Just Us and the Climate - Climate Justice Coalition

Learning from COSATU's radical vision of a just transition. In this episode, we speak to Lebogang Mulaisi, the labour market policy coordinator at the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) and a commissioner on the Presidential Climate Change Coordinating Commission. Lebogang coordinates and implements COSATU's labour market policy and the just transition to a low-carbon economy. She joins host Alex Lenferna as they discuss why capitalism is at the root of the climate crisis, and why COSATU believes that a truly just transition must mean a radical transformation towards ecosocialism. Website · Facebook · Instagram

Defining climate change as a health issue. Health, as we understand it, should be considered central to climate change. Climate change will have profound impacts on people and public health. In this episode, we speak to guests who work at the intersection between coal, climate, energy, and health. We reflect on the outcomes of the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) in Egypt, specifically about discussions relating to the health sector and climate change. Our guests weigh in on whether or not we are making meaningful progress towards defining climate change as a health issue. We've long advocated that the health sector should be vested in climate change and all the associated ways of tackling climate change. Listen to this episode to understand why. Website · Facebook · Instagram

Can the national budget advance adaptation efforts and climate justice? The need to mitigate and adapt to the realities of the climate crisis in these and other sectors has become increasingly apparent. This episode will focus on the adaptation pillar of climate action. Climate change adaptation means anticipating the adverse effects of climate change and taking appropriate action to prevent or minimise the damage it can cause. Government will have to develop and strengthen national and sectoral climate adaptation policies and ensure they are implemented. This will require significant resources and climate finance is thus a critical issue for successful adaptation efforts. This includes the need for a just transition away from investments in fossil fuels and other climate-damaging expenditures toward climate adaptation policies. This episode will offer a robust and nuanced conversation, as it seeks to interrogate the role of the national budget in advancing climate justice and adaptation efforts - looking specifically at frontline sectors, such as health and education. Section 27 website · Adaptation Network · 350 Africa · Website · Facebook · Instagram

An analysis of the Climate Change Bill for activists. The tabling of the Climate Change Bill before parliament represents an important moment in tackling climate change, the most severe crisis facing the future of humanity and the planet. As impacts of the climate crisis are especially keenly felt by the Black working class, and marginalised groups (women, youth and persons living with disabilities etc), it is vital that the legal framework is developed in a manner that facilitates the broadest involvement and which contains mechanisms to ensure that prevention and adaptation measures advance gender, class and racial justice. This podcast is designed to be part of broader education and capacitation drives to ensure as broad-based participation in the public hearings for the Bill as possible and to promote a public dialogue on what should be included in climate legislation. To help us understand the Bill, its strengths, weaknesses and what changes we should be pushing for, we have four guests representing different perspectives and sectors in the climate justice movement. To provide a legal synopsis of the Bill we have Brandon Abdinor, the Climate Advocacy Lawyer at the Centre for Environmental Rights. To provide the perspective of women in working-class communities we have Francina Nkosi from Waterberg Women Advocacy Organisation (WWAO). To provide a labour perspective we have Matthew Grant, the Research and Policy Co-ordinator at the South African Federation of Trade Union (SAFTU). And to provide a youth perspective we have Gabriel Klaasens representing the African Climate Alliance. The discussion is moderated by Robert Krause, a researcher at the Centre for Applied Legal Studies. Website · Facebook · Instagram

A people's tribunal putting the government on trial for its crimes Guests: Cleopatra Shezi (United Front) In this special episode of Just Us and the Climate, we take you to a live People's Tribunal, entitled the People of South Africa versus the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE). We hear stories from people across the country about how the policies and practices of the DMRE are harming them. We hear about the "crimes" that the DMRE is enabling against its own people, from air pollution to energy racism, climate chaos to load shedding, corruption to exclusion. We also explore the better future that could be built if the DMRE actually put people over the profit of polluting corporations. Join the Climate Justice Coalition and its members as we put Minister Mantashe and his DMRE on trial, explain why we need to #UprootTheDMRE and call for a more socially and ecologically just energy and mining future. Sign the coalition's petition to the presidency · Join the Climate Justice Coalition's campaign to #UprootTheDMRE. · Website · Facebook · Instagram

Seismic surveys on South Africa's east and west coasts Guests: Nonhle Mbuthuma (Amadiba Crisis Committee) Sinegugu Zukulu (Sustaining the Wild Coast) Wilmien Wicomb (Legal Resources Center) Christian Adams (Steenberg Cove Small Scale Fishers Community) Dr Mnqobi Ngubane and Moenieba Isaacs (Institute for Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies) Big corporations’ plans to blast marine life along South Africa’s wild coast and west coast galvanised activists and ordinary citizens to put a stop to it. But what exactly are the impacts on small scale fisher livelihoods and ocean conservation when big corporations roll into town hunting for gas and oil? Join us for this episode as a panel of experts involved in the legal challenges dive into the politics – and the future of seismic exploration in SA. This is a special episode of the Just Us and the Climate podcast, where we are adapting a discussion held by the University of Western Cape's Institute for Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies (UWC PLAAS). The discussion was so good that we thought we had to make it into a podcast episode. Many thanks to PLAAS, UWC, Living Landscapes in Action project and the Oak Foundation who made the discussion possible. Website · Facebook · Instagram

Can climate finance unlock South Africa's just energy transition? Guests: Nina Callaghan (Centre for Sustainability Transitions) Dr Emily Tyler (Meridian Economics) In this episode, we dive into the details (or lack thereof) surrounding South Africa's major R130 billion climate finance deal announced at the COP 26 UN Climate Summit in Glasgow. Nina Callaghan a researcher from the Centre for Sustainability Transitions and Dr Emily Tyler an economist from Meridian Economics, join our host climate justice campaigner Alex Lenferna from 350Africa.org. They talk about questions like: what role does trust play in a just transition? Does climate finance come with strings attached? What do we make of fossil-fuel-friendly politicians who are resisting the finance deal on supposedly anti-imperialist grounds? Can this climate finance deal be the spark that ignites transformative change for South Africa that tackles social, ecological and economic justice at once? Website · Facebook · Instagram

An exploration of how extractivism creates environmental, social and climate justice. Host: Robert.Krause (Researcher: Environmental Justice | Wits) Guests: Nomakhosazana Precious Nomnqa (Women Affected by Mining United in Action – WAMUA) Ramabina Mahapa (Land and Accountability Research Centre – LARC) Patrick Bond (Professor of Sociology, University of Johannesburg) The often unchecked exploitation of South Africa’s so-called mineral wealth has destructive effects far beyond the obvious impact on the local environment. Local communities bear the burden of a wide range of long-term consequences that impact health, society, local economy, and well as food and water security. And as with many other exploitative fields, it is often women who experience these harms most acutely. Access to land, ownership, tenure and mutually beneficial land stewardship is also often disrupted, impacting on non-mining related livelihoods and local communities’ ability to grow food and engage in land-based economic activity. The ramifications go further, impacting on, and being impacted by, the global climate crisis. And then there is the macro level aspect of the mineral endowments of the country and continent being sold at a low rate that denies benefit to future generations. The panel discussion illuminates these often unspoken about dynamics, describing the difficulties and creating a space to envision a different approach that benefits people and planet, both now and in the future. Connect with Robert · Website · Facebook · Instagram

Guests in this episode: James Irlam (PHASA) Thandile Chinyavanhu (Greenpeace Africa) Thomas Mnguni (groundWork) With three exciting and considered guests and hosted by SECTION27, this episode is in conversation about the impact of climate change on health, honing in on the consequences of poor quality air on population morbidity and mortality. The association between the quality of an individual’s environment and their health is a well-documented concern articulated by experts on climate change and advocates for climate justice. Research extensively points to air pollution as a health hazard. Over time, as air quality standards have dropped due to uncontrolled pollution and harmful environmental practices, the morbidity rate of populations living in unclean environments has worsened. This episode offers a robust and dynamic conversation on the case of air pollution in South Africa. Website · Facebook · Instagram

With Mandy Rambharos (Eskom | Head of the Just Energy Transition Office) In this episode Mandy Rambharos, head of Eskom's Just Energy Transition office, speaks to Dr Alex Lenferna, the secretary of the Climate Justice Coalition and campaigner with 350Africa.org. The episode focuses on Eskom, the biggest polluter on the African continent, and how it plans to enact a just energy transition away from polluting coal towards a renewable energy future. It discusses some of the positives of Eskom's plans and the opportunities it creates, such as Eskom's plans to secure international climate finance to accelerate its transition to renewable energy. The episode also talks about the challenges Eskom faces and what obstacles to change exist. We also discuss the Climate Justice Coalition's campaign for a Green New Eskom and some of the places where it's vision for transforming Eskom differs from those put forward by Eskom itself. Take action and join the Green New Eskom campaign · Learn more about what a Green New Eskom looks like · Website · Facebook · Instagram

Brenda Martin (Director: Careers Service at University of Cape Town) Just transitions have featured regularly in national-level conversations in South Africa around its energy transition plans and climate change policies and commitments. In this episode, with climate policy expert Brenda Martin we unpack “Climate Policy in a Developmental State” and we explore where we are, where we need to be and how we shall get there? The home of the South African Climate Action Network (SACAN) · A podcast by South Africa’s Climate Justice Coalition · Listen to the Sustain267 podcast · Connect with Brenda on LinkedIn · Website · Facebook · Instagram

What happens when conflict arises from depleting natural resources? Thando Lukuko (Mansa advisory | Director) Rev. Oscar Siwali (SADRA | Director) This episode looks at the impacts of climate change policy decisions for frontline communities across southern Africa. We explore what climate science predicts for the region and what it means for the populations living in those areas. Specifically, the show focuses on the intersectionality between depleting natural resources (water, food insecurity etc.), livelihoods and the conflicts which may arise as a result. We provide suggestions on how to mediate those conflicts and a means to get support should the need arise. Southern African Development & Reconstruction Agency (SADRA) website · South African Climate Action Network (SACAN) website · Mansa Advisory · Climate Justice Coalition website · Website · Facebook · Instagram

Exploring gender and climate justice Alex Lenferna (350Africa.org) Mpai Nkali (Women Affected by Mining United in Action) Francina Nkosi (Waterberg Women's Advocacy Organisation) Join us as we explore climate, environmental and gender justice for women on the frontlines of extractive and polluting industries. Francina shares her experiences and insights living next to one of the world's biggest coal power stations in Lephalale, Limpopo. Mpai tells us about what it's like living with the toxic legacies left behind by mines in Welkom in the Free State. Together we explore questions like, what is a just transition, why do communities need free prior informed consent, and much more. Waterberg Women Advocacy Organisation on Facebook · Mining Affected Communities United In Action and Women Affected by Mining United In Action (MACUA/WAMUA) website · Green New Eskom campaign · Climate Justice Coalition website · Website · Facebook · Instagram

Climate Justice now! - Young climate justice activists want schools to teach about climate change Boitumelo Masipa (Section27) Raeesah Noor Mahomed (Parktown Girls) Awande Duma (SA YCCC ) Liyema Saliwa (Equal Education | Equaliser) In this episode, we explore the intersection between the right to basic education and climate. Speaking with three young climate justice activists, we hear about how the school curriculum doesn't pay enough attention to issues around climate change or how climate change can be understood in the context of other topics and subjects. Young climate justice activists are ultimately frustrated that they seem to care about climate justice more than those in charge of climate and environmental affairs. Tune in to hear what the message these brilliant young activists have for governments and leaders. Climate Justice Coalition website · Website · Facebook · Instagram

Unpacking the impact of South Africa's water woes on women Jennifer Wells (Amnesty International | Campaigner) Nabeelah Mia (Centre for Environmental Rights | Attorney) Tatenda Muponde (Centre for Environmental Rights | Candidate Attorney) In this episode, Jennifer Wells talks to an all-star female line up as she welcomes guests Nabeelah Mia and Tatenda Muponde from the Centre for Environmental Rights to the podcast. The right to water is enshrined in our constitution, however it is still not enjoyed by many in this country. - Is climate change impacting our water? - What does it mean to be a water scarce country? - How is the right to water enjoyed differently by different genders? - How has the COVID pandemic exacerbated inequalities? This episode takes a deep dive in to the relationship between climate, the right to water and women. We explore the legal framework surrounding water in South Africa and unpack what it means to enjoy the right to water as a woman in this country. Connect with Jenny on LinkedIn · Climate Justice Coalition website · Website · Facebook · Instagram

Ndi mini, na hone iri kwama hani? Khodani Mulaudzi (WWF South Africa | Research and Project coordinator) Vhalinavho Khavhagali (Palladium | South Africa Country Facilitator - Climate and Environment) Pfunzo Mudau (British High Commission | Policy and Campaigns Officer - Climate Change and Energy) The episode conducted in Tshivenda, presents the basics of climate change in a simplified way that breaks down the science and impacts of climate change without using overwhelming jargons. The episode aims to make climate change information accessible by presenting the episode in a local language, Tshivenda. British High Commission on Twitter · Climate Justice Coalition website · Website · Facebook · Instagram

Is climate justice taken seriously in South Africa? Tumi Masipa (section27.org.za) Alex Lenferna (350Africa.org) Caroline Ntaopane (Womin) General Moyo (Makause Community Development forum) In this episode, we speak with few members from the Climate Justice Coalition (CJC) who tell us more about the work about the CJC and share a glimpse into upcoming episodes of the 'Just Us and the Climate' podcast series. Representing different South African communities and organisations, our speakers highlight the climate challenges that face vulnerable communities and contend with whether the South Africa government and industries are taking the climate crisis seriously. Tune in below and contribute to the conversation on social media. Climate Justice Coalition website · Website · Facebook · Instagram

To recover from COVID-19 activists are calling for a just recovery Alex Lenferna (350Africa.org) Sonia Phalatse (Institute for Economic Justice) Carilee Osborne (Institute for Economic Justice) In this episode Sonia Phalatse and Carilee Osborne from the Institute for Economic Justice talks to Climate Justice Coalition secretary Alex Lenferna about the need for a just recovery to COVID-19. We explore why austerity will cause more pain for South Africa, and why we need to invest instead in building a more socially and ecologically just future. Sonia and Carilee discuss a recent report they co-authored about what a just recovery for South Africa could look like. We discuss interesting questions like how does a purple feminist economy compliment an ecologically and socially just green economy. We also discuss why Tito Mboweni's special budget will lead to devastating austerity. We show why the best path forward for South Africa is to instead invest in a socially and ecologically just recovery. Find out more about what a just recovery is and how you can support the call here. You can read the report and take action for a just recovery! Join the art competition to envision what a just recovery for South Africa could look like. See what art has been submitted so far to the competition. https://JustRecovery.co.za · https://350Africa.org/JustRecoveryArt · Institute for Economic Justice · Climate Justice Coalition website · Website · Facebook · Instagram