Climate Change Requires Global Solutions – Ramaphosa

By: Zilungile Mkhize

President Cyril Ramaphosa says even as the world continues to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, tackling climate change is a national priority for South Africa.

In his weekly newsletter, Ramaphosa says to fully appreciate the devastating impact of climate change has on lives and livelihoods in the country, one need only look at the prolonged drought in parts of the Eastern, Northern, and Western Cape.

“The coming of the rains last year broke a seven-year drought, the longest in over a century. It wreaked havoc on communities across these provinces. It caused water shortages, widespread crop failure and negatively affected both commercial and subsistence farming. This in turn had a national impact as it drove up food prices,” explains Ramaphosa.

He says climate change requires global solutions.

Ramaphosa adds that the first part of the global response to climate change is mitigation followed by adaptation and financing.

Meanwhile, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) says central banks, finance ministries, and the financial sector have to realise that climate considerations are a key economic issue that will affect long-term growth and prosperity.

IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva,

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