THE South Coast and the entire eThekwini metro have been hit with some of the most extreme weather in the past two years, with experts pointing to climate change as the culprit.
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It was with this in mind that the municipality observed the International Day of Climate Action on October 24 when they focused on raising awareness and inspiring initiatives to combat climate change.
In June, two tornadoes ripped through Umgababa in one day, destroying homes, and public infrastructure, and causing hundreds of rands worth of damage. In April 2022, severe floods hit the South Coast, causing damage worth billions of rands from Prospecton to Umkomaas.
eThekwini’s two key strategic guiding documents are the Durban Climate Action Plan (2019) and the Durban Climate Change Strategy (2022). Together, they lay the groundwork for a resilient city that aligns with the global target of keeping average temperature increases below 1.5 °C.
Dr Luyanda Mafumbu, eThekwini’s deputy head of climate change said the municipality was guided by these documents and was actively contributing to global climate goals with forward-thinking policies and creative programmes that build resilience and work toward a future of carbon neutrality. He added that the city was more at risk from climate change and its effects which were seen in the communities in the aftermath of major weather events.
“We all have a role to play to make eThekwini climate resilient. Investing in climate change is a necessity. We either adapt to climate change to mitigate its harmful effects or we get left behind by the winds of change which are already set in motion,” said Mafumbu.
Dr Sean O’Donoghue, senior manager of the climate adaptation branch, emphasised that shifting weather patterns, both globally and locally, served as a clear reminder of the urgency to prepare the city for the impacts of climate change.
“Whether preparing for flooding, drought, heat, or rising sea levels we need to adapt to the impacts of climate change,” said O’Donoghue.
Scientists warn that the city has a subtropical climate and is likely to face more intense storms and flooding, rising sea levels, prolonged droughts and biodiversity loss due to climate change. These events, cautioned O’Donoghue, would jeopardise food security, limit access to clean drinking water and could drive vulnerable communities deeper into poverty and hardship.
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