Climate change poses a significant threat to south africas water resources, food security, health, infrastructure, ecosystem services and biodiversity. Higher education and research in africa are key to solving problems caused by climate change. It is acknowledged that climate change in south africa presents projected significant potential impacts on the circular economy with significant implications for the growth and development trajectory of the country department. South africas response to climate change has two objectives. Effectively manage inevitable climate change impacts through interventions that build and sustain. Climate change response white paper3 and south africa s second national communication under the united nations framework convention on climate change2 snc. South africa is undertaking significant actions to respond to climate change risks and impacts. Cigi and the south african institute of international affairs. Higher temperatures and a reduction in rainfall expected as a result of climate change will reduce already depleted water resources, contributing. Although climate change is a natural occurrence, human industrial and development activities over the past two centuries have caused changes in climate independent from natural changes. The countrys emissions per capita are about 10 tons of co 2. Climate change adaptation in south africa is one of the critical ways in which south africa seeks to transition to a lowcarbon economy saeon 2011. An agreement has been made to develop a roadmap towards a new legally binding treaty by 2015, which would come into force in 2020. What changes have south african citizens experienced in their climate and environment over time.
Africa wants new partnerships with those that are willing to understand its own innovation systems and give it access to technology that it can adapt to its own local knowledge, values, and visions. But according to university of cape towns energy research centre, the average south african produces 7. Encouragingly, south africas policymakers and academics have worked together quite closely on climate change. Pdf national climate change conference in south africa. South african county study on climate change unfccc. South africa is extremely vulnerable to the impacts of climate variability and climate change. Our national response considers both development needs and climate change imperatives. Rome, food and agriculture organization of the united nations.
Adaptation, mitigation and governance challenges tional climate change negotiations can be remedied by concerted action on the part of african leaders in the. Water resources are subjected to high hydroclimatic variability over space and time, and are a key constraint on the continents continued economic development. Rainfall patterns fluctuate with a mean rainfall of only 464 mm compared to a world average of 857 mm. National climate change response white paper environmental. Food security concerns the available amount of food for a. This will happen at the same time as socioeconomic development increases the demand for water. Impact of climate change on food security and health in southern africa two of the most important issues impacted on by climate change described above in southern africa are food security and human health. Prioritizing climate change adaptation and local level.
On the one hand, the country has to fast track provision of adequate transport, power, communication networks, water, sanitation and other infrastructure services. Apr 03, 2012 the impact of climate change on south africa jenny griffin, south africa original post. Climate change causes rising sea levels,increased temperatures, great severity of natural disasters but this climate change is having a more severe impact on south africa. South africas ndc addresses adaptation commitments, mitigation commitments and investment requirements for both. Agricultural impacts the african union regards climate change as a very real threat to the future of the african continent, and one that will specifically threaten african ecological sustainability. South africas emissions by 2025 and 2030 will be in a range between 398 and 614 mt co 2. It is part of a larger study on the effect of climate change on agriculture in africa, managed by the world bank and coordinated by the centre for environmental economics and policy in africa ceepa, university of pretoria, south africa. South africas per capita emissions are high as compared with other countries on the african continent and even globally, and as a result climate change mitigation has been a focus for. The major impacts of these projected changes in south africa during the 21st century are. A preliminary analysis of unmitigated damage costs find, read and cite all the research. Falciparum malaria will spread into the african highlands. Introduction united nations framework convention on.
While slow progress with mitigation, especially in the energy sector, has garnered much attention, focus is now shifting to. Agriculture is considered as the largest main economic activities in africa and it. Climate change response white paper3 and south africas second national communication under the united nations framework convention on climate change2 snc. Chairperson, south africa associates itself with the statement made by pakistan on behalf of g77 and china. South africas national response considers both development needs and climate change imperatives.
The impacts of climate change on food security and health in. Pdf climate change impacts and adaptation in south africa. Forests, rangelands and climate change in southern africa. South africa s per capita emissions are high as compared with other countries on the african continent and even globally, and as a result climate change mitigation has been a focus for. Lesotho the key objectives of the napa process entail.
Solutions for a changing climate african development bank. Effects of climate change on dairy cattle, south africa. Climate change mitigation in south africa development. South africas response to climate change was presented. Martin humanities 9 period 15 january 12, 2015 climate change in africa introductionwhat is the impact of climate change in africa. Melting glaciers imply that life in the arctic is affected by climate change. Wed like to understand how you use our websites in order to improve them.
Over the next few decades climate change will intensify the worst effects of poverty through its impacts on biodiversity, water resources, agriculture, health, and almost every sector of society. Pdf economic impacts of climate change in south africa. The cop21 summit in paris provides a platform for raising the global ambition, setting a course that avoids climate disaster and showcasing africas pathway for a. South africa s response to climate change was presented. Exploring the impact of climate change on children in south.
This affect is seen in the agriculture of south africa and is felt by the less privileged people living in impoverished communities. South africas second national climate change report. The countrys emissions per capita are about 10 tons of co 2 personyear, the eighth highest in the world. Water resources are already under pressure in south africa and climate change will lead to a decline in the availability of surface water resources. Africa is well positioned to expand the power generation needed to drive growth, deliver energy for all and play a leadership role in the crucial climate change negotiations. Climate change and south africa s natural 3 resources 3. South africa s climate change response is directed primarily by the countrys climate change policy set out in the nccrwp dea 2011. Pdf on jan 1, 2002, jane turpie and others published economic impacts of climate change in south africa. Climate change definition, a longterm change in the earths climate, especially a change due to an increase in the average atmospheric temperature. Impacts, adaptation and vulnerability, contribution of working group ii to the fourth assessment report of the intergovernmental panel on climate change, cambridge. Assessing the role of climate change in malaria transmission.
Climate change, land degradation and desertification are expected to affect african countries. Mar 19, 2019 globally, the response to climate change is gradually gaining momentum as the impacts of climate change unfold. However, climate change poses a real risk to these natural assets, as well as to the people who live in this beautiful country. Globally, the response to climate change is gradually gaining momentum as the impacts of climate change unfold. The nccrwp together with the ndp addresses the immediate and observed threats of climate change to the countrys society, economy and environment and provide the basis for tracking south africa s transition to a climate resilient society and lower carbon. Although the research base is wide and growing every day, this fact sheet centers on a select group of themes in literature around gender and climate. Since the 2006 saeo, local and global research has advanced its understanding of the projected impacts of climate change.
But the persistent needs and wants of the developing. Climate change impacts and adaptation in south africa. African climate change strategy page v climdev climate for development coi indian ocean commission comesa common market for eastern and southern africa. Context south africa is the largest contributor to greenhouse gas ghg emissions in africa and the 11th largest emitter globally. Changing weather patterns and rising average temperatures are increasing the frequency and intensity of dry spells and droughts, creating major water security challenges, improving. Like many other developing countries, south africa is especially vulnerable to the impacts of climate change kreft, eckstein and melchior, 2017. The perception of and adaptation to climate change in africa. Both have a direct and essential impact on human existence. Essay about the impact of climate change on africa bartleby. Although the research base is wide and growing every day, this fact sheet centers on a select group of themes in literature around gender and climate change in africa, including agriculture, forests, water. This paper was funded by the gef and the world bank. Greenhouse gas emissions in south africa grew from 347. Pdf effects of climate change on dairy cattle, south africa. South africa may experience water shortages, as one of a variety of impacts which climate change will have on the region.
In south africa, it is increasingly apparent that delays in responding to climate change over the past decades have jeopardized human life and livelihoods. Earth experiences runaway climate change and we will be powerless to. Compared with the rest of the world, south africa only emits 1. Climate change and south africas natural 3 resources 3. Other partners throughout africa are contributing content which will make the portal an important research and public policy instrument. The impact of climate change on south africa jenny griffin, south africa original post. Solutions for a changing climate this brochure highlights afdbs response to climate change in africa by illustrating successful programs and projects managed by the bank together with development partners in key economic sectors including energy, transport, water and sanitation, agriculture and health. The climate of south africa is typically warm with temperatures ranging between 0c and 35c. The effects of climate change on africa 1420 words 6 pages. In climate terms, south africa is already living on the edge. Adaptation to climate change presents south africa with an opportunity to transform the economy, strengthen the social and spatial fabric, and become more competitive in the global marketplace. Climate change cases have been brought in at least 28 countries around the. Talks are now over at the cop17 united nations climate conference in durban, south africa. Water is the one of the most vulnerable resources in south africa, because the countrys rainfall is so unpredictable, and because its climate is so arid.
Impacts of climate change on health and wellbeing in south africa. In south africa, broadly speaking, climate change projections up to 2050 show significant warming 58c over the interior, a risk of drier conditions to the. Climate change is a slow, natural cycle that causes the earths temperature to rise and fall periodically over centuries. Climate change, development and energy problems in south africa. As a result of climate change, malaria burden is likely to increase in the tropics, the highland regions, and east africa and along the northern limit of falciparum malaria. Climate change will amplify existing stress on water availability in africa high confidence. The climate change annual report reflects on the progress in undertaking these actions with the aim of recognising ongoing actions, quantifying their impact, catalysing new actions and indicating how these actions contribute to the national imperatives of reducing poverty and inequality, and. South africa is faced with a difficult challenge in trying to juggle three imperatives development conventionally based on fossil fuels, poverty eradication and climate change. The designations employed and the presentation of material in this information product do not imply the. However, climate change was rated on a par with pollution as a less significant threat to biodiversity than. West africa has been identified as a climatechange hotspot, with climate change likely to lessen crop yields and production, with resultant impacts on food security. West africa has been identified as a climate change hotspot, with climate change likely to lessen crop yields and production, with resultant impacts on food security. Rural transport and climate change in south africa. South africa faces the challenge of climate change as a developing country, with overriding priorities to eliminate poverty and eradicate inequality.