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Mail & Guardian
francois engelbrechtlatest news & developments
the country’s climate future is fast becoming hotter, drier and more dangerous. (Delwyn Verasamy, M&G)
CLIMATE ADAPTATION

South Africa’s major climate threats — from drought to deadly heatwaves

From collapsing maize yields to a possible cyclone hitting Richards Bay, a Wits expert warns that South Africa’s climate future is fast becoming hotter, drier and more dangerous

  • Sheree Bega
8 min read
In recent years, research Wright and colleagues led has highlighted how prolonged heat exposure places outdoor workers, children, older people and low-income communities at increased risk of dehydration, heat stress, respiratory illness and other adverse health outcomes. The risks are expected to intensify as temperatures continue to rise. (Envato Elements)
TEMPERATURE RECORDS

Heatwaves: ‘This is just the beginning’

The lengthy period of very high temperatures in November broke monthly records This content is restricted to registered users and subscribers. Get Your Free Account The Mail &…

  • Sheree Bega
1 min read
Sub-Saharan Africa is on the front line of the climate crisis, facing rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, extreme weather events and mounting threats to food security and infrastructure.
AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH COUNCIL

Prepare for El Niño, agriculture and climate experts warn

The phenomenon has historically been associated with drier, warmer conditions over the summer rainfall regions of South Africa

  • Sheree Bega
7 min read
Warning: People on the Greek island of Rhodes left fruit on scorched land to help animals survive after wildfires swept through the area this month. (Angelos Tzortzinis/Getty Images)
CLIMATE CHANGE

SA should prepare for hottest summer ever, climate experts warn

A study says extreme heat in North America, Europe and China in July were made more likely by human-driven climate change

  • Sheree Bega
7 min read
Cyclone Idai’s devastation of Beira.
CLIMATE CHANGE

Wits co-leads initiative to mitigate effects of tropical cyclones

R110m pioneering project aims to boost resilience to tropical cyclones in Southern Africa and Madagascar

  • Sheree Bega
7 min read
The water crisis has become a defining feature of municipal service delivery in Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni, with the greatest impact felt in poor and marginalised communities.
CLIMATE CHANGE

‘Gauteng water crisis is unacceptable when dams are at 95%’

It’s a ‘huge concern because how are we going to cope with a real drought’

  • Sheree Bega
8 min read
People walk with their belongings in a flooded area after the Nile river overflowed after continuous heavy rain which caused thousands of people to be displaced in Bor, central South Sudan, on August 8, 2020. (Photo by Akuot Chol / AFP)
BOB SCHOLES

The dummy’s guide to climate change for southern Africa

Though there is no going back and fixing what we have done, we can certainly all take responsibility for our corner of the world to ensure we have a fighting chance

  • Sheree Bega
6 min read
Relief: A man uses fans spraying air mixed with water vapour to cool down in a street in Iraq’s capital Baghdad during June’s severe heat wave. Photo: Ahmad al-Rubaye/AFP/Getty Images
ALS PARAMEDICS

South Africa unprepared for intense heatwaves of the next 20 years

Garrith Jamieson and his paramedic colleagues were on high alert days before a scorching heatwave struck Durban earlier this month. With the mercury expected to soar to 40°C and…

  • Sheree Bega
6 min read
Dirty work: A bucket wheel excavator at the Garzweiler coal mine in Germany. Fossil fuels are contributing to greenhouse gas emissions, which drives climate change. Photo: Ina Fassbender/AFP
CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL RIGHTS

‘Fingerprints of climate change are everywhere’

There’s still there hope that COP26 will deliver a powerful pact for action

  • Sheree Bega
4 min read
Drought equaliser: Cape Town residents queued to refill water bottles at Newlands Spring. This may soon be Gauteng’s future. (Morgana Wingard/Getty Images)
ARCTIC

Climate crisis: ‘Day Zero’ drought risk for Gauteng

Long droughts may result in dams unable to adequately supply the industrial heartland

  • Sheree Bega
6 min read