Eco Minute 13:30

BULLETIN 19 March 1:30 pm

Good afternoon, here is your Eco Minute:

# The Western Cape Government says it has an over-arching climate change strategy, which sets out a vision to be a net-zero emissions and climate-resilient province by 2050. The province has suffered 3.5-billion-rand in flood damages in only two flooding events last year, the coastline was battered due to storm surges, and the wildfire season has stretched resources to the limits. MEC for Local Government, Environmental Affairs, and Development Planning, Anton Bredell, says they are working with the private sector to tackle the challenges of climate change.

# The University of the Witwatersrand says there are currently 14 solar panel rooftops installed across the institution, to promote environmental and financial sustainability. This is part of the Wits Sustainability Strategy towards a net zero future by 2050, which was adopted in August last year. The university’s Jason Huang says the solar installations comprise a mix of photovoltaic systems and hot water systems across campuses, an investment of about 30-million-rand. Huang says these represent one-thousand-700 kilowatt peak of installed capacity.

# And finally: Conservationists plan to exterminate mice on Marion Island, where the population has soared to more than a million as climate change has raised temperatures. The mice were brought to the South African territory near Antarctica about 200 years ago on seal hunter ships. They are now feasting on seabirds, causing major harm in a special nature reserve with unique biodiversity. During the mass extermination planned for 2027 six helicopters will dump 550 tonnes of rodent poison, designed to not affect the soil, water sources, or seabirds.

Stay tuned for more news………….