News
Inside South Africa’s brutal trophy hunting tug-of-war
1+ hour, 45+ min ago (846+ words) On February 6, South Africa's new minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Willie Aucamp, through a legal notice in the government gazette, announced provisional trophy hunting export quotas for elephant, black rhinoceros and leopard for 2026 and 2027. The notice signalled the…...
Fences separate wildlife from livestock across southern Africa; removing parts of them can help both: Study
1+ week, 5+ day ago (354+ words) In southern Africa, fences are used to protect cattle from diseases spread by wildlife and other livestock. However, many of these fences are broken, block the natural movement of wild animals, and can increase conflict between people and elephants. A…...
Villagers warn of looming disaster as muck dumping destabilises slopes and chokes Rispana river near Mussoorie
2+ week, 2+ day ago (995+ words) Villagers in Mussoorie's Chamasari gram sabha say unregulated muck dumping from road construction is obstructing the flow of the Rispana river Residents warn of heightened landslide and flood risks, citing a fatal muck slide in September 2025 and unstable slopes ahead…...
Tanzania is losing fertile land to soil erosion: What’s happening and what can be done
3+ week, 3+ day ago (485+ words) Scientists say erosion rates are now around 20 times higher than a century ago More than half the country's land area is affected, with serious risks to food security and livelihoods Indigenous land management practices have been undermined by population pressure…...
Africa-made climate models required for better forecasts, early warning and attribution
3+ week, 3+ day ago (515+ words) Experts emphasise the urgent need for Africa-specific climate models to improve forecasts and early warnings of extreme weather events. The recent floods in southern Africa highlight the inadequacy of current models, which fail to capture regional nuances. Locally developed models…...
Square Kilometre Array Radio Telescope Project helping build space science capacity in Africa
3+ week, 4+ day ago (1189+ words) The'Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO), an international radio telescope project, is helping boost capacity for space science across Africa. South Africa, the host of the mid-frequency radio telescope, is benefitting immensely. The observatory project is helping build capacity and interest…...
Gobar Times: Mangoes, ripe or roasted?
4+ week, 1+ day ago (38+ words) This entry won the second prize in the Class 1112 category of the'Dialogue Dhamaka Contest.'This comic contest invites young eco-enthusiasts to give For more such content, head to'Down To Earth's sister site'Young Environmentalist.'...
Zambia, Zimbabwe ignore climate change risks, proceed with hydro project on drying Zambezi River
1+ mon, 22+ hour ago (768+ words) Zambia and Zimbabwe are moving forward with the Batoka Gorge Hydro Electric Scheme on River Zambezi despite concerns. The $4.5 billion project aims to generate 2,400 MW, but declining water levels due to climate change raise doubts about its viability. The governments…...
Why Tanzania’s young people took to the streets — and what their protests reveal
1+ mon, 3+ day ago (1270+ words) Tanzania's Gen Z protests were triggered by disputed elections, a violent security crackdown and long-standing economic frustration High youth unemployment, rising living costs and limited political space have fuelled anger among young Tanzanians After the violence, many activists shifted from…...
Africa now leading global solar growth: 2026 outlook report
1+ mon, 1+ week ago (739+ words) New report says Africa is now leading the global solar growth. The continent saw a 26% increase in installed capacity in 2025, reaching 23.4 gigawatts. The continent's rapid expansion has outpaced China and the Middle East. Improved storage solutions and falling costs are…...