Our planet is in urgent need to develop sustainable methodologies and emission-reduction programs for food production, energy production, wastewater treatment... you name it! Often emission-reduction programs lack the ability to boost economic growth, which is the first priority for most of the developing countries. However, societies and communities are increasingly moving from conventional methods to produce and discharge goods to more into resource recovery -based models and waste-to-energy type of systems to avoid and reduce negative impacts of the changing climates. Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve as an environmental organisation tackles both, climate change adaptation, and mitigation measures.
This article sets out very clearly the situation with regard to water supply and the management of the upper catchments and the problems related there to.
An Introduction:
The Marine and Guiding course has started and is in full swing at De Hoop Nature Reserve. De Hoop Collections have kindly sponsored accommodation, and the students have stayed at Mellkkammer, one of the original estates in the Reserve. A unique opportunity.
Gavin Maneveldt, a biodiversity and conservation professor at University of the Western Cape, gave two days of dynamic lectures on marine life and hands-on live experiences on the beach - watching anemones, octopuses, whelks, and many other living organisms on the rocky shores of De Hoop. An interactive walk for adrenaline junkies of a different type.
In April, students, teachers, and the director of Athénéé de Luxembourg visited Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve for two weeks. In Luxembourg, the students attend an Edu-Link course run by the school, in conjunction with their NGO Athénéé Action Humanitaire who fund many of the diverse educational projects of Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve. The group visited the projects supported by their NGO and had several hands-on experiences of the educational outings and activities that they fund.