Eco Minute 13:30

BULLETIN 29 April 1:30 pm

Good afternoon, here is your Eco Minute:

# Experts are predicting a warm winter for much of South Africa, attributing it to lingering effects of the El Niño climate pattern. El Niño-related climate is characterised by above-average temperatures and below-normal rainfall during the November-April season. Climate scientist, doctor Peter Johnston, told the SABC that expectations for the country this winter include higher temperatures and minimum rainfall in some regions:

# Tshwane mayor Cilliers Brink says they will be intensifying its #TswelopeleCleanUpCampaign, to continue encouraging residents to stop illegal dumping. The metro spends about 30-million-rand per year cleaning up illegal dumping. Brink says communities must know the benefits of keeping their environment clean and diverting their waste away from landfill sites. He adds that this is through innovative means including reduction, reuse, repurposing, recycling or upcycling of waste materials.

# And finally: According to the International Organisation of Vine and Wine, global wine production plummeted by ten-percent last year, the largest drop in 62 years. Australia and Italy saw the worst declines, with drops of 26-percent and 23-percent respectively. Spain also suffered, losing over a fifth of its production. Despite a four-percent increase in France, overall consumption declined, driven by factors like inflation and decreased demand in China. As climate change continues to pose a significant threat, the future of wine production remains uncertain.

Stay tuned for more news………….