Eco minute 13:30

BULLETIN NEWS AGENCY 10 September 1:30 pm

Good afternoon, here is your Eco Minute:

# Zero Carbon Charge says the development of an off-grid, renewably powered electric vehicle charging network, is the only viable option for South Africa to meet its carbon reduction goals. President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that government is considering introducing new incentives to encourage consumers to buy electric vehicles. Zero Carbon Charge’s Joubert Roux says they welcome Ramaphosa’s announcement, but for electric vehicles to contribute towards a reduction in the country’s carbon emissions, they need to be powered by green energy sources.

# Well-managed planted forests contribute directly to biodiversity protection and regeneration. This is the view of the Environmental Management Committee for Forestry South Africa’s chairperson, Hlengiwe Ndlovu. Planted forests account for seven-percent of the world’s forest area but produce around 50-percent of the world’s wood. South Africa has more than 80-percent planted forests certified. Ndlovu says countries have pledged to protect at least 30-percent of the world’s land and water and restore 30-percent of degraded ecosystems by 2030.

# And finally: Bondi Beach in Sydney was shut after thousands of mysterious tar balls washed up on Australian shores in recent days. The popular tourist attraction was among seven beaches that were totally, or partially, shut. Tar balls are formed when oil comes into contact with debris and water, often as a result of oil spills or seepage. However, authorities have admitted they do not know where they were coming from. Tests confirmed the material is a hydrocarbon-based pollutant. Local councils began their clean-up efforts.

Stay tuned for more news………….