Environmental Issues of Cape Town

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Environmental Issues of Cape Town

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 Cape Town                                                                     Source BBC

 

Total emissions in Cape Town (2000/1) amounted to 16 911 924 tonnes of CO2 equivalents – approximately 5.8t CO2 eq per capita (2000/1)

 

South Africa is one of the top 20 emitters of greenhouse gases world wide

South Africa has followed the international trend by adopting a National Energy Efficiency Strategy (Download the document) in March 2005. The strategy recognises that SA’s economy is energy intensive and has significant environmental impacts as a result of the reliance on coal reserves for its energy production and consequently contributes to GHG emissions.  

Approximately 79% of the energy in South Africa is supplied through coal, which has placed South Africa as one of the top 20 GHG emitters .

For comparison South Africa averages 6.9t CO2 eq per capita, Libya 7.34, Egypt 1.7 , Germany 12.3 and the DRC 0.04t CO2 eq per capita. In more developed countries the emissions are higher - Australia produced 27.6t CO2 eq per capita, America produced 21.1t CO2 eq per capita and Canada produced 18.3t CO2 eq per capita in 2000.

Germany Land area covered by forests (Percent) 1990/2000         30.7%  /  30.7%,
South Africa   Land area covered by forests (Percent) 1990/2000    7.4%  /  7.3 %

Today only 7% of all land in South Africa is covered by forest

Cape Town’s emissions amounted to 16 911 924 tonnes of CO2 equivalents (2000/1)

In October 1997, the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT), developed the White Paper on Environmental Management. The White Paper provided the framework for modern environmental policy in South Africa, embodied in the 1988 National Environmental Act. This Act addresses such issues as air, water and marine pollution, waste management, deforestation, energy efficiency and the conservation of biodiversity. The Act is consistent with Section 24 of the South African constitution, which ensures the right of citizens to live in a clean and healthy environment.

South Africa's four oil refineries are a major contributor to energy-related air pollution. The refineries, located in the northern suburbs of Cape Town ... emit high levels of sulphur dioxide and several other chemicals known to cause health problems. ....According to UNICEF, in 2000, respiratory infections from air pollution were the fourth-largest cause of death in children under five in South Africa (more than 6,000 deaths per year).                       

"To ensure that sustainable and equitable development is combined with sound environmental practice for a healthy environment, which sustains people and nature, provides protection for our unique resources and results in an enhanced quality of life for all." 

Environmental Management Department City of Cape Town

 

A human being is part of a whole, called by us the “Universe,” a part limited in time and space.  He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings, as something separated from the rest – a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circles of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.                    Albert Einstein

 

Source BBC http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/4091535.stm