Eco Minute 13:30

BULLETIN 23 April 1:30 pm

Good afternoon, here is your Eco Minute:

# The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research says the 2023/24 El Niño weather pattern is one of the top five strongest on record. El Niño-related climate patterns are characterised by above-average temperatures and below-normal rainfall during the November to April season. The council says in South Africa the impact of El Niño is apparent in the comparison of dam capacity levels at the end of this season, which are around six-percent lower than at the end of the summer rainfall season last year. El Niño has also led to reductions in maize and soybean production.

# Stellenbosch University scientists are experimenting to find more efficient and sustainable methods for managing gum trees. The 20-million-rand experiment will see the planting of more than eleven-thousand gum trees to track how they compete for resources like sunlight and water. The trees will be monitored with the help of state-of-the-art technology. The university’s associate professor, Dave Drew, says gum trees are probably the world’s most widely planted hardwoods and are of great international value as a fibre resource and a carbon biomass store.

# And finally: The Nelson Mandela University and boutique consultancy firm Ikigai Group has been awarded a UK government grant, under the South Africa-UK Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions programme. The grant is to investigate the feasibility of producing and exporting green hydrogen from the Eastern Cape to global markets including the UK, Europe and Japan. The university’s vice-chancellor, professor Sibongile Muthwa, says the Eastern Cape region offers abundant renewable resources, making it promising for green hydrogen development.

Stay tuned for more news………….