Sewage

• In response to the need for an effective solution to combat marine corrosion in concrete, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) researchers have developed a biomineralisation approach to protect marine concrete from MIC.
• This biomineralisation strategy has strong potential for applications in corrosive environments, such as in marine and sewage settings, and water-cooling utilities, where concrete corrosion is induced by corrosive microorganisms.
• A paper reporting the research, " Biomineralisation to prevent microbially induced corrosion on concrete for sustainable marine infrastructure ", has been published in Environmental Science & Technology.
• The results contribute to the development of new techniques for inhibiting corrosion to achieve sustainable marine concrete structures.

• Human-induced climate change made the severe 2015–2017 drought three to six times more likely.
• Our new report on Climate Change Impacts in South Africa has found that as Earth warms, people living in South Africa will face reduced incomes, less food and water security and a higher cost of living.
• Our findings, based on a synthesis and review of existing research on climate change, are that climate change and socioeconomic risks threaten to bring about a huge change to this status.
• Combating the impacts of climate change in South Africa requires adaptive measures, such as changing the way we farm, coordination by the government and international commitment to reduce emissions.

Heatwaves

• Farm workers will be exposed to more extreme temperatures working outside and others will suffer from heat stress in their living and working environment.
• Here's how

  Extreme weather threatens the plants and animals that attract tourism, and directly damages infrastructure at nature reserves, adventure destinations and parks.

• Rising temperatures are projected to reduce visitor numbers to South Africa’s national parks by 4% by 2050, affecting the Kruger National Park most.

An agricultural crisis

• Smallholder farms are often located in areas with less fertile soils or limited infrastructure, leaving these farmers more vulnerable to climate change.
• Arable land suitable for growing crops is concentrated in just 12% of South Africa’s land area.
• Therefore, any extreme event that reduces production – such as drought – can be expected to reduce job security and income for farming households and agricultural workers.

Water

• Drought and floods damage transport links, public buildings, and water and energy infrastructure, and challenge the provision of basic services.
• During the water crisis that followed the 2015–2017 drought, for example, reservoirs serving 3.7 million people around Cape Town dropped to 20% of capacity, leading the government to impose water restrictions.

An increase in gender-based violence

• These gender inequalities include a high incidence of gender-based violence and a higher likelihood of poverty among women.
• Research in other parts of the world has also linked rising temperatures with an increase in gender-based violence.

Solutions

Much of the country’s economic future hinges on the speed with which investments in renewable energy can replace coal and provide affordable and reliable electricity. Slowing down climate change will take a huge global effort and progress has been limited. The only alternative is to be prepared and adapt to the projected changes.
Peter Johnston receives funding from United Nations, NORCE, NRF

• By incorporating the fuel cell system, the project will have exceptional efficiency and reduced pollutant emissions, making it a clean, reliable baseload dispatchable resource.
• Additionally, the system will allow for the expandability to produce hydrogen in the future.
• Through our sustainable efforts in resource recovery, we maximize the reuse of treatment process by-products such as biogas,” shared Christoph Dobson, SacSewer’s General Manager.
• To learn more about the energy efficiency solutions offered by Ameresco, visit www.ameresco.com/energy-efficiency/ .

• Municipal solid waste (MSW) can be a valuable feedstock for biogas production through anaerobic digestion, offering a sustainable and environmentally friendly solution for waste management and renewable energy production.
• Let's explore the potential of using municipal waste for biogas production, its benefits, challenges, and opportunities.
• Municipal waste is generated continuously, providing a consistent and reliable supply of feedstock for biogas production.
• India has a significant potential for biogas production due to its large agricultural sector and substantial organic waste generation.