Eco Minute 13:30

BULLETIN 28 August 1:30 pm

Good afternoon, here is your Eco Minute:

# The people and the environment are two of South Africa’s most valuable assets, but they must be protected from toxic pollution being fuelled by corporate greed and government inaction. This is according to a report by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on toxics and human rights, Marcos Orellana. Amongst other things, the report focused on air pollution, the just energy transition, mining, and waste management. He says government must stop licensing new greenhouse gas-intensive projects but rather set up infrastructure for new waste streams from renewable energy technologies.

# This year’s Sasol Solar Challenge will include international teams from universities in Belgium and the Netherlands. It entails a distance race, with teams pushing their cars, powered only by the sun. Over eight days teams will traverse six provinces. Event director Rob Walker says teams take between 16 to 18 months to build a solar car, and the race is ultimately about the search for optimum efficiency. The challenge will start in Secunda, Mpumalanga, on 13 September and end at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town.

# And, the Namibian government announced a plan to cull hundreds of wild animals, including over 80 elephants, and distribute the meat to people struggling to survive due to a severe drought. It says the animals are culled in parks and communal areas where animal numbers exceed available grazing land and water supplies. Reuters reports nearly half of Namibia’s population is expected to experience high levels of food insecurity before the following rainy season. Professional hunters have already started shooting hippos, buffalo, impala, blue wildebeest, zebra and eland.

Stay tuned for more news………….