Yearly Archives: 2026

Read more about the article El Niño coverage is starting to get the science right. The human story still needs catching up.
On 3 August 2026, NOAA confirmed El Niño is strengthening, with an 81% chance of reaching very strong intensity between October and December and a 97% chance of persisting into early 2027. Most coverage has carried those figures as issued, a which is a notable improvement from past El Niño events, especially when the 2015 “Godzilla" nickname first appeared. Headlines have already reached for a new version this year, "Super El Niño," a phrase neither the WMO nor NOAA uses. Their official classification runs from weak to very strong, based on measured sea-surface anomalies in a specific patch of the Pacific, and forecasters attach a probability to each category rather than a name. The gap between that classification and the adjective in the headline is where the sensationalism sits.

El Niño coverage is starting to get the science right. The human story still needs catching up.

On 3 August 2026, NOAA confirmed El Niño is strengthening, with an 81% chance of reaching very strong intensity between October and December and a 97% chance of persisting into early 2027. Most coverage has carried those figures as issued, a which is a notable improvement from past El Niño events, especially when the 2015 “Godzilla" nickname first appeared. Headlines have already reached for a new version this year, "Super El Niño," a phrase neither the WMO nor NOAA uses. Their official classification runs from weak to very strong, based on measured sea-surface anomalies in a specific patch of the Pacific, and forecasters attach a probability to each category rather than a name. The gap between that classification and the adjective in the headline is where the sensationalism sits.

Continue ReadingEl Niño coverage is starting to get the science right. The human story still needs catching up.
Read more about the article Crucial elements of a social-impact communication strategy
A social-impact communication strategy therefore requires more than deciding what an organisation wants to say. It needs to consider how communication can contribute towards the change the organisation is pursuing and how people affected by an issue can affect the communication itself.

Crucial elements of a social-impact communication strategy

Organisations working to create social impact, from non-profit organisations (NGO’s) and foundations to government institutions, development agencies and businesses, communicate about issues that are difficult to explain because they rarely have a single cause or a simple solution.A social-impact communication strategy requires more than deciding what an organisation wants to say. It needs to consider how communication can contribute towards the change the organisation is pursuing and how people affected by an issue can affect the communication itself.

Continue ReadingCrucial elements of a social-impact communication strategy
Read more about the article Why start-ups and SMMEs should start sustainability reporting early
For many years sustainability reporting and environmental, social and governance (ESG) development were expectations only placed on large corporates and listed companies. This is changing fast. Investors, lenders and customers are now placing increasing pressure on all sizes of businesses for sustainability disclosures.

Why start-ups and SMMEs should start sustainability reporting early

For many years sustainability reporting and environmental, social and governance (ESG) development were expectations only placed on large corporates and listed companies. This is changing fast.Investors, lenders and customers are now placing increasing pressure on all sizes of businesses for sustainability disclosures.

Continue ReadingWhy start-ups and SMMEs should start sustainability reporting early
Read more about the article Blue economy, ocean health, and the communications gap: who’s telling the story?
South Africa's blue economy is vast, economically critical, and chronically under-communicated.

Blue economy, ocean health, and the communications gap: who’s telling the story?

South Africa has over 3,000 kilometres of coastline. Two oceans converge at its southern tip. Around a third of all marine species in its waters exist nowhere else on Earth. According to projections, a well-managed ocean economy in South Africa could add R166 billion to GDP and create more than 600,000 jobs by 2035. So why, when most South Africans think about conservation or the environment, do they picture a terrestrial nature reserve or the big five?

Continue ReadingBlue economy, ocean health, and the communications gap: who’s telling the story?