SA must heed environment warning

EARLIER this month, Nasa and the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued a statement that identified 2016 as the hottest in recorded history, breaking records set in 2015 and 2014. These are respected organisations staffed by some of the world’s smartest scientists and it would be wise not to ignore their findings.

But global warming denialists accuse environmentalists of alarmism and say the issue is far from settled. President Donald Trump has in the past said global warming is a hoax perpetrated by the Chinese to harm US economic interests. There has also been a crackdown on the work of the US Environmental Protection Agency. Clearly business interests who profit from the burning of fossil fuels like coal are fighting back.

Ironically, as Trump turns inward, pursuing isolationism and denialism, China is in a position to take a leadership role on globalisation and also on issues like climate change.

Previously one of the worst culprits when it comes to environmental degradation and pollution, the Chinese, with a huge population to look after, are now taking the threat of global warming seriously and introducing new regulations to stem air pollution.

As one of the world’s drier countries, South Africa is painfully aware of how the climate is changing. We are still suffering the effects of a historic drought. Cities and towns everywhere are struggling to cope and we need much more rain to fill our dams and help our farmers and our factories.

Like in the US there are business interests and politicians who are bullying those scientists and communities who are calling for the country to invest in more wind and solar power, instead of going the route of nuclear and coalfired power stations.

We may not have much water but we have plenty of sunshine and wind. But adding more wind and solar power to this country’s energy mix does not suit the pockets of the tenderpreneurs and state capture faction of the ANC.

They do not care about the environment or the long-term future of the country in their pursuit of enormous wealth. We should not be taken in by their selective use of research to back the nuclear build option. We must resist by using logic, facts and common sense.