The Miracle ... Mario Molina #ClimateReality

'We have a moment globally and in South Africa to really determine what does a sustainable future look like," says Mario Molina on the iStart2 Show.

"South Africa is probably one of the most vulneraable countries in the world when it comes to the impact of climate change. Here we have a double opportunity to not only mitigate climate change, but also to create a growing economy and provide entrepreneurial opportunities through distributed use of power."

 Mario Molina is responsible for the design, strategic goals, and engagement programs for The Climate Reality Leadership Corps in the US and abroad. Mario joined the Climate Reality Project in April of 2013 and has spearheaded trainings for over 4,000 leaders in Australia, Brazil, Canada, India, South Africa, Turkey, and the US.

We chatted to Mario about the pathways South Africa sees in front of itself, the impact of the Paris Climate Agreement, the benefits of carbon tax and the role that we can play in ensuring a future with clean renewable energy.

Listen to a podcast of our show:

Thought of the day:

Alert! NASA says Earth is warming at a rate "unprecedented in 1,000 years"

New data has confirmed that the Earth has been experiencing the hottest temperatures on record. The latest findings from NASA’s top climate scientists now reveal the world is heating up at a rate that hasn’t occurred within the past 1,000 years. According to NASA, the planet will continue to warm “at least” 20 times faster than the historical average over the next 100 years. Read more here

Turning Point: Breakthrough as US and China agree to ratify Paris climate change deal

“Just as I believe the Paris agreement will ultimately prove to be a turning point for our planet, I believe that history will judge today’s efforts as pivotal,” said Obama, who was speaking in the presence of the Chinese president, Xi Jinping, and United Nations secretary general, Ban Ki-moon.

 
“Where there is a will and there is a vision and where countries like China and the United States are prepared to show leadership and to lead by example, it is possible for us to create a world that is more secure, more prosperous and more free than the one that was left for us,” added Obama, for whom the commitment is part of a final push to secure a green legacy for his presidency.

Read more here

M'Bifo ... Mbongeni Buthelezi

This man is unique: "I don't know of any artist in the world that does what I do. I wish I had four hands," he says.

Mbongeni Buthelezi Starts2

"The only thing I think of is plastic"

Mbongeni Buthelezi is an artist whose art is renowned for its distinctive, personal, and innovative style. For his artworks Buthelezi exclusively uses industrially produced plastic materials with various imprinting, making art from plastic rubbish. "I collect rubbish and create something beautiful from it. I collect something that has no value and give it new life. That's what we can do with ourselves and our lives". 

The use of such material shows Buthelezi's awareness of environmental problems. "I have to believe in climate change and what the experts are telling us." He is convinced that seeing his works and his history, people are able to realize that in South Africa there are many opportunities, too, and that it is possible to create a better live and a career out of nothing; making art would enable people to change their lives and to contribute something positive to the world.


Buthelezis works have been exhibited internationally, including the Museum of African Art in New York, the Goch Museum in Germany as well as the Prague Biennale

To listen to his journey, just click below:




Thought for the day:

Tune in at 17h30 to the iStart2 Show on Radio Today 1485 AM in Jozi, Nationally on DSTV Audio Channel 869 or worldwide on www.1485.org.za. Show hosted by Pierre du Toit and the beautiful Keitu Gwangwa. The show is broadcast every Monday at 17h30 and repeated on Thursdays at 17h30 (SA Time). 

Please Visit our website: www.istart2.com and join our movement.