Eco Minute 13:30

BULLETIN 23 July 1:30 pm

Good afternoon, here is your Eco Minute:

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed the Climate Change Bill into law. The law provides for the development of an effective climate change response, and a long-term just transition to a low-carbon and climate-resilient economy and society. It stipulates the role provinces and municipalities will play in climate mitigation efforts. Spokesperson Vincent Magwenya says the act enhances South Africa’s ability and capacity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while reducing the risk of job losses:

# Two Western Cape sites have been nominated for World Heritage status. The sites are Diepkloof Rock Shelter close to Elands Bay and Pinnacle Point Site Complex in Mossel Bay. KwaZulu-Natal’s Sibhudu Cave has also been nominated. Western Cape MEC of Cultural Affairs and Sport, Ricardo Mackenzie, says successful nominations will be protected under the World Heritage Convention and inscribed on the World Heritage List:

 # And finally: Wildlife crime, particularly succulent plant theft, is on the rise in the Western Cape. The province, which is home to over 52-percent of South Africa’s flora species, is a prime target for illegal succulent trade, mainly to East Asia. According to the 2023 State of Biodiversity Report, 38-percent of the total number of cases related to succulents in 2022/23. Cape Nature says it has implemented a project as part of an integrated response to address illegal trade in succulent flora and serious wildlife crime.

Stay tuned for more news………….