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Background:
Climate change, largely driven by human activities such as fossil fuel combustion, deforestation, and industrial processes, has led to a significant rise in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, resulting in global warming and associated environmental changes. The global average surface temperature has already increased by about 1°C above pre-industrial levels and is projected to rise further, with Africa expected to warm at a rate higher than the global average.
The effects of climate change include extreme weather events, biodiversity loss, rising sea levels, and widespread environmental degradation. In South Africa (SA), this is compounded by a naturally arid climate, limited water resources, and land degradation, which threaten the country’s food production capacity.
Food security is increasingly vulnerable to climate change impacts at local, national, and global levels. These include reduced crop and livestock yields, disrupted fisheries, higher food prices, and increased volatility in trade. Smallholder farmers and rural communities, particularly in developing regions like sub-Saharan Africa, are most at risk.
To mitigate these risks and build resilience, various strategies are recommended: implementing social protection programmes, improving water and land management, investing in climate-resilient agriculture, and strengthening regional and international cooperation. These efforts are vital to ensure sustainable food systems and protect the livelihoods of current and future generations.
In SA there is much research and innovation going on behind the scenes to address such issues, and these should be supported and promoted. Government policy and initiatives should be informed by the work that has been produced over the years.
Purpose:
Every year the committee of NSTF representatives of the Science Councils and Statutory Bodies Sector (SciCom) plan a discussion forum on important and relevant matters that SA’s researchers at these institutions are studying and to which they are finding solutions. The NSTF in partnership with the SciCom, decided to discuss climate change and environmental challenges with a focus on food security and water availability with the goal of getting insights from multiple stakeholders in the sector.
Objectives:
- Providing a platform for researchers to share their work on the topic/s
- Sharing innovative work on possible ways to address the identified challenges
- Identifying the interconnectedness of disciplines, sectors and various types of challenges
- Engaging stakeholders and getting their perspectives
- Advocating for policy reforms, investments, and initiatives that support the mitigation and adaptation to climate change, environmental conservation, and access to water and food
- Raising awareness among the public
- Collaboration and networking
Themes
- Monitoring changes in the climate and natural environment
- Challenges caused by climate change
- Water scarcity and availability
- Food security
- Circular economy
