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1.	Rhino poaching deaths continue to increase in South Africa
	Author: Correspondent	Date Written: 12 January 2012
	Primary Category: Ecology	Document Origin: TRAFFIC
	Secondary Category: Southern Region	Source URL: http://www.traffic.org
	Key Words: ecology, rhinoceros, poaching, smuggling, enforcement, South Africa
	Summary & Comment: The number of South African rhinos killed by poachers continues to climb, with 448 losses in 2011. Although the amount of poaching-related arrests have increased, and sentences for rhino crimes are tougher, it doesn’t seem to be stopping the international criminal syndicates who organize these offenses. The poaching is feeding a demand throughout . . . [expand]
2.	Brown Revolution brings new hope
	Author: Busani Bafana	Date Written: 10 January 2012
	Primary Category: Ecology	Document Origin: Inter Press Service Africa
	Secondary Category: Zimbabwe	Source URL: http://www.ips.org
	Key Words: desertification, agriculture, livestock, soil, climate change
	Summary & Comment: By re-creating the movement of herds over the land, Zimbabwe has found a way to reverse desertification. Calling it the "Brown Revolution", farmers are planning where livestock are grazing, revitalizing depleted soils. Water and carbon retention in the soil are improved with this simple, and cost effective, strategy. CJW
3.	Cajun crayfish invading Africa, eating native species
	Author: Ochieng’ Ogodo	Date Written: 9 January 2012
	Primary Category: Ecology	Document Origin: National Geographic News
	Secondary Category: Africa General	Source URL: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/
	Key Words: crayfish, lakes, ecology, fishery, ecosystems
	Summary & Comment: Crayfish from Louisiana, imported to Africa in the 1970s, are causing damage to native ecosystems within local lakes, as well as lake-side landscapes. Without natural predators, and with the ability to both walk and swim, they are invading lakes throughout the East and Southern Regions. SLP
4.	Cameroon: Stepping naturally away from plastic
	Author: Ngala Killian Chimtom	Date Written: 6 January 2012
	Primary Category: Ecology	Document Origin: Inter Press Service Africa
	Secondary Category: Western Region	Source URL: http://www.ips.org/
	Key Words: BPA, bisphenol A, banana leaves, food safety
	Summary & Comment: Bisphenol A (BPA) is known to accumulate in the human body, mimicking estrogen to deleterious effect. It is found in baby bottles, the lining of canned foods, as well as plastic food wraps. A Cameroonian restauranteur has looked to her African culture to avoid the hazards of BPA - banana leaves. Not only is this a natural solution, it’s pretty tast . . . [expand]
5.	Ghana: Toxic electronic waste contaminates surrounding area
	Author: Stephen Leahy	Date Written: 1 November 2011
	Primary Category: Ecology	Document Origin: Inter Press Service Africa
	Secondary Category: Western Region	Source URL: http://www.ips.org/
	Key Words: Hazardous waste, e-waste, health, StEP, recycling
	Summary & Comment: E-waste from Europe and North America makes it way to Africa, long forgotten by the consumer who put it on the curb as harmless waste. The problem is that it is far from harmless. A school in Ghana's capital was found to be contaminated with various toxins over 50 times higher than levels deemed safe, all due to a neighbouring e-waste "sa . . . [expand]
6.	Egypt: Water challenges forcing a rethink on usage
	Author: IRIN	Date Written: 18 October 2011
	Primary Category: Ecology	Document Origin: IRIN
	Secondary Category: North Africa Region	Source URL: http://www.irinnews.org/
	Key Words: sanitation, food security, economy, climate change
	Summary & Comment: Management of the waters of the Nile River is about to become a whole lot more challenging, what with poor infrastructure, climate change and increased demands on the resource. Let's hope those in power take heed of warnings from the experts of impending dangers. CJW
7.	Kenya unable to escape from a plastic bag
	Author: Editor	Date Written: 16 October 2011
	Primary Category: Ecology	Document Origin: East African
	Secondary Category: Eastern Region	Source URL: http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/
	Key Words: polyethene, environment, economy, pollution, employment
	Summary & Comment: Kenya's plans to ban plastic bags has hit a snag; lose the bags or lose jobs. Despite the influence of the late environmentalist Wangari Maathai, Kenya has a poor record handling its plastics, with most plastics produced in East Africa coming from the country. While good for the economy, the environment has suffered immeasurably because of thi . . . [expand]

News from Additional Sources

Pambazuka News :Environment

1. Zimbabwe: Mining activity in and near to Hwange National Park
   Last year, a fly over of Hwange National Park (HNP) revealed increased mining activity in and around the Sinamatella area, reports www.sokwanele.com - http://www.sokwanele.com 'In addition to the mining carried out by Hwange Colliery Company...
2. Global: Emissions cuts also offer quick health and crop benefits
   Reducing methane and black carbon emissions could quickly tackle climate change while improving food security and people's health, especially in developing countries, a study reports.Scientists identified 14 emission control measures that, when appli...
3. Kenya: Key lakes succumb to human activities
   Several years ago, Lakes Kamnarok and Ol Bollosat in Kenya were vibrant water bodies that supported and shaped the ecosystems around them. But today they are shells of their former selves, due to heavy siltation caused by human activities. 'Siltation...
4. Swaziland: Fledgling environmental authority up against big business
   Recently hundreds of dead fish floated to the surface of a stream which was the only water source for a rural community in Swaziland's drought-prone eastern region. A local sugar processing plant admitted to accidentally discharging toxic effluent in...
5. Africa: Young scientists issue communique on climate change
   A group of young scientists meeting on the sidelines of COP17, held in Durban, South Africa last year, has resolved to mobilise African young scientists and youth within and outside Africa to promote the role of African indigenous knowledge systems in climate change adaptation and mitigation through...

Africa - INTER PRESS SERVICE

1. Social Media Saved Africa's Oldest Community Station
   When a financial crisis threatened the existence of Africa's oldest community station, Bush Radio, an outpouring of sympathy and appeals went viral on social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook. In the end, it was this outspoken support that showed financial backers that the station was worth saving.
2. Malawi's Consumers Have a Right to Fuel and Forex Black Market
   The black market for foreign exchange and fuel is booming in the midst of an acute scarcity in Malawi. The shortage is so severe that even the Consumer Association of Malawi, an influential consumer rights body, has come out in support of the black market.
3. WEST AFRICA: Water Shortage Threatens Wildlife
   The story of a pair of buffalo aggressively prowling the edges of a village in eastern Burkina Faso is a warning sign of severe water stress in the region which threatens humans and wild animals alike.
4. Kenyan Chief Tweets His Way to Reducing Crime
   Using 140 characters or less, Chief Francis Kariuki in Kenya, has tweeted his way to reducing crime in his and surrounding villages.
5. POLITICS-SENEGAL: Violence After Validation of Wade Candidacy
   It was stones against tear gas in the Senegalese capital this morning as students protested the killing of one of their own on Tuesday evening. At least four people have died since Jan. 27, in wider demonstrations against the controversial validation of President Abdoulaye Wade's candidacy for re-election for a third term.