Tag: drought

The agriculture sector is integral to the South African economy. It contributes around R400 billion to GDP each year. Additionally, it supports approximately 870,000 jobs across the country. The sector also generates USD13 billion in export revenue annually. Moreover, it plays a critical role in supporting South Africa’s food security.

The agriculture sector is vital for economic growth. It contributes 3% to GDP, supports 941,000 jobs, and generated US$13.2 billion in export revenue in 2023 – South Africa produces 10% of the global citrus production. But climate-induced changing weather patterns threaten the outlook for certain crop yields in 2024.

It’s 2050, a climate changed world where humans and the digital devices are closely entwined. Natural disasters such as drought, famine and floods are the order of the day. Government is making living all that much harder. Many people are displaced as new immigration laws come into effect and the gap between the haves and the have nots widens.

Last year was a year of climate carnage in Africa. At least 15,700 people lost their lives to extreme weather disasters, according to the latest report from Carbon Brief, while another 34 million have been affected.

The 2023 Agricultural Insurance Pulse Report indicates global hunger and food insecurity is on the rise with the number of undernourished people estimated to have increased up to 828 million in 2021. Africa, unfortunately, makes up a large percentage with 57.9% of the population exposed to moderate or severe food insecurity.

Risks such as heavy rain, flooding, hail, frost, drought and fire are by no means new to the South African agricultural sector, but due to the effects of climate change, they are increasing in frequency and severity. These risks are also becoming more unpredictable amid changing weather patterns, which complicates risk management efforts for farmers.

Paul Ehrlich has spent most of his adult life claiming the world is ending, birth rates are skyrocketing, populations are exploding, famine is around the corner and we’re running out of everything. He’s been largely wrong but refuses to admit it.

Wenn du mich siehst, dann weine - “If you see me, then weep”. This is a startling message to stumble upon, carved into one of numerous 'hunger stones' in various European rivers. The hunger stones were medieval traditions indicating when a river's levels have dropped so low that famine will follow.

Parametric development insurance shows real impact on African continent amidst calls for increased climate finance in run up to COP27. Climate finance is a hot topic in the run up to COP27. While Africa waits for developed nations to fulfil their aid pledges, climate financing is making a difference on the continent, but more needs to be done.

Energy expert Alex Epstein is convinced that when presented with the facts about fossil fuels’ positive impacts - not to mention their potential to improve the quality of life for billions of people in the developing world - even the 'keep it in the ground' crowd will reconsider their stance.