Wednesday, December 7, 2011

The WINNER of the Jeep South Coast Surf Carnival Twitter SNAP SHOT Competition is.....





The WINNER of the Jeep South Coast Surf Carnival Twitter SNAP SHOT Competition is..... Jon Ivins! He wins himself an awesome Jeep Hamper to the Value of R1000. Well Done Jon, this really is great action shot.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

SEA PLEDGE LAUNCHED: GOOD NEWS FROM COP 17 - Kingsway in on the action

Kingsway in on the action, Luyanda Cele: Head Prefect, Kingsway High School
Prashna Buddan: Student, Kingsway High School, Amy Cuff: Head Prefect, Kingsway High School
Ella Addison, Scottburgh Primary School




SEA PLEDGE LAUNCHED: GOOD NEWS FROM COP 17

SEA Pledge was launched at COP 17 and in many coastal areas around South
Africa in both serious and fun events on 3rd December. Four children carried
the SEA Pledge petition and resolution to the chairpersons of the Global
Ocean Forum and read the resolution to the audience. 

The build up to the launch at COP 17 began on 12th October when Sustainable
Seas Trust travelled to coastal towns between Sodwana and Saldanha to
encourage involvement with COP 17 and SEA Pledge. The SEA Pledge team
presented 25 lectures and met with mayors, clubs, businesses and schools
involving them all in the SEA Pledge initiative for ocean conservation and
sustainability.

On World Oceans Day at COP 17, 3rd December, children and adults at beach
and water venues around South Africa also launched SEA Pledge and celebrated
the oceans. Despite poor weather (not necessarily due to climate change)
many people turned out between Sodwana and Saldanha to pledge their support
and to encourage governments and major international organizations to commit
to caring for the oceans and coasts. Their activities included building sand
sculptures, such as a giant "Handprint for Change" sand sculpture, beach
clean ups, penguin releases, scuba diving, outings in boats, painting a
giant Coelacanth mural and indoor functions such as dinners and braais.

SEA Pledge has been collecting petition signatures as part of their coastal
tour. It has been 13 years since the UN last had an International Year of
Oceans, so given the urgent need to reinvest in better understanding the
seas and marine life, the SEA Pledge petition and resolution calls upon the
UN to declare an International Year of Oceans and Coasts. The petition was
accepted by the Global Oceans Forum at which the President, Dr Biliana
Cicin-Sain, pledged to endorse and forward the resolution to the UN. As many
speakers at the Global Ocean Forum indicated, we need to invest in ocean
research and create new standards of care in order to combat climate change.

As of the launch date, members of 29 countries around the world have
indicated support for SEA Pledge. Visit our website to view the map
(www.sst.org.za/map) and see who has made a Pledge in your area. You could
be the first person in your community to mark your commitment to the
environment, or you could join the Business or Schools Challenge and compete
with other local business or schools for the best Pledges. 

To get involved, visit www.sst.org.za for more information. Additionally,
stay up to date and support the cause by following '@SEAPledge' on Twitter
and liking the 'Sustainable Seas Trust and SEA Pledge' page on Facebook
(www.facebook.com/seapledge).