Climate change means enormous challenges, but shifting strategies sooner rather than later can still make a difference
In South Africa, the impact of climate change is no longer a distant concern – it’s a harsh reality that’s already reshaping the landscape. The country faces an unpredictable climate that brings with it an escalating frequency of extreme weather events. From severe droughts and devastating wildfires to torrential storms and catastrophic flooding, the effects of climate change are disrupting lives and damaging vital infrastructure.
However, while the challenges are formidable, they are not insurmountable. The time for action is now, and engineers in South Africa are calling for climate action that can mitigate the damage and build a more resilient, sustainable future for the country.
Changing weather patterns will continue to affect several sectors, especially agriculture, which relies on stable weather conditions for food production. Prolonged droughts are one of the most pressing challenges and the ramifications are far-reaching. Agriculture, a significant part of the economy, will be under immense strain as water resources become scarcer.
The combined effect of these droughts and the increasing frequency of heatwaves – some of which could exceed 40°C – poses not only a risk to human health but also to the energy and water infrastructure. There will be more power shortages as the demand for energy increases during these heatwaves and many will be left struggling for access to clean water.
The risk of wildfires is also growing. In the dry, windy conditions expected in many regions, the potential for fires to spiral out of control is frighteningly high. This is especially true in areas with large expanses of dry vegetation, where fires can spread quickly, devastating both property and wildlife. Furthermore, heavy rainfall in some regions will continue to lead to flooding, especially in urban areas with outdated or poorly maintained drainage systems. As the frequency of high intensity rainfall increases, these areas will face the double burden of more water and inadequate infrastructure to handle it. This scenario not only threatens lives but also undermines economic activities, as businesses and homes are damaged or destroyed.
Involve the people
Community leaders and citizens play a pivotal role in responding to the impacts of climate change. Effective preparation starts with collaboration. Local leaders must work alongside experts, scientists and community members to develop and implement climate action plans tailored to the specific vulnerabilities of their areas. One of the most important areas to address is infrastructure resilience.
While nature-based solutions, such as the restoration of wetlands or green spaces in urban areas, can help mitigate flooding and reduce the impact of extreme weather, building climate resilience, critical focus must be placed on infrastructure. This includes fixing leaks to avoid the devastating water loss many areas are facing and upgrading and maintaining systems.
Leadership required
For South Africa to adapt effectively to climate change, the government must take bold, immediate action. Adaptation is not just about responding to the hazards themselves but also about reducing the vulnerability of communities to those hazards.
A critical area for adaptation is water management. Upgrading and repairing infrastructure should be a national priority. In addition, rainwater harvesting, wastewater reuse and desalination are all valuable solutions to help manage water resources more efficiently. However, these must be seen as part of a broader strategy to improve the sustainability and resilience of the entire water supply system.
The government also needs to strengthen its emergency response systems. This includes investing in early warning systems and ensuring that local communities are adequately prepared for floods, heatwaves and fires. Vulnerable areas, such as informal settlements, should receive targeted assistance in disaster preparedness and response planning.
Planned movement
The reliance on maize as the primary staple crop leaves the country vulnerable to drought conditions, as maize is highly water intensive. Alternative crops like millet, sorghum and legumes, which are more drought resistant, should be promoted. These crops not only offer a buffer against climate-induced crop failures but also help create a more diverse, sustainable food system.
Adaptation to climate change is inextricably linked to the global conversation on climate action. At the COP29, developing countries like South Africa were allocated US$300 billion for climate action, a fraction of the US$1.3 trillion that experts had originally estimated as necessary. While the allocation is a step in the right direction, it falls short of what is needed to help developing countries adapt to the climate crisis.
This budget should be focused on several key areas: the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, improving infrastructure resilience and investing in climate-smart agriculture. This energy transition will be central to reducing emissions and mitigating the impacts of climate change. However, this transition must be done in a way that does not leave workers in the fossil fuel sector behind. Reskilling and upskilling programmes for these workers should be a priority.
Text | Karen King
Photography | Juergen Faelchle
Karen King is Director of Climate Resilience at Royal HaskoningDHV. For more information, go to royalhaskoningdhv.com.
