The intensity of heavy downpours has increased by 40% since pre-industrial times, with some areas receiving more than a year’s rain in just days
We do need to focus on the tariffs but we should not ignore other essential interventions for the long-term growth of local agriculture
While the recent rains caused damage to infrastructure and in communities, it does more good than bad in agriculture
Better dam levels and a stable electricity supply for irrigation will continue to benefit the horticulture sub-sector and floriculture
Slightly high prices and lower input costs, as well as the prospect of good rain will probably driving this
The weather event is predicted to bring above-normal rainfall in January before easing up, but the northeast may remain dry
In many locations, especially in the tropics, La Nina produces the opposite climate impacts to El Nino, which heats up the surface of the oceans
With La Niña bringing much-needed rain, it is inexcusable that South Africans do not have access to their most basic human need: water
The rains in December have caused flooding, which has damaged critical infrastructure, including people’s homes
The weather remains topical across the Southern Hemisphere but has resulted in mixed fortunes
Future-proofing schools against the damaging effects of global climate change is essential
Farmers face higher input costs such as hikes in fertilisers and fuel prices as well as the expected 20.5% electricity hike requested by Eskom, says AgriSA
We will have a poorer harvest than the glowing 2020-21 harvest, but will probably not have to import supplies
Unreported locust swarms in unoccupied farms, game and environmental parks can grow, cover large distances and destroy entire crops
Unlocking the full growth potential over the long run will require policy interventions in agriculture and cross-cutting government departments
But higher international commodity prices will keep input costs elevated for the livestock and poultry sector
The few who survive the disasters of our own making will not escape the day of reckoning
The purpose of the forum is to generate demystified and interpreted weather and climate information to assess the options and possible remedies
The latest International Panel on Climate Change report takes a look at a world where natural systems dramatically alter over the coming century.
A report released by Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology has found that the country’s climate is set to become drier and warmer.
