Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian
Sheree Bega

Creator

Sheree Bega

Sheree Bega is an environment reporter at the Mail & Guardian.

Illegal gillnetting in South Africa: New reporting app targets growing threat to rivers and estuaries

Conservationists and law enforcement agencies in South Africa are launching a new Gillnet Reporting App to combat the rising problem of illegal gillnetting in rivers and…

Youth advocate: Tyla Nxumalo advances meaningful youth participation and inclusion in decision-making processes through Youth@SAIIA and the UrbanBetter Johannesburg Cityzens Hub

‘We’re still fighting for a better future’

Nearly 50 years after students took to the streets of Soweto demanding a voice in their own future, young South Africans say they are still fighting to be heard.

Researchers say a sustained heat of 28°C or more can reduce the frequency and intensity of sprints, alter tactical approaches and place teams that rely on high-pressing systems at a disadvantage

Climate change increases risk of extreme heat at nearly all 2026 World Cup matches, studies find

Climate change is increasing the likelihood that players will face heat conditions linked to reduced performance at nearly every match in the 2026 World Cup, according to new…

India, Pakistan, Nigeria and Ghana host the largest number of cities with high-risk scores.

Oxford study finds world’s highest heat-risk cities concentrated in Asia and Africa

Heat risk is about more than temperature. A new Oxford study of 205 cities found that poverty, limited infrastructure and lack of access to cooling are key factors driving urban…

United Nations climate chief Simon Stiell

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

Opening the UN’s mid-year climate talks in Bonn, Simon Stiell urged governments to focus on implementing climate commitments, warning that fossil fuel dependence was driving…

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…

Ernst Marais (71) and Dina (73).

Two suspects arrested in Mozambique over Kruger National Park murder of Marais couple

Two suspects have been arrested in Mozambique over the murder of South African tourists Dina and Ernst Marais in Kruger National Park near Crooks Corner

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…

Homeward bound: The first group of 300 Ghanaians departing from OR Tambo International Airport, east of Johannesburg, to Ghana on Wednesday. Photo: Ghana High Commission, South Africa

Ghana repatriates 300 citizens from SA

The rare voluntary state-assisted return for Ghanaians, which comes amid rising anti-immigrant sentiment, has sparked debate on xenophobia, migration policy and precedent

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…

Reserve Bank governor Lesetja Kganyago announced on Thursday that the monetary policy committee had increased the repo rate by 25 basis points to 7%, effective from 29 May.

Reserve Bank hikes interest rate for first time since 2023 as oil shock, inflation risks mount

South African Reserve Bank raises interest rate to 7%, warning that oil shocks, food inflation and global instability could drive prices higher

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

Sanef, veteran journalists and political leaders have paid tribute to Baldwin Ndaba, remembering the veteran reporter as a fearless accountability journalist, mentor and beloved newsroom presence whose work left a lasting mark on South African journalism

Baldwin Ndaba remembered as ‘a newspaper man’s reporter’

Sanef, veteran journalists and political leaders have paid tribute to Baldwin Ndaba, remembering the veteran reporter as a fearless accountability journalist, mentor and beloved…

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…

Working on Fire sues over tender

Working on Fire seeks to halt the award of the national wildfire management contract to Tefla, while the department and Tefla oppose the urgent relief

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