Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references.

Bibliography: leaves 57-62. / Various studies have suggested the possibility that food derived through subsistence agriculture in the Mseleni region of Maputaland contributes to malnutrition within the local community, particularfy within the high proportion of the population which suffers from a severe, disabling form of osteoarthritis. This study was conducted to determine if the application of local crushed rock or black clay to these nutrient deficient, sandy soils would increase available nutrient concentrations and improve the growth of plants in the ameliorated soil.

Bibliography : leaves 152-161. / Nature exists as an objective reality on which human beings rely physically and spiritually. We are part of nature. But throughout human and environmental history 'nature' has also existed as a human idea and cultural construct. We project our values, fears, and aspirations onto our environment so that in nature we see a reflection of our own historical development and social existence. Our different class, cultural, and gender life experiences generate different attitudes towards our natural environment. For the most part we regard the ideas and attitudes towards nature as natural, and not as ideological constructions. Dominant techno centric and ecocentric discourses within contemporary environmentalism unselfcritically regard nature as a commodity and as a moral authority respectively. These alienated and romanticised views of nature reflect our contemporary estrangement from the natural world that we are part of Marx's dialectical materialism provides the analytical tools to critique the human/nature dualism expressed by technocentrism and ecocentrism and offers a more dynamic, historical, and ecological perspective on the changing relations between humans and' their natural environment. As humans we are also apart from nature. We have a unique capacity to stand aside and consciously shape our relation with nature, albeit within the constraints and possibilities offered by ecological processes. How we define that relationship is for the most part determined by our own human economic, social, and political relations. This thesis argues that our contemporary alienation from, and abuse of, nature emerges out of the development of capitalist economic and social relations and the ethic and practice of the private ownership of natural resources. Ironically, it is the most alienated and impoverished sector of human society that offers the most progressive perspective on reconciling humans with nature. The struggles of urban and rural working class and poor communities for environmental justice integrates social, economic, political, and ecological issues in a way that poses a radical challenge to the alienated dualism of mainstream environmentalism. This thesis explores and highlights the progressive possibilities that the 'environmental justice perspective offers in our struggle for social justice and ecological wisdom.

Since the 1980's environmentalism has developed into a major worldwide movement with concern for the environment having grown exponentially over the last two decades. With this change in thinking there have been corresponding shifts in consumer attitudes with many stating they are willing to pay more for eco-labelled products and services. With the increase in consumer demands on protection of the environment and businesses becoming aware of their responsibility towards the objective of sustainability, retailers and manufacturers have moved beyond simply addressing environmental regulatory issues and are introducing alternative products that could be classified as ecofriendly. However, at present, businesses find it difficult to predict consumers' reaction towards these products with a degree of accuracy that is necessary to enable the development of new targeting and segmenting strategies. This presumably has contributed towards several failures in green products development (D'Souza et al, 2007). This study tested whether the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB; Ajzen, 1991) explains consumers' intention to purchase eco-friendly products (EFPs). The researcher extended the TPB by including environmental concern in the model. The aim is to test whether this construct directly influences people's attitudes towards the purchase of these products. Furthermore, the study investigates whether consumers' search for information on EFPs and whether their price/quality sensitivity may also affect their intention to purchase these products. The respondent base is then divided by means of demographic segmentation in order to determine whether attitudes towards and intention to purchase EFPs differ between age, income and gender groups. A survey was conducted among 100 customers of a well-known retailer, known for its selection of EFPs. The data obtained was analysed using SPSS software. The results found the TPB to be valid within an environmentally responsible purchase decision framework and that environmental concern does influence consumer attitudes towards the purchase of EFPs. This is in line with the findings of De Groot & Steg (2007) and Bamberg (2003) which also found that ii environmental concern should not be seen as a direct determinant of behaviour, but an important indirect one. The emphasis should thus be on increasing consumers' level of environmental concern and then identify those consumers with favourable attitudes towards EFPs, rather than identify green consumers solely on the basis of environmental concern. Furthermore, the study found that consumers' search for information and trust in product labelling affect their intention to purchase these products. This study suggests that the consumer ought to be educated on the differences between EFPs and regular products by means of advertising and label information. It also emphasises the need for claims made about EFPs to be substantiated. With regards to price and quality sensitivity, the results show that both these constructs affect consumers' attitudes towards and intention to purchase EFPs. Consumers will not readily buy an EFP if it is somewhat more expensive than a regular product and they are even less likely to purchase such a product if it does not meet the same quality standards. With regards to demographic segmentation, the results show that women are more environmentally concerned than men and also have a greater intention to purchase EFPs in future. There is no difference between age groups in terms of their attitudes and intention to purchase EFPs but those aged 41-60 have greater volitional control over the purchase of these products as they are better able to afford them. Similarly, income groups show no difference in attitudes and intention but higher incomes groups have greater volitional control over the purchase of EFPs. Nevertheless, there was no difference found between age and income groups in terms of their price sensitivity. This brings into question the effectiveness of the premium pricing strategy currently employed by many manufacturers of EFPs as it seems that people with higher incomes, even though they are better able to afford EFPs, are not more willing to purchase these products if priced higher than regular products.

Bibliography: leaves 82-88. / The Gariep Transfrontier Conservation Area (TFCA) was identified by the Peace Parks Foundation (PPF) as one of seven potential TFCAs in southern Africa. Conservation of the Gariep TFCA would provide protection to the Nama-karoo biome, thereby improving the representativeness of South Africa's reserve network, a national conservation goal. However, the land in the Gariep TFCA is privately owned and land purchases or contractual agreements with landowners will be required before conservation activity can be carried out. With limited resources available for conservation, and competition between conservation and other activities for a limited supply of land, it is necessary to focus conservation efforts on land with the greatest value to conservation. Creation of the Gariep TFCA should therefore be the outcome of a deliberate and rational planning process which is based on all relevant available information. Accordingly, the aim of this dissertation is to produce a decisionsupport instrument which can be used for planning of the Gariep TFCA. The COVER evaluation is a rapid, coarse-filter approach, necessitated by the level of detailed environmental information available. The main source of environmental data for the evaluation was the biophysical and socio-economic information collected for the Feasibility Study (1998). This was supplemented by first-hand knowledge of the Gariep area, a literature review, and interviews with conservationists. The overlay method used for the evaluation is a means of including environmental factors into land use planning. A conservation overlay (COVER) approach was used to evaluate the Gariep area for Because an integrated approach to conservation was adopted, both scientific and socio-political criteria were selected for the evaluation. The scientific criteria evaluate biodiversity, while the socio-political criteria evaluate land availability and tourism potential, and the threat to present conservation value. These criteria were used to evaluate eight environmental factors for conservation. The results of the evaluation are displayed on a series of maps showing the geographic location and extent of the various value zones. The separate maps show the biological conservation value, tourism value, the threat which human activity poses to conservation, and the social cost of conserving the Gariep area.

Includes bibliography. / A large proportion of sewage sludge in South Africa contains heavy metal concentrations which are deemed to be above threshold limits for its use as a fertiliser. Furthermore, sewage sludge has a high affinity for heavy metals. Until the sources of heavy metal contamination of municipal sewage sludge are considerably reduced the contaminated sewage sludge must either be disposed of or used for some other purpose. The use of contaminated sewage sludge as an adsorbent for treating heavy metal-contaminated wastewaters may provide an alternative and practical use for this material. The objective of this study was to assess the potential of composted sewage sludge (which is more stable and has a higher permeability than ordinary sewage sludge), produced from municipal sewage sludge in Milnerton, as an adsorbent for the extraction of heavy metals from contaminated wastewaters. The study was conducted with specific reference to cadmium since it is one of the most toxic of the heavy metals and occurs in many types of wastewaters.

Bibliography: leaves 134-143. / The study was initiated as a result of a growing concern of the researcher at the apathy prevalent amongst his students at Fish Hoek Senior High School towards environmental activities which took place out of'school hours. Linked to this was a perceived lack of understanding of environmental issues and very little commitment towards positive environmental actions such as recycling. These were students in the final phase of their secondary education at a school situated in a valley bounded by mountains and two oceans and serving a community which is continually involved in disputes over environmental issues. It was therefore disturbing that the environmental experiences both inside and outside the school had largely failed to produce environmentally-committed students. The purpose of the study was to gauge student perceptions and feelings concerning a wide range of environmental concepts and issues both globally and locally. In addition, it was an attempt to establish the level of personal commitment of the students towards a variety of positive environmental actions.

Bibliographic references. / The primary aim of this research is to test whether fynbos vegetation has a high reflection coefficient, and the secondary aim is to consider the vegetation at the sites where the radiation measurements were carried out in order to determine whether similar vegetation structural types have similar radiation regimes. In order to do this, six sites were selected in the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. At each site the radiation fluxes were measured for three days during the late summer, giving a total of eighteen days of observation. In addition to the radiation measurements structural data was collected for the vegetation at each site so that comparisons between the radiation fluxes and vegetation could be made. Floristic data was also collected, to typify the vegetation at each site. It has been found that fynbos vegetation, as represented by this study, has an unusually low reflection coefficient which varies from 0,08 - 0,13. These values are below those recorded in the literature for other heathland vegetation. On the basis of a numerical classification of the vegetation structural data, it has been found that there is no clear relationship between the vegetation and the various components of the radiation balance.

Bibliography: leaves 133-137. / The Olushandja Dam, which is situated in the Omusati region in northern Namibia, serves as a balancing and storage dam for water supplied from the Calueque Dam, on the Cunene River. Olushandja Dam forms an important component of the bulk water supply network. The Namibian Department of Water Affairs (DWA), the proponent of the project, aims to upgrade the Olushandja Dam, with the objective of increasing the surety of water supply to the regions of northern Namibia. The upgrading of the Olushandja Dam involves the repair of the north wall pump station and the installation of two pumps, with a combined pumping capacity of 3.2m3/s. A complete set of stand-by pumps will also be provided to optimise the surety of supply. The impact of upgrading the dam will be in terms of management, rather than construction or development, as the construction related to the upgrading will be minor. A sound management strategy is required to maximise the benefits of an assured water supply, while minimising the negative effects on the communities living in close proximity to the dam.

The deteriorating state of South Africa's natural environment has been linked to the exponential growth in anthropogenic pressures associated with urban life. In the wake of dire water shortages and the onslaught of climate change, reports have shown increased environmental degradation and evidence of decreasing water, soil and air quality. The state of the environment has therefore raised concerns as to the legal relationship governing communication, engagement and accountability between citizens, government authorities, and the private sector. Following the promulgation of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa and the inclusion of the environmental right, environmental law significantly developed as a means to regulate activities affecting people and the environment. The National Environmental Management Act and the Promotion of Access to Information Act therefore, play a critical role in overseeing decision-making and accountability between stakeholders regarding activities that affect the environment. Citizens are usually the ones affected most by environmental degradation and therefore require proper public involvement in decision-making and environmental governance efforts. Public participation is vital to incorporating local knowledge and practices into formal government and private sector decision-making processes with an emphasis on the sharing and access of environmental information as well as the ability to hold wrongdoers accountable. Using academic legal literature, jurisprudence, governmental and organisational reports, the dissertation examines the theoretical notions of environmental governance, public participation and access to information. Following this, links are made between the theoretical notions and to accepted forms of environmental information, the means and outcomes of granting access followed by the important role of rights and laws in providing the procedures with which to allow citizens access to information held by public and private bodies. The dissertation therefore emphasises the value of legislation that offers wide access to information, in a user friendly and explanatory manner, to assist all members of society in accessing information. Access to information is a pivotal tool for holding government and private entities accountable for pollution and environmental degradation and allows citizens to enforce their right to a healthy environment. In doing so, the important oversight role of the courts in adjudicating on and balancing interests where environmental protection is concerned, is highlighted. In light of this, the dissertation assesses the key legal elements that make up any effective access to information regime and compares these key legal elements to those that make up the South African access to environmental information regime with a focus on the Promotion of Access to Information Act. These key elements include the scope and nature of information, limitations, access procedures, protection of whistle-blowers and appeal and review mechanisms. The efficacy and practical implementation of these key elements are critically reviewed alongside a consideration of how they have been interpreted by the courts. The dissertation thus provides a blended discussion and review of the state of access to environmental information in South Africa using relevant laws and cases to highlight various challenges, successes and guidance that has emerged and how it may aid future requesters.