insert_link Africa Ahead of COP16, groups warn of rights abuses linked to ‘30×30’ goal By Aimee Gaba, via Mongabay Two years since global policymakers agreed on the concept of protecting 30% of the world’s land and waters by 2030, there’s still little clarity on how achieving this goal will impact Indigenous communities who safeguard some of the most biodiverse areas on Earth. In October this year, government representatives are set to meet at the U.N. Biodiversity Conference (COP16) in Colombia to talk […] todaySeptember 19, 2024 11
insert_link Environment A lonely and ancient plant needs a female partner and researchers are using drones and AI to find it – podcast By Gemma Ware, The Conversation The only known specimens of Encephalartos woodii (E. woodii), a species of cycad, are all clones of the same male plant found over 100 years ago in a South African forest. Now a team of researchers is on a mission to find an elusive female version of the plant, with the help of drones and artificial intelligence. In this episode of The […] todaySeptember 19, 2024 9
insert_link Africa Lithium mining in Zimbabwe: a story of loss for one community By Joshua Matanzima, The University of Queensland Lithium is an essential component of electric vehicle batteries, which are becoming more important as the world moves to a low-carbon energy future. Large deposits of lithium exist in Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Bolivia, Canada, the US, Australia, Portugal, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Ghana. Zimbabwe is the largest producer of lithium in Africa, and the ninth largest in the world. The Zimbabwean […] todaySeptember 19, 2024 25
insert_link Africa Four ways Africa is already seeing the effects of climate change – and what can be done about it By Moina Spooner, The Conversation Africa is already being heavily affected by climate change. Between 1991 and 2023, the African continent warmed at a rate of 0.3°C per decade, a rate slightly faster than the global average. This has brought more frequent and severe weather extremes. The cost of adapting to these changes and events is also immense. This was emphasised in a recent report by the World […] todaySeptember 17, 2024 10
insert_link Africa Nigerian farmers lack insurance: payouts triggered by weather data offer a solution By Ifedotun Aina, University of Cape Town and Opeyemi Ayinde, University of Ilorin Agriculture is hugely important to Nigeria. It makes up about a quarter of the country’s economy, and almost half of the population are smallholder farmers. Most farm on less than 10 hectares of land. It can be a tough way to make a living. Smallholder farmers in Nigeria regularly lose crops and livestock to floods […] todaySeptember 17, 2024 15
insert_link Environment Fungi to the rescue: South African scientists use innovative approach to protect apple trees Woolly apple aphids are destructive pests, threatening South Africa’s apple-growing industry. Westend61/Getty Images By Antoinette Paula Malan, Stellenbosch University; Letodi Luki Mathulwe, Stellenbosch University, and Nomakholwa Faith Stokwe, Stellenbosch University Gardeners the world over dread the appearance of aphids on their plants. There are around 4,000 species of these sap-sucking insects and about 250 are pests that can wreak havoc on crops in a garden or orchard. One […] todaySeptember 17, 2024 15
insert_link Environment Eight dead after heavy rain and flooding in central Europe Devastating rains have claimed at least eight lives across central and eastern Europe, as a powerful storm causes widespread flooding and disruption. Pablo Gutierrez reports. Deutsche Welle reports that severe flood warnings have been issued at around 100 locations across the Czech Republic, impacting most regions. Austria, Poland, and Romania are also experiencing significant flooding. DW provides the latest updates. The German government has pledged support to countries […] todaySeptember 16, 2024 27
insert_link Environment Drought lowers Fish River Canyon water levels Namibia Wildlife Resorts will conduct a clean-up at the Fish River Canyon this weekend to mark the end of the hiking season. NWR spokesperson Nelson Ashipala said that drought conditions have lowered water levels, pushing the Ministry of Environment to deploy water marshals to maintain a steady supply. todaySeptember 12, 2024 29
insert_link Africa Zimbabwe considers elephant culling for food amid drought Zimbabwe is considering culling elephants for the first time since 1988 as the country grapples with a devastating drought. Environment Minister Sithembiso Nyoni told lawmakers in Mount Hampden, near Harare, that discussions are underway to cull elephants and distribute the meat to drought-stricken communities in need of protein. This move comes as Zimbabwe faces one of the worst droughts in recent decades, leaving many communities food insecure. According to Bloomberg […] todaySeptember 12, 2024 55