The race to mitigate climate change seems to be a frantic game of stuck in the mud that no one volunteered to play. The last few decades have seen sea levels increase due to melting ice caps, rising average temperatures, extreme weather events and a dramatic shift in wildlife populations and habitats. It’s no surprise then that billionaires are using their endless resources to leave the planet.
Perhaps a better way to spend Jeff Bezos’ billions is by investing in coping with the effects of climate change. According to new research, investments of around R4.1 trillion are needed in order to mitigate the effects of climate change in 35 cities across South Africa, Kenya and Ethiopia by 2050, reports News24.
The African continent has made huge strides in terms of urbanisation, but this is having a major impact on global warming, the Coalition for Urban Transitions warns. The group, which is responsible for advising governments on economic development and climate change, stated in their latest report that Africa will most likely face “unprecedented biophysical risks.”
Destructive cyclones, droughts, floods and landslides have all affected various parts of Africa. And let’s not forget that Cape Town nearly ran out of water in 2018.
According to the report, as Africa continues to expand and more people call this continent home, around 950 million people are expected to live in African cities by 2050.
In South Africa, we’ll need approximately $215 million, or R3.2 trillion in investment for all major cities across the country, with Johannesburg claiming a large portion of these “imaginary” investments.
Unfortunately, there will be some major obstacles that will need to be overcome, including a “weak municipal creditworthiness and inefficient revenue-collection mechanisms.”
For now, let’s hope and pray that Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk will be willing to help.
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