,GGH3705 Assignment 2 (COMPLETE ANSWERS)
Semester 1 2025 (895730) - DUE 24 April 2025; 100%
correct solutions and explanations.
Question 1 [30]
Use the EIA news tool – available under web links/ resources on
the GGH3705 myUnisa site – to find FIVE (5) recent news
articles (not older than 2020) related to the conducting of EIAs
of a current development project in South Africa. Your answer
must include the following:
•
Provide the name of the article, the news agency which
published it, and the date it was published on.
•
Give a short summary of the article, highlighting the primary
focus points and/or conclusions.
•
Determine and discuss, for each of your chosen articles, whether
it has a positive or negative view about the completed EIA
process which was followed. Provide suitable reasons to support
your answer.
•
In your opinion, what would you have changed about the
followed EIA process. Provide reasons to support your view.
,Here are five recent news articles related to Environmental
Impact Assessments (EIAs) for development projects in South
Africa, along with the required analysis:
1. Article: "Controversial Amazon HQ development in Cape
Town gets green light despite objections"
News Agency: Daily Maverick
Date Published: 15 March 2022
Summary:
The article discusses the approval of Amazon’s new African
headquarters in Cape Town, despite significant opposition from
environmental and heritage groups. The EIA process highlighted
concerns over the destruction of indigenous sacred land and
potential ecological damage. However, the project was approved
with conditions aimed at mitigating environmental harm.
Positive or Negative View on EIA?
Negative: Critics argue that the EIA process overlooked
key cultural and ecological concerns, with claims that
economic interests overshadowed environmental
protections.
Suggested Changes to the EIA Process:
Greater inclusion of Indigenous groups in decision-making.
A more transparent public participation process to address
concerns before approval.
, 2. Article: "Wild Coast residents and activists lose court bid
to halt Shell’s seismic blasting"
News Agency: News24
Date Published: 3 December 2021
Summary:
The article covers the legal challenge against Shell’s seismic
survey off South Africa’s Wild Coast. Environmentalists argued
that the EIA failed to adequately assess impacts on marine life
and local fishing communities. The court initially allowed the
project to proceed, but public backlash led to further legal
scrutiny.
Positive or Negative View on EIA?
Negative: The EIA was criticized for insufficient marine
impact studies and weak public consultation.
Suggested Changes to the EIA Process:
More rigorous independent scientific review of potential
ecological harm.
Mandatory stakeholder engagement with affected coastal
communities before approval.
3. Article: "Steel giant ArcelorMittal South Africa faces
backlash over Vanderbijlpark plant expansion"
News Agency: BusinessLive
Date Published: 10 June 2021
Semester 1 2025 (895730) - DUE 24 April 2025; 100%
correct solutions and explanations.
Question 1 [30]
Use the EIA news tool – available under web links/ resources on
the GGH3705 myUnisa site – to find FIVE (5) recent news
articles (not older than 2020) related to the conducting of EIAs
of a current development project in South Africa. Your answer
must include the following:
•
Provide the name of the article, the news agency which
published it, and the date it was published on.
•
Give a short summary of the article, highlighting the primary
focus points and/or conclusions.
•
Determine and discuss, for each of your chosen articles, whether
it has a positive or negative view about the completed EIA
process which was followed. Provide suitable reasons to support
your answer.
•
In your opinion, what would you have changed about the
followed EIA process. Provide reasons to support your view.
,Here are five recent news articles related to Environmental
Impact Assessments (EIAs) for development projects in South
Africa, along with the required analysis:
1. Article: "Controversial Amazon HQ development in Cape
Town gets green light despite objections"
News Agency: Daily Maverick
Date Published: 15 March 2022
Summary:
The article discusses the approval of Amazon’s new African
headquarters in Cape Town, despite significant opposition from
environmental and heritage groups. The EIA process highlighted
concerns over the destruction of indigenous sacred land and
potential ecological damage. However, the project was approved
with conditions aimed at mitigating environmental harm.
Positive or Negative View on EIA?
Negative: Critics argue that the EIA process overlooked
key cultural and ecological concerns, with claims that
economic interests overshadowed environmental
protections.
Suggested Changes to the EIA Process:
Greater inclusion of Indigenous groups in decision-making.
A more transparent public participation process to address
concerns before approval.
, 2. Article: "Wild Coast residents and activists lose court bid
to halt Shell’s seismic blasting"
News Agency: News24
Date Published: 3 December 2021
Summary:
The article covers the legal challenge against Shell’s seismic
survey off South Africa’s Wild Coast. Environmentalists argued
that the EIA failed to adequately assess impacts on marine life
and local fishing communities. The court initially allowed the
project to proceed, but public backlash led to further legal
scrutiny.
Positive or Negative View on EIA?
Negative: The EIA was criticized for insufficient marine
impact studies and weak public consultation.
Suggested Changes to the EIA Process:
More rigorous independent scientific review of potential
ecological harm.
Mandatory stakeholder engagement with affected coastal
communities before approval.
3. Article: "Steel giant ArcelorMittal South Africa faces
backlash over Vanderbijlpark plant expansion"
News Agency: BusinessLive
Date Published: 10 June 2021
