Climate Action Network: “We know our duty and responsibility” Interview CAN – the Climate Action Network - is the largest international civil society network, that has monitored the UN climate negotiations for many years. Whether at national or international level, how can civil society participation be ensured at all in times of pandemic? What does this mean for the capacity for action and strategy of a global network like CAN? A conversation between Tasneem Essop, Executive Director of CAN International and Barbara Unmüßig, President of the Heinrich Böll Foundation By Barbara Unmüßig
Finding Common Ground to Tackle Climate and Mental Health Links between environmental disasters and mental health are increasingly coming into focus as ticking time bombs. It is vital that spatial planning strategies at local government level are adapted with this dual threat to societal welfare in mind. By Marcela Guerrero Casas
How Mining Erodes the Rights of Women Women are also marginalised when it comes to the economic benefits that mining brings. By Tatenda Muponde
Silicosis Payouts Are ‘Symbolic Justice’ for Miners The Tshiamiso Trust has begun paying out workers who contracted silicosis and TB in South Africa’s gold mines, but the amounts are paltry against what they have lost to poor health over the years. By Thabo Molelekwa
If Climate Change Is Ignored, There May Be No Heritage Left to Celebrate Heritage Month comes and goes each year, always with much fanfare around celebrating our country’s diverse cultures and history. Yet, many of the government’s proposed energy solutions pose significant risks to human life and the environment, while ignoring customary rights and risking several heritage sites. If not challenged, they will most likely leave communities across the country at a huge disadvantage. By Thabo Sibeko
Agency in South Africa’s Food Systems: Community Driven Research During the COVID-19 lockdowns of 2020, a group of community researchers, together with students, undertook a study on hunger and agency in the food systems of five locations. pdf
The Corporate Capture of the UN Food Summit Article Transnational agribusiness firms are contributing to a growing global hunger crisis, causing widespread environmental damage, and threatening people’s health. By also capturing the United Nations Food Systems Summit, they have restricted the meeting's agenda to solutions that will further inflate corporate profits. By Sofia Monsalve
What COVID-19 Revealed About Hunger Article The pandemic has shown the importance of community-based initiatives in fighting food insecurity. Unfortunately, when the United Nations Food Systems Summit convenes this month, few voices of those most affected by hunger will be at the table. By Brittany Kesselman
Transforming Cape Town’s COVID Soup Kitchens Into Spaces of Dignity – A Community Vision Article Can community kitchens play a role in moving our approaches to hunger beyond the binary of ‘charity’ and ‘market’? By Sanelisiwe Nyaba, Haidee Swanby and Stefanie Lemke
The Food Series: 10 Short Films on South Africa’s Food System Video Ten short documentaries that illustrate the flaws of South Africa’s food system, exposed through the COVID-19 pandemic. Available for download and screening.
