Snyman-van der Walt has been with the CSIR for the past four years working as an environmental scientist focusing on Geographic Information System (GIS) analyses for environmental assessment. She has been involved in two national strategic environmental assessments for shale gas development in the Karoo and the development of aquaculture. These assessments ultimately seek to provide government with frameworks for responsible decision-making on development. Snyman-van der Walt holds an MSc in environmental science from North West University, and she is enrolled for an MSc GISc at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, and is registered as a Professional Natural Scientist with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions.

About the talk

The exploration of shale gas in South Africa’s Karoo basin has been viewed with significant scepticism by some, while others believe it could potentially be the answer to energy security in the country. To provide evidence-based guidance to decision-makers, the CSIR collaborated with other science councils, research institutions, public- and private sector, and government to assess the viability and potential impact of shale gas development in the region. This talk outlines the assessment process and some of the findings.