Climate change has evaded world leaders
THE devastating coastal floods that sent shock waves across the South Coast demonstrate the awesome consequences of global climatic change.
The area should be declared a state of disaster.
The destruction defies description. Its scope and depth defies a rational explanation. KZN will always be in the cross-hairs of these powerful events. Resolutions and a plethora of statements to control climate degradation will be passed, as usual. Reality has evaded our global world leaders.
Climate change continues to degrade the ecology of the planet on a monumental scale. Catastrophic storms will continue to batter our planet as climate change envelops the Earth on a frightening scale.
The earth-shattering events could be attributed to a mix of unusual weather exacerbated by climate change. Mega storms contribute to land degradation, resulting in economic loss and reduced biological diversity, and adverse impacts on human health and distribution of transport through reduced visibility.
A study published by Scientific Reports stated that deforestation and mega- droughts were increasingly becoming a feature of our changing climate and would probably create conditions for the return of massive duststorms.
Protection of the biosphere and biodiversity was relevant to all mankind.
About 160 years ago, the brilliant leader of the American Suquamish tribe, Chief Seattle, after whom the city is named, spoke the following prophetic words to his white conquerors: ”Teach your children what we have taught ours, that the Earth is our mother. Whatever befalls the Earth, befalls the sons of the Earth. The Earth does not belong to man, man belongs to the Earth.
“Man did not weave the web of life, he is merely a strand in it.we did not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.”
Ignore his warnings at your peril. FAROUK ARAIE | Johannesburg