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NEWS: Coastal wetlands are unable to adapt to the rate of sea-level rise and are constrained by infrastructure

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Wetlands, precious ecosystems that shield coastlines, safeguard drinking water from saltwater contamination, and nourish diverse wildlife, face a dire threat from the accelerating pace of sea-level rise, driven by global warming. Wetlands have historically adapted to rising sea levels by expanding upward and inland. However, predictions indicate that the waterline will soon shift far too rapidly for wetlands to keep pace. Consequently, future decades may witness the tragic loss of these vital wetland ecosystems. Wetlands along coastlines have historically played valuable roles for people and wildlife, but are now facing the threat of sea-level rise. As temperatures rise, sea levels are rising at an accelerating rate, and wetlands are unable to keep pace by building upward and migrating inland. This is due to human-induced climate change and the burning of fossil fuels, which has warmed the oceans and melted glaciers. Sea levels are now rising at about 10 millimeters per year, and are
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NEWS: Construction taking strain, infrastructure could hoist it

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Dr Roelof Botha believes that even though the construction industry has taken a strain in the 4th Quarter of 2019, activity in the infrastructure spending should be able to boost construction activity.



The Afrimat Construction Index (ACI) sunk deeper into the doldrums, to the lowest level since 2013, declining 2.9percent in the fourth quarter of 2019.

However construction activity should be boosted by double-digit annual increases in infrastructure spending, economist Dr Roelof Botha - who compiled the Afrimat Construction Index (ACI) the index that indicates the level of activity in the building and construction sectors - said in an interview yesterday.

However, “a combination of high interest rates, uncertainty over land reform, inefficiencies within the public sector, and lethargic economic growth continue to place the construction sector under pressure,” Botha said.

He was particularly concerned about the 13percent decline in the building plans passed component of the ACI, which was a sure indicator of formal building conditions 6-12 months into the future.

Viewed from the base year for the ACI (the first quarter of 2011), the index had increased by an average annual rate of 1.6percent (in real terms), only marginally less than the average annual increase of 1.8percent in real gross domestic product over this period.

The under-performing construction sector should be ringing alarm bells for the government due to the obvious need to expand the infrastructure, especially in electricity, housing, transport and water, said Botha.

The State of the Nation address and national Budget had paved the way for only a modest increase in construction in 2020, but this could gain momentum in 2021.

Other signs of hope included a plan designed by Consulting Engineers South Africa to inject private engineering skills and expertise into relevant public sector departments and agencies, and the fact that the government had this year unequivocally committed to spending more on water provision, roads and expanding the renewable energy supply.

According to National Treasury, public sector infrastructure spending over the medium-term expenditure framework period is estimated at R815billion.

Botha said of further concern in the fourth quarter was the drop of almost 7percent in the year-on-year level of the ACI, and the continued weakness in both the volume and sales value of building materials produced.

He said the economy as a whole, and construction activity in particular, remained in desperate need of meaningful interest rate relief, to lower the cost of fixed capital formation and stimulate growth and employment creation.

This article was first published here

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