Del Vecchio built the Luxottica empire by vertically integrating his spectacle business – owning the entire chain from optometrists, to sourcing raw materials, designing and manufacturing the components, marketing them and owning the retail outlets. Then, he integrated horizontally, he pressured competitors by upping his component or design prices, eventually buying them out. Whether you…
19
Sep
Sep
In response to the increasing demand for electric mobility, Executive Chairman of Zero Carbon Charge, Joubert Roux, emphasises the urgent need for sustainable infrastructure: “As South Africa ramps up its EV adoption in line with global and national climate change commitments, it is vital to acknowledge that our national grid is not equipped to…
26
Aug
Aug
In the contest between renewables and fossil fuels, innovation remains renewable energy’s greatest advantage. Fossil fuels may have the advantage of being entrenched, but it is slow to adapt. One idea that has demonstrated this strength is solar canals. In the contest between renewables and fossil fuels, innovation remains renewable energy’s greatest advantage. Fossil fuels…
08
Aug
Aug
Heroes are wonderful things. By lifting them up, we keep ourselves grounded; by following in their footsteps, we chart our own paths. There’s certainly no shortage of heroes to choose from. Every field, from science to sport, has its legends who serve to inspire and shape the next generation. For me, my heroes are writers…
28
Jul
Jul
A mammoth study came out last month, in the journal Science, with some very uplifting conclusions about conservation. The goal was to figure out whether conservation efforts are actually effective at reducing global biodiversity loss, slowing its decline, and protecting endangered habitats and species. The study wasn’t limited to any one area of conservation. It…
23
Jul
Jul
As solar power becomes increasingly accessible, the only resistance will come from the entrenched powers who stand to benefit from fossil fuel power. In contrast to the titans of industry from America and Europe, private firms in Africa are exploiting the instability of national power grids to further push the adoption of solar panels and…
11
Jul
Jul
Reality is often unrealistic. Sometimes events unfold that, if they appeared in a film or TV production, would be mocked by audiences as contrite or heavy-handed. Fiction has to make sense, whereas reality can do whatever it wants and you don’t get a say in the matter. So I find it far from unexpected that one…
21
Jun
Jun
I doubt it needs to be said that the large use of fossil fuels in vehicles is a major cause of climate change or that electric vehicles will greatly help to ease the impact. But it might need to be said that electric vehicles have some other benefits that will have a more short-term impact….
14
Jun
Jun
History became quite a wild ride about 300 years ago. In a scant handful of centuries, we went from a couple million mostly illiterate subjects who spent the majority of their lives working out in the fields to appease their divinely appointed feudal overlords to a couple billion perfectly (somewhat) literate citizens who spend the…
