The core habitat of the notorious chacma baboon is becoming smaller due to human takeover.
Olivia Stone
The iconic southern African Chacma baboon is in danger. The species is facing a population decline.
Energy in South Africa did not feature as a major part of the 2016 budget speech – unlike in 2015.
Reuters/Siphiwe Sibeko
South African Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan left energy analysts disappointed by not discussing the topic in much detail.
Nitrogen is one of the most important nutrients for soils and Africa doesn’t have enough.
Reuters/Siphiwe Sibeko
Nitrogen inputs in African soil must be carefully used. If they’re not, there will be unintended consequences for the environment and human health.
You can encounter at least one of the six guineafowl species in sub-Saharan Africa.
Tim Crowe
Africa is traditionally known as the cradle of human-kind. But research shows that it is also the cradle of bird-kind, for gamebirds at least.
The informal seed sector in Africa is massive – 90% of farmers get their seeds from there.
Shawn McGuire
More than 90% of Africa’ small-scale famers get their seeds from informal systems. Governments and donors should shift their attention from the formal and invest more in the informal sector.
Titanium ore can be used to develop lithium ion batteries and supercapacitors, which can aid South Africa’s energy problems.
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South Africa his rich in minerals that, combined with the development of nanotechnology, can be used to help it develop new energy technologies.
Violence to protect rhinos in southern Africa’s peace parks is the complete opposite to what the parks were envisaged to stand for.
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There are very violent confrontations in southern Africa’s peace parks. This is partly due to a violent history dating back to the apartheid era that has never been adequately addressed.
South Africa hasn’t veered away from nuclear as an energy option, but President Jacob Zuma signalled a slowdown.
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President Zuma indicated a welcome slowdown in the South African government’s stated intention to invest in nuclear power plants.
Organisations like the African Union must find a way to monitor countries’ environmental commitments.
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Africa has fewer resources than others when it comes to climate change adaptation. For this reason environmental agreements must be monitored by the likes of the AU.
Megan Murgatroyd
Biodiversity is known to suffer in human-altered agricultural areas. But the Verreaux Eagle is an exception and has seen its numbers increase in agricultural land..
What people are told about their local climate and what they experience may differ. Education and collaboration can remedy this disconnect.
Reuters/Tiksa Negeri
Climate scientists are finding a disconnect between communities and climate science: people simply don’t trust the information they’re receiving.
When elephants venture into human settlements, they cause significant damage to crops and property.
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Elephant numbers are increasing in parts of sub-Saharan Africa. Their search for food is leading them into conflict with farmers living adjacent to game parks. Bees could prove to be the answer to the problem.
Bt cotton is the most widely grown GM crop by poor farmers in Africa.
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Burkina Faso, one of the largest GM cotton producers in the world, has begun a phase out of all Bt cotton production.
Giraffes are under threat due to habitat fragmentation and degradation.
Francois Deacon
Giraffes are facing a silent extinction and need conservation strategies to help them.
The southern ground hornbill is endangered in South Africa.
Lucy Kemp
Reintroduction programs can really help stop the decline of the southern ground hornbills.
A carbon tax could help South Africa increase research and development in more renewable projects.
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Research and development is critical if South Africa wants to effectively increase its renewable energy output.
The Western Cape in South Africa has mapped out a plan to help farmers cope with expected climate change threats to agriculture.
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South Africa’s Western Cape is the first region in the country to put together a comprehensive plan to help farmers deal with changes in weather patterns brought on by climate change.
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Geoengineering could help regions affected by climate change deal with the problem.
Puff adders can become motionless and scentless to avoid detection by those preying on them.
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Puff adders have developed impressive techniques to avoid being detected by predators.
A raft of logs in the Lagos lagoon where wood, a form of biomass, is the sole source of energy for many who don’t have access to power.
Akintunde Akinleye/Reuters
Investment is key if Nigeria is to improve on providing adequate energy to the people.
Scuba diving must be done in a sustainable manner to preserve the industry.
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Africa has a number of excellent scuba diving sites, but these must be maintained sustainably to keep attracting different divers.
A tree house used to observe the Tungurahua volcano in Ecuador which has made a point of developing ecotourism to boost economic growth.
Reuters/Gary Granja
The world must embrace an economy where people and the planet are what matters the most.
Mauritius has used its natural beauty to draw tourists and develop its tourism industry. Other island nations could learn from this.
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Mauritius’ experience proves that making more entertainment offerings available is key to driving tourism for island destinations.
Africa is the go-to destination for tourists seeking animal safari trips.
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Safaris are a major tourist attraction for those travelling to Africa - and visitors are spoiled for choice on the continent.
Pesticides have harmful effects on those using them.
Richard Haig
Understanding the hazards and risks of pesticides is vital for people using them on crops.