Thoughts on Climate Change and Water Research and Development Dhesigen Naidoo.

Thoughts on Climate Change and Water Research and

Development

Dhesigen Naidoo

Are we looking at the next wave to succeed ICT, Biotechnology or Nanotech?

Or are we looking at a potential economic revolution?

Re-imagining the Clim Change Challenge

Are we looking at the next wave to succeed ICT, Biotechnology or Nanotech?

Or are we looking at a potential economic revolution?

I think that we should consider the possibility of a Low-Carbon economy introducing a revolution last seen when sail ships and horse-drawn carriages were overtaken by steamships and motorised vehicles.

Re-imagining the Clim Change Challenge

Considering the Scenarios

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Seeking InternationalCompetitiveness

Surviving ClimateChange

High Levels ofCC S&T

Low Levels ofCC S&T

SA – an International

Climate Change Luddite

Seeking InternationalCompetitiveness

Surviving ClimateChange

High Levels ofCC S&T

Low Levels ofCC S&T

SA – an International

Climate Change Luddite

SA’s Climate ChangeDependent on

Imported Knowledge,S&T

Seeking InternationalCompetitiveness

Surviving ClimateChange

High Levels ofCC S&T

Low Levels ofCC S&T

SA – an International

Climate Change Luddite

SA’s Climate ChangeDependent on

Imported Knowledge,S&T

Limited ability to UseSA’s Potential-

’CC Chasm’

Seeking InternationalCompetitiveness

Surviving ClimateChange

High Levels ofCC S&T

Low Levels ofCC S&T

SA – an International

Climate Change Luddite

SA’s Climate ChangeDependent on

Imported Knowledge,S&T

Successful Climate Change

with GlobalLeadershipPotential

Limited ability to UseSA’s Potential-

’CC Chasm’

Measuring our Current Research Performance

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Environmental FieldsEcology, Engineering environmental,Environmental sciences, Environmental studies,Meteorology and atmospheric sciencesPublic environmental and occupational healthWater resources

CC proxy -Environmental Research

Environmental Research in SA

Climate Change R&D, Naidoo and Pouris 2011

Confronting the global water crisis through research, Elsevier 2011

The task looks daunting

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Any animal can be tamed with the right attitude

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THE SOUTH AFRICAN WATER CHALLENGE

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Climate change impacts on water Infrastructure

http://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/small-farmers-face-ruin-after-floods-1.1016448

http://www.timeslive.co.za/local/article865564.ece/SA-flood-death-toll-rises-to-70

Floods Flash floods-destruction of infrastructure (e.g. dams). Floods lead to loss of lives, livelihood(farmers), &

property. Contamination of drinking water supply systems

(chemical and biological).

17Climate Change White Paper _Nov 2011

Infrastructure & Water

Floods-Contamination of water infrastructure• Overflow of combined systems (storm-water

and sewage system) • Microbiologically induced corrosion (MIC) of

water infrastructures

Climate Change White Paper _Nov 2011 18

This pipe has been corroded due to microbes (Sulphur-Reducing –Bacteria (SRB)

Water Conservation & Demand Management Flagship Programme

Mainstream water conservation & demand management across all sectorsUse regulatory and support drive water use efficiency and responsible use behaviorThe programme should be a near term strategy

Climate Change White Paper _Nov 2011 19

Climate Change White Paper _Nov 2011 20

Working Wetlands: Biodiversity Conservation

Climate Change White Paper _Nov 2011

After: Guy Preston, 2008

21

Exploring the Options

The water strategy to support the National and SADC Climate Change Response Strategies.

Global alliance to engage water in COP-17 and beyond.

Examining new platforms for the global water action plan eg. IP Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services.

Starting on the fringes in Durban.

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We do this one bite at a time

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