This assessment is ELECTIVE and contributes 25% to your
ACTIVITY 1
1.1
1.1.1 Three environmental issues faced by South African citizens are:
1. Climate change: South Africa is experiencing increasing temperatures and changing rainfall
patterns, leading to droughts, heatwaves, and floods. These changes impact agriculture, water
availability, and biodiversity.
2. Water scarcity: South Africa is a water-stressed country, with limited freshwater resources and
uneven distribution. The growing population and economic development put pressure on water
resources, leading to shortages and conflicts over water access.
, 3. Pollution: South Africa faces various types of pollution, including air pollution from industrial
emissions and vehicle exhaust, water pollution from mining activities and inadequate wastewater
treatment, and soil pollution from agricultural chemicals and waste disposal.
1.1.2 The implications of these environmental challenges are as follows:
1. Climate change implications:
- Decreased agricultural productivity: Changes in rainfall patterns and increased temperatures can
negatively impact crop yields and livestock production, leading to food insecurity and economic
losses.
- Increased health risks: Heatwaves and changing disease patterns can increase the spread of vector-
borne diseases like malaria and dengue fever. Additionally, extreme weather events can lead to
injuries, displacement, and mental health issues.
- Biodiversity loss: Climate change can disrupt ecosystems and threaten biodiversity, impacting plant
and animal species and their habitats.
2. Water scarcity implications:
- Reduced access to clean water: Water scarcity can lead to limited access to clean, safe drinking
water, particularly in rural areas, which can result in waterborne diseases and socio-economic
inequities.
- Agriculture and industry limitations: Limited water availability affects agricultural productivity and
industrial growth, leading to lower economic output and job losses.
- Socio-economic conflicts: Water scarcity can lead to conflicts between different sectors,
communities, and regions over water resources, exacerbating social and political tensions.
3. Pollution implications:
- Human health impacts: Air pollution can cause respiratory diseases, cardiovascular problems, and
premature death. Water pollution can lead to waterborne diseases and contaminated drinking water,
while soil pollution can affect food safety and agricultural productivity.
- Ecosystem damage: Pollution can harm aquatic ecosystems, leading to the loss of biodiversity,
reduced fish stocks, and degradation of coastal and freshwater habitats.
- Economic costs: Pollution cleanup and mitigation efforts, as well as the loss of natural resources and
ecosystem services, impose financial burdens on governments and industries.
1.1.3 One softwood tree species is the Pine (Pinus) tree, commonly found in South Africa.
