Studied Ignorance Of Climate Vagaries Is Inexcusable

Living at a time when unprecedented access to information makes studied ignorance inexcusable, it beggars belief that the premier of KZN, Thami Ntuli, finds it necessary to establish a Climate Change Council “to combat extreme weather events” (The Mercury, October 4).

Claiming that “we can no longer behave as if everything is normal,” Ntuli shows his ignorance. Floods, droughts, and snowfalls are a natural part of the weather and climate of KZN. Official records in KZN date back to 1848, when flooding occurred.  April 1856 saw over 600mm of rain in the Durban area over five days. On August 31, 1868 – 255mm fell in a single day;  May 31-June 2, 1905, saw the most severe weather ever to have struck the province when gale force winds, hail, heavy snowfalls, and widespread flooding cost several hundred lives and crippled infrastructure. Severe floods occurred in 1917, 1935, 1959, 1976, 1984 (Demoina), 1987, May 2016 (315 mm), and May 2022.

The historical record of our weather speaks for itself. In 1983, we had such severe drought that Durban households were limited to 400 litres of water per day.  With less than three months of the year remaining, to date, Durban has had less than half its annual average of 1,040mm of rain. The vagaries of climate are a reality and have nothing to do with fossil fuels and human activities.

If Premier Ntuli delved a bit deeper into climate change, he would note the warnings of the senior SA Weather Service forecaster, Puseletso Mofokeng, and scientist Christien Engelbrecht, They expect snowstorms to occur more frequently in the years ahead (The Mercury, October 2). The reason for their forecast is because the earth is in a cooling period phase. Historical records over the past 2000 years reflect clearly defined warming and cooling periods.

The only preparations with which Premier Ntuli might concern himself are that snow ploughs are kept handy near major inland transport routes, that timely, practical advice is disseminated about coping with weather extremes, and that appropriate emergency equipment and supplies can be accessed speedily.

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