Eco-warriors shine a green light
SOUTH Africa might not have a high priestess of waste, but there are several locals who are promoting eco-friendly lifestyles. These include:
Cape-based Rhian Berning is the founder of Eco Atlas, an allinclusive, ethical online portal with a search function that provides responsible travellers and conscious consumers with information on places to eat, shop and stay.
Why: I studied environmental science in the 1990s, way before green was the new black. For me it’s enabling people to see that there are innovative solutions that allow us to thrive and have healthy communities and a healthy planet.
What: I thought what if information was freely available so we could choose which businesses to support based on their eco and social justice practices? Wouldn’t that be powerful and allow us to steer a new course by actively voting with our wallets for change for the better! Eco Atlas has been recognised as a ground-breaking concept with lots of potential to change business as usual.
How: I created Eco Atlas because it’s about all those small daily choices we make that, added together, can rewrite the future we’re all wishing for.
Cape-based Jade Khoury runs eco-awareness training and workshops through her organisation, Low Impact Living. These include a holistic ecohousekeeping course for domestic workers and workshops on natural beauty. She also runs Earth Champs, a wilderness and eco-warrior club for kids.
Why: As a teacher, mother and creative person wanting to be part of positive change in the world, our impact on our natural environment always disturbed me. It made no sense to set up a life for ourselves and our children that is . . . destructive for the planet.
What: When I saw the ways I could change my own life, I began to see opportunities to share this knowledge and inspire and empower other people to do so too. I’m particularly interested in the many simple and affordable things we can do every day; things that are good for us, our planet and our pocket.
How: As a first step, cut out single-use items. Say no to plastic bags, straws, takeaway packaging and balloons. KwaZulu-Natal based Colleen
Black founded her online business, Life Lived Simply, in 2015. She sells products such as reusable stainless steel straws, bamboo coffee cups, FreshBag produce weigh bags and menstrual cups to help people reduce their waste.
Why: After stumbling upon the term “zero waste”, I felt challenged to strive towards this lifestyle. We need to take responsibility for the impact we are making on earth.
What: I am trying to inspire and educate people to make changes in their lifestyle. I see more and more people willing to change. Every change we make in our own lives creates a huge impact; people will see you making the change and so the ripple effect takes place.
How: For a first step, minimise single-use packaging and use reusable shopping bags.