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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