Featured Post

NEWS: Coastal wetlands are unable to adapt to the rate of sea-level rise and are constrained by infrastructure

Posted by on
Wetlands, precious ecosystems that shield coastlines, safeguard drinking water from saltwater contamination, and nourish diverse wildlife, face a dire threat from the accelerating pace of sea-level rise, driven by global warming. Wetlands have historically adapted to rising sea levels by expanding upward and inland. However, predictions indicate that the waterline will soon shift far too rapidly for wetlands to keep pace. Consequently, future decades may witness the tragic loss of these vital wetland ecosystems. Wetlands along coastlines have historically played valuable roles for people and wildlife, but are now facing the threat of sea-level rise. As temperatures rise, sea levels are rising at an accelerating rate, and wetlands are unable to keep pace by building upward and migrating inland. This is due to human-induced climate change and the burning of fossil fuels, which has warmed the oceans and melted glaciers. Sea levels are now rising at about 10 millimeters per year, and are
0

Africa's young population may offer some protection against coronavirus

Posted by on


While the World Economic Forum expects that African healthcare could be strained by the coronavirus,it also believes the continent's young population could help soften the blow


According to the US government, early data suggests that older people are likelier to suffer seriously illnesses due to the novel coronavirus.

An Italian government report shows that by the first week of March, the average age of Italians who died from the coronavirus was 81. According to another report, only two of the people who died in the epicentre of the Italian crisis, Lombardy, were younger than 50.

"While young adults seem to suffer less with the virus, we could still see increased strain on healthcare systems," says Kanza.

Referring to the South African government decision to declare a national disaster on Sunday, Kanza said preparedness is crucial. "Limiting the spread of the virus will ensure hospital and healthcare systems do not come under further strain. Public-private cooperation has never been needed more."

She says that many African countries are deploying lessons learned from the Ebola outbreak.

The African Centre for Disease Control – the pan-African authority on public health created to respond to Ebola – has been supporting countries with the repurposing of screenings, surveillance systems and isolation wards for covid-19. 43 countries can currently test for the virus.

Economically, Kanza says the slowdown of European markets – a major trading partner for Africa – will result in a temporary hit to the continental economy. "But the good news is that China’s factories are starting to switch back on and this could mitigate lasting damage."

Original article was published here

Comments

Post a Comment