Eco Minute 13:30

BULLETIN 4 September  1:30 pm

Good afternoon, here is your Eco Minute:

# Salvage companies under the protection of European Union military forces are trying to prevent one of the world’s largest environment disasters. Houthi rebels bombed the Greek-owned tanker MV Sounion in the Red Sea two weeks ago, and several fires are still burning on the main deck. The vessel carries about a million barrels of crude oil. BBC News reports the US State Department as saying a spill could be four times as large as the Exxon Valdez disaster off Alaska in 1989.

# The United Nation’s weather and climate agency has called for a global red alert as last month saw record average temperatures for the second consecutive year. Preliminary data indicates this August was the hottest on record in Australia, Japan, parts of China, and Norway. The month continued a 15-month streak of record-breaking temperatures. Singapore was also named a regional hub for monitoring fire-related pollution. Head of the World Meteorological Organisation, Celeste Saulo, highlighs the urgent need for increased climate action and resources for meteorological agencies.

# And finally, a critical mistbelt forest in KwaZulu-Natal, Ferncliffe forest, is under threat from invasive alien plants and potential residential development. This biodiversity hotspot, vital to Pietermaritzburg for services like flood mitigation and water catchment, is home to endangered species. Ferncliffe Forest Wilding is seeking 1.5-million-rand to secure and expand the forest by 5.1 hectares, protecting it for long-term rewilding and conservation.

Stay tuned for more news………….