South Africans urged to prepare for impact of climate change
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has warned of increased temperatures and extreme heat events throughout the summer season.
Most parts of the country have been experiencing heatwaves as a result of changes in temperatures, with intermittent breaks and rainfall across some areas of South Africa.
“Although we are expecting some rainfall in the next few days in the eastern and northern parts of the country, climate change is here,” says CSIR meteorologist Dr Johan Malherbe.
The number of hot days in South Africa is projected to increase, which means farmers and society must prepare for the “lifestyle modifications” that climate change will demand, he adds.
The highest temperature increases occurred in the northern parts of the country, with temperatures going beyond 40 ºC.
“This is typically the time of year during which we see these types of heatwaves. Our future climate projections also indicate that these increases in temperature will continue, and can have a huge impact on the occurrence of fires, for example,” Malherbe warns.
With South Africa traditionally experiencing either “just enough or too little” rainfall, an increase in temperatures without an increase in rainfall will worsen the impact of the conditions.
“We need to come up with alternative ways of adapting to climate change.”
CSIR environmental health scientist Juanette John says the effect of climate change is felt differently in different areas and by different individuals, as it is not only based on their exposure, but also on a variety of other factors.
“The impact and effect of climate change are dependent on where people live, the type of work they do and their age, among other factors.”
The potential health impacts may result from direct exposure to an increase in temperatures and extreme weather events or from indirect exposure, such as changes in air quality, and through impacts on agriculture.
Article Enquiry
Email Article
Save Article
Feedback
To advertise email advertising@creamermedia.co.za or click here
Research Reports
Projects
Latest Multimedia
Latest News
Showroom
M and J Mining are leading suppliers of physical support systems as used by the underground mining industry. Our selection of products are not...
VISIT SHOWROOM
Astore Keymak is one of South Africa’s leading suppliers of high-quality Thermoplastic Pipeline Systems, with branches in the major provinces.
VISIT SHOWROOM
Press Office
Announcements
What's On
Subscribe to improve your user experience...
Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):
Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format
Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):
All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors
including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.
Already a subscriber?
Forgotten your password?
Receive weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine (print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
➕
Recieve daily email newsletters
➕
Access to full search results
➕
Access archive of magazine back copies
➕
Access to Projects in Progress
➕
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format
RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA
R4500 (equivalent of R375 a month)
SUBSCRIBEAll benefits from Option 1
➕
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports on various industrial and mining sectors, in PDF format, including on:
Electricity
➕
Water
➕
Energy Transition
➕
Hydrogen
➕
Roads, Rail and Ports
➕
Coal
➕
Gold
➕
Platinum
➕
Battery Metals
➕
etc.
Receive all benefits from Option 1 or Option 2 delivered to numerous people at your company
➕
Multiple User names and Passwords for simultaneous log-ins
➕
Intranet integration access to all in your organisation
