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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: R100bn Infrastructure Fund is now in full operation - SONA 2021

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"The Infrastructure Investment Plan identifies roads projects worth R19 billion covering the spine of the South African road network. Work is underway to finalise project finance structuring for these projects. Resources have been committed from the fiscus to support the construction and rehabilitation of the major N1, N2, and N3 highways," Ramaphosa said.

Speaking during his fifth State of the Nation Address this evening, Ramaphosa said construction has started and progress is being made on a number of projects.

He said since the announcement of the Reconstruction and Recovery Plan, government has launched two major human settlements projects that will provide homes to almost 68 000 households in the Gauteng province.

"Similar human settlements projects are planned in other provinces," he said.

He added that progress was being made on several major water infrastructure projects, which include Phase 2A of the Mokolo and Crocodile River project and the uMkhomazi Water Project.

"The Infrastructure Investment Plan identifies roads projects worth R19 billion covering the spine of the South African road network. Work is underway to finalise project finance structuring for these projects. Resources have been committed from the fiscus to support the construction and rehabilitation of the major N1, N2, and N3 highways," Ramaphosa said.

He said these infrastructure projects will lead to the revival of the construction industry and the creation of much-needed jobs.

Also read: Are we leveraging innovation for our infrastructure recovery?

He added that the R100 billion Infrastructure Fund is now in full operation.

"This Fund will blend resources from the fiscus with financing from the private sector and development institutions. Its approved project pipeline for 2021 is varied and includes the Student Housing Infrastructure Programme, which aims to provide 300,000 student beds. Another approved project is SA Connect, a programme to roll out broadband to schools, hospitals, police stations and other government facilities," he said.

Ramaphosa said government was proceeding with efforts to strengthen the local government infrastructure and accelerate service delivery through the District Development Model.

He said the Model brings all three spheres of government to focus on key priorities and implementation of critical high impact projects.

"Working with both public and private sector partners, government is implementing a range of measures to support municipalities to address inadequate and inconsistent service delivery in areas such water provision, infrastructure build and maintenance," he said.

Source: IOL

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