African elephants have just over 10 years left before they’re poached to extinction. We’re wiping them out, just to trade in stupid trinkets. But right now we have a chance to shut down a major ivory market in Europe. After experts found Europe's 'antique' trade is driving the slaughter of elephants by giving cover for illegal ivory, the EU launched a public consultation, … [Read more...]
Ghana environmentalists demand long-overdue forest protection
Ghana Environmentalists are demanding that government immediately approves the more than five-year-old Timber Procurement Policy aimed at helping save the country’s forests. The policy which was drafted by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources requires that government agencies and state contractors use only legally harvested timber and legitimately produced timber … [Read more...]
Power Purchase Agreements will be signed in October says energy minister
It is good news to the ears of Independent Power Producers that Eskom, will in October, sign the Power Purchase Agreements, Minister of Energy, Mmamoloko Kubayi announced today. This comes after stakeholder engagement between the Department of Energy and the Department of Public Enterprises. Eskom refused to sign the agreements in 2016, claiming that it had an over supply of … [Read more...]
Weathering the violence of climate change
With India experiencing its worst drought in 140 years, Indian farmers have taken to the streets. At a protest in Madhya Pradesh this summer, police opened fire on farmers demanding debt relief and better crop prices, killing five. In Tamil Nadu, angry growers have held similar protests, and lit candles in remembrance of those killed. And at one rally in New Delhi, farmers … [Read more...]
Climate change could push staple food prices up 130%
Climate change could lead to shortages and punishing 130% price rises in staple foods within our lifetime, raising the spectre of riots and civil unrest, a new study warned today. The report, by the International Food Policy Research Institute, warned that warming of even one degree by 2050 could play havoc with food production – with hotter, wetter temperatures cutting crop … [Read more...]
Zambia bets on solar power plant for plentiful electricity
Earlier this year, Cleantech Invest portfolio company Nocart announced the signing of a $200 million contract to develop a solar hybrid power plant in the Shangombo District of Western Province, Zambia. According to the company’s Managing Director Vesa Korhonen the project is on course. “The project is well on schedule. Production began in May, with the first local employees … [Read more...]
West Africa loses over $2 billion to illegal fishing annually
Greenpeace says poor government communication and coordination is hurting West Africa’s ability to combat illegal fishing, costing it billions of dollars each year in the process. The problem has become so severe that it is threatening food security in the region, the environmental group says in a new report (pdf). “Fish stocks are not restricted to national boundaries, and … [Read more...]
730,000 elephants missing from protected areas in Africa
A new study from the Conservation Ecology Research Unit (CERU) at the University of Pretoria predicts how many elephants there should be in 73 protected areas spanning 21 African countries. The research concludes that, largely due to poaching, protected areas are missing 75 per cent of their elephants, some 730,000 individuals. One-third of protected areas have less than five … [Read more...]
Solutions for Africa’s energy crisis more likely to be renewable
No country has ever reduced poverty without investing substantially in energy. Not only is it central to all human development goals, but it is also central to how we are globally dealing with climate change. Earth Day (22 April) is an important reminder for all South Africans to be cognisant of their country’s energy situation especially now, as the Government is facing … [Read more...]
ZNFU: “Zero rate agriculture needed to make Zambia breadbasket”
“The only way we can achieve the status of being a breadbasket is to zero rate agriculture” says Mr Jervis Zimba, President of the Zambia National Farmers’ Union (ZNFU), the owners of the upcoming Agritech Expo Zambia, in Chisamba from 27-29 April. In the run-up to the fourth edition of the massive open air farming exhibition in the heart of Zambia’s farming hub, Mr Zimba … [Read more...]
How learning empathy can improve community projects in Africa
Empathy is one of the most important skills any leader can have. A huge 2015 research project across 38 countries found that empathy makes leaders more effective and their businesses more successful. But how do you teach empathy? How can it be cultivated in students who will become leaders in future? And could it be done in a way that foregrounds ancient, indigenous … [Read more...]
South Africa no longer leading the continent on renewable energy
Although South Africa is the country with the most potential “by far” in terms of its renewable energy programmes, it is stuck in a the “(Fitfully) Waking Giant” category, financial services provider Fieldstone Africa said in its first renewables index for the year. When the Fieldstone Africa Renewables Index (FARI) was introduced, South Africa was the leading country on the … [Read more...]
Ministers sign secret deal to mine strategic water zone
Documents unearthed a week ago show Environment Minister Edna Molewa signed the approval for mining in the Mabola protected environment on August 20 2016, three months before Minister of Mineral Resources Mosebenzi Zwane signed it on November 21. The permission for Indian company Atha Africa Ventures to mine in Mabola, a critical water catchment area near Wakkerstroom, … [Read more...]
