ENVIROMENTAL AFFAIRS
T
he science is clear: we are witnessing the climate crisis unfold before our very eyes. Recent research by Greenepace Africa has confirmed that, as the climate crisis worsens, and if we neglect to take immediate action to reduce our carbon emissions, extreme weather events such as droughts, floods, and cyclones, will only become more intense and less predictable. Our report, titled Weathering The Storm, provides the scientific background needed for us to make our call clear: we need to declare a Climate Emergency - and we need to act accordingly. Public infrastructure is not prepared to deal with the impacts of the climate crisis. In recent memory, Tropical Cyclone Eloise pillaged through neighbouring countries Mozambique,
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Municipal Focus
The threat to public infrastructure has been seen and felt internationally as well. Hurricane Ida, which pillaged across Louisiana before rippling across New York, was a stark demonstration of how illprepared public infrastructure is for the imminent wave of extreme weather events
The threat to public infrastructure has been seen and felt internationally as well. Hurricane Ida, which pillaged across Louisiana before rippling across New York, was a stark demonstration of how ill-prepared public infrastructure is for the imminent wave of extreme weather events. Flooded underground railways became obsolete, cars swept away during flash floods and hospitals, already at capacity with COVID-19 patients, were forced to contend with the influx of extreme weatherrelated injuries and diseases.
Zambia, and zimbabwe. But the effects were felt locally as well in parts of Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces. Schools were damaged, healthcare centers were left unusable, and bridges were destroyed, leaving people in remote rural areas stranded without assistance or access to services.
South Africa's infrastructure challenges, without considering the potential risks that come with future climate shocks, remain a barrier to economic growth. A report released by the UN World Meteorological Organisations (WMO), anticipates that Sub-Saharan Africa’s gross domestic product (GDP) may contract by 3% by 2050.
