Eco Minute 13:30

BULLETIN 20 September 1:30 pm

Good afternoon, here is your Eco Minute:

# Today marks the first-ever World Cleanup Day, a reminder of the shared responsibility to preserve a clean, healthy environment and promote sustainable waste and resource management. The theme is Arctic Cities and Marine Litter. The United Nations says poor waste management is intrinsically linked to the triple planetary crisis, pollution, biodiversity loss, and climate change. People are encouraged to observe World Cleanup Day through activities aimed at raising awareness of the role clean-up efforts play in sustainable development.

# Dehorning rhinos in KwaZulu-Natal’s Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park has led to an 80-percent drop in poaching since April 2024. The operation, a collaboration between Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and WWF, has spared over 120 rhinos and rescued eight orphaned calves. Despite this success, criminal syndicates continue targeting weak spots. Enhanced security measures, including cameras and tracking dogs, are being deployed to maintain progress and protect the rhino population.

# And finally: Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis says climate change transition projects make up around 40-percent of the city’s ten-year infrastructure pipeline. The city has renewed its partnership with the French Development Bank, a collaboration focussed on enhancing sustainable water security and supporting Cape Town’s climate transition efforts. Under a new memorandum of understanding, the bank has committed approximately 9.4-million-rand to help the city better prepare the False Bay coast against hazards, such as those related to extreme weather.

Stay tuned for more news………….