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Biomimetic strategies for climate change mitigation in the built environment

  • Authors: Aanuoluwapo, Oguntona Olusegun , Aigbavboa, Clinton Ohis
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Biomimicry , Built environment , Climate change
  • Language: English
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/247631 , uj:25716 , Citation: Aanuoluwapo, O.O. & Aigbavboa, C.O. 2017. Biomimetic strategies for climate change mitigation in the built environment.
  • Description: Abstract: Out of the numerous challenges facing mankind globally, the impact of climate change poses more threat. These impacts include sea-level rise, more frequent floods from heavy rainfall and notably among others, intense droughts. Despite the United Nations anchored events and conferences geared towards tackling climate change, little success has been recorded till date. Biomimicry, a novel science and method that studies nature’s models and then emulates their forms, processes, and strategies offer a sustainable approach to this menace of climate change. It also has the potential to offer efficient alternatives to the human activities that contribute to the depletion and pollution of the environment. Hence, the objective of this paper is to evaluate and present the potential of biomimicry in for climate change mitigation in the built environment. An extant literature review was conducted on biomimicry and its roles in tackling climate change through mitigation and adaptation. The result explores various Biomimetic innovations and applications with their potential to sustainably mitigate the menace of climate change if adopted. This study is expected to refocus human efforts towards biomimicry where it is believed that nature, during its 3.8 billion years of existence has evolved with highly efficient processes and systems, with the potential to produce solutions to the environmental challenges facing mankind, especially climate change.
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The enduring link between forests and rain : a historical perspective on emergent science and policy discussions

A study protocol to determine heat-related health impacts among primary chsoolchildren in South Africa

  • Authors: Bidassey-Manilal, Shalin , Wright, Caradee Yael , Kapwata, Thandi , Shirinde, Joyce
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Climate change , High temperatures , Primary schoolchildren
  • Language: English
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/436421 , uj:37857 , Bidassey-Manilal, S., Wright, C.Y., Kapwata, T., Shirinde, J. 2020: A study protocol to determine heat-related health impacts among primary chsoolchildren in South Africa.
  • Description: Abstract: , Climate models predict that the global average temperature of Earth will rise in the future. Studies show that high classroom temperatures can affect the ability of the student to learn and function. It is important to understand the impact that heat will have on the health, wellbeing, and academic performance of learners, as they spend a significant amount of time in classrooms compared to any other environment. A follow-up panel study among 20 public primary schools in the Gauteng province (South Africa) will be carried out, in which Grade 4 learners will be selected to complete an hourly heat-health symptom questionnaire. A Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) test will be used to determine their memory and attention span. A nursing practitioner will measure body weight, height, and temperature. Lascar data loggers will beusedtomeasureindoorclassroomtemperature. Schoolprincipalswillcompleteaquestionnaireon existing school coping mechanisms and policies in place that help deal with hot weather conditions. This is the first study to quantitatively assess the effects of heat on learners’ health, well-being and school performance in South Africa. The outcomes of this study will enable policymakers and public officials to develop appropriate school heat adaptation and mitigation measures and will assist in channeling their resources where it is most needed.
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Drivers of change and conservation needs for vertebrates in drylands : an assessment from global scale to Sahara-Sahel wetlands

  • Authors: Brito, G.J.C. , Del Barrio, G. , Stellmes, M. , Pleguezuelos, J.M. , Saarinen, J.
  • Date: 2021
  • Subjects: Biodiversity threats , Climate change , Conservation actions
  • Language: English
  • Type: Journal article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/490332 , uj:44738 , Citation: Brito, J.C., Del Barrio, G., Stellmes, M., Pleguezuelos, J.M. and Saarinen, J., 2021. Drivers of change and conservation needs for vertebrates in drylands: an assessment from global scale to Sahara-Sahel wetlands. The European Zoological Journal, 88(1), pp.1103-1129. , DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/24750263.2021.1991496
  • Description: Abstract: Drylands range across more than half of the global terrestrial area and harbour about a quarter of continental vertebrate species, many of them endemic. However, this fauna is being increasingly threatened, in particular the one that inhabits deserts, one of the last biomes on earth. This work tracks the most relevant global change drivers acting on drylands, especially in deserts and arid regions, the conservation actions being developed, and the research needs for vertebrate conservation, following IUCN standardised classification schemes. Using the Sahara-Sahel wetlands as case study, it is provided a detailed examination of these aspects to support regional biodiversity conservation and human welfare. Deserts and arid regions are threatened by the synergistic effects of increasing development of urban areas, agriculture, energy production, mining, transportation and service corridors, resulting in pollution, invasive species, human intrusions and disturbance, biological resource overuse and in general, natural system modifications. In addition, climate change together with social underdevelopment of many desert-range countries places the mitigation of threat factors in a large and complex web of global-local societal challenges. Conservation actions targeting land/ water and species protection and management, as well as education, awareness, capacity building, and legislation measures to increase livelihood development, are being developed. Additional research efforts are need to enhance biodiversity conservation planning, monitoring biodiversity and land-degradation status (based on Essential Biodiversity Variables), and quantification of socioeconomic factors associated with sustainable use of natural resources and human development. Sahara-Sahel wetlands are important life-support systems for both humans and vertebrates, the last vulnerable to listed global threats. They offer framework scenario to revert current environmental and societal challenges in deserts. Long-term conservation of desert vertebrate biodiversity requires appropriate policy instruments to promote sustainable use of natural resources. Raising environmental alertness within local communities of uniqueness of desert biodiversity is needed to promote policy change.
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Indigenous practices of ecosystem management in a changing climate: Prospects for ecosystem-based adaptation

Climate change and human security in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The last resort? ski tourism and climate change in Arctic Sweden

  • Authors: Demiroglu, Osman Cenk , Lundmark, Linda , Saarinen, Jarkko , Müller, Dieter K.
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Finland , Climate change , Sweden
  • Language: English
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/458155 , uj:40684 , Citation: Demiroglu, O.C. et al. 2020. The last resort? Ski tourism and climate change in Arctic Sweden. , DOI 10.1108/JTF-05-2019-0046
  • Description: Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to discuss the external and internal factors that support or challenge a possible transformation of Arctic Sweden into a major ski destination under a changing climate. Design/methodology/approach – The paper questions future availability of the physical and the human factors that foster ski tourism development in Arctic Sweden and suggests a comparative case study in relation to the already existing large resort-based ski destinations in Arctic Finland. Findings – Preliminary documentary analysis shows that the governmental and the industrial discourses over the past decade have acknowledged a competitive edge for Sweden and its northernmost regions in particular and may even propose a structural shift for ski tourism in the near future agenda. The visualisations based on natural snow projections presented in this paper confirm this comparative advantage but other technical and socioeconomic development factors are further discussed, in relation to Arctic Finland. Research limitations/implications – Future research agenda is suggested to cover, first, assessment of natural and technical snow reliability of existing and all potential ski areas in Sweden and within its competitive set extending to all the Nordics and the Alps, then, incorporation of adaptive capacities of the suppliers but especially the likely substitution tendencies of the consumers, and finally, evaluation of the overall situation in terms of the regional development needs. Social implications – It is apparent that land use conflicts will arise in case of large ski resort-based destination development in Arctic Sweden, especially around the environmentally protected areas, which are not only already important attractions for nature-based tourism but also traditional livelihoods for the Sami. Originality/value – This is the first paper to discuss a potential regional and structural shift of ski tourism in Sweden.
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Political ecology and differential vulnerabilities to droughts among livestock farmers in South Africa : a case study of Mpakeni community

  • Authors: Ebhuoma, Eromose , Donkor, Felix , Ebhuoma, Osadolor O.
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Political ecology , Vulnerability , Climate change
  • Language: English
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/416441 , uj:35227 , Citation: Ebhuoma, E., Donkor, F., Ebhuoma O.O., (2020) Political Ecology and Differential Vulnerabilities to Droughts among Livestock Farmers in South Africa: A Case Study of Mpakeni Community, STEPS Working Paper 114, Brighton: STEPS Centre
  • Description: Abstract: , Subsistence livestock production in Mpakeni community, South Africa, is crucial to enabling rural households to diversify their livelihood and spread risks. However, the frequent reoccurrences of drought have resulted in shortages of nutritious pastures in Mpakeni’s communal areas, posing significant threats to livestock production. While exposures to drought conditions in Mpakeni are homogeneous, socio-economic and political factors determine the choices and manner in which various social groups engaged in livestock production can undertake to secure pastures to reduce their vulnerability. This paper adopts a political ecology framework to qualitatively analyse Mpakeni community livestock farmers’ vulnerability to drought, including the dynamics that shape the reproduction of such vulnerabilities among the various socially differentiated groups. Key findings reveal that distinct household characteristics among different social groups amplify their inability to secure pastures from their customary locations during drought conditions. Also, the appropriation of large areas of land by traditional leaders reduces the options available to poor households to secure pastures in the face of drought. This paper argues that differentiated vulnerabilities of social groups are rooted in institutionalised forms of governance at the local level, which emanate from the corridors of power.
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Implications of global CO2 emissions on natural carbonation and service 1 lifespan of concrete infrastructures – reliability analysis

  • Authors: Ekolu, S.O.
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Climate change , Concrete infrastructures , Service lifespan
  • Language: English
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/458143 , uj:40682 , Ekolu, S.O.: Implications of global CO2 emissions on natural carbonation and service 1 lifespan of concrete infrastructures – reliability analysis.
  • Description: Abstract: The rise in atmospheric [CO2] globally has consequences on economic infrastructures of concrete such as buildings, bridges, silos, amongst others. The present study employed a natural carbonation prediction (NCP) model to analyse carbonation progression and the service lifespans of concrete infrastructures, based on the forecasted global [CO2] levels for years up to A.D. 2100 (IPCC, 2013). The environmental factors considered comprise the inland and coastal subtropical climate conditions focusing on the South African cities of Johannesburg and Durban, respectively. In most developing countries, concretes of relatively low strengths are widely used in structural constructions. It was found that the carbonation depths for concrete infrastructures located in Johannesburg are consistently 1.5 times higher than those for the structures in Durban. For normal strength concretes, carbonation depths increase by up to 31% while service lifespans correspondingly reduce by up to 24%, owing to the rise in [CO2] levels between the years A.D. 2000 and A.D. 2100. Future use of higher strength concretes ≥ 40 MPa appears to be necessary for these adverse effects to be avoided. Unfortunately, this counter measure is paradoxical, as it promotes CO2 emissions due to employment of higher clinker contents in concretes, while attempting to hinder carbonation progression. For existing infrastructures, the resulting shorter lifespans imply an earlier onset of corrosion problems, which in turn imposes higher repair and rehabilitation costs. In order for future infrastructures to achieve the same service lifespans presently attained, it would be necessary to specify higher concrete strength grades and larger cover depths, relative to those presently recommended in the design guidelines. Ultimately, the unit costs for new concrete constructions would increase, as a result.
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Impact of climate change on food security and water supply in South Africa: reports from local authorities

Cascading impacts of climate change and the rights of children in Africa : a reflection on the principle of intergenerational equity

Climatic factors in relation to diarrhoea hospital admissions in rural Limpopo, South Africa

Looking beyond the brink of water and crises! What crises, really?

  • Authors: Mamba, Bhekie
  • Date: 2011-11-23
  • Subjects: Water quality , Water crises , Climate change , Water conservation , Water resource development
  • Type: Inaugural
  • Identifier: http://ujcontent.uj.ac.za8080/10210/382819 , uj:15235 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4069
  • Description: Inaugural lecture--Chemistry Department, University of Johannesburg, 21 September 2011 , Globally, water related matters tend to take centre stage because while mankind can do without electricity as a form of energy source, one would never survive after a prolonged period without water. To illustrate the point, healthy adults and children can live only up to ten and five days, respectively, without water, but without food it is possible to survive for several weeks. Water may not necessarily be equated to bread but it constitutes a large percentage of the human body. The body needs water to support a lot of chemical processes within itself, to absorb beneficial nutrients, to excrete waste and to maintain the core body temperature through sweating. So much has been written and debated regarding water quality and scarcity globally and more importantly in South Africa. The voices being heard have predominantly been those of the articulate social scientists who have a greater appeal to the print and electronic media. Is there empirical data and scientifically tested evidence to suggest that South Africa should now start pressing “water crises” panic buttons? The scientists’ and engineers’ voices have been largely shrouded, masked and even, in many cases, “loudly” unheard in the entire discourse and we, the University of Johannesburg’s Water Research group, have been doing most of the talking in the laboratories in a desperate effort to answer these burning questions but, needless to say, there are still lots of questions that are begging for answers! Taking a short trip to memory lane, we recall a “load shedding” energy crises but the question that lingers in most people’s minds, with climate change impact taken into account, is whether or not a water crises is looming. In the lecture, the current state of affairs will be discussed and more importantly, we expose the opportunities for research at present and in the immediate future.
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Critical review of salinity intrusion in rivers and estuaries

  • Authors: Mohammed, Ruqayah , Scholz, Miklas
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Climate change , Coastal resources management , Estuary
  • Language: English
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/291494 , uj:31657 , Citation: Mohammed, R. & Scholz, M. 2018. Critical review of salinity intrusion in rivers and estuaries.
  • Description: Abstract: There is scientific evidence of accelerated sea level rise and saline intrusion. Some impacts such as stratification and estuarine circulation are subtle; others are dramatic including shifts in salt-sensitive habitats and limited water availability of suitable quality for industrial and municipal uses. These results have become a remarkable reality resulting in a set of integrated surface water organisation issues. Tremendous population increases overwhelming many coastal areas have expanded the problem. These challenges have been studied from many perspectives using various objectives and methodologies, and then arriving at different findings. However, all research assured that significant rises in sea level have influenced estuaries and tidally-affected rivers, and these observations are expected to become rapidly worse in the future. This study introduces categorises, critically investigates and synthesises the most related studies regarding accelerated sea level rise and challenges of the development associated with the resources of surface water in estuaries and tidally-affected rivers. This critical review reveals that there is a need for research that focuses on the development of sustainable surface water resources.
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Nature-based tourism operators’ perceptions and adaptation to climate change in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe

Assessment of localized seasonal precipitation variability in the upper middle catchment of the Olifants River basin

  • Authors: Nkhonjera, German K. , Dinka, Megersa O. , Woyessa, Yali E.
  • Date: 2021
  • Subjects: Africa , Climate change , Olifants River basin
  • Language: English
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/476395 , uj:43010 , Citation: Nkhonjera, G.K., Dinka, M.O. & Woyessa, Y.E. 2021. Assessment of localized seasonal precipitation variability in the upper middle catchment of the Olifants River basin.
  • Description: Abstract: This study used the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model together with regional climate downscaled (RCD) data from the CORDEX (Africa project), to assess the local seasonal precipitation variability in the upper middle catchment (UMC) of the Olifants River basin. The study results, based on two scenarios (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5), showed a wider monthly and seasonal variability of precipitation. The study also indicated a strong decreasing trend of east-to-west direction of spatial precipitation, with most precipitation concentrated in the eastern part of the study area. Within the western part of the UMC, we also noted another decreasing trend of precipitation from south-tonorth with northern areas of the study area receiving the least amount of precipitation. This study has also revealed a considerable general reduction of future seasonal precipitation especially in the mid-term period (2021–2050). The general reduction in future seasonal precipitation, combined with the increasing temperatures in the area, may exacerbate the drought conditions and reduction in streamflow of the main river (Olifants) and its tributaries, consequently having a negative impact on the economic activities in the basin.
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Drivers of renewable energy adoption in the built environment : a case of South Africa

Biomimetic strategies for climate change adaptation in the built environment - a literature review

  • Authors: Oguntona, Olusegun A. , Aigbavboa, Clinton O.
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Biomimicry , Built environment , Climate change
  • Language: English
  • Type: Conference proceedings
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/215179 , uj:21373 , Citation: Oguntona, O.A & Aigbavboa, C.O. 2016. Biomimetic strategies for climate change adaptation in the built environment - a literature review.
  • Description: Abstract: Out of the numerous challenges facing mankind globally, the impact of climate change poses more threat. These impacts include sea-level rise, more frequent floods from heavy rainfall and notably among others, intense droughts. Despite the United Nations anchored events and conferences geared towards tackling climate change, little success has been recorded till date. Biomimicry, a novel science and method that studies nature's models and then emulates their forms, processes, and strategies offer a sustainable approach to this menace of climate change. It also has the potential to offer efficient alternatives to the human activities that contribute to the depletion and pollution of the environment. Hence, the objective of this paper is to evaluate and present the potential of biomimicry in adapting to climate change in the built environment. An extant literature review was conducted on biomimicry and its roles in tackling climate change through mitigation and adaptation. The result explores Biomimetic innovations and applications with their potential to sustainably combat the menace of climate change if adopted. This study is expected to refocus human efforts towards biomimicry where it is believed that nature, during its 3.8 billion years of existence has evolved with highly efficient processes and systems, with the potential to produce solutions to the environmental challenges facing mankind, especially climate change.
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Tourism and climate change : stakeholder perceptions of at risk tourism segments in South Africa

  • Authors: Pandy, Wayde R. , Rogerson, Christian M.
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Climate change , Tourism , Adaptation
  • Language: English
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: http://ujcontent.uj.ac.za8080/10210/364422 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/277067 , uj:29674 , Citation: Pandy, W.R. & Rogerson, C.M. 2018. Tourism and climate change : stakeholder perceptions of at risk tourism segments in South Africa. E u r o E c o n o m i c a, 1(37):104-118. , ISSN: 1582-8859
  • Description: Abstract: The aim is to investigate the perspectives of key South African tourism industry stakeholders surrounding the issue of climate change. Previous research has shown that while the tourism industry in many countries is aware of the significance and potential ramifications of climate change, it is not considered a pressing issue and not the least since the impact of the 2008 global economic crisis. In Africa, with the tourism sector potentially facing major threats from climate change, the need for further research is urgent especially with respect to stakeholder perceptions. The study analyzes the development of national policy towards climate change and tourism and the perceptions of 31 key stakeholders on the segments of the national tourism economy most at risk from climate change. The results show at national government level South Africa is seeking to enact tourism and climate based policies. This said, the degree to which such policies might be implementable must be questioned not only in relation to capacity issues at the scale of local government but by the depth of revealed commitment of stakeholders in terms of making meaningful adjustments to the challenges of climate change because of their perceptions of risk. In particular, the interviewees highlighted their awareness that climate change is responsible for threats to biodiversity as well as assets for coastal and marine tourism. Overall the stakeholders perceived differences in the impacts of climate change for different segments of the tourism economy. Of concern was that stakeholders gainsay the potential impacts of climate change for certain segments which international evidence suggests will most definitely be at risk.
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Tourism enterprises and climate change : some research imperatives

  • Authors: Pandy, Wayde R.
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Tourism enterprises , Climate change , Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/248408 , uj:25824 , Citation: Pandy, W.R. 2017. Tourism enterprises and climate change : some research imperatives. African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure, 6(4):1-18. , ISSN: 2223-814X
  • Description: Abstract: The nexus of tourism and climate change is one that has encountered increasing academic interest and exploration by range of disciplines, in particular with prominent contributions made by geographers. Southern Africa is a region that is particularly vulnerable to the long-term impacts of climate change. It is against this background that this paper examines key debates from the growing international literature on climate change in order to identify research imperatives including for African scholars. Arguably, in analysing the potential outcomes and impacts of climate change on the tourism industry worldwide, and specifically the manner in which a number of tourism dependent businesses and by proxy tourism dependent communities and livelihoods may be increasingly vulnerable to climate change related stresses, adaptive actions which aim to reduce or counter such vulnerability become essential. Overall, as argued in this analysis, expanding the research agenda relating to tourism enterprises and climate change and most especially around the need for ‘adaptive pathways’ is of critical importance for tourism scholarship.
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