The Zimbabwean sacred baobab, Panke, was more than 2,400 years old when all its stems toppled and died in 2010-11. It is one of a number of ancient African baobabs that have died since 2017 across southern Africa, according to new research published in Nature Plants. The region is home to the oldest and largest African baobabs. Baobabs have broad trunks, or multiple stems … [Read more...]
Climate Change Bill published for comment
The Draft Climate Change Bill was published for comment earlier this week. It’s stated objectives are the following: provide for the coordinated and integrated response to climate change and its impacts by all spheres of government in accordance with the principles of cooperative governance; provide for the effective management of inevitable climate change impacts … [Read more...]
African cities pledge to cut climate emissions to zero by 2050
Africa is sometimes better known for its vulnerability to climate change than its action on the problem – but a set of African cities intend to change that. Eight cities – from Accra to Dar es Salaam – pledged this week to deliver their share of emissions cuts needed to meet Paris Agreement targets to limit climate change. That means achieving “zero carbon” city economies … [Read more...]
New coal plants not the way forward for drought-prone SA
Support for new coal-fired power plants like the proposed Thabametsi coal-fired power plant in Lephalale, Limpopo is fast drying up in a region where the Water and Sanitation Department rated water security as “high risk” because supply only just meets demand at present. Coal-fired power stations are responsible for half of South Africa’s carbon emissions, and in addition to … [Read more...]
Prospect of mining on Olifants River estuary alarms fishermen
Traditional fishermen in the Olifants River estuary are alarmed at a decision by the government to grant prospecting rights to controversial Australian mining company Mineral Sands Resources on the northern bank of the estuary. This is the third largest estuary on the South African coastline and one of the country’s most pristine estuarine systems. The estuary, also host to … [Read more...]
UN to investigate mysterious emissions of banned ozone-damaging CFCs
The UN will assess evidence of mysterious emissions of prohibited ozone-damaging chemicals, officials have said. A study published in scientific journal Nature on Wednesday found higher than expected levels of CFC-11 in the air, a human-made chemical known to deplete the ozone layer. It pointed to new sources coming from East Asia. CFCs, which were once found in aerosols, … [Read more...]
Well-designed carbon pricing will have a small economic impact
Last week saw lots of talk around the economic costs of carbon pricing. In one sense, that’s appropriate. In fact, policy costs are exactly why economists like carbon pricing—because it can reduce greenhouse gas emissions at a lower economic cost than any other policy approach. But the concept of cost is not always clear, and the conversation last week was sometimes inaccurate … [Read more...]
An IRP that ignores constitution can expect legal challenges
The Life After Coal Campaign and Greenpeace Africa say that the Department of Energy will face a legal challenge from them if the IRP for electricity ignores constitutional obligations. “We are not afraid to take the Department of Energy to court if the updated Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) ignores the provisions made in the Constitution. We were successful in halting the … [Read more...]
Gulf Stream current at ‘record low’ with potentially devastating consequences for weather
Catastrophic changes in global weather patterns could be on the horizon as scientists confirm the warming Atlantic current has reached a “new record low”. The Gulf Stream current, which has not been running at peak strength for centuries, is now at its weakest point in the past 1,600 years. Climate change resulting from rising levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is … [Read more...]
Climate change reversal window closing as Bonn talks stall
As the second week of talks at the Bonn Climate Change Conference gets underway, some 200 country delegates remain far from agreeing on a rulebook to implement the Paris Agreement, the historic accord signed in 2015 to reduce emissions and keep the worst effects of climate change at bay. The rulebook is central to the discussions because it outlines how the targets agreed … [Read more...]
Study reveals massive ‘dead zone’ in the Arabian Sea
A massive "dead zone" in the Arabian Sea is the largest in the world, a new study reveals. Dead zones are oxygen-starved ocean regions where few organisms can survive. They emerge in ocean depths ranging from 650 to 2,600 feet (200 to 800 meters), when influxes of chemical nutrients — typically from human pollution — spur algae growth, which sucks up oxygen. A significant … [Read more...]
New coastal current discovered off Madagascar
Like many good scientific discoveries, Heriniaina Juliano Dani Ramanantsoa’s was made somewhat by accident. While studying the variability of a coastal upwelling, in which deep, cold, nutrient-rich water rises towards the surface, nourishing marine wildlife and fisheries off the south-west coast of Madagascar, he stumbled across an unknown coastal current. This warm, salty and … [Read more...]
Scientists hail European ban on bee-harming pesticides
In a long-awaited decision, the European Union today voted to ban the use of three controversial neonicotinoid insecticides on all crops grown outdoors. The vote ends years of bitter wrangling between those in favour of a ban, including environmental groups and many scientists, and opponents of further restrictions, including neonicotinoid manufacturers. It follows an … [Read more...]
