Climate change environmental hardships ahead: Mkhize

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Danette Breitenbach

According to KwaZulu-Natal Premier Zweli Mkhize, a South African country programme study highlighted the devastating effects of climate changes in the country's own backyard. Speaking at the Pre-COP17 summit, Mkhize said that the geographic range of malaria could more than double in the next 50 years, putting almost eight million people at risk.

The incidence of malaria could increase with the expansion of habitats suitable for malaria-transmitting mosquitoes, while increased surface temperatures could lead to mortalities and higher incidences of infectious diseases and respiratory diseases. Mkhize warned further that climate-change-related increase in pests and diseases would also have a detrimental effect on the agricultural sector, and invasive plants could become a greater problem.

Climate change may also affect storms that produce flood events, and the rise in sea levels has already resulted in developed areas being submerged under water. Water shortages are predicted and increased salinisation of groundwater and estuaries will leave less freshwater for humans, agriculture and ecosystems. Climate change has altered the way in which countries view economic growth. Nations are increasingly being held accountable regarding their carbon emissions and thus must explore cleaner sources of energy, said Mkhize.

Read the full article on www.eurasiareview.com.