insert_link Environment How many giraffe species are there? Understanding this is key to their protection By Laura Bertola, Leiden University Giraffes, with their distinctive body shape and variations in coat patterns, have long been an example in evolutionary biology teachings. They are a textbook example of how species adapt to their surroundings and survive under harsh conditions. Despite this, scientists and conservationists still grapple with understanding the evolutionary history of giraffes. Giraffes occur throughout most of the savannah landscapes […] todayJune 3, 2024 25
insert_link Environment ‘Cape of Storms’ – climate researchers explain Cape Town’s recent extreme weather By Sabina Abba Omar, University of Cape Town and Stefaan Conradie, University of Cape Town A severe storm hit South Africa’s Western Cape province between 6 and 9 April 2024, with extreme winds gusting at up to 135km/h. The storm left a trail of destruction across Cape Town and surrounding areas – at least 1,500 people were left homeless after the high winds fanned fires […] todayJune 3, 2024 15
insert_link Africa Malawi faces a food crisis: why plans to avert hunger aren’t realistic and what can be done By Joachim De Weerdt, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and Jan Duchoslav, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) Malawi is heading towards a severe food crisis later this year. Drought brought on by the El Niño weather pattern has affected the harvest of maize, the staple food grown by nine out of 10 farming households in the country. The government declared a state […] todayJune 3, 2024 20
insert_link Business / Economics Agribank introduces credit life insurance product The Agricultural Bank of Namibia (Agribank) is pleased to announce the introduction of a Credit Life Insurance product, effective 1 June 2024. The Credit Life Insurance serves as a financial security and protection against unforeseen events, tailored exclusively for Agribank clients. The Agribank credit life insurance offers benefits beyond covering death and protecting a client’s estate. If a client becomes permanently or temporarily disabled, is diagnosed with […] todayMay 30, 2024 19
insert_link Environment Analysis: Michelin’s no-deforestation claims in Indonesia rubber plantation a stretch Rubber manufacturer Michelin claims to have avoided millions of tons of carbon emissions and saved thousands of hectares of primary forest in a sustainable rubber plantation project in Indonesia. Michelin joined the project in 2014 after buying a stake in the Indonesian rubber company RLU, which in 2018 raised $95 million in green bonds. In 2022, Michelin became RLU’s sole shareholder, and repaid the green bonds raised by the project. […] todayMay 30, 2024 35
insert_link Africa Tanzania’s dams: flood risk depends on how they’re planned and operated By Barnaby Joseph Dye, University of York The Rufiji River, which drains into Tanzania’s south-east coast, experienced a major wave of flooding in April 2024. The flooding caused tragic loss of life and affected at least 88,000 individuals. More than 28,000 hectares of crops were damaged. There has been much debate in Tanzania on the causes of this disaster, particularly the presumed role of the new […] todayMay 30, 2024 20
insert_link Environment Another violent storm hits Texas, killing one person and leaving half a million without power Another round of violent storms has hit Texas - killing at least one person… and leaving a trail of destruction. About half a million people are without power in the state with officials warning they could be in the dark for days. Toni Waterman reports: todayMay 30, 2024 52
insert_link Environment Namibia declares state of emergency due to drought President Nangolo Mbumba has declared a state of emergency regarding the current drought, effective 22 May 2024. Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform spokesperson, Jona Musheko says the declaration will allow the ministry to mobilise resources, and ensure that the necessary assistance is given to affected communities. Namibia declared a state of emergency due to severe drought in 2013, 2016, 2019, and now 2024. Rhingo Mutambo, chief public relations officer […] todayMay 28, 2024 65
insert_link Africa Horn of Africa droughts: how a network of groundwater bores could help – study By Bradley Hiller, University of Cambridge The Horn of Africa recently suffered its worst drought in almost half a century, and its sixth failed rainfall season in a row. Fifty million people were directly affected and 100 million more were indirectly affected. About 20 million people risked acute food insecurity and potential famine, 4.4 million required humanitarian aid, and refugees fleeing drought and floods […] todayMay 27, 2024 23
