South Africa's new energy plan is set to be announced.
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Analysis and Comment
A Land Degradation Surveillance framework could solve this problem by systematically measuring and tracking indicators of land health in Africa.
Woody plants' cover has increased across large swathes of the continent in the past three decades.
Pollination by commercially raised bees is important to a variety of crops but none more than California almonds. In turn, beekeepers depend on them.
New findings show that the numbers of cubs a cheetah is able to rear is lower in areas that receive lots of tourists.
Translocations have become more frequent in Africa. Elephants are the biggest animals to be moved.
Cells that transmit nerve impulses in the part of elephants' brains responsible for functions such as learning and memory are structured differently from those of any other mammal.
Paraffin stoves are used all over South Africa in millions of households and are the riskiest.
Land is culturally and historically important to people and often this is ignored when addressing land issues.
The endangered species list is over 90 000 and includes Madagascar's lemurs.
Faced with a drought, it's tempting for cities to reduce the amount of space that needs water. But this is not a good idea.
The Cecil movement didn't lead to any deep-seated changes as trophy hunting persists in many parts of Africa.
South African soldiers reported that environmental education and training programmes instilled environmentally friendly behaviour in them.
Unless African cities improve water management many will face severe water problems by 2035.
Cape Town faced down "Day Zero" earlier this year, but that doesn't mean its water system is resilient. Other cities should also take note.
Lake Turkana's status as a World Heritage Site hasn't protected it from environmental threats.
Scientists have created embryos from the eggs of southern white rhino and sperm from their northern counterparts.
Research shows that cities benefit from car-free days in many ways.
Botswana is launching a consultative process to review the current ban on elephant hunting.
It's important to be wary of planting trees in places where none exist, or where there are significant water constraints.
Zambia's rosewood forests are being decimated but it's still not reaping the full benefits of exporting the coveted wood to China.
Tackling climate change in African cities is difficult but multiple perspectives from all over the continent can help.
Cape Town's water crisis holds valuable insights for other cities that need to adapt to the realities of climate change.
Foraging and gathering food can play a huge role in feeding people.
While disaster insurance would go a long way in averting losses, demand for cover is still lower than expected.
South Africa's smallholder farmers face major obstacles but being in groups can help them.
Namibia has followed a community based water management strategy.
The work honey bees do is critical for our ecosystems, but it comes at a high personal cost.
As atmospheric carbon dioxide levels rise, rice plants produce fewer vitamins and other key nutrients. This could worsen hunger, malnutrition, child stunting and other diet-related health problems.
Nigeria can make some changes to harness its energy resources and lower its carbon footprint while providing power to its people.
Nigeria can make some changes to harness its energy resources and lower its carbon footprint while providing power to its people.
Despite them living for up to 2,500 years, researchers have discovered several baobab trees in Africa have died. Aida Cuni Sanchez on why these trees have a special place in our world.
Keeping global warming to 1.5°C could significantly decrease the frequency of extreme climate events across Africa.
Solar power technology has huge potential for Africa. But there are some barriers.
Moving people without taking their social and economic concerns into consideration isn't the way to deal with urban slums.
New study confirms fears that the island's native wildlife can be poisoned by introduced Asian toads.
The Environmental Justice Atlas highlights the most pertinent findings of environmental conflicts facing the world today.
New study confirms fears that the island's native wildlife can be poisoned by introduced Asian toads.
The number of Cape Rockjumpers' are declining and the reason might be the weather.
The beauty of rainwater harvesting is that anybody can do it.
The death penalty and military intervention to combat poaching, isn't the answer to saving endangered species.
Are there cheaper alternatives to nuclear power to alleviate energy shortages in Africa?
The mining industry in South Africa needs an inclusive model that builds on and improves shared value.
The short term interests of investors could lead to long term problems in sub-Saharan Africa.
There is good news for plant conservation in South Africa and internationally.
South Africa urgently needs to rethink its existing agricultural model.
With less snow on the ground, weasels that turn white for winter are easier prey for foxes and wolves.
The failure of political systems is the main cause of conflict and displacement but climate change can exacerbate this.
At Kīlauea in Hawai'i, a recent volcanic eruption has created some of the most spectacular sights in nature. But also danger for those around it.
Improving livelihoods by exploring alternatives to wildlife trade would help to curb the poaching of threatened species like elephants.
Small solutions done properly can play a huge role in dealing with water scarcity.
Kenya's death penalty proposal is not the quick fix solution to curb wildlife poaching.
The world's national parks cover an area bigger than South America. But a new survey finds that one-third of this area is subject to pressure from human developments, potentially putting wildlife at risk.
Shade trees buffer cocoa plants from heat and water stresses, and create conditions that benefit their growth.
There are some big misconceptions about the charcoal sector and its role in environmental damage
We found that even when women own land, their husbands are still perceived as household heads.
Many poachers continue to poach to improve their incomes, rather than just make ends meet.
The Fall armyworm will remain in Africa for a long time unless concerted action is taken.
Locations like border towns as well as people acting as middlemen provide key insights into Uganda's ivory trade.
Scientists often use animals and plants as indicators to assess whether ecosystems are polluted. Tracking bats, which cover wide areas and need clean water, could become a way to find potable water.
It is misguided to blame armed conflict and violence on climate change alone.
Should trade in ivory be banned or not? There may be a solution.
Civil conflict, displacement, rising food prices, and climate change all cause food insecurity in Nigeria.
Invasive alien species that costs South Africa's economy billions can be eliminated.
There are millions of energy poor people in sub-Saharan Africa who live in cities.
Abalone poaching in Cape Town succeeds because there is a motivated offender, a suitable target and a lack of security.
Tropical deforestation can release a huge amount of carbon into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change.
If the allegations are true Zimbabwe intends to prosecute Grace Mugabe for ivory and rhino horn smuggling.
Kenya's wildlife task force promises stakeholder participation needed for sustainable conservation.
There have been a variety of approaches to tackle malnutrition. The continent needs to learn from past mistakes across the world.
Madagascar gets hit by an average of four cyclones each year but their full impact is still being tracked.
Camera traps in the Batéké Plateau National Park in Gabon are showing some interesting finds.
The drought in Cape Town has taught the city some valuable lessons.
We can't save all endangered species, but we could save some. Zoo populations will be the last hope for many threatened species.
Across countries, we find that FDI inflows driven by new projects in new industries increased by 58% in the two years following a giant discovery
South Africa's power utility would do well to consider swapping out expensive new coal-powered capability for renewables.
East Africa Rift is undergoing a process that will see the Horn of Africa split from the rest of the continent.
If sharks habitats aren't known, it's harder to conserve either the animals or those habitats.
Cape Town drought
South Africa is a water-scarce country where inequity and a lack of fairness and justice pervades water distribution.
Cape Town is testing new strategies to nudge domestic users into reducing their water use.
Fracking
It is extremely important to monitor local seismic activity before fracking starts to avoid causing harm.
Shale gas holds considerable advantages. But there are still a number of uncertainties around whether South Africa is ready for such a bold step.
South Africa has been considering shale gas development in the Karoo region. The gas, will be expensive to explore and extract, will be used as part of the country's energy mix.
Rhino horn
The rhino horn auction in South Africa is a serious setback in the fight against poaching and the survival of wild rhinos. The chances of the horns remaining in the country are next to zero.
Policymakers need to proceed with caution when it comes to legalising rhino horn as it could be a high risk strategy.
The first online rhino auction in South Africa wasn't a success. This has done very little to help rhinos. It may, in fact, encourage more poaching as demand has not slowed down.
Research and Expert Database
Editors’ Picks
Time to rethink orangutan conservation, now we know that our red relatives are actually very adaptable.
A synthesis centre in Africa would massively improve the ability of researchers to understand complex scientific problems.
The unpredictability of hurricanes makes it hard to say for sure whether climate change is making them worse. But we do know that sea-level rise and increased evaporation will worsen the impacts.
The symptoms of 'schizophrenia' are very real, but experts are looking for a better way to define them.
An expert report shows that the G20 countries are using their energy more efficiently. But there is still a long way to go.
Cholera kills thousands every year but is treatable if it is caught early. Understanding how El Niño shifts cholera risks in Africa can help countries prepare for outbreaks and save lives.
Indian-made antivenoms, common throughout Africa because they are affordable, showed little-to-no neutralisation of the African Echis venoms.
To stimulate innovation in the agriculture sector education and training is in dire need of substantial reform for greater integration, cooperation and accountability.
We focus on large, charismatic animals at the expense of these crucial 'lowly creatures'.
Policy choices made by Senegal, Ghana, Rwanda, Angola, Cameroon, Ethiopia and Togo over the past 15 years have led to significant reductions in child undernourishment.
Research in Kenya’s capital found average levels of hazardous solid and liquid particles in the air within households were three times more than the WHO recommended maximum level.
The Galapagos Islands' giant tortoises are one of the world's best examples of evolution. Scientists are pioneering new conservation strategies to save them from extinction and restore their habitat.
Massive state capture activity is taking place in the South African water sector under the guise of radical economic transformation, threatening financial sustainability and water supply.
Used tyres pose a serious environmental challenge. So far, traditional recycling methods have proved insufficient to solve the problem. New, eco-friendy alternatives are now being explored.
Two new studies have linked controversial pesticides neonicotinoides to wild bee and butterfly declines.
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