The most powerful Atlantic Ocean hurricane in recorded history has destroyed buildings and caused major flooding on several Caribbean islands, as British tourists are evacuated from the region amid warnings the storm will be "potentially catastrophic". The island of Barbuda was the first to bear the brunt of Hurricane Irma - a category five storm with winds of 185mph - early … [Read more...]
Fears of another Fukushima linger as tropical storm pummels Texas
In the midst of Tropical Storm Harvey's drenching onslaught, energy watchdogs are sounding the alarm over the continued operation of two nuclear reactors in East Texas that are running at full capacity despite what they claim is the clear potential for a major disaster. Located near Bay City, Texas, the reactors belong to the South Texas Project, a 12,200-acre nuclear power … [Read more...]
Response to climate change is critical as risk of disease outbreaks grows
Climate change threatens to significantly increase the health risk of people living in the East African Highlands. In addition, droughts have intensified. These have have both short-term and long term effects on human health. Yet there are no guidelines to inform health related decisions under climate change conditions. Nor has any mapping been carried out to indicate the … [Read more...]
Paris climate talks: what difference will temperature rises really make?
Without action, climate scientists have warned that temperatures could rise by nearly 5C above pre-industrial levels by 2100. World leaders meeting in Paris hope to keep average global surface temperature rises below 2C – but their pledges to cut emissions could still see up to 3C according to analyses. While it is very hard to make firm predictions, here are some of the … [Read more...]
Next decade decisive for Earth’s future
The next 10 years will be decisive when it comes to the planet's future - what we do (or don't) will play out over geologic time. It could, if we set our minds to it, be the decade when the planet's use of fossil fuels peaks and then rapidly declines. We've built a movement that, for the moment, is starting to tie down the fossil fuel industry: from the tar sands of … [Read more...]
Lourens River to receive emergency repairs after severe flooding
As part of the City of Cape Town’s commitment to building a safe city, emergency repairs and the replacement of damaged infrastructure will start soon at Lourens River, following the severe flooding in Somerset West on 15 and 16 November last year. The City had requested financial assistance to deal with the required emergency work after the area was declared a provincial … [Read more...]
E’s voice: Dare to win the climate struggle
“We are going to win this struggle. Whenever a struggle is involved in a choice between what is right and what is wrong, the outcome is inevitable.” With these words former vice-president Al Gore introduced day 2 of the Climate Leadership Corps training, which I was lucky enough to attend. “It’s all about resolving the clarity of the choice. A choice between life and … [Read more...]
‘Pakistan worst affected by climate change’
Agriculture is extremely vulnerable to climate change globally and in Pakistan, which is the one of the worst hit countries of climate change, agriculture is badly affected, said climate change experts and nature conservationists recently. Addressing a conference on climate change organised by the Habib University, experts said water availability, food security and human … [Read more...]
Climate change responsible for 90% of natural disasters
Climate change is a global phenomenon whose impacts have emerged as one of the greatest challenges that humanity is facing today. Scientific evidence proves that climate change exacerbates the frequency of extreme weather events and natural disasters. According to an article in Nature, unpredictable weather events such as drought and floods "accounted for about 90% of the … [Read more...]
Soweto is mopped up after floods
Reconstruction is moving swiftly ahead in part of Soweto damaged by flash floods last week, while relief aid is being given to families whose homes were washed away. AN estimated R350-million will be spent by the City in "cleaning up and reconstructing" those parts of Soweto that were wrecked by flash floods last week. Gabu Tugwana, the City's director of communications, … [Read more...]
A weekend of floods & evacuations in Western Cape
More than 300 residents of Sir Lowry's Pass Village have been evacuated after a nearby river burst its banks. Disaster management spokesperson, Wilfred Solomons-Johannes, says after persistent rains, the Sir Lowry's Pass River reached its water level capacity and burst its banks. Approximately 18 000 people have been affected by flash floods across the Cape Peninsula this … [Read more...]
Rich governments accused of blocking UN climate talks
As shocking stories continue to roll in from communities devastated by Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, rich countries persisted in blocking UN climate negotiations, civil society observers warned. Speaking at a press conference at the Summit, observers from across the world warned that there were few indications that the governments of rich industralised countries would … [Read more...]
Heavy rain to flash flooding ahead
An intense cut-off low pressure system is expected over the southern and eastern parts of the Eastern Cape. The public are advised that heavy rain and localised flooding can be expected Friday evening into Saturday. Heavy rain leading to flash flooding is expected in places over the Western Cape Friday evening and Saturday. People are advised to: avoid cutting grass in … [Read more...]
