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WHAT WILL THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE BE ON SOUTHERN AFRICA? Rising temperatures will lead to more periods of drought and heavier rainfall when it does come Impact on food prices: Maize will be particularly badly impacted, with a reduction in yields of up to 25%. Wheat, barley, sorghum as well as apples pears and grapes will be impacted significantly because of reduced rainfalland increase of pests. Soil will also be degraded by flooding which leads to a loss of fertile topsoil. Livestock will be impacted , heat can  reduce milk yields and conception rates and cattle feed will become more expensive . Fish stocks will be depleted as many types move to cooler areas . There will be an increase in ‘red tide’. Storms will damage estuaries and fisheries, and there will be fewer viable fishing days. Impact on water. Because of increased evaporation and less rain fall there will be less water available for irrigation and drinking water. Rising sea levels have already been recorded all along Southern African coastlines combined with more extreme weather events. With water more scarce and more evaporation, water quality will deteriorate, as pollutants such as chemicals, fertilisers, petroleum become more concentrated.  This will lead to an Increased incubation and transmission of water –borne diseases. Because of increased intensity of rain and flash floods there will be  overflowing sewers, often discharging into  rivers. Impact on health: People will be impacted by storms, cyclones and extreme temperatures. Following floods  there is a risk of cholera and diarrhoeal diseases. We will also suffer from the effects of heat stress which increase the death rate  and respiratory diseases. Flooding and drought may lead to food shortages and malnutrition. Mosquitos and ticks are affected by climatic factors, malaria and tick bite fever will spread to regions bordering current malaria areas which are presently too cold for transmission. As air pollution increases (sulphur dioxide, ozone, benzene, lead etc) it will lead to eye irritation, respiratory infection, increase of TB etc. the combination of heat and air pollution will increase cardiovascular disease (heart disease). How much the temperature will rise by 2050 depends on how much we as a global community can reduce our  carbon emissions. On the current track, average temperatures will rise by a massive 5-8 ⁰C. As a global community if we can reduce our emissions and keep the amount of carbon dioxide molecules in the atmosphere to below 450 parts per million then the rise in temperature will be  between 2.5- 3⁰C.  

Engaging young people in environmental ministry is very important as it creates an early understanding of climate change as well as value of creation.  We made it a competition in order to add a  youthful taste and for it to be intriguing to young people. The Diocese of Umzimvubu has spotted the potential young people have in terms of changing the environmental issue. The environmental coordinator headed an Eco-Tourism and Green Kokstad project where by homes at Shayamoya with their outstation St Francis Parish Bongweni started a garden. This initiative is done in collaboration with Scientific Roets and Yondlabantu NGO and the primary purpose of this initiative is to fight poverty and hunger. Young people are selected as Green Ambassadors, who receive some training through Scientific Roets and always check the progress of the gardens seasonally. “Each year we always have some competitions whereby we vote for a person who has got the most beautiful garden.” What is your Diocese doing to Combat Climate change? It is our responsibility to take care of creation and unite in greening our churches and the community. Rev Mandla Rangana, Mzimvubu Environmental Coordinator  

The Anglican Women’s Fellowship (AWF) takes up the challenge in the  Diocese with a difference!In Mthatha Diocese—the “Diocese with  a difference”, they are already taking up the environmental challenge Thuletu Ngudle was invited to conduct a workshop with the AWF. She works at Wessa (the Wildlife  and Environment Society of South Africa : www.wessa.org.za) and  her theme was “ Care for the Environment—towards poverty eradication”. She covered themes such as organic gardening and worm farms, climate change and food security, and how to reach out to our communities. She also looked at waste management, for instance how you can create work from recycling. Let us watch the AWF take this programme forward in the Province! “I am not a garden person, but I will get home and plant my plot of vegetables!” Pumla Titus, Provincial Chair, Anglican Women’s Fellowship

What is a carbon fast for Lent? For Anglicans, Lent is the time when we remember the 40 days that Jesus spent in the wilderness, facing challenge and temptation. It is a time when we reflect on God’s purpose for our life. Many Anglicans take this opportunity to fast from coffee, alcohol or chocolates. But this year our challenge is deeper, to take a carbon fast – to reduce the use of carbon based fuels on which we all depend. We will take small steps for a more sustainable world, and by doing so rediscover a different relationship with God, with Creation and with one another. Because I can change the world a little in 40 days, but I can change myself a lot! How do I take a carbon fast? From Ash Wednesday, 5 March, to 12 April is a time of reflection and action. Each week has a theme with a prayer, a resource to read or watch, actions to take as an individual, some suggestions of community actions you can take and something you can consider doing to change the system. Download your 40 day guide THEMES for each of the five weeks:

Energy and Water Audit at the Cathedral in Maseru, Lesotho  The Anglican Cathedral of Maseru has joined hands in order to create change environmentally. Having an understanding of energy and water scarcity, the youth took it as their responsibility to take action towards sustaining these resources. Based in Maseru, the Capital of Lesotho, the Cathedral is centrally situated, making it one of the key places to initiate a project towards energy efficiency, sustainable and renewable energy. On the 18th of December 2013 an energy and water audit was conducted with the support of Tsepho Hlasoa from SAFCEI. This involved a site walk about. Results of the audit were used to gauge the Cathedral’s water and energy footprint. The Maseru Anglican Cathedral has more than one surrounding building including an accommodation centre, which was built to also generate income for the church. The accommodation centre was therefore included in the audit as it uses water and electricity frequently. In the report of the audit, electricity consumption was divided into categories, and hot water cylinders (Geysers) came out to be using about 70% of the electricity and each of other appliances including the refrigerator, lights, equipment etc. sharing the remaining 30%. Water usage which included the church and the accommodation centre were almost divided equally between sewage and catering. Sewage uses up to 50% water inclusive of bathrooms, toilets and water from the laundry. Catering uses up to 36% accumulated through daily preparations of meals for the accommodation centre. Cleaning and gardening share the remaining 14% of water however cleaning uses most of it. The Cathedral in response to environmental issues and climate change, has installed water tanks to reduce tap water and they make use of solar powered water heaters to cut down level of energy use. The following recommendations were made: A brick or 2 litre container of water is placed in each toilet. This reduces water consumption by 2 litres at each flush Geyser blankets be purchased and timers put on the geysers All staff be encouraged to switch off lights and reduce water usage. The Diocese of Lesotho will be having an Environmental Conference on the 31st May 2014  Anglican Environmental Network Photos: Tshepho Hlasoa