WHAT CAN SA DO?

THIS week, Nigeria declared a national disaster after severe floods claimed the lives of 100 people in several states across the country.

President Muhammadu Buhari has since approved $8.2 million (R120m) for the procurement of medical and relief materials.

Zimbabwe has also declared a state of emergency as it grapples with a cholera outbreak.

Goal 13 of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals calls for governments and communities around the world to take urgent action to combat climate change and its effects.

The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) Statement on the State of the Global Climate in 2016 indicated that drought conditions across much of the globe are aggravated by the El Niño phenomenon. It also took note that global sea ice has decreased to a minimum of 4.14 million km2 and that atmospheric carbon dioxide levels have reached a record high of 400 parts per million in the past two years.

As a signatory to the Paris Agreement to Combat Climate Change, South Africa has committed itself to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 34% by 2020 and 42% by 2025. It is also working on a Climate Change Bill.

Can you suggest what South Africa can do to combat climate change or how to plan better in disaster management?

Email: letters@inl.co.za