The Green Guardian
latest news & developments
How the US-Israel-Iran conflict is reshaping South Africa’s coal exports
Middle East tension has pushed up energy prices and boosted demand for South African coal, raising questions about climate commitments and exports
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…
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…
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
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…
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
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…
Kruger returns to its owners
Historic deal sees communities set to gain from sche signed with SANParks
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 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,…
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
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…
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 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…
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