Eco-minute

BULLETIN 16 July   1:30 pm

Good afternoon, here is your Eco Minute:

# The Southern African Faith Communities Environment Institute has criticised the National Nuclear Regulator board’s approval of a 20-year life extension for Koeberg Unit One in Cape Town. The regulator says the approval is in line with governing legislation, and international safety standards, and followed a public participation process, including eight public hearings. The institute’s Francesca de Gasparis says Koeberg still has many safety concerns, which have not been addressed:

The institute believes Africa does not need more nuclear power plants. The institute and Earthlife Africa are co-host panel discussions on the dangers of nuclear power with award-winning Russian environmentalist Vladimir Slivyak in Johannesburg today. The next discussions will take place in Cape Town next Tuesday. De Gasparis says communities in Kenya are also protesting against new nuclear plants:

# And finally: The Tshwane University of Technology has collaborated with LC Dynamics to develop a pioneering invention to cut down on energy bills. The creation is smart blinds with built-in solar panels that can keep some of the most critical home devices charged. Curtis Tshehla, who oversaw both the mechanical and electronic needs of the product, says installing the photovoltaic window blinds can save up to 70-percent on the electric power bill. He adds that solar blinds can save energy by shading the home interior and reducing air-conditioning costs by up to 40-percent.