sustainable development

Scientists have warned that the use of crop-based biofuels could speed up rather than slow down global warming by fuelling the destruction of rainforests.

They say once heralded as the answer to oil, biofuels have become increasingly controversial because of their impact on food prices and the amount of energy it takes to produce them. They argue that biofuels have the potential to pump far more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than they could possibly save as a replacement for fossil fuels.

AfriForum has accused the African National Congress (ANC) in the Free State of forcing the University of the Free State (UFS) into appointing a party loyalist as new Rector.

AfriForum CEO, Kallie Kriel, has also criticised the disapproval voiced by the ANC spokesperson in that province, Teboho Sikisi, about the shortlist of five candidates and his demand that the so-called "progressive black academic" should be appointed.

South African state power company Eskom plans to start operating wind turbines this year to boost the country’s supply of electricity.

Eskom spokesperson, Fani Zulu, points out that, "We are looking at building 50 wind turbines with two megawatts each before the end of this year across the country... . It is a little more expensive than generating electricity by coal, but by all means it is a worthwhile cost."