The country's economy was primarily based on agriculture until the late 19th century.th A century when huge gold and diamond deposits were discovered and everything changed. From 1948 to 1991, South Africa's political system was defined by apartheid (a harsh policy of racial segregation). In 1994, Nelson Mandela became president of a South African country defined by equality rather than inequality.
Over the past 20 years, South Africa's economy has been supported by a healthy high-tech equipment and heavy machinery industry. The country's growing affluence has also led to rapid urbanization.
With 1,500 miles of coastline surrounding the southern tip of Africa, South Africa's narrow, low-lying coastal belt makes up most of the country's geography. Eventually, the coastal plain gives way to mountainous cliffs, which lead to high plateaus inland.
environmental issues in south africa
South Africa's countryside has been mined for more than a century, and its long mining legacy has taken a toll on the country's environment. Other causes of environmental problems in South Africa include agricultural practices and lack of inland water.
Solid waste is produced after separating the gold from the ore, and these materials are usually dumped in huge dumps, while liquid waste is collected in pits. This waste contains trace amounts of radioactive uranium, which can cause serious health conditions such as lung cancer if inhaled.
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The Cullinan mine is famous for the 3106.75 carat Cullinan diamond, the largest gem-quality rough diamond ever discovered. Image credit: Felix Lipov/shutterstock.com
Chemicals used in the mining process also deposit dangerous contaminants within the soil and water table. Assessments of rivers around Johannesburg and Soweto have found the water contains dangerous toxins including uranium, arsenic and cyanide. The land near these areas has also become infertile for agriculture. Post-apartheid overgrazing of livestock will only make matters worse.
Due to the steepness of South Africa's great cliffs, many rivers have very high runoff rates, causing severe soil erosion. In addition, the demand for water necessitated the construction of several dams. South Africa, which is expected to experience high economic development and population growth in the future, may face difficult times in meeting its water needs. Freshwater scarcity is linked to other issues such as forests, loss of normal habitat, and climate change.
South African environmental policy
South Africa's New Growth Path, announced in November 2010, called for a more inclusive and environmentally sustainable economy. One of the priorities of this plan is to foster green economic growth by expanding the creation of solar, wind and biofuel technologies. In 2011, South Africa announced the Green Economy Agreement to strengthen green partnerships within the private sector.
GCIP Global Cleantech Innovation Program for South African SMEs and Start-ups
GCIP Global Cleantech Innovation Program for South African SMEs and start-ups. Video credit: Global Cleantech Innovation Program South Africa/YouTube
In 2012, the government announced a major infrastructure plan focused on energy, transport, and water. The Integrated Resource Plan calls for capping emissions from the energy sector and ensuring that almost 50 per cent of new power generation capacity comes from renewable sources by 2030.
The New Path to Growth also calls for the clean technology sector to create 300,000 jobs by 2020. These jobs will be found in infrastructure development, natural resource management, energy efficiency and emissions control sectors.
South African clean technology
The 2014 Global Clean Technology Innovation Index identified South Africa as a “below average” country in terms of clean technology innovation.
The report calls South Africa, Russia and other countries “laggards” with committed renewable energy targets and clean technologies prioritized in innovation incubators. In this regard, he said that the support system for clean technology innovations being developed is being strengthened. . The report specifically noted that South Africa does not have a public research and development budget and relies on private funding.
South Africa: Environmental issues, policy and clean technology
A clean future?
South Africa remains a developing country, and reports suggest the country still has a ways to go before it can truly achieve a clean future.
A recent report from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) says the global economic downturn and domestic efforts to create jobs and reduce emissions are driving South Africa's continued clean technology policies.
The Global Cleantech Innovation Index suggested that South Africa and other below-average countries need to adapt to the growing demand for energy from renewable sources. The report also said South Africa should connect its clean technology startup community and foster connections with clean technology hubs around the world. The report also recommended that the South African government reach out and become more involved in the global clean technology market.
