The industrial slowdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic has not curbed record levels of greenhouse gases which are trapping heat in the atmosphere, increasing temperatures and driving more extreme weather, ice melt, sea-level rise and ocean acidification, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The lockdown has cut emissions of many pollutants and greenhouse … [Read more...]
Large-scale home cooling initiative commences across SA
Having been awarded a $100 000 grant by the international Million Cool Roofs Challenge last year to deploy solar-reflective roof coatings, the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI) is now underway rolling out this low-tech cooling solution to communities across the country. This initiative is driven by the Kigali Cooling Efficiency Program (K-CEP) with … [Read more...]
Cape Town museum depicts global water story
Water is the most vital resource for life on Earth and no living thing exists without it. The global water story exhibition, H2O Today, examines the diversity and challenges of water sources worldwide and promote conversation, creativity and innovation through art, science and technology. The exhibition is now on at the Iziko South African Museum in Cape Town. An … [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...]
WEERHAAN voorspel reen oor die Overberg
Dit reën steeds dat die byle huil sowat 45 grade suidwes van ons, net-net buite bereik van die Atlantiese hoogdruk, wat vir bietjie klammigheid wag om na ons dorstige Swartland en die Wes-Kaap te versprei. Ons kan vorentoe baie wolke verwag en as die Indiese hoogdruk dit regkry om van die vog wat in sy rigting beweeg, vir die Atlantiese hoogdruk terug te druk , kan ons … [Read more...]
Arctic sea ice reaches lowest annual maximum on record
This year's maximum Arctic sea ice extent was the lowest in the satellite record and occurred 15 days earlier than the average date for the period from 1981 to 2010, reported NASA and NSIDC. The sea ice cap of the Arctic appeared to reach its annual maximum winter extent on Feb. 25, according to data from the NASA-supported National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) at the … [Read more...]
Extreme weather hits hard worldwide
From unprecedented storms and flooding in the UK to severe drought in California and Brazil, 2014 has kicked off with some exceptional and weird weather events. Scientists are increasingly able to link the upward trends in extreme weather to climate change—and these latest examples are giving them even more evidence. In the UK, the country is experiencing its most … [Read more...]
Flooding concerns rise in Europe
Areas in the United Kingdom and western Europe will continue to have persistent rain this week as flooding concerns rise. The active weather pattern has already brought a stream of storms and heavy rain for the past weeks which have left some parts of the United Kingdom under water. More floods on the way A storm brought rain on Tuesday and two more storms will result in … [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...]
Al Gore: ‘extreme weather has made people wake up to climate change’
Extreme weather events including typhoon Haiyan and superstorm Sandy are proving a "gamechanger" for public awareness of the threat posed by climate change, Al Gore said on Friday. The former US vice-president, speaking to delegates at the World Economic Forum in Davos, said: "I think that these extreme weather events which are now a hundred times more common than 30 … [Read more...]
Western Cape anticipates heavy rain
Heavy rain is expected in places over West Coast District, Cape Winelands and parts of the Eden District. Heavy rainfall raises the water level. When the water level is higher than the river banks or the dams, water comes out from the river and flooding occurs. Preventive measures: Construct proper drainage system – Shallow drains due to silts must be cleaned constantly … [Read more...]
Laingsburg hit by worst flood in 33 years
Laingsburg is again under siege, hit by what some say is the worst flooding since the terrible flood of 33 years ago that wiped out half the buildings in town. On Wednesday, the N1 was closed for several hours as farms were cut off and crops submerged. Communication systems were failing amid dramatically rising river levels and some homes had to be evacuated. A joint … [Read more...]
Thinking ahead for a future worth living
“Ask yourself: Are you thinking of now, or are you thinking of your grandchild’s future?” This was the question posed by climate scientist Inez Fung, a professor of Atmospheric Science at the University of California and co-director of the Berkeley Institute of the Environment. Prof Fung was giving a lecture entitled ‘Climate Math,’ which was hosted by the African Institute … [Read more...]
