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New technologies can bolster the production of important crops to feed billions of people. Shutterstock

South Africa should rethink regulations on genetically modified plants

James R Lloyd, Stellenbosch University; Dave Berger, University of Pretoria, and Priyen Pillay, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research

A regulatory approach will place an unnecessary burden on bio-innovators. This will discourage local investment for in-house R&D, as well as projects in the public sector.
If South Africa wants to improve air quality and meet climate change goals, it needs to move away from coal. Bloomberg Creative/Getty Images

South Africa’s power utility Eskom: how does it stack up in the pollution stakes?

Rebecca Garland, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and Kristy Langerman, University of Johannesburg

To improve air quality, a combination of efforts is needed including reducing Eskom’s emissions, investing in cleaner sources of energy, and reducing emissions.
Accurate address data is vital for public services, including health monitoring. TippaPatt/Shutterstock

South Africa needs a national database of addresses: how it could be done

Antony K Cooper, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research; Samy Katumba, Gauteng City-Region Observatory, and Serena Coetzee, University of Pretoria

Address data are maintained in silos at different government entities. There is limited coordination and adherence to international standards; good practice is lacking around information management.
Misha Jordaan/Gallo Images via Getty Images

The new architectural frontier: buildings and their microbiomes

Jako Nice, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research

The study of two hospitals was a first for researching the microbiology of the built environment in South Africa – a multi-disciplinary approach to understanding how to design healthier buildings.
Getty Images

Choices in a fog of uncertainty: lessons for coronavirus from climate change

Robert (Bob) Scholes, University of the Witwatersrand; Albertus J. Smit, University of the Western Cape; Francois Alwyn Engelbrecht, University of the Witwatersrand; Guy Franklin Midgley, Stellenbosch University; Jennifer Fitchett, University of the Witwatersrand; Neville Sweijd, Applied Centre for Climate and Earth Systems Science; Pedro M.S. Monteiro, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, and Pravesh Debba, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research

The science to policy process that was developed to guide climate mitigation decisions can be applied to the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, without having to be reinvented.
A fire rages through wetlands close to Cape Town in February 2017. EPA/Nic Bothma

What science tells us about fire hazards facing Cape Town and its surrounds

Alanna Rebelo, Stellenbosch University; David Carlyle Le Maitre, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research; Mark New, University of Cape Town; Peter Johnston, University of Cape Town; Petra Brigitte Holden, University of Cape Town; Tiro Nkemelang, University of Cape Town, and Tony Rebelo, South African National Biodiversity Institute

The danger of fires in the Cape region this season is partly dependent on how the Fynbos has been managed over the past few decades.
Ocean gliders are being used to study the Agulhas Current. They bring enormous benefits. SOCCO/SAMERC

Gliders are helping unlock the secrets of the Agulhas current

Marjolaine Krug, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research

The Agulhas Current is important to South Africa for a variety of reasons. Studying how it impacts the coast has been difficult using traditional methods. But gliders are changing that.
Nigeria is one of the countries in Africa that has a serious air pollution problem. Reuters

Why it’s time Africa features in global plans to manage air pollution

Janine Wichmann, University of Pretoria; Caradee Yael Wright, South African Medical Research Council, and Rebecca Garland, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research

Africa has largely been ignored when it comes to official global air quality programmes. Yet low-income countries like many of those in Africa are particularly affected by air pollution.
South Africa’s oceans offer numerous economic opportunities, if ocean acidification is dealt with properly. Shutterstock

Why managing ocean acidification is crucial for South Africa

Louis Celliers, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research

South Africa has the opportunity to benefit from its ocean economy. But to do that, the country needs to put better policies in place to counter ocean acidification.
Mountains overlooking the Hex river valley in the Western Cape, South Africa. The country has been experiencing inclement weather this summer. EPA/Nic Bothma

The three culprits behind South Africa’s weird weather patterns

Caradee Yael Wright, South African Medical Research Council; Francois Engelbrecht, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, and Neville Sweijd, Applied Centre for Climate and Earth Systems Science

South Africa has been experiencing odd weather patterns during the month of November. It can be attributed to three culprits.
Legislation in South Africa needs to be updated to accommodate the development in stem cell research and therapies. Reuters

Why South Africa needs better laws for stem cell research and therapy

Michael Sean Pepper, University of Pretoria; Janine Scholefield, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research; Melodie Labuschaigne, University of South Africa, and Robea Ballo, University of Cape Town

South Africa may have legislation broadly guiding stem cell research and treatment, but these laws must be updated and clarified for it to be effective.

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