Eco Minute 13:30

BULLETIN 2 January 1:30 pm

Good afternoon, here is your Eco Minute:

# Eskom says the synchronising of the Kusile Power project Unit Five, which was not previously part of Eskom’s grid capacity, will contribute an additional 800 megawatts to the country’s power system. The unit was synchronised to the national grid for the first time on Saturday evening. Eskom spokesperson, Daphne Mokwena says it will supply electricity intermittently during the testing and optimisation phase over the next six months before being transferred into commercial operation and the capacity officially added to the current power utility fleet:

# A groundbreaking research study by scientists William van Wijngaarden and William Happer has explored the significant contribution of water vapour to climate change. Their paper delves into the decrease in water vapour with altitude and emphasises the concept of saturation in the atmosphere. The researchers contend that these factors have been largely overlooked in discussions about greenhouse gases and climate change. They argue that water vapour, with its buoyancy and role in heat transfer through convection, is the most crucial greenhouse gas in the troposphere.

# And finally, research scientists in Kenya have highlighted the role of climate change in exacerbating the malaria crisis in parts of the country. Research scientist at the International Livestock Research Institute, James Akoko, underscores the escalating impact of climate change on disease transmission patterns. Akoko explained that the establishment of a weather station in the arid lands of Isiolo, capturing various environmental conditions, will explore the relationship between climate components, vector populations, and disease trends.

Stay tuned for more news………….