Bridging the climate finance gap through collaboration and innovation

Bridging the climate finance gap through collaboration and innovation

Government, labour, business, and civil society must collaborate and innovate if South Africa is to raise the R535 billion required to meet its NDC target by 2030. In light of estimates that South Africa will require, on average, R334 billion and R535 billion annually to achieve its net zero goal by 2050 and NDCs by 2030, respectively, it is clear that something radical needs to change and quickly if we […]

February 1, 2024 24

Environment

Tropical forests share similar mix of common and rare tree species, study shows

A flowering tree in the Amazon rainforest canopy. Photo credit: Rhett A. Butler By Liz Kimbrough via Mongabay A new study has for the first time identified the most common tree species in the tropical forests of Africa, the Amazon and Southeast Asia — and their similarities have surprised scientists. “The [study] shows some uncanny similarities among the world’s great tropical rainforests,” said tropical ecologist Bill Laurance, a co-author of […]

February 1, 2024 46

Environment

Why monkeys attack people – a primate expert explains

Witsawat.S/Shutterstock Tracie McKinney, University of South Wales Wildlife tourism thrives on our fascination with animals and primates are particularly attractive animals to tourists. With their human-like faces, complex family dynamics and acrobatic antics, they are a joy to behold. But recent stories have emerged that portray monkeys in a more sinister light. Reports of “monkey attacks”, “devil monkeys”, or even “face-ripping, bone-biting monkeys” have become common in the media. Have […]

January 31, 2024 15

Environment

The surprising reason why insects circle lights at night: They lose track of the sky

A multiple-exposure photograph of insects circling a light at night. Samuel Fabian, CC BY-ND Samuel Fabian, Imperial College London; Jamie Theobald, Florida International University, and Yash Sondhi, University of Florida It’s an observation as old as humans gathering around campfires: Light at night can draw an erratically circling crowd of insects. In art, music and literature, this spectacle is an enduring metaphor for dangerous but irresistible attractions. And watching their […]

January 31, 2024 17

Environment

Ocean heating breaks record, again, with disastrous outcomes for the planet

By Elizabeth Claire Alberts via Mongabay New research shows that ocean temperatures are hotter than ever in the modern era due to human-driven global warming. High ocean temperatures are placing a strain on marine life and biological processes while also increasing extreme weather events on land. The world is also seeing an escalation in the frequency and intensity of marine heat waves, events in which sea temperatures exceed a certain […]

January 31, 2024 13

Environment

Farmers need to gain access to agricultural information

By Erastus Ngaruka, Technical Advisor: Livestock & Rangeland Management Agriculture is by far an economic pillar in Namibia as it directly or indirectly supports all livelihoods in the form of food, employment, and income. Besides that, agricultural production faces many challenges that are associated with climatic conditions, technology, markets, and knowledge or skills amongst others. For example, potential agricultural production in Namibia is vulnerable to climate change […]

January 31, 2024 25

Africa

Nigeria’s plastic ban: why it’s good and how it can work

By Temitope O. Sogbanmu, University of Lagos Two weeks into January 2024, Nigerian authorities took steps to curb environmental degradation caused by plastic pollution in the country. The Federal Ministry of Environment and the Lagos State government both announced bans on single-use plastics. The Federal Ministry of Environment was the first to issue a directive. It banned single-use plastics in its own departments and agencies. The Lagos State government […]

January 31, 2024 36

Environment

Can bioplastics help shape a more sustainable future?

Mike DiGirolamo holding a boomerang produced by the ARC Training Centre for Bioplastics and Biocompositses. Image by Nicolas Rakotopare for Mongabay. By Abhishyant Kidangoor, Mike DiGirolamo via Mongabay As the world struggles to contain plastic pollution, eco-friendly alternatives to plastics have garnered attention in recent years. One example: Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), a naturally occurring bio-based polymer, have been touted as a potential solution. Biotechnology startups have enthusiastically embraced the functional and economic […]

January 31, 2024 19

Environment

Can ‘degrowth’ solve our ecological, social & economic problems?

Two people biking in Amsterdam, a city well known for its cycling culture. Image by Sabina Fratila (@momhasapples) via Unsplash. By Mike DiGirolamo, Rachel Donald via Mongabay Research published in the journal Humanities and Social Sciences Communications finds that just in the United States, trillions of dollars are wasted on things that do not improve the quality of life for Americans. Podcast guest Timothée Parrique, an economist and researcher at the Lund University School of […]

January 31, 2024 23