Development and Climate Change

THE SPCA

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the SPCA, is an animal shelter 4 kilometers outside of Grahamstown. It is known by few within the community of Grahamstown, yet the SPCA do so much for the animals in the town, and also a substantial amount for the community. So how does the SPCA rescue the animals? Linda Nel, training inspector and manager of SPCA, enlightens us.





SOLAR POWER AND AVIATION

On the 10th of July 2010, a solar powered plane embarked on the first successful 24 hour flight. While many people might consider this a strange exercise for aviators, this historic event could be the beginning of an important turn around in our demand for fossil fuels.


Aviation contributes to 5% of the total human impact of global warming. The fossil fuel emissions from flying will double in the next 20 years, and is now the fastest growing cause of global warming. Clearly then the emission of the non-renewable fuels from aircraft are having a significant impact on the environment. But now that the first 24 hour solar powered flight has recently and successfully taken place, there is yet hope to combat this problem. With so much solar power available, why is no-one making use of it? New energy specialist from NMMU Dr Foster explains.