She addressed the International Conference on Southern Hemisphere Meteorology and Oceanography (ICSHMO) underway in Cape Town, Western Cape province.
The conference aims to focus on climate and oceanography challenges that are unique to the Southern Hemisphere and the global impacts of climate change and extreme weather, which continue to pose significant risks across the world.
Gina says the new and strange weather patterns have environmental, economic and social consequences.
She says, “The increasing frequency and intensity of heatwaves, droughts, storms, and floods are straining infrastructure, displacing communities, and disrupting economies worldwide. These challenges that we are facing require robust scientific understanding, technological advancements, and co-ordinated global efforts.”
Gina says, “In this country, SA, the advent of climate change and its effects is no more an imaginary theory, it is upon us, and we are contending with the devastating effects that it brings.”
“Every year, our country declares states of disaster, the majority of which are hydro-meteorological, with the most recent occurring less than a month ago in KwaZulu-Natal. The province of KwaZulu-Natal, which is a coastal region has seen the worst in the last few years starting with the 2022 floods that caused loss of lives, wiped infrastructure and people’s housing.”
--SABC--
