This study aimed at determining whether participating in an environmental education programme (GLOBE) was positively reflected in participants' environmental perceptions, attitudes and level of environmentally responsible behaviour. An ecologically homogeneous sample consisting of 40 Grade 8 GLOBE participants and 40 non-GLOBE participants was selected. Pearson correlation coefficients, multiple regression analyses and t-tests were employed to compare the research groups. Results showed that GLOBE participants were more positive in their attitudes and actions toward the environment than non-GLOBE participants. GLOBE participants were however not environmentally more perceptive than non-GLOBE participants. Analysing responses of the GLOBE participants in terms of gender and place of residency was fruitless as the sample was too small to yield meaningful results. It was recommended that a more controlled and extended replication of this study, paying specific attention to initial motivations for participation/non-participation in the GLOBE programme, be considered. / Psychology / M.A.

Climate change is regarded as the greatest threat facing the world today. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) concluded that climate change is caused by human activities, as a result of greenhouse gases (GHGs) being emitted into the atmosphere. Scientific literature on the impact of climate change is well documented, especially for the health sector. The mission of the Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) is to “contribute towards the reduction of the burden of diseases in all the communities in Gauteng”. Ekurhuleni Health District is part of GDoH and shares a similar mission. However, this mission is under threat due to the direct and indirect impact of climate change on the public health sector. Therefore, it is essential for Ekurhuleni Health District and Provincial Clinics to take measures to reduce their contribution to climate change in the light of improving the health of their constituent. This study estimates the carbon footprint of the employees of Ekurhuleni Health District and Provincial Clinics and determines the knowledge and perception of climate change among managers and operational employees. The methodologies of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHGP) and the Department of Environmental Forestry and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) were used to quantify the carbon footprints of the employees of the Ekurhuleni Health District and Provincial Clinics. A content analysis was applied to determine the knowledge and perception of climate change. The study revealed that Scope 2, indirect emissions (electricity), accounts for 92% (35150 t CO2e) of the total carbon footprints for the period of five years, 2010-2014. Scope 1, direct emission (vehicles), is responsible for 4% (1362 t CO2e) and Scope 3, indirect emissions for ICT, for 2% (862 t CO2e), office paper 1% (181 t CO2e) and air conditioners 1% (458 t CO2e). The majority of employees demonstrated basic knowledge of climate change. However, the concept of GHGs was unfamiliar to most of the employees. In terms of perceptions of climate change, the majority of employees were concerned about the future of the planet and climate change and believed that climate change will impact their job description. The study recommends the following mitigation measures, among others, to reduce carbon footprints: (1) electrical vehicles; (2) substituting personal desktops with laptops; and (3) substituting HFC-23 air conditioner refrigerant with R410A. These recommendations have the potential to reduce the carbon emissions by 2445 t CO2e for the period of five (5) years and save R7 875 089 from fuel and power consumption. Furthermore, the District Office and Provincial Clinics can generate a revenue of R293 400 by registering for a CMD project for five years or R1 173 600 for the duration of the project (20 years). / Environmental Sciences / M. Sc. (Environmental Management)

This study aimed at determining whether participating in an environmental education programme (GLOBE) was positively reflected in participants' environmental perceptions, attitudes and level of environmentally responsible behaviour. An ecologically homogeneous sample consisting of 40 Grade 8 GLOBE participants and 40 non-GLOBE participants was selected. Pearson correlation coefficients, multiple regression analyses and t-tests were employed to compare the research groups. Results showed that GLOBE participants were more positive in their attitudes and actions toward the environment than non-GLOBE participants. GLOBE participants were however not environmentally more perceptive than non-GLOBE participants. Analysing responses of the GLOBE participants in terms of gender and place of residency was fruitless as the sample was too small to yield meaningful results. It was recommended that a more controlled and extended replication of this study, paying specific attention to initial motivations for participation/non-participation in the GLOBE programme, be considered. / Psychology / M.A.

Integrated management of municipal and hazardous waste is one of the challenges facing the new municipalities in South Africa, especially those located in previously disadvantaged rural areas. However, much of the research on solid and hazardous waste management in South Africa has examined waste management problematics in urban areas, the majority of which are located within the jurisdiction of local governments which are comparatively effective in terms of providing adequate disposal services. By contrast, this study has examined the environmental risk assessment associated with unregulated landfill sites in the Albert Luthuli municipality, in the Mpumalanga province. The determination of the environmental risk was achieved by the use of questionnaire surveys and landfill analysis forms in selected study areas. The findings have highlighted a very high environmental risk, nearly four times and above, the threshold limits set by the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT, 2005:15) for all of the landfill sites examined. Several exposure pathways stemming from associated environmental impacts have also been identified for the study. The higher environmental risk determined for the problem sites is ascribed to numerous factors, including their ill-planned location, the sensitivity and vulnerability of the natural environment and adjacent rural settlements, the lack of appropriate waste pre-treatment processes prior to disposal, and most significantly, the lack of regulatory and control measures to contain the myriad of environmental problems generated. In conclusion, it is recommended that several measures (including closure) should be taken in order to reduce and contain the magnitude of environmental risks involved. / Environmental Sciences / M.Sc.(Environmental Sciences)

Integrated management of municipal and hazardous waste is one of the challenges facing the new municipalities in South Africa, especially those located in previously disadvantaged rural areas. However, much of the research on solid and hazardous waste management in South Africa has examined waste management problematics in urban areas, the majority of which are located within the jurisdiction of local governments which are comparatively effective in terms of providing adequate disposal services. By contrast, this study has examined the environmental risk assessment associated with unregulated landfill sites in the Albert Luthuli municipality, in the Mpumalanga province. The determination of the environmental risk was achieved by the use of questionnaire surveys and landfill analysis forms in selected study areas. The findings have highlighted a very high environmental risk, nearly four times and above, the threshold limits set by the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT, 2005:15) for all of the landfill sites examined. Several exposure pathways stemming from associated environmental impacts have also been identified for the study. The higher environmental risk determined for the problem sites is ascribed to numerous factors, including their ill-planned location, the sensitivity and vulnerability of the natural environment and adjacent rural settlements, the lack of appropriate waste pre-treatment processes prior to disposal, and most significantly, the lack of regulatory and control measures to contain the myriad of environmental problems generated. In conclusion, it is recommended that several measures (including closure) should be taken in order to reduce and contain the magnitude of environmental risks involved. / Environmental Sciences / M.Sc.(Environmental Sciences)