South Africa—On Monday, April 8, the South African Weather Service issued a level nine warning for extreme weather conditions in the Western Cape region. The high weather alert for the Western Cape and warnings of severe flooding expected in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng underscore the severity of the climate situation and the urgent need for immediate action on climate change. In the face of unprecedented climate impacts, 350Africa calls on the South African government to stop all fossil fuel activities, escalate its climate response, and prioritise renewable energy in the country’s energy policies.

As abnormal weather conditions unfold globally, it is clear that climate change impacts are not a distant threat but a reality that is currently affecting communities and livelihoods. The weather-related destruction in the Western Cape and localised flooding in Gauteng emphasises 350Africa.org’s ongoing campaign for a swift, just transition to clean, renewable energy.

Glen Tyler-Davies, South African Team Lead for 350Africa.org said: “Unless we make substantial progress in curbing global greenhouse gas emissions, we risk irreversible damage to our planet and our future. At the root of our problem is the burning of fossil fuels, which not only exacerbates climate change but also fuels extreme weather events such as the storms and wildfires currently ravaging South Africa.”

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), we are running out of time to prevent catastrophic climate change. 350Africa.org calls on governments, businesses, and international institutions to prioritise climate action and commit to ambitious global targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

350Africa.org has continually voiced concerns about policies like the Draft Integrated Resource Plan of 2023, which inadequately prioritises the necessity of a renewable energy transition in South Africa. Shortcomings in climate policies point to the government’s failure to fully comprehend the urgency of the climate crisis. “We strongly urge the government to prioritise South Africa’s just energy transition, putting an end to the use of fossil fuels to prevent catastrophic impacts of climate change and secure sustainable future for all,”

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For media inquiries, please contact:
Boitumelo Masipa
Digital and Communications Specialist, 350Africa.org
+27 81 452 9096
tumi@350.org