heat stresslatest news & developments
Researchers studied blue waxbills — small songbirds that were most affected in South Africa’s first documented heat-related mortality event involving wild birds, which occurred in late 2020. (Wikimedia Commons)

Heat and humidity is a lethal mix for SA’s small birds

Scientists have warned that humidity, not just temperature, could determine which species survive in an era of escalating heatwaves

  • Sheree Bega
5 min read
Underground mining operations are particularly vulnerable to the dangers of flooding and water ingress, which can result from heavy rains, groundwater inflow, or even burst dams. (Waldo Swiegers/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Protecting mining infrastructure against severe environmental conditions

Engineering, procurement, and construction partners can mitigate effects of extreme weather and intense heat underground, ensuring the longevity of a mine

3 min read
Workers carry ice blocks on a hand cart in New Delhi on May 30, 2024, amid an ongoing heatwave. Temperature readings in the city rose into the high 40s Celsius on May 29, with power usage in the city, where the population is estimated at more than 30 million, surging to a record high. (Photo by Money SHARMA / AFP)

In the face of climate change, extreme heat is a human rights crisis

National and local governments should adopt and implement heat action plans to guide heatwave preparation and emergency response

  • Sheree Bega
8 min read