Pollution
latest news & developments
Desmond D’Sa, fearless champion of environmental justice, dies in crash
Acclaimed environmental justice activist and Goldman Environmental Prize winner Desmond D’Sa has died in a car crash alongside his son and sister-in-law, sparking widespread…
Aerial survey exposes pollution choking rivers feeding Hartbeespoort Dam
An aerial survey by Deputy Water and Sanitation Minister Jack Bloom has laid bare the extensive sewage spills, illegal dumping, and infrastructure failures choking the river…
Seafood’s smelly supply chain
A global investigation reveals the hidden human and environmental toll of the fishmeal boom, where coastal communities in West Africa bear the brunt of toxic air pollution and…
The microplastics hiding in SA’s sacred waters
A landmark baseline study has discovered microplastic contamination across several sacred freshwater systems in South Africa, including the revered Isinuka Springs near Port St…
Imbabala mine: abandoned coal site leaves deadly legacy for Ermelo communities
Residents near the abandoned Imbabala coal mine in Ermelo are suffering the deadly consequences of an unrehabilitated site, with drownings, injuries, and widespread…
Climate, pollution, biodiversity: UN report sounds global alarm
Transforming economies, energy systems and food production could prevent millions of deaths and halt biodiversity loss, the UN’s latest report finds
Mining’s revival must also deal with its legacy
Little has been invested in mining and exploration, and that includes in social compacts
Why a review of the White Paper on Local Government matters
The key assumption that municipalities would raise enough revenue to fund most of their operational expenditure needs to be revisited
Consequences be damned
But we suffer even if we did not make the decision – like not having water or electricity for 48 hours
Why gas is not the bridge fuel for Africa
The World Bank’s Mission 300 should focus on renewables as the extraction and burning of gas is expensive would damage the environment and people’s health
Restoring Wemmer Pan’s glory
A diverse community of rowing enthusiasts and local residents who volunteer their time is working tirelessly to clean up the historic pan
Invasive weeds cleared from Vaal River through community-government collaboration
This was achieved through a partnership involving the Vaal community, Rand Water, Rhodes University’s Centre for Biological Control, the water and sanitation department and the…
SA’s first artificial intelligence air pollution monitoring system rolled out in Johannesburg
The AI_r system will augment existing national air quality monitoring systems
State water projects ‘held to ransom’ by construction mafia
New Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina says she will work with municipalities that are in debt, diversify water supply to include desalination and introduce measures to…
UN report warns of synchronising of global crises
Viruses and microorganisms hidden in thawing permafrost, AI and digital transformation, armed conflict and violence are among key shifts and signals of change