Africa Matters

Healthy forests, healthy planet, healthy humans

Forests are often called the lungs of the planet, because they absorb harmful carbon dioxide and produce life-giving oxygen so it’s no exaggeration to equate healthy forests with healthy people, the theme of this year’s International Day of Forests. Covering 31 per cent of Earth’s land and providing a home to 80 per cent of all land-based species, forests…

Read More

SA, Indonesia get $1bn to close coal plants

In SA, the money will be used to close coal-fired electricity stations and replace them with renewable energy plants and battery storage systems South Africa and Indonesia will receive a combined $1 billion from the Climate Investment Funds to replace some of their coal-fired power plants with renewable energy facilities, part of global efforts to cut planet-warming emissions. The…

Read More

EU seeks to delay Uganda’s oil pipeline works

The vote by a majority of the EU Parliament came hours after Uganda’s MPs had labeled an earlier move to block the project as racist and imperialistic. The European Union (EU) lawmakers yesterday voted by a majority of 334 to pass the resolution that seeks to compel Uganda, Tanzania and the Total Energies SE to delay development of the…

Read More

Rocks on her mind, soil on her hands: inspirational graduand Rabia Jacobs

At registration in first year, Rabia Jacobs faced a dilemma. The University of Cape Town (UCT) student hadn’t realised she needed two majors. Scanning the possibilities, geology seemed the best fit with environmental and geographic science. That choice, made on the fly, created the bedrock for geology postgraduate studies that the graduand hopes will culminate in a PhD. The…

Read More

Spotlight on climate change in Africa Inbox

NAIROBI, (CAJ News) – STAKEHOLDERS are exploring strategies to improve Africa’s readiness to confront climate and environmental shocks. To enhance the continent’s preparedness, the African Economic Research Consortium (AERC) will host its 24th annual Senior Policy Seminar this week. Themed “Climate Change and Economic Development in Africa”, the virtual forum will focus on policy proposals that can be adopted to shape…

Read More

Cautious hope as forecast shows good rainy season across East Africa

Summary Central and northern Tanzania, eastern Uganda, northern Burundi, eastern Rwanda, southern and western Kenya, and eastern South Sudan might receive above normal rains this time of the year which might result in flash floods and increased mosquito populations. The EAC Secretariat has urged partner states to take appropriate steps to ensure maximum benefit from farming as the region…

Read More

More than water

South Africa is one of the most water-scarce countries in the world and is prone to droughts. With more than 3 million households without access to clean running water, the shortage crisis is ever-growing and there’s a need for proactive and effective solutions. Launched in 2020, the Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa (CCBSA) Coke Ville Project- an off-grid, solar-powered groundwater…

Read More

Pharmaceuticals Found in Rivers on All Continents

A quarter of 258 observed rivers had unsafe levels of at least one drug. The findings raise concerns about Earth’s aquatic life and the global threat of antimicrobial resistance. Many of us take medicine, whether to fight an infection or get rid of a headache. Our bodies don’t fully break down many of these drugs, and they pass through…

Read More

Celebrating international women’s month through resilience building in Zimbabwe

FAO commends the interventions and impact of the Zimbabwe Resilience Building Fund project  The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) in Zimbabwe today joined the citizens of Zimbabwe, the UN family and other development partners in celebrating the international women’s month through a virtual tour of projects in the Zvishavane district. The objective of the virtual…

Read More

Africa: sequence 100,000 species to safeguard biodiversity

Build a major genomics resource on the continent to help breeders and conservationists. The red mangrove tree is indigenous to Africa and is being sequenced as part of the African BioGenome pilot project. Credit: Shane Gross/Nature Picture Library Sleeper fish (Bostrychus africanus) are a staple food in West Africa. Harvesting them provides an important source of income for hundreds…

Read More

Protect our Wetlands, PACJA pleads with governments

Arusha, Tanzania. Governments need to tighten laws that protect wetlands to stem rising loss of lives and property due to floods. In a statement issued on the World Wetland Day, Dr. Mithika Mwenda, the Executive Director of the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) said it is the encroachment of the wetlands that has led to the suffering communities…

Read More

Ashden Awards invites applicants for climate innovation prize

  H.E. President of the Republic of Costa Rica Carlos Alvarado presents the Award for Humanitarian Energy to Dysmus Kisilu, Founder, Solar Freeze, Kenya | Credits: Andy Aitchison/Ashden Climate solutions charity aims to focus on projects that catalyse green job creation through this year’s grant funding awards Climate solutions charity Ashden this morning launched the 2022 Ashden Awards for…

Read More

Pollution killing Africa’s largest freshwater lake

Human activity including shoreline encroachment, degradation depleting vital flora, fauna on Lake Victoria KAMPALA, Uganda  The Ruparelia Group, a privately owned company belonging to Sudhir Ruparelia, acquired a permit to construct a resort and convention Centre on Lake Victoria shores in Uganda. The project is estimated to cost $100 million. A video recorded by angry residents showing trucks dumping…

Read More