The next 10 years will be decisive when it comes to the planet's future - what we do (or don't) will play out over geologic time. It could, if we set our minds to it, be the decade when the planet's use of fossil fuels peaks and then rapidly declines. We've built a movement that, for the moment, is starting to tie down the fossil fuel industry: from the tar sands of … [Read more...]
If you ate today, thank a farmer
‘If you ate today, thank a farmer.’ It goes without saying that it doesn’t matter who you are, we all need farmers to survive. We may have different eating habits and preferences; some are vegans, whilst others cannot do without their steak. On the other hand some need their organic tea, whilst others have to have their daily dose of caffeine. The clothes on your back made … [Read more...]
These are the countries most at risk from climate change
Climate change can affect countries and regions in terms of economic and environmental impact. Standard & Poor's has assessed the effects of climate change on a country's economy by evaluating the percentage of population living in coastal areas, the percentage of agriculture that makes up a country's gross domestic product and the vulnerability index developed by the … [Read more...]
Southern African leaders meet as region faces food crisis
The leaders of 15 southern African countries gathered last week for an annual summit as the region grapples with serious food shortages that have left a record number of people needing aid. A toxic mix of erratic rains, abnormally high temperatures and floods have wreaked havoc on farming, writing off the bulk of this year’s crop. An estimated 27.4-million people out of … [Read more...]
Food prices to rise amid SA’s worst drought in 20 years
A devastating drought in key agricultural provinces of South Africa has left farms in ruin and affected crop production leading to fears of an imminent hike in food prices and inflation. The drought, the worst in more than 20 years, has pushed most productive farms in Mpumalanga, Free State and North West into despair and forced farmers there to cut back on jobs. Industry … [Read more...]
Africa advised to take DIY approach to climate resilience
African countries would do well to take their own lead in finding ways to better adapt to and mitigate the changes that climate may impose on future generations instead of relying only on foreign aid. This was one of the messages that rang out during the international scientific conference on ‘Our Common Future under Climate Change’ held earlier this month in Paris, six … [Read more...]
Man-made climate change: 4 continents hit by historic droughts
Four continents around the world are currently experiencing historic droughts affecting millions of people, and experts warn that this is the effect of man-made climate change. Severe dry spells are being felt not only in North America, but also in South America, Asia and Africa. Peter Gleick, president of the global water think tank Pacific Institute based in Oakland, … [Read more...]
African civil society slams junk GM maize deal
Non-governmental and farmer organisations from South Africa, Tanzania, Mozambique, Kenya and Uganda strongly condemn the go-ahead given by the South African GMO authorities for Monsanto to commercially sell its genetically modified (GM) "drought tolerant" maize seed for cultivation in South Africa. According to the groups, there is no evidence showing that the drought tolerant … [Read more...]
Are we learning from the fires?
As the fire from Stellenbosch jumps across the Helderberg mountains and spreads down onto the Lourensford estate, Somerset West, everyone’s talking arson. That might be one of the reasons, though I think there is an obvious contributor that is conveniently left out of the discussion: climate change. We know that changing land uses and patterns of dryer and hotter climate has … [Read more...]
South Africa’s great thirst has begun
For many South Africans, the water crisis is already here. For others, research and projections show, it is only a matter of time – and perhaps not a great deal of time. Thanks to load-shedding, and a shortage of water when electricity is restricted, the thirsty future could arrive in major urban centres as soon as this summer. Early last year, four people died in violent … [Read more...]
KZN farmers still desperate for rain
Farmers around KwaZulu-Natal are hoping fervently that the rain that has fallen in parts of the province since Saturday night will spell the end of a period of drought that is threatening to ruin many of them. Inadequate rainfall earlier this year and the delayed spring rains have resulted in rivers drying up and dam levels falling to crisis levels. Farmers are suffering … [Read more...]
E’s voice: Dare to win the climate struggle
“We are going to win this struggle. Whenever a struggle is involved in a choice between what is right and what is wrong, the outcome is inevitable.” With these words former vice-president Al Gore introduced day 2 of the Climate Leadership Corps training, which I was lucky enough to attend. “It’s all about resolving the clarity of the choice. A choice between life and … [Read more...]
World Water Day: Are we water wise?
“Water, like religion and ideology, has the power to move millions of people. Since the very birth of human civilization, people have moved to settle close to it. People move when there is too little of it. People move when there is too much of it. People write, sing and dance about it. People fight over it. And all people, everywhere and every day, need it,” Mikhail Gorbachev, … [Read more...]
