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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
Carbon offsetting spekboom a must for every garden
Referred to as ‘spekboom’ by both English and Afrikaans speakers, iNtelezi in Zulu and iGqwanitsha in Xhosa, this plant is an important part of the Addo elephants’ diet. Portulacaria afra is a slender, evergreen shrub with small, rounded succulent leaves. It has a varied growth habit; in the Addo Elephant Park the plant grows wide with a loose, rounded shape due to its … [Read more...]
Water expert talks drought lessons at Mensa
In South Africa 98% of all potential raw water sources are already allocated for use. Increasing urbanisation and demand for safe sanitation place heavy demands on our water resources. The Department of Water & Sanitation estimates that R7-billion in potable water is lost annually. That amounts to 36% of the clean drinking water supply! Dr Jo Barnes, epidemiologist and … [Read more...]
Mega coal plants versus people of South Africa: The battle for clean water
South Africa is currently facing up to the reality of a mega water crisis over three provinces. The water crisis has been declared a national disaster, which means that the national government recognises that the impacts of the water crisis go well beyond just the three provinces that have been named. An additional R6bn has been set aside in the budget for responses to the … [Read more...]
Relieving pressure on Western Cape recycling
Demand for plastic bottles is at an all-time high in the Western Cape region. Because of this the local recycling capacity in the Western Cape is at maximum production and is unable to process the additional influx of bottles. PETCO Associate Member Oasis Water, recycling experts Extrupet, and PETCO are transporting 15MT of baled bottles to the Extrupet facility in Gauteng … [Read more...]
Water shortages could affect 5bn people by 2050, UN report warns
More than 5 billion people could suffer water shortages by 2050 due to climate change, increased demand and polluted supplies, according to a UN report on the state of the world’s water. The comprehensive annual study warns of conflict and civilisational threats unless actions are taken to reduce the stress on rivers, lakes, aquifers, wetlands and reservoirs. The World … [Read more...]
Will there be more rain for Cape Town this winter?
The approaching autumn and winter season in Cape Town is being keenly awaited to see if it will bring sufficient rain to end, or at least alleviate, the drought. If the rains are above average, the city should be able to avoid Day Zero next year. But if they’re below average, it will be very hard to do so. No seasonal forecasts have sufficient skill to predict the likelihood … [Read more...]
World water problems on tap at Brazil conference
Brazil — the country with the world’s greatest fresh water reserves — hosts an international conference next week on growing fears over the fragility of drinking water supplies in a heating planet. Under the slogan “sharing water,” the 8th World Water Forum will bring together 15 heads of state and government, 300 mayors and dozens of experts in the Brazilian capital … [Read more...]
