A local scientist outlines what climate change could do to our health and livelihood, here where we live. Mabake wa-Masweneng and Aurelia Mqoyi report
Sheona Shackleton, of Rhodes University’s Department of Environmental Sciences addressed the topic of Climate Change and its Effects on South Africa in a lecture last week, outlining the specific effects of global warming on our water resources, agriculture, rangelands, forestry, biodiversity and human health.
South Africa will be hosting COP 17, the climate change conference, in Durban later this year and the international event will spark robust debate from policymakers, environmentalists, businesses and interest groups from around the world.
A local scientist outlines what climate change could do to our health and livelihood, here where we live. Mabake wa-Masweneng and Aurelia Mqoyi report
Sheona Shackleton, of Rhodes University’s Department of Environmental Sciences addressed the topic of Climate Change and its Effects on South Africa in a lecture last week, outlining the specific effects of global warming on our water resources, agriculture, rangelands, forestry, biodiversity and human health.
South Africa will be hosting COP 17, the climate change conference, in Durban later this year and the international event will spark robust debate from policymakers, environmentalists, businesses and interest groups from around the world.
In the lecture, sponsored by the South East African Climate Consortium Student Forum (SEACC SF), Shackleton cited the following repercussions of climate change:
Water resources
The impact of floods, storms, rainfall and droughts on South Africa could include deterioration in the quality of drinking water, a shortage of water, and contamination of drinking supplies with salt water during storms and hurricanes. Shackleton also said the risk of soil-erosion could increase thanks to water overflowing from dams or the sea during heavy rains, causing soil run-off.
Rivers could dry up, which would in turn affect wetlands and estuaries – the rivers and streams that lead into the ocean. Drought could compromise the quality of water and add to the already soaring cost of providing it.
Agriculture
In some areas, land could become unproductive or barren and marginal land could further deteriorate. In other areas, certain crops might flourished where previously they hadn't. For example, mango and avocado only flourish in the tropical areas of South Africa; however these fruits might now thrive in other areas. Pests could proliferate, increasing crop damage and soil erosion. Invasive plants such as weeds or foreign plants could become commonplace problems, having a serious impact on small-scale and commercial farming.
Rangelands and Livestock
Desertification and overgrazing remain a serious challenge in rangelands. Increased rainfall and high temperatures could affect fodder production and decrease animal reproduction. An increase in carbon dioxide in the grass could lead to a reduction in protein and retard its growth. Livestock diseases such as foot and mouth could increase.
Forestry
Low rainfall and increased temperatures will slow the growth of trees. Pest-borne diseases and the occurrence of fires could increase.
Biodiversity
Population growth and per capita consumption will bring about huge changes with regard to biodiversity. The change in climate could also lead to the extinction of both plants and animals. More fires and the proliferation of alien species will put biodiversity under siege from climate change. The negative impacts of climate change on biodiversity could contribute to a possible slow-down in tourism, which currently contributes about R100 billion annually to our economy.
Human health
Air pollution due to extreme temperatures could exacerbate health problems such as HIV/Aids, tuberculosis and malnutrition.
Floods and droughts could increase water-borne illnesses, such as cholera and bilharzia.
Insect populations could multiply and in the case of mosquitoes, this could lead to the spread of malaria. The rate of malaria's growth in areas where the deadly disease is common, such as Mpumalanga, could double in the next 50 years.
The lecture was the fourth in a series of five on COP 17; Dylan McGarry will deliver the final lecture, A Climate Train, a COP, a COY and You, next Tuesday.
The international conference will be in Durban, from 28 November to 9 December.
