Comments on: Penguin Books Green Tips with Simon Gear

By: Hayley McLellan

Hayley McLellan — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 07:07:33 +0000

Free range is ideal! I do have one question further to that. Are the animals transported and slaughtered in as humane a way as possible? I gave up meat about 6 months ago for said reasons but would definitely eat meat on the odd ocassion if I knew that the entire process was humane…Is there such a process or am I asking for an ideal world…? PLEASE let me know?

By: Christiane Thiessen

Christiane Thiessen — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 09:33:03 +0000

Dear Simon
I am a Namibian cattle farmer. I did enjoy your book tremendously. Although I have to comment on EAT LESS MEAT on page 247 – not for what you might expect, namely that I have to defend my profession, but let me try to awake some interest in you to get to know more about the following:
Of course, we do fully agree with you on your argument regarding feedlot cattle! Not all cattle are fed in feedlots. In Namibia most, if not all, cattle are free range that means grass fed not grain fed. We are farming according to the Holistic Management Principles, and we strongly believe in these principles, which are not commonly known and practised by stock farmers. We believe that animals are essential for the natural pastures and are, therefore, not primarily a product of which the financial output needs to be maximised, but rather a tool , which is essential to maintain natural pastures sustainably healthy. Animals do fertilize the savanas with their dung, which is a converted form of the plant resource. Also, animals break the surface, so that water can enter the soil. Like in the little house garden the ground has to be worked and fertilized and that is exactly what animals are doing in our savanas. All this is true for the most parts in Africa where we live in brittle environments with seasonal rains and animals are doing the job of getting the manure and old grass and water into the ground, and this is what large herds of animals can do for us. However, the big problem is, that most range lands nowadays, especially commercial farms, are overgrazed with devestating effects on our natural pastures.
This principle is not so essential in non brittle environments, where we have perinnial rainfalls and the decomposing process is taking place naturally because of the constant humidity. That is one reason why animals in those areas do not appear in large herds, because they do not have a function as such. Africa’s nature, however, is provided with huge animal herds that migrate (Serrenghetti) and most of its original stock herders are nommadic. That means animals are moving, without staying on one patch for too long, and consequetly overgraze. Modern management tools and land use practices are, of course, a big problem to apply these principles, but it is possible, as Holistic Management does proof to us!

So my Motto would be: Yes eat meat, but look for Free Range meat. Namiban Free Range meat is sold at Woolworth.

Kind Regards and thanks again for your wonderful book
Christiane Thiessen

By: Elaine

Elaine — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 06:20:44 +0000

Loved the Going Green book – but it would have been useful to find an index of all the websites mentioned instead of having to hunt for them later.

By: Nicki

Nicki — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 14:26:11 +0000

Hi Simon

We all need to be aware of the choices we make and products we use – and thats why we decided to bring PaperFoam to SA.

PaperFoam is an environmentally friendly packaging material that has been moulded / shaped into CD & DVD trays. They are 100% bio-degradable – can be composted or recycled as paper. The manufacturing process uses only a fraction of the CO2 carbon emissions than the plastic alternatives. Truely a unique product.

Check out on our website: http://www.paperfoam.co.za for more.

Perhaps it is even something to consider using for an e-book?

By: Melissa

Melissa — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 10:09:21 +0000

Hi Simon, great book!

I want to let you know about our special indigenous forest, Platbos, and our reforestation and forest conservation project: Trees for Tomorrow where individuals and companies can sponsor the planting of trees on the forest edge. You can read more about it on or website but please send me an email if you would like to hear more. Many thanks.

By: Lucas

Lucas — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 12:39:08 +0000

Hi Simon. May you please send me your e-mail address to my e-mail. I need to book an appointment with you at the SABC Auckland park studios.

Lucas
0730966580

By: admin

admin — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 13:28:12 +0000

Hi Ninette

Going Green is not currently available in e-book format.

By: Ninette

Ninette — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 11:58:27 +0000

Hi Simon, I would like to buy your book, but is it available as an electronic book (e-book)? I have stopped buying new paper books. Please email your response to me.

By: Lulu

Lulu — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 11:50:45 +0000

Unplug your cellphone charger. Buy a penguin nest box. Adopt a penguin. Walk with baboons. Reuse. Recycle. Live simply.