Impact of Climate Change and the Mitigation Strategies in South Africa: A Survey of Literature

Abstract

Climate change continues to cause undesirable impacts such as flooding, cyclone, changes in weather and temperature patterns, wild fire amongst others which affect human life, environment, biological habitat and general ecosystem. This study investigates the impact of climate change in South Africa using systematic literature review and provides recommendations on some mitigation strategies. A total of 70 articles were reviewed which discusses the impact of climate change on the environment, road and stormwater infrastructure, engineering design and public administration amongst others. The study also reviews some climate change policies and design standards implemented in South Africa and the reasons for the non-implementation probed the causes of load shedding and its effect on the South African economy. Furthermore, the South African climate change trends particularly the climate trend in the City of Tshwane were discussed. The outcome of this study shows that South Africa presently has no climate change legislation that is fully implemented and that climate change occurrences is traceable mostly to human related activities such as deforestation, bush burning, construction amongst others. To mitigate flooding, an integrated approach to flood management is needed as part of ensuring urban sustainability. Well-managed stormwater drainage is needed due to the increase in urban growth. Master drainage needs to be considered throughout the watershed, regardless of urban and anthropogenic boundaries.