Eco Minute 13:30

BULLETIN 14 November 1:30 pm

Good afternoon, here is your Eco Minute:

# The Global Carbon Project’s report has warned that pollution from oil, coal, and gas, along with deforestation emissions, are pushing climate goals out of reach. Global fossil fuel emissions are projected to hit a record 37.4-billion metric tons in 2024. This is a 0.8-percent rise from last year which experts say is dampening hopes of a decline. While emissions are set to drop in the US and Europe, global increases, notably in India, offset this progress.

# The latest dam statistics have shown the Western Cape’s six major dams’ levels are at 99.4-percent. This is up slightly from last week’s 99.2-percent and higher than last year’s 98.2-percent at this time. Theewaterskloof Dam, which holds over half the province’s water capacity, is at 99.3-percent, while Voëlvlei is at 101.7-percent. Increased winter rainfall is believed to have boosted the levels, even though warmer weather has since set in. The City of Cape Town has reminded residents of the importance of water conservation post-Day Zero.

# And finally: The number of African forest and savannah elephants has declined by 90-percent and 70-percent respectively over the last five decades. This is according to research published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Science. The study analysed data from 475 population surveys conducted at sites in 37 countries between 1964 and 2016. Nelson Mandela University’s doctor Dave Balfour, who is one of the co-authors of the research, says the primary drivers behind these declines are poaching for ivory, habitat loss due to agricultural expansion, and fragmentation.

Stay tuned for more news………….