Eco Minute 13:30

BULLETIN 24 January 1:30 pm

Good afternoon, here is your Eco Minute:

# Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dion George has condemned the United States’ withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, calling it damaging to multilateralism and international law. George expressed regret over the move, highlighting America’s historical role in emissions and moral obligation to lead climate action. He urged the US to honour its commitments, emphasising the importance of the Paris Agreement in addressing the global climate crisis collaboratively.

Meanwhile, global coffee prices are expected to rise as a result of climate change impact. The world’s largest coffee producer, Brazil, has been hardest hit, recording hot weather patterns, along with numerous forest fires that have severely affected coffee crops. In Vietnam, a severe drought followed by heavy rains harmed the world’s largest reserves of robusta, which is the second-most-popular variety globally and is commonly used in instant coffee blends. Nestlé’s Navasha Pather told eNCA coffee prices could increase by 30-to-40 percent this year:

# And finally: Hartenberg in Stellenbosch in the Western Cape has become South Africa’s first and the world’s second wine estate to achieve Ecological Outcome Verification for regenerative viticulture. The estate’s management says using practices like holistic grazing, cover crops, composting, and chemical-free farming, promotes biodiversity and soil health. In addition, their efforts improve water retention, reduce pollution, and enhance sustainability. It says this achievement supports transparency in the supply chain and connects consumers to eco-conscious products through the Land to Market programme.

Stay tuned for more news………….