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The ReportThe International Panel on Climate Change warns of the need for profound change to limit global warming to the 1.5 degree increase.0C will rise by more than two-thirds from preindustrial levels over the next twenty years. The report states that this transformational change is necessary to prevent further warming by 2100.
To address the climate emergency, it is necessary to unite multiple stakeholders from the public and private sector, civil society, academia and civil society. The IPCC has Previously described transformational change as “rapid and far-reaching transitions in energy, land, urban and infrastructure (including transport and buildings), and industrial systems”. The report was released on February 28, 2022 and outlines options to adapt to climate change.
Professor Zeblon Viakazi, Vice-Chancellor at Wits, and Principal of the University, says that the climate crisis is a critical issue that must be addressed by individuals, cities governments, corporations, civil society, media, and universities. He believes that universities play a crucial role in achieving sustainable outcomes that are beneficial to everyone.
The Talloires Declaration (1990) — the first official statement made by university leaders of a commitment to environmental sustainability in higher education — recognises this responsibility.
How can universities make a difference?
First, universities can contribute towards the transformational change required to address climate emergencies by prioritising sustainability through inter-, cross-, and multidisciplinary research. This, among other factors, highlights interconnected challenges of sustainability, climate change, and inequality.
They can help by empowering students, staff, and individuals to address the climate emergency; as well as through innovation and social leadership based on the Global South’s perspective.
One example is the student solar energy project ProjectThis has been transformed into a cost-effective modular-based solar energy system that reduces e waste and can be used to power unserviced or under-served communities in South Africa. It is now connecting with another student ProjectThat is by bridging the digital gap through low-cost, long-range, free-space optics which can connect informal settlements to high-speed Internet in their local communities.
Our universities can also be used to develop the skills necessary to train talent in sufficient measure and to develop critical thinkers who are aware of the impacts of climate change and can address the emergency with fervor in their respective fields. It is possible to produce conscientious graduates capable of transforming society through their active citizenship, and social leadership. Wits created a three-week Gateway to Success program in 2022 for first-years students. It included a compulsory credit-bearing module about climate change. This integrated the emergency into the academic programme starting the first year.
Another option for universities is to reimagine the physical and digital infrastructure of their campus to reduce their environmental impact. This could include adopting energy-efficient strategies or promoting renewable energy projects. This could include rooftop solar panels; green buildings; optimised management systems for buildings; indoor lighting retrofits and sustainable hot-water systems. There are also water, stormwater, and wastewater assessments. Food security; transport systems; green procurement strategies; and effective land/waste management systems.
Universities are also important for piloting innovative solutions to climate change. This includes demonstrating that mining activities can be done in a sustainable way.
Wits, now in its centennial anniversary year, is taking a holistic approach to the climate emergency. This includes its connections to society and the economy.
We will bring together our considerable expertise in climate modeling, climate mitigation and adaptation and sustainable mining. This expertise will be used by us to address climate, sustainability, inequality and other challenges across South Africa and the globe.
The creation of the new position of Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Climate, Sustainability and Inequality is testimony to the university’s commitment that this issue will be tackled at the highest levels of the university’s administration.
The inclusion of three concepts in the portfolio — climate, sustainability and inequality — is indicative of a holistic approach. This portfolio will focus on climate, which will support existing climate research as well as encourage collaboration between schools and faculties with other universities, the public and private sector.
Climate policy has historically been focused on mitigation (reduction in greenhouse gas emissions), with less emphasis on adaptation or compensation for losses and damages caused by climate impacts. While mitigation is important because we must limit greenhouse gas emission, we also need to be realistic about climate change and plan accordingly. AdaptationFor compensation for loss Damages. This is crucial for South Africa because of our vulnerability to climate impacts. Recent Report by Wits’ Global Change Institute explains that average temperature increases in the interior of southern Africa are almost twice the global average.
Sustainability is important as it covers broader environmental and socio-economic issues. These larger issues of sustainability, such as water pollution and biodiversity loss, affect the health and well-being of humans and animals. They will also exacerbate the effects climate change has on water and food security. The environment is essential for society and economy. We must recognize that humans are a part of it. Nature. It is impossible to separate critical social issues from environmental issues.
Sustainability includes “safeguarding long-term ecological sustainability, satisfying basic needs, and promoting intragenerational and intergenerational equity”.
Inequality is closely linked to social sustainability. There is inequalities in responsibility for emissions on both an international and a national scale. The contribution of industrialised countries to cumulative greenhouse gas emissions has been historically high. However, South AfricaWe are one of the top greenhouse gas emitters in today’s world, largely because we rely on coal for electricity generation.
Huang and Tian’s research found that South Africa has the highest carbon emissions inequality among the highest-emitting countries. The research showed that the highest income earners were ResponsibleFor higher emissions than the rest. There is also an inequality in climate vulnerability, as well as in adaptive capacity to respond and implement climate policies.
Last but not least, a just transition must be made in order to achieve sustainability and climate resilience. However, if inequality is not addressed, then there will be inequality in the transition’s impacts. South Africa cannot afford an unjust transition. A green cross is urgently needed to halt the climate emergency — we have no choice but to act now. OBP/DM
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