(For Immediate Release Feb 4, 2009): MOSSEL BAY – Southern Cape local government leaders and representatives today signed an historic declaration of intent to combat the effects of climate change through an integrated response strategy.

The flood–hit Eden District Municipality held a three-day summit this week where South African and international experts discussed a strategy for coastal towns aimed at adapting to climate change and mitigating against its effects.

Executive Mayor Rudi Laws, a key campaigner for a co-ordinated response to the economically-destabilising impact of climate change, said the declaration marked his administration’s understanding of the importance of local action against a global threat.

He said the declaration recognised there was increasing evidence that climate change was occurring in the region and was having a severe impact on communities.

“We recognise that decisions will need to be taken across government spheres to address a sustainable way forward to harmonise economic activities, development and the natural environment,” he said.

In terms of the declaration the municipality committed itself to mainstreaming climate change issues into its integrated development plans and programmes.

Law said the declaration committed the municipality to setting and achieving short and long term goals aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, commercialising broadly clean technologies that would bring about greater emission reductions and implementing procurement policies that promoted the uptake of climate-friendly technologies.

“By endorsing the declaration, we demonstrate that Eden District Municipality has an important role to play in addressing climate change with efforts that build our economy and provide our citizens and future generations with a clean and health environment,” he said.

Earlier, Stellenbosch University urban geographer Professor Izak van der Merwe said a climate change mitigation and adaption strategy was now a key determining factor for investors looking to establish enterprises or factories in South African towns and regions.

In Holland for instance, this was one of the first questions being asked by investors. “If you’re not clear on your plan you’re going to lose investments, that’s very clear,” he said.

The economic bases of many towns would be affected by climate change. The destruction of beaches and swimming areas would have a major effect on the economies of coastal resorts, for instance.

“Rising sea levels will mean more water in coastal zone, and this will affect urban development. The question is what are we going to do with this water? Will we give it extra capacity or restrict this water? Will we give it space or hold it back or find a balance between the two? What happens to harbours?”

Towns and cities need to identify areas of their economy at risk through a scientific, systematic inventory, “a risk data matrix” containing predictable land use disturbances.

“Climate change is now at a stage where we should pinpoint it,” he said.

Disaster risk assessment specialist and Africon associate Dr Elretha Louw said climate change posed a major and unfamiliar challenge to human health.

She said studies to quantify the impact of climate change on water resources, biodiversity, agriculture and sustainable development were steadily increasing, but human health seemed to have been neglected.

Quoting a recent study in the Western Cape, she said risks associated with current hazards would increase, with an increase in the number of fires, drought and road accidents, while droughts would become more severe.

The secondary effects of these hazards would include trauma, mental health, diseases associated with displaced people (diarrhoea, measles, meningitis) in the case of flooding, burn wounds, smoke inhalation in the case of fires, malnutrition in the case of droughts, trauma injuries from accidents, water related diseases such as hepatitis, scabies, diarrhoea, cholera and typhoid from environmental degradation.

“Disaster management in South Africa still functions in a response and recovery paradigm. Education, awareness, and risk reduction planning is needed,” she said.

Ends

Compiled by: Lloyd Coutts
Compiled for: Eden District Municipality
Contact Details: Alewijn Dippenaar 082 457 5675 alewijn@octagonal.co.za
Mimi Finestone: 084 583 3144 mimi@matrixads.co.za
Compiled on: February 4, 2009

Tags: climate change, climate change conference, climate summit, eden, eden district municipality, garden route, klein karoo, mossel bay, mossel bay climate change, mossel bay climate summit, south cape, southern cape