Farmers in Sutherland can breathe a little easier after the successful drilling of new boreholes as part of a R15 million project to save farms in the area. The Gift of the Givers project follows one of the worst droughts the province has seen. Eleven Sutherland farms were lost, livestock died and 56 farms remain at risk. Gift of the Givers decided to step in to drill 200 … [Read more...]
Africa’s pollution crisis warning: step up to avoid environmental disaster
As the second most polluted continent, Africa must take both the responsibility and opportunity to pioneer world-leading waste management methods to avoid an environmental and socio-economic disaster, experts warn. This was the message from environmental scientist Dr Tony Ribbink, who was speaking at the annual general meeting of the PET Recycling Company (PETCO) at the … [Read more...]
Ecological Infrastructure for Water Security project launched in Joburg
The Minister of Environmental Affairs Dr Edna Molewa and the Minister of Water and Sanitation Gugile Nkwinti will be at the launch of an $7.2 million (approximately R90 million) worth Ecological Infrastructure for Water Security project in Johannesburg on Thursday, 31 May 2018. This five year investment from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) together with considerable … [Read more...]
Aliens are greatest threat to Cape Town’s water security
Invasive alien plants are possibly the greatest threat to Cape Town’s water security and climate resilience. Yet the city of Cape Town has made no effort to address this threat in response to the current drought. The worst-case climate change scenarios predict about a 10% decline in Cape Town’s water supply by 2050. But we’re already losing this much to invasive alien plants … [Read more...]
Cape Town business welcomes reduction in water price hikes
Businesses in Cape Town have welcomed drastic cuts in proposed water price hikes. But Janine Myburgh‚ president of the Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry‚ said on Tuesday the initial proposed 55% increase was a “shocking indictment” of City of Cape Town officials and councillors. “They are simply too focused on extracting revenue from the public rather than reducing … [Read more...]
Cape Town’s first desalination plant delivers drinking water
Cape Town's Strandfontein desalination plant is up and running. Deputy Mayor Ian Neilson was given a taste of the first 3 megalitres (ML) being produced there as rainwater dripped off his nose at the beachfront site on Monday. "If you want it to rain, build a desalination plant," quipped Neilson as a squall swirled around the delegation inspecting the plant built near the … [Read more...]
Cape Town could get above normal rainfall from June, predict US scientists
The International Research Institute (IRI) for Climate and Society at Columbia University has just released its latest rainfall predictions, and there may be good news for the drought-stricken Western Cape. In March, the IRI predicted that the province was most likely to receive "below to near normal rainfall" in May, June and July. But this week, the IRI upgraded its … [Read more...]
Forest restores biodiversity and lowers temperature at Indian campus
The summer temperatures in Bangalore this year have been cause for particularly high concern among its residents, with some claiming that daytime temperature shot up to 41 degrees Celsius one day in April. This summer has surely felt hotter than most old Bangaloreans remember it ever being. But, there are some parts of the city that have kept the unrelenting heat away. Walk … [Read more...]
Rain floods Cape Town roads as cold front hits
Overnight rain in parched Cape Town has resulted in flash flooding and the closure of some roads in the city. "I don't have much information for you. I only [know] about flooding in Koeberg Road," provincial traffic chief Kenny Africa told News24. He said that the Huguenot Tunnel was closed for traffic due to a power failure. The City of Cape Town's Disaster Risk … [Read more...]
Urban environment to blame for Cape Town river pollution
Some residents in Hazendal, who live alongside Black River, believe that raw sewage is being pumped into the river and not only stormwater. The residents believe the deteriorating state of the river is causing an influx of flies, cockroaches and mosquitoes into their homes. The City of Cape Town says it’s just as concerned about the water quality and the … [Read more...]
Top environmental awards dominated by women for first time
The world’s foremost environmental prize has announced more female winners than ever before, recognising the increasingly prominent role that women are playing in defending the planet. The struggle for a healthy planet may sometimes feel like a series of defeats, but this year’s Goldman environmental prize celebrates six remarkable success stories, five of them driven by … [Read more...]
Shell pulls back from the Karoo
Shell is pulling back from its controversial Karoo fracking venture. Responding yesterday to questions about the company pulling the plug on its plan to frack blocs across the eastern, western and northern Cape Karoo, Shell spokeswoman Dineo Pooe said the multinational was rescaling its Karoo team. “With the low oil price environment, Shell has decided to rescale its … [Read more...]
Pharmaceutical waste a threat to rivers worldwide
River systems around world are coursing with over-the-counter and prescription drug waste harmful to the environment, researchers said Tuesday. On current trends, the amount of pharmaceutical effluence leaching into waterways could increase by two-thirds before mid-century, they told a major science conference in Vienna. "A large part of the freshwater ecosystems is … [Read more...]
