Eco Minute 13:30

BULLETIN 4 March 1:30 pm

Good afternoon, here is your Eco Minute:

# The City of Tshwane is urging farmers to continue to be vigilant following the outbreak of African armyworm. The pest, known for its destructive feeding habits, primarily affects grassland and certain savannah regions, posing a significant threat to crops and pastures. The metro says livestock farmers must be careful, as some grass, such as Kikuyu, release a chemical when it is attacked by the worm that makes the grass toxic to cattle. The lifespan of the African armyworm from egg to adult moth is between one and three months.

# Sub-Saharan Africa is increasingly adopting nature-based solutions to combat climate change risks like droughts. A report by the World Resources Institute, the World Bank, and the African Development Bank, analysed nearly 300 projects aimed at restoring forests, wetlands, and coral reefs to enhance resilience. Despite a 23-percent rise in funding, investment continues to remain far below needs. The Green-Gray Infrastructure Accelerator has been introduced to support eleven more cities across Sub-Saharan Africa in integrating nature-based solutions with traditional infrastructure.

# And finally: Scientists are warning that the world’s strongest ocean current, the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, is slowing down due to climate change. The Antarctic Circumpolar Current, a clockwise current more than four times stronger than the Gulf Stream, links the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans. According to an Australian-led study, the ocean current could slow down by 20-percent by 2050, further accelerating Antarctic ice sheet melting and sea level rise. Co-author Taimoor Sohail says concerted efforts to limit global warming will limit Antarctic ice melting, averting the projected slowdown.

Stay tuned for more news………….