insert_link Environment South Africa: Gold mine pollution is poisoning Soweto’s water and soil – study finds food gardens are at risk By Lesego Khomo, University of South Africa For 140 years, gold mines in Johannesburg, South Africa have been leaking wastewater contaminated with heavy metals. The acid mine drainage from Johannesburg’s estimated 278 abandoned mines and 200 mine dumps includes uranium (a radioactive metal), toxic arsenic, copper, cobalt, nickel, lead and zinc. Acid mine drainage can pollute land and water sources up to 20 kilometres away from […] todayMay 24, 2024 29
insert_link Environment Green Hydrogen Commissioner responds to environmental assessment call Following a call by the Namibian Chamber of Environment on the government, Germany, and the European Union to commission an independent and transparent strategic environmental assessment of the green hydrogen sector, warning that projects in the Tsau ||Khaeb National Park could harm its integrity, biodiversity, and landscape. We contacted Green Hydrogen Commissioner James Mnyupe to discuss how his office plans to address the concerns. Mnyupe says the Environment Ministry will […] todayMay 23, 2024 264
insert_link Environment Environmentalists angered as Mumbai flamingos die in plane incident Dozens of flamingos have been killed in the Indian city of Mumbai after an airplane hit them, leading to anger among environmentalists. The Emirates flight landed safely after the incident. Rebecca Bundhun reports from Mumbai. todayMay 23, 2024 61
insert_link 3 Environment UN Chief calls for action to protect biodiversity and combat climate change One million species now under threat, and humanity is to blame, the United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres has warned, in a call to protect the plants, animals, microorganisms and more, that sustain all life on Earth. Pollution, climate chaos, habitat loss and exploitation of nature have pushed a million plant and animal species to the brink of extinction. Guterres called on developed countries to invest in biodiversity and climate action […] todayMay 23, 2024 27 3
insert_link Environment Heat waves can be deadly for older adults: An aging global population and rising temperatures mean millions are at risk Older adults face health risks from high heat for many reasons, including medications. AP Photo/Manu Fernandez By Deborah Carr, Boston University; Enrica De Cian, Ca' Foscari University of Venice; Giacomo Falchetta, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, and Ian Sue Wing, Boston University A deadly heat wave gripped large regions of Asia for weeks in April and May 2024. As temperatures climbed past 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43.3 Celsius) […] todayMay 23, 2024 34
insert_link Environment Are some routes more prone to air turbulence? Will climate change make it worse? Your questions answered Trinity Moss/Unsplash By Doug Drury, CQUniversity Australia A little bit of turbulence is a common experience for air travellers. Severe incidents are rare – but when they occur they can be deadly. The recent Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 from London to Singapore shows the danger. An encounter with extreme turbulence during normal flight left one person dead from a presumed heart attack and several others badly injured. […] todayMay 23, 2024 42
insert_link Africa Sweet sorghum is a hardy, nutritious, biofuel crop that offers solutions in drought-hit southern Africa Sweet sorghum ripening in Rwanda. Ari Beser/Getty Images By Hamond Motsi, Stellenbosch University The southern African region is battling with drought at present. This is the result of El Niño, a natural climate cycle characterised by changes in Pacific Ocean temperatures. It has effects on global weather patterns, particularly rainfall and temperature. The drought has hit the region’s agricultural productivity hard. Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe have […] todayMay 23, 2024 21
insert_link Environment Chamber of Environment calls for green hydrogen assessment The Namibian Chamber of Environment has urged the Namibian and German governments, along with the EU, to commission an independent environmental assessment of the green hydrogen sector. They warn that green hydrogen projects in the Tsau ||Khaeb National Park could harm its integrity, biodiversity, landscape, and future tourism. Here is NCE CEO Dr. Chris Brown. The Chamber of Environment is an umbrella Association that provides a forum and mouthpiece for the […] todayMay 22, 2024 57
insert_link Environment Why you shouldn’t take pebbles from the beach – here’s the science Mr.Teerapong Kunkaeo / shutterstock By Joseph Earl, Lancaster University and Suzana Ilic, Lancaster University Cumberland Council in the north of England has announced that people taking pebbles from beaches will now face fines of up to £1,000. Many people found the announcement frustrating, but preventing erosion is critical, as research shows. For many people, visiting the beach brings back joyful childhood memories. It is easy to forget that […] todayMay 22, 2024 34
