Is South Africa's climate change behind the brutal storms that hit the Western Cape? The wildfire left untold destruction in its wake and destroyed several homes. The ferocious winds tore roofs off buildings and even overturned vehicles on highways.
Heavy rain and flooding have been reported in low-lying areas, and the impact will only worsen as the worst of the weather arrives on Monday (8 April 2024). To make matters worse, thousands of people living in informal settlements were forced to flee and most of their worldly possessions were lost in the aftermath of the destruction.
climate change in south africa
A nearly similar storm was also caused by the same cutoff minimum just seven months earlier. September 2023. Now, one has to wonder whether these extreme weather events are actually related to climate change in South Africa. Referring to the information released by Green Peace, it is safe to say that these two storms are not just a coincidence.
Greenpeace says climate change in South Africa is accelerating. Specifically, “the average annual temperature in South Africa is twice that of the world average (0.7℃). Extreme heat and cold are increasing. Rainfall seasonality is changing and rainfall is increasing,” the nonprofit said.
Abnormal weather
The Western Cape is experiencing its windiest summer on record while Gauteng and other northern regions are experiencing a severe heatwave, low rainfall and reduced natural water supplies. . This has sparked multiple wildfires that authorities have been fighting valiantly over the past five months.
Of note is South Africa's inclusion in the ranking. 96 from 182 The 2022 Climate Scorecard report assesses countries on their vulnerability to climate change. While South Africa's climate change problem persists, Mzansi's inequality problem also looms large. and the ability of social systems to cope with the negative effects of climate change and extreme weather events. As a result, thousands of people are displaced in informal settlements in the event of a wildfire or flood.
Mzansi is heating up…but not in a good way
Additionally, if global temperature increases continue on their current trajectory, semi-arid South Africa could experience the highest temperature increases. 4℃ It will increase over the next 75 years. This could be catastrophic for our food security, ecosystems and human settlements. And adding insult to injury is the fact that we are the only ones to blame.
Despite being a relatively small country, we are one of the world's largest emitters of greenhouse gases and are among the top 25 dirtiest countries in the world. 90% Most of our energy comes from Eskom's dirty coal-fired power stations. And over the past two decades, precious little progress has been made toward the transition to renewable energy.
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