Angela Merkel discovers climate change peril in S. Africa.

CAPETOWN, South Africa (AFP) - Climate change is already happening in South Africa, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Saturday during a visit to a biodiversity centre in Capetown.

"You can see that climate change is already a reality here," said Merkel, as she visited Biota Africa, a centre where German and South African scientists conduct research on African climate change.

"Climate change is more obvious in South Africa than in Germany," she said.

"If the temperature rises seven degrees in South Africa, then it is too late," said Merkel, on her third day of her South African visit.

AFP


Have you ever experienced a Highveld thunderstorm?

Climate Change is not new. As many sceptics about human-accelerated global warming point out, over thousands, even millions of years, the world climate has been constantly changing.

The thing is that ice core samples prove major increases in harmful greenhouse gases in relatively a very short space of time. What we are also witnessing is a greater frequency of freak weather all over the world.

This is not just due to the latest communication technology broadcasting horrific pictures of devastation from all points of the compass, but in our own lifetimes we are able to recognise distinct noticeable changes.

30 years ago in Johannesburg, people used to set their watches by the summer afternoon thunderstorm. Lightning strikes used to cause havoc to overhead telephone wires! Not only have most of the telephone cables gone underground, but no longer do these quaint old sayings ring true. Today South Africa experiences far greater extremes of heat and rain than it used to.

Add to this mix the increase in poverty and displaced peoples living on flood plains and other dangerous areas. Sadly, you end up with more regular loss of life and more heartbreaking pictures in the media.

It is in these developing areas of the world that global warming will accelerate climate change and cause the most significant problems. These countries are already battling to cope with major catastrophes from diseases such as HIV and malaria.

Angela Merkel has traveled to Africa this week and witnessed the potential for calamity that climate change poses for the Continent's population.

One has little faith in Europe's leaders having the commitment to shift the focus of their dash for oil and do more than pay lip service to renewable energy, but just maybe a woman will possess the qualities required to point the way ahead.