The Eco-Logic Awards is an event where individuals and companies are recognized and celebrated for their progressive contribution towards a sustainable world. The event occurs annually and has gradually gained publicity in the media spheres as the most 'Glamorously Green' eco-calendar event in South Africa. Individuals and companies were invited to submit their products, services and projects which could fall under 13 different categories, namely:
The Biodiversity Award
Awarded to an organisation for a successful biodiversity protection, rehabilitation, or damage mitigation programme.
The Climate Change Award
Awarded to an organisation that has achieved a substantial reduction in Greenhouse gas emissions.
The Eco-Innovation Award
For a new product or service that is financially viable and sustainable, that serves the needs of humans whilst being equally beneficial to the Earth and its eco-systems.
The Energy Efficiency Award
For a product or service that results in energy saving.
The Recycling and Waste Management Award
For a policy, programme or project that has demonstrably contributed to a greater public understanding and participation in waste reduction, re-use and recycling.
The Eco-Build Award
For innovations, adaptations, products or services that improve the environmental sustainability and/or resilience of a (new or existing) building.
The Water Conservation Award
For a product or service that results in water saving.
The Green Economy Award
For a business organisation that provides a product, service or programme that supports the growth of the Green Economy in South Africa.
The Municipalities Award
Awarded to a municipality that has developed solutions using its risk assessment and management expertise, forming strategic partnerships to improve sustainability, as well as service delivery in municipal functions.
The Eco-Community Award
For a community that has acted collectively to protect, preserve, or restore the Earths life forms, eco-systems, or natural resources.
The Eco-Youth Award
For an individual of 26 years or under who can show that their actions have protected, preserved or improved the Earth’s eco-systems and natural resources.
The Eco-Angel Award
For an individual, whose actions have conserved, nurtured or restored the Earth’s life forms, eco-systems, or natural resources.
The Eco-Warrior Award
For an individual, whose actions have defended, protected or prevented damage to the Earth’s life forms, eco-systems, or natural resources.
The finalist were invited to an exclusive VIP and leaders Eco-Logic Gala dinner event on 5 June 2019 and were encouraged to dress as their Alter-Eco Ego (themes: Eco-Angel, Hiker, Driver, Rider and Safari) to show how they connect with nature. Water Wise launched a new Eco-Logic 'Water Conservation' award to promote innovative methods of water conservation. See images below for all the other Water Wise awards presented.
Water Wise Events
Eco-Logic Awards 2019
On 5 June 2019, Water Wise attended the Eco-Logic awards held at Table Bay Hotel in Cape Town. The event was attended by a variety of individuals from all over the country, dressed in their Alter-Eco Ego outfits. The Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, Barbara Creecy was also present. The winner of this year’s Water Wise award was 'Enviro Options'.
Eco-Logic awards ceremony: The Water Wise 'Water Conservation' award recipient Enviro Options (top left); Enviro Options (top right); Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries Barbara Creecy (bottom left); Winners of best Alter-Eco Ego outfits (bottom right).
SAGIC/SANA Convention 2019
City of Johannesburg World Environment Day Event
On 7 June 2019, the City of Johannesburg held a World Environment Day event under the theme 'beat air pollution' at Orange Farm. In celebration of this day, the City launched one of their air quality monitoring systems in conjunction with learners and community members of Orange Farm. Water Wise was given an opportunity to educate the learners and community members on the importance of reducing our carbon footprint and how starting a vegetable garden or preserving natural wetlands can help mitigate air pollution.
Turf Grass Managers Association Event
On 11 June 2019, Water Wise launched a water meter project to encourage the monitoring of water use on gold courses. Lake Club Benoni, Reading Country Club, Rand Park Golf Club, Glenvista Country Club and Ruimsig Country Club were the five clubs that won a prize consisting of water meters for their golf course. In addition, these golf courses will be joining us on an exciting journey to reduce golf course water consumption.
Golf course winners: Glenvista Country Club (top left); Rand Park Golf Club (top right); Lake Club Benoni (bottom left); Reading Country Club (bottom right) and a group image of all the winners (bottom center).
The Rand West City's World Environment Day Event
On 12 June, the Rand West City local municipality celebrated their World Environment Day at Mohlakano Primary School. The day kicked off with a 'pick-it-up' campaign, where an illegal dump site was cleaned by the community and the extended public works program (EPWP) employees. This was followed by an educational presentation from Mohlakano Primary School learners showcasing their knowledge of air pollution and how air quality can be improved. Our Water Wise industrial theater team was also there to educate learners and members of the community about water conservation in households.
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International Tiger Day
International Tiger Day is celebrated annually on 29 July to promote awareness of tiger conservation and protection of natural habitats of these charismatic species. This day was created at Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit in Russia 2010, in an attempt to raise awareness of the declining numbers of wild tigers globally. Governments with higher tiger populations were issued with a Saint Petersburg declaration where they vowed to increase the population of tigers by 2020. According to assessment results carried out in 2014 by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the population status of mature wild tigers, which was between 2154 - 3159 individuals was found to be declining. Encouragingly, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) recently reported a population of a least 3890 tigers in the wild, a rise in numbers from the 2014 survey. Although an increase in tigers has been noticed, continuous monitoring of the population needs to be carried out closely to prevent the impact of poaching, habitat loss, climate change and retaliatory killing of the these tigers.
The scientific name for tigers is Panthera tigris which means 'yellowish animal' a trait that resembles the colour of tigers. Tigers are the largest species in the cat family, constituting nine subspecies of which three are extinct. Male tigers can reach an average length of 270 - 310 centimeters and 306 kilograms in weight. Female tigers can reach an average length of 240 - 265 centimeters and 100 - 160 kilograms in weight. Tigers are active predators that chase and capture their prey. Tigers originate from the Asian continent and are not native to Africa, which is the common belief. Chinese and Bengal tigers are the most common species present in Africa with the majority found in captivity. A number of tigers have been established in a secured reserve in the country in an effort to support the conservation efforts of Asia and increase numbers and genetic variability. Generally, tigers can reach 26 years of age whether in captivity or in the wild. They are found mainly in forests, grasslands and shrubland. Apart from the association between mother and offspring, tigers are normally solitary with adult species maintaining an exclusive territory depending on the prey available in the area. Individuals mark their territories with urine, feces, rakes, scrapes and vocalizing. Across their distribution, tigers still face the possibilities of becoming extinct mostly due to the pressures arising from human activities.
There are various threats that continuously affect the range of tiger populations and should be monitored and reduced. The following are recorded by the IUCN as threats directly responsible for the decline of tiger populations worldwide:
- Residential and commercial development
- Energy production and mining
- Human intrusions and disturbances
- Agriculture and aquaculture
- Biological resources use (hunting and trapping)
- Natural system modification (fire and fire suppression)
- Invasive and other problematic species genes and diseases
Environmental Days and Public Holidays
11 July: World Population Day
14 July Shark Awareness Day
18 July: Nelson Mandela Day
29 July: International Tiger Day
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