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heat stresslatest news & developments
Researchers studied blue waxbills — small songbirds that were most affected in South Africa’s first documented heat-related mortality event involving wild birds, which occurred in late 2020.  (Wikimedia Commons)

Heat and humidity is a lethal mix for SA’s small birds

Scientists have warned that humidity, not just temperature, could determine which species survive in an era of escalating heatwaves

Underground mining operations are particularly vulnerable to the dangers of flooding and water ingress, which can result from heavy rains, groundwater inflow, or even burst dams. (Waldo Swiegers/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Protecting mining infrastructure against severe environmental conditions

Engineering, procurement, and construction partners can mitigate effects of extreme weather and intense heat underground, ensuring the longevity of a mine

Workers carry ice blocks on a hand cart  in New Delhi on May 30, 2024, amid an ongoing heatwave. Temperature readings in the city rose into the high 40s Celsius on May 29, with power usage in the city, where the population is estimated at more than 30 million, surging to a record high. (Photo by Money SHARMA / AFP)

In the face of climate change, extreme heat is a human rights crisis

National and local governments should adopt and implement heat action plans to guide heatwave preparation and emergency response

Jeopardy: Farmers around the world, from Kenya Maasai pastoralists to commercial livestock farmers in Australia, will be harmed if global warming continues. Photo: Boniface Muthoni/Getty Images

How extreme heat will harm cattle

Cattle farmers will either have to provide protection for their animals, or shift to more resilient breeds or to other livestock

Flock Of Red-billed Quelea (Quelea quelea) At Sunset Flying To Roosting Tree. (Photo by Wolfgang Kaehler/LightRocket via Getty Images)

How birds adapt to rising heat is an early warning on climate change effects

Birds living in hot, humid climates have evolved to handle larger spikes in body temperature

Trouble: People are rescued from flooding in Lephalale. A climate change expert cautions that 3°C to 4°C of warming from 2041 to 2060 would be catastrophic for the area. Photo: Felix Dlangamandla/Gallo Images/Foto24

COP26: ‘We don’t want this terrible future’

Unless urgent action is taken, South Africa will suffer enormous socioeconomic and ecological harm from climate change in the next 50 years

The recent floods damaged these crops more than wheat and canola. Notably, there are reportedly quality issues in barley, and the extent of it will be clear in the coming weeks. (Mike Hutchings/Reuters)

Cities will feel the heat from climate change

South Africa’s urban areas are urban heat islands and heat waves will intensify the distress

Dirty work: A bucket wheel excavator at the Garzweiler coal mine in Germany. Fossil fuels are contributing to greenhouse gas emissions, which drives climate change. Photo: Ina Fassbender/AFP

‘Fingerprints of climate change are everywhere’

There’s still there hope that COP26 will deliver a powerful pact for action

Elegant: Blue cranes return to the Overberg each year but climate change may affect their ability to breed. Photo: Marco Valentini/Biosphoto/AFP

Climate crisis a threat to bird species

Changes in agriculture will affect blue cranes and heat stress will harm Cape rockjumpers that are already found at higher altitudes