Environment

Great white sharks off South Africa’s coast are protected by law, but not in practice. Why this needs to change

By Enrico Gennari, Rhodes University; Neil Hammerschlag, University of Oregon, and Sara Andreotti, Stellenbosch University In less than eight years, white sharks in South Africa have all but disappeared from their historical hotspots in False Bay and Gansbaai, on the Western Cape coast. These areas were once known as the “white shark capital of the world” and were home to a flourishing ecotourism industry. One possible […]

6 May, 2024

Environment

7 Billion tonnes of plastic waste threaten environment

Since the 1950s, 9.2 billion tonnes of plastic have been produced, seven billion tonnes of which have become potentially toxic waste. Jyoti Mathur-Filipp, Executive Secretary of the international negotiating committee secretariat that is focused on curbing the scourge told UN News that if no action is taken, plastic pollution could triple by 2060.

2 May, 2024

Africa

Climate change could cost Africa billions by 2030

Africa currently loses between $7 billion and $15 billion a year because of climate change. If that trend continues, African Development Bank President Akinwumi Adesina tells the Zero podcast, that number could reach $50 billion by 2030. That’s why Adesina is focusing the bank’s efforts on financing climate adaptation, which he describes as the “forgotten cousin” of climate mitigation.

2 May, 2024

Environment

Electricity from farm waste: how biogas could help Malawians with no power

By Ehiaze Ehimen, Atlantic Technological University and Thomas Robin, Atlantic Technological University In sub-Saharan Africa, over 600 million people (more than 50% of the population) are without access to electricity. Malawi has one of the world’s lowest electricity access rates – just 14.1% of the total population have access to the main grid. In rural areas, the electrification access rate is even lower, estimated at 5.6% […]

2 May, 2024

Environment

Gum arabic from Africa’s acacia trees in the Sahel is used in hundreds of products: what’s worth knowing

By Asgar Ali, University of Nottingham The conflict in Sudan has turned attention to a rarely discussed commodity: gum arabic. This product, the dried sap of certain species of acacia trees, is used mainly as an additive in the soft drinks industry. Sudan accounts for about 70% of global gum arabic exports. Asgar Ali, an expert in sustainable food systems, answers questions about the commodity and its […]

30 April, 2024

Environment

Calle Schlettwein chairs Zambezi Water Commission

The Minister of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform Calle Schlettwein has assumed the Chairmanship of the Zambezi Watercourse Commission, in Mozambique. He took over from Carlos Alberto Fortes Mesquita, the Minister of Public Works, Housing, and Water Resources of Mozambique during the 11th Zambezi Watercourse Commission Council of Ministers Meeting. Namibia will host the next Council of Ministers.

29 April, 2024

Environment

Court overturns Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 conviction

A New York court has overturned Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction. Judges say the landmark MeToo trial prejudiced the ex-movie mogul with "egregious" improper rulings. According to the Associated Press, the court found the trial judge unfairly allowed testimony against the ex-movie mogul based on allegations that weren’t part of the case. Weinstein, 72, will remain in prison because he was convicted in Los Angeles in 2022 of another rape. But […]

25 April, 2024

Environment

Asia was the most disaster-affected region in 2023

Asia remains the world's most disaster-affected region in 2023 due to weather, climate, and water-related hazards. According to UN News, storms and floods have hit the hardest, a new report published by the World Meteorological Organisation revealed on Tuesday.

24 April, 2024

Environment

Over 2.4 billion workers face climate-related health risks

Bloomberg News reports that more than 2.4 billion workers — or 70% of the global workforce — are exposed to climate change-related health hazards. An International Labour Organisation’s report, published Monday, also estimates that 18,970 lives and 2.09 million disability-adjusted life years are lost annually to 22.87 million occupational injuries attributable to excessive heat.

24 April, 2024