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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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OPINION: How can Built Environment Professionals play an active role in the rebuilding of SA - Duma Mnqumevu

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Professional Civil Engineering Technologist Duma Mnqumevu shares his hardhatOPINION on the rebuilding of South Africa in the aftermath of the recent violent unrest which involved looting and infrastructure destruction

Please give us a brief summary of your background

I am registered as a Professional Engineering Technologist (Pr Tech Eng) with ECSA, Project Management Professional (PMP) with PMI and a member of SAICE. I am holding a Master of Business Leadership (MBL) degree from UNISA SBL, B-Tech degree in Civil Engineering from UNISA, National Diploma in Civil Engineering from Walter Sisulu University (Formerly Eastern Cape Technikon) and a Certificate in Project Management from Damelin Correspondence College.

I have more than 15 years working experience in planning and design of structural and civil engineering infrastructure projects and construction project management. I have held a number of positions in public and private sectors and gained a lot of exposure and experience in infrastructure development throughout my career.

I am currently employed by Transnet Engineering as a Senior Project Engineer (Civil Engineering) responsible for the project planning & design and the construction management of civil and construction projects within the organisation. 

Have you been directly impacted by these events? 

Yes, mainly at a business level as we had to deal with unforeseen events that prevented smooth running of operations, due to traffic destructions and temporary suspension of services in some parts of the country as a result of the unrest.

How do you think these events will impact Construction and Built Environment Professionals going forward? 

Construction and Built Environment Professionals will be impacted as these events have a direct impact on jobs, cost of doing business will go up, small businesses are struggling already to make ends meet and SA economy is crippled further by these events.  

How can Construction and Built Environment Professionals contribute in rebuilding our society after all this? 

Construction and Built Environment Professionals are problem solvers so their expertise is always required in providing needed solutions for sustainable developments and most importantly for promoting safeguarding of the country's assets, public safety,  and environmental stewardship by society.

Do you see a silver lining in all this?

There is no hope and future in destroying property when feeling aggrieved in any form. The society must now more than ever be at the forefront in taking ownership and safeguard the assets and infrastructure that are built to serve them.    

What would you say to Construction and Built Environment Professionals who are currently feeling despondent by these events?

Sometimes it takes a crisis to turn challenges into opportunities.

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