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Plastic pollution can be attributed to the unsustainable use and disposal of plastic products in today's civilisation and threatens the economy, the environment, and human health. Plastic in the oceans has emerged as a major cause of marine ecosystem pollution in recent years. However, we believe there are more pressing issues, such as climate change and overfishing. As plastic debris accumulates in the oceans at an unprecedented rate, the demand for efficient and long-term remediation strategies becomes more urgent. Current clean-up approaches attempt to mitigate the harmful effects of plastic pollution but must be sufficient to keep up with the everincreasing amounts of plastic entering the marine environment. This article reviews the sources of ocean plastic pollution, classification, and impacts of plastic pollution on the aquatic environment and discusses the Norwegian and South African scenarios of The link between climate change and plastic pollution was established, and challenges and initiatives for effectively mitigating ocean plastic pollution were presented. Based on this study, reducing plastic input into the ecosystem must be pursued as part of a global holistic strategy. The results of this study show that appropriate policy frameworks and mechanisms are needed to address plastic pollution in the oceans effectively. Although a regulatory framework already exists, it needs to be regularly reviewed and improved to limit the amount of plastic in our environment. While immediate action should be taken, new scientific research in various fields will help identify the most effective approaches and develop innovative solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in South Africa previously faced challenges due to limited resources, restricted access to technology, and the need to constantly adapt to a dynamic business environment. The introduction of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) emerged as a potential solution to these issues, promising to enhance operational efficiency and strategic decision-making. As a representative of developing economies, South Africa experienced a growing interest in AI technologies. This study was conducted to explore the impact of generative AI on SME productivity in South Africa, an area which had been underexplored. Employing a qualitative methodology, the study evaluated the current state and implications of generative AI in South African SMEs. It involved in-depth interviews to gather perceptions, experiences, challenges, and benefits from SME owners and managers regarding the adoption of generative AI technologies. The findings analysed via R Statistical Software revealed significant insights into the specific areas where generative AI substantially impacted SME productivity. It also identified the challenges and opportunities associated with the adoption of generative AI by SMEs, as well as the potential long-term implications. Key findings included notable improvements in data-driven decision-making, operational efficiencies, and market expansion strategies. However, the study also highlighted barriers such as the lack of technical expertise, initial setup costs, and concerns over data security. Overall, the impact of generative AI on SMEs in South Africa was found to be predominantly positive, paving the way for further technological advancements and adoption in the sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impacts of climate change on ecosystems are profound and, if not mitigated, may pose a major threat to the environment. The challenges of climate change in South Africa have resulted in various adverse effects, such as heatwaves, droughts, and floods, especially in provinces like KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). This has huge consequences for agricultural production. Despite government efforts and strategies to mitigate the effects of climate change on the environment, many environmentalists argue that existing policies are inactive, while others recommend a consolidated approach involving key stakeholders. The objective of this study is to provide a critical overview of the impact of climate change on agricultural production in the province of KZN. In this way, the relevant context of the current problems is presented, and strategies for dealing with the negative impacts of climate change on agriculture are recommended. According to this study, climate change measures need to be embedded in national sustainable development strategies. These measures will only be successful if they are integrated into broader strategies to improve national development. Therefore, policymakers should leverage their positions to make informed and thus impactful decisions on relevant climate change issues affecting the agricultural sector in the province. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]