Project 90 by 2030, together with partner organisation 350 Africa collaborated on an infographic in order to drive home the effects and consequences of climate change on the economy in our country:
JOB LOSSES
Climate change will lead to job losses, specifically in the following sectors: agriculture, tourism and energy.
- Tourism affects over 722 000 jobs and contributes over R100 billion annually to the economy. The droughts have had a direct impact on the amount of tourism received by South Africa.
- The agriculture sector employ more than 800 000 workers. This number has been on the decline and is heavily impacted by droughts.
- Climate Change is forcing us to stop relying on fossil fuels to produce energy. If we meet our international commitments, we can expect thousands of job losses in the energy and mining sectors to take place very rapidly.
- Climate Change will provide unique opportunities for employment in other sectors.
QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR POLITICIANS:
- What plan does government have to prevent job losses and to reskill workers in sectors such as agriculture, energy and tourism?
- What plan does government have to create new jobs for those who will lose their jobs?
- How am I, or those affected, included in the planning?
- Is the plan just and inclusive?
- How will government fund the plan?
INEQUALITIES
A large portion of South Africa lives in poverty. Climate Change will cause the inequalities that exist to deepen.
- Food and water will become more expensive.
- Food and water will become harder to get for those who rely on their surrounding environment for resources.
- Small scale farmers, that do not have access to equipment and infrastructure, will find it difficult to farm.
- Low income households cannot afford to insure or protect their homes against natural disasters.
QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR POLITICIANS:
- What is the government planning to do to ensure healthy, affordable and accessible food and water?
- What is government doing to protect low income homes from natural disasters?
- How is government planning to assist small scale farmers?
INFRASTRUCTURE AND HOMES
Our homes and infrastructure (buildings, roads and power supplies) will be exposed to severe natural disasters.
- Climate Change will increase the number and intensity of natural disasters like floods and fires.
- Our homes and infrastructure could be damaged or destroyed.
- Fixing or replacing our home will cost us a significant amount of money.
- Fixing or replacing infrastructure will cost the government a significant amount of money.
- Insurance on infrastructure will go up.
QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR POLITICIANS:
- How does the government plan to mitigate the potential damage?
- How is the government paying for the repairs and replacements?
- How is government making your homes more resilient?
- How is government making sure that communities get a fair share of adaptation money to become more resilient against climate change disasters?
- How will the government expand our emergency services sector?
HEALTH
Our lives are at risk. Climate Change will bring us natural disasters and water and vector borne diseases.
- We will be exposed to diseases like malaria and cholera.
- We will be vulnerable to fires, floods, droughts and heat strokes.
- Medical insurance will go up.
- Our hospitals will receive even more patients.
- Health care facilities will need to be upgraded.
- More medical staff will need to be produced and employed.
- More medication will need to be available.
QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR POLITICIANS:
- How is the government preparing for Climate Change related diseases and illnesses?
- How will the government fund the necessary upgrades, staff and medication?
- Which steps are government taking to protect us against the impacts of Climate Change?
ACT NOW
- Inform yourselves and get in contact with us or any other local NGOs
- Write to government representatives and ask them questions about their plans to prepare for climate change
- Engage with news on TV, radio and newspaper
- Attend public events and engage with fellow citizens on these issues
Infographic for download:
