According to Dr Stephanie Midgley from the Department of Agriculture in the Western Cape, climate change can affect different areas in South Africa differently.

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Midgley shares that models show that temperatures in the Northern Cape might increase. “What we’ve already seen and what the models are telling us is that there is definitely relatively rapid warming. Temperatures are going up in all the seasons. Extremes of temperatures are going up. We’ve got fewer cold nights and more hot days.

“So in the Northern Cape, the projections for the future are not good for temperature. The models are showing that we would expect about a 3-degree increase from preindustrial temperatures before it starts to affect the climate,” explains Midgley.

She adds that the increase in temperatures in the province might have a significant impact on evaporations and water loss from the soil.

When looking at rainfall in the area, which many farmers are looking out for, Midgley says that uncertainty surrounds rainfall projections as they are unable to pick up a trend.

“But the models are suggesting that rainfall could stay the same, and there are even a few models that suggest that rainfall could go up in those areas.

“What is of concern is that irrespective of whether the rainfall could go up or not, the warmth could actually just wipe that out because of evaporation and the drying of the soil,” she further adds.

She also suggests speaking to people that are knowledgeable on the signs of climate change as well as the technology that is available for farmers.

Measuring the carbon dioxide footprints on farms is also an important step to becoming more aware of the issue.

“We can call it a crisis. It is something to be taken really serious and it is worldwide being taken very seriously. I think if we don’t adapt then we’re going to be left behind. But, I think there are a lot of opportunities in South Africa to continue farming and using the expertise that that is available to figure out how to do it,” concludes Midgley.

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