Climate change is one of the most pressing global issues, and it has implications for many sectors. The impacts of climate change are not evenly distributed across countries, regions, and sectors. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), South Africa will experience more severe climate-related impacts than any other African country, including changing rainfall patterns, increased temperatures and more frequent extreme weather events such as floods, droughts, and cyclones. These impacts can have important consequences for economic growth, human health and well-being and biodiversity conservation. This article looks at some of these impacts
Increasing temperatures will reduce crop yields
Climate change is a threat to food security in South Africa, as it will effect yields and livestock production. The impact of climate change on agricultural production in the country is linked closely to its effects on water resources. Climate change will affect both short-term, and annual rainfall patterns and long-term seasonal patterns. This will have implications for how much water is available for irrigation during planting or harvest seasons, as well as how much land area is suitable for agriculture because of changes in soil moisture levels. Changes in temperature and rainfall are also expected to influence the availability of agricultural inputs such as pesticides and fertilizers that farmers need for their crops, further disrupting farming practices (including those used by smallholder farmers).
Impacts of climate change on water resources and quality
Climate change will affect water resources and quality in South Africa. Climate change will increase the frequency of extreme weather events, such as droughts and floods. This means that there may be less fresh water available for people to use for drinking, washing and household use. It also means that there is a higher chance of contamination because of waste products from industry or from polluting industries getting into rivers, streams, and dams.
Climate change will reduce the flow of rivers and streams because more water evaporates when temperatures increase (evaporation). This makes it harder for those living near rivers to get clean drinking water or wash clothes using the river’s water supply.
If you live near a dam, then you might notice that fewer fish are found there than before—this is because warmer temperatures cause lower amounts of oxygen (which fish need) in lakes than normal levels would provide; this makes it harder for these animals to survive!
