insert_link Africa How to end hunger in sub-Saharan Africa: fight inequality, gender imbalances and climate change By Helen Onyeaka, University of Birmingham A greater part of Africa’s population can’t afford a healthy diet than any other regional population. Food insecurity in sub-Saharan Africa is caused by climate change, high levels of poverty, rapid population growth, low economic growth, inadequate infrastructure and conflicts. Women are the backbone of agricultural labour in the region. The problems of limited access to land, water and technology faced […] todayApril 18, 2024 16
insert_link World Africa is full of bats, but their fossils are scarce – why these rare records matter By Mariëtte Pretorius, University of the Witwatersrand Africa is home to more than 20% of the world’s bat population. There are over 200 species to be found on the continent. South Africa is particularly diverse, with 72 bat species. I am a zoologist who has studied bats for many years. Recently, while doing some reading about South Africa’s fossils, I started wondering about bat fossils. Given […] todayApril 18, 2024 16
insert_link Environment Dubai roads and airport flooded with heavy rains The United Arab Emirates experienced torrential rainfall and flooding yesterday, in what the government has described as the largest amount of rainfall in the past 75 years. More than 142- millimetres of rain soaked Dubai over just 12 hours. Dubai International Airport, recently crowned the second-busiest airport in the world, diverted planes as its tarmac was under water. The UAE government says the downpours were an exceptional climate event. According […] todayApril 17, 2024 49
insert_link Environment Advancing the rights of girls and women promotes justice and is also effective climate action By Grace M. Jaramillo, University of British Columbia Across the world, climate change disproportionately impacts the lives of girls, yet children are often forgotten in climate policy. I recently led a team of student researchers from the University of British Columbia to better understand why this is the case during field research in the Dominican Republic. Our team talked to 45 people, including key policy decision-makers on social […] todayApril 17, 2024 18
insert_link Local Navigating risk in Sub-Saharan Africa: challenges and opportunities By Horst Simon, Business Risk Officer, Capricorn Group Sub-Saharan Africa, home to diverse cultures, abundant resources, and dynamic economies, is a region of immense potential. However, amidst its promise lies a landscape fraught with risks that demand attention and initiative-taking strategies. From political instability and security threats to environmental vulnerabilities and health crises, Sub-Saharan Africa grapples with multifaceted challenges that require concerted efforts from governments, businesses, and […] todayApril 15, 2024 8
insert_link Africa Analysis of largest elephant surveys ever shows stable population, but disturbing trends By Jim Tan via Mongabay New research comparing data from the two largest-ever elephant surveys reveals the overall population in the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area is stable, but also uncovers some concerning local trends. Elephant numbers in Botswana, home to more elephants than any other country, are stable overall, but declining numbers in areas where hunting is permitted, and increasing numbers in protected areas, suggest underlying […] todayApril 11, 2024 19
insert_link Africa West Africa’s falling fish stocks: illegal Chinese trawlers, climate change and artisanal fishing fleets to blame By Robert Paarlberg, Harvard University Average fish catches by traditional fishing communities along the west African coast have declined significantly over the past three decades. Along the Gulf of Guinea, stretching from Côte d'Ivoire to Nigeria, fishers launch their wooden canoes from the beach to catch small pelagic fish, like sardines and anchovies, which they sell into local informal markets to make a living. They have done […] todayApril 10, 2024 2
insert_link Africa Why is Ghana so hot this year? An expert explains By Yaw Agyeman Boafo, University of Ghana Ghana’s meteorological agency and the state’s health service have issued warnings about a period of very high temperatures expected in the first half of 2024 around the country. Ghana’s experience is part of a global phenomenon: record temperatures were recorded in 2023. Yaw Agyeman Boafo, the programmes coordinator and a senior research fellow at the University of Ghana’s Centre for […] todayApril 8, 2024 28
insert_link Africa E-bikes could cut smog, energy use and congestion globally — but will they? By Charles Pekow Can simply adding an electric motor to a human-powered bicycle significantly reduce urban smog, traffic congestion and energy consumption — and even help curb climate change? Yes, but many bumps in the road must be overcome to get there. Today’s electric bicycles come in a range of two-wheeled e-bikes and three-wheeled e-trikes, varieties to meet consumer and business needs, with many millions already sold. The […] todayApril 2, 2024 7
