Eco Minute 13:30

BULLETIN 7 April 1:30 pm

Good afternoon, here is your Eco Minute:

# The Maselspoort Dam near Bloemfontein in the Free State has reached critical capacity following heavy overnight rains. The Mangaung Metro warns residents and resort establishments downstream of Mockes Dam on the Modder River to move movable assets to higher ground. Spokesperson Qondile Khedama advises monitoring water levels and preparing for potential evacuation. Residents should also be cautious of fallen trees and power lines, and motorists are urged to avoid driving through flooded areas.

# The Western Cape government has announced plans to integrate electric transport for public and private vehicles. This forms part of the provincial government’s Climate Change Response Strategy 2030, preparing the province for a rapid transition to electric transport. The Western Cape’s transport sector accounts for 28-percent of carbon emissions. Mobility MEC, Isaac Sileku, says replacing internal combustion engine vehicles with electric alternatives is vital to modernise the public transport fleets, improve service delivery, cut operational costs, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

# And finally: Climate change is reshaping tourism and threatening destinations like the Maldives and Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. According to the United Nations, rising sea levels could submerge much of the Maldives by 2100, while warming oceans are bleaching coral reefs. These changes are expected to disrupt natural attractions and local economies as the tourism infrastructure suffers. In response, there is a growing demand for eco-friendly travel. Destinations are continuing to invest in green practices, aligning with a global push to protect ecosystems and sustain tourism-dependent communities.

Stay tuned for more news………….