The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP17) has a host of side events to entertain and educate residents of, and visitors to, Durban. Call 031 3044 934 or 0800 331 011 for details.
**Inner city rooftop garden: Monday to December 10 at 77b Monty Naicker (Pine) Road. From 9am to 9pm daily. The priority zone rooftop garden, in an eco-building 100m from the ICC, will be open for informative tours during COP17. The garden is over 1300m2 and uses various recycled material in its design, including tyres, pallets, and drums to make the beds. Solar geysers and panels harvest the sun’s energy, while rainwater is collected for irrigation.A fully functional worm-farm adds nutrients. For inquiries phone 031 368 2599.
**NGO participation: The People’s Space. Monday to December 10 at Block AK. An opportunity for international and national civil society to participate in COP17. Encompassing a registration area, meeting spaces, conference and discussion areas, craft market and climate refugee camp.
**Greenpeace solar cinema: Monday to December 10 at the Bay Lawns. Screening times are from noon each day. The solar cinema facility will be powered by solar and wind and will showcase environmental movies and documentaries. Phone Shona Hutton on 079 512 8594.
**Durban Green Hub: Monday to December 10 at the Blue Lagoon. From 11am to 9pm daily. Featuring a family orientated programme targeted at Durban residents. “My green home” is an exhibition designed in the format of a house and garden with a range of ways to go green and reduce energy consumption. Advisers will be on hand to help visitors implement simple and affordable changes at home and work. A market and entertainment area on the lawns overlooking the uMngeni River will offer wholesome food, crafts, green technologies, live music, a kids play areas, movies and more. Phone 031 303 8476 or email [email protected].
**Live theatre. Today at various venues: Two Durban personalities, Ellis Pearson and Gcina Hlophe, will be bringing the climate change message to venues around Durban in a creative way. Pearson with physical theatre and Hlophe through her story-telling. They will be performing at the botanical gardens, the Green Hub and various school and library venues in and around Durban.
**Public art response open-air exhibition: Daily from Monday. An all-weather, semi-permanent exhibition along the Durban beachfront featuring artwork by the public of all ages in response to a request to creatively express their view of climate change and how best to react to it.
**Oware game: Tuesday to December 14. From 10am to 10pm daily. Oware is a board game dating back 7 000 years. This version serves as an interactive forum for the community to explore the issue of female empowerment. The goal of the game has been adapted so that each person or team collects knowledge, resources and capabilities on their journey to empowerment in the game play. The game may be played by members of the public or groupings who will be able to make appointments to play. E-mail Carol Brown at [email protected] with inquiries.
**Durban – City For All Seasons exhibition: Wednesday, 6pm, at 120 Florida Road. Visit on weekdays from 8am to 4:30pm and on Saturdays from 9am to 12:30pm.
**The Elizabeth Gordon Gallery is hosting an exhibition by 16 artists who have taken up the challenge to paint something that captures the essence of Durban, while incorporating the themes of climate change and green awareness. Phone Joy Reynolds on 082 210 0641 with any inquiries.
**Response to climate change musical: Thursday at the Durban beachfront. A one-hour, original musical production featuring 25 pupils who have created a production with words, music and songs which highlight various aspects of climate change. The production will be filmed and televised worldwide on the BBC’s Climate Change TV.
**Global Day of Action march: Friday, from Curries Fountain. A mass march by national and international labour, youth, academics, and religious and environmental organisations, to draw attention to the need for meaningful action on climate change.
**Global Day of Action concert: Friday at the Tech Fields. Gates open at 1pm. Thirty thousand people are expected to attend this free concert.
**Future convention cities initiative: Friday to December 9 at uShaka Marine World. Launched by the Seoul Tourism Organisation, a strategic collaboration and knowledge-sharing forum of leading cities, each with a significant convention centre. E-mail [email protected].
**Open forum and walkabout: Friday from 11am to 1pm. The walkabout will begin at the Durban Art Gallery and will include discussions with the curator and contributors to the project. Participants will include curator Gabi Ngcobo and artists Dineo Bopape, Otobong Nkanga, Zamani Makhanya, Kim Anno and Doung Anwar Jahangeer.
**Artists Protect Earth (APE) concerts: Saturday at New Beach, 9am to 7pm. Live performances by a range of artists. R200 entrance fee a person will be donated to APE’s East Africa appeal. E-mail Ian Osrin at [email protected] or phone 083 389 1099.
**Day of prayer. Saturday, 3pm. Durban University of Technology sports hall. Phone 031 310 3500 / 3512 with any inquiries.