|
A special United Nations report has issued a wake up call on climate change: urgent and unprecedented action needs to be taken to limit global warming to 1.5℃ above pre-industrial levels. The issue is even more urgent for hot, dry and water-stressed countries like Botswana and Namibia. Mark New explains how even a slight rise in temperature will affect them. From the UK, Keith Shine, a Regius professor of climate science, outlines why 1.5℃ matters to scientists while from the US Andrew J. Hoffman and Ellen Hughes-Cromwick unpack what led to William Nordhaus sharing the economics Nobel – technically the Sveriges Riksbank Prize – and how his work links to climate change.
Kenya struck oil six years ago. The oil find was expected to boost local economic development. But this hasn’t happened. A lack of skills and quality goods and services has meant that Kenyans and Kenyan businesses have largely been excluded from reaping the benefits. Melba Wasunna explains that a local strategy is needed to ensure Kenyans also reap the rewards.
|
The Okavango Delta in Botswana.
Shutterstock
Mark New, University of Cape Town
For hot, dry and water-stressed countries like Botswana and Namibia, high temperatures and droughts will be more severe than the global average.
|
elRoce / shutterstock
Keith Shine, University of Reading
Limiting human-induced warming will be tough, given where we start from.
|
William Nordhaus argues markets can help curb climate change.
AP Photo/Craig Ruttle
Andrew J. Hoffman, University of Michigan; Ellen Hughes-Cromwick, University of Michigan
William Nordhaus showed that the market offers the best chance for preventing global catastrophe form climate change.
|
Environment + Energy
|
-
Melba K. Wasunna, Strathmore University
A major constraint that prevents Kenyans from benefiting from the oil sector includes the lack of specialised training or technical skills
|
|
Health + Medicine
|
-
Justin Komguep Nono, University of Cape Town; Hlumani Ndlovu, University of Cape Town
Deworming needs to be accompanied by health awareness campaigns in order to reduce diseases from parasitic worms.
|
|
Business + Economy
|
-
Steven Friedman, University of Johannesburg
Ramaphosa's stimulus package is more interesting for what it says about the politics of economic decision making than for its likely impact on the economy.
|
|
From our international editions
|
-
Helder Ferreira do Vale, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies
After four years of economic crisis and corruption, Brazilians have never trusted their government less. They showed their frustration Sunday, voting for two ideologically opposed candidates.
|
|
