Transcript WRC Climate Change

Thoughts on Climate Change
and Water Research and
Development
Dhesigen Naidoo
Re-imagining the Clim Change Challenge
Are we looking at the next wave to succeed ICT,
Biotechnology or Nanotech?
Or are we looking at a potential economic
revolution?
Re-imagining the Clim Change Challenge
Are we looking at the next wave to succeed ICT,
Biotechnology or Nanotech?
Or are we looking at a potential economic
revolution?
I think that we should consider the possibility
of a Low-Carbon economy introducing a
revolution last seen when sail ships and
horse-drawn carriages were overtaken by
steamships and motorised vehicles.
Considering the
Scenarios
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Seeking International
Competitiveness
High Levels of
CC S&T
Low Levels of
CC S&T
SA – an
International
Climate Change
Luddite
Surviving Climate
Change
Seeking International
Competitiveness
SA’s Climate Change
Dependent on
Imported Knowledge,
S&T
High Levels of
CC S&T
Low Levels of
CC S&T
SA – an
International
Climate Change
Luddite
Surviving Climate
Change
Seeking International
Competitiveness
SA’s Climate Change
Dependent on
Imported Knowledge,
S&T
High Levels of
CC S&T
Low Levels of
CC S&T
SA – an
International
Climate Change
Luddite
Limited ability to Use
SA’s Potential’CC Chasm’
Surviving Climate
Change
Seeking International
Competitiveness
SA’s Climate Change
Dependent on
Imported Knowledge,
S&T
Successful
Climate Change
with Global
Leadership
Potential
High Levels of
CC S&T
Low Levels of
CC S&T
SA – an
International
Climate Change
Luddite
Limited ability to Use
SA’s Potential’CC Chasm’
Surviving Climate
Change
Measuring our Current
Research Performance
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CC proxy -Environmental Research
Environmental Fields
Ecology,
Engineering environmental,
Environmental sciences,
Environmental studies,
Meteorology and atmospheric sciences
Public environmental and occupational health
Water resources
Environmental Research in SA
Climate Change R&D, Naidoo and Pouris 2011
Confronting the global water crisis through research,
Elsevier 2011
The task looks daunting
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Any animal can be tamed with the right
attitude
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THE SOUTH AFRICAN WATER
CHALLENGE
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Climate change impacts on water
Infrastructure
Floods
 Flash floods-destruction of infrastructure (e.g. dams).
 Floods lead to loss of lives, livelihood(farmers), &
property.
 Contamination of drinking water supply systems
(chemical and biological).
http://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/small-farmers- http://www.timeslive.co.za/local/article865564.ece/SA-flooddeath-toll-rises-to-70
face-ruin-after-floods-1.1016448
Climate Change White Paper _Nov 2011
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Infrastructure & Water
Floods-Contamination of water infrastructure
• Overflow of combined systems (storm-water
and sewage system)
• Microbiologically induced corrosion (MIC) of
water infrastructures
This pipe has been corroded due to microbes (Sulphur-Reducing –Bacteria (SRB)
Climate Change White Paper _Nov 2011
18
Water Conservation & Demand
Management Flagship Programme
Mainstream water conservation & demand
management across all sectors
Use regulatory and support drive water use
efficiency and responsible use behavior
The programme should be a near term strategy
Climate Change White Paper _Nov 2011
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Climate Change White Paper _Nov 2011
20
Working Wetlands: Biodiversity Conservation
After: Guy Preston, 2008
Climate Change White Paper _Nov 2011
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Exploring the Options




The water strategy to support the National
and SADC Climate Change Response
Strategies.
Global alliance to engage water in COP-17
and beyond.
Examining new platforms for the global
water action plan eg. IP Biodiversity and
Ecosystem Services.
Starting on the fringes in Durban.
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We do this one bite at a time
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