Eco Minute 13:30

BULLETIN 13 May 1:30 pm

Good afternoon, here is your Eco Minute:

# The United Nations World Meteorological Organisation warns that Africa faces escalating climate threats, including deadly floods, extreme heat, and persistent droughts. In 2024, the continent experienced one of its warmest years since records began over 120 years ago. The organisation says floods, heatwaves and droughts forced 700-thousand people out of their homes across Africa last year. Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe suffered the worst drought in at least two decades. The organisation says extreme weather and climate change impacts are exacerbating hunger, insecurity and displacement on the continent.

# Almost two-thirds of banana-growing areas in Latin America and the Caribbean may no longer be suitable for growing the fruit by 2080, due to the climate crisis. This is according to Christian Aid’s new report titled, Going Bananas: How Climate Change Threatens the World’s Favourite Fruit. Bananas are the world’s most consumed fruit, and the fourth most important food crop globally after wheat, rice and maize. According to the report, rising temperatures, extreme weather and climate-related pests are affecting banana-growing countries such as Guatemala, Costa Rica and Colombia.

# And finally: Police on a Japanese holiday island have arrested three Chinese nationals after thousands of live hermit crabs were found stuffed into multiple suitcases. Police said a hotel worker on the island of Amami Oshima, alerted environmental authorities after hearing rustling sounds coming from the suitcases the three men had asked staff to watch. Officials later found the spiral-shelled hermit crabs stuffed into six suitcases. Police told CNN the hermit crabs are national natural monuments in Japan because of their cultural and scientific value, and protected under Japanese law.

Stay tuned for more news………….