Eco Minute 13:30

BULLETIN 10 April 1:30 pm

Good afternoon, here is your Eco Minute:

# The National Prosecuting Authority has welcomed a 200-million-rand fine imposed on the Govan Mbeki Municipality in Mpumalanga for violating environmental laws. The fine issued by the Bethal Magistrate’s Court, relates to the disposal of raw and untreated sewage into areas including the eMbalenhle wastewater treatment plant, and the Watervalhoek River, between November 2019 and September 2020. NPA’s spokesperson, Monica Nyuswa, says the court suspended 50-million-rand of the fine for five years:

# Over 100-thousand people in Russia and Kazakhstan were forced to flee their homes due to the worst flooding in Eastern Europa in seven decades. This was caused by swiftly melting snow swelling rivers to bursting point. Reuters reports rivers have risen metres in a matter of hours to reach the highest levels in history. The Kremlin says president Vladimir Putin is getting constant updates on the situation, but has no immediate plans to visit the region.

# And, the European Court of Human Rights ruled Switzerland’s failure to adequately tackle the climate crisis was in violation of human rights. The case was brought by more than two-thousand Swiss women mostly in their 70s, against their government. They argued heat waves fueled by climate change undermined their health and quality of life, and put them at risk of dying. The judgment marks the first time the court has ruled on climate litigation. There is no right of appeal and the judgment is legally binding.

Stay tuned for more news………….