More droughts, heatwaves, floods, overflowing sewers, pollution, disease, starvation and wars. These are some of the dire predictions for Africa's future in the face of a changing global climate. And South Africa could and should be taking the lead on the continent in forestalling these outcomes, according to a senior lecturer at Rhodes University.
More droughts, heatwaves, floods, overflowing sewers, pollution, disease, starvation and wars. These are some of the dire predictions for Africa's future in the face of a changing global climate. And South Africa could and should be taking the lead on the continent in forestalling these outcomes, according to a senior lecturer at Rhodes University.
Climate change is a global problem, which many scientists attribute to the warming of the atmosphere due to an increase in greenhouse gases related to human activities. Some observers believe that Africa, which is already more vulnerable than many parts of the world, is likely to be worse hit; with conditions deteriorating more than in other parts of the world and the poorest people being hit the hardest.
Dr Tony Fluxman, from Rhodes University’s Political and International Studies department, is very critical of South Africa’s role in climate change. “South Africa is a big player,” he said. “We have a high release of greenhouse gases per capita. We can’t go on like this; we’re driving over a cliff. The government doesn’t have a proper policy. South Africa could have the best solar energy in the world and run the whole country with it, but instead the government gets money from energy companies.”
South Africa could be a leader in instituting green energy, he said, as many other African states are under the power of big institutions and thus don’t have much power over the issue.
“The most underdeveloped countries and the poorest of the poor don’t contribute to the problem and they’re being punished doubly: they’re not allowed to develop, they’re suffering the consequences of climate change and they don’t have the power to fight it,” said Fluxman, who runs a course on corporate power which focuses on the way in which climate change affects markets and businesses.
Indications of climate change are already evident in Africa as shifts in species distribution have been noted and more extreme weather patterns are being experienced. Climatologists predict that changes in climate will result in rising sea levels, storm surges, and extreme weather conditions such as floods, droughts and heat waves. Dry areas will become drier and wet areas will become wetter, which could have devastating effects on the continent.
Nikki Kohly, environmental officer at Rhodes University, explained some of the predicted consequences of these changes, which includes massive loss of biodiversity, as some plants and animal species will be unable to cope with the new conditions and may die out.
Increased rainfall in some areas could mean more flooding which often means overflowing sewage systems and other pollution being spread. In addition, we can expect the spread of insect-borne diseases, such as malaria and other diseases such as cholera and dengue fever.
Rising temperatures and reduced rainfall leads to crop failures and a decline in natural resources. Some areas could become permanently unsuitable for agriculture. “This would mean food shortages and a lot of starving people,” said Kohly. “This in turn will lead to competition for limited food resources, which inevitably leads to conflicts and even wars.”
Fluxman echoed Kohly’s sentiments, pointing out that Africa's agricultural economy will suffer particularly badly. He is critical of the market economy which is growth driven and therefore not sustainable. He feels that businesses should take responsibility and cover the costs of the external impacts of their businesses, and that governments should be charging carbon tax.
But climate change isn’t just an African problem. “Climate change is a global problem, an African problem and a South African problem,” said Fluxman, and stressed that there needs to be co-operation between first and third world countries in combating it.
“Climate change is relevant to everything. It is the issue of the 21st century and if we don’t do anything about it, it’ll become an even bigger issue. We have to change the way we live,” said Fluxman. “How many degrees increase are we going to wait for, before we do something? The consequences will get more and more dire the longer we wait.”
