
  • Climate Change Law
  • Stanford Mill Stream Clean-up – Die Bron Primary
  • Public Talk
  • Hawston Paddavlei Project – Pathway
  • Whale Coast Conservation AGM 2024

School’s Expos – Climate Change 

Members of the WCC schools’ education team presented an expo on climate change as part of their environmental education program at schools in Gansbaai and Stanford. The expo covers five different topics including: the role of global warming in climate change; how a warming earth causes climate change; the effects of climate change that we can see across the world (floods, fires, hurricanes). We discussed how climate change is contributing to the demise of African Penguins; what we can do about Climate Change; what is the Just Energy Transition; how do we save water to prepare for a drier climate?  The same expo will be rolled out for Hermanus schools in due course. Thank you to all our volunteers who help with the schools education program. 

Climate Change Law

The Climate Change Act No 22 of 2024 was signed into law by President Ramaphosa on 23 July 2024 – this is a pivotal piece of legislation designed to define, manage, monitor and implement South Africa’s response to global climate change challenges. The Act takes precedence over other climate-related laws and requires all spheres of government to align with its goal.  All levels of government from national, provincial, local government are to map, plan for, and address climate adaptation needs, recognizing the urgent nature of climate mitigation.

The Act mandates, as per section 9 of the Act, that local government (metros and municipalities) establish Municipal Climate Change Forums to coordinate climate change response actions and activities within the operational control of the relevant municipal area in partnership with representatives of civil society groups such as non-profit organization’s, ward committees, ratepayer associations, home owners associations, traditional leaders, street committees and so forth. The success of this legislation and other policies that may evolve will rely on political will, consultation and public participation.

“In September 2023, we in the Overberg felt the might of the devastating impact of Climate Change. The necessary adaptation of this Act

and responses at a local level is a call to action in communities. We need to be resilient, prevent suffering and future proof our environment together!” Dr Pat Miller, Chairperson, Whale Coast Conservation.

A date for proclamation by the President is imminent.

Written by WCC board member Ann Bown

Stanford Millstream Clean-up – Die Bron Primary School

Whale Coast Conservation did a clean-up at the Millstream with fifty-four Die Bron Primary School Grade 4 learners. This is an ongoing initiative with the school to pick up litter in the portion of the Millstream catchment adjacent to the school. The learners enjoy the outdoor classroom session and are taking responsibility for a clean environment.

Public Talk

Our public talk in August covered the subject “Climate-Smart Agriculture”. The packed audience included a group of 40 learners from Hawston High and Gansbaai Academia.

In her presentation, Prof Stephanie Midgley unpacked the concept and practice of ‘Climate Smart Agriculture’, specifically in the context of the Overstrand region and more broadly the Western Cape. Climate variability, increasing weather unpredictability, and more frequent and intense weather extremes (sometimes leading to disasters) are key factors affecting production and profitability of farming, with implications for the whole food system.

The Western Cape Department of Agriculture has developed a roadmap towards better planning, science-based decision-making and support to farmers amidst these climatic threats – the SmartAgri Plan. The plan outlines a co-ordinated and co-operative approach to the development of long-term climate resilience in agriculture. A systemic, landscape-focused lens means that biodiversity and ecosystem services are integrated into the plan.

The presentation concluded with practical examples and response options. 

Hawston Paddavlei Project – Pathway built

The Paddavlei project is ongoing at Hawston and the creation of a pathway in the exquisite Milkwood forests around the Paddavlei, has started.

The guys are using poles which are cut from the alien invasive trees at the Whale Coast Nature Reserve to bolster the areas which gets heavy foot traffic in order to prevent erosion. 

Whale Coast Conservation AGM 2024

We are pleased to invite you to our 22nd AGM on Thursday 19 September 2024. The AGM will start at 17h00. 

The AGM will be followed by a talk by our guest speaker, Prof Mike Bruton, at 17h30. 

Prepare to be entertained and enlightened (and possibly frightened) as we explore what it is like to be a snake, lizard or turtle, why reptiles were more dominant in the past yet are declining now, how they have adapted to terrestrial, freshwater and marine environments, how they breed, care for their young, feed and defend themselves, and what their role is in Nature. Did you know that modern marine turtles, as well as crocodiles and the New Zealand tuatara, are living dinosaurs, that reptiles all have dry, scaly skin, and that many reptiles, including crocodiles, are caring mothers?