insert_link Environment ‘Cape of Storms’ – climate researchers explain Cape Town’s recent extreme weather By Sabina Abba Omar, University of Cape Town and Stefaan Conradie, University of Cape Town A severe storm hit South Africa’s Western Cape province between 6 and 9 April 2024, with extreme winds gusting at up to 135km/h. The storm left a trail of destruction across Cape Town and surrounding areas – at least 1,500 people were left homeless after the high winds fanned fires […] today3 June, 2024
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 […] today22 May, 2024
insert_link Africa Kenyan schools reopen after devastating floods Schools in Kenya have reopened after flooding in the country killed more than 250 people. Kenya and other parts of East Africa have been battered by torrential rains, claiming lives and destroying property. Human Rights Watch says that Kenyan authorities have not responded adequately to flash floods resulting from heavy rains. The floods have left at least over 200, 000 people displaced, destroyed infrastructure, and livelihoods across the country; and […] today14 May, 2024
insert_link Africa History for sale: what does South Africa’s struggle heritage mean after 30 years of democracy? By Duane Jethro, University of Cape Town One of my favourite statues is the one of Nelson Mandela at the Sandton City shopping centre in Johannesburg. Larger than life, its oversized bronze shoes shimmer in the evening light, polished by the hands of many passersby who crowd around to take pictures with it. At the entrance of a square in the mall, it’s a jovial image […] today24 April, 2024
insert_link Africa Africa’s megacities threatened by heat, floods and disease – urgent action is needed to start greening and adapt to climate change By Meelan Thondoo, University of Cambridge Cities cover just 3% of the planet. But they emit 78% of all global greenhouse gas emissions, absorb 80% of final global energy (what consumers use) and consume 60% of clean drinking water. African megacities like Lagos, Nigeria (with 21 million residents) and Cairo, Egypt (with 10 million residents) are experiencing significant temperature increases due to the urban heat island effect […] today24 April, 2024
insert_link World Indian wrestlers ‘sleeping on floor’ after Dubai airport flooded Two top Indian wrestlers have been "sleeping on the floor" at Dubai airport after record rainfall disrupted travel to and from the Middle East financial centre, Indian media reported. The Indian Express newspaper said Paris Olympics hopeful Deepak Punia and fellow wrestler Sujeet Kalkal had been stuck at the airport since Tuesday while en route to Bishkek for the Asian Olympic Qualifying Tournament. Scores of flights were delayed, […] today18 April, 2024
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 […] today17 April, 2024
insert_link South Africa KwaZulu-Natal’s Department of Cooperative says assessment will continue today following heavy rain and flooding KwaZulu-Natal’s Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs' assessment will continue today following heavy rain and flooding in parts of the province. Five people died in Margate on the South Coast. Some areas received rainfall accumulation of more than 200 millimetres. Businesses and public infrastructure, including roads and houses, have been severely damaged. The department says the cost implications of the damages caused will be consolidated. today16 April, 2024
insert_link Africa East Africa must prepare for more extreme rainfall during the short rainy season – new study By David MacLeod, Cardiff University; Erik W. Kolstad, Uni Research; Katerina Michaelides, University of Bristol, and Michael Singer, Cardiff University East Africa has recently had an unprecedented series of failed rains. But some rainy seasons are bringing the opposite: huge amounts of rainfall. In the last few months of 2023, the rainy season known as the “short rains” was much wetter than normal. It brought severe flooding to […] today11 March, 2024
