Eco Minute 13:30

BULLETIN 15 May 1:30 pm

Good afternoon, here is your Eco Minute:

# Green Connection and Natural Justice have emphasised the need for decision-makers to prioritise both the long-term health of marine ecosystems and the well-being of communities dependent on them. Last week, the environmental organisations submitted comments on the revised Environmental Impact Assessment report, concerning the offshore oil and gas Exploration Right for Block 3B/4B. Green Connection’s Liziwe McDaid says the project, located off the West Coast, poses risks to marine ecosystems and coastal communities. McDaid says the impact of spills, even minor ones, could be catastrophic. 

# The Western Cape government says the dam levels remain strong as winter approaches. Latest figures show the six major dams in the province, the Berg River, Steenbras Lower, Steenberg Upper, Theewaterskloof, Voëlvlei and Wemmershoek, are at a combined 61.3-percent of total storage. This is marginally down from 62-percent the previous week. Theewaterskloof, which accounts for more than 50-percent of the province’s total dam capacity, is at 60.8-percent, while the next biggest dam, Voëlvlei, is at 51.2-percent.

# And finally: The latest United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime’s World Wildlife Crime Report reveals that wildlife trafficking hasn’t significantly decreased in the past two decades. The report indicates that wildlife trafficking has impacted over four-thousand species. Transnational organised crime groups play diverse roles in the trade chain, exploiting regulatory weaknesses. The report also emphasises that corruption undermines enforcement efforts. It calls for consistent enforcement, legislation implementation, and monitoring, highlighting the need for improved data and targeted interventions. This include prosecuting traffickers under anti-corruption laws.

Stay tuned for more news………….