Eco Minute 13:30

BULLETIN 22 March 1:30 pm

Good afternoon, here is your Eco Minute:

# University of Pretoria’s senior lecturer Schalk Grobbelaar is advocating for continued efforts in forestry research and collaboration for a better climate future in South Africa. He emphasises the crucial role of forestry innovations in addressing the climate crisis, pointing to advancements in tree genetics, planting techniques, and product manufacturing as contributors to climate balance. Grobbelaar says South Africans can increase the prosperity of the forestry value chain and subsequently provide hope for a better climate future for all of Africa.

# Global professional services firm, BDO South Africa, has stressed the urgent need for businesses to accelerate their environmental commitments for sustainable growth. The company’s Nato Oosthuizen says they have identified carbon emissions, energy use and landfill waste as major contributors to the climate crisis. He says there has been a significant shift in business attitudes regarding the environment, with many using energy-saving appliances and doing away with reliance on paper and plastics. Oosthuizen says encouraging environment-friendly business practices could transform the sector’s response to the climate crisis.

# And finally: World Water Day this year is seeking to leverage water for peace globally. This day emphasises the critical role of fresh water in global stability and prosperity. United Nations Water says with 2.2-billion people lacking access to safe water, this year’s focus is on addressing the water crisis and achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 by 2030. The day also underscores the importance of international cooperation and collaboration to manage shared water resources, as climate change impacts escalate, and ensuring water security for all.

Stay tuned for more news………….