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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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What can be done to ensure urgent allocation of Government infrastructure funds?

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South Africa is a “ticking time bomb” as the entire economy has gridlocked owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, which Master Builders South Africa president John Matthews laments presents a huge challenge.

What needs to be done to ensure Government starts to allocate committed infrastructure funds to grow the economy?

South Africa a ‘ticking time bomb’, says Master Builders' John Matthews.

The construction and built environment industry is not expected to survive should the provision of new infrastructure not be forthcoming. Investment in infrastructure is needed, presenting a challenge under current global conditions where funds are being reprioritised to the fight against the spread of Covid-19.

Speaking during an International Zinc Association (IZA) webinar, hosted by Creamer Media on July 15, John Matthews explained that, while the economy was opening up and restrictions were being eased, there was still not a lot of money "flowing” to help the economy grow or create employment.

Both the private and the public sectors need to invest money into the economy, despite purse strings being tight, as commitments “serve no purpose” if they are not implemented according to plan, he stated.

As an example, Matthews referred to government’s commitment in 2018 to create an infrastructure fund worth R100-billion, which has, so far, seen little to no movement, apart from the head of the fund being appointed in May.

This delay, he lamented, meant that the fund and related investments had not yet boosted the South African economy, or created jobs.

“The promise of a plan does not put food on the table, and we can no longer wait, as [everyone is] frustrated,” he said.

It is for this reason that the Covid-19 Construction Rapid Response Task Team continues to lobby government to start allocating committed funds to growing the economy.

Further, Matthews implored that “quick fixes” and ignoring longer-term effects of standard methodologies were not the way to go, despite saving on costs in the short term.

“We have to start thinking of new and innovative ideas of how to create sustainable building materials and how to use them to [a] long-term advantage,” he said.

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