Shared Earth

"Practical ideas for self-sufficiency and sustainable living"

Shared Earth is the third newcomer to the South African green publications market - a full-colour green magazine. The first edition was released in November 2008. Shared Earth focusses on practical steps towards living sustainably and becoming more self-sufficient.

Website: http://www.sharedearth.co.za/

Editor: Steve Venter - read our interview with Steve

Typical sections:

• From the Editor: in the first edition Steve describes his goal for the magazine: "The journey to self-sufficiency does not mean 'going back' to an idealised past and doing without the conveniences and technologies of modern living - it is to travel down the path towards freedom from the economic pressures which keep so many of us tied to our desks and in unrewarding jobs"

• Shared Know-How: a section in which readers can share practical tips and ideas - in the first edition there are some great ideas for converting your old newspapers and toilet roll paper tubes into seed planters - also has a section entitled "Your questions answered" in which experts answer readers' questions e.g. how to keep fruits and veggies fresh

• food: practical food tips ranging from information on how to bake your own bread, to an overview of the foods available at some of South Africa's organic and farmers' markets

• grow your own: hands-on ideas for the garden

• energy: information about various energy alternatives - in the first edition this includes articles about renewable energy, wind turbines and how to build your own sunstove

• opinion: opinions about various aspects of self-sufficent and sustainable living - in the first edition Roger King expores the issue of food and ethics

• self-sufficiency: articles about self-sufficiency - in the first edition: "Start you own Eco-COmmunity" (insightful interviews with two eco-communities, Khula Dhamma in the Eastern Cape and AumFarm in Limpopo) and "From Suburbia to Self-Sufficiency" (read about Tany Factor's move from suburban Sandton to the edge of the Knysna forest) - interesting reading for anyone contemplating an alternative lifestyle

• Recommended Books: short book reviews including specifications and pricing

• Shared Earth Shopping: section containing varius advertisements for products and services raging from getaways and real estate to bodycare

Examples of interesting articles include: "Drying foods at home" (great practical DIY ideas for preserving the goodness in food using techniques such as making fruit rolls and solar drying) and "Flowerpot Farming" (how to make use of any small space to cultivate your own fresh produce).

Look and feel:

• The A4 format makes the magazine an easy size to handle in any setting

• Bright, colourful magazine cover with a clear indication of the contents

• Cleanly-presented content illustrated with colourful photographs

• Articles are mostly medium to long and focus on practical advice - you will need time to read this magazine so set a few days aside to enjoy it at your leisure

• Uniform fonts used throughout

• Limited amount of advertising primarily restricted to the "Shared Earth Shopping" section

Shared Earth is "printed on recyled paper", with "10% of all subscription fees donated to Food and Trees for Africa".

In short:

Frequency: Bi-Monthly

Format: A4

Typical # per print run: ±10 000

Typical # pgs: ±56

Price per printed annual subscription copy: R25

Price per printed retail copy: R28

Outlets: CNA, Exclusive Books and other outlets

Shared Earth is a practical green "how-to" magazine. If you're embarking on a more sustainable lifestyle, or if you've ever considered getting off the grid, then this is the publication for you!