Eco Minute 13:30

BULLETIN 19 February 1:30 pm

Good afternoon, here is your Eco Minute:

# The South African Rooibos Council says rooibos farmers in the Cederberg in the Western Cape are leading efforts to restore ecosystems, protect endangered species, and promote sustainable farming. They are working to protect the Cape leopard, restore the critically endangered Clanwilliam cedar trees, and enhance soil and water conservation. The council’s Marthane Swart says collaborative conservation projects, like the Greater Cederberg Biodiversity Corridor, are helping to create a balance between agriculture and environmental preservation.

# South Africa’s research vessel, SA Agulhas Two, has returned to Cape Town after a two-month Antarctic expedition. Forestry, Fisheries, and Environment minister Dion George praised the ship’s role in environmental science and sustainability. The vessel, commissioned in 2012, supports climate and biodiversity research while training marine cadets. During its return, it docked in East London for an open day, welcoming over three-thousand visitors. The minister says the initiative aims to inspire future scientists and reinforce South Africa’s leadership in polar research.

# And finally: The University of South Africa says it is committed to advancing the implementation of the principles of the Sustainable Development Goals, including eliminating waste and the use of single-use plastics. To date, less than ten-percent of the seven-billion tons of plastic waste produced globally has been recycled. Unisa says its Management Committee has banned the use of single-use plastics on campus. It adds that the committee has also approved the elimination of the use of plastics and polystyrene materials in catering services on campus.

Stay tuned for more news………….