scholarly journals A Visual Conversation From South Africa: Climate Resilience and Hope for a Green Recovery

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-25
Author(s):  
Kim Berman ◽  
Janis Sarra
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Visual Art ◽  
Economic Recovery ◽  
Fundamental Aspect ◽  
Art Students ◽  
Visual Research ◽  
Climate Resilience ◽  
The World ◽  
New Generation

As the world copes with two parallel catastrophic events-climate change and COVID-19, this article examines how visual art students in South Africa used the pandemic period to imagine a better world, a green economic recovery, and a closer connection with nature and biodiversity. The visual conversation that this new generation of artists created provides a lens for engaging with a world in change. They generate inspirational and resourceful ideas, calling on us to be participatory and inclusive as a fundamental aspect of being human, evoking imagination to create alternative visions in collaboration with others. New understandings through visual research can provide a foundation for developing collective strategies toward economic and social security, and flourishing individually and as community.

The World Economic Forum Principles on "Climate Governance on Corporate Boards": can soft law help to face climate change around the world?

2020 ◽  
pp. 37-55
Author(s):  
Sabrina Bruno
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Boards Of Directors ◽  
Soft Law ◽  
Corporate Boards ◽  
World Economic Forum ◽  
Financial Factor ◽  
The World ◽  
World Economic

Climate change is a financial factor that carries with it risks and opportunities for companies. To support boards of directors of companies belonging to all jurisdictions, the World Economic Forum issued in January 2019 eight Principlescontaining both theoretical and practical provisions on: climate accountability, competence, governance, management, disclosure and dialogue. The paper analyses each Principle to understand scope and managerial consequences for boards and to evaluate whether the legal distinctions, among the various jurisdictions, may undermine the application of the Principles or, by contrast, despite the differences the Principles may be a useful and effective guidance to drive boards' of directors' conduct around the world in handling climate change challenges. Five jurisdictions are taken into consideration for this comparative analysis: Europe (and UK), US, Australia, South Africa and Canada. The conclusion is that the WEF Principles, as soft law, is the best possible instrument to address boards of directors of worldwide companies, harmonise their conduct and effectively help facing such global emergency.

scholarly journals Bamboo Fale: Climate of Change

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Emily Cayford
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Pacific Islands ◽  
Storm Surges ◽  
Extreme Weather Events ◽  
Developed Country ◽  
Sea Levels ◽  
Climate Resilience ◽  
Weather Events ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
The World

<p>The world is currently sitting on the brink of a massive upheaval as Climate Change continues to intensify. At this stage, there is no apparent turning back: the only remaining option is to adapt. While many countries are already feeling the effects, the most vulnerable lie within the Pacific Islands.  With 70% of the Samoan population living along their coastline (The World Bank, 2016), the country is identified as one of the most vulnerable Pacific Islands. It is prone to high waves and storm surges, along with tropical cyclones, which destroy livelihoods and housing, as well as claiming lives.  The traditional architecture of Samoa was originally built to withstand such weather events, but has not been adapting to resist the increased cyclone intensity and rising sea levels. The materials and building practices currently used within Samoa do not have the properties to resist these extreme weather events.  Western building practises have been introduced and into the Samoan construction industry, but has not yet successfully been integrated. Combinations of traditional and Western building practises are, instead, resulting in buildings more vulnerable than ever. This issue remains unresolved, with unsuitable housing remaining one of the largest dilemmas currently faced by Samoa’s inhabitants.  Samoa recently graduated from the classification: Least Developed Country, to be classified as a Developing Country (Pilot Programme for Climate Resilience). This places Samoa as one of the more developed nations of the Pacific, therefore encouraging Samoa to take the lead in resilience to the ever imposing effects of Climate Change. Samoa has a close relationship with both New Zealand and Australia and therefore has access to building expertise, education and materials. Why, then, is Samoa so lacking in architectural resilience to the effects of Climate Change?  This paper endeavours to investigate this gap and, in turn provide a potential resolution. These solutions could aid other Pacific countries as well as encouraging further architectural resilience that can then be mirrored by the remaining, vulnerable countries of the Pacific.  This thesis first investigates the question:  “Why has Samoan culture not developed stronger architectural resilience against Climate Change?”  This thesis then evolves to question:  “How can Samoan architecture be hybridised to influence increased architectural resilience against Climate Change?”</p>

scholarly journals To Examine Coping Adaptive Strategies Used by Households and Make Policy Recommendations for Addressing Future Climate Change Impacts on Livelihoods in Kapsokwony Division, Mt. Elgon Sub-County, Bungoma County, Kenya

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 251-269
Author(s):  
Sindani Bon Bonzemo
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Economic Development ◽  
Climate Variability ◽  
Social Economic ◽  
Adaptive Strategies ◽  
Policy Recommendations ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Climate Resilience ◽  
The World ◽  
Social Economic Development

Long and short term changes in climate are disproportionately affecting all parts of the world in equal measure. The most impacted by vagaries of climate change are the most vulnerable and the poor who live in the developing world. Climate change and climate variability impacts the smallholder farmers though they continue to apply traditional technologies in order to cope with climate change vulnerability. In most of the parts the world over, coping strategies are lacking especially in the African States. Trans-disciplinary research approach was used to analyze the perception of community’s’ responses to climate change and climate variability at the household level. The purpose of this study was to build new transformation knowledge by integrating the traditional and the modern adaptive technologies in order to transform lives of the indigenous communities in the study area. This paper therefore explores and highlights the existing and modern technologies which can be employed by farmers to counteract the impacts of climate change and climate variability. Primary data was collected through in-depth and informant interviews together with Focused Group Discussions (FGDs) and a structured questionnaire administered to 384 household heads in twelve sub-locations in the study area (Kapsokwony Division) formed the basis of these policy recommendations. Secondary data constituting rainfall and temperature parameters was collected from Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD). The long and short term integrated adaptive strategies and policy recommendations generated and developed by all the actors including those from the academia and the traditional communities during the research are meant to build climate resilience and adaptive capacity at local and national levels. A framework that has been developed by this research will help support policy decisions in conservation agriculture and livestock rearing systems, water resource management, change in social behavior, accessing early warning information, promotion of organic farming and human health systems. If fully implemented these policy recommendations will go a long way to bring a paradigm shift that will improve livelihoods and social economic development in the region. These recommendations can be replicated in any other region of the world to bring about desired changes to a people impacted by climate change. The research study achieved capacity building, resilience, adaptive learning, change in attitude and behavior, community empowerment, application of transformation knowledge as well as climate change awareness amongst area residents. The new societal knowledge was used to elucidate long term policies and adaptive strategies to enhance climate resilience, help eliminate poverty levels, improve livelihoods and sustain social economic development. The study recommends collaboration among stakeholders and integration of various sources of knowledge in addressing climate change and climate variability among residents in Kapsokwony Sub-county. Further research should be carried out in the future to corroborate these findings.

scholarly journals THE ROLE OF LAW AND GOVERNANCE IN ADVANCING CLIMATE RESILIENCE AND CLIMATE JUSTICE

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Otitoola Olufolajimi
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Social Economic ◽  
Large Section ◽  
Climate Resilience ◽  
The Earth ◽  
The World ◽  
Global Population ◽  
Impacts Of Climate Change

Climate change is a threat to the earth and sustainable development. There is no country in the world that is not experiencing first-hand, the drastic effects of climate change.7 Indeed, a large section of the global population already suffers or is in some way affected by the adverse effects of climate change, including its impacts on agriculture, aquaculture, livelihoods, biological diversity, health and a broad range of human rights. Although the impacts of climate change are felt globally, developing countries will bear the brunt of their social, economic and environmental effects.

scholarly journals Climate change threats to a floral wedding: Threats of shifting phenology to the emerging South African wedding industry

2019 ◽  
Vol 45 (45) ◽  
pp. 7-23
Author(s):  
Mazozo N. Mahlangu ◽  
Jennifer M. Fitchett
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Natural Environment ◽  
Mixed Method ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Adaptive Strategies ◽  
The World ◽  
Phenological Shifts ◽  
Method Approach

AbstractWedding tourism is a fast emerging niche market both globally and in South Africa, as destination weddings are becoming increasingly popular. Wedding industries across the world, and specifically in South Africa, are increasingly dependent on the natural environment. Wedding venues with floral gardens, farms, orchards or forests are particularly popular. Beyond the venue, flowers are important for the bouquets and decoration, with popular blooms changing year on year. Shifting phenology – the timing of annually recurrent biological events – has been identified as one of the most sensitive responses to climate change. This poses a threat to the sustainability of floral wedding venues and the floral industry relating to weddings. This exploratory study utilizes an interdisciplinary mixed-method approach to record the importance of flowers in South African weddings and the perceived threats of climate change to this subsector. The respondents reveal the importance of flowers and the outdoors in both symbolism and the enjoyment of the wedding day, and had organised their wedding date to align with flowering. Destinations highlight a lack of awareness regarding phenological threats and are relatively unperturbed about the threats of climate change. Comparison to global phenological shifts reveals that these are misplaced. There is, therefore, a need for such wedding venues to adopt adaptive strategies to preserve their environment which drives wedding tourism.

The impact of climate change on South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 69-71
Author(s):  
Kiara Mahadev
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Population Density ◽  
Impact Of Climate Change ◽  
Global Challenge ◽  
Difficult Time ◽  
The World ◽  
The Impact

Climate change has quickly become one of the greatest challenges impacting regions all over the world. Despite it being a global challenge, developing countries have had a much more difficult time combating these effects (South Africa’s 2nd Annual Climate Change Report, 2017). This is largely due to the population density, lack of funds and necessary resources in most developing countries. This article will explore climate change and the impact of this phenomenon on the country of South Africa.

scholarly journals Climate change impacts and effects on health system: A challenge towards achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 3 in South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
pp. 950-967
Author(s):  
Happy Mathew Tirivangasi ◽  
Sejabaledi Agnes Rankoana ◽  
Louis Nyahunda
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Sustainable Development Goal ◽  
Development Goal ◽  
Vector Borne Diseases ◽  
The World ◽  
Vector Borne ◽  
Impacts Of Climate Change

The aim of this paper is to present climate change health related effects that may pose a challenge for South Africa to attain South Africa’s plans to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SGD) 3. It examined South Africa’s preparedness to address the impacts of climate change in order to best achieve SDGs 3. Climate change is a challenging phenomenon, which has seen many people around the world being affected by its effects unaware and unprepared. Climate change affects weather patterns, for instance rainfall patterns and temperatures. Consequently, this resulted in draughts, floods, diseases, veld fires, high temperatures, changing times of floods occurrences and depleted water resources in Africa and the rest of the world. This has placed human life in danger. Considering the increasing burden of diseases, the United Nations (UN) adopted Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to address of poverty, hunger disease and want by 2030. However, climate change threatens the ability of countries to achieve this by the anticipated time. The researchers conducted an extensive content analysis by interrogating various sources of literatures sources that include journal articles, thesis, academic books, and documents written by the government of South Africa. The study reveals that that climate related deaths will increase between 2030 and 2050 due to these health impacts of climate change. The study reveals that South Africa, like many other countries in Sub-Saharan Africa faces threat of vector borne diseases, mental health, malnutrition, and diarrheal, and other disease resulting from water scarcity and heat waves. This comes because of high prevalence of drought, floods, and increased temperatures. The study recommends early awareness and new communication strategies for the promotion of mental health, heat education campaign and prevention of vector borne diseases.  

scholarly journals Bamboo Fale: Climate of Change

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Emily Cayford
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Pacific Islands ◽  
Storm Surges ◽  
Extreme Weather Events ◽  
Developed Country ◽  
Sea Levels ◽  
Climate Resilience ◽  
Weather Events ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
The World

<p>The world is currently sitting on the brink of a massive upheaval as Climate Change continues to intensify. At this stage, there is no apparent turning back: the only remaining option is to adapt. While many countries are already feeling the effects, the most vulnerable lie within the Pacific Islands.  With 70% of the Samoan population living along their coastline (The World Bank, 2016), the country is identified as one of the most vulnerable Pacific Islands. It is prone to high waves and storm surges, along with tropical cyclones, which destroy livelihoods and housing, as well as claiming lives.  The traditional architecture of Samoa was originally built to withstand such weather events, but has not been adapting to resist the increased cyclone intensity and rising sea levels. The materials and building practices currently used within Samoa do not have the properties to resist these extreme weather events.  Western building practises have been introduced and into the Samoan construction industry, but has not yet successfully been integrated. Combinations of traditional and Western building practises are, instead, resulting in buildings more vulnerable than ever. This issue remains unresolved, with unsuitable housing remaining one of the largest dilemmas currently faced by Samoa’s inhabitants.  Samoa recently graduated from the classification: Least Developed Country, to be classified as a Developing Country (Pilot Programme for Climate Resilience). This places Samoa as one of the more developed nations of the Pacific, therefore encouraging Samoa to take the lead in resilience to the ever imposing effects of Climate Change. Samoa has a close relationship with both New Zealand and Australia and therefore has access to building expertise, education and materials. Why, then, is Samoa so lacking in architectural resilience to the effects of Climate Change?  This paper endeavours to investigate this gap and, in turn provide a potential resolution. These solutions could aid other Pacific countries as well as encouraging further architectural resilience that can then be mirrored by the remaining, vulnerable countries of the Pacific.  This thesis first investigates the question:  “Why has Samoan culture not developed stronger architectural resilience against Climate Change?”  This thesis then evolves to question:  “How can Samoan architecture be hybridised to influence increased architectural resilience against Climate Change?”</p>

Energy Poverty and Climate Change

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcio Giannini Pereira ◽  
Neilton Fidelis da Silva ◽  
Marcos A.V. Freitas
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Climate Changes ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Human Dimension ◽  
Human Right ◽  
Energy Poverty ◽  
The World ◽  
Basic Services

Energy is essential to human survival. Supplying energy to all citizens is a requirement for social well-being and for a country’s economic development. The aim of this chapter is to discuss the differences in the availability of electricity around the world, mainly in Brazil, China, India, and South Africa, from a perspective of access as a human right. In this context, the concept of energy poverty and its nexus to climate changes will be discussed, considering the human dimension and equity. Moreover, this chapter presents metrics and new metrics (energy/climate changes), emphasizing the need to promote a program focused on access to electric power and to expand other basic services in developing countries.

Ecological Social Work in South Africa and the Way Forward

2021 ◽  
pp. 151-174
Author(s):  
Linda Arkert ◽  
Issie Jacobs
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Environmental Justice ◽  
Environmental Degradation ◽  
Hot Spot ◽  
Sustainable Environment ◽  
The Poor ◽  
The World ◽  
Social Work Practitioners

Internationally, social work has been delayed in engaging with ecological social work. The delay is reflected in South Africa, which is predicted to be a hot spot where the impacts of climate change and environmental degradation are already being experienced. The effects of climate change and environmental degradation are social and environmental justice issues as the marginalized and poor in this country and the world have already been experiencing dire consequences. Social work practitioners and academics, in their roles as advocates for the marginalized and the poor, are therefore duty-bound to act for a sustainable environment for both people and the planet. In this chapter, the authors examine ecological social work in South Africa, its importance, and how it could become part of the global call for an ecological social work approach.

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