Severity of climate change has reached critical levels:
It has happened. The world is 1.5 degrees Celsius warmer than it was in preindustrial times. A threshold has been breached, and the times they are a-changin’.
When Prof Francois Engelbrecht, president of the South African Society for Atmospheric Sciences (SASAS), opened the 38th Annual Conference of the South African Society for Atmospheric Sciences at the Potchefstroom Campus of the North-West University (NWU), he did so in a sombre tone, even with a sense of disbelief. Because history has been made for the wrong reasons.
It is the first time the SASAS conference has taken place when the world’s average temperature has been 1.5°C higher for more than a year since official recordings began. When the Paris agreement was signed in 2016, the aim was to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C. It has failed.
The consequences have already been dire, and if temperatures keep rising, the consequences will be catastrophic. Heat waves, wildfires, flooding, cyclones, hurricanes and tornadoes have been some of the hallmarks of climate change that have devastated the globe in 2024.
The effects cannot be reversed, but an escalation can be stopped.
From 29 to 30 October, SASAS members discussed the pertinent question of climate change at hosting venues across the Potchefstroom Campus of the NWU.
Prof Engelbrecht called for an increased focus on climate change adaptation, including developing early warning systems capable of handling unprecedented future extreme weather events. He urged the atmospheric sciences community to collaborate with colleagues in different fields and engage with stakeholders to ensure early warnings reach vulnerable communities. In this changing environment, SASAS allows, and encourages, delegates to share research, build networks, develop young scientists and form lasting collaborations.
During the conference, Prof Stuart Piketh from the NWU was awarded the SASAS Medal, the highest honour in South African atmospheric sciences, recognising significant contributions to the field. Prof Piketh’s work has advanced the understanding of atmospheric processes and their implications for local and regional pollution transport, environmental policy and community health initiatives.
Other highlights included the keynote address by Prof Paola Formenti, whose work on atmospheric aerosols in southern Africa is crucial to improve climate models and our understanding of cloud process. A panel discussion led by the South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON), a national research facility that manages long-term environmental observation programmes, included discussions on collaborations, sharing of data and community involvement under the theme “Science and Society”. SAEON plays a crucial role in atmospheric science by providing high-quality environmental data and infrastructure essential for research and monitoring. Their involvement emphasised the significance of collaborative efforts in advancing the understanding of atmospheric processes and environmental change.
The 38th SASAS conference highlighted the critical role of atmospheric sciences in addressing climate change and environmental challenges. As global temperatures continue to rise, the insights and innovations from the SASAS community are vital. The collective efforts of the delegates demonstrate a commitment to advancing atmospheric sciences for societal benefit.
However, the SASAS, together with partners such as the NWU, cannot fight the climate change battle alone. For the first time in 130 years, there is no snow capping Japan’s Mount Fuji. What other vistas will soon be gone?
- For an expert opinion regarding climate change, Dr Henno Havenga at the NWU can be contacted at (018) 285 4001 orhenno.havenga@nwu.ac.za.
- For the full article as well as photos, follow the link here: Climatology conference highlights severity of climate change | news.nwu.ac.za
Malema unmoved by Mpofu’s defection to MK party, anticipates more exits :
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader and long-time Jacob Zuma legal representative advocate Dali Mpofu has become the latest senior member to leave Julius Malema’s party to join Zuma’s uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party.
Malema has indicated that he is unmoved by the decision, and anticipates that other senior leaders will soon be leaving.
Mpofu, who served as the EFF’s national chairperson from 2014 to 2019, confirmed his departure in an interview with the SABC, in which he said he had worked with Zuma to help establish the MK party.
“The MK party has been true to fostering unity, total black and progressive unity, and I feel total liberation would be achieved through the MK party,” he said.
Mpofu said the decision followed “a lot of soul searching” and had been planned over the past year.
“There was a time when former President Zuma and I were the only people who knew about this project of the formation of MK,” Mpofu said, adding that discussions began after the ANC’s 2022 conference.
“I don’t believe you have to die in the ANC, EFF or MK. But for now the MK party represents a much broader vision for decolonisation and carries the alternative to unite our people,” he said.
Mpofu said that his departure was caused by personal issues with the EFF of Malema, adding that he had not yet spoken directly to Malema about his decision.
“There is no bad blood,” Mpofu said. “I’ll extend that courtesy [of informing Malema] after this announcement.”
MK party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela confirmed that Mpofu had joined the party, saying it reflected MK’s appeal to former EFF members interested in “black and progressive unity”. Mpofu has described the party as the “only vehicle” capable of achieving that goal.
Responding to the recent defections, Malema said on social media: “Only two more of your [Shivambu’s] favourites remain, and the list will be finalised. They sing beautifully and are always willing to pose for pictures and sign roll calls, but remember, their souls are long gone. We remain standing and are not going anywhere under a criminal syndicate.”
Sources alleged that Malema was referring to Mbuyiseni Ndlozi and Veronica Mente, who have been touted by branches to join the party’s top six at its December conference.
“Soon they will be next. The plan is to have Ndlozi and Mente removed from the party, despite them gaining popularity recently. It’s just a matter of time,” one senior source said.
This is at a time where the EFF is sifting through what it describes as “infiltrators” ahead of the conference.
The EFF has faced increasing defections to the MK party since its formal establishment last year.
Mpofu is one of several high-profile former EFF leaders to join the MK party in recent months following the departure of former party deputy president Floyd Shivambu, who left the EFF in August to become the MK party’s national organiser.
Former EFF MP Mzwanele Manyi now serves as the MK party’s parliamentary whip and former EFF MP Busisiwe Mkhwebane is the MK party’s convener in Mpumalanga.
Another source said they were amazed that it took Mpofu this long to leave the party, because he had been exhibiting signs of wanting to leave since 2020.
Mpofu was unceremoniously removed from Malema’s leadership slate in 2019, when the Red Berets leader allegedly told branches not to vote for him because of his “busy schedule”.
At the time, Malema ally Collen Sedibe ran a campaign to have Mpofu step down after he was perceived to be working for the ANC and not benefiting the EFF.
Sedibe made reference to the legal case Mpofu won for former North West premier Supra Mahumapelo against the ruling party to overturn the ANC national executive committee’s decision to disband his provincial executive committee.
This is despite Mpofu campaigning to topple Shivambu from the position, with Mandisa Mashego set to become the secretary general against Marshall Dlamini. But his slate did not materialise after branches supported that of Malema’s at the last minute.
South Africa — Scatec ASA, a leading renewable energy solutions provider, today announced the appointment of Alberto Gambacorta as General Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa, reinforcing the company’s commitment to renewable energy development in the region.
Gambacorta brings nearly two decades of experience in the renewable energy sector, with particular expertise in utility-scale PV and BESS project development. Having served as Senior Vice President of Business Development at Scatec, he has been instrumental in developing the company’s project portfolio in South Africa and Botswana over the past six years.
“Alberto’s appointment represents a strategic step in strengthening our presence in Sub-Saharan Africa and demonstrates our commitment to developing local expertise,” said Terje Pilskog, CEO. “His deep understanding of the Southern African energy market, combined with his proven track record in project development, makes him ideally suited to lead our operations in this key market.”
Gambacorta holds a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Universitá degli Studi di Padova and an Executive Master in Energy Management from ESCP Business School, BI Norwegian Business School, and IFP – Institute Francais du Petrole.
“Southern Africa represents a crucial market for renewable energy development, and I am honored to take on this role,” said Gambacorta. “I look forward to working with our talented team and stakeholders to accelerate the country’s energy transition and deliver sustainable power solutions.”
Under Gambacorta’s leadership, Scatec will continue to focus on expanding its renewable energy portfolio in Southern Africa, supporting the country’s energy transition, and contributing to local economic development through sustainable power solutions.
About Scatec
Scatec is a leading renewable energy solutions provider, accelerating access to reliable and affordable clean energy in emerging markets. As a long-term player, we develop, build, own, and operate renewable energy plants, with 4.8 GW in operation and under construction across four continents today. We are committed to grow our renewable energy capacity, delivered by our passionate employees and partners who are driven by a common vision of ‘Improving our Future’. Scatec is headquartered in Oslo, Norway and listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol ‘SCATC’. To learn more, visit www.scatec.com or connect with us on LinkedIn.
- Scatec Q3 2024 report
- Scatec Q3 2024 presentation
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