CLIMATE CHANGE AND SOUTH AFRICA: IMPACTS AND RESPONSES

Dr Peter Johnston, climatologist, Department of Environmental and Geographic Science, University of Cape Town

This course will present the scientific basis of global warming and climate change and the anticipated impacts on the environment, both human and natural . Implications for agriculture, health and water will be discussed . Attention will be given to mitigating these impacts through the reduction of carbon in the atmosphere and the reduction of individual and collective carbon footprints . Alternatives to coal energy forms a mainstay of mitigation; the implications will be presented . Since mitigation is unlikely to occur within the time frames required to keep CO2 limits within reasonable and acceptable levels it will be necessary to respond by adapting to a future climate that threatens water, agriculture and health . Adaptations that will be required as well as some that are already being adopted will be discussed.

LECTURE TITLES

1. Impacts: The scientific evidence of climate change

2. Mitigation: Can it be avoided or prevented?

3. Adaptation: Life goes on. How do we respond?

Recommended reading

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/global-warming-effects/