Environmental groups have threatened to boycott the agricultural and tourism industries if the government fails to protect rhinos from becoming extinct. A Global Rhino Ultimatum, organised by the International Animal Rescue Foundation, has been making its way online and through social networks, and has drawn more than 11 500 signatures in the past few weeks. [...]

Johannesburg – South Africans in most parts of the country should prepare themselves for heavy rain and “strange weather” in February, March and April, the South African Weather Service says. In addition, winter will begin earlier than usual. The only regions that will receive much less rain over these three months are the central and [...]

Significant developments in the energy sector are underway in western Limpopo because of the extensive coal resources in that region. Besides Eskom’s massive Medupi power station, near the existing Matimba power station, there are several other mega-projects in the pipeline. The question is whether these are sustainable or in some cases, even viable. Other developments [...]

. Energy companies are focused on boosting production and lowering costs associated with so-called fracking, a technique that uses high-pressure injections of water, sand and chemicals to break apart petroleum-saturated rock. The more thoroughly the rock is cracked, the more oil and gas will flow from each well. The world’s largest oilfield service providers are [...]

Residents of Ballito, on the North Coast, who are experiencing water shortages, have been urged to use water sparingly. This appeal was made on Thursday by Sembcorp Siza Water and Umgeni Water in the wake of an unprecedented increase in demand on the Avondale reservoir. The appeal was aimed at encouraging households and businesses in [...]

Mining – Still too many mines operating without a water licence A reply to a Democratic Alliance (DA) parliamentary question has revealed that 69 mines in South Africa are operating without a valid water licence. This figure is an improvement on the June 2010 figure, when 125 mines were operating without a water use licence. [...]

A controversial method of drilling for oil and natural gas appears to be the cause of groundwater pollution in a central Wyoming town, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said Thursday. The EPA last month said it had found compounds associated with chemicals used in the drilling process known as hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, in the groundwater beneath [...]

Durban – Efforts to establish water as an agenda item in its own right in climate change negotiations are gaining momentum in Durban. Water experts say doing this will lead to a greater focus on developing policy, and attract more resources into the water sector through adaptation programmes. “For every one of us, the first [...]