Eco Minute 13:30

BULLETIN 14 October 1:30 pm

Good afternoon, here is your Eco Minute:

# Plastic pellet pollution is set to worsen as plastic production and recycling increase. This is according to a report authored by Oracle Environmental experts. The report maps the plastic pellet supply chain, identifies known pollution sites, and provides updated estimates of the amount of plastic pellets lost to the environment globally. A total of around 41 major pellet pollution sites have been found. The experts have called for a robust Global Plastic Treaty, safer stowage, and a legislated supply chain approach to ensure pellet loss prevention.

# Soaring summer temperatures, prolonged drought, and unpredictable rain patterns have had a profound effect on vineyards around the world. This is according to the Robb Report. Winemakers are now changing the way they farm grapes and run their wineries, from resurrecting traditional viticultural techniques to embracing cutting-edge technology. Planeta, which has wineries in Noto, Capo Milazzo, and Etna, all in Italy, has moved its vineyards to higher altitudes and in proximity to forests to combat the threat of extended heat waves.

# And finally: The Freedom Front Plus in Gauteng says the Mogale City Municipality is the latest culprit dumping large quantities of raw sewage in groundwater, tributaries and rivers. An oversight visit by the party, accompanied by environmental conservationists, revealed that both the Flip Human and the Percy Stewart sewage works are dysfunctional. FF Plus’s Jaco Mulder says raw sewage is being dumped into the Blaauwbanks and Rietspruit tributaries that flow into the Vaal and Crocodile Rivers, which eventually end up in the Hartebeespoort Dam:

Stay tuned for more news………….