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Victimised: Ian Erasmus says he reported a faulty valve in 2012 and 2015, then to Sasol’s ethics department and finally to the Human Rights Commission

‘It’s absolutely terrifying to be a whistleblower in Sasol’

A criminal investigation into the petrol giant is under way based on Ian Erasmus’s evidence that the company allegedly polluted the Vaal with hazardous chemicals

Kusile Power Station. (Wikus De Wet/AFP)

Retire power stations rather than trying for ‘clean’ coal

Research suggests retiring old coal-fired power is more cost-effective and climate positive

Environmental Affairs Minister Barbara Creecy. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

Creecy okays drilling off KwaZulu-Natal coast

Despite dozens of appeals, the South African government is determined to give Sasol and its partners the go-ahead. But activists will not stop the fight

Fed up with years of stench and pollution from the Shongweni landfill site west of Durban, residents have appealed against the issuing of a reviewed waste management licence to EnviroServ earlier this year. (Working on Fire)

Residents raise a stink over landfill

The years-long battle against the EnviroServ waste site at Shongweni has taken a new turn

The South African Predators Association (Sapa) is fighting tooth and nail to reopen the controversial lion bone industry in the country. (Image via The Hawks)

NSPCA wins lion bone trade case against department

The export of 800 lion skeletons was considered to be unlawful and constitutionally invalid by Judge Jody Kollapen

Government and the private sector are stopping the spread of invasives by about 3% each year, says the writer.

R6.5-billion lost to alien invaders

In a world-first, South Africa has quantified the damage done by invasive species. Sipho Kings breaks down the new report

Molewa was the first woman premier of the North West in 2004, a position she held until 2009. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

‘Her passing has left us poorer’ — Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa dies

The minister is reported to have passed away after a period of illness

Fishy business: Trout is regarded as an alien species, but a whole industry relies on it (iStock)

Fear not, trout-fanciers: your alien fish are here to stay

The department of environmental affairs wants trout declared an invasive species, but a lobby group says this move will kill an important industry

(Graphic: John McCann/M&G)

Don’t refuse, recycle

Household waste is a major problem but if properly handled, it can be a valuable resource

Landfills are the third largest man-made source of methane, a greenhouse gas more potent than carbon dioxide. (Eryn Scannell/GroundUp)

Western Cape tackles its mounting landfill crisis

A short-term solution is nine regional landfills and recycling. In 10 years they will be gone

“If anyone is looking for a good lawyer, I would strongly suggest that you don’t retain the services of Michael Cohen!” US President Donald Trump wrote. (Reuters)

Earthlife Africa wins South Africa’s first climate change case

The group successfully challenged a government decision to confirm the construction of a proposed coal-fired power station.

Ahmed Timol’s brother

Objections to construction of two coal-fired power stations dismissed

The decision came on the second day of COP22, where South Africa is negotiating how the Paris Agreement will play out.

An Australian scientist has said he discovered how to turn HIV against itself to stop it progressing to Aids.

Firm fed toxic waste to pigs, claims government

A supplier to the police forensic laboratories faces charges of dumping dangerous chemicals.

Open letter to Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa

Environmental NGOs write an open letter to the Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa.

There are thought to be as few as 8 400 white rhino left in the Kruger Park.

Hundreds of rhino to be evacuated from Kruger Park

The department of environmental affairs has announced plans to relocate ‘up to 500’ rhino from the Kruger Park in a bid to thwart escalating poaching.

Alf Wills

SA to demand fairness at COP19

Climate Change Conference expected to determine the parameters of the global response to climate change beyond 2020.

SA’s response to climate change

An effective response to climate change depends on measures as comprehensive as the causes of what has been accepted as a global threat to life.

Maesela Kekana, Dr Guy Midgley, Judy Beaumont and Shoni Munzhedzi with the complete Long-Term Adaptation Scenario publications. (Johann Barnard)

Scenarios guide decisions

LTASs will help to inform key decisions on future development and adaptation planning.

New mining laws could be unconstitutional, committee hears

Environmentalists have warned that new proposals for the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Amendment Bill could cause further harm.

The Hawks has cracked a transnational wildlife trafficking syndicate at the centre of one of South Africa’s biggest rhino horns fraud schemes. Photo: Supplied

SA should consider rhino farming and horn trading, says department

The department of environmental affairs has put forward a paper suggesting that rhino horn be allowed to be traded on the Johannesburg bourse.