Latest news with #Archibald
Daily Maverick
a day ago
- Science
- Daily Maverick
Wits researchers help create ‘most accurate maps yet' of where reforestation can best fight climate change
The study has strong implications for Africa where natural grasslands and savannas are often misguidedly and inappropriately converted to forests, which can actually harm biodiversity and even exacerbate global warming. A new study, published in the journal Nature Communications, has identified land roughly equivalent to the combined area of South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe where reforestation can deliver optimal climate benefits while supporting wildlife habitat, food production, and freshwater availability. It identifies an area for reforestation that can net 2,225 TgCO₂e (teragrams of carbon dioxide equivalent) or roughly 2.2 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide per year total in net mitigation potential. That's roughly five times South Africa's annual emissions. Though global in scope, the study has strong implications for Africa where natural grasslands and savannas are often misguidedly and inappropriately converted to forests, which can actually harm biodiversity and even exacerbate global warming. It also holds the potential to better inform and operationalise the nature-based solution's potential on the continent, which faces disproportionate climate impacts despite contributing very little to human-induced climate change. The study, in part from the University of the Witwatersrand's Future Ecosystems for Africa (Fefa) programme, saw the creation of what it described as 'the most accurate maps' of 195 million hectares globally where tree restoration will deliver 'maximum climate benefits'. Professor Sally Archibald from Wits' School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Science, who leads the Fefa programme, explains that 'previous studies often failed to address how afforestation could have negative effects on biodiversity and human well-being, especially for poor people living in remote rural areas often targeted for reforestation'. 'The drop from previous estimates is due to layers that previous maps haven't been able to incorporate, because the research was still nascent at the time.' Archibald explains that the research 'accounts for the albedo effect, for example, which means restoring tree cover can, in some locations, actively heat the Earth rather than cool it by affecting how much sunlight is absorbed or reflected. It also excludes native grasslands and other ecosystems where carpeting the land with trees would harm biodiversity and exacerbate fire regimes.' This aspect of the research accords with the findings of another, earlier study, led in part by Emeritus professor of biological sciences at the University of Cape Town (UCT), William Bond. Daily Maverick reported at the time that the Bond study bust the myth that planting trees everywhere is the silver bullet to slowing global warming, and explained why we need areas like open grasslands in the savannas. Africa contains more grasses than any other continent. According to the South African National Biodiversity Institute, the savanna is the biggest biome in southern Africa, covering 46% of its area. Bond explained at the time that savannas – characterised by grasslands – are an open habitat peppered with a handful of trees, and that in a healthy grassland ecosystem there is a very delicate balance between trees and grasses that needs to be maintained for the diversity of animal species that it supports to survive and thrive. Tree-planting plans to offset carbon threaten the ancient grasslands and everything it supports, he said. 'What many don't realise is that grasslands store carbon in their soils and reflect more sunlight back into space than forests, playing a very important part in cooling the Earth.' Dr Susan Cook-Patton, at The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and a senior author of the latest study, told The Guardian that 'reforestation is not a substitute for cutting fossil fuel emissions, but even if we were to drive down emissions tomorrow, we still need to remove excess CO₂ from the atmosphere. 'As the number of climate-fuelled disasters stack up worldwide, it's increasingly obvious that we can't waste time on well-meaning but hazily understood interventions,' Cook-Patton said. 'We must fast-track our focus toward the places with greatest benefits for people and nature and the fewest downsides, the places most likely to be win-win. This study will help leaders and investors do just that.' DM
Otago Daily Times
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Kapa haka swansong poignant for student
King's High School student Archibald Valentine (left), 16, holds a tewhatewha, a Maori weapon, as he and his cousin Nikora Wiparata-Evans, 17, perform at Te Hautoka, the two-yearly Otago and Southland kapa haka competition, at the Edgar Centre yesterday. PHOTO: PETER MCINTOSH Performing at the Te Hautoka kapa haka contest felt a little bit sad for Archibald Valentine, 16, because he knew it was going to be his last time. The King's High School year 13 student took the stage for one final time with his peers at the biennial Otago and Southland kapa haka competition at the Edgar Centre yesterday. Archibald focused on just trying to the get his words out clearly. "I was nervous before, but when I got on the stage I was all calm," he said. His group — He Waka Kotuia, which includes students from King's and Queen's high schools — had been preparing since the start of the year for the competition. But Archibald has been performing in haka competitions since he was a 1-year-old. "I've been doing this my whole life." It meant the world to him to be able to represent his culture and speak on important topics. One of the the waiata the group sang celebrated those who had gone before them, another welcomed other groups to the competition, and another called out local government for "trashing the waters in Otago". Yesterday's performance ranked among the best he had been a part of, he said. "It was great — the energy was great. "One of the top ones, to be honest." He said his last-time performance was bittersweet, but he would be back to help put the show on next year. "Coming back and getting undressed for the last time was pretty sad." Te Hautoka organiser Cherie Ford said the day went well. It was hosted at the Edgar Centre as a standalone event for the first time this year. The centre had a bigger stage than the competition's former venue, the Dunedin Town Hall, and that allowed the groups to have a similar size stage to the one at the national finals in Tauranga later this year, Mrs Ford said. The competition had grown a lot, and it was "pretty special" to have a whole day of quality kapa haka. "Every group is competitive, and the prizes could go any way." Fourteen groups from secondary schools across the South took part in the event.
Otago Daily Times
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Kapahaka swansong poignant for student
King's High School student Archibald Valentine (left), 16, holds a tewhatewha, a Maori weapon, as he and his cousin Nikora Wiparata-Evans, 17, perform at Te Hautoka, the two-yearly Otago and Southland kapa haka competition, at the Edgar Centre yesterday. PHOTO: PETER MCINTOSH Performing at the Te Hautoka kapa haka contest felt a little bit sad for Archibald Valentine, 16, because he knew it was going to be his last time. The King's High School year 13 student took the stage for one final time with his peers at the biennial Otago and Southland kapa haka competition at the Edgar Centre yesterday. Archibald focused on just trying to the get his words out clearly. "I was nervous before, but when I got on the stage I was all calm," he said. His group — He Waka Kotuia, which includes students from King's and Queen's high schools — had been preparing since the start of the year for the competition. But Archibald has been performing in haka competitions since he was a 1-year-old. "I've been doing this my whole life." It meant the world to him to be able to represent his culture and speak on important topics. One of the the waiata the group sang celebrated those who had gone before them, another welcomed other groups to the competition, and another called out local government for "trashing the waters in Otago". Yesterday's performance ranked among the best he had been a part of, he said. "It was great — the energy was great. "One of the top ones, to be honest." He said his last-time performance was bittersweet, but he would be back to help put the show on next year. "Coming back and getting undressed for the last time was pretty sad." Te Hautoka organiser Cherie Ford said the day went well. It was hosted at the Edgar Centre as a standalone event for the first time this year. The centre had a bigger stage than the competition's former venue, the Dunedin Town Hall, and that allowed the groups to have a similar size stage to the one at the national finals in Tauranga later this year, Mrs Ford said. The competition had grown a lot, and it was "pretty special" to have a whole day of quality kapa haka. "Every group is competitive, and the prizes could go any way." Fourteen groups from secondary schools across the South took part in the event.
Otago Daily Times
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Kapahaka swansong poignant forstudent
King's High School student Archibald Valentine (left), 16, holds a tewhatewha, a Maori weapon, as he and his cousin Nikora Wiparata-Evans, 17, perform at Te Hautoka, the two-yearly Otago and Southland kapa haka competition, at the Edgar Centre yesterday. PHOTO: PETER MCINTOSH Performing at the Te Hautoka kapa haka contest felt a little bit sad for Archibald Valentine, 16, because he knew it was going to be his last time. The King's High School year 13 student took the stage for one final time with his peers at the biennial Otago and Southland kapa haka competition at the Edgar Centre yesterday. Archibald focused on just trying to the get his words out clearly. "I was nervous before, but when I got on the stage I was all calm," he said. His group — He Waka Kotuia, which includes students from King's and Queen's high schools — had been preparing since the start of the year for the competition. But Archibald has been performing in haka competitions since he was a 1-year-old. "I've been doing this my whole life." It meant the world to him to be able to represent his culture and speak on important topics. One of the the waiata the group sang celebrated those who had gone before them, another welcomed other groups to the competition, and another called out local government for "trashing the waters in Otago". Yesterday's performance ranked among the best he had been a part of, he said. "It was great — the energy was great. "One of the top ones, to be honest." He said his last-time performance was bittersweet, but he would be back to help put the show on next year. "Coming back and getting undressed for the last time was pretty sad." Te Hautoka organiser Cherie Ford said the day went well. It was hosted at the Edgar Centre as a standalone event for the first time this year. The centre had a bigger stage than the competition's former venue, the Dunedin Town Hall, and that allowed the groups to have a similar size stage to the one at the national finals in Tauranga later this year, Mrs Ford said. The competition had grown a lot, and it was "pretty special" to have a whole day of quality kapa haka. "Every group is competitive, and the prizes could go any way." Fourteen groups from secondary schools across the South took part in the event.
The Advertiser
03-06-2025
- Health
- The Advertiser
'Creative challenge': artwork created entirely from Aussie soil elements
Four striking artworks by renowned Sydney artist Claus Stangl, created entirely from soil elements, have been donated to Soil Science Australia. The artworks were commissioned amid startling new research that showed the public's limited understanding of the link between soil health and the food supply. The research by Kellogg's ANZ found while 90 per cent of people said they were aware of the link between soil health and the food supply, when questioned further, only 32 per cent said they knew why it was important. Less than five per cent recognised the role of soil critters (insects, tardigrades) as one of the most important contributors to soil health. Stangl told ACM, the publisher of this masthead, that it was a "creative challenge" to use soil as paint. "It took me a whole week to create seven different colours," he said. "It was quite a lengthy process. "I enjoy the intersection of science and art, and I liked that the project had a positive message." Stangl is a two-time Archibald finalist who was never formally trained as an artist. He spent nearly two decades as a creative director and strategist at leading agencies and platforms, including Facebook and Instagram. But he said his love of art began when he was young, inspired by his grandfather, who created cartoons. "I believe everyone has got some creativity within them," he said. Soil Science Australia is a not-for-profit association for soil scientists. To find out more about Kellogg's partnership with the Cool Soil Initiative, head to Four striking artworks by renowned Sydney artist Claus Stangl, created entirely from soil elements, have been donated to Soil Science Australia. The artworks were commissioned amid startling new research that showed the public's limited understanding of the link between soil health and the food supply. The research by Kellogg's ANZ found while 90 per cent of people said they were aware of the link between soil health and the food supply, when questioned further, only 32 per cent said they knew why it was important. Less than five per cent recognised the role of soil critters (insects, tardigrades) as one of the most important contributors to soil health. Stangl told ACM, the publisher of this masthead, that it was a "creative challenge" to use soil as paint. "It took me a whole week to create seven different colours," he said. "It was quite a lengthy process. "I enjoy the intersection of science and art, and I liked that the project had a positive message." Stangl is a two-time Archibald finalist who was never formally trained as an artist. He spent nearly two decades as a creative director and strategist at leading agencies and platforms, including Facebook and Instagram. But he said his love of art began when he was young, inspired by his grandfather, who created cartoons. "I believe everyone has got some creativity within them," he said. Soil Science Australia is a not-for-profit association for soil scientists. To find out more about Kellogg's partnership with the Cool Soil Initiative, head to Four striking artworks by renowned Sydney artist Claus Stangl, created entirely from soil elements, have been donated to Soil Science Australia. The artworks were commissioned amid startling new research that showed the public's limited understanding of the link between soil health and the food supply. The research by Kellogg's ANZ found while 90 per cent of people said they were aware of the link between soil health and the food supply, when questioned further, only 32 per cent said they knew why it was important. Less than five per cent recognised the role of soil critters (insects, tardigrades) as one of the most important contributors to soil health. Stangl told ACM, the publisher of this masthead, that it was a "creative challenge" to use soil as paint. "It took me a whole week to create seven different colours," he said. "It was quite a lengthy process. "I enjoy the intersection of science and art, and I liked that the project had a positive message." Stangl is a two-time Archibald finalist who was never formally trained as an artist. He spent nearly two decades as a creative director and strategist at leading agencies and platforms, including Facebook and Instagram. But he said his love of art began when he was young, inspired by his grandfather, who created cartoons. "I believe everyone has got some creativity within them," he said. Soil Science Australia is a not-for-profit association for soil scientists. To find out more about Kellogg's partnership with the Cool Soil Initiative, head to Four striking artworks by renowned Sydney artist Claus Stangl, created entirely from soil elements, have been donated to Soil Science Australia. The artworks were commissioned amid startling new research that showed the public's limited understanding of the link between soil health and the food supply. The research by Kellogg's ANZ found while 90 per cent of people said they were aware of the link between soil health and the food supply, when questioned further, only 32 per cent said they knew why it was important. Less than five per cent recognised the role of soil critters (insects, tardigrades) as one of the most important contributors to soil health. Stangl told ACM, the publisher of this masthead, that it was a "creative challenge" to use soil as paint. "It took me a whole week to create seven different colours," he said. "It was quite a lengthy process. "I enjoy the intersection of science and art, and I liked that the project had a positive message." Stangl is a two-time Archibald finalist who was never formally trained as an artist. He spent nearly two decades as a creative director and strategist at leading agencies and platforms, including Facebook and Instagram. But he said his love of art began when he was young, inspired by his grandfather, who created cartoons. "I believe everyone has got some creativity within them," he said. Soil Science Australia is a not-for-profit association for soil scientists. To find out more about Kellogg's partnership with the Cool Soil Initiative, head to
