Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian

Green Guardian

United Nations climate chief Simon Stiell

UN climate chief calls for faster action as Bonn climate talks begin

Aerial view of the Google data center at Eemshaven,
Netherlands, surrounded by wind turbines and a nearby
power plant. As AI expands, data centers like this require
large amounts of electricity, making energy supply a key
challenge -Aerial view of the Google data center at Eemshaven,
Netherlands, surrounded by wind turbines and a nearby
power plant. As AI expands, data centers like this require
large amounts of electricity, making energy supply a key
challenge. Photo by Wvdp

AI’s hidden environmental cost: UN report flags massive water, energy and land footprint

AI’s rapid growth is driving major water, energy, land and e-waste impacts, raising environmental justice concerns worldwide

Environmental justice groups have questioned Thirsti’s groundwater abstraction at its KwaZulu-Natal facility, alleging use beyond its authorisation as the company seeks a water use licence from the department

Department of water and sanitation confirms groundwater exceedances at Thirsti bottling plant in KZN

Environmental justice groups have questioned Thirsti’s groundwater abstraction at its KwaZulu-Natal facility, alleging use beyond its authorisation as the company seeks a water…

In recent years, research Wright and colleagues led has highlighted how prolonged heat exposure places outdoor workers, children, older people and low-income communities at increased risk of dehydration, heat stress, respiratory illness and other adverse health outcomes. The risks are expected to intensify as temperatures continue to rise. (Envato Elements)

SA launches first climate and health surveillance platform

The tool allows researchers and policymakers to track links between extreme weather, heatwaves, flooding and health outcomes

The blue-footed baboon spider, a rare species found only in South Africa, is appearing in the international exotic pet trade, raising concerns about wildlife trafficking and conservation. (@tarantulas_glasgow Instagram)

Blue-footed baboon spider targeted by exotic pet trade despite low public profile

The blue-footed baboon spider, a rare species found only in South Africa, is appearing in the international exotic pet trade, raising concerns about wildlife trafficking and…

Putting pen to paper, forestry, fisheries and environment minister Willie Aucamp, signing the beneficiation scheme framework agreement, watched by SANParks interim chairperson Beryl Ferguson and community leaders. Pictures: Lucas Ledwaba

Kruger returns to its owners

Historic deal sees communities set to gain from sche signed with SANParks

Last resort: Deputy Minister Narend Singh says provinces will have to provide scientific evidence of why any of the other options are not applicable.  Photo: DFFE

Elephant culling ‘last resort’ as MPs warn of crisis in reserves

Deputy environment minister insists culling will only be used with approval, but MPs and animal welfare groups say governance failures and delays in humane interventions are…

Climate scenarios and models play a major role in shaping international policy.

Climate models failing to reflect inequality and Global South realities, study warns

Scientists say dominant climate and biodiversity models rely too heavily on existing economic systems and overlook inequality, Global South perspectives and Indigenous knowledge,…

Despite the country’s globally significant biodiversity, ecosystems across terrestrial, freshwater, estuarine and marine environments are under escalating pressure.

SA’s biodiversity plan under fire for lacking ambition

WWF South Africa has criticised proposed biodiversity targets, warning they fall short of global 30×30 commitments despite worsening ecological decline

Ship ahoy: The analysis found that the number of large, fast-moving vessels travelling faster than 15 knots — considered the greatest ship-strike
threat to whales — has quadrupled since late 2023. Photo: University of Pretoria’s Whale Unit at the Mammal Research Institute

Whale strike risk rises as shipping surges off SA coast

Scientists warn that increasing global shipping traffic rerouted around the Cape of Good Hope is intensifying overlap with whale habitats off South Africa’s west coast, raising…

Boosting the village economy: Phindile Sobhuza-Tshaka and her husband Thabathani of Tshaka Tours. Photos: Brian Sokutu

A century of Kruger

Kruger National Park’s 100-year milestone reflects both South Africa’s conservation history and SANParks’ efforts to shift from exclusionary “fortress conservation” to community…

Marion Island is one of the most remote islands on Earth

Marion Island team to be evacuated after polar diesel shortage delays SA Agulhas II voyage

The environment minister has ordered the evacuation of the Marion Island overwintering team after shortages of fuel additives delayed the SA Agulhas II relief voyage to the…

Systemic pesticide-related abuses include farmworkers exposed to hazardous chemicals without protective gear or training and contamination of rural water sources. (Flickr)

Agriculture minister bans toxic pesticide tied to Soweto child deaths

SA has banned the toxic pesticide, terbufos, after the deaths of six Soweto children and hundreds of poisoning cases linked to the chemical

Landscape: Stretching across a vast arid landscape of red dunes, fossil riverbeds and open savannahs, the park protects one of southern Africa’s most intact desert ecosystems. Photos: African Parks

Conservation drive crosses borders

An EU-funded initiative has been launched in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, shared by South Africa and Botswana and one of southern Africa’s most important ecosystems

Africa’s lithium boom won’t last forever.  Photo: Dianah Chiyangwa

KZN coastal communities demand withdrawal of SA Lithium mine expansion over legal, environmental concerns

A coalition of KwaZulu-Natal coastal organisations is calling for the withdrawal of SA Lithium’s Highbury Mine expansion near Umzumbe, citing alleged legal flaws, water risks,…

Electrician Morithi Manasoe Working On Installing Solar Panels. Photo: Supplied

Malawi’s solar push bypasses its poorest

A peer-reviewed study finds wealth inequality is locking the poorest households out of solar electrification

Heavy flooding in the Dunoon settlement – July 2022. Charlotte Powell, the disaster risk management spokesperson for the City of Cape Town, reported flooding across at least 26 informal settlements in the metro. Photo: David Harrison.

Cape Town storm floods 26 informal settlements and damages more than 10 000 structures

More than 41 000 people have been affected by severe flooding in Cape Town as South Africa declares a national disaster after storms, heavy rain and wind batter multiple provinces

A scene from the floods that killed more than 450 people in KwaZulu-Natal in April 2022 shows the damage. (Delwyn Verasamy)

Study: Linking climate change to health doubles support for public action

New research shows that health-based climate messaging significantly increases public support for government action, especially in South Africa where concern over children and…

By expanding SAWS’s observation network, the partnership seeks to close critical forecasting gaps in regions vulnerable to floods, storms and extreme rainfall

Santam and SA Weather Service join forces to strengthen South Africa’s early warning systems

By expanding SAWS’s observation network, the partnership seeks to close critical forecasting gaps in regions vulnerable to floods, storms and extreme rainfall

Pollution: Sasol claims that it recognises and understands the environmental footprint associated with its activities and responsibly manages these
in a prudent and lawful way. Photo: Delwyn Verasamy

Parliament intensifies scrutiny of Sasol

Parliament’s portfolio committee on forestry, fisheries and environment is widening its oversight into Sasol after receiving protected disclosures from environmental…