Article
Environmental Sciences
Adrian Hickey, Lalantha Senevirathna
Summary: Climate change is causing more frequent extreme weather events, such as floods, droughts, and heatwaves, which are impacting water supply systems globally. Water agencies and utilities need to develop resilient and adaptable systems to cope with these challenges. Case studies, like the one on water quality and supply management in New South Wales, demonstrate the importance of effective water treatment processes and collaboration among local governments to ensure a secure and reliable water supply during extreme weather events.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Michael Ward, Cristina Poleacovschi, Michael Perez
Summary: Cambodia faces devastating droughts and floods due to inadequate water infrastructure, but water harvesting can improve resilience. Despite limited studies on water harvesting suitability, combining expertise and evaluating site conditions can identify suitable locations. A model showed that 19% of Cambodian land has high suitability, aiding future water infrastructure projects for climate resiliency.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Ke Jack Ding, Jonathan M. Gilligan, Y. C. Ethan Yang, Piotr Wolski, George M. Hornberger
Summary: This study developed a coupled human-natural system model for Cape Town, South Africa to study the food-energy-water nexus and found that the city may face increasing water stress as temperatures rise. Results indicate that adaptation strategies can effectively mitigate the effects of water limitations and avoid severe service disruptions.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Kudzai Mugejo, Bongani Ncube, Crispen Mutsvangwa
Summary: This study assessed the availability of irrigation water, performance of irrigation infrastructure, and water governance systems in Genadendal, South Africa. The study found sufficient agricultural water resources for smallholder farmers relying on dams during the drought period, while those relying on the Riviersonderend River experienced severe water shortages. Poor infrastructure performance and dysfunctional water governance systems contributed to water insecurity. The study recommends adequate funding for infrastructure operation and maintenance, training for smallholder farmers in water management, and further research on water loss and effective water governance.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
M. J. Ritchie, J. A. A. Engelbrecht, M. J. Booysen
Summary: This paper presents a data-driven model for South African households that accurately models electricity usage demand and generates synthetic data. The model takes into account temporal variations, such as seasonality and the day of week, as well as household uniqueness, and achieves a low root mean square error.
ENERGY FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
(2022)
Article
Economics
Johanna Bruhl, Martine Visser
Summary: During the 2016-2018 drought in Cape Town, tariff increases, restrictions, and campaigns were used to significantly reduce water usage. Threats to non-compliant households and the implementation of a disaster plan helped amplify water savings, while providing transparent information and shifting crisis avoidance responsibility to residents also played a key role in promoting water conservation.
WATER RESOURCES AND ECONOMICS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Franziska Mueller, Johanna Tunn, Tobias Kalt
Summary: This paper introduces the concept of hydrogen justice as an analytical toolkit to examine the justice challenges of the global hydrogen transition. It highlights potential hydrogen injustices and suggests a six-dimensional concept of hydrogen justice. The research explores socio-ecological, political, and economic conditions in hydrogen target countries and examines emerging hydrogen projects and partnerships. Hydrogen injustices may manifest in issues of energy and water access, as well as impacts on indigenous livelihoods.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Philip Womble, Allen Townsend, Leon F. Szeptycki
Summary: Environmental water markets have been successful in the absence of certain legal conditions, with substantial market activity driven by government regulatory and conservation programs. The majority of funding comes from government sources, and current market activity is insufficient to prevent water restrictions for critical users in the Colorado River basin, indicating a need for additional investment.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Water Resources
Mbuso Ngcobo, Genius Murwirapachena, Maliga Reddy
Summary: Freshwater resources are facing constant pressures due to population growth, economic development, and changing weather patterns. Water supply utilities adopt demand management policies to address the growing demand for freshwater resources. This study examines the impact of biographic characteristics on water consumption behavior and the adoption of water-efficient technologies in Durban, South Africa. The results highlight income and education level as consistent determinants of water consumption behavior and the adoption of water-efficient technologies, providing valuable information for water utilities implementing demand management policies.
Article
Environmental Sciences
A. F. Lutz, W. W. Immerzeel, C. Siderius, R. R. Wijngaard, S. Nepal, A. B. Shrestha, P. Wester, H. Biemans
Summary: Climate change impacts the importance of meltwater and groundwater in South Asian agriculture, requiring offset of reduced rainfall. Additionally, socio-economic growth increases water demand.
NATURE CLIMATE CHANGE
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Jess L. Delves, V. Ralph Clark, Stefan Schneiderbauer, Nigel P. Barker, Joerg Szarzynski, Stefano Tondini, Joao de Deus Vidal, Andrea Membretti
Summary: The Maloti-Drakensberg mountain system in southern Africa is the largest and highest-elevation mountain system, providing ecosystem services that are increasingly threatened by rapid socioecological change. The study reveals that continued land degradation and economic problems indicate ineffective development policies and important information gaps.
Article
Water Resources
F. I. Mathivha, M. Nkosi, M. I. Mutoti
Summary: The study in northeastern South Africa found that both floods and droughts of varying magnitudes have occurred, with decreasing trends in groundwater levels, streamflow, and rainfall. Extreme events were shown to influence groundwater resources in the catchment area based on trend analysis findings.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY-REGIONAL STUDIES
(2021)
Article
Horticulture
Lidia Aparicio-Duran, Frederick G. Gmitter, Juan M. Arjona-Lopez, Rocio Calero-Velazquez, Aurea Hervalejo, Francisco J. Arenas-Arenas
Summary: This study evaluated the response of three new citrus rootstocks to water stress, with B11R5T60 showing the best performance and ability to adapt to different water stress conditions.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chei Bukari, Olufemi Adewale Aluko
Summary: Poverty is regarded as a crucial socioeconomic issue that increases people's vulnerability to climate change. This study, based on micro-level data from 33 sub-Saharan African countries, demonstrates that the severity of drought and flooding significantly heightens the likelihood of individuals experiencing various forms of deprivation, particularly for rural dwellers.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & POLICY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Richard Kwame Adom, Mulala Danny Simatele
Summary: In post-independence South Africa, promoting stakeholder engagement and participation is crucial for developing an innovative and sustainable water resource management system. However, there are structural and systematic constraints hindering effective participation, such as the lack of community empowerment and capacity building, inconsistencies in stakeholders' roles and responsibilities, and apathy towards public engagement.
NATURAL RESOURCES FORUM
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
J. David Tabara, Takeshi Takama, Manisha Mishra, Lauren Hermanus, Sean Khaya Andrew, Pacia Diaz, Gina Ziervogel, Louis Lemkow
Article
Water Resources
Johan Enqvist, Gina Ziervogel, Luke Metelerkamp, John van Breda, Ntombikayise Dondi, Thabo Lusithi, Apiwe Mdunyelwa, Zinzi Mgwigwi, Mpumelelo Mhlalisi, Siya Myeza, Gciniwe Nomela, Ann October, Welekazi Rangana, Maggie Yalabi
Summary: Cape Town's water injustices are further exacerbated by the mismatch between government interventions and the realities faced by informal settlements and low-income areas. This interdisciplinary study draws on narratives from over 300 communities, highlighting the overwhelming frustration regarding the municipality's shortcomings in addressing issues such as leaking pipes, faulty bills, and inadequate sanitation. The interventions in Cape Town tend to rely on technical solutions that overlook or worsen the complex social problems on the ground. Achieving water justice requires a focus on the various everyday realities experienced across formal and informal settlements.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Alma Elisabeth Peirson, Gina Ziervogel
Summary: This paper explores how informal settlements in the Global South are adapting to the impacts of climate change, highlighting the link between improving sanitation infrastructure and increasing community resilience to extreme weather events associated with climate change. Additionally, it examines the challenges and opportunities of implementing rapid climate action in complex socio-institutional contexts such as informal settlements.
Review
Environmental Studies
Alicea Garcia, Noemi Gonda, Ed Atkins, Naomi Joy Godden, Karen Paiva Henrique, Meg Parsons, Petra Tschakert, Gina Ziervogel
Summary: Drawing on recent resilience literature, this review article examines the role of power in resilience efforts and highlights the consequences of overlooking complexity. It emphasizes the importance of understanding how resilience intersects with patterns of inequity.
WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-CLIMATE CHANGE
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Johan Enqvist, Wessel van Oyen
Summary: Fair allocation of diminishing natural resources is crucial for sustainability, including the provision of clean water. However, financial constraints, droughts, and economic inequality can hinder this goal. This study explores different perspectives on fair water tariffs among residents from different socioeconomic backgrounds, and examines the influence of apartheid policies on these viewpoints. Additionally, the study discusses the impact of poverty, inequality, mistrust, privilege, and discrimination on experiences and ideas regarding payment and benefit from water services, and reflects on the risks posed by tariffs emphasizing cost recovery and resource conservation in climate-stressed cities.
SUSTAINABILITY SCIENCE
(2023)
Correction
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Johan Enqvist, Wessel van Oyen
SUSTAINABILITY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Gina Ziervogel, Anna Taylor
Summary: This study presents a framework for conducting CRV assessments in diverse South African contexts, aiming to enable alignment, comparison, and aggregation, contributing to effective climate adaptation response at different scales.
FRONTIERS IN CLIMATE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kulthoum Omari Motsumi, Gina Ziervogel, Mark New
Summary: This study provides an in-depth analysis of the multi-scalar dynamics and governance of drought in Botswana. It highlights the limitations of the current framing of drought and emphasizes the importance of cross-sectoral collaboration supported by necessary capacities and leadership. The paper calls for a broader conceptualization of multi-level governance and better integration of local actors in decision-making processes to strengthen drought governance.
CLIMATE RISK MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Gina Ziervogel, Chris Lennard, Guy Midgley, Mark New, Nicholas P. Simpson, Christopher H. Trisos, Luckson Zvobgo
Summary: This commentary reflects on the key findings and implications for South Africa from the 2022 IPCC Working Group II Report, focusing on the challenges and opportunities in cities, the food-water-energy-nature nexus, knowledge and capacity strengthening, climate finance, equity, justice and social protection, and climate-resilient development pathways. The article emphasizes the importance of addressing research gaps and urgently ramping up climate action to ensure a livable future for all South Africans.
SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Kristina Humphreys, Johan Enqvist
Summary: The interactions among social inequalities, environmental stressors, and shocks and their impact on community well-being and resilience are explored in this study. The findings highlight the importance of addressing water-related risks to health and well-being, particularly in marginalized communities. The study also underscores the role of subjective perceptions of well-being in promoting resilience and guiding crisis responses.
ECOLOGY AND SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Studies
Emily Potter, Fiona Miller, Eva Lovbrand, Donna Houston, Jessica McLean, Emily O'Gorman, Clifton Evers, Gina Ziervogel
Summary: This article presents a working manifesto on politics and practice on behalf of The Shadow Places Network, aiming to address an uncertain and damaged future and envision alternative worlds. By focusing on shadow places and the unjust and unsustainable processes that create them, the article calls for an environmental humanities that goes beyond abstraction, fosters new responsibilities, considers discomfort, and generates reparative possibilities and alternative futures.
ENVIRONMENT AND PLANNING E-NATURE AND SPACE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Studies
Gina Ziervogel, Johan Enqvist, Luke Metelerkamp, John van Breda
Summary: Calls for transformative adaptation to climate change necessitate attention to building capacity at the community level. A transdisciplinary approach that involves knowledge co-creation is central to inform transformative adaptation. More focus on bottom-up approaches and greater inclusivity in governance are needed to support transformative adaptation.
Article
Development Studies
Julia Elaine Davies, Dian Spear, Gina Ziervogel, Salma Hegga, Margaret Ndapewa Angula, Irene Kunamwene, Cecil Togarepi
CLIMATE AND DEVELOPMENT
(2020)
Article
Business
Ralph Hamann, Lulamile Makaula, Gina Ziervogel, Clifford Shearing, Alan Zhang
JOURNAL OF BUSINESS ETHICS
(2020)