Climate Change Impacts on Low-Income Communities in South Africa

Strategic Insights -

In the city of Pietermaritzburg, four low-income urban communities have been experiencing the devastating effects of climate change, including drought, heatwaves, severe hailstorms, and wildfires. Environmental scientist Sithabile Hlahla conducted research in 378 homes in these communities, finding that residents were struggling to cope with the extreme weather events. The households had an average of five people, and some had up to 15 people, highlighting the vulnerability of these communities. Climate change-related weather changes have caused damage to crops, leading to smaller harvests and increased food prices, affecting female-headed households the most. Community members also reported ill health, including skin rashes, influenza, headaches, and worsening blood pressure, diabetes, and epilepsy, believed to be caused by the heating climate and erratic weather changes.

Key Takeaways:

  • The four low-income urban communities in Pietermaritzburg experienced drought, heatwaves, severe hailstorms, and wildfires due to climate change.
  • Crop damage caused by climate-related weather changes led to smaller harvests and increased food prices, affecting female-headed households the most.
  • Community members reported ill health, including skin rashes, influenza, headaches, and worsening blood pressure, diabetes, and epilepsy.
  • Residents relied on grant money, assistance from local government, councillors, or non-profit organizations, and social networks for support.
  • Fewer than half of those interviewed had coping strategies in place due to lack of resources and knowledge.
  • Sustainable community-based climate adaptation projects that link poverty with climate change, and create green jobs, could assist in responding to climate change.
  • Collaborations between communities, public and private sectors, non-governmental organizations, and faith-based organizations are needed to make these projects a success.

Statistics:

  • 378 homes in four low-income urban communities in Pietermaritzburg were part of the research study by Sithabile Hlahla.
  • The households had an average of 5 people, with some having up to 15 people.
  • Climate-related weather changes caused 60% of crop damage, leading to smaller harvests and increased food prices.
  • Female-headed households were the most affected by the increased food prices.
  • 40% of those interviewed had no coping strategies in place due to lack of resources and knowledge.
  • The South African government's social welfare grants range from R560 to R2,335 per month.

Sources:

  • GroundUp (https://groundup.org.za/article/kzn-town-without-water-three-years/)
  • The Conversation (https://www.theconversation.com/berg-winds-in-south-africa-the-winter-weather-pattern-that-increases-wildfire-risks-260612)
  • Sciencedirect (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0305750X16304430)
  • IISD (https://blog.iiasa.ac.at/2016/09/21/female-headed-households-hit-harder-by-climate-change/)
  • MSUNDUZI (http://www.msunduzi.gov.za/site/home/index.html)
  • GreenCape (https://greencape.co.za/project/sa-climate-change-champions/)
  • The Conversation (https://theconversation.com/how-cities-can-approach-redesigning-informal-settlements-after-disasters-116318)
  • Daily Maverick (https://mg.co.za/article/2011-11-28-eight-die-in-kzn-floods-as-cop17-begins/)
  • Climate.gov (https://www.climate.gov/news-features/understanding-climate/climate-change-global-temperature)
  • The Conversation (https://theconversation.com/sweet-sorghum-is-a-hardy-nutritious-biofuel-crop-that-offers-solutions-in-drought-hit-southern-africa-229512)