On 31 March, the Sustainability Office hosted a webinar entitled "Human rights and the environment: Preserving our planet". This ground-breaking webinar was a celebration of three important international events: Human Rights Day (21 March), Earth Hour (22 March) and National Water Week (20-26 March).

The webinar referenced the United Nations Global Compact principles related to human rights (Principles 1 and 2) and the environment (Principles 7 and 8). It addressed the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3 (Good Health and Wellbeing), 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and 13 (Climate Action). The event was facilitated by Rendani Nematandani, a Sustainability Officer at the Directorate: Sustainability, Monitoring and Evaluation, and featured well-known speakers who delivered insightful and thought-provoking presentations.

Dr Thelma Louw, Director: Sustainability, Monitoring and Evaluation, welcomed attendees and underscored the importance of reducing our carbon footprint and the value of virtual events as a means of reducing the carbon emissions associated with travel. She focused on the importance of integrating human rights and the environment and noted the interconnectedness of these matters as a means of achieving the SDGs. Honorary Prof Rudi Pretorius, from the Department of Geography at Unisa, echoed the same sentiment as he reflected on the role of the SDGs in addressing human rights and environmental issues, highlighting their interconnectedness.  

The keynote speaker, Carin Bosman, CEO of Sustainable Solutions, shared her expertise in environmental and water governance. She stressed that the earth’s water is finite – of the 1.4 billion cubic kilometres of water available globally, just 4% is fresh water, and 95% saline – and indicated that human activities, such as abstraction, pollution and climate change, significantly impact every aspect of the water cycle. Bosman emphasised the importance of good environmental governance in managing water resources effectively and sustainably through practices such as water security measures, direct water reuse, managed aquifer recharge and groundwater abstraction. She concluded with a compelling message that resonated with the audience: "We are all responsible for environmental governance". 

Pretorius provided a framework for understanding the nexus between human rights and the environment. In his presentation, he highlighted the importance of adopting interdisciplinary approaches and incorporating the SDGs in addressing issues regarding human rights and the environment. He highlighted the interconnectedness of the SDGs in mapping synergies, trade-offs and interventions and noted that higher education institutions can play a crucial role in addressing these issues. The audience was intrigued by the introduction of the concept that nature has intrinsic value when the deep-rooted connection between the rights of living entities and human rights was put forward, encapsulated in the words: "We all have rights; we are the ones abusing those rights."

The compelling presentation Tarryn Johnston, founder and CEO of the Hennops Revival and Deep-Water Movement, on the critical state of South Africa’s rivers, caused significant alarm among the audience. She revealed that 80% of our rivers are polluted, referencing the 2023 Green Drop Report, where South Africa excels for all the wrong reasons. She continued: "The state of our rivers reflects the huge amount of pain of a broken system and a massive disconnection to ourselves, as we are made up of 70% of water."

The extent of the pollution and the shocking state of the Hennops River, which passes through Centurion and the historical Cradle of Humankind, were detailed in the images she shared. Her presentation made everyone aware of the need for action. Johnston detailed the efforts of the Hennops Revival and Deep Water Movement, which include organising river clean-up activities and raising awareness around river pollution. She highlighted the importance of green consumerism in reducing the impact of pollution in rivers, encouraging the audience to make eco-friendly choices. She further stressed the importance of community involvement in addressing pollution in rivers and noted the urgent need for volunteers to assist with river clean-ups. She also challenged Unisa to take ownership of the state of the rivers in the areas where they are located and in the communities they serve.                                                                                 

Unisa PHD student Vulzezani Peli Maiyana, from the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, presented her research on microplastics and their impact on the environment and human health. She indicated that it is about time that we protect people, water, and the environment from microplastic pollution. She indicated: "Microplastics are tiny plastics that are less than 5 mm in size, and the United Nations has identified them as an emerging pollution detected in all environments, even in the coffee that we drink. They can carry other pollutants into the ecosystem, increasing waste management costs, and their presence in landfills is a silent polluter." The audience was appalled to learn about the widespread presence and potential toxicity of microplastics for humans. Maiyana highlighted the role landfill sites play as silent polluters, as they leak microplastics into the environment via leachate, rain runoff and wind. Disturbingly, 70% of South Africa’s plastics are inhabitants within the environment, making us the highest hotspot for microplastics. 

Maiyana emphasised the need for better waste management measures and practices, to reduce microplastic pollution. This will include, but is not limited to, improved landfill operations and waste separation. She raised a call to action for increased collaboration to address the issue of microplastic pollution and specifically mentioned the need for shared knowledge and interdisciplinary approaches. She stated: "A safe environment is a pillar for sustainability; microplastics undermine decades of progress!"

The engaging and thought-provoking Q&A session focused on the presentations by Bosman and Maiyana, covering critical environmental issues. The discussions explored the role of the fashion industry, particularly brands such as Temu and Shein, and the significant impact it has in contributing to waste in landfills, as the synthetic fibres take longer to fully decompose.

Participants also examined the role of waste pickers and their contribution to recycling and how this industry is creating employment. However, it was also noted that this comes with many challenges, as some neighbourhoods prohibit waste pickers from collecting recyclable material due to their tendency to leave driveways messy after rummaging through the rubbish. It was suggested that an education campaign should be developed for residents and implemented with a focus on the importance of waste pickers in reducing the amount of waste sent to the landfill sites. Lastly, participants noted the need for collaboration with other SADC countries to improve water quality, and a discussion ensued around exploring potential partnerships and shared resources.

In delivering the vote of thanks, Refiloe Tsephe, the Acting Deputy Director of Sustainability, Monitoring and Evaluation, expressed her heartfelt thanks to the speakers and audience for their contributions to the webinar. She accentuated the importance of continued discussion and action to address the environmental and human rights issues raised by the speakers. She closed her words of thanks by saying, "Water is central in achieving SDGs and that higher education is important and central to achieving the SDGs". 

* Submitted by the Unisa Sustainability Office