Eco Minute 13:30

BULLETIN 24 May 1:30 pm

Good afternoon, here is your Eco Minute:

# The National Energy Regulator of South Africa has registered 105 generation facilities between January and March this year. The total capacity of the generation facilities is 788 megawatts, with a total investment value of 18.4-billion-rand. Nersa’s spokesperson, Charles Hlebela, says the composition of the registered generation facilities consists of solar photovoltaic with battery energy storage system, wind turbine, cogeneration and gas:

# Engineered wood has emerged as a viable alternative to concrete and steel in the construction industry, owing to its low-carbon footprint. This is according to University of Pretoria senior lecturer Schalk Grobbelaar. Numerous studies have shown timber is not only renewable but is also the best performer across most environmental impact factors. Grobbelaar says should the market share of wood-based buildings increase to 20-percent of new constructions, the embodied energy and global warming potential of the residential building sector could decrease by 4.9-percent.

# And finally: At least 83 howler monkeys have been found dead in the Mexican Gulf coast state of Tabasco, while others were rescued by residents who rushed them to a local veterinarian. Mantled howler monkeys are known for their roaring calls and are classified as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s red list. The primates were found dead amidst a drought and severely high temperatures. Mexico’s Environment ministry attributes the monkeys’ deaths to several possible reasons, including heat stroke, dehydration, malnutrition or the spraying of crops with toxic agrochemicals.

Stay tuned for more news………….