Climatic conditions generally range from mediterranean in the southwestern corner of the country to. When its winter in holland, its summer in south africa and vice versa. Potential changes in climate may have significant effects on various sectors of south african society. Full technical report on climate trends and scenarios for south africa. Africas climate regions key concepts you must know, or be able to do the following. South africa history, capital, flag, map, population. Unlike africas equatorial countries, where the year is split into rainy and dry seasons, south africa does have four seasonssummer, fall, winter, and springonly they are flipped from the seasons in the northern hemisphere. Pdf the observed and projected changes in the climate of southern africa in the period 19002100 were analysed. It is on this basis that climate change threats to tourism are believed to include damage from natural. South africa statement climate change united nations. The three high that affect south africa are the south atlantic high, kalahari high and the south.
South africas climate change monitoring and evaluation system z. Mark new,2 emma archer van garderen,3 guy midgley,4 anna taylor,5 ralph hamann,6 sabine stuarthill,7. The climate is seasonal, but the country enjoys at least seven months of sunshine, with temperatures dropping in the winter months of may to august. These projections provided insight into potential changes in atmospheric circulation over southern. South africa is the continents major media player, and its broadcasters and press reflect the diversity of its people.
Wright 2, francois venter 1 id, helen rees 1, fiona scorgie 1 and barend erasmus 3 id 1 wits reproductive health and hiv institute, faculty of health sciences, university of the witwatersrand. Although generalizing south africas weather is difficult, there are a few absolutes that apply throughout the country. Other partners throughout africa are contributing content which will make the portal an important research. The climate of south africa is determined by south africas situation between 22s and 35s, in the southern hemispheres subtropical zone, and its location between two oceans, atlantic and the indian. Apr 03, 2012 the impact of climate change on south africa jenny griffin, south africa original post. While slow progress with mitigation, especially in the energy sector, has garnered much attention, focus is now shifting to developing plans and systems to adapt to the impacts of climate change. Globally, the response to climate change is gradually gaining momentum as the impacts of climate change unfold. In this area, annual precipitation drops below 350 mm. This is a country where almost no end to the attractions you can see each person, as the variety of landscapes and activities here are limitless.
With over 58 million people, it is the worlds 24thmost populous nation and covers an area of 1,221,037 kilometres 758,717 mi. S outh africa is on the other side of the equator, so the seasons and climate differ a lot from those of the netherlands and its neighbouring countries. Experts say the government has established several good approaches in the different sectors to make progress in achieving their targets but lacks progress in implementation. Seasonal climate watch south african weather service.
Tracking south africas transition to a lower carbon economy z. Established staterun and commercial tv broadcast nationally, and hundreds. Climate change and sustainable development new york, 30 april 2007 chairperson, south africa associates itself with the statement made by pakistan on behalf of g77 and china. Climate south africa climates to travel world climate guide. Introduction over recent years the world has begun focusing more and more on climate change, an issue that affects the sustainability of the planet and the. Climate change seriously threatens sustainable development, poverty reduction and the achievement of the millennium development goals mdgs, particularly in africa. Pdf exploring the climate sensitivity of tourists to south. Chairperson, south africa associates itself with the statement made by pakistan on behalf of g77 and china.
A synopsis of south africas 2015 annual report on monitoring climate change responses z. South africas west coast is arid because the cold ocean current benguela removes moisture from the region, which formed the namib desert that extends into namibia. Pdf climate change impacts and adaptation in south africa. A number of factors influence the climate of the african continent.
The adverse impacts of climate change are already manifesting themselves on the continent in more frequent occurrences of climate events such as floods, droughts, and heat waves. Climate change is an integral part of the eus strategic partnership with south africa. South africa is committed to addressing climate change based on science and equity. The aims of the workshop were to exchange information, identify issues of. Climate issues are regularly discussed at the highest political level at the annual eusouth africa summits. Our development pathway is defined by the national development plan ndp, which is closely aligned to the sustainable development goals. The 1st climate change annual report ccar, published in 2016 dea 2016, provided a comprehensive overview of south africas progress in catalysing action in response to climate change impacts and risks. The average annual rainfall for south africa is about 464 mm compared to a global average of 860 mm citation needed but large and unpredictable variations are common. The expert evaluation of south africas climate policy performance remains relatively high. West africa has been identified as a climate change hotspot, with climate change likely to lessen crop yields and production, with resultant impacts on food security.
Understanding the impact of a low carbon transition on south. Research alternatives and develop potential funding plans. Least developed countries in africa are among the most vulnerable to climate change, yet the least able to adapt. Young activists in africa struggle to be heard climate change awareness in africa remains low. Understanding the impact of a low carbon transition on. Chapter 11 climate change department of environmental. South africa s west coast is arid because the cold ocean current benguela removes moisture from the region, which formed the namib desert that extends into namibia. Potential changes in climate may have significant effects on various sectors of south. Increasingly, however, the issue of climate adap tation is coming to the fore. South africa has a lovely, temperate climate with plenty of sunny, dry days. The is a great deal of rainfall in port elizabeth, even in the driest month. This 2nd ccar continues this tradition of documenting and building an evidence base to inform future responses to climate change. Impacts of climate change on health and wellbeing in south.
The main factors influencing conditions are altitude and the surrounding oceans. South africa may experience water shortages, as one of a variety of impacts which climate change will have on the region. Pdf exploring the climate sensitivity of tourists to. The aims of the workshop were to exchange information, identify issues of common concern and shared needs, and discuss the. This climate is considered to be cfb according to the. Mar 19, 2019 the impacts of global changes in climate are rapidly escalating in south africa. What changes have south african citizens experienced in their climate and environment. Essay about the impact of climate change on africa bartleby. Introduction over recent years the world has begun focusing more and more on climate change, an issue. Name, understand the characteristics and position of africa s major climate regions be able to link the african continent circulation to global tricellular circulation with particular reference to areas of uplift rain and subsidence dry. Cigi and the south african institute of international affairs. The impact of climate change on south africa jenny griffin, south africa original post. South africa weather, climate and geography world travel guide. Africas urgent socioeconomic developmental needs and.
While slow progress with mitigation, especially in the energy sector, has garnered much attention, focus is now shifting to. Pdf on dec 10, 2017, oladayo awojobi and others published the impacts of climate change in africa. The eu and south africa have been strategic partners since 2007 and adopted an action plan for the partnership in the same year. South africa is a sunny country, averaging 810 daily sunshine hours in most regions. National climate change governance in south africa is the product of more than two decades of policy evolution and has been shaped by an elaborate landscape of executive policies, strategies, regulations and institutions. West africa has been identified as a climatechange hotspot, with climate change likely to lessen crop yields and production, with resultant impacts on food security. The climate of south africa is mostly semiarid, but its eastern coastal regions are subtropical with mainly sunny days and cool nights. The west coast of south africa is affected by the benguela current, which cools the sea and makes the climate arid, since it inhibits the formation of vertical air currents that could condense. In this context, south africa has transitioned its international mitigation commitment from a relative deviation from businessasusual to an absolute peak, plateau and decline greenhouse gas emissions trajectory range. Forests, rangelands and climate change in southern africa. The climate is warm and temperate in port elizabeth. The very policies and actions that must deal with climate change also offer the most effective. Winter and summer in south africa occur at opposite times to.
The costs and benefits of extending south africas climate ambition 71 6. In south africa, it is increasingly apparent that delays in responding to climate change over the past decades have jeopardized human life and livelihoods. A small area in the northwest has a desert climate. Inland in the region of krugerpark its always a little bit warmer than at the coast, though in general, a temperate climate prevails. Eastern cape climate eastern cape has many different climates, but is dominated by cfb. Adaptation, mitigation and governance challenges foreword this african initiative special report presents the fruits of. Climate change impacts and adaptation in south africa. Research alternatives and develop potential funding plans transition plans for the closure of carbonintensive. Solutions for a changing climate african development bank. Climate resilience is a key component of any healthy system, particularly in vulnerable countries that depend heavily on climate sensitive natural resources and traditional agricultural practices for subsistence and livelihoods. Climate change will amplify existing stress on water availability in africa high confidence.
Therefore, south africas performance on a national level is not. Wires climate change climate change impacts in south africa box 1 long term adaptation scenarios ltas project south africas 2011 national policy position on climate change emphasizes that socioeconomic risks resulting from a range of emission scenarios need to be better understood and quanti. However, climate change poses a real risk to these natural assets, as well as to the people who live in this beautiful country. The east coast is on the indian ocean, which has a warm current.
Overview climate change impacts and adaptation in south africa gina ziervogel,1. Most of the country has warm, sunny days and cool nights. Being in the southern hemisphere, south africas seasons are the opposite of european seasons. Climate change and south africas natural resources 1. Water is the one of the most vulnerable resources in south africa, because the. South africa has the task of balancing the acceleration of economic growth and transformation with the sustainable use of environmental resources and responding to climate change. Pdf climate trends in southern africa researchgate. Name, understand the characteristics and position of africas major climate regions be able to link the african continent circulation to global tricellular circulation with particular reference to areas of uplift rain and subsidence dry.
Climate change trends, risks, impacts and vulnerabilities z. South africa submitted its climate pledge, or nationally determined contribution, for the paris climate talks on 25 september 2015. The south african weather service will continue to monitor and provide updates on any future assessments that may provide more clarity on the current expectations for the coming seasons. Climate south africa occupies the most southern tip of africa with its long coastline stretching more than 3 000 km from the desert border with namibia on the atlantic coast southwards around the tip of africa and then north to the border of subtropical mozambique on the indian ocean. The 2004 national climate change response strategy, followed by. South africa climate and weather by regions climatic conditions generally range from mediterranean in the southwestern corner of the country to temperate in the interior plateau, and subtropical in the northeast. This means that our climate is dominated by the belt of subtropical highs. Martin humanities 9 period 15 january 12, 2015 climate change in africa introductionwhat is the impact of climate change in africa. The effects of climate change on africa 1420 words 6 pages. South africa, the southernmost country on the african continent, renowned for its varied topography, great natural beauty, and cultural diversity, all of which have made the country a favored destination for travelers since the legal ending of apartheid afrikaans. It is mainly influenced by large scale seasonal atmospheric patterns as well as. Regional climate messages for southern africa adaptation at. South africa officially the republic of south africa or abbreviated to rsa has always been one of the most beautiful places on the planet. Over the next few decades climate change will intensify the.
The west coast is on the atlantic ocean with a cold current. Water resources are subjected to high hydroclimatic variability over space and time, and are a key constraint on the continents continued economic development. As a consequence, slight to moderate increases in annual rainfall totals are plausible over central and south eastern south africa. South africas second national climate change report. South africas remotenessit lies thousands of miles distant from major african cities such as lagos and cairo and more than 6,000 miles 10,000 km away from most of europe, north america, and eastern asia, where its major trading partners are locatedhelped reinforce the official system of apartheid for a large part of the 20th century. Southern africa is also expected to experience greater water stress and increased demand for lower reserves of water. Introduction united nations framework convention on climate. This pledges a peak, plateau and decline approach, whereby emissions would peak between 2020 and 2025, plateau for roughly a decade, and then start to fall. The timing of all risks external and internal in south africa 76 6. Unless concerted action is taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, temperatures may rise by more than 4 c over the southern african interior by 2100, and by more than 6 c over the western, central and northern parts of south africa 1, 2. The climate across southern africa varies from arid to humid subtropical conditions. Second, the near bisection of the continent by the equator results in a largely symmetrical arrangement of climatic zones on either side. South africas intended nationally determined contribution indc introduction in accordance with decision 1cp.